Love, Charleston by Beth Webb Hart ~ 4 stars

Love, Charleston

Beth Webb Hart

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

Charleston’s Anne Brumley has long dreamed of romance while ringing the bells at St. Michael’s, but those dreams are beginning to fade. Her sister Alicia and cousin Della encourage her to strike out and make her own way—after all, she’s thirty-six. But the tall redhead is sure God said, “Stay here and wait.”

Widower Roy Summerall has happily ministered to the country folks of Church of the Good Shepherd for years. So why would the Lord call him and his daughter away to Charleston—the city that Roy remembers from his childhood as pretentious and superficial? Surely the refined congregation of St. Michael’s won’t accept a reverend with a red neck and a simple faith.

Meanwhile, Anne’s sister, Alicia, struggles with her husband’s ambition which seems to be taking him further and further from their dreams of a happy family together. And Cousin Della’s former fiancé has returned to Charleston, making her wonder if she chose the wrong path when she married her gifted but struggling-artist husband.

Family, friendship, and faith converge in a beautiful story about how God’s transforming love works in the Holy City of Charleston.

My review:
Well, I have mixed feelings about this book. The author has a unique writing style that appealed to me, where she often includes little details that other authors would leave out. One unusual thing is that the “main” characters don’t even meet until you are over 150 pages into the book. But, the storylines for the other characters kept me interested, so it worked out alright.

There was one thing that I didn’t care for, and that would be Lish’s situation. It broke my heart to read what she was going through. Her storyline basically gave me a mixture of sadness and anger. But, in the end she is doing better and you have hope for her character.

So, mixed feelings. I can’t say that DIDN’T like it, but I can’t say that I completely ENJOYED it either. I would recommend this to the person who likes books that are a little different from your average read. It’s not a typical romance, or any other genre that I can think of.

Thanks to BookSneeze for my review copy of this book.

Blogs that you might be interested in...

Hey, guys!

Here are some blogs that you might be interested in. I'll be recommending them because they have news about Christian books, giveaways, reviews, and/or that kind of thing. You can never have too many blogs to read and giveaways to enter, in my opinion. ;D

http://www.estherisblogging.blogspot.com/
http://reviewsbyjane.blogspot.com/
http://encourageanauthor.blogspot.com/

Sunday Funnies!

Are You Honest?

This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.

Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.

THE SITUATION:
You are in Florida , Miami to be specific. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of Biblical proportions.

You are a photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive furor.


THE TEST:
Suddenly you see a woman in the water. She is fighting for her life, trying not to be taken down with the debris.

You move closer.

Somehow the woman looks familiar. You suddenly realize who it is. It's Hillary Clinton! At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take her under forever.

You have two options:

You can save the life of Hillary Clinton, or - - - you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the death of one of the world's most powerful and brilliant women.


THE QUESTION:
Here's the question, and please give an honest answer....



Would you select high contrast color film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?


*If this offends you, I'm sorry. Just remember that this is a joke.*

Donita K Paul ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Donita K Paul is telling us about her new book, Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball (October 2010). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Donita! Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a frumpy (sometimes grumpy) grandmother who retired early from teaching. I love my role as huggable grandma, but I also enjoy interacting with readers. I am guilty of speaking Christianese and try to forsake “the talk” when I write and present Bible truths that effect the heart but don’t sound like Sunday school (which I started teaching when I was 13).

Tell us about your salvation experience.
In order to familiarize you with my website, I’m going to give you a few URLs to explore. My testimony is at http://donitakpaul.com/author/testimony.html

Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
Definitely a spontaneous and I wouldn’t want to be anything else except two weeks before deadline, I would prefer to be an outliner.

Stubborn, or compliant?
I am both. It depends on whether the bridge must be held or not.

