Trial By Fire review and giveaway...

I'm excited to have Cara Putman with me today. Cara is a dear friend who has been such a blessing to me with my own writing journey. It has been so fun to watch her grow as a writer and to see her shine.

Cara has had a whirlwind writing journey. She's written 9 books since 2005. Yes, I said 9. :) This month her second Love Inspired Suspense Trial by Fire releases.

Here's my review of the book and then a short interview with Cara follows. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this book. :) I'll draw a name October 30.

Indiana writer Cara Putman has another new book out this month. Trial by Fire releases October 13 from the Love Inspired Suspense line. If you've read Cara's first book, Deadly Exposure, you might remember Caleb Jamison's sister, Tricia. Trial by Fire is Tricia's story.

However, one of my favorite things about this book is the continuation of Dani and Caleb's story. We don't just get a small little cameo from them like in most short series, they're a part of this storyline--in a smaller way, but still very much a part of the plot. I loved that.

The story starts with Tricia's mother's house targeted by an arsonist. Or rather her garage. Even though Tricia works as a county prosecutor, her brother, a police investigator, is sure someone is targeting him from a case he's worked.

Fireman Noah Brust thought he'd never have to see Tricia Jamison again. At least he hoped. After working with her on a trial the previous year, and subsequently having his father's reputation as a fireman ruined, he has no use for Tricia or any attorney for that matter.

Like most great characters, Tricia is hiding some serious hurts from her past. That and a few issues she runs into on her current case prosecuting a wife beating scumbag, makes the issue with the arsonist the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. She's unable to process everything and finds herself vulnerable.

Even though he'd like nothing more than to avoid Tricia, Noah finds himself a target of the arsonist. He realizes the two of them would do better working together on this case than against each other. While Noah still harbors some bitterness for the beautiful attorney, her vulnerability moves him more than he'd have thought.

I can honestly say this is Putman's best work. I loved the twisty turny plot that kept us guessing and the romance...well, he's a fireman. Need I say more? LOL. Seriously, this is a great quick, romantic suspense you can take with you anywhere.

Now a little about Cara's writing journey:

CARA: After God gave me permission to chase this dream in April 2005, I started writing seriously in June. I attended my first ACFW conference in September and had a wonderful time learning and meeting with agents and editors. Out of that conference, I had invitations to submit to a couple houses. That has resulted in my first four books. But that first contract came at the 2006 ACFW conference. That book, Canteen Dreams, released in October 2007. Last week I received author copies of my eighth book and the edits on my ninth book. I’m also waiting on contracts for books ten and eleven — from different publishers!

SABRINA: Wow, things happened pretty fast for you. However, we know it couldn't have been easy. You worked hard and had to be very disciplined to get as many books published as you've had. Still, from the outside looking in it seems to come very easy to you--what has been the most difficult part of your journey? Or maybe what might surprise those of us who stand in awe at your ability to produce books so fast. :)

CARA: What would surprise you the most right now is that I am struggling to get started on this next book. I came home from conference and spent 3+ weeks pretty sick. Now I’m under the gun, and it’s time to apply my tried and true techniques: 1) Get my rear-end on the chair and write; 2) Ask for help now before I am overwhelmed, and 3) start narrowing extra stuff out of my schedule. Sigh. I hate doing that last one.

SABRINA: How do you juggle all your obligations? Family, homeschooling, being an attorney, teaching, church, etc...

CARA: I’m not sure I’ve got this figured out yet. Right now, it means that I don’t get a lot of sleep — especially as I look at trade length deadlines on January 15 and March 1. I’m home primarily with the kids. I love that flexibility and ability to pour into my children. I teach an occasional class at Purdue, still work with some of my legal clients, and write. Most of the time I have the ability to squeeze these around my commitments with the children. And Eric and I squeeze in the occasional date night, too, though not nearly as often as we’d like.

SABRINA: I'm exhausted just thinking about it. LOL. Since this is your second Love Inspired Suspense is there anything in particular you've learned from the editors in regards to writing for this particular line? Or advice for writers targeting the LI line.

CARA: Here are the two things I have definitely learned about the line and romantic suspense from my editors: 1) make sure the romance is balanced 50-50 with the suspense. That’s been a tough one for me :-) and 2) get the suspense action started in the first chapter. The line is very focused on that right now. And they know what their readers like. Read a few of the great titles coming out from LIS and you’ll have a great idea of what they like.

