I screwed up. :(

Guys, I'm really sorry that I skipped out on you for the whole summer! I lost control of everything and had to give something up. I'm sorry that I haven't even said anything! I kept meaning to get on and start blogging again or at least wrap everything up, but I never got around to it. :/ I pretty much failed, and I know it. LOL

I decided that since I am moving on campus to start college this fall, I am going to stop blogging for a while. So, for the forseeable future, I will not be blogging. Now, I know this means that all those author interviews, giveaways, and everything that I planned will be put on hold too and I'm really sorry. I hope to start blogging again once I'm settled in to college life so maybe later this year, or maybe not until the first semester is over...

I hope you will all forgive me for just leaving like that. I know I let some people down. I'm trying to get everything under control, but... LOL I hope that you will all keep following me and come back as faithful readers when I take my blogs off hiatus.

Love you all!
Carman

Breath of Angel by Karyn Henley ~ 4 stars

Breath of Angel

Karyn Henley

The Angeleon Circle series #1

WaterBrook Press

About the book:

Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of an emaciated stranger in the temple courtyard. Just after she discovers wings on the stranger, the murderer enters the temple, and what Melaia has known only through song and story suddenly takes on flesh. Angels and shape-shifters were myths and stories . . . until now.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When the feud turns violent and Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of wandering angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without the repayment of an ancient debt, the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.

My review:

Well, this will be a little bit longer than my typical review, but there are a few things that need to be addressed.

First, although this is sold as Christian Fiction, I would just label it as clean fiction. There are angels and talk of the “Most High” that the priestesses serve, but there is no active God in the book. It is also NOT an allegory, and it does not follow Biblical principles. Also, there are two mild curse words (that I noticed) used in the dialogue. I know these things will be a to-read-or-not-to-read issue for some readers, so I wanted to mention them first.

Apart from that, I thought the book was pretty good. There were lots of plot twists and it kept me interested. It was a little confusing at first, but I soon was able to follow along very well. I was a little frustrated with the lack of power and options given to the angels and followers of the “Most High,” and wished that it was a little more Biblical in that area. It IS a fantasy world, though, and since it isn’t an allegory there are unbiblical ideas, things, and circumstances that you wouldn’t see in a Biblical allegory/fantasy book. I still liked it, however, and I will be reading the rest of this series, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next! I would recommend this book, but with a warning that it probably won’t be what you expect.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for my free review copy of this book.

I'm so sorry!

Okay, you guys are probably thinking that I have fallen off the face of the earth, and you'd almost be right. May 1-6 was my finals week, then I graduated on the 7th. Then, on the morning of the 8th, I (along with my "adopted family") left for Florida! I am still here now, and things have been crazy. I haven't had a spare minute to think, let alone blog or even do my nails (they're pretty gross right now).... but, I got to go to Disney World and spend some time with family that I won't get to see for the rest of the summer, so it's been a good time and a huge blessing.

I just want to say how sorry I am to everyone who was counting on me for something, and I didn't meet the deadline. I will get back to blogging as soon as I can, but I don't know when that will be exactly. (I don't have my own laptop so internet access is SEVERELY LIMITED RIGHT NOW.) :/ I will get everything in order (authors contacted, emails replied to, winners chosen...) but it probably won't be for a few days more.

Please bear with me! I will get everything set to rights as soon as I can!

A Heart Divided by Kathleen Morgan ~ 5 stars

A Heart Divided

Kathleen Morgan

Heart of the Rockies series #1

Revell

About the book:

When fate brings them together, they must choose between family ties and love.

The Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for decades. Still, Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright place. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, heir of the Wainwright holdings, Sarah realizes things have gone too far.

As the feud boils over, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they just might be falling in love. Can they betray their families to see where this attraction leads? Or will their families betray them?


My review:
From the first page you are swept into a whirlwind romance and a loyalty testing feud. I would get so frustrated sometimes, wishing I could help the characters, both with their situation and with their choices. But, it all ends well! As the hero, Cord is the kind the makes you so angry sometimes at his stupidity, and hurt for him at others and wish you could take away the pain he has felt in his life. Yep. He’s the hurting, prideful, stupidly honorable one that melts your heart. Couldn’t resist him! The story itself goes really fast in some places and I occasionally missed the day-to-day happenings that weren’t discussed in the book. But that was minor, and didn’t really affect my opinion of the story. In all, great plot, great characters, great book! Can’t wait for the next one!


Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Waterfall by Lisa T Bergren ~ 5 stars + Favorite!

Waterfall

Lisa T Bergren

The River of Time series, #1

David C Cook

About the book:

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaeologist parents. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

My review:

Blown away. That’s really all I can say. This pulled me in from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished. The attention to detail and historical accuracies were fantastic! They made you feel like you were there! The characters were awesome and I was pulling for them the whole time. The only problem is that I will have to wait to find out what happens next! Action, adventure, romance, and a bit of a cliffhanger ending; it’s got everything!  Bravo, Ms. Bergren! Highly recommended.

Thanks to Lisa for my free review copy of this book!

Mary Connealy ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Mary Connealy is telling us about her new book, Deep Trouble (May 2011 -- Cowboy Christmas sequel). 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 leave a comment on this post to find out the answer!

