Lisa T. Bergren ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Author Lisa T. Bergren is visiting today, and telling us about her book, Breathe: A Novel of Colorado. She is also giving away an autographed copy of her new book to one lucky commenter! Breathe released in June 2009.

Welcome, Lisa! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a mom, wife, writer, disciple, traveler.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
Since 1992. More than thirty books so far!

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be?
Hmmm….I’m always writing something different! I’m kinda like Bodie Thoene and Francine Rivers with my historical women’s fiction (CAPTAIN’S BRIDE/Northern Lights and BREATHE/Homeward Series) and Frank Peretti with my Gifted series (THE BEGOTTEN, BETRAYED, BLESSED). Depends on what you’re reading!

In your own words tell us a little about Breathe.
I’m currently writing the Homeward Series, which is really about three prodigals—whether they realize it or not—and their journey toward acceptance of the Father’s love. The first is BREATHE, about a woman with consumption (tuberculosis) in 1883, and her journey toward Colorado—and love in all forms. The next up is SING, the second in that series, about Odessa’s sister—who wants nothing more than public accolades (but is really hungering for God.) And I’m currently working on CLAIM, the third in that series—which centers on Nic, who has some anger issues…

Blurb:

By the time Dominic and Moira St. Clair get their ailing sister, Odessa, to Colorado Springs in the winter of 1883, she is nearly dead. Odessa has been seriously aling for the past year from consumption, an illness that claimed the lives of four of her younger brothers, prompting her father, to send his only surviving children west to chase the cure.

Moira is beautiful and dangerously headstrong; and pugnacious Dominic is charged with establishing a new arm of the family business--a business he doesn't want.

Several days after her arrival, Odessa witnesses what she fears is the murder of miner Sam O’Toole, friend and neighbor to the charming Bryce McAllan.

What’s more, Sam leaves her a poem containing clues that seem to direct her to his mine, which is purported to carry a fantastic vein of silver. But if she is ever to rise from her bed again, she must first concentrate on conquering the giant that threatens her─consumption. Indeed, she must learn to breathe again─daring to embrace her life, her future, and hope in her God.

My review HERE.
What made you want to write this story?
I learned that at the turn-of-the-century, 1/3 of our residents were here to seek the Cure for tuberculosis. I thought that was evocative—what drives a woman to travel out West to find healing? What is a society like that is so heavily weighted toward those who are seeking healing?

What research did you have to do for this book?
I did a lot of reading about the history of tuberculosis and the treatment for it in the early years—highly interesting: can you imagine eating a dozen eggs and eating a gallon of while milk each day??
 
What are you working on now or going to write next?
SING #2—going through copyediting; CLAIM #3--editing
 
How can readers get in contact with you?
Find me at http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/ or on Twitter or Facebook!
 
What are you currently reading?
The 4th in the Twilight series—I’m writing a young adult series next—and Dan Brown’s LOST SYMBOL. Looking for an amazing read??? Read GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY. I’ll never forget it.
 
Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
20 years ago I was tending bar on Sundays. (Then God called me back to my knees. HELLO!)
 
If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
Bald eagle. Powerful. Can fly. Beautiful. Strong.
 
Favorites:
TV show, and/or movie?
LOST, HEROES, FAST FORWARD, GLADIATOR.
 
Place to go on vacation?
We’re always looking for the next vacation! We go every year to NW Montana…but we’re seeking even greater adventures! See http://www.theworldiscalling.com/
 
Book this year or month? Why?
GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY. Amazing, memorable characters I hated to leave; learned a lot about a period of history and locale I knew nothing about; laugh-out-loud and alternately sob story…hugely moving. Can’t wait for the movie!
 
Here is the cover of Lisa's next book in the Homeward series:
 

 

 
 