Organized or completely chaotic?
Completely, utterly, decidedly, and permanently chaotic. At this point in my life I am not going to waste time trying to reform.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Well, this is not a disaster, but is typical of my reaction. We were in charge of the Chili Dinner Fundraiser. Every night for a week, I made this huge batch of chili, cooled it, put it in freezer bags, and put it in the freezer. Two days before the dinner, I would distribute the chili to various crockpots of families who were participating in the fundraiser. We had somewhere to go and I decided we’d be gone too long and the chili was cool enough to bag and freeze. When I was putting in one of the bags, I hit the side of the shelf instead of putting the bag on top. It burst open and did a tame geyser type fountain out of the top of the bag and down my dress and into my shoe and all over the linoleum. I called my teen-aged son to come help, and he found me laughing. I mean, come on, I was standing in front of an open freezer stuffed with bags of chili, with the evidence of disaster in my hands and all over me. And my right shoe was full of chili. He said, “Mom, really! This is not funny.”

Which made me laugh more. I did the same thing when we had a plastic bottle of ketchup burst, spraying the cabinets and ceiling with that delectable tomato sauce.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
Best- compassion, generosity
Worst- impatience, can’t keep a budget

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m part Indian, Cherokee to be exact. But by the time you get down to me, there is only a smidgeon left. My daughter shows the Indian features in her cheekbone structure.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
I really don’t think I write like anybody else. In this book, totally G

What are you working on now or going to write next?
Am finishing (I hope) Dragons of the Watch, which is the third and final book in the Chiril Chronicles. Next? Holiday. And what I write during this vacation period will probably be another Christmas novella. More matchmaking wizards and their annual ball.

How can readers get in contact with you?
http://www.donitakpaul.com/

http://www.dragonandturtle.com/

On the Donita K. Paul website under Mrs. Paul, there are several blogspots I run. And I do facebook and shoutlife

Book blurb:

Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I’m really thrilled with this story. It was fun to write, and many people have said when they read it that it had the feel of a Hallmark made-for-TV movie. That’s good because that is what I was aiming for, a warm, cozy, fun read.

~~~~~

*USA residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 Latte Daze
+2 Driftwood Lane

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (August 27) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (September 2). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 3rd, 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.

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico winner!

And the winner of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley is:
Amanda (winnieayala@...)

Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter ~ 5 stars + Favorite

Driftwood Lane

Denise Hunter

Nantucket Love Story series #4

Thomas Nelson Publishers

About the book:

Meridith believes she is capable of weathering any storm. But she's never experienced a love powerful enough to uproot her...until now.

Meridith Ward has crafted a carefully ordered life to make up for the chaos that plagued her childhood years. But one phone call upsets all that. Within the span of several minutes, Meredith learns that the father who abandoned her is dead and she's been named the sole guardian of his other three children. She nervously heads to Nantucket to care for the siblings she's never met with plans to stay until their uncle returns from his trip before relinquishing guardianship to him.

She arrives to find the children living in Summer House, a Bed & Breakfast that's falling apart around them. Meridith wants to move on as soon as possible, but the inn will never sell in its dilapidated condition. Then an itinerant handyman, Jake, shows up with an offer she can't refuse.

Much like the powerful ocean just a short walk from her deck, Jake appeals to Meridith. But she senses he is also capable of pulling her under in a heartbeat. What if the thing she fears the most is exactly what she needs? Can she trust God with the details and relish the adventure?

My review:
Driftwood Lane is another great book by Denise Hunter. She really knows how to tell a story. This book has rich character details, and her writing draws you into the setting of Nantucket. I liked how real the book felt. It didn’t seem unbelievable despite the unusual circumstances. Denise did a great job tying in Meredith’s past experiences and showing the effect they had later on in her life. Jake is a great hero for this story and I loved how connected he was to those kids! The ending was *perfect* and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I would definitely recommend each and every book in this series.

Latte Daze by Erynn Mangum ~ 5 stars

Latte Daze

Erynn Mangum

Maya Davis series #2

NavPress Publishing

About the book:

Maya Davis already has many titles—Christian, barista, maid of honor (new), possible girlfriend (newer), aunt (newest)—and her life is about to become even more complicated. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, her ex-boyfriend proposes to her roommate and best friend, Jen. It’s not long until their apartment becomes Wedding Central. As if that weren’t enough, Jen’s obnoxious mom moves in to help plan the wedding, and Maya’s genius brother and sister-in-law announce that they're expecting. Then to top it off, there's the whole matter of Jack—is it love? Who wouldn't need a coffee break!

My review:

Maya is experiencing a lot of changes in her life right now. She is handling them with prayer along with copious amounts of coffee, ice cream, and just sugar in general. I love how Maya is such a real person! She isn’t perfect, but with God’s help she is trying. It reminds me that God is bigger than my problems AND my character flaws. We all need that reminder sometimes. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the Maya Davis series!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sunday Funnies!

I got these pics from Lynn Rush's blog, Catch the Rush. Enjoy!

The Crimson Cipher winner!

And the winner of The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis is:
karenk (kmkuka@...)

Lena Nelson Dooley ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Lena Nelson Dooley is telling us about her new book, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico (May 2010). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Lena! Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a full-time author married to the love of my life. We have two daughters, two sons-in-law, two granddaughters, two grandsons, and one great grandson.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I accepted Jesus into my life when I was seven years old, soon after my mother died, at a summer revival at our little country church.

Are you:
Prone to tears, or yelling?
Yes. Probably more tears than yelling now. Used to yell a lot.

Stubborn, or compliant?
The answer to that might change according to who you ask. If it’s something I believe strongly about, I can be stubborn, but more often than not, I’m a peacemaker.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
No funny story, but I’m really strong while the disaster or BIG problem is happening. Then after everything is completely over, I might melt down.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
The best: God has blessed me with the ability to discern deeper meanings in situations.
The worst: Sometimes, I’m too busy to really pay attention.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
Most people don’t know that I will soon be 68 years old.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
Readers have told me that they think my writing style is similar to Tracie Peterson’s and Lauraine Snelling’s. It has blessed me every time someone tells me that. I love both of these women’s writing.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
My agent is working with a 3-book series proposal—historical and the heroines are sisters.

How can readers get in contact with you?

SAFE-LDWRITES@FLASH.NET

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/  - Author interviews/Free books

http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/  - Regular Blogger

www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley

www.twitter.com/lenandooley

http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/

Book blurb:

All that glitters is not gold.

It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her reputation beyond redemption.

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

Sandra Bullock and John Schneider

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book or an excerpt?

No, but I do have a link to the book trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EequBWNkHRE

~~~~~

*USA and Canada residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 No Other
+2 Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (August 20) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (August 26). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 27th, 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.

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley ~ 4 stars

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

Lena Nelson Dooley

Love Finds You series

Summerside Press

About the book:

All that glitters is not gold. It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her character beyond redemption.

My review:

Madeline is facing a lot of changes in her life: the recent death of her father, the death of a poor friend which leaves a newborn baby in Maddy’s care, and her father’s supposed business partner, Horace, and his claims to marriage with Madeline. Not to mention the rumors surrounding her father’s death. In an attempt to escape marriage with Horace, Maddy flees to New Mexico in answer to a “bride wanted” ad in the newspaper. Imagine her surprise when she arrives to learn that the man who places the ad is actually an elderly miner! In addition to all that the miner’s best friend can’t seem to stand Madeline and treats her with utmost suspicion. With all these things added together you have a recipe for adventure.

There were some things about this book that I thought could have been better. Those were mainly really small things, though, like phrasing and stuff like that. For the most part though, this is a well written, sweet romance and I would recommend it.

No Other by Shawna K Williams ~ 5 stars + Favorite!

No Other

Shawna K Williams

Desert Breeze Publishing

About the book:

In the aftermath of WWII all Jakob Wilheimer wants is to get over his pain, get on with life, and if at all possible, forgive those who've wronged his family -- including himself. But it's hard to do when there are constant reminders. One of them being his former schoolmate, now teacher, Meri Parker -- Miss Port Delamar Pearl, Mayor's daughter, Belle of the town -- Meri Parker.