Author's bio:

Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and her novel Calico Canyon was nominated for a Christy Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters.

Welcome, Mary! Tell us about your salvation experience.
I made a public confession of faith at a Lowell Lundstrom concert when I was about sixteen. But I remember believing the truth about Jesus at a much younger age. I was raised in a wonderful Christian family. Eight brothers and sisters in a two bedroom farmhouse. No money but lots of love. I don’t really consider going forward at the concert to be my salvation experience—because I was already saved, but it was a great moment in my life.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Wow, big disasters. Honestly, I’ve got a pretty good life. Lots of little annoyances but nothing big. I’m sure in the event of a tornado or earthquake or sudden death, I would be a pillar of strength and wisdom. (wow, it’s like I’m ASKING to be struck by lightning….forget I said that)

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
These are hard questions. Hmmmm….okay, I’ve started three times writing this now and each time I stop and think, “Nah, that’s not surprising.”

How’s this?--I’m shy. I spend most of my life typing. I get an occasional sweet and clueless person who asks what it’s like to be famous and I just shake my head. If indeed I qualify as famous--and I have serious doubts about that—a famous author spends almost all her time alone with her computer, having both sides of a conversation herself. Alone. So very, very alone. Taking back the stupid things she says (types) and trying again until she sounds cool. Not a normal life at all and certainly not exciting.

What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?
I am right in the middle of reading A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman and I am so hooked. I’ve been staying up too late reading and it’s maddening. I can’t wait to see how it comes out. I love Julie’s work.

What is your favorite time of day to write?
I’m very low maintenance when it comes to writing. No set time. No set place. I can be distracted and then get right back to work. I do set goals and I mostly achieve them. I try to write 1000 words a day seven days a week and I mostly succeed. I’m doing major revisions on a finished manuscript right now and I’m loving the changes, loving the depth I’m finding in this story. But it’s not piling up the word count like I wish it was. The other day I got to a scene that I knew I needed to add, all new. As I started typing I just felt the surge of pleasure at creating something NEW rather than revising something old and I loved it. There is no part of writing that I do not love.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be?
When I was struggling to get my first book published, Petticoat Ranch, I did a lot of market research trying to figure out who I was like. There was no one doing what I was doing…which is probably why it took me so stinking long to get published! Then I read Lori Copeland’s Men of the Saddle series. A romantic western with humor…that was it. I started using her as my example. “Readers who enjoyed Lori Copeland’s Men of the Saddle Series are my target audience.”

I went to a writer’s gathering just after I’d gotten my cover art for Petticoat Ranch and I took a printed out picture of the cover with me and was showing it to anyone who couldn’t escape. Lori Copeland was there. So (boldly, for a shy girl) I went up to her and said, “Lori, I’ve been using your name to try and get myself published for a long time now.” Then I whipped out the cover and said, “And it worked!”

We ended up having a nice visit. Such a great, sweet lady.

Beyond that, there’s not a lot out there like my romantic comedy with cowboys.

I think of it as inspirational, suspenseful, historical western romantic comedy. I think I invented my own genre.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I have contracts for six more romantic comedy with cowboys novels coming spread out over the next three years. So I’m keeping very busy and I’ll keep writing these as long as someone will keep publishing them. I’m still amazed I ever got one published. This is beyond the dearest desire of my heart that I never forget how blessed I am.

Book’s back cover blurb:

Gabe Lasley and Shannon Dysart are an unlikely pair. He’s an aimless wanderer who wants nothing other than to be left alone. She’s a fearless female determined to find a city of gold. When they are forced together the mayhem begins. As they set out to find the treasure, trouble is hot on their trail. Will the dream of gold color every decision Shannon makes? Will Gabe fail yet another helpless female in his life?

What research did you have to do for this book?
I may have researched this book more than any other I’ve ever written. It begins at Mesa Verde and ends in the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

I do a huge amount of research online but I just wasn’t finding enough for the Grand Canyon portion of the book. I ended up with three books that I cross referenced constantly. The main one was The Man Who Walked Through Time by Colin Fletcher. He’s the first man who hiked the entire length of the Grand Canyon. The thing about his book that was so invaluable was his personal impressions. He wrote about the stones, the mist, the barren stretches, the difficulty of finding a trail. Reading that book gave me a lot of freedom because I realized Fletcher wasn’t a scientist, he was just a man telling how the canyon touched him. I realized my story could be less than exact if I just let my characters have honest reactions to what they were seeing.

Then I had a book of trail maps and a book of pictures that included scripture. I first read the whole Fletcher book, underlining bits and pieces that were buried in it that contained details I couldn’t find anywhere else. That book was battered by the time I was done! Then I’d cross reference his words to the trail pictures to help me figure out where he was down there. Then I’d study pictures. I spend major time flipping pages. I also have a friend, Sandra Leesmith, who lives near the Grand Canyon, or at least near enough that she’s been there many times. I asked her a lot of questions and she’d tell me little tidbits about the place. Including she told me about a man who had only recently admitted he had a ‘secret’ trail down into the canyon. Access to the bottom of the canyon is very limited and the ways down are well documented. And now, here’s this guy with a secret way down. I just loved that and decided everything that is ‘known’ about the canyon may not be everything. Wow, I’ve talked to long about this.

