After completing a master’s in Creative Writing and working as a visiting instructor at Miami University in Ohio, Bethany Pierce now lives with her husband in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she is a member of the McGuffey Art Center and continues to write. Her first book, Feeling for Bones, was one of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of 2007.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With rejections piling up, she could use just a little inspiration…
Amy Gallagher is an aspiring writer who, after countless rejections, has settled for a career as an English professor in small-town Ohio just to pay the bills. All her dreams suddenly start to unravel as rejections pile up–both from publishers and her boyfriend.
But just as Amy fears her life is stuck in a holding pattern, she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. She struggles to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as staying true to her faith becomes unexpectedly complicated.
When secrets, tragedy, and poor decisions cause rifts in Amy’s relationships, she must come to terms with who she’s become, her unrealized aspirations for her life, and the state of her faith. Can she dare to hope that she will find love and fulfillment despite it all?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Amy Inspired, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I have to say that I have very mixed feelings about Amy Inspired. On the one hand, it was well written and easy to read. On the other hand, I found it pretty depressing.
The main character, Amy had decided to make a career of writing (after checking every other possibility off her list). Unfortunately everything she submitted for publication only earned her rejection letters. Her love life was pretty pitiful too – unless you count getting hit on by your best friend’s beau or by a weird student. Then when a guy came along that she was attracted to, she did everything she could to avoid him. I kept waiting for something to happen that would inspire Amy but for the most part she just plodded along in her self-absorbed funk.
Amy Inspired was not a bad book. In fact there were actually many humorous and entertaining scenes. I have read quite a few glowing reviews so I have to believe that it just did not meet my own personal preferences. I would advise reading other reviews before rejecting it – Amy Inspired might just be the perfect book for you.
I believe every life has hidden songs that hang by twin threads of music and memory. I believe in the songs that have never been played for another soul. I believe they run between the rocks and along the creekbeds of our lives. These are songs that cannot be heard by anything but the soul. They sometimes run dry or spill over the banks until we find ourselves wading through them.
Excerpt from Chapter 1
Although the prologue didn’t particularly capture my attention, the second paragraph (above) of the first chapter of Almost Heaven did the trick. This book is so riddled with lyrical prose that I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite paragraph to quote. Not only does Chris Fabry tell a good story but he does it so beautifully. The music lover in me truly appreciated it.
Almost Heaven is the story of Billy Allman that is told both from his point of view and that of his guardian angel Malachi. As Billy chronicles his life as seen through his own eyes, Malachi provides a view of the same events that were invisible to the human eye. Even Billy had no idea of behind the scenes efforts that affected his life. Like many people, Billy had what seemed to be more than his share of tragedy and hardship, but through it all, he remained dedicated to God .
One event that stood out to me was Billy’s encounter with Rev. Adrian Rogers, long time pastor of the largest church in my area and well known in Baptist circles. The way Dr. Rogers took time out of his busy life to spend it counseling with a total stranger rings so true. I have heard numerous similar stories from everyday people that were blessed by his caring spirit.
Almost Heaven is a realistic tale about the faithfulness of God and what one man dedicated to him can do. It relates the importance of dealing with buried secrets by letting the Lord bring them to light so that healing can take place. It should also be an encouragement to anyone who feels that he has nothing to offer.
There are a few places that the narrative gets a little slow but overall the plot moves at a good pace with enough action to keep it interesting. It is well worth the effort and I definitely recommend it.
This book was provided for review by LeAnn Hamby with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Billy Allman barely survived the flash flood that swept through his holler, taking many a life. Truth be told, it took his daddy’s life, too. Daddy’s body kept living after the flood, but his mind never left the waters that snatched two little girls from his arms and held them until they were in the loving arms of Jesus.
The only thing Billy saved was his daddy’s mandolin and it is his ability to make that instrument sing that God allows to bring about Billy’s destruction…and his ultimate redemption.
Special Offer! Through a promotion with Tyndale House Publishers, Amazon.com is offering Almost Heaven free for the Kindle. That’s right, FREE. Just click here and it’s yours for the checking out.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chris Fabry is the host of Chris Fabry Live!, an hour of spiritual encouragement from his backyard radio fence. The program challenges listeners to think biblically about their spiritual journeys. Chris is also the author of the Christy Award-winning novel Dogwood, and his latest fiction release, June Bug. He and his family live near Tucson, Arizona. You can learn more about Chris at www.chrisfabry.com
Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.
Facts about Alice
* Born in Osaka, Japan and lived in Japan for 18 years
* Went to Kyoto International School and Canadian Academy
* Majored in Social Work and graduated in 1983 from Eastern Mennonite University
* Worked at a group home for disadvantaged kids outside of Philadelphia
* Taught English and Culture Orientation at a refugee camp in the Philippines
* Taught English as a Second Language in Japan
* Speaks and teaches on Writing the Heartache
* Has three kids on earth, and one in Heaven
* Recently got married to Carl on 2/7/09
ABOUT THE BOOK:
There are two things twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan asks God for: an honest, wonderful man to marry, and to own a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks region. In the meantime, Jackie works for Lighthouse Views magazine, writing articles about other local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.
There’s one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: the Bailey Place, a fabulous old home where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons, a place that has now fallen into disrepair because of its outrageous price tag.
When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey Place, Jackie is sure God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis’s past, she begins to question her own motivation. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Hatteras Girl, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Hatteras Girl is a sweet and charming southern romance set in the outer banks of North Carolina. Populated with realistic and sometimes quirky characters, the focus on family ties and good friends is heartwarming. Although the story is scattered with humorous moments such as Jackie’s disastrous blind dates, equal time is given to serious and sad subjects of personal loss and momentous career, financial, and relationship decisions.
Hatteras Girl contains the perfect blend of romance and drama. Interaction between the characters was always believable and helped carry the story. Jackie’s quest for romance encountered several unexpected twists and surprises that made the ending just that much more enjoyable. I would recommend Hatteras Girl to all who enjoy a good romance with a southern twang.
Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town’s scenic bike trail.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It’s Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed & Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holiday.
Anna and Henry will be celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple, and for Katie and Jonathan Lundy, it’s their first Christmas with baby Stefan. Winnie and Samuel Miller plan to stop by as well for a wonderful two weeks of family and rest.
But when two unexpected visitors show up, hoping to stay for Christmas, the family must test their commitment to hospitality. Levi is a widower who lost his wife four years ago and can’t bear the thought of another Christmas alone. And Melody is a young pregnant woman who won’t open up about how she ended up on her own at Christmas at almost nine months pregnant.
Anna, who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets, doesn’t trust her, and strives to find out the truth about these two strangers who have disrupted their holiday. But as the Christmas spirit descends on them all, as well as snow that traps them in the inn, a healing and hopefulness takes over, allowing new relationships to be built, and the boundaries of family to be extended.
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Grace, go HERE.
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