Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mike now lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jen, and their three daughters. He writes a monthly column for Writer . . .Interrupted, was a newspaper correspondent/columnist for over three years, has published several articles for The Candle of Prayer inspirational booklets, and has edited and contributed to numerous Christian-themed Web sites and e-newsletters. Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, the Relief Writer's Network, the International Christian Writers, and International Thriller Writers. His short stories have appeared with Amazon Shorts and in Coach's Midnight Diner genre anthology. He received his BA degree in sports exercise and medicine from Messiah College and his MBS degree in theology from Master's Graduate School of Divinity.
Mike Dellosso writes novels of suspense for both the mind and the soul. He writes to both entertain and challenge. In addition to his novels, Mike is also an adjunct professor at Lancaster Bible College and a faculty member at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sam Travis lives in a Civil War era farmhouse in Gettysburg, PA, where he awakens one morning to find an old journal with an entry by a Union soldier, Lt. Whiting…written in Sam’s own handwriting. When this happens several more times, both at night and during waking “trances,” Sam begins to question his own sanity while becoming obsessed with Lt. Whiting and his bone-chilling journal entries. As the entries begin to mimic Sam’s own life, he is drawn into an evil plot that could cost many lives, including his own.
Can the unconditional love of Sam's daughter, Eva, break through his hardened heart before a killer on the loose catches up with them and Sam’s past spurs him to do the unthinkable?
If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of Darkness Follows, go HERE
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
***Special thanks to Cathy Hickling of Whitaker House for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Loree Lough is a well-known, beloved Christian romance writer with nearly three million books in circulation. She's released 78 books, including one that's been optioned for a TV movie, 68 short stories, and over 2,500 articles. A tireless advocate of Christian fiction, she's recognized as a leader in the genre and spends time mentoring aspiring writers. She's also a sought-after speaker who encourages audiences with her comedic learned-the-hard-way lessons about writing and life. Loree and her husband Larry have four daughters and seven grandchildren. They split their time between Baltimore and their cabin in the Allegheny Mountains. An avid advocate for endangered species, Loree supports The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania and other worthy causes close to her heart including The Wounded Warriors Project and The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
List Price: $9.99
Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603742271
ISBN-13: 978-1603742276
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
December 1887
On the Brazos River near Sweetwater, Texas
Raw, unrelenting wind whistled across the deck boards, scattering newspapers and rattling the cleats as the steamboat chugged toward its next major stop, Clear Fork. Callie cupped her elbows, wishing she’d thought to grab her shawl. She’d never liked weather like this, for it reminded her too much of the bitter Baltimore winter of ’85 that had nearly killed her mother and had prompted her father’s decision to move the family west. Ever since, Callie had begun every day with a prayer for her mother and ended by asking God to ease the ache of homesickness.
In time, the Lord had answered her first prayer, restoring her mother to robust health. The second He’d granted in the form of a young seminary graduate who’d been hired to entertain guests with the soothing sonatas of Beethoven and Bach. And, just as the sunshine dispels the nippy mists from the river, the music of Seth’s love had turned her longing for Maryland into a dim yet melodious memory.
Tonight, her beloved beau would give his final performance for the tycoons, high rollers, and politicians who gathered nightly in the grand salon. His final because, in twelve short hours, Callie’s father, a chaplain and owner of the Maybelline, would pronounce him and Callie man and wife.
Heart throbbing with hope and excitement, she hurried toward the jackstay, the secret meeting place where Seth had first confessed his love. Her fingers throbbed, too, from sewing fifty-two satin-covered buttons up the back of her full-skirted gown and from attaching a feathered headdress to her long, lacy veil. Callie smiled, knowing the discomfort would vanish the instant she saw Seth smiling at her from the makeshift altar where he would become her husband.
Sadly, the gown would not fit inside her valise. What a pity she wouldn’t be able to save her beautiful dress for the daughters she and Seth might have! She imagined a bright-eyed young woman with her papa’s dark eyes and her mama’s diminutive stature, walking down the center aisle toward her intended in the little church in Eagle Pass, Texas, where Seth’s dream of shepherding a flock of his own would come true, and he would eventually unite his own daughter with her soul mate.