Aren't her covers gorgeous?? I love them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

~~~~~

**USA residents only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Breathe: A Novel of Colorado! To enter: Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win), and please specify that you want to be included in the contest! *If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.* The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment that you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest. The contest will run from today (Oct. 30) until 10:30 CST on Thursday (Nov. 5). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 6th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner. Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

By Darkness Hid winner!

And the very lucky winner of one of my favorite books, By Darkness Hid, is:

Cheri!

Congrats! I will contact you today for your mailing address. I'm sure that you will enjoy this book as much as I did. =)

Gallimore by Michelle Griep ~ 5/5 stars

Gallimore

Michelle Griep

Black Lyon Publishing

2008

About the book:

Jessica Neale’s faith is lost the day of her husband’s death, and with it, her belief in love. In a journey to find peace, she encounters a gentle, green-eyed stranger who leads her to the ruins of the medieval castle, Gallimore.

On his way to battle, Colwyn Haukswyrth, knight of Gallimore, comes face to face with a storm the likes of which he’s never seen, and a woman in the midst of it who claims to live centuries in the future. The Lady Jessica of Neale is an irksome, provoking bit of woman to be sure. And she’s about to turn his beliefs on end.

The product of a family rooted in pain and evil, Colwyn has focused on naught but himself—until Jessica. To a mysterious prophecy stitched on a tapestry, through the invasion of Gallimore itself, Colwyn and Jessica are bound together by a lesson in forgiveness and love—a bond that might be strong enough to survive the grave.

My review:
Gallimore is a fantastic medieval-fantasy read. I was amazed at the way Michelle wrote it true to the time period. In some medieval books the dialogue and happenings are more modern than I would like, but that was not so in this book. She really captured the feel of the time period. Jess is an amazing character, with a lot of depth and you really get to know her well. Colwyn, though rough and mean at first, becomes a very lovable character. I never could guess what was going to happen in the end. It could have gone countless ways, but I liked the ending Michelle chose. I just wish the ending wouldn’t have been so sudden, and she would have used a couple more chapters to finish the storyline. Still, this is a great fantasy read that I believe readers will really enjoy.

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas by Janice Hanna Thompson ~ 5/5 stars + *Favorite*

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas

Janice Hanna Thompson

Love Finds You series

Summerside Press

About the book:

Belinda Bauer, in her ivory tower… In the quaint community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with farmers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up at as a marriage broker. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing, and all the brides who come to Poetry marry the wrong men! One client, who has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts, is particularly unhappy. Is there a poetic ending in store for him—and for Belinda herself?

My review:

This is an amazing book! I would love to see it made into a movie. The whole time I was reading this book, I was laughing. The characters in this book are so funny! I loved them all. The way Janice paired them all off was genius. She really showed how God’s plan isn’t always our own, and when that happens we need to be joyful and realize that God has something better for us than we had for ourselves. I don’t normally like poetry, but in this book it is very down to earth. The poetry isn’t so deep that I can’t understand it. (I’ll admit it… I don’t get deep poetry. Don’t like the stuff at all.) Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas is an excellent book that I think anyone will enjoy.

Julie Lessman's book winner!

The lucky winner of (winner's choice) any one of Julie Lessman's books is:

Carolynn W!

Congrats! I will email you today for your mailing address. I'm sure you will love any book that you choose. :-D

(Sorry that this didn't post last night. Blogger was having issues.)

Jill Williamson ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today I'm welcoming author Jill Williamson to my blog! She has graciously offered a copy of her book By Darkness Hid to one lucky commenter! Read the post to hear more. =)

Hey, Jill! Thanks for stopping by.

Tell us a little about yourself.

 I was raised in Alaska. I went to college in Idaho and met my husband, Brad, who wanted to make movies. Since I’d always wanted to be a fashion designer, I had one more year of school to complete. I made a deal with Brad: if we went to Manhattan for one year—so I could attend the Fashion Institute of Technology—we would move to Los Angeles afterwards. We did just that. We lived in Los Angeles for nine years. About halfway though that time we both discovered that God was calling us to different things. Brad went back to school and became a youth pastor. I began to write novels for teenagers.

C- That is so cool that you felt God's calling, and were willing to give up what you wanted, for what He wanted. Way to go!

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?

I started writing in 2004. I worked on my first novel for about three years. In 2007 I went to Mount Hermon and had the opportunity to send in my full to two agents. Neither one worked out, but I knew I was getting closer. I wrote a few other books. In 2008 I attended the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference and gave the first chapter of a different story to editor Jeff Gerke. I knew his company wasn’t looking for teen novels, but he had edited my first book and I wanted to get his take. He loved my first chapter and asked for the full, then wanted to publish it. By Darkness Hid came out in April 2009. Book two comes out in April 2010.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, is your writing sweet, warm, etc.,?
I suppose it would be a cross between Stephen Lawhead and Ted Dekker. (I’m not sure what sweet, warm means. As to romance?) My books are sweet, but a medieval land is a dangerous place to live and I don’t shy away from depicting an honest storyworld. Therefore there is a little bit of violence in my stories (swordfighting, kidnapping, and war) and not all people are treated with the respect they deserve (slaves and women). So maybe that’s warm… ?

In your own words tell us a little about By Darkness Hid.
I originally wrote By Darkness Hid for the young adult market—my characters are fifteen and seventeen—but I sold it as an adult novel. It’s a medieval fantasy novel about a slave boy who gets the opportunity to change his station in life and train to be a Kingsguard knight. You don’t have to be a fantasy fan to enjoy this book. It’s fast-paced and suspenseful and even has a bit of romance. It is book one in the Blood of Kings series.

Here is the book's blurb:

Achan has been a slave all his life. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head.

Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid capture by the powerful forces that seek to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so requires her to work with those who could destroy her.

While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell's true identities—and a different kind of voice is calling them both.

You can read a sample chapter and comments from readers on Jill's website.

My review, click HERE.

What made you want to write this story?
I had a really weird dream. Have you ever waked up from a bizarre dream and thought, “Wow! That would make a great story?” This happened to me once in the middle of the night. So I wrote down the dream and went back to sleep. When morning came, my notes made very little sense. It was a science fiction premise, but there was one aspect to it that I couldn’t stop thinking about. Over time I brainstormed. The premise switched from science fiction to medieval fantasy. I started researching that time period. The more I learned, I couldn’t wait to get started. The final story turned out nothing like that dream.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I read several books on medieval history. I talked with people who had studied medicine in the dark ages to help with Vrell’s character, since she is learning healing. I also read a book on medieval swordsmanship that I found fascinating. It really made my swordplay scenes more believable.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?

Steven Strait would be the perfect Achan if he looked just like he did as Warren Peace in Sky High.

Amanda Bynes did a great job playing a boy in She’s the Man. I think she’d be an awesome Vrell.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
To Darkness Fled is the second book in the Blood of Kings series. It comes out April 2010.

How can readers get in contact with you?
You can email me through my website (www.jillwilliamson.com) or find me on Facebook.

What are you currently reading?
Gatekeepers by Robert Liparulo. It’s book three in the DreamHouse Kings series, which is about a family that moves into a house that’s alive. Creepy fun.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I speak a little bit of Japanese and went to Okinawa Japan for a month back in high school. It was awesome fun. The best part was that me and my BFF had our own code language because no one else in our high school had taken Japanese.

C- That is so cool! I'm learning American Sign Language right now, so I have a "code language" with my friends too. =)

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
A magpie. Once I get talking…

Favorites:
TV show, and/or movie?
I like Psych and Chuck. Overall movie: Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. Chick Flick: Anne of Green Gables.
Place to go on vacation?
Disneyland—not world. The original is always the best.
Book this year/month? Why?
I loved Thirsty by Tracey Bateman. It’s a combination women’s fiction and Brandilyn Collins-like suspense with a vampire subplot.

Nina’s story—her life—was so real it gripped me entirely. I was overcome with intense emotions after finishing this book. Maybe that’s because it was two am… I started it at nine and had to stay up until I finished. Always a good sign of a powerful story.

