Edna (mamat2730@...)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Lady in the Mist mug or tote bag winner!
Edna (mamat2730@...)
Shellie Neumeier ~ Interview + Giveaway!
*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*
Today author Shellie Neumeier is telling us about her new book, Driven. She has offered a copy of her book to one lucky commenter. (The directions are a little different this time, so please read at the bottom of this post for specifics.)
Tell us about your book.
It’s about a girl, Robyn, who loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to hanging with the new guy, Caleb Montague. But a caustic news reporter challenges her school’s prayer team, forcing Robyn to choose between defending the group’s right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal’s request.She must learn what God wants her to do. And learn fast, because there’s a supernatural enemy, a demon named Sebastian, whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.
Who did you write your book for?
I wrote the book with my 17 year old daughter in mind. I’d been reading a series she got hooked on, just to see what it was like and it was so discouraging. I mean life is discouraging, but to leave someone there, just seemed depressing. That’s when I decided I wanted to write something for her. Something that would lift her up and encourage her.
That’s easy. I still think like a kid. Always have. Young adult is a world of possibilities. They’re willing to go places the adult reader just isn’t so it makes the adventure more unpredictable. And since God is the director of my life, it had to be Christian. One way or another, He was in.
What inspired you to write this book?
What inspired me to write this book was the desire to encourage the next generation. To let them know that God does have a plan for them and it’s a good one, even though it may not seem that way right now. This generation of young adults has almost unlimited access to their world with the ease of travel and the internet. They have the amazing opportunity to change their world unlike any previous generation, but they’re also bombarded with harsh realism and even harsher dramatized “realism” at a very young age. It would be very easy to forget that they have a purpose and it comes from God.
When you write, which comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?
Definitely the characters. When I start a story, I look at who the characters are, what are their personalities like, how would they interact in real life, How would they react in certain situations, right down to what type of parents they had and what job would they get when they’re older. That way I know how they react when things get tough. And things do get tough.
If you could compare this book to any book out there, which book would it be?
Reviewers have compared it to Frank Perretti’s This Present Darkness and C.S Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. Mostly because of the glimpse into the spiritual world.
What’s next for you?
I’m finishing a MG written with my youngest two children and working on a 4 in 1 novella, co-authored with a Lisa Lickel. We’re also considering a sequel to Driven.
~~~~~
**USA addresses only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win a copy of Driven!
TO ENTER:
*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). ALSO include which version of the book you want if you win: pdf or a physical copy. 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.
+2 Read my interview with Irene Hannon about her new book, Fatal Judgment, and leave an encouraging comment for her on that post. :)
**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.**
*The contest will run from today (February 28) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (March 3). 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 4th, 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.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday Funnies #50!
Yay! We made it to FIFTY Sunday Funnies! Thank you too all of the people who send me funny things to use, and to you guys who come watch, look, or read, and leave comments. :) I appreciate it!
This is so cute and funny! I snorted...
This is so cute and funny! I snorted...
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Irene Hannon ~ Interview!
Irene is telling us about her new book, Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice series, book 1 -- January 2011), which is awesome! :)
Here is Irene's author bio:
Irene Hannon, who writes both romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than thirty-five novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico suspense series. A four-time RITA award finalist (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), she took home the golden statuette in 2003. Her books have also been honored with two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Daphne du Maurier award and a HOLT medallion. A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time.
Welcome, Irene! Tell us about your salvation experience.
If you mean this in an evangelical sense, as in born again, there is no one single event. I was raised Catholic. I’ve ALWAYS been a believer. I’ve always seen evidence of God’s grace and love in my life. And Jesus has always been my savior. For that reason, there has been no “ah-ha” moment in my life. Just a steady faith that has sustained me and grown through the years.
Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
You can’t be spontaneous if you’re a full-time writer with contracts to fulfill. That’s a luxury only the unpublished enjoy. I once read a quote from a famous writer about this. Someone asked him if he only wrote when he was inspired. He responded, “Absolutely. And I make sure I’m inspired every day at 8 a.m.” Enough said!