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

 Hmmmmm I don’t really like doing this, picking characters. If you’ll notice, most of my books are faceless. That’s a very deliberate choice on my part, and I’ll add here that once in a while we do have faces and that is fine, I’m nothing if not flexible!!!!!!!!!!!!

But I like supplying the image myself, mentally, of the characters. Still, I’m trying. I think Gabe is a young Sam Elliot. He’s got the bushy moustache. And is, of course, tall dark and handsome.

For Shannon I’m going to go with Sigrid Thornton, the heroine in The Man from Snowy River.

How can readers get in contact with you?
Seekerville

Petticoats & Pistols

My Blog

My Website

~~~~~

**This giveaway is open to addresses in any country**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Deep Trouble!

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 do not want 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.

+2 Read and leave a comment on my review of Surrender the Night

**You can earn a total of 4 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. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (May 6) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (May 12). 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 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.

Surrender the Night by MaryLu Tyndall ~ 5 stars

Surrender the Night

MaryLu Tyndall

Surrender to Destiny series, #2

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

A timid American farm girl at the mercy of the enemy. . .

A wounded British sailor driven into hiding. . .

Both are about to change the course of history forever.

When British soldiers invade Baltimore amid the War of 1812, Rose McGuire, alone on her family farm, is easy prey for a brutal lieutenant. In the midst of the attack, she’s saved by British 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Reed. Will she now have to heal, as well as hide, this enemy soldier?

Alex hadn’t meant to kill his superior, nor get shot in the process. Now badly wounded, he’s at the mercy of this tomboy who obviously hates him. Can he trust her or will she turn him over to the Americans?

Rose is having trouble keeping Alex hidden from her family, the townspeople, and the man intent on courting her. Will the discovery of Alex’s presence force her to accept an abhorrent proposal?

As their love blooms, trouble looms, for the British are on the move again. This time, their target is Washington DC. Will these young lovers at heart find themselves enemies at war?

My review:
Let me just say that anyone who reads this book expecting another on-ship adventure is in for a surprise! I don’t believe there is a single “water scene” from cover to cover. So, if that will bother you, you probably shouldn’t read this book. However, it did not bother me at all and I thought MaryLu did a great job keeping up the tension and sense of adventure without ever “stepping foot” on the sea.

I loved the sense of patriotism in this book! That isn’t something you experience much today, and I loved that it was imbued throughout the book. Rose was awesome and I really admired her bravery despite what she had gone through in her life. Alex was pretty much amazing, and despite bad choices he is admirably redeemed by the end of the book and a fantastic hero for Rose. (One thing I did notice was that Alex’s plot/background was EXTREMELY similar to Dominick’s in Eakes’ “Lady in the Mist.”) The theme of trusting God and overcoming your past with His help was well done and inspiring. I’d say this is a definite to-read if you like adventure, romance, and faith-filled fiction!

Thanks to MaryLu for my free review copy of this book!

Laurean Brooks ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Laurean Brooks is telling us about her books, Jonquils in the Snow and Over the Coals. She has offered a copy of one of her books to one lucky commenter.

My guest today is inspirational romance author, Laurean Brooks. Hello, Laurean. Thanks for coming. Tell us how you became interested in writing. Who first influenced you?
In fifth grade, my teacher, Miss Mary enjoyed my oral book reports. My quirk was to end the report with a cliffhanger. No sooner would finish reading than half the class would fight over who would get to read the book next. One day after I finished giving a report, Miss Mary smiled and turned to the class to announce, “One day, Laurie will be an author."

Her words stuck in my heart and through the years until they were fulfilled with the release of my inspirational, Journey To Forgiveness in 2009. http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/

An ironic twist is Miss Mary was the one put a damper on my creativity. We were studying Columbus and his discovery of the New World. She assigned the class a 500-word essay to expound the perils this brave explorer might have endured. I had no idea she wanted “realistic.” So when I read my version to the class, in spite of the rollicking laughter, it didn't make the grade.

It could have been the part where the spear-laden natives tied Columbus to a stake and started to set fire to him. Or wait, maybe it was when obese Chief Kookamunga waddled out of his grass hut to shout, "Oola!" (translated to "have a better idea.") The natives took Columbus down to stuff him in a cannon and shoot him back across the ocean. Whatever it was, Miss Mary insisted I re-write the Columbus story and make it "a little more realistic.”

Funny story. I see you have a wild imagination. You've added a few E-books since 2009. Will you tell us about a couple?
Thank you, Carman. I'd be happy to. Jonquils In The Snow was released by Victory Tales Press in February 2010, an appropriate time since the story is set about the time Jonquils bloom here in the South.

Blurb:

Miranda Stevens swears she will never love again after her ex-fiance' skips town two days before their wedding. But when the ruggedly-handsome man from the tree service knocks at her door following a devastating ice storm, Miranda's resolve melts.

Brady Watson is instantly attracted to the cute Miranda, but he has issues. Brady still grieves over his wife, killed by a drunk driver three years earlier. When she died, a part of his heart died, too. At least that is how he feels.

Will Miranda find a way to encourage Brady to release the past and reach out to love again? Could the answer be found in a cluster of Jonquils bursting through the snow? http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9341

Laurean is giving away one free download each of Jonquils In The Snow and Over The Coals. Now, Laurean, tell us about Over The Coals.
I'd love to. Over The Coals was released by Victory Tales Press In May, 2010. It deals with judging a person before you get to know him/her.

Blurb:

At a backyard cookout Jill watches the loud-mouthed man at the grill joke with a saucy blonde. If there is one thing Jill can't stand, it's a flirt, And Rob Canter definitely fits the description.

But looks can be deceiving. Jill's friend leaves the cookout early and Rob volunteers to drive Jill home. Jill strikes up a conversation, and realizes too late she's asked too many questions when Rob clams up. What turned the gregarious Rob into a gloomy introvert? What did she say? Why the dual personality?

Will Jill uncover Rob's dark secret? Can their relationship survive her revelation? http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/44638/

Thank you, Laurean for being my guest. To win a download of one of these wonderful e-book romances, leave a comment specifying which title you prefer.
Thank you for hosting me, Carman. I hope you all enjoyed the interview, and good luck on winning the E-books. I hope you enjoy them.