After enduring the stigma and isolation associated with the internment camp, the awkwardness of going back to school should've been a cake walk. But Jakob didn't expect to find himself inexplicably drawn to Meri. Or to discover that the pain and loneliness of her life surpassed his own. She needed to be rescued from the domineering family seeking to control her life. And more than anything, he needed to be the one to save her.

My review:

Oh. My. Gosh. I was amazed at how much I loved this book. There were things that could use some work. Grammar, phrasing, and little things like that. But, the writing was so good and the story was so powerful that all of those things melted away. This story evoked so much emotion from me that towards the end I was literally gasping, flinging my hands around, and on the edge of my seat because I did not know what would happen next. This is an author to watch, because she will definitely be going places.

Sunday Funnies!

THE BIBLE VERSUS YOUR CELL PHONE

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities"? And no dropped calls!

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!

And since that wasn't technically funny...

Here is a post from Seekerville titled "She Said WHAT?"

But first, a warning... you *might* fall off your chair from laughing hysterically.

Susan Page Davis ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Susan Page Davis is telling us about her new book, The Crimson Cipher. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Susan! Tell us a little about yourself.

I recently moved from my home state of Maine to Kentucky with my husband Jim and our two teenagers. So far we love it here. We have four older children as well, and six grandchildren. I’ve written about 30 published novels, and I love connecting with my readers.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was saved when I was eight years old. I’m thankful to have been walking with the Lord for many years.

Are you:

A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
Nowadays I’m fairly scheduled.

Stubborn, or compliant?
Depends on who’s asking. Ha, ha.

Organized or completely chaotic?
A little of both. I’m fairly well organized but sometimes it gets away from me.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems?
Mostly with prayer and support from my family.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
My best trait is consistency, which may also be my worst. I could probably do well to give people a few more surprises.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I had a major stroke (embolism) in January, 1997. For two days I couldn’t read or write. The Lord blessed me with a full recovery.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
Maybe DiAnn Mills? We both write historical and contemporary, and we both like suspense. My romances are usually G.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m finishing up Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island, which Summerside Press will bring out early in 2011. It’s set in 1860, when the Prince of Wales visited PEI.

How can readers get in contact with you?
My Web site is at www.susanpagedavis.com, and my Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Page-Davis/139580589399172?v=wall

Book blurb:

Saboteurs are doing their best to keep America out of the Great War. When Emma’s father is murdered, she’s hired to do the job he could have had--helping track them down by breaking their ciphers.

It’s 1915, and saboteurs are doing their best to keep America out of the Great War by bombing ships and factories and fomenting unrest among workers. Can Emma discover their plans and unmask their leader? Adventure and romance beckon as she joins a band of cryptographers trying to stop their enemies within the United States.

