Stop by to learn about the book, read a Q&A with Tara, and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).
Showing posts with label #christianfic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #christianfic. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
"Fortune's Fall" by Katherine Barger ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Stop by for #TakeoverTuesday with Katherine Barger. You can learn about the story, read an excerpt, and enter to win a copy. Click here.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
"Broken Lines" by Kelsey Gietl ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Click here to learn about the book, read my review, and enter to win an electronic copy of the book.
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
"Raising Honor" by Jill Lynn ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Stop by to learn about the latest release from Jill Lynn and enter to win a print copy of the book (US ONLY).
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
“THE BEST WE’VE BEEN” BY BETH K. VOGT … AND A GIVEAWAY!
Beth's publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of The Best We've Been. (US ONLY) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of my blog post. (Giveaway ends June 30, 2020.)
Friday, May 22, 2020
Friday, March 6, 2020
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring the latest release from Rachel Hauck, The Fifth Avenue Story Society.
And the first line is ...
Well this was a fine mess.
About the book...
Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.
Literature professor Jeff it dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.
Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.
Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.
Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother's multi-million dollar empire.
When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they're victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why.No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to bear their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.
Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it's there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Friday, January 24, 2020
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring the upcoming release from Virginia Vaughan, Killer Insight.
And the first line is ...
FBI agent Lucy Sanderson stopped running, rested her hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath.
About the book...
From profiling criminals to being hunted by a killer.
Asking FBI agent Lucy Sanderson to profile the Back Roads Killer is the only way Bryce Tippett can prove his brother is innocent--unless Lucy becomes the next victim. When someone begins stalking her just as she arrives in town, it falls to the single dad to protect her. But as clues lead in unexpected directions, can they uncover the truth...and survive to expose it?
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
Friday, January 3, 2020
"Rosanna's Gift" by Susan Lantz Simpson ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Susan has agreed to give away a print copy of this book. (US ONLY)You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends January 10, 2020. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
The story behind the story...
I have
always been interested in the Amish and their way of life. I remember going to
the local Amish farmers’ market with my mother when I was very small. I was
totally fascinated even then.
Over the
years my interest increased, and I did a lot of reading and research. When
delving into my own family history, I discovered that, way back, my ancestors
might very well have been Plain. Maybe my interest was something innate!
I’ve written
stories ever since I could hold a pencil, and I remember talking to my mother
about writing an Amish story before any such books were ever on the market.
Those ideas must have been germinating over the years.
My work in
community health sometimes involves children in foster care. Some of our local
Mennonites serve as foster families; hence, the idea of having a Plain young
woman take on the care of an infant was born.
I have read
many Amish stories but never came across any set in Southern Maryland where we
have Amish and Mennonite communities. I wanted to set my novels (six previous
books in addition to Rosanna’s Gift) here in this very different, rural
location.
My goal in
all my writing is to entertain and to encourage. I want readers to enjoy my
stories, maybe pick up some new information, and take away a message of hope
along with the knowledge of God’s love. I pray I have accomplished these goals.
My review...
I’ve read and enjoyed books by this author in the past, and
this one was no exception. The cover is welcoming, and it’s a great match for
the story.
Rosanna is a strong heroine, and I found the secondary
characters to be well-developed, as well. Emma was enjoyable. She’s Rosanna’s
best friend, and she does what everyone needs from a friend: provides honest
insight, along with some laughter. Rosanna’s family, particularly her brothers
and sisters, had realistic interactions. The author has a way with words that
makes the reader feel a true part of the story. Through her characters, she
also demonstrates that people are the same in many ways, whether Amish or Englisch.
And it was hard not to love Mollie!
The prose is beautiful, and the pace is mostly steady throughout.
There were a few lulls in the story, but things balanced out overall. Relationships
develop at a realistic pace. A key theme is trusting that God knows best, even
when His timing is different than our own.
“ The Lord Gott’s plan might be totally different from
ours, but you can be sure He has a plan for you.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t
required to leave a positive review.
About Susan...
Susan Lantz Simpson has been writing
stories and poetry ever since she penned her first poem at the age of six. She
has always loved the magic of words and how they can entertain and enlighten
others. Her love of words and books led her to earn a degree in
English/Education. She has taught students from Prekindergarten to high school
and has also worked as an editor for the federal government. She also holds a
degree in nursing and has worked in hospitals and in community health. She
writes inspirational stories of love and faith and has published a middle-grade
novel (Ginger and the Bully) in
addition to her inspirational romances. She was a finalist in the OCW Cascade
fiction contest. She lives in Maryland and is the mother of two wonderful
daughters. She is a member of ACFW and Maryland Christian Writers Group. When
she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, walking, and doing needlework.