~~~~~

**This giveaway is open to people in any country**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win a copy of one of Laurean's books. Jonquils in the Snow, or Over the Coals. Let me know which you would like to win!

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 do not want 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.

+2 Read and comment on my review of Double Shot

**You can earn a total of 4 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. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (April 29) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (May 5). 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 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.

Karen Witemeyer ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Karen Witemeyer is telling us about her new book, To Win Her Heart (May 2011). 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 leave a comment on this post to find out the answer!

Welcome, Karen! Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a deacon's wife and an incurable romantic who believes this world needs more happily-ever-afters. So, in order to help meet that need, I combine my fascination for bygone eras with my passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels full of love and laughter. I'm also an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bake a mean apple cobbler. I live in Abilene, TX with my hunky, computer nerd husband and three children who are kind enough to put up with Mom's imaginary friends.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I grew up in a Christian family, so my faith developed rather organically. I was baptized into Christ when I was ten years old, but it was six years later, when my father died unexpectedly, that my personal faith really solidified. There's something about going through trials that refines us for eternity in a way everyday living cannot.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
I tend to be very task-oriented. Give me a task, I work it till it's done, then move on to the next one. When things go wrong, however, emotions get thrown into the mix, and that can get rather messy. Not too long ago, I was working on a marketing questionnaire that my publisher asked me to complete. I had spent several hours crafting just the right answers only to have everything disappear from the computer when I accidentally closed the wrong window. Panic set in as I tried everything I could think of to get it back. Then desperation hit. I begged my computer savvy husband to work his magic, but there was nothing he could do. Then I became distraught. Tears pooled in my eyes followed by anger over the injustice of the situation. Four hours of work down the drain. Finally, I came to a point of acceptance, realizing I had no option but to recreate the entire document. This is where the task-orientation came back into play. I shoved aside the distracting emotions that threatened to draw me back into a pity party, and worked the problem. In an hour and a half the project was complete. And properly saved this time!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
This may not be all that surprising since I write historical romance, but I adore old Hollywood musicals. Singing in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Sound of Music, The Harvey Girls, Summer Stock, My Fair Lady … I could go on and on. This past summer I joined Netflix just so that I could introduce my 12 year old daughter to several of these classics. I've had so much fun revisiting these favorites, and she seems to like them, too. Hooray!

What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?
Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad. This book would be a great summer read, but I read it in the cold of January and still loved it. The heroine. Marguerite, is feisty and independent and the hero, Trip, is dreamy and just stubborn enough to give our heroine a run for her money. The second in Lorna's series, A Great Catch, comes out May 1st. Should be another fun one.

What is your favorite time of day to write?
Because I work full-time and have three kids at home, by necessity, my favorite time to write is whenever I can find time. Ha! Usually early afternoon is a preferred time for me, but I can make anything work in a pinch. Except after around 9:30 p.m. That's when I turn into a pumpkin and start the steady downhill slide into sleepdom. My day starts early at 5:00 a.m., so by 10:00 I am tuckered out. One of my hubby's favorite hobbies is laughing at me when I fall asleep in my recliner while trying to watch television with him in the evening.

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?
My books are similar in style to Deeanne Gist with a little Cathy Marie Hake and Tamera Alexander mixed in. I would rate the level of romance in my books as PG. There is physical attraction, romantic thoughts, and kissing in my stories but the romantic love always grows out of a friendship, mutual respect, and common values between the characters to form a foundation for a love that is deep, lasting, and true.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I'm currently working on my fourth historical romance for Bethany House. The working title is Short-Straw Bride. Four brothers draw straws to see who will marry the heroine in this twist on a marriage of convenience story. All Travis Archer cares about is his brothers and his land, but when a good deed goes awry, he's stuck with a bride who endangers both.

One fun tidbit about the brothers in this story – they are all named for heroes from the Alamo. Travis is the main character, the next oldest is Crockett, the kid brother is Neill (for the Alamo's commander who missed being at the fight because of a family illness that called him away), and the third brother's given name is Bowie, but he refuses to answer to anything except Jim. I don't blame him. Poor guy. What we authors do to torture our characters.