SABRINA: Thanks for the advice, Cara. Can you share what's in store for you in the coming months and years as far as future projects?

CARA: I’m working on a series that ties my two loves together: World War Two and suspense. I also have a legal romantic suspense series under consideration at a house. I don’t know if that door will open, but I would love to write this series for them. I am also seeking God right now and asking Him what He has next for me. We were challenged at ACFW by Debbie Macomber to dream impossible dreams. And for someone who’s always dreamed big, it struck me how far I had moved from that. So I’m back to asking God what His dreams for me are, so I can line mine up with His.

SABRINA: Dreaming big is something I need to work on myself. Thanks so much for the advice and for sharing your story with us. I look forward to your new books.

Remember to leave a comment for a chance at a free copy of Trial by Fire. Drawing is the 28th.

Leaving Yesterday CFBA Tour and Review

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Leaving Yesterday
Bethany House (October 1, 2009)

by
Kathryn Cushman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I graduated from Samford University with a degree in pharmacy, but I’ve known all my life that I wanted to write a novel “some day”. For me, “some day” came about five years ago, when I started writing and never looked back.

My third attempt became my first published novel.

A Promise to Remember was a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in the Women’s Fiction category, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Leaving Yesterday just arrived on scene and I’m very excited about it!

On the homefront, I’ve been married to the wonderful and handsome Lee for over twenty years now, and our two daughters are currently braving the worlds of elementary and high school. We’ve lived in Santa Barbara for the last seventeen years. When I’m not writing or reading or braving seventy degree holidays, you’ll find me watching the younger daughter play softball, or the older daughter building amazing high school theater sets


ABOUT THE BOOK

Alisa Stewart feels like she's lost two sons: her youngest to a terrible tragedy and her eldest, Kurt, to a life ruined by addiction. But now Kurt has checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith that seems real. It's like he's been raised from the dead.

But then a detective arrives at Alisa's door asking questions about a murder--the death of a drug dealer before Kurt entered rehab. Alisa fears losing her son again, and when she finds evidence linking him to the killing, she destroys it. Her boy is different now. He's changed and deserves a second chance.

But when another man is charged with the crime, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice: be silent and keep her son or give up everything for the truth.

MY REVIEW:

Leaving Yesterday was the second book by Katie Cushman that I’d read. Since then I picked up A Promise to Remember. I was first introduced to this author with the book Waiting for Daybreak last year as an entrant in a contest I judged.

I remember last year thinking “wow, this is an author to watch” I was right. As an avid fan of Women’s Fiction and writers like Karen Kingsbury and Denise Hunter, Cushman hits the nail on the head with all three of her books, but especially with Leaving Yesterday.

Leaving Yesterday revolves around a mother that has been hurting for her wayward drug addicted son for a few years after already losing her youngest son to a violent crime.

You’ve read the blurb above so I won’t go into detail here, but let me say that this writer has a unique ability to draw us in and refuse to let us go. I was so into this story I could hardly pull myself away to make supper. I literally read the book while stirring the gravy one night. LOL.

I think what really grabs me is how the writer has characters who make human/poor choices. Choices that as a reader I wasn’t sure how she was going resolve by the end of the book.

As a mother I could relate to this woman. I pray if my son ever does something criminal I’ll be strong enough to do what’s right, however, I could easily understand the choices this mother made. And I hurt for her. I hurt for her son. I hurt for her estranged husband and I hurt for their younger daughter. The whole situation was heartbreaking, but again so well written I was emotionally invested in this story.

I would definitely suggest this writer to anyone who loves well written women’s fiction or family drama type books. You won’t be disappointed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Leaving Yesterday, go HERE

Though Waters Roar

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Though Waters Roar
· Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
by
Lynn Austin


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction.

Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel.


ABOUT THE BOOK

"Thank goodness you're such a plain child. You'll have to rely on your wits."

So went the words of Grandma Bebe. And for all of my growing-up years, I scoffed at the beauty of my sister and what I saw as her meaningless existence. But my wits hadn't served me well in this instance, for here I was, in jail. And while I could have seen it as carrying on the family tradition (for Grandma Bebe landed in jail for her support of Prohibition), the truth is, my reasons for being here would probably break her heart.