Still, she took comfort in knowing that her hours of hard work had not been in vain. She said a little prayer for the senator’s wife, who’d agreed to pay a handsome sum for the gown and veil—and for Callie’s eternal silence. “Lord, help the poor woman keep secret the fact that her daughter will be married in a used—”
“Talking to yourself again?”
She stifled a tiny squeal. “Jonah Everett Roberts, you frightened me half to death!” How a boy of her brother’s height and weight managed to sneak up on her at least once a day, she’d never know. Raising one eyebrow, she rested a fist on her hip. “Say, what are you doing out here, anyway? Didn’t I hear Papa ask you to sweep out the saloon?”
He frowned. “I’m waiting for the green flash,” he said, taking a bite of an apple.
Not that again, she thought. “Well,” she said on a sigh, “if that’s the cause for the holdup, you’ll never get the job done, because the sun went down more than an hour ago.”
“Humpf. Leave it to little miss stick-in-the-mud to spoil the moment for a boy.”
“Boy, indeed. Papa says when he was sixteen, he worked as hard as any man on the family farm, and that his folks never had to remind him to do his chores.”
Jonah swallowed a mouthful of fruit. “Yeah, and he also says that if I’m patient, I’ll see the green flash, eventually.”
Callie couldn’t count the number of times she’d heard the same assurance. In fact, she’d heard so much about the elusive emerald flare, which was visible only under precise atmospheric conditions as the sun disappeared into the horizon, that she’d wished a time or two for the patience to believe in the phenomenon, herself.
But wishing wouldn’t get her any closer to the jackstay and her darling Seth. “Your tactic might work on Mama and Tim,” she said, giving his shoulder a playful shove, “but I see it for what it is: a ‘clever’ way to shirk your responsibility—”
A thunderous roar set the deck to quaking beneath their feet. Please, Lord, not the boilers! she thought as a second deafening blast threw her and Jonah to the floor. Instinct made her grab his collar and drag him under a heavy table, where she covered their heads with a tablecloth. Shards of glass and splinters of wood rained down as a third explosion rocked the steamer.
Choking smoke closed in around them as flecks of glowing ash floated down like fiery snowflakes. With its shallow keel and inch-thin hull, the Maybelline’s flimsy design assured swift river travel—and guaranteed that it would sink swiftly, too.
If that happened, it would be her fault.
If only she’d stoked the boilers like she was supposed to, instead of handing the job over to Tim! She’d seen the vacant “I don’t understand” stare in her older brother’s eyes enough times to recognize it for what it was, yet she’d ignored it to gain a few minutes more with Seth.
Callie scrambled forward with one objective: to make sure that Tim, her parents, and her beloved Seth had survived.
“Wait!” Jonah hollered.
“You’re safer right here,” she said, meeting his frightened eyes. “I know you’re scared, Jonah. I’m scared, too.” Using a corner of her apron, she dabbed at the blood dribbling from both of his ears. “But you need to stay here, before you’re hurt even worse.” She gave him a little shake. “If the steamer starts taking on water, I want you to make your way to the riverbank. Once you’re there, find the biggest tree and stay put. Do you understand?”
His confused expression mirrored the one that had long seemed frozen to Tim’s face. But their older brother had been slow from the day he was born, unlike Jonah, who could solve arithmetic problems without the aid of slate and chalk. She blamed Jonah’s expression on fear and scrambled to her feet. Why did both her brothers turn to her for comfort and support, when she was younger than both of them?
On the heels of a frustrated sigh, she scooted out from under the table. “Lord, watch over him,” she prayed as she raced along, darting between rivers of blue-orange fire that snaked and coiled across the deck and dodging the witch-finger flames that flared from each cabin window. When a fierce groan sounded from above, she crooked her elbow to protect her eyes and looked up. The breath caught in her throat when she saw the tallest of the three fat smokestacks teeter as it gave way to the gluttonous fire monster gnawing at its wooden moorings.
Callie barely gathered her wits in time to sidestep it. If only she’d thought to gather her skirts, too. The heel of her boot caught on a fold of muslin, slowing her escape by a mere fraction of a second. She was already falling when a grapefruit-sized lump of glowing coal slammed into her right temple.
“Sweet Jesus,” she prayed as dizziness overwhelmed her “Keep…them all…safe.”
For the second time in as many minutes, her prayer was interrupted, as she slipped into the dark unconscious.