Where to find Susan online...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Takeover Thursday with Karin Beery ... and a GIVEAWAY!
Karin has agreed to give away an electronic copy of this book. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends November 7, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
Story behind the story...
I love historical
romances—especially marriage-of-convenience stories. I have no desire to write
historical romance, but I wanted to try writing my favorite trope. That
inspired the question:
What would have to happen for two people
in modern-day America to decide to get married for practical reasons instead of
for love?
That actually required a bit of research,
as well as some creativity. The end result? Well …
“It isn't hard to keep turning pages when you
have swoon-worthy characters who find themselves in potentially crushing
circumstances. Unexpected chemistry and fast friendship make this story a
delightful read, and author Karin Beery’s deft words, wisdom, and wit make it a
memorable one.” (Kaley Rhea, co-author
of Turtles in the Road and Messy to Meaningful)
Blurb...
Ashley moves to a new town to
marry her fiancé. Instead, she buries him.
Ashley Johnson moves
to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrives
in time to go to his funeral. With no home back in Ohio, she decides to stay in
what would have been their house, except his cousin Russ lives there too, and Russ
has never heard of Ashley. To complicate matters, her fiancé accidentally willed
her the family farmhouse. Eager to please everyone and desperate to disappoint no
one, she proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve her and Russ’s
problems, if they can get past her aunt, his sisters, and an ex-girlfriend.
Excerpt...
Ashley
wrapped her hands around the white coffee mug. The hot ceramic warmed her
chilled fingers. If only it would warm her heart. She could forgive Tom for the
missed phone calls, possibly even for forgetting to pick her up, but she’d been
in Boyne Heights for two hours and still couldn’t find him. Her patience had
walked out with the last diner patron.
The waitress returned, refilling the mug. “Are you sure I can’t get you
anything? At least let me get you a piece of pie.”
Ashley smiled at the kind woman. Her name tag said Pearl. Judging by the salt-and-pepper
hair and creases around her mouth, Ashley guessed she was her mother’s age,
probably had kids of her own. Maybe grandkids. Taking care of people most
likely came second nature to Pearl. “Thank you, but I’m fine,” Ashley said. “I
won’t be here much longer, I promise."
“Take as long as you need. You look a little worried is all. Are you
waiting for someone?”
“How could you tell?”
Pearl’s laughter rolled through the dining room. “Most strangers pass
through. I make a decent cup of coffee, but no one’s ever stayed two hours to
enjoy it.”
“I’m waiting for my friend. He’ll be along soon. I hope.” Maybe. Ashley
offered another smile, but the waitress didn’t smile back.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and know pretty much everyone. Tell me who
you’re waiting for, and I can probably find him for you.”
“I’d appreciate the help. I was supposed to meet Tom—”
“Tom Russell?” The waitress frowned.
“You know him?” Sweet relief! “Thank goodness. I don’t have his home
address, only his cell number, but he’s not answering. Could you tell me where
I can find him?”
“You stay right there.” Pearl set the coffeepot on the table and pulled
the apron over her head. “Get whatever you want. It’s on the house. Lou! Get
this girl some food!” Pearl leaned over, eye to eye with Ashley. “I’ll be right
back. Don’t go anywhere.”
Ashley didn’t have a clue where she’d go, and she didn’t have time to
ask. Pearl ran down the hall before she could say anything. As soon as the
waitress disappeared, a skinny teenage boy set a giant sandwich in front of
Ashley. “Are you Lou?”
“No, that’s my dad. He said to fill you up. Sorry about Tom.”
“Uh, thanks. I really don’t need all of this food, though.” The kid
shrugged, took the coffeepot, and walked back to the kitchen. Tom had joked
about the solitude of his hometown and the characters who lived there, but he’d
never mentioned how hospitable they were.
Ashley’s stomach growled. She checked her watch. It had been four hours
and eighteen minutes since she found her luggage, rented a car, and finally
made her way to Boyne. Maybe she should eat something.
She made quick work of the sandwich, popping the last bite into her mouth
as Pearl emerged from the back of the restaurant. Behind her walked a tall,
brooding man. Dark hair stuck out from under his ball cap, and dark whiskers
shadowed his face. Like Pearl, he looked at her without smiling. Warning tingles
raced over Ashley’s spine. She kept her eyes on the frowning man who slid into
the booth across from her.