~~~~~

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of "By Darkness Hid". To enter: Leave a comment with your email address (so I can contact you if you win), and please specify that you want to be included in the contest. *If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.* The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest. The winner is always randomly chosen. The contest will run from today (Oct. 23) till midnight on Thursday (Oct. 29). I will contact the winner on Friday the 30th, and then that person will have a week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner. Good luck! Thanks for visiting!

The Blue Enchantress winner!

The winner of Marylu Tyndall's amazing book, The Blue Enchantress, is:

Ashley W! 

Congrats! I will contact you today for your mailing address. I'm sure you will love it!

Other blog's giveaways!

If you head over there, please tell them Carman at continuousdelights.blogspot.com sent you!

To enter for:
The House in Grosvenor Square, click HERE.
Thirsty, click HERE.
Snow Melts in Spring, click HERE.
Sunset Beach, click HERE. (Go down to the "Sense and Sensibility and Free Books!" post.)
Maggie Rose, click HERE.
Love is a Battlefield, click HERE.
The Edge of Light, click HERE.


Good luck!

Julie Lessman ~ Guest Blog + Giveaway!

BAD BOYS GONE GOOD … and Book Giveaway!

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit it—I am an AVID Inspirational romance reader/writer with a weakness for bad boys. Not just any bad boys, mind you, but those smoldering, still-waters-run-deep kind of guys that weaken your knees. You know the type—the tall, brooding men with a questionable past and a penchant for the ladies? Because somehow, someway you just KNOW that underneath all those bad decisions these guys make, there’s a hurting little boy inside, desperate for a love that will save him. And I’m not just talking about the love of a woman, here, although I do like plenty of that in my books. Nope, I’m talking about the love of God, that deep and mysterious component that for me personally, ignites the WOW factor in a hero.

To me, there is nothing stronger than a wayward guy gone good. It takes strength of conviction and a lot of humility for a man to bend his knee to God, but when he does, he rises as a tower of strength and manhood, not in his own power, but in God’s. It’s like epoxy—the strength of a man combined with the strength of his Savior, recreating man as he was meant to be—a warrior, a protector and fiercely devoted to both God and the woman he loves.