Two years later~October 2, 1889
The Lazy N Ranch, Eagle Pass, Texas
The sweet-smelling envelope was addressed to “M. Neville.” At least, that’s what Micah had thought at first glance. But the message inside the envelope didn’t make a lick of sense. So, he studied the addressee a second time, and a third, before realizing that the fanciful M was, instead, a D. Guilt at reading his cousin’s mail was quickly overshadowed by concern at the nature of the message. Dan had already lived two lifetimes’ worth of misery in his twenty-eight years.
Micah shook his head and said a silent prayer for Dan, who’d shouldered a burden of self-blame ever since his twin sister had died tragically at the age of thirteen, even though nobody held him responsible. Guilt and remorse, along with the whiskey used to numb the emotional pain of his loss and the physical torment of a bum leg suffered in a stampede, had managed to turn the once shy, gentle boy into a man hell-bent on self-destruction and prone to angry brawls. About once a year, Dan had summoned the strength to shake his addiction, but, all too soon, self-loathing would lure him back to the bottle. Fourteen months into the latest stint of sobriety, Micah had begun to notice signs that made him fear things were about to take another ugly turn, but then, praise God, Levee O’Reilly had come to town as the new schoolteacher. She’d taught her students reading, writing, and arithmetic, all the while teaching Dan to value his own life.
The two had married, and their relationship seemed solid and strong. But now, something like this? Micah glared at the single sheet of scented ivory paper on which, with a few well-chosen words, the writer had implied a dozen sinister things, any one of which could start the dominos toppling in Dan’s life yet again.
Slumping onto the edge of his bed, Micah read the letter a fourth time. Maybe he’d underestimated his cousin’s ability to stand strong, even in the face of this woman’s spiteful threats. He had a lot more to live for now, though. Maybe this woman wanted to destroy him, once and for all.
Micah would not take that chance. For one thing, Dan had always been his favorite cousin—a statement in itself, since there were dozens in the Neville clan. For another, Dan had protected him more times than Micah could count. As a youngster, he’d been puny and timid and had spoken with a lisp, just the sort of stuff that invited the taunts of the bigger, older boys. But, without fail, Dan would always put a stop to it.
Eventually, Micah’s front teeth had grown together, eliminating the lisp, and his body had grown, too. At six feet three inches, and with two hundred and twenty pounds of raw muscle, Micah’s size alone would have discouraged any bully. But by the time the Neville men had embarked on the trail drive of ’86, Dan’s determination to defend Micah had become so ingrained that he hadn’t thought twice about maneuvering his horse between his cousin and a bevy of gun-blasting rustlers. Dan had laughed off the bullet in his shoulder in exactly the same way he’d laughed off every swollen knuckle, bloodied lip, and black eye endured to protect Micah. “You’ve done me a favor, cousin,” he’d said, gritting his teeth as Cookie dug out the slug, “because certain ladies like a man with scars!”
Had the author of this letter been one of those ladies?
Micah harrumphed. “A female, maybe, but I’d bet my horse she’s no lady.” Scooting closer to the night table, he turned up the lantern and leaned into the golden light to read those ominous closing lines yet again:
…at two o’clock on Friday afternoon, the fifteenth of October, I will be at the train station in San Antonio, Texas. If you choose not to meet me there, I shall have no alternative but to bring this very urgent matter to the attention of the authorities.
Most sincerely yours,
Pauline Eden Devereaux
“Urgent matter”? A dozen possible scenarios flashed in Micah’s brain, none of them good. Under ordinary circumstances, Dan wouldn’t squash a beetle under his boot, but there was nothing ordinary about the way his personality changed once a few pints of whiskey burned in his veins. If he was drinking when he ran into this woman….
Micah got to his feet and started pacing. He didn’t want to believe that Dan was guilty of any offense. The more likely story, he told himself, was that this Pauline character had gotten wind of how many acres made up the Lazy N Ranch and hoped to weasel a few hundred dollars in exchange for her silence about whatever matter she seemed to believe might interest the authorities. And, since the family never discussed their troubles beyond the closed door of Uncle Matthew’s office, she had no way of knowing how steeply their profits had dropped due to anthrax, weevils, droughts, and storms.