Stubborn, or compliant?
Ooh, this is getting personal! I’d say I can be both, depending on the situation. If I feel very strongly about something, I’ll dig in my heels. But you have to pick your battles, so I try to be compliant whenever possible. Or maybe the better word is agreeable. If a problem can be worked out without rancor, I’ll do my best to make that happen.
Organized or completely chaotic?
Extremely organized. I don’t think I could juggle all the balls I have in the air if I wasn’t.
How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Hmm. I wish I did have a funny story. Usually, disasters or big problems don’t hold a lot of humor for me. The best example I can think of in terms of how I handle those kind of situations happened several years. A former co-worker asked me to do a large communication/writing project for the organization where she worked. (My last corporate job was as a senior director of corporate communications for a Fortune 500 company.) I’d left that world behind, but she finally convinced me to take this on. This was in the midst of fulfilling a multiple book contract for one of my publishers AND while I was writing my first suspense series, the Heroes of Quantico, on spec. One week after I signed on for her four-month project, my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor—which led to surgery and many complications. I remember being at the hospital trying to conduct phone interviews for the corporate project in between doctor consultations, tests and helping my mom. Then, at night I’d write her project and my current novel until two or three in the morning. The next morning I’d get up and start all over again. This went on for weeks. But I got through it without missing a deadline. I guess what that says is that I’ll do whatever it takes to meet my obligations—no matter the toll it takes on me.
In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
I’m fiercely loyal to those I love and will do anything for them. That’s probably my best trait. Worst? That would probably be a better question to ask my friends and family. I do know I have a tendency to become too absorbed in my work sometimes.
Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I LOVE to perform in community musical theater productions. In fact, there are a couple of photos in the news section of my website that show me playing the leading role in a production of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” last summer.
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?
Dee Henderson, probably. We both write romantic suspense, and our styles have some similarities. I would rate the romance in my books G or PG.
What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m finishing up the last book in my Guardians of Justice series—and am talking with my publisher about more books when that wraps up. I’m also working on a new series for Harlequin Love Inspired. It’s called Starfish Bay and is set on the Northern California coast. Book 1, Seaside Reunion, will be out next January.
How can readers get in contact with you?
I have a contact page on my website that includes my e-mail address and my Twitter link. And I do respond personally to every e-mail I receive.
Book blurb:
Deputy Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action as a member of the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group, including a recent stint in Iraq. But he’d much rather go back to that hotbed of trouble than deal with his next assignment: providing protection for federal judge Liz Michaels. His antipathy toward her is just as strong as it was five years ago, when her husband—his best friend—died in a possible suicide. But as Jake works to keep Liz safe, he discovers she’s not a cold-hearted workaholic wedded to nothing but her job, as he expected. Forced to reevaluate his opinion, he also finds himself grappling with a growing attraction. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes go up. Because now both her life—and his heart—are in danger.
Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
True confession time—I don’t go to the movies much and have no idea who the current “hot” actors and actresses are. When I write my books, I never have a particular “model” in mind for my characters. They take on their own unique personalities. So I can’t help you on this one! I would say, though, that the cover designer for this book did a STELLAR job depicting my hero and heroine.
Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
Yes. This link will take you directly to the excerpt on my website: http://www.irenehannon.com/fataljudgment.html.
Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
Please watch for Book 2, Deadly Pursuit, coming in September. I just saw the cover mock-up, and it’s fabulous! I’ll be posting it on my website as soon as it’s finalized.
Thanks for stopping by, Irene!
Irene Hannon, who writes both romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than thirty-five novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico suspense series. A four-time RITA award finalist (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), she took home the golden statuette in 2003. Her books have also been honored with two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Daphne du Maurier award and a HOLT medallion. A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time.
Welcome, Irene! Tell us about your salvation experience.
If you mean this in an evangelical sense, as in born again, there is no one single event. I was raised Catholic. I’ve ALWAYS been a believer. I’ve always seen evidence of God’s grace and love in my life. And Jesus has always been my savior. For that reason, there has been no “ah-ha” moment in my life. Just a steady faith that has sustained me and grown through the years.
Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
You can’t be spontaneous if you’re a full-time writer with contracts to fulfill. That’s a luxury only the unpublished enjoy. I once read a quote from a famous writer about this. Someone asked him if he only wrote when he was inspired. He responded, “Absolutely. And I make sure I’m inspired every day at 8 a.m.” Enough said!
Stubborn, or compliant?
Ooh, this is getting personal! I’d say I can be both, depending on the situation. If I feel very strongly about something, I’ll dig in my heels. But you have to pick your battles, so I try to be compliant whenever possible. Or maybe the better word is agreeable. If a problem can be worked out without rancor, I’ll do my best to make that happen.
Organized or completely chaotic?
Extremely organized. I don’t think I could juggle all the balls I have in the air if I wasn’t.
How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
Hmm. I wish I did have a funny story. Usually, disasters or big problems don’t hold a lot of humor for me. The best example I can think of in terms of how I handle those kind of situations happened several years. A former co-worker asked me to do a large communication/writing project for the organization where she worked. (My last corporate job was as a senior director of corporate communications for a Fortune 500 company.) I’d left that world behind, but she finally convinced me to take this on. This was in the midst of fulfilling a multiple book contract for one of my publishers AND while I was writing my first suspense series, the Heroes of Quantico, on spec. One week after I signed on for her four-month project, my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor—which led to surgery and many complications. I remember being at the hospital trying to conduct phone interviews for the corporate project in between doctor consultations, tests and helping my mom. Then, at night I’d write her project and my current novel until two or three in the morning. The next morning I’d get up and start all over again. This went on for weeks. But I got through it without missing a deadline. I guess what that says is that I’ll do whatever it takes to meet my obligations—no matter the toll it takes on me.
In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
I’m fiercely loyal to those I love and will do anything for them. That’s probably my best trait. Worst? That would probably be a better question to ask my friends and family. I do know I have a tendency to become too absorbed in my work sometimes.
Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I LOVE to perform in community musical theater productions. In fact, there are a couple of photos in the news section of my website that show me playing the leading role in a production of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” last summer.
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?
Dee Henderson, probably. We both write romantic suspense, and our styles have some similarities. I would rate the romance in my books G or PG.
What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m finishing up the last book in my Guardians of Justice series—and am talking with my publisher about more books when that wraps up. I’m also working on a new series for Harlequin Love Inspired. It’s called Starfish Bay and is set on the Northern California coast. Book 1, Seaside Reunion, will be out next January.
How can readers get in contact with you?
I have a contact page on my website that includes my e-mail address and my Twitter link. And I do respond personally to every e-mail I receive.
Book blurb:
Deputy Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action as a member of the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group, including a recent stint in Iraq. But he’d much rather go back to that hotbed of trouble than deal with his next assignment: providing protection for federal judge Liz Michaels. His antipathy toward her is just as strong as it was five years ago, when her husband—his best friend—died in a possible suicide. But as Jake works to keep Liz safe, he discovers she’s not a cold-hearted workaholic wedded to nothing but her job, as he expected. Forced to reevaluate his opinion, he also finds himself grappling with a growing attraction. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes go up. Because now both her life—and his heart—are in danger.Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
True confession time—I don’t go to the movies much and have no idea who the current “hot” actors and actresses are. When I write my books, I never have a particular “model” in mind for my characters. They take on their own unique personalities. So I can’t help you on this one! I would say, though, that the cover designer for this book did a STELLAR job depicting my hero and heroine.
Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
Yes. This link will take you directly to the excerpt on my website: http://www.irenehannon.com/fataljudgment.html.
Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
Please watch for Book 2, Deadly Pursuit, coming in September. I just saw the cover mock-up, and it’s fabulous! I’ll be posting it on my website as soon as it’s finalized.
Thanks for stopping by, Irene!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Laurie Alice Eakes ~ Interview + Giveaway!