Here is an excerpt from the book. Enjoy!
     Emma Shuster hurried across campus against the cold wind coming off Casco Bay. Six inches of powdery snow draped the college’s brick buildings in glittery icing, and Emma’s heart sang.
     A man in a blue wool coat with epaulets on the shoulders and a peaked hat of the same hue approached the Searles Science Building from the opposite direction. Navy, Emma concluded—a fine-looking officer. She looked away before he could catch her eye.
     He reached the door of the brick building just as she did. “Hello.” He smiled brightly and opened the door for her.
     “Thank you.” As she entered, she tucked the large envelope she carried under her arm, pulled off her knit gloves, and headed for the stairs.
     “Excuse me,” the man said.
     She paused and turned toward him. “Yes?”
     He unbuttoned his overcoat, revealing a uniform beneath. “I wonder if you could direct me to Professor Shuster’s office.”
     Emma relaxed and smiled. “I’m just on my way up to see him, sir. If you’d like to follow me, I’ll take you there.” Her father was a Navy veteran. She wondered what the young man wanted with him.
     He walked beside her to the third floor landing. The handsome stranger towered nearly a foot over her.
     She supposed she should break the silence if she didn’t wish to be thought rude. “Several of the mathematics and science professors have their offices up here.”
     “Indeed. I expect the climb keeps them fit.” The young man smiled. “I’m John Patterson.”
     “And you’re with the Navy, Mr. Patterson?”
     “Yes. Lieutenant, actually.”
     They’d reached the door of her father’s office. Emma gave a quick knock and turned the knob.
     “Father, I’ve brought someone to—” She broke off with a gasp. Her father’s slender form lay sprawled on the floor. Blood seeped onto the varnished oak boards and the papers strewn near him. “Father!”
     She dropped her envelope and knelt beside him. Bending close, she touched his arm. The awful stillness of his body sent chills through her. A dry, fierce ache filled her throat. Pushing his shoulder slightly, she tried to speak again, but a sob wrenched her chest.
     Patterson knelt on the other side and put a hand to the fallen man’s throat. After a moment, he reached across and gently touched Emma’s sleeve. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
     “No, no! We need to call a doctor.”
     “I’m afraid there’s nothing a doctor could do for him.”
     She wept then¬¬—great, hot tears splashing down her cheeks.
     “Miss Shuster. Come and sit down.”
     Emma raised her hand to her mouth, staring at the blood. She struggled to stand, but her knees buckled, and she grabbed the lieutenant’s outstretched arm.
     He caught her as she wilted. “There, now. Let me help you.”
     He turned a wooden chair to face the door, holding her upright with his steel-like right arm.
     “Sit down, miss.”
     Emma sank onto the chair and held her hands over her face.
     “Can I get you anything?”
     “No,” she managed. “Thank you. Just...please, see to Father. Make certain...”
     He left her side, and she shivered. She wanted to look over her shoulder and see what Patterson did—to assure herself that she’d been mistaken and only imagined the ghastly scene.
     She didn’t move.
     The lieutenant came back, his jaw tense. “I’m sorry, Miss Shuster. I’m afraid it’s too late.”

~~~~~

**USA and Canada residents only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of The Crimson Cipher!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
+2 Angel Song

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (August 13) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (August 19). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 20th, 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.

Heartless winner!

And the winner of Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is:
allisonsbj3 (allisonsbj3@...)

Angel Song by Sheila Walsh & Kathryn Cushman ~ 4 stars

Angel Song

Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman

Thomas Nelson Publishing

About the book:

When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before.

Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down Syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.

God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us.

My review:
I definitely loved the subject in this book. Angels are something that most people, including Christians, don’t seriously think about very often. It really made me think and want to do a little more reading about angels and their roles in our lives.

There were some things that I didn’t quite agree with, because I believe differently in those areas, but for the most part I liked what the book had to say. Ethan is a really sweet male character, but I didn’t fall in love with him. I think that is because the main focus of the book is Ann and her coming to terms with her past, more than on the romance between her and Ethan. I enjoyed this book, but it’s not one of my favorites. However, the writing is good and I would recommend it to someone who favors this type of book.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for my review copy of this book.

A Tailor-Made Bride winner and Divine Appointment winner!

I'm sorry about the delay in picking the winners. Thanks for understanding. :)

And the winner of A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer is:

Michelle! (scraphappy71@...)

And the winner of Divine Appointment by Anita Onarecker Wood is:

Molly (Mollydedwards@...)

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson ~ 4 stars

Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa

Melanie Dobson

Love Finds You series

Summerside Press

About the book:

Times are hard in 1894. Desperate for work, former banker Jacob Hirsch rides the rails west from Chicago with his four-year-old daughter, Cassie. When a life-threatening illness strands the pair in Homestead, Iowa, the local Amana villagers welcome the father and daughter into their peaceful society. Liesel, a young Amana woman, nurses Cassie back to health, and the Homestead elders offer Jacob work. But Jacob’s growing interest in Liesel complicates his position in the Amanas. Will he fight to stay in the only place that feels like home, even if it means giving up the woman he loves? Or will Liesel leave her beloved community to face the outside world with Jacob and Cassie at her side?

My review:

There are certain things about the way the Amana Society believes that bother me. So those instances made the book a smidgen less enjoyable for me, but for the most part, I liked the book. The writing was good, and I liked the characters, but I didn’t fall in love with them. This is an enjoyable read with a sweet ending though, and I did like it.

Sunday Funnies!

I got this adorable post from Cathy Bryant's blog, WordVessel. Thanks!

Thoughts for 2010

May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!

May you always make the right moves.

May your cup runneth over with love.

May you always find shelter from any storm.