Book’s back cover blurb:

A blacksmith with a criminal past. A librarian with pacifist ideals. Do they have a fighting chance at finding love?

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets. . . .

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?

What research did you have to do for this book?
Any historical novel takes a great deal of research. This book was no exception. For my hero, I studied prison life and convict labor camps. I studied the craft of blacksmithing and limestone quarrying. For my heroine, I researched the Victorian art of flower pressing and 19th century literature. I strive to be as historically accurate as possible and really enjoy learning all the fun tidbits I can, even those that never make it into the book.

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

Well, Hugh Jackman is one of my favorite Hollywood leading men. I'm a sucker for the dark hair and the reformed bad boy persona he affected in the X-Men movies, and with the muscle he put on as Wolverine, he'd make a right fine Levi Grant.

I did a search online for auburn-haired actresses, and the one who caught my eye as looking most like the Eden I had envisioned was Isla Fischer. I'm not familiar with the roles she's played, but she definitely has the sophisticated look I would want for my heroine.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
http://www.fictionfinder.com/book/detail/1166 The link to the first chapter is under the book cover image.

How can readers get in contact with you?
I'd love to have you visit me at my website: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/. I host a monthly giveaway of historical Christian novels from a variety of well-known authors as well as post interesting tidbits about my characters and the research behind their stories.

You can also find me on Facebook. Send me a message sometime. I'd be honored to chat with you.

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
In March, I learned that my debut novel, A Tailor-Made Bride, was named a finalist for the Best First Book category in the RITA® contest. This is the coveted national award sponsored by Romance Writers of America, and I am still pinching myself over the honor.

~~~~~

**USA addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of To Win Her Heart!

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 do not want 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.

+2 Read and leave a comment on my review of

**You can earn a total of 4 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. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (April 29) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (May 5). 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 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.

Lilies in Moonlight winner!

And the winner of Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman is:
Lady DragonKeeper! (jafuchi7@...)

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones ~ 5 stars + Favorite!

Save the Date

Jenny B Jones

Thomas Nelson

About the book:

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the year with the most unlikely bride and groom. Save the date...and say your prayers.

When funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir to Sinclair Enterprises--the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organizaiton.

Both Lucy and Alex have something the other desperately wants.


Alex has it all...except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart--and her future--on the line.


Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams...and maybe even a date.


My review:

This is a fun, hilarious read with some powerful messages! I loved it cover to cover. The characters were lovable, and the antics were hysterical. Poor Lucy, she just never got a break! The plot had enough twists and turns to keep me hooked. I read it in one day. This book definitely made it to my favorites list deservedly! I highly recommend this book to readers who like funny books. Another touchdown read (I know, I know, it’s corny) from Jenny B Jones!

Thanks to Jenny B Jones and Thomas Nelson for my free review copy of this book. :)

Tea for Two winner!

And the winner of Tea for Two by Trish Perry is:
Anita Yancey!!

So Sorry!

I'm really sorry about the delays with everything! Prom was this weekend and we've been having huge thunderstorms. (We really needed the rain, so I'm glad, but I also need some time with the computer on!) I'm working to catch up on everything, so just know that I haven't forgotten, I'm just busy right now. In a couple days everything should be back to normal! :)

Allison Pittman ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Allison Pittman is telling us about her new book, Lilies in Moonlight (April 2011 -- [unofficial] baseball series #3). 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 leave a comment on this post to find out the answer!

Welcome, Allison! Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m married to the greatest guy in the world, and we are parents of three amazing teen-age boys. So, life is exhausting! I left a teaching career about six years ago, and I’m so glad God has allowed me to make a living as a writer so I can be more available to my family.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was actually saved at a very young age—8 years old—in a tiny Baptist church in Tooele, Utah. And, while I know my childhood experience was genuine, I have so many milestones in my life that mark times when I felt more secure in my salvation—where it became so real to me. As a child and teen-ager, living in my Christian home, I didn’t have to look to my faith to get me through many situations. But, striking out on my own—and often failing—my faith became more solid.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Usually, not well, which is why I think God is gracious enough to shield me from a lot of disaster. But, once—a few years into my writing career—I got my first big advance check. (I don’t know how other authors would view the amount, but to our little family it was HUGE!) So, I endorsed it and put it on our bookshelf, thinking my husband would put it in the bank. He, of course, thought I would put it in the bank since it was my check. Well, neither of us did, but we continued to spend and spend away as if we had. The result? Overdraft charges galore. I cried and cried, begging my husband’s forgiveness. The next morning, I put on a new green jacket (bought just after the account went negative), and channeled my best Scarlet O’Hara as I went to the bank to beg for mercy. They were actually quite nice and forgave every overdraft fee. From then on it’s a given: I do the banking!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m actually a horrible reader. Very, very slow. I rarely read more than one book a month. I just can’t devote hours and hours like I know many other readers can. I get restless—even if the story is good. I’ve NEVER finished a book in one sitting, and if I’m not enthralled by page 72, it never gets finished.

What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?
A Woman’s Place by Lynn Austin. That, I admit, I listened to while on a cross-Texas drive, but it was AMAZING. I love World War II stories, and it captured the era beautifully. I arrived home with about 15 minutes left to listen, so the next day I picked up lunch at a drive through and went to a local park to just sit in the car and listen.

What is your favorite time of day to write?
I write from about 10:00 am to 3:00 pm every day. But, my favorite—and most productive—writing sessions happen when I take my laptop to a local coffee shop and settle in for an hour or so.

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 have a hard time comparing my writing to other people. Maybe Robin Lee Hatcher, because she also has a few titles that swirl around the turn of the century. As for romance, that can be tricky, especially with this title. On stage, the characters do nothing more than kiss, but Lilly is a woman with a past and Cullen is a man with desires, so those deeper thoughts/elements of sexuality play a role in the story.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
You have no idea how badly I wish I had a definite answer for that! I have quite a few ideas/proposal swirling back and forth between my agent, my editors and me. But, the immediate future holds the second title of The Sister Wives series, with Forsaking All Others releasing in September.

Book’s back cover blurb:

After a roaring night on the town, fun-loving flapper Lilly Margolis, dazed and disoriented, twists her ankle and falls into the backyard of a wealthy family where the effects of the Great War—over for more than half a decade—are still endured. Inside the walls of the Burnside mansion, Cullen Burnside, a disillusioned and disfigured veteran, and his widowed mother, Betty Ruth, who daily slips a little further into dementia, lead a lonely existence … until Lilly. Whimsical, lighthearted, and beautiful, she rejuvenates their sad, disconnected lives and blossoms in the light of their attention.

But Lilly, like Cullen, is hiding from a painful past. And when Cullen insists on returning her to her faraway home, their budding attraction seems destined to die on the vine. The resulting road trip becomes a journey of self-discovery—but what will Cullen and Lilly find at journey’s end?

What research did you have to do for this book?
I read a lot of F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby, of course, and several short stories) to try to get a feel for the period—not just the look of it, but the attitude. The 20’s is characterized by being a “roaring” good time, but a lot of that roaring masked a disillusioned loss of innocence. I watched a ton of silent movies to get an idea of how this story might be blocked into scenes.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
That’s a bit difficult for this book, as Cullen is badly burned from the mustard gas used in World War I. My best pick would be Jesse Spencer (though he’d have to lose his Australian accent!). As for Lilly—well, she is totally based on a former student of mine named Stephanie Stuart who is an aspiring actress. So, if it ever happens, I’d want her…

How can readers get in contact with you?
I have an Author Page on facebook (Allison Pittman Author Page), and they can always email me through my website— http://www.allisonpittman.com/.

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I absolutely love this story. I truly feel it is my most romantic novel to date—just an old-fashioned Beauty-and-the-Beast love story.