There was only one way to know for sure, and that was to take a trip to San Antonio to meet this femme flimflammer face-to-face. He didn’t know what excuse he’d cook up to put himself there, or how he’d squash her scam, but Micah knew this much: he intended to defend Dan for a change.
My Review:
This is the third book in the series and just as good as the previous ones. If you haven't read the previous books you could read this book and still follow the story with no problems. I love this story how Micah feels he has to save cousin and protect him. Micah is a a kind, tenderhearted soul who I grew to love. Callie still blames herself for the tragedy that killed her parents, brother and fiance and left her younger brother deaf, because of this Callie feels she has to pay for there deaths and cant forgive herself. Add to the story a sweet baby Micah ends up with and you have an interesting story and just a few tongues wagging and assuming things without knowing the facts. I loved seeing the story unfold and finding out what would happen next. A really good read.
Please welcome Pamela Tracy to my blog today. Pamela is part of the Craftie Ladies of Romance blog which can be found at http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/. It has been fun getting to know the ladies there. I love all the Love Inspired ranges and Pamela's new book that is coming out soon looks like another great book.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Sure, my favorite thing, talking about myself :) I am married, a mom (son in kindergarten), a teacher, and reader. I'm one of those people who over-extend.
2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
Many. My first favorite was a little Golden Book about mothers. From there I went to the Betsy books, onto the Ramona books, onto Little House on the Prairie. I devoured Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Anne of Green Gables. I was Nancy Drew, Meg, Donna Parker. The great Phyllis Whitney did a YA series, and I loved it. (Jenny Here I use to get 20cents for pocket money and thats how much the little Golden Books cost. I use to buy them to read. Have to say I loved Donna Parker too.)
3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?
It changes. Right now I'm into paranormal cozies, but throw me a good faction book (Water for Elephants) and I'm thrilled. I've started keeping track of what I'm reading. This year, I have three favorites. Home by Julie Andrews. The Graveminder by Melissa Marr. And The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey with the long N last name. I've started keeping track of what I read. It's eye-opening.
4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Probably Judy Blume more than anyone because she wrote about real issues.
5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I've always known, I think. In second grade, the public library would only let children check out six books at a time. My mother would take me, and soon she realized that she'd be taking me every week if she didn't think of something. So, she got her first library card (My parents weren't readers. Mom not at all. Dad read the newspaper and his religious books). Dad said that when I was about three I handed him a piece of blank paper and a crayon and told him to write words. He did. Then, I, who couldn't read, made up a story for him.
6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I purchased a computer from Montgomery Wards. I started writing a Star Trek. Then, I took a creative writing class at the local community college. From that class, a critique group formed. I found Romance Writers of America. I read books on how to. I attended meetings, workshops, conferences. It took me four years.
7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
LOL. I am an English professor, and I love it.
8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
I crochet. I write puppet plays for my church and I teach the 4-6th grade Wednesday Bible class. I love to go out to lunch, especially with my best friend Harlequin American author Cathy McDavid.
9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
Jenny, I'm expecting you to invite me to Australia. (consider yourself invited.)
10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
Jimmy Carter - to discuss honesty in office.
Colin Firth - to listen to his accent and ask about the King's Speech
Cathy McDavid - my best friend and she'd manage to keep the conversation lively with Colin and Jimmy because I'm shy.
Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.
My next book is called Once Upon a Cowboy. It's an August Love Inspired Romance release. It's about Joel McCreedy, a prodigal son, who returns home after an injury causes him to lose everything. His older brother is not welcoming. It's about Beth Armstrong, who loved him from afar back in high school. But not only is Joel's only goal to return to the rodeo, but there's also Beth's mother who is all about 'having a plan'. Beth has always been the good daughter, and clearly Joel leans to the 'bad boy' scenario. When he returns to Christ, Joel suddenly realizes what he's been missing. But, can he have the rodeo and Beth both?
Here's my website. Jenny, thanks so much for having me.
Martha Ockley is the pen-name of Rebecca Jenkins. She read history at Oxford University, and spent several years working alongside her father, the Rt. Revd. David Jenkins (Bishop of Durham 1984-94) during the turbulence of the 1980s. She lives in Teesdale in the North East of England where the landscape and history provide the inspiration for her Regency detective, F R Jarrett. Since September 2009 she has been Royal Literary Fund Fellow and Writer in Residence at York St John University. She is a full-time author, writing both fiction and non-fiction. (She should not be confused with a Canadian actor and singer, also called Rebecca Jenkins.)