Which is why in my Daughters of Boston series, all of my heroes were, at one time, bad boys—womanizers, drinkers, men driven by lust rather than love. Human beings with a painful past that throughout the course of my books, become human beings with a future of hope. From the moody good looks of Collin McGuire and the gruff, handsome appeal of Mitch Dennehy … to the quiet depth of passion in John Brady or the humble strength of Patrick O’Connor, there is nothing more romantic than a strong man who loves God.

So, here’s your chance to vote for your favorite Daughters of Boston hero in the poll to the right of this blog article. Just cast your vote, then leave a comment to tell me why you voted the way you did. Be sure to check back on October 23 when one winner will be drawn for a signed copy of their choice of one of the books in The Daughters of Boston Series. OR, if preferred, the winner may request a signed copy of book 1 of my next series, A Hope Undaunted, which is Katie O’Connor’s story, releasing Sept. 2010. And trust me … Cluny McGee is one “bad boy” you won’t want to miss! :) So vote for your favorite hero, and let’s just see if this “bad boy” doesn’t make “good” with a free book!

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her white-hot passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year, Julie is also the recipient of 13 Romance Writers of America awards and resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever. She is the author of The Daughters of Boston series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. You can contact Julie through her website at http://www.julielessman.com/

"Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio" & "Love is a Battlefield" ~ Winners!

The winner of Annalisa Daughety's book, Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, is:

Rebecca Mitchell!

The winner of Annalisa's other book, Love is a Battlefield, is:

Carole!

Congrats to you both! I will contact you today for your mailing addresses. :-D

Marylu Tyndall ~ Interview + Giveaway!

In honor of my one month anniversary of blogging I'm having a special giveaway with one of my favorite authors, Marylu Tyndall! One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of The Blue Enchantress, book two in the Charles Towne Belles series.

Welcome, Marylu! Thanks for stopping by.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hum, well, I live in one of the most liberal states in the Union in one of the most liberal parts of the state and probably one of the most innovative places as far as science and technology goes: The Bay Area in Northern California. It's a gorgeous place to live with a mild, Mediterranean climate. An hour west of me is the gorgeous Pacific coast, and 4 hours toward the east, we have the beautiful sierras. I've lived here for nearly 30 years, but my true love is the tropics of Florida where I grew up and where my entire family still lives and where I go and visit as often as I can! My husband and I have 6 children, most all grown up, and 3 cats currently, although we seem to attract strays! (cats, not kids)

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?

I’ve been writing as a hobby most of my life. As a professional writer, only for five years. I have six books published so far!

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, is your writing sweet, warm, etc. (in terms of romance)?

I really don’t think my writing is like any other author out there. I’m unique! But if I had to choose a couple of authors who I’m similar to, I’d say Deanne Gist or Linda Chaikin. And my stories are anything but sweet and warm. My books are full of crazy adventures: kidnappings, ship battles, spies, lady pirates, lots of nasty bad guys and tons of brave hunky heroes. The romance in the books is strong, passionate, but very chaste and godly.

In your own words tell us a little about The Blue Enchantress.

The Blue Enchantress is a great adventure that starts out on an auction block on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, then heads out to sea where a hurricane strikes the ship my characters are sailing on, shipwrecking them on an island, then the story passes through a port on Jamaica and ends back out at sea for a ship battle. Intertwined throughout the action is the story of a young girl who has made some bad choices, who believes her only value is in her appearance, and who desperately wants to find love and self-worth. I believe it is the yearning of many young women today who get confused by the ads bombarding them telling them that their only worth is in the way they look. The story is also a great romance between a man who wants to avoid loose women at all cost and a woman with a sordid past and the transformation each of them has to go through to finally be healed and love each other freely.

The Blue Enchantress is book 2 in a series entitled Charles Towne Belles, but it isn’t necessary to have read book 1 prior to this one.

Here is the official blurb:

Still grieving the loss of her mother—and private tragedies of her own—Hope Westcott plays the part of a dutiful admiral’s daughter. But longing for the love and acceptance she never felt at home, Hope plunges into Charles Towne society. . . and an illicit affair with Lord Falkland.

For Captain Nathaniel Mason, wealth means security, so he is determined to build his shipping business—ignoring God’s call on his life to become an impoverished pastor. He also ignores his attraction to the frivolous, vain Hope Westcott.

Hope’s adventure seeking lands her in the hands of an unscrupulous ship captain who wants to sell her to the highest bidder. When Nathaniel sees Hope on the auction block, will he listen to God and sacrifice his ship, cargo, and security to save her?

From the Carolina Coast to the Caribbean, through stormy seas and shipwreck, can Hope and Nathaniel put aside their painful pasts, listen to God’s voice, and find true love and acceptance?

Click HERE for my review of The Blue Enchantress.
 