So how did I end up becoming a criminal? I've been pondering that question all night. Perhaps the best way to search for an answer is to start at the very beginning.

Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow in her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O'Reilly, to be the arresting officer.

Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family--and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness--brings Harriet to the discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Though Waters Roar, go HERE

Intervention by Terri Blackstock

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Intervention
Zondervan (September 22, 2009)
by
Terri Blackstock
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terri Blackstock’s books have sold six million copies worldwide. Her suspense novels often debut at number one on the Christian fiction best-seller lists, and True Light, published last year, was number one of all Christian books—fiction and non-fiction. Blackstock has had twenty-five years of success as a novelist.

In 1994 Blackstock was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. Since that time, she’s written over thirty Christian titles, in addition to the thirty-two she had in the secular market. Her most recent books are the four in her acclaimed Restoration Series, which includes Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light. She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 and Cape Refuge Series.

In addition to her suspense novels, she has written a number of novels in the women’s fiction genre, including Covenant Child, which was chosen as one of the first Women of Faith novels, and her Seasons Series written with Beverly LaHaye, wife of Tim LaHaye.

Blackstock has won the Retailer’s Choice Award and has appeared on national television programs such as The 700 Club, Home Life, and At Home Live with Chuck and Jenny. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country and the subject of countless articles. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

MY REVIEW

I received my copy of Intervention on a Friday afternoon. I started to crack open the book that night and thought better of it. I knew from experience that if I started the book, a book written by Terri Blackstock, it was likely that I might not be able to put it down for the evening. :)

I had an unusually quiet Saturday. No football game to attend, so I started the book that afternoon around 12:30. By 10:30 that night, I’d finished it. Or rather devoured it.

The story starts with an intervention. Eighteen-year-old Emily Covington’s widowed mother Barbara is trying once again to save her daughter from herself and a devastating addiction. The intervention starts as one would expect. Emily is angry and refusing to go to the treatment center that her mother put a second mortgage on her home just so Emily could attend.

With the help of the interventionist, Emily finally decides to go. Giving the impression that Emily is ready for a change.

Imagine Barbara’s surprise when on the way to the center, Emily disappears and her interventionist is found dead at the airport.

Positive that her daughter is not a killer, Barbara and her 14 year old son, Lance are on the first flight, determined to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan can arrest her for the murder.

One thing that drove me a little crazy was Barbara’s inability to see how she was interfering with the investigation. I wanted to shake her and say, quit making more work for the detectives so they can concentrate on finding Emily. However, after I finished the book I thought about it for a moment and I realized Barbara probably reacted like many parents would. She was prepared to do anything to save her daughter and no detective or cop was going to stop her. You have to admire that spunk and determination.

I won’t spoil the end for anyone, but let me say that Blackstock delivers with this one. Suspense ran rampant. Pick up your copy. You won’t be disappointed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Intervention, go HERE

Watch the book Trailer:

Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter

I just finished Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter. Wow! As a writer, I am so impressed with Hunter’s ability to draw me into the story. It’s not an easy thing to make a reader want to know the characters. Let alone the fact when you’re done reading you feel like you’ve visited Nantucket.

I’ve been reading Denise Hunter books for years and I’ve enjoyed watching her transition from a young, new, somewhat predictable writer, to a seasoned professional who often times adds the most tortuous twists to her stories it’s impossible to keep your heart from breaking for the characters. And as she takes us on the emotional journey, I’m always moved as I witness the characters healing.

Seaside Letters is another poignant story from Denise Hunter. A wonderfully written and moving story that kept my attention until the very last page. I’ve come to expect no less from this writer.

Seaside Letters is the third installment in Denise Hunter’s Nantucket Series. The books are all written as stand alones and can be read individually.

BACK COVER BLURB:

Their letters could lead to lasting love . . . or expose Sabrina’s mortifying secret.
Sabrina Kincaid didn’t intend to fall for Nantucket native Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning—a man tied to a past she deeply regrets. But she has. And she’s fallen hard.

But she’s kept this a secret from her handsome customer. And now Tucker wants to hire Sabrina to help locate his friend “Sweetpea”—the mysterious woman he’s falling in love with online. Sabrina is not inclined to help, but if Tucker hires someone else, it could spell disaster. Because if someone else sifted through the emails and figured out the truth—then Tucker would discover that the person he’s trying to find is . . . her.