*You can earn up to 4 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details. This giveaway is a little different, so please read the directions at the bottom of the post*
Today author Laurie Alice Eakes is telling us about her new book, Lady in the Mist (The Midwives series #1 -- February 2011). She has offered a LitM mug or tote bag 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.
Here is Laurie's author bio:
Welcome, Laurie! Tell us about your salvation experience.
I was eleven-years-old and it was at a church service. Nothing extraordinary. I just knew it was the right time and the right place. A great deal happened to me after that, and I left my faith for some weird stuff for a while, and the Lord brought me back in 2001.
Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
I’m a scheduled writer. I have too much work to do to wait for the muse to strike.
Stubborn, or compliant?
That depends on the situation. I’m stubborn about doing certain things and compliant about others. With people like editors, I’m quite compliant and don’t want to come across as a pain.
Organized or completely chaotic?
In writing, I’m rather well organized. Generally I’m well organized as long as I remember to put it on my calendar.
How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
If a disaster hits me out of the blue, I tend to have a few minutes of hysterics, then I calm down, take care of it, and even manage to laugh about it. When our car broke down in an itsy town in Louisiana on a Saturday when no mechanics were open and we were on our way to Texas moving from Virginia for my husband’s new job, I decided to make a bit of a rest period out of it, time to relax away from the car I’d been in for 2.5 days. Now I can look back on it with amazement at how people came forward to help us. It was only a dead battery.
In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
My best trait is that I’m an encourager and generous with my time if that’s what’s needed. Worst is that I’m not very patient.
Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
At this point in time, if they don’t know something about me, it’s probably something they shouldn’t know about me. :)
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’d say I’m probably closest to Marylu Tyndall, though even she says my style is completely unique. As for rating, it’s G by secular standards and maybe PG10 by CBA standards. I have some kissing in it, but nothing detailed. I like to leave things up to the reader’s imagination, be evocative rather than provocative.
What are you working on now or going to write next?
I just finished the second book in the Midwife series, am currently working on my lady lawyer in 1893 story for Avalon Books, and next will work on my second book in my Regency series for Baker/Revell.
How can readers get in contact with you?
At present, my web site http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com/ doesn’t have a contact me page. That will be fixed soon. But I’m on Facebook and anyone can send me a message from there. I also have a blog I’m not very good about keeping up http://www.seizethechance.blogspot.com/. Generally I get something up on Mondays at the least.
Book blurb:
Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own secret to keep: namely, what he, a British aristocrat, is doing on American soil working as an indentured servant.
In a time when relations between America and England rest on the edge of a knife, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths, leading them on a journey of intrigue, threats, public disgrace, and . . . love? But can Tabitha trust Dominick? Finding true love seems impossible in a world set against them.
With stirring writing that draws you directly into the story, Lady in the Mist takes you on the thrilling ride of love’s discovery.
Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
On my web site is one excerpt and on the Romantic Times blog is another one. http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-daily-blog/laurie-alice-eakes-power-midwives#comments
Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
Lady in the Mist is a romantic suspense set in Virginia in 1809. That’s the surface story. Beneath is a whole lot more. Each reader takes away something different. I want everyone to be entertained and also want everyone to feel different when she is finished having learned something about love and self-forgiveness.
~~~~~
**USA addresses only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win a LitM mug or tote bag! [Remember to specify which of these you would like to get if you win]
TO ENTER:
*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). ALSO tell which of the two goodies you would like 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 Lady in the Mist
**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.**
*The contest will run from today (February 18) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (February 24). 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 25th, 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.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Blood Covenant winner!
Charity U (photographer4ever832@...)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes ~ 5 stars
Lady in the Mist
Laurie Alice Eakes
The Midwives series #1
Revell
About the book:
By virtue of her profession as a midwife, Tabitha Eckles is the keeper of many secrets. Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own secret to keep: namely, why he, a British aristocrat, is on American soil working as an indentured servant.
In a time when relations between America and England rest on the edge of a knife, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths, leading them on a journey of intrigue, threats, public disgrace, and . . . love. But can Tabitha trust Dominick? Finding true love seems impossible in a world set against them.