What made you want to write this story?
This story is so close to my heart because the heroine Hope is a woman who, like many women today, believes her only value is in her appearance. And she uses her good looks to attract the wrong kind of attention, mistaking it for true love. I believe this is an insidious problem in our culture today—a culture that tells young girls that they are only valuable if they are beautiful. I wanted to show through Hope’s story that the kind of love the world offers is shallow and destructive and that their true value comes from God.
 
What research did you have to do for this book?
Tons. I had to learn lots of details about the sailing of tall ships, what St. Kitts island is like, how it feels to be in a hurricane out at sea, how to survive on a deserted island, what Kingston, Jamaica was like in the 1700’s etc. etc.. You’d be amazed at the amount of research that goes into each novel.
 
Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?

Definitely Cameron Diaz for Hope because she’s a bit of a seductress but with a very sweet, innocent side.

 

 

I’d love to see Jack on the TV show LOST play my hero, Nathaniel Mason.

What are you working on now or going to write next?

I just finished The Raven Saint, which is book 3 in the Charles Towne Belles series. It is about another Westcott sister who gets kidnapped by a French Mercenary. Yes, I’m very mean to my characters!

I’m just beginning a new series set during the War of 1812 set in Baltimore called Surrender to Destiny. In fact, I just got back from Baltimore where I spent a week doing research.

How can readers get in contact with you?
My website: http://www.mltyndall.com/

My blog: http://www.crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=181159984111&comments=#/marylu.tyndall?ref=profile

What are you currently reading?
A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman

C- I love that book!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I had 8 dads growing up.
 
If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
A Deer. Graceful, yet easily frightened.
 
FAVORITES:

TV show, and/or movie?
LOST / Counte of Monte Cristo
Place to go on vacation?
Caribbean
Book this year (or month if you’ve read too many to remember)? Why?
Rita Gerlach’s Surrender the Wind A great romance adventure!