The Faith of Barrack Obama...an eye opener

As someone who isn't afraid to say I'm a republican, I honestly admit I was more than a little nervous when Barack Obama was nominated by the Democratic Party to run for the Presidency.

Many things concerned me, but as a Christian, his faith or rather his unusual faith background, made me very nervous as to what this man and his personal views would bring to the office.

Eager to educate myself on who I thought Obama was, I read the Faith of Barack Obama in one long afternoon. The book is very easy to read as the author breaks the stages of Obama's faith down in a chronological manner.

We get a glimpse of the life he had with his grandparents, and what their belief system was. We also learn how his atheist mother might have added a little confusion to his life when she married a Muslim man and then sent him to Catholic school. All these different faiths even before he was introduced to the radical preacher Jeremiah Wright. So many different religious points of view thrown at such an impressionable young man were bound to form a very unique adult.

However, one thing that really impressed me about the book was the impartial way the author conveyed the information without giving us any indication of what the author himself thought of Obama, his faith, or his politics. In a time when so many journalist and non-fiction authors write their opinions more than they write the facts, Stephen Mansfield refrained from that tactic and that's to be respected.

My opinion of the book is that it was concise, informative, and well written. Regardless of political affiliation, you can read it and come away with the facts ready to form your own opinion of who Barack Obama is and how his faith has impacted his life and political career. Would have given it a 5 star if there would have been a little content about how Michelle and her faith has impacted him. Would have liked to know a little about that.

Stephen Mansfield, without a doubt, is a great new author (for me, at least) that I eagerly anticipate reading more from.

WORRY WORRY GO AWAY!!!

Tanner started fourth grade this week. I don’t know who was more worried of the two of us. Okay. Actually, I do know. Tanner was worried out of his mind. I was only a little cautious. I guess because depending on his teacher our school year could go either way. :0/ A couple years ago we had a teacher that took so much time with him and really talked to me about teaching him in alternative ways. I thought she was the biggest blessing God had ever bestowed upon me. Seriously. She made me feel comfortable talking to her about Tanner’s differences and never made me feel like one of “those mothers”. You know--the needy ones. LOL. This year seems to be okay. We have a sweet young teacher that Tanner thinks is so pretty. I have a feeling he'll be okay. As long as he's not too shy around her.

Last year was horrible. For a number of reasons. Tanner was nauseous the whole year. He was sent home from school for vomiting probably a dozen times. And came home miserable every afternoon. I took him to the doctor, had all kinds of expensive tests, and didn’t really feel like I made any progress. It’s nothing he can find other than he has severe reflux. This upsets his stomach but shouldn’t make him so nauseas. I personally think a lot of it is psychological. The stress and the smells of school make him sick. Since he was a little nauseous and only sick a couple times this summer, I figure it has to be something about being comfortable.

I love my doctor but I swear if he tells me “just love him” one more time, I’m going to slap him. LOL. It’s like he thinks because Tanner is a little different I exaggerate the problems we experience. Uh, no. I can’t exaggerate the school calling me with a kid that’s vomiting all over his desk at school. I go to this doctor because I believe he really does care for Tanner. He’s a Christian man who has children Tanner’s age and so he relates to Tanner very well. Tanner adores him so it feels impossible to leave him. When Tanner finally feels comfortable with someone it’s hard to change. That’s why we go to a dentist out of our network. Because Tanner nearly had a breakdown when I suggested a new dentist.

Tanner’s nausea is better. So far he’s been to school two days and hasn’t been sick. Woohoo. Progress. But still, I worry. I worry when he tells me he’s lonely and wishes he had a sibling. Or when he wishes he had a best friend. I worry when he has to ride the bus home because the noise overwhelms him. I worry about his feelings when he tells me a boy at school makes fun of his teeth (we’re getting ready for braces in the next few months, which I worry will be hard for him to deal with as much as he gags) I worry when they’re serving rice at lunch because Tanner has some kind of psychological problem with all things Asian and I’m afraid he’ll be sick. It’s so bizarre, I can’t even figure that one out. I worry that he doesn’t smile much. I worry. I worry. I worry. I wonder when I’ll be able to give the worry to God? When I’ll be able to let it go. I try. I really do. Or do I?