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Reluctant Detective sees Faith Morgan arriving back in the region of her birth - Winchester in Hampshire. Recently ordained, she had been working as a curate in an Anglican inner-city church. Within an hour of her arrival at Little Worthy, she witnesses the sudden shocking death of a fellow priest during a communion service at St James's. He had been poisoned with a pesticide mixed with the communion wine. The senior police officer who arrives at the scene turns out to be Detective Inspector Ben Shorter, Faith's ex long-term boyfriend.
She is urged by the Bishop to stay on to look after the parish of Little Worthy. As she meets her parishioners she learns some surprising facts about her apparently well loved predecessor, and starts to suspect a motive for his death. And it is she who finally identifies the murderer.
The story gets off to a dramatic start with the previous vicar collapsing as soon as he drank the communion cup, and it holds the interest throughout. There is some romantic interest too. Inspector Ben Shorter starts by sneeringly telling his sergeant, "Ms Morgan is a vicar. One of the ordained," Ben emphasized the word. “She's a card-carrying professional at the touchy-feely stuff.” But he soon starts to feel differently about her again, although she is well aware that he "didn't understand the reality she experienced through her faith. He didn't even recognize its existence. That was the gulf between them." Her own beliefs and doubts are convincingly described, for even she can't help wondering, "What if there is no truth to it?" But for her, as for Pascal before her, it was a gamble worth taking.
If you drowned and the sea spit you out,
thrusting you back into an age of pirates,
buried treasure and beauty beyond belief…
would you stay?
Take the Adventure...
If You Dare!
Captain LaFoote Blog Tour
Eddie Jones' goal in writing The Curse of Captain LaFoote is to spur the imaginations of young readers—boys especially. With colorul characters, it is the perfect book for every tween or young adult who enjoys adventure, humor and romance. The story offers a "clean" read and is endorsed by Good Reads, teachers, homeschoolers and moms.
Book Summary
RICKY BRADSHAW has never sailed the Caribbean Sea, searched for buried treasure or battled pirates on the deck of a Spanish Galleon. He’s never fallen through the floor of Davy Jones’ locker or watched an old fisherman morph into a porpoise. All Ricky knows is his lonely life with his widowed mom in a tiny apartment overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. But all that changes on a snowy Christmas Eve when Ricky’s apartment building burns down and he suffers a seizure, falling into the chilly waters. Suddenly Ricky finds himself thrust into a world where there is surprising beauty on every island, danger around every corner and great honor and glory ahead of him—if only Ricky can summon the courage to survive the curse of Captain LaFoote.
Author Bio
Eddie Jones
EDDIE JONES has authored four non-fiction books, one young adult novel, and written over a hundred articles that have appeared in over 20 different publications. He is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and a contributing writer for, CBN.com, Common Ground Christian News, The Ocracoke Observer, and Living Aboard Magazine. He’s a three-time winner of the Delaware Christian Writers Conference and a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Boating Writers International. Eddie sails, surfs and writes in North Carolina. For more information see: http://www.captainlafoote.com/.
EDDIE: When my boys were young, I'd tell pirate stores on the bow of our sailboat. The lead character was Captain Stinky Foot. Captain Stinky Foot was named after my youngest son. If you've ever spent any time on a boat in August with a crew of unwashed young males then this needs no further explanation. I've always been fascinated by the stories of boys snatched away from London and Bristol and forced to serve before the mast. Seems to me life at sea was more fun than peeling potatoes. And more dangerous.
So The Curse of Captain LaFoote is a pirate tale awash in buried treasure, romance and dead men's bones. The truth is, this book and the ones that follow in the Caribbean Chronicle series are love stories. For Ricky Bradshaw, the hero of the book, the story is a quest to find his father, soul mate, and purpose in life.
What is your lead’s wound?
EDDIE: A friend suggested that I let my lead have epilepsy. She said when she has an episode she sort of zones out—like daydreaming except she can’t stop it. She also said she knows when it’s about to happen. That she smells something like burning wires. So I gave Ricky epilepsy and finished the story.