~~~~~

**USA addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Lilies in Moonlight!

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 do not want 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.

+2 Read and leave a comment on my review of Driven.

**You can earn a total of 4 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. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (April 22) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (April 28). 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 29th, 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.

Driven by Shellie Neumeier ~ 4 stars

Driven

Shellie Neumeier

Risen Books

About the book:

Robyn can’t help but notice the handsome new guy at her school. She ignores, however, the arrival of another being at Brookfield Central High School—a demon assigned to destroy her…

Robyn loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to meeting cute Caleb Montague. But when a caustic news reporter challenges her school’s prayer team, Robyn must choose: defend their right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal’s request.

Now she must learn what God wants her to do. And she had better learn fast, because there’s a supernatural enemy in town whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.

My review:
While the writing didn’t blow me away, I definitely saw potential. There was nothing really wrong, just a few small things that will probably be ironed out with time. There were a some theological differences from what I believe in the book, but nothing that made me angry or want to stop reading. However, the book DID make me take a look at my prayer life and spiritual battles in a new way. (That was definitely a plus!) If there is a sequel, or a series following this book, I will most certainly be reading it.

Finally a Bride, and Kaydie winners!

Sorry this took so long! We had storms last night (had to turn off the compy), and it took me a while to get caught up today!

And the winner of Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough is:

Kirsten! (fancynoodle@...)

And the winner of Kaydie by Penny Zeller is:

Nora! (norafindinghope@...)

Trish Perry ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Trish Perry is telling us about her new book, Tea for Two (Tea with Millicent series #2 -- April 2011). 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 leave a comment on this post to find out the answer!

Author BIO:

Award-winning novelist Trish Perry has written eight inspirational romances for Harvest House Publishers, Summerside Press, and Barbour Publishing, as well as two devotionals for Summerside Press. She has served as a columnist and as a newsletter editor over the years, as well as a 1980s stockbroker and a board member of the Capital Christian Writers organization in Washington, D.C. She holds a degree in Psychology.

Trish’s latest novels, Unforgettable and Tea for Two both released in March. She invites you to visit her at http://www.trishperry.com/

Welcome, Trish! Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was raised in a Catholic home, so for as long as I can remember, I’ve believed Jesus is the Son of God who died for my sins. But I was an adult (and had walked away from the Church) before I sought a closer relationship with Jesus and learned all about the true redemption, salvation, and loving guidance Jesus offers to those who accept it from Him. At that time, my sister was dying from a terrible fall down some stairs. I didn’t know how best to pray for her. A secular counselor advised me simply to pray that God would help me accept whatever His will was for her. The peace I gained through that prayer was so intense, I decided to turn my heart and control of my life over to God and His Son. I’ve followed the Lord ever since.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
I’ve had my share of meltdowns, that’s for sure. My pattern is usually the same when the event is devastating to me: shock, total emotional meltdown, and then complete throwing of myself at the Lord and asking for help.