The fact is, Tanner is okay. He gets down sometimes, it seems to be in his disposition, but in all honesty, he’s okay. He’s not made fun of on a daily basis. He has lots of friends, which surprises me as stand offish as he can be. He’s smart and well behaved at school. Maybe because he’s deathly afraid of being in trouble, but still, he’s considered a sweet boy. He has a good heart. He knows right from wrong and I think he has good character.

So, his teeth are horrible. We can fix that. Maybe he’s a little socially awkward. We can work on that. He vomits a lot…okay, that’s a tough one. LOL. But really why do I worry so much? It’s not like it changes anything. I need to pray more about this. And study the Bible. I need to find peace and give Tanner back to God. I know these things and I’m working on it. Pray for me.

Menu for Romance Review

Cater to your craving for fabulous fictional fare with Menu for Romance, where a party planner finds herself torn between the contractor and the cook. After eight years of unrequited love, Meredith Guidry makes a New Year's resolution to find someone new and end her single status before the year's over. And when she meets a handsome contractor on New Year's Day, it seems like her prayers have been answered.

Executive Chef Major O'Hara has forsworn relationships, knowing he could never saddle the woman he loves with a family situation like his. But when it seems he's about to lose Meredith Guidry to another man, he realizes he must concoct a menu for romance to win her back.


After reading The Stand In Groom by author Kaye Dacus earlier this year, I was eager to continue on the journey with her well-crafted characters.

As with Stand In Groom the cover for this one was very nice. Very contemporary and fun. That’s always a plus with me. If the cover isn’t great I probably won’t pick it up.

This story is about Meredith Guidry and Major O’Hara. If you read the first book, you’ll remember, Meredith as Anne’s cousin who runs the event center after Anne left to start her own wedding consultant business. Major is the longtime chef who has a great relationship with the Guidry family.

As with the first, this book centers around the close knit family dynamic that I fell in love with in Stand in Groom.

The author did a great job creating conflict and drama. You’ll find that page after page you’ll be eager for Major and Merideth to figure out how crazy over each other they are. As with the first book, it’s easy to fall in love with the well crafted characters in this series. I still wish I could join in on their weekly family dinners.

Something else worth mentioning is the setting. The Bonneterre setting was so strong it played out like its own character. So much that I wish I could visit.

Even after the book concludes, you’re left satisfied to know she has a massive amount of potential for future books with this cast of cousins and siblings.

Overall—great read. I’d definitely suggest this author to friends and family!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Any Minute
FaithWords (June 30, 2009)
by
Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, I Dare You, the entire Battlefield of the Mind family of books, her first venture into fiction with The Penny, and many others. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.


Deborah Bedford is a career fiction writer who began her professional life as a journalist in a Colorado mountain town.

A Rose By The Door, Deborah's first with Warner Book (name changed to FaithWords in 2006), hit bookstores in November 2001. A Morning Like This was released by Warner Books in 2002. Deborah's short story, “Connor Sapp's Baseball Summer,” is included in Multnomah Publisher's The Storytellers' Collection, Tales From Home, alongside stories by Chuck Colson, Terri Blackstock, Randy Alcorn and Karen Kingsbury.

Deborah and Jack have two children, Jeff and Avery. When she isn't writing, Deborah spends her time fly-fishing, cheering at American Legion baseball games, shopping with her daughter, singing praise songs while she walks along the banks of Flat Creek, and taking her dachshund Annie for hikes in the Tetons where they live.


ABOUT THE BOOK


Sarah Harper is driven to achieve success no matter what the cost. She wants to do good and not hurt the people she loves--especially children and her husband, Joe--but her desire to succeed in her career too often leaves little time for family.

One cold, autumn afternoon, all of that changes when Sarah's car plunges off a bridge and into a river. She is presumed dead by those on the "outside," but Sarah's spirit is still very much alive. What she discovers on the other side transforms everything about Sarah's view of life--past, present, and future.

When Sarah is revived, she is a changed woman. And the unsuspecting world around her will never be the same again.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Any Minute, go here!

Goals

My friend Cara posted about the ACFW conference and all she has to accomplish in the next few months. I was tired just reading her post. Anyway, I thought it might be a good time to think about my goals for the next couple months.