May you remain good looking and looking good!

May you find the perfect diet for your soul. (If this face doesn't make you want to stop eating sausage, nothing will.)

May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.

May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.

May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobberry pink and furry tan.

May you manage to MAKE time for siesta.

May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.

Should your mouth ever be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!

May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.

And may your friends always bring you joy!

Anne Elisabeth Stengl ~ Interview + Giveaway!

**You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details**

Today author Anne Elisabeth Stengl is telling us about her new book, Heartless (Tales of Goldstone Wood series #1). She has offered a copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Anne! Tell us a little about yourself.

I am an avid reader of Fairy Tales! I spent my early childhood in England and there developed a keen love of legends from Beowulf through King Arthur. My family lived within walking distance of our very own Enchanted Forest—also called the Common—where I spent many adventurous hours. Memories of those years still inspire my work.

I am a tea drinker. Not that coffee doesn’t have its place in this world. But tea flows in my veins. I read somewhere that “Tea is the drink of the wise,” so I drink it every day hoping that someday it will take effect. Speaking of . . . (puts the pot on to boil).

I collect cats. The current count is three: Molly Boots, Minerva Louise (aka: The Evil One), and Marmaduke Chuffnell. The first two are rescue kitties, but Duke is a purebred Abyssinian whose beauty is so far beyond that of mere mortals that he must be something close to a demigod.

I teach art classes part-time and paint portraits as well. I also play classical piano and a tiny bit of a jazz! I love art and music, though writing will always be my chief pleasure.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was brought up in a Christian home, but made a personal decision to live for Christ when I was nine years old. My faith has always been the most important facet of my life, and I know God has been guiding my steps as I’ve pursued publication of these stories of mine.

Are you:
Prone to tears, or yelling?
Tears. Though I try not to show it.

Stubborn, or compliant?
Stubbornly compliant, perhaps? I like my own way, but I’m also a people-pleaser. It’s a bizarre combination . . . .

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Prayer. And laughter! A few years back, when a big disaster came my way, I sat down and wrote a comedy novel, one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever written, and excellent therapy for a bruised heart! Laughter is good for the soul. It always helps to find one’s close friends and have a good laugh about life in general, to look for the funny side. Not that this is a cure-all, but it certainly helps.

I do find that writing is a great salve as well. Heartless was written just after a big disappointment in my life, and it really was a blessing to have something so creative to focus my energies on. Sometimes it is easier to work out my own thoughts and emotions on paper than to work them out in my head.

In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
Hmmm, my best trait . . . I suppose it is that I love people. I know that’s a bit nebulous, but it’s true. My natural inclination is to like a person, and I collect friends easily. I try to be a good listener. People always need someone they know they can turn to when they’re in trouble . . . even if that someone can’t do a blessed thing for them, she can at least listen!

My worst trait . . . ha! There are so many! But I actually know this: worry. I am a chronic worrier. I get very anxious about situations I cannot control, and struggle to trust God the way I should at these times. Not a great trait at all and one for which I would appreciate prayer!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
Due to the fencing scenes that cropped up in Heartless, I decided last autumn to take up fencing classes. While in class, I happened to notice a remarkably handsome young man (wearing a fine fencer’s jacket with silver buttons . . . very sharp), but decided that he was too handsome to possibly be single and ignored him. At the end of the term, however, we were assigned to fight each other in the tournament. Now this handsome young man is a far superior fencer than yours truly . . . so, I decided to even the score by scaring him a little.
I sidled up to him before the bout and said: “I want your blood! You will not survive this night!”
He laughed.
Then I beat him.
(Insert evil laugh here.)
After that he asked me out, and we are now engaged to be married this September! If that’s not surprising, I don’t know what is.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
I write in a classic omniscient narrative style reminiscent of George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis. My stories are also classic fairy tale in tone and allegories, also very like MacDonald and Lewis. This is my favorite style to read and also my favorite in which to write . . . it creates a flowing, story-telling style that suits the fairy tale genre remarkably well.

The romance is very mild in this Heartless. I would even call it G. Now, there are some scary images and scenarios that are definitely not G rated, but the romance is definitely tame. But sweet and even poignant, I think.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I just finished the rough draft of the sequel to Heartless which is called Veiled Rose. Once the rewrites are complete on that project, I will move on to the third book in the series, which resolves storylines from both of the previous books. The third book has the working title Moonblood at present.

How can readers get in contact with you?
I have a facebook page that is easy to find, and I sporadically write on a blog. I don’t mind if readers want to contact me at my email address, which is aestengl@gmail.com

Book blurb:

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love—and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir.

Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer—and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
I don’t actually envision movie stars as characters in my books. I like to keep even the written descriptions to a minimum, leaving readers to imagine the characters as they will. Characters are shaped through their actions and personalities, and I find that a strong mental image will come to me without a physical description. I get a kick out of asking various readers to describe how they envision my characters. Often it is spot-on to the way I see them . . . sometimes, it is surprisingly different! The important thing is that the characters become real to their readers.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book or an excerpt?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31003359/Heartless