It wasn’t until much later that I realized the book had a larger purpose. I met another woman at a writer’s conference whose son has epilepsy. During the conference, her son suffered a seizure — the first one he’d ever had without his mother present. The look on her face that morning convinced me that Ricky Bradshaw could be a champion for those suffering from epilepsy.
It’s not cancer or heart disease but over three million Americans live with epilepsy. If the sale of this book can raise awareness, then the book has done its job. For each book sold, the publisher and I will donate “a few pieces of eight” — half a sandy dollar — to the foundation’s Heroes Among Us program. Our goal is to raise ten thousand dollars in honor of Ricky Bradshaw.
What is the spiritual message in your book?
EDDIE: That courage cost. Near the end of the book Ricky has the chance to go back to his old life. We get to do the same thing, go back to our old way of doing things. But Christ says there is a cost for doing the right thing. Ricky faces that choice.
What takeaway value do you hope readers receive after reading this novel?
EDDIE: There are a lot of other deep and important themes explored in the book too. Things like what the poop deck is and why cruise ships no longer use them, the secrets inside Davy Jones' locker, and why you shouldn't walk downwind of a pirate who's just eaten turtle soup.
Seriously, my goal in writing this book was to spur the imagination of young readers. Boys especially. I wanted to create within them a desire to read and set sail for a life of adventure, wherever that journey may take them. Even now I can see Ricky standing on the sugar-white sands of that island just south of Hispaniola. I am that boy. And so are a lot of other boys.
Grand Prize Giveaway
All you need for a PIRATE PARY!
8 invitations
8 - 9" party plates
8 - 9-oz. cups
16 luncheon napkins
16 pc. blue cutlery set
1 red plastic table cover
2 rolls of streamers, 1 blue and 1 red
12 each of blue and red balloons
2 pkgs. of confetti, 1 blue and 1 orange
4 yds. deluxe creepy cloth
12 pirate swords with eye patch
72 pirate tattoos
8 dessert plates
16 beverage napkins
8 treasure chest-shaped filled treat boxes
1 10 ft. pennant
12 child-size pirate hats
1 photo door banner
1 piñata and toy & candy asst.
To enter the give away comment by Wednesday 1 June by 6pm Australia time, one commenter from my blog will go into the grand draw.
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, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Final Touch, third 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
Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns—and powerful truths about today's medical field.
Janessa McNeil’s husband, Dr. Brock McNeil, a researcher and professor at Stanford University's Department of Medicine, specializes in tick-borne diseases—especially Lyme. For years he has insisted that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't exist. Even as patients across the country are getting sicker, the committee Brock chairs is about to announce its latest findings—which will further seal the door shut for Lyme treatment.
One embittered man sets out to prove Dr. McNeil wrong by giving him a close-up view of the very disease he denies. The man infects Janessa with Lyme, then states his demand: convince her husband to publicly reverse his stand on Lyme—or their young daughter will be next.
But Janessa's marriage is already rocky. She's so sick she can hardly move or think. And her husband denies she has Lyme at all.
Welcome to the Lyme wars, Janessa.
“A taut, heartbreaking thriller. Collins is a fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages.”
--Publishers Weekly
“Tense and dramatic. Holds its tension while following the protagonist in a withering battle.” –NY Journal of Books
“A frightening and all-too-real scenario. Very timely and meaningful book.” –RT Reviews
“If you know someone who suffers from Lyme, you need to read this compelling novel.” –Lydia Niederwerfer, founder of Lyme-Aware
Today I am happy to have Janelle Dyer on my blog. Janelle is another of Australia's talented authors. I recently read Janelle's first book and really enjoyed it. I am so excited about the books coming out of Australia and I hope you will enjoy learning more about aussie Authors.
1.Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Janelle but many of my friends and family call me Jan. I’ve been around for a little over half a century so I like to think I’ve acquired a little bit of wisdom in that time. I’ve been married to Greg, a primary school teacher for 33 years and together we have two adult children, Gregg and Koren. I’m the oldest of four siblings and grew up in a middle income home in Brisbane, Australia and had wonderful, devout Christian parents who instilled in us at a very early age, God’s redemptive love. For the last 25 years, my husband and I have been living on the Darling Downs and more recently, in Toowoomba. Throughout my life, I have been involved in ministry with children and youth, teaching and outreach using drama and puppetry. As a youth, I was involved in repertory theatre and in later years as