The Blue Enchantress released August 2009.

~~~~~

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of The Blue Enchantress! To enter: Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win), and please specify that you want to be included in the contest. *If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.* The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest. Anyone can enter! No matter where you are.The contest will run from today (Oct. 14) till midnight on Tuesday (Oct. 20). I will contact the winner on Wednesday the 21st, and then that person will have a week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner. Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

The Blue Enchantress by Marylu Tyndall 5/5 stars + *Favorite*

The Blue Enchantress

by Marylu Tyndall

Charles Towne Belles, Book 2

Barbour- Publisher

About the Book:

Get swept away in a high-tide of romance and adventure from acclaimed author M. L. Tyndall. Trying to forget about a painful past, Hope Westcott plunges into Charles Towne society trying to find love and acceptance. Captain Nathaniel Mason is determined to build his shipping business and doesn’t need a romantic entanglement—especially with a woman like Hope. When Hope’s adventure-seeking puts her freedom—and her life—in jeopardy, will Nathaniel turn his back or follow God’s voice and sacrifice everything to save her?

My review:

Oh. My. Goodness. I loved it! M.L. Tyndall has an amazing way of writing. She can write a suspenseful scene like no one else. Here is an example: “The maelstrom outside the tiny glass oval writhed in an undulating vision of raging black clouds one second and a hissing caldron of white-capped water the next.” I even became shaky during the hurricane! Tyndall draws you in, so that you are on the edge of your seat. She will make you laugh, cry, and never want to put the book down. Hope Westcott is a character that I think every woman can relate to. Broken by life, only valuing her outward appearance, she searches for love in all the wrong places. Tyndall has a way of putting you in the character’s shoes, and she makes the story come alive in a way that most authors never achieve. There was only one thing that I didn’t like and that is on the back cover. It says, “…God’s call on his life to become an impoverished pastor.” That is not true. God doesn’t want us to be impoverished. In the Bible it says that God wants us to be healthy and prosperous. However, in the book it is not said that he is called to be an impoverished pastor. It only says that he is poor now, and he will start out being a poor pastor, not that he must be, or is called to be, poor. I think this was a simple mistake in the writing of the back cover, as it is not portrayed that way in the book. I definite to-read!

My first award!

EEK! I got my first blog award! I'm so happy. :-D Thanks to Lori  at Some of My Favorite Books for giving me the One Lovely Blog Award. Her blog is so cute with the shades of blue and green that I love! Make sure to stop by her blog sometime.

Here are the rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award":

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are the people that I'm sending the award to:
Chelsea- http://acuriousreader.blogspot.com/
Cathy- http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/
Tammy- http://goodplans.blogspot.com/
Marylu- http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/
Jenny- http://www.jennybjones.com/blog/
Camy- http://www.camys-loft.blogspot.com/
Tara- http://tarasviewonbooks.blogspot.com/
Jennifer- http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com/
Rachelle- http://rachelle-pianochick.blogspot.com/
Sprite- http://be-glorified-in-me.blogspot.com/
Cat- http://ladyfayre.blogspot.com/

I'm sorry that I only have 11... I couldn't find any more! Sorry.

I hope you guys enjoy this award as much as I did! Don't forget to pass it on!

Annalisa Daughety ~ Interview + Double Giveaway!

See today's other post for the winner of Tammy Barley's book, Love's Rescue!

Today author Annalisa Daughety is answering some questions and has graciously offered a autographed copy of *each* of her two new books: Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, and Love Is a Battlefield.

Welcome, Annalisa! Tell us a little about yourself.

First of all, thanks for having me, Carman!

I am a native of Arkansas but now I live in Memphis and work for the National Foundation for Transplants as a special events and marketing coordinator. I have two dogs—a boxer mix and a lab mix. When I’m not working or writing, I love to spend time with my family and friends, read a good book, and go shopping. I’m about to start training for a 5K—and I’m not much of a runner, so we’ll see how that goes!

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was in elementary school, I would write and illustrate stories and fold them up like books. I kept journals throughout high school and college—those are pretty entertaining to read now!

I started getting serious about being published a few years ago-I joined ACFW in 2007 and began to really learn more about the craft of writing.

I have two books published: Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio released in September and Love is a Battlefield released October 1. I have two more books releasing next year.


If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, is your writing sweet, warm, etc.?
Hmm. I’m not sure who to compare myself to! I’d love for a reader to tell me what they think. :) My writing is probably on the sweet side, although my characters can be a little difficult sometimes. They definitely don’t always do and say the right thing.
 
In your own words tell us a little about your books.
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio:
A summer in Charm, Ohio, gives Emma Miller the chance to decide once and for all what she wants from life—but soon she finds herself pulled between two worlds.
 
Love is a Battlefield, book one in the Walk in the Park series:
Take a walk through Shiloh National Military Park with battling park rangers Kristy O’Neal and Ace Kennedy. Kristy sees the past as a battlefield of failed relationships and broken hearts. She refuses to risk being hurt again. For Ace, history offers proof that true love exists. With stories from the park’s rich history in his arsenal, Ace begins the battle to win Kristy’s heart. But when Kristy learns he’s keeping secrets from her, her skepticism seems justified. Can she risk her heart on the battlefield of love one more time or will Ace lose Kristy forever?
 
Here are the official blurbs:

Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio: Emma Miller appears to be the most blessed girl in Indiana. She teaches school, enjoys the attention of a wonderful man and has a loving family. But this Amish girl has more on her mind than buggies and bonnets; she longs for adventure and wants to see the world. So when her sister Abby convinces her to spend the summer with relatives in Charm, Ohio, Emma jumps at the chance. In Charm, she meets an Englisher who has come to town to escape her chaotic life and despite their differences, the two become fast friends. Emma finds herself pulled between two worlds and her ultimate decision will impact not only herself but everyone she knows.

Love is a Battlefield: Take a walk in Shiloh National Military Park in this fun, fast-paced romance by Annalisa Daughety, a new voice in women’s contemporary fiction. Recent history has taught park ranger Kristy O’Neal not to believe in love or risk her heart. Ace Kennedy came to Shiloh to research his family history—but it’s Park Ranger Kristy he’s studying. Using his own ancestors as an example, can he prove that true love really does exist before Kristy walks away forever?

 
What made you want to write these stories?
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio: I have always been fascinated by the Amish. I got the idea for Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, after hearing a podcast interview of a twentysomething Amish girl. The whole time she was talking about her life, I couldn’t help but think she and I had some things in common—despite our differences. From there, the idea of a story that depicted a friendship between an Amish and non-Amish girl formed.

Love is a Battlefield: I worked as a park ranger at Shiloh National Military Park—it was honestly my dream job. I became enamored with National Parks and from there, the Walk in the Park series developed.

What research did you have to do for these books?
Obviously for Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, I had to do a good bit of research about the Amish.

For Love is a Battlefield, there wasn’t really much research to be done. After working at Shiloh for so long, I know the ins and outs of the park.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if these books were made into movies?

Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio:

Rachel Bilson would play Emma Miller

 
 
Love is a Battlefield:

Reese Witherspoon would play Kristy O’Neal
Johnny Depp would play Ace Kennedy

 
What are you working on now or going to write next?
I just finished Love is Monumental, the second book in the Walk in the Park series. It is set at the Washington Monument and will come out next May. Up next for me is Love is Grand, set at the Grand Canyon. It will come out next October.
 
How can readers get in contact with you?
My web site: http://www.annalisadaughety.com/
My blog: http://www.princessofpatience.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annalisadaughety
Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/adaughety
Twitter: www.twitter.com/annalisa_

What are you currently reading?
Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones. I love it!!

C- I love that book too!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I was in a Domino’s Pizza commercial over the summer. It was the one for Memphis Barbeque Style Pizza. I played the role of a Domino’s delivery girl!

C- That is so cool! :-)

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
Either of my dogs—because they live a life of luxury!
 
Favorites:
TV show, and/or movie?
TV show: I probably shouldn’t confess this, but I’m hooked on reality shows! The Amazing Race and American Idol are two of my favorites.

Movie: My favorite movie…I can narrow it to 3: Sliding Doors, Steel Magnolias, and Gone with the Wind.

C- I love Gone With the Wind! It is one of my favorite movies.
 
Place to go on vacation?
Florence, Italy is my very favorite place. I haven’t been in several years, but a return trip is on my list.
 
Book this year or month? Why?
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my favorites that I’ve read recently. I loved reading about her journey. I normally stick to fiction, but this was a great book!
 
C- Thanks for all the great answers, Annalisa!