Ashley forced a smile. “Can I help you?”
The man nodded, his brown eyes locked on hers. “Pearl said you’re waiting
for Tom.”
Ashley’s pulse kicked up. “Yes. And you are?”
“Russ. I’m his business partner.”
That’s right. Tom’s cousin. “He’s mentioned you. Can you tell me where to
find him?”
Russ looked up at Pearl, then back at Ashley. Suddenly the booth seemed
too small, too crowded. The stranger across from her didn’t flinch. “I’m sorry,
ma’am, but there was an accident. Tom’s dead.”
About Karin...
Karin Beery grew up
in a rural Michigan town, where she wrote her first novel in high school. Today,
she writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. When she’s not
writing fiction, she’s reading, editing, or teaching it. In her free time, she
enjoys watching University of Michigan football and action-adventure movies
with her husband and fur babies.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, October 11, 2019
"Fatal Strike" by DiAnn Mills ... and a GIVEAWAY!
The publisher has agreed to give away a print copy of this book (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends October 18, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)
What
to Do When God’s Plan Feels like a Mystery Novel
DiAnn Mills
Ever
feel like God’s plan for our lives is a futile attempt to solve a mystery? Our
days are spent looking for clues in everything we experience. Is this God’s plan for me? What does this
Scripture passage mean? Is God listening to my prayers? Nights are worse
because we replay and stumble through the day’s incidents with no conclusion.
You
see, I’ve faced the same challenges. But we can turn that mystery into a
satisfactory ending. Take a look at the following:
Who
is the hero in our life story?
While
we may be quick to think we are, that isn’t accurate. God is the hero in our
life story. The glory all goes to Him. When we realize where we fit in the
grand story of life, we can relax knowing our Hero has it under control.
Establish
a problem or a goal.
How
do we discern God’s plan for us? We have choices to make, places to go, and
things to do. Can’t He simply send us a text?
Who
is the secondary character in our life story?
That’s
us. We are servants of the almighty God, not the other way around. When we
resign ourselves to letting God take control, we can toss off our heavy
backpacks of doubt and worry.
Who
is the antagonist?
Think
about it. Satan doesn’t want us to know and live God’s plan. The evil one is
determined to push us in the wrong direction, distract, and discourage us. In
short, he’d like for us to give up on God and find another solution to our
problems that doesn’t involve God.
How
does the plot thicken?
We
hear lies, trip, fall, get back up, proceed, and it all repeats. While the
victories give us momentary relief and assurance we’re headed in the right
direction, the defeats can be painful. But the wounds and scars are how we grow
closer into the image of Jesus Christ.
It
can seem like God doesn’t care. Are we earnestly seeking Him as a priority
instead of self-solving our mystery?
Search
for clues.
Are
we searching in the right places for God’s answer? Does what I need line up
with God’s holiness?
Research
Scripture, talk to respected Christians, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance,
and be aware of God working in your life.
The
first clue is John 9:31: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if
anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”
The
second clue is Jeremiah 29:11-12: “For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and
a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear
you.”
The
third clue is Matthew 7:8: “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who
seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
The
fourth clue is Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all
who call on him in truth.”
The
fifth clue is Psalm 66:19: “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the
voice of my prayer.”
And
there are many more!
Take
definite steps
We
must constantly ask ourselves if we are following God’s path or one that may be
good but not for us in this season.
Resolution
We
accept that a sovereign God will reveal His plan to us at the perfect time. On
the journey we grow, worship, grasp patience, love others, cultivate a
servant’s heart, and repeat our commitment to joy in all circumstances.
How
do you move ahead when God’s plan feels like a mystery novel?
Great question, DiAnn. Readers, how do you move ahead? Leave your answer below to be entered in the Rafflecopter giveaway for a copy of Fatal Strike.
Q & A with DiAnn...
Q: Tell us about some of the core themes you
discuss in this novel. How can your readers relate to these areas in their
own lives?
There
are two important themes in this story: (1) how unforgiveness can make us
bitter and the peace of embracing forgiveness and (2) the power of adoption in
families and in the spiritual realm. Leah comes from a family that has embraced
adoption, and both she and Jon go on a spiritual journey exploring what it
means to be adopted into God’s family.
Q: What
do you enjoy most in writing about the work of the FBI?
Creating
courageous men and women who dedicate their lives to keep us safe while showing
traits that make them relatable and real.