I need to finish Rock Bottom. I'm almost done with the rough draft. Then I'll send in my proposal and start the editing. Figure that way I'll be working while I wait.

Once I submit the finished book (if they request it) then I'll start on the book I started last year. Inn for a Penny. I put it away but when I reread what I have so far I still like the premise so I'm looking forward to seeing where that goes.

I need to finish saving for Tanner's braces. He has a really bad problem where they're doing it in two phases. It's going to cost about $7000 and we need a couple thousand down. So that will take some budgeting to accomplish.

I have an idea for a short story contest that's going on and I'm thinking of entering. I just need to write the story. LOL. Only 3500 words so shouldn't be too tough, but still, butt in chair time is needed.

I'd also like to get my house organized. It's not bad, but I feel a need for some order lately. It's bugging me that I have photo's in a Rubbermaid container instead of filed away nicely or a stack of papers that needs to be shredded. That kind of stuff makes me uncomfortable. I don't like people to stop over and see a messy or cluttered house. I shouldn't care so much, but I do. :0/

Vacation...ahhh, good to be home!

Last week was vacation for our family. This year we chose to do the whole amusement park thing and go to Kings Island and the water park. For the last few years we've done calmer, more relaxing vacations and I thought since Tanner was 10 this year he might enjoy the rides and stuff. Hmmm maybe not...

So we go to KI the first day and it's a nice day. Hot but not too hot. Since I know all too well how boring it can be as an only child, we took along his favorite cousin. We all rode a couple things. The stunt coaster and the racers and the boys rode the scrambler a few times. By this time it's early afternoon and Tanner, who hasn't smiled more than once or twice all day, looks up at me and asks "Can we leave and go to the hotel yet?" Hmmm... Okay. When I was little we'd stay until they closed and be so bummed we had to leave. I told him we couldn't check in to the hotel until 3:00 so we might as well stay and have some fun. However, I couldn't even get him to ride the bumper cars with me so we might as well left.

I must have asked him a dozen times if he was okay--if he was having fun. Finally I realized I was making him uncomfortable (you'd think I'd be quicker than that) and I quit asking. It occurred to me that he was overwhelmed and probably over stimulated.

I've mentioned before he's a little quirky. We've never labeled him Aspergers because we don't want to limit him in any way. However, as I was watching him at the park I was sad that he wasn't happy. He wasn't enjoying himself. Too much music. Too much commotion. Too many people. It was too much. I'm a firm believer that it's good to stretch our kids and take them out of their comfort zones a little, but I hated that he was miserable on his vacation. A time that's all about quality family time. Needless to say, next year we're going back to Traverse City. He loved it there and it was a fun relaxing time for all. I think from now on I'll stretch him throughout the year. Not vacation. :-/

Things Left Unspoken...

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Things Left Unspoken
Revell (June 1, 2009)
by
Eva Marie Everson
I read Things Left Unspoken during vacation last week. Not sure why, but I’d expected to sit down and have an easy read. Not so. :) I started the book and immediately I knew this story was going to draw my in and not easily let me go.

I was right. Between the flawed characters (exactly like real life) and the mysterious plot I was hooked. I don’t know why, but I expected a typical southern story with some wacky off the wall characters that were hiding some family secret and they’d all find out in the end and all would be well. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of this story.

Jo-Lynn is asked by her aunt to come back home and fix up the “Big House” The timing is perfect since her marriage is a rut and she could use some time away. But as she starts her renovations, she unearths some secrets that someone would rather she leave buried. These aren’t just some little fly by the night secrets. This family has bones, people. Seriously dark secrets that aren’t always easy to read about, but definitely thought provoking and interesting.

This was overall a great read that kept me guessing. I’ll definitely look for this author in the future.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eva Marie Everson taught Old Testament theology for six years at Life Training Center in Longwood, Florida and has written numerous articles for Crosswalk.com (including the acclaimed Falling Into The Bible series), and has had articles featured in numerous publications, including Christianity Today, Evangel, Christian Bride, Christian Retailing, The Godly BusinessWoman and Marriage Partnership magazines. Eva Marie has been interviewed by radio, television, newspaper, and Internet media outlets. In 2002Eva Marie was one of six Christian journalists sent to Israel for a special ten-day press tour.