~~~~~

 

Okay readers, here is your chance to win a copy of  Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio or Love is a Battlefield! To enter: Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win), and please specify that you want to be included in the contest. Please only enter for one book, and specify which book you want to be entered for. *If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers. (The extra entry will be towards the book you specified that you wanted to win, not the other book.)* The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest. The contest will run from today (Oct. 9) till midnight on Thursday (Oct. 15). I will contact the winner on Friday the 16th, and then that person will have a week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner. Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

Love's Rescue ~ Winner!

I'm announcing the lucky winner of Tammy Barley's book, Love's Rescue!

And the winner is:

popstardiva228!

Congrats! I will contact you today for your mailing address. I hope you enjoy the book!

Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Vogts ~ 4/5 stars

Snow Melts in Spring

by Deborah Vogts

Seasons of the Tallgrass, Book 1

Zondervan- Publisher

About the Book:

When an aged horse is severely injured on a gravel road in the Flint Hills of Kansas, country veterinarian Mattie Evans accepts the challenge to save him. But she finds herself in the middle of a longstanding feud between the horse’s owner, pro quarterback Gil McCray, and his ailing father—who is also her dear friend.

As the snow melts in spring, Gil’s return to his estranged father’s ranch brings a chance for new beginnings and reconciliation, but when he falls in love with Mattie, he must face the truths that haunt him or run from his past. Meanwhile, Mattie encourages Gil to return permanently to Kansas rather than retire in California. Their love collides when Mattie’s sister arrives on Gil’s doorstep, causing Gil to come to terms with the jealous acts leading up to his brother’s death and seek forgiveness from those he loves most. Can he accept God’s forgiveness, and will that be enough to make him stop running from his memories of home? In turn, if Mattie forgives, she’ll be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the land she dearly loves.

My review:
This is a heart-warming tale about letting go of guilt, and following your true dreams. I loved how Deborah matched Dusty’s stages of healing with that of his owner’s, and how she used Mattie to get Gil to face up to his past. This book really shows that the dreams we sometimes want, aren’t really the ones that will make us happy, and that we should give everything to God. Because when we give it to Him, He can give us something so much better in return. I was on the edge of my seat there at the end, but everything turns out wonderfully.

Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones ~ 5/5 stars

Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God

by Jenny B. Jones

Thomas Nelson- Publisher

About the book:

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.

Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.

Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.

As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

My review:
WOW. I loved it! This book is full of wonderful things, such as: wit, humor, a really cute guy, massive amounts of candy, and (best of all) God. Jones is an amazing author, who really makes you think (once you dry your eyes from laughing so hard). I loved how she dealt with fear in this book, and how God was totally at the heart of getting rid of it. "We can do all things through Christ" is proved true over, and over in Jones's books. As characters get themselves in crazy situations that only God can help them out of, and He does every time. She is an inspiring author who writes about characters that people can relate to, and laugh about. A definite to-read.

It's Not About Him ~ winner!

Hey! I'm announcing the very lucky winner of Michelle Sutton's book, It's Not About Him!

And the winner is:
Penny Hull!