Q: Can
you tell us about some of the research that went into writing Fatal Strike?
I
interviewed a gentleman who worked FBI SWAT. I learned so much about teamwork,
the role of a negotiator, and the training. A sniper is used as a last resort
when all other means of negotiation fail and people are in danger. The sniper
must be confident his or her shot will not hurt another person. Following a
mission, the team discusses what went well, what went wrong, and how the
operation could be improved.
Q. What
inspired the plot of this novel—especially the motif of snakes and venom?
First
of all, I hate snakes. J
And I believe in writing what we fear. I knew I wanted a female FBI agent who
also worked SWAT and had the role of a sniper. What if she were afraid of
snakes? How would bad guys use rattlesnake venom? While a rattler bite is not
always deadly, it is fatal (fatal strike) when injected into the heart. Plus, the
bad guy leaves less evidence by eliminating the need to discard a knife or giving
law enforcement an opportunity to trace a bullet.
Q. What
was your favorite scene to write?
Actually,
there are two. (1) Leah faces her nemesis when she’s given what she thinks is a
box of flowers and a rattler is inside. Loved her reaction. (2) Leah and her
dad reunite after years of estrangement. I cried during that scene.
Q. What
are you most excited for your readers to experience through reading this novel?
The
characters’ journey to solve a horrible crime. On the way they find forgiveness
for their pasts and the gift of love.
Q. How
do you come up with fresh ideas for your books? How do you beat writer’s
block?
My
ideas come from the media, dreams, watching TV or movies, and sometimes ideas
just pop into my head. Writer’s block means I don’t know what happens next. I’m
an organic writer, so the idea of an outline destroys my adventure. When I’m stuck,
I do one of three things: (1) write a scene I know is coming, (2) go back to
the beginning and read and edit, or (3) do something else creative like cook,
garden, or shopping.
Q. Why
did you decide to become a writer in the romantic suspense genre specifically?
Romantic
suspense is my favorite genre. We live in a dangerous and unpredictable world.
My goal is to show real relational people who are trained to keep us safe. And
along the way, they find the gift of love.
Q: What’s
the most challenging thing about being a Christian author in this genre?
Making
violence a part of the story, but keeping graphic scenes that glorify the
violence out.
Q: Can
you tell us about some future projects you’re working on?
I’m finishing up a book currently titled Airborne. A female FBI agent boards a plane in
Houston for Salzburg, Austria. She needs a vacation to renew her relationship
with God and to figure out her future. Her husband has moved out, wants a
divorce, and he doesn’t know she’s pregnant. Two hours into the flight,
symptoms become evident of a deadly virus onboard, and her husband, a
bioengineer, becomes a person of interest.
FBI snipers Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert are tasked with solving gruesome murders taking place in Galveston. Victims are being injected with rattlesnake venom. The prime suspect is a young man, seen near the latest body found on the church steps, who is missing. A local gang is claiming responsibility. Leah and Jon have a history together, and in order to solve the case, they'll have to move beyond their past.
This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep the reader guessing, as Mills is a master with suspense and mystery. The main characters are intelligent and tough, though they still struggle with realistic fears and faith issues. (The religious element was not overwhelming in any way.) The suspense angle was more prominent than the romance angle, which I enjoyed.
DiAnn Mills is a
bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She
combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create
action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her
titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy
Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational
Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall,
the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.
DiAnn
is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a
member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and
International Thriller Writers. She is codirector of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Christian Writers Conference, where she continues her passion of helping other
writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing
workshops around the country.
DiAnn
has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader,
loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the
universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn
is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills, or any of
the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
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Friday, October 4, 2019
First Line Friday
Happy Friday! It's time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.
It's time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring a book from one of my many TBR piles by my desk, A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay. I met the author this summer. I've enjoyed other books by this author, and I'm looking forward to reading this 2016 release.
And the first line is ...
(Well, the first sentence is short, so I'm listing the first two 😊)
Piccolo. The restaurant matched its name--a tiny and delicate white stucco building with a short, neat brick walk leading from its front door to the parking lot.
About the book...
Emily Price--fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist--dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.
But Chef Benito Vassallo's relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle's faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well--inviting her into his world and into his heart.
Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben's proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben's tightly knit family. Only Ben's father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily's life and art begin to blossom, and Italy's beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.
Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben's world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?
Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.
If you're a blogger or just a social media-er, we'd love for you to join us, too!
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