My review:
This is a great romantic suspense, and I loved trying to work out the intricacies of the plot. The mystery about who everyone was and what their motives were was very well done. The historic details were very interesting, and I loved the “midwife” aspect of the story.
There were only two small things that weren’t to my taste. I felt like the wording could have been better in a few areas, but that was very seldom. The other thing was that at the end of the book, in the final conflict where everything comes to light, it ends in the “middle” of the scene. So you just hear about what happened from later on in the next chapter. That could have been changed in my opinion, but it wasn’t a “deal-breaker” for me. It didn’t hurt the story; I just thought it would have been improved if that were different. In all, I think this is a great book and I look forward to reading more in this series!
Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
There were only two small things that weren’t to my taste. I felt like the wording could have been better in a few areas, but that was very seldom. The other thing was that at the end of the book, in the final conflict where everything comes to light, it ends in the “middle” of the scene. So you just hear about what happened from later on in the next chapter. That could have been changed in my opinion, but it wasn’t a “deal-breaker” for me. It didn’t hurt the story; I just thought it would have been improved if that were different. In all, I think this is a great book and I look forward to reading more in this series!
Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Angel Sister winner!
I am so sorry about the delay in posting this! I went out of town over the weekend, and completely forgot! :/
And the winner of Angel Sister by Ann H Gabhart is:
And the winner of Angel Sister by Ann H Gabhart is:Virginia (vrush729@...)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Lisa Harris ~ Interview + Giveaway!
*You can earn up to 10 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*
Today author Lisa Harris is telling us about her new book, Blood Covenant (Mission Hope series, book 2 -- February 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 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.
Here is Lisa's author bio:
When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit http://www.theechoproject.org/.
Welcome, Lisa! Tell us about your salvation experience.
I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ early in my life, but it wasn’t until I was in college that I took on my faith as truly my own. I remember realizing how my faith couldn’t be an extension of my parents’ faith, but instead a very personal decision I had to make. For me, it was a profound time spiritually and changed the course of my life.
Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
Very scheduled.
Stubborn, or compliant?
Hmmm…depends on the situation, but I probably lean toward being more compliant.
Organized or completely chaotic?
Organized (for the most part :) ).
How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
And interesting question, because, living overseas has forced me to become extremely flexible, though I have to admit, it’s still not always easy. I’ve also had to learn to deal with one problem at a time and not worry about tomorrow. I love Matthew 6:34 where it says. “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
That’s so true, isn’t it? So while I don’t always make it, I really do try to live one day at a time, and tackle one problem at a time.
In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
My worst- probably that I analyze things far too much.
My best trait? I always try to look at the good in the other person and assume that their motives are good as well.
Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I ate raw herring in Holland last fall and enjoyed it. (Really :) )
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?
Tough questions, as it’s hard to compare myself to another writer, because I try to be unique with my style and settings. I’d love to be compared to authors like Dee Henderson and DiAnn Mills. As for romance, my stories have always been pretty G rated.
What are you working on now or going to write next?
Our family is just now reaching the end of our furlough and will be headed back to Africa in a few days. I’ve taken off the past few months from writing because of our hectic schedule, but am already itching to get back into it. Once we are home I have a couple fiction projects I’m excited to jump into.
How can readers get in contact with you?
Please drop by my website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/ or my blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/. To learn more about our new non-profit, check out http://www.theechoproject.org/.
Book blurb:
When fighting erupts between government forces and renegade Ghost Soldiers deep within the Republic of Dhambizao, thousands are forced to leave their homes. Dr. Paige Ryan, who works with Volunteers of Hope International, is sent to lead a team to set up a refugee transit site—where the immediate needs for shelter, water, sanitation, and food are critical. Nick Gilbert, a bush pilot for Compassion Air, joins the team to help fly supplies in and out of the area.