Rather than giving you one of the sadder stories, I’ll tell you about the time I was under an amazingly tight book deadline when my computer starting acting up. Like a dummy, I hadn’t printed out a hard copy of my manuscript. I paid to have Geeks on Call come to my home to fix my computer. The nice young geek assured me he could make it all better. It wasn’t until he left that I realized he had somehow deleted all but the four most recent chapters. He had erased the first 16 chapters I had written. I actually fell to the ground and wailed into the floor. Eventually I got around to praying about it, and it was a total beg-fest.

Praise God my critique partners still had quite a few of my chapters. I ended up having to rewrite about four chapters, which was a breeze compared to 16.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I sang on stage at the Kennedy Center in the Nation’s Capital. That sounds more impressive than it was. Years ago, when I was in high school, our choral director was so phenomenal he eventually went on to become the Grammy-winning director of the prestigious Washington Oratorio Society, which performs with the National Symphony. Before that, though, he managed to arrange for our high school chorus to sing with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center. It was a heady experience!

What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?
It doesn’t release until September, but Sandra D. Bricker’s Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride is great fun. I read it for endorsement and enjoyed every minute of it.

What is your favorite time of day to write?
Late morning, usually. I need to spend some time with God and wade through emails and find out what’s going on in the world before I can shut everything down and dive into my imaginary world. But when I’m under a tight deadline, I tend to start immediately after my devotional time, just to be sure I’ll meet my daily quota.

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?
Well, that’s a funny one, because I just finished recommending a Sandie Bricker book, and I think she and I actually write in a somewhat similar voice. I suppose that’s why I would recommend her book to my readers. I’d give the romance in my books a G to PG. I always have some kissing, and there is the occasional appreciative thought about how attractive the hero is, that kind of thing. But nothing racy.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I just sent off the finished manuscript for a Christmas novella set I wrote with Debby Mayne, called Love Finds You on Christmas Morning (September release from Summerside Press), and I’m finishing up my contribution to a book of devotions tentatively called Your Grace is Sufficient . . . But Decaf is NOT (also with Summerside), and then I start on a novella for Barbour, called Labor of Love, for its Midwife’s Legacy collection (releasing March 2012).

Book’s back cover blurb:

Zack Cooper tries his best to raise his children, but he's losing his grip on them in their teen years. They've both had scrapes with the local law.

Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel has the perfect woman in mind to help Zack. Counselor Tina Milano meets weekly at the tea shop with her women's group. Milly encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before they get in even hotter water. Milly never thought things might heat up between Zack and Tina. Or did she?

Tina's connections with the Middleburg police department prove a mixed blessing for Zack and his kids. Both her best friend and old boyfriend are officers on the force.

And when Tina's women's group gets wind of her personal pursuits and clashes, they want to help. The group's meetings at the tea shop take on a slightly different flavor. Tina wonders who, exactly, is counseling whom.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I had already researched Middleburg for The Perfect Blend, but I needed to do some psychological research and look into the local farming industry, the Middleburg police department, and a number of regular village events. And, of course, there were Milly’s recipes, which I adapted to my own preferences after much taste testing and weight gaining.

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

 I pictured actress Linda Fiorentino for Tina Milano (since Tina is of Italian descent) and Viggo Mortensen for Zack Cooper (since Zack is “the hot produce guy”).

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

Yes, Harvest House has the first chapter posted on its site:
http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books_fictionbook.cfm?productID=6930161

How can readers get in contact with you?
Visit my website, http://www.trishperry.com/, which is also where my blog is. I have a contact link there. I’m also on Facebook as Trish Hawley Perry and Twitter as TrishPerryWrtr