I will contact you today for your mailing address. Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy the book!

~~~~~

Also: See today's other post for info on my new giveaway Love's Rescue!

Tammy Barley ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author Tammy Barley is telling us about her book, Love's Rescue. Also, she has graciously offered to give away a copy of Love's Rescue (read to the bottom for details).

Hello Tammy! Welcome to my blog.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi all, and thank you, Carman, for inviting me to your blog! Each of you should note that I’ll tell you how to win a guest ranch vacation for two to Colorado later in the interview, so read on! =)

I’ve lived in 27 cities and towns in 8 states, including the South and the West/Sierra Nevadas where Love’s Rescue (and the next two books in The Sierra Chronicles) take place. My favorite place so far? Kentucky. Why? The horses, history, rolling green hills and forests, people, and climate. (Can I mention horses twice?) =) When I’m not writing historical romance, I ghostwrite biographies and self-help books, mentor writers, and judge a number of top published fiction contests.

C- Wow. I have only lived in one town my whole life! It is amazing that you have moved around so much.

How long have you been writing, and how many books do you have published?

Twenty years. Books with my name on the cover as author? I’m on my second one.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be?

I’m unable to compare. When I set out to write a book, I ask myself, “What hasn’t been done before?” and I strive to make my writing unique, as if you are there, in that time, living the adventure and romance of the main character. My writing is inviting and inspiring, but also real, so that a reader feels the heat of a July night on her skin, and the cool water as she sinks into a refreshing moonlit stream.

In your own words, tell us a little about Love's Rescue.

Here’s a quickie description: A headstrong Southern woman falls for her kidnapper . . . a rancher she blames for the deaths of her family. But there’s more to the deaths than she knew, and now those responsible are coming after her.

Here’s the one-liner I use in advertising: He saves her life. She shows him what it means to live.

Here is the official blurb:

A Dividing Conflict

In 1863, the War Between the States is dividing more than a nation. To escape the conflict, Jessica Hale and her family flee their Kentucky home and head for Nevada Territory. Her brother, Ambrose, committed to the Confederates, rejoins his Kentucky militia and is disowned by his father. But the worst is yet to come.

A Heroic Kidnapper

When Unionists presume the family to be Confederate sympathizers, they set a devastating fire to their home. All alone and then “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett, Jessica is taken to a ranch deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. Can she overcome her resentment toward Jake for failing to save her family?

The Depths of Love

When Jake launches a plan to help Jessica’s brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family, will Jessica see a future with Jake?

What made you want to write this story?
After living in eight states, including the South where many Civil War battles were fought, I was sooo curious to know what took place in the West during the Civil War. The story grew as I looked for answers. During my research, I visited Old West towns still beautifully preserved, and the past seemed real to me, as if time had stopped and the year was still 1863. I wanted to make that real for others who enjoy journeying to an earlier time through fiction.
 
C- I have always liked reading about the Civil War era. It is one of my favorite time periods.
 
What research did you do for this book?
As I needed to know a great deal about a time and place that few know about, I did extensive research both on site and in historical documents. I also needed to know quite a bit about horses, so my years riding in different places including Western mountains came in handy.
 
Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?

Hugh Jackman would play Jake Bennett.

 

 

Jessica Hale would be played by Catherine Zeta-Jones.

 

 

C- She looks a lot like the model on the cover! That is so cool.

 

 

What are you working on now, or going to write next?

Hope’s Promise, book two in The Sierra Chronicles Series, in which Jake and Jess’s story continues, complete with romance, adventure, and suspense.

 

How can readers get in contact with you?

Here’s my Web site: http://www.tammybarley.com/index.html. Also, to introduce readers to The Sierra Chronicles and to encourage them to read Love’s Rescue, I’m giving away a one-week western guest ranch resort vacation for two to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado! For details and to enter, visit http://www.tammybarley.com/Bookshelf.html. Currently, only about one reader out of every two hundred are entering the contest, so your chances of winning are phenomenal!!!

 

What are you currently reading?

For once, I’m in between books. I’m not sure which one I’ll pick up next (other than that it’s likely to be historical romance)! =)

 

C- That is my favorite kind. : D

 

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.

Twenty years ago I worked as a travel consultant near Hollywood, and planned travel arrangements for various movie productions as well as vacations for actors and producers.

 

C- Cool!

 

 If you could be any animal, which would it be? Why?

Wow, I love these creative questions! I’d want to be several different animals, each for a day or a week, but long term I’d love to be a dolphin. I’d love to swim that fast, leap that high, and discover the world under the ocean.

 

C- I always wanted to be a dolphin too! How funny.

 

Favorites:

TV show, and/or movie?

I love movies more than TV, and I have several movie favorites. One of them is Evita. Antonio Banderas . . . need I say more? =)

Place to go on vacation?

Disneyworld, Florida.

Book this year, or month?

Forevermore by Cathy Marie Hake. Great realism, completely captivating. One I can enjoy again and again.

~~~~~

Love's Rescue released July 7, 2009. Hope's Promise is coming in July 2010.

The giveaway is open to anyone, and the book will be autographed!

Thank you for stopping by, Tammy!

 

 

Alright readers, here is your chance to win a copy of "Love’s Rescue"! To enter: Leave a comment with your email address (so I can contact you if you win), and please specify that you want to be included in the contest. *If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.* The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest. The contest will run from today (Oct. 2) till midnight on Thursday (Oct. 8). I will contact the winner on Friday the 9th, and then that person will have a week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner. Thanks for visiting! Good luck!