With the refugee camp already experiencing overcrowding, raids, and uprisings, a group of American mountain climbers is attacked by the Ghost Soldiers. Paige’s medical team responds immediately, rescuing survivors and taking them into the camp. When it’s discovered that one of the trekkers is carrying an infectious disease, the harrowing conditions of the camp are forgotten.
In desperate need of vaccines and the Ghost Soldiers blocking the only road out until their demands for amnesty are met, it won’t be long before the disease is out of control … and there is nowhere to run.’
Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
Readers can find a sample here:
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310319061&QueryStringSite=Zondervan
Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I love to hear from my readers, so be sure and send me an email, especially if you read one of my books. I’d love to know what you think!
~~~~~
**USA addresses only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Blood Covenant!
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.
+1 For every person (up to six) you get to come and enter this giveaway. But, they must mention you BY NAME so that I know who to give the extra entry(s) to. :)
Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 Amy Inspired
**You can earn a total of 10 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 (February 11) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (February 17). 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 18th, 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.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce ~ 4 stars
Amy Inspired
Bethany Pierce
Bethany House
About the book:
With rejections piling up, she could use just a little inspiration...
Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.
Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.
My review:
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was fresh and original, and, though not my normal taste, I really liked it. I could relate to Amy on many points, and looked forward to seeing her grow throughout the book. However, although her character did grow, it was very subtle and in some instances I didn’t feel she had a strong conclusion. It was more like a small piece of a person’s life than a changed character by the end of the book. She still had a lot of growing to do, and I felt like there wasn’t a solid resolution to some of her questions about her faith.
The writing was very frank, and I liked the tell-it-like-it-is approach she took to things. (However on some issues, I know this will make people uncomfortable, especially younger readers.) The book had what I call an “open” ending. It leaves the reader with the option of imagining the specifics of the ending, rather than tying up all the loose ends itself. I think readers who tend to like chick-lit type books will find this story best to their liking.
Thanks to Bethany House for my review copy of this book!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday Funnies #47!
I can never imagine wanting to do this...
I got this in an email that showed pictures of what people did to their drunk friends:
LOL! Yet one more reason to never be drunk... ;)
I got this in an email that showed pictures of what people did to their drunk friends:
Friday, February 4, 2011
Ann H Gabhart ~ Interview + Giveaway!
*You can earn up to TEN entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*
Today author Ann H Gabhart is telling us about her new book, Angel Sister (February 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 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, Ann! Tell us a little about yourself.
Tell us about your salvation experience.
For as long as I can remember, I have felt a strong spiritual need in my heart and believed in the Lord. But as a child I was too shy to make a move to publicly make that feeling known. Eventually I did find the courage with the Lord’s help to make that profession of faith after my first child was born. The Lord removes obstacles if we will only let him do so.
Are you:
A spontaneous writer or a scheduled writer?
Spontaneously scheduled. I need hours of desk time to write a book, so I do have to schedule work time.
Stubborn, or compliant?
Definitely stubborn. I prefer the word persistent.
Organized or completely chaotic?
Mostly organized although if you saw my desk right now, you’d doubt the truth of that statement. The holidays and various other “life happens” issues have gotten me behind on my writing and my organizing. I do make a lot of lists, but sometimes I lose them in the chaos of papers on my desk. So perhaps I just imagine being organized.
How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
With aplomb. At least that would be what I would hope. I’m not sure I could have a funny story about handling a disaster, but how about a problem? Year before last we built a new room onto our house so that all our children and grandkids could get together here at Christmas time without sitting on top of one another. While we were in the remodeling mode, we also replaced our heat pump and duct work. The work was going full blast in April and May while the deadline for my Shaker novel, The Seeker, was zooming ever closer. I had to shut myself in my office and write with workmen crawling around under the floor below my feet banging and tearing out the old duct work while yelling back and forth at one another. It made for interesting writing and proved to me I didn’t have to have silence. I like silence, but I don’t have to have it. The story still came when I put my fingers on the keyboard.
In your opinion, what is your best trait? What is your worst?