Eva Marie’s work includes the award-winning titles Reflections of God's Holy Land; A Personal Journey Through Israel, Shadow of Dreams, Sex, Lies and the Media, and The Potluck Club series.

She is married, has four children and five grandchildren, and lives in Central Florida.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Every family--and every house--has its secrets. Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family manse in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project. And it's the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her self-absorbed husband and his snobby Atlanta friends.

Beneath the dust and the peeling wallpaper, things are not what they seem, and what Jo-Lynn doesn't know about her family holds just as many surprises. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will her own marriage survive the renovation? Jo-Lynn isn't sure she wants to know the truth--but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Things Left Unspoken, go HERE

Book giveaway!!!

Just back from vacation. Leave me a comment and I'll draw a name for my copy at the end of the week. :)

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Who Made You a Princess
FaithWords (May 13, 2009)
by
Shelley Adina


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages.

Shelley is a world traveler and pop culture junkie with an incurable addiction to designer handbags. She writes books about fun and faith--with a side of glamour. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.

The All About Us book series has its own home over on the Hachette website. Stop by and see what the five fabulous girls at Spencer Acadenmy are up to! Series Website.

Her other books in this series includes book one, It's All About Us, oook Two, The Fruit of my Lipstick, and book three, Be Strong & Curvaceous. This present book is book four.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Shani Hanna returns to SpencerAcademy for her senior year after an amazing summer spent with her friends Lissa, Gillian, and Carly. But the best part about summer was meeting Danyel Johnstone. Danyel is cute, smart, cool, and super nice. All Shani has to do is get him to see her as more than just one of the gang.

But when the girls return to school, they find a new addition to the distinguished student body: Prince Rashid al Amir of Yasir, an oil-rich desert kingdom in the Middle East. Prince Rashid moved to California to prepare for an eventual MBA at Stanford...and to romance his future wife: Shani Hanna!

It turns out, Shani's family and the prince's go back for generations, entwined in tradition, obligation, and family honor. In each generation, members of the two families have expanded their business interests through arranged marriage. Will Shani put aside her feelings for Danyel to pursue her family's wishes? Or will God answer her prayers for an intervention?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Who Made You a Princess , go HERE

I finished Exposure...

I finished this book a few minutes ago. Would have finished it yesterday had I not had something else on my calendar to interfere.

This book was fabulous. For those that love a fast paced suspense, you must pick this up. I admit I liked it better than Dark Pursuit. Not sure why I didn’t click with Dark Pursuit but it was a little harder for me to get into. This book was different. Like the Hidden Faces series along with the Kanner Lake series, I was hooked after the first page.

It was also a fun book to read because about halfway through I was thinking I might’ve figured something out and I love those suspense books that make you think and work hard to figure out the plot twists and turns. This is definitely one of those books.

Exposure was so fast paced I found myself a little panicked along with Kaycee Raye, the main character. I could feel her anxiety as I was reading and a couple times I put the book down to relax. LOL. I know that sounds silly, but seriously, you’ll see what I mean as soon as you read it.

The book isn’t heavy on the romance. Most of Brandilyn’s books aren’t, but there’s a little hint of a romantic interest within the pages for those of you that must have it.

Exposure is an example of Brandilyn Collins at her finest. You. Must. Have. This. Book. As soon as I pick up another copy of this book I’ll run a contest so be watching. Otherwise, get yours on order. You won’t be sorry.

I tried to finish this book before the tour was over and have just a couple chapters to go. Wowser! Brandilyn does it again with this thrilling tale. I originally thought it would be a continuation of her last book Dark Pursuit and was pleasantly surprised to meet someone new--, syndicated newspaper columnist Kaycee Raye. As soon as I finish this I'll post a review and even though this is an Advanced Reader Copy, I plan to pick up another one to give away. Brandilyn is one of my favorite authors and I love sharing her books with others. So keep watching for that giveaway!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Exposure
Zondervan (June 1, 2009)
by
Brandilyn Collins


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e . . ."® Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is now working on her 20th book.

In addition to Exposure, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Always Watching, first in The Rayne Tour series—young adult suspense co-written with her daughter, Amberly. The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, who just may have it all—until murder crashes her world.



ABOUT THE BOOK

When your worst fear comes true.

Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone
knows she’s a little crazy. Kaycee’s popular syndicated newspaper
column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in
her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her
experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a
dead man mysteriously appear in her home—then vanish before police
arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee’s mind. Where is all this
coming from?

Maybe she is going over the edge.

High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror,
twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee
pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.


To read the first chapter, go HERE.

“More twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster! Highly recommended.” ~CBA Retailers

“Mesmerizing mystery…authentic characters…a fast-paced, twisting tale of desperate choices.” ~TitleTrakk

“Brandilyn Collins is a master of suspense, and Exposure is her best book yet!” ~Dianne Burnett, Christianbook.com

Writing and making progress...

Sorry posts have been scarce lately. I've actually been making progress with my WIP Rock Bottom. My plan was to submit it by the end of July and I think I'll at least have the proposal off and the rough draft complete by then.

I plan to work and revise while I wait to hear back from the editor. It's been a fun journey with these characters and can't wait to read the finished product. I think I like them more than I like any other characters I've ever written because they're very flawed. Like me. LOL.

Hope all of you are well and making progress on your own manuscripts.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
FaithWords (April 16, 2009)
by
Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

ANNE DAYTON graduated from Princeton University and is earning her master's degree in English literature at New York University. She works for a New York publishing company and lives in Brooklyn.

MAY VANDERBILT graduated from Baylor University and went on to earn a master's degree in fiction from Johns Hopkins University. She lives in San Francisco, where she writes about food, fashion, and nightlife in the Bay Area.

Together, the two women are the authors of Miracle Girls



ABOUT THE BOOK

Ana, Christine, Riley, and Zoe have grown closer than ever over the past few months, but summer is over and it's time to put their friendship to the test.
It's been a little over a year since Christine Lee's mom passed away in a tragic car accident. Now her dad is engaged to Candace--"The Bimbo"--and Christine couldn't be less thrilled. When her attitude starts to take a toll on her schoolwork, the administration forces her to attend counseling sessions. At least she gets to skip gym class!
But with her father's wedding inching closer, Christine is growing even more bitter. To make matters worse, the Miracle Girls are beginning to drift apart. Christine's anger and the pressures of high school threaten to break the girls up when they need each other the most. Will they find a way to join together to help Christine come to terms with her mother's death . . . and her father's remarriage?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, go HERE

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Breathe
(David C. Cook; New edition June 1, 2009)
by
Lisa T. Bergren


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa T. Bergren is the best-selling, award winning author of over thirty books, with more than 1.5 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, she now splits her time between writing and freelance editing and parenting her three young children with her husband Tim. She lives in Colorado Springs.

ABOUT THE BOOK

To make a new life, she'll have to learn how to breathe again...

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

Moira is beautiful and dangerously headstrong; and pugnacious Dominic is charged with establishing a new arm of the family business--a business he doesn't want.
Several days after her arrival, Odessa witnesses what she fears is the murder of miner Sam O’Toole, friend and neighbor to the charming Bryce McAllan.

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

If you would like to read the first chapter of Breathe, go HERE

Free Book!!!

I'm giving away a copy of Shirlee McCoy's newest book, Cold Case Murder. Just go to her website or blog and leave a comment about one thing you learned about Shirlee that you didn't know. It can't be something someone has already mentioned. I'll draw a winner next week. :)

This book is part of a continuity and I don't have those to give away, but perhaps you can order them if you win this one. :)

Good luck!

Submitting....ahhhh...the horror!

So back in December I was told I could resubmit my book Malicious Intent if I made some changes. I put it off for a while because of other obligations, but I finally did the revisions mailed it off last month.

I'm telling you this so you can pray for me. Not just pray that the book will meet with the editor's approval, but for me to have a peace about letting this book go. About moving on from this project. I'm at a place where I want to be productive with my writing. I desire to grow and learn as a writer. I don't want to waste my time floundering around anymore. If this book isn't what they want, then my goal is that I can just put it away with no remorse. Then I need to finish the other two that I have started. I say started but one of them is halfway finished and I'm loving it. I think it has a voice that I'm happy with and feel it's the kind of book I see myself writing even years from now. It's been easier to write too. Maybe that means something.

So pray for me to be gracious and accepting no matter what the editor says. And that I can put this project away if the answer is no.