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I love hearing from my readers, and I try to answer every email I receive. Also, if any of you happen to read Tea for Two (or any of my books, for that matter) and think they’re good, I’d love it if you’d post some nice comments about the book on the online sites. Word of mouth is a powerful tool!

~~~~~

**USA addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Tea for Two!

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 do not want 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.

+2 Read and leave a comment on my review of A Secret Identity

**You can earn a total of 4 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. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (April 15) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (April 21). 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 22nd, 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.

A Secret Identity by Gayle Roper ~ 4 stars

A Secret Identity

Gayle Roper

Amish Farm Trilogy #2

Harvest House

About the book:

Cara Bentley is raised by her grandfather to appreciate family. When she discovers—quite by accident—that he was adopted, her whole perspective changes.

If Grandpa Bentley wasn’t a Bentley, who was he? If she isn’t a Bentley, who is she? She determines to find her “real” family.

Ending up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she takes a room at the Zook family farm. When she seeks the help of attorney Todd Reasoner, the search for the truth begins in earnest. But as mysterious accidents begin to happen, Cara suspects her attempt to find out the truth is not welcome—and neither is she.


My review:
Well, this book definitely kept me more engaged than the first book, but it still isn’t my favorite kind of book. It was a good book, but I wasn’t wowed by it and I didn’t fall in love with it. I cannot pinpoint anything that I disliked; it just didn’t hold my interest in an I-can’t-put-this-down kind of way. I wouldn’t really recommend this, since I don’t know what type of reader this book appeals to. (I’m sure some people will enjoy it, but I can’t say specifically who would.) All I can say is, sweet romance, sweet characters, but just an okay book in my opinion.

Sunday Funnies #55!

This is the cutest thing EVER!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Casey Herringshaw for suggesting it for Sunday Funnies! :D

Vickie McDonough ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 2 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Vickie McDonough is telling us about her new book, Finally a Bride (Texas Boardinghouse Brides #3) -- April 2011). 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 leave a comment on this post to find out the answer!

Welcome, Vickie! Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a wife of 35 of years, married to a computer geek. We have four grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and a feisty five-year-old granddaughter, whom I babysit twice a week after school. I’m also primary caregiver for my partially-handicapped mom. I’ve lived in the same town all my life, except for a year when my husband and I lived on a kibbutz in Israel.

I’ve been writing for ten years and am the author of 23 books and novellas.

Tell us about your salvation experience.
I’ve gone to church my whole life and gave my heart to God when I was very young. Jesus is my savior and I strongly rely on His help in life and when writing.

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Fortunately, I haven’t encountered many disasters, and how I handle them depends on what they are. I’m pretty organized, so when bad things happen, I usually kick into maintain mod. Just do what has to be done and get through it as quickly as possible.

I did have something happen that’s funny now but wasn’t at the time. I’d twisted my ankle really bad and was on crutches. I had gone across the street for some reason and was leaning on my crutches at the curb, waiting for a car to pass. But instead of just driving on, this car slowed, the driver leaned forward and gawked at me, then finally drove on. Weird, right? I glanced down, and to my horror, the crutches had somehow pulled up my shirt clear over my bra. Yikes! Talk about embarrassing.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
When I was in high school, I hated writing. True! It amazes me more than anyone that I’ve become a writer. It was just a God thing.

What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?
I’m just about done with Surrender the Night by Marylu Tyndall. It’s a fabulous forbidden romance between an American woman and a British naval officer. Lots of yummy chemistry and exciting action.

What is your favorite time of day to write?
I prefer to write from 10 – 2, but that rarely happens. Some days I get a late start and other days I’ll write most of the day. It kind of depends on how far away my deadline is.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be?
I don’t like to compare my writing to others. Each author has a unique voice and their own special abilities. I write mostly historicals, and love exciting scenes, a sweet romance with some juicy conflict between the hero & heroine, and a dollop of humor. If you enjoy books by Cathy Marie Hake, Mary Connealy, or Lori Copeland, you’ll probably like mine.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m currently writing Long Trail Home, which is set just after the Civil War in Texas. This is a rather unique project. I’m writing a series of six books with two other authors, Susan Page Davis and Darlene Franklin. It’s called Texas Trails: A Morgan Family series and spans 50 years and several generations of a Texas family. Each author will write two books, and the first three novels release this fall.

Here’s a blurb about my book: A weary soldier returns from the War Between the States to discover his parents dead, his family farm in shambles, and his fiancée married. A pretty, blind woman reaches through his scarred walls, but will the secret she holds ruin all chances for a future filled with love, faith, and family?

Book’s back cover blurb:

Jacqueline Davis, a reporter for the Lookout Ledger, is bent on nabbing her story at any cost. When Noah Jeffers comes to Lookout as temporary pastor, Jack suspects there may be something hidden behind his shepherding ways. Soon though, Jack becomes attracted to the new pastor despite her initial hesitation. But as she uncovers the truth, will the story cost her too much? Will she reveal what she’s found, or keep it hidden to protect newfound love?

Carly Payton returns to Lookout after years in prison, hoping to build a new life there. But she soon discovers that new beginnings and second chances are not always easy. Garrett Corbett is determined to marry—but not a jailbird like Carly. When Carly is equally repelled by Garrett’s prank-playing ways, will they see past their dislikes and give each other—and love—a second look?

What research did you have to do for this book?
Since I live next door to Texas, I’ve been there many times. I didn’t have to do too much research for Finally A Bride, since I had already written the first two books in the series, most of the research I did was in the small details like food and clothing of the time period, confirming when the railroad and electricity came to Northeastern Texas. Writing a book in an area in which you are familiar makes it a bit easier.

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

 

Molly Quinn, the cute red-headed daughter of Rick Castle on Castle, would be perfect for Jack.

Noah is a bit harder to cast. Tom Welling is about the right age and size and his looks are similar to what I imagine Noah looking like.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
Yes, the first 1000 words of Finally A Bride will be posted on the Chapter-a-Week Book Club on April 15th.
[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chapter-a-Week-Book-Club/48456973308?sk=wall]

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

You can find out about my books there, send me an email on the Contact page, and enter my quarterly contest by signing my Guestbook. I’m also on Facebook.

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
Thanks for spending this time with me. I appreciate each one of you. Writers are nothing without readers.

~~~~~

**USA or Canada addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Finally a Bride!

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 do not want 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.

**You can earn a total of 2 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. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (April 8) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (April 14). 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 15th, 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.