Best as a writer would have to be perseverance. In the face of rejections and years when nothing went well in my writing career, I never gave up. I kept writing. I kept trying to tell a story readers would want to read. The worst as a writer might be expecting too much from myself and others.
Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m a pretty dull person so there’s not that much surprising about me. But you might be interested in my first writing income such as it was. When I was eleven or twelve I wrote an essay and won the prize of a 100 baby chicks. I didn’t eat a bite of fried chicken that year after I’d fed and watered those babies for weeks. I told that story at a writers’ retreat and got the biggest laugh of the night.
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?
With each new book, the publishers send out a form asking all about the book and my writing. That’s one of the questions on the form that stumps me every time. What writers have a matching writing style? I have no idea. I think each writer has his or her own unique style just the same as we all have our unique personalities and fingerprints. A writer’s fingerprints are her words and the way she puts them together. Unique and individual. That said, the publishers do sometimes compare my style with other writers, but I never do.
I try to make the romance in my books heartfelt as my characters yearn for a loving relationship. My characters generally kiss at least once in my stories, sometimes in the final scene. However, in Angel Sister since the romantically involved couple is married, more than kissing is implied once or twice as would be natural with a married couple especially when the story flashes back to their newlywed days. But this is left up to the reader’s imagination and isn’t described in any kind of detail. I think my books would get a G rating on the romance front.
What are you working on now or going to write next?
Right now I am working on my fifth Shaker novel along with doing edits on my fourth Shaker novel, The Blessed, that is scheduled to be released in July 2011.
How can readers get in contact with you?
I love hearing from readers. You can contact me from my website, www.annhgabhart.com. I also post something new on my blog, One Writer’s Journal, twice a week, usually on Wednesdays and Sundays. www.annhgabhart.blogspot.com. I have an author’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-H-Gabhart/132862247566 where reading friends and I talk. Then I signed on with Twitter a few weeks ago.
Book blurb:
This richly textured novel reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times. Multidimensional characters face real and trenchant problems while maintaining their family bonds, all against the backdrop of a sultry Kentucky summer.
Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
This is another thing I usually have to come up with to help the cover designers at my publishing company. I’m not a big movie or t.v. fan, so when it comes to actors and actresses, I’m sometimes way out of the loop. So I go on the internet and google something like “actresses with brown hair and green eyes.” I can’t always find a perfect match to my imagined character, but I can usually find someone close. So here are my picks for the three viewpoint characters in Angel Sister. Please keep in mind that I’m picking on how a particular photo looks and not from seeing these actors or actresses in movies or t.v. roles. I don’t check out the actors’ or actresses’ roles or personalities, only their photos.
Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter or an excerpt of this book?
I am so excited about Angel Sister being released and I’m hoping my readers will embrace the story. A book is not really complete for a writer until it has a reader. Reading and sharing stories is a partnership of minds. So thank you for letting my stories come to life in your imaginations and for inviting my characters into your hearts. I appreciate each and every one of my reading friends.
~~~~~
**USA and Canada addresses only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Angel Sister!
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.
+1 For every person (up to six) you get to come and enter this giveaway. But, they must mention you BY NAME so that I know who to give the extra entry(s) to. :)
Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 Stars Collide
**You can earn up to TEN entries using 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 (February 4) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (February 10). 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 11th, 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.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Unexpected Love winner!
Rebecca (rbooth43@...)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Stars Collide by Janice Thompson ~ 4 stars
Stars Collide
Janice Thompson
Backstage Pass series #1
Revell
About the book:
Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades
Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
My review:
I just want to say that I probably would have given this book a higher rating, but it took me about two weeks to read it (a crazy-long time for me) because of school, and I hate taking so long to read a book. The book wasn’t slow for me to read, I just had so much going on at the time.
I did love the characters, plot, and style. Janice just has such a sweet writing style! The ending was lovely and I loved how the reader was kept in the dark about the surprise right until the end! That was awesome. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the rest of the series is going to be like! (And who the main characters will be…) Once again, Janice has come out with a heart-warming, lesson-teaching, faith-filled, fun-to-read book.
Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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