~~~~~

**USA residents only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win a copy of Heartless!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 Blood Ransom
+2 Heartless

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (August 6) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (August 12). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 13th, 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.

Emergency

Hey!
Some friends of ours are having a family emergency. I will not be able to do much blogging during this time, so the giveaways are in limbo. Please feel free to enter to win Heartless, but the other giveaways will end tonight. I will pick the winner as soon as I can. Thank you!

Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl ~ 5 stars

Heartless

Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Tales of Goldstone Wood series #1

Bethany House Publishing

About the book:

The Dragon King Seeks His Princess--Who Dares to Stop Him?

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon marry. She dreams of a charming prince, but when her first suitor arrives, he's not what she'd hoped. Prince Aethelbald of mysterious Farthestshore has travelled a great distance to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be on the hunt and blazing a path of terror.

Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his cautions with dire consequences. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in his sights. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

My review:
Heartless is a beautiful allegory about our choices and how they affect us, and those around us. It is also a touching story about Jesus’ redeeming love for each of us. This is definitely a book unto itself. I’ve never read anything quite like it in the fantasy genre or any other for that matter. Very original, and unique! Anne’s writing style is great, with lots of richness to it that will draw you into the story. I loved this book and I would recommend it to all ages!

Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris ~ 5 stars

Blood Ransom

Lisa Harris

Mission Hope series #1

Zondervan Publishing

About the book:

Deep in the heart of Africa, two American lives are about to change forever.

Natalie Sinclair is working to eradicate the diseases decimating whole villages in the Republic of Dhambizao, when she meets Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from a lucrative medical practice now volunteering at a small clinic.

Meanwhile, things are unraveling in Dhambizao. Joseph Komboli returns to his village to discover rebel soldiers abducting his family and friends. Those that were too old or weak to work lay motionless in the African soil. When Chad and Natalie decide to help Joseph expose this modern-day slave trade—and a high-ranking political figure involved in it—disaster nips at their heels.

Where is God in the chaos? Will Chad, Natalie and Joseph win their race against time? Romance and adventure drive this powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare challenge it.

My review:
This book is fast-paced, action-packed, and a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really opens your eyes to a lot of things that most people never consider when living in our comfortable homes in our relatively safe country(s). The twists and turns of the plot were well written and kept me guessing until the very end. Those who love action, light romance, danger, and intricate plots will be sure to enjoy this book.

Sunday Funnies!

Today, just a picture. But, a picture is worth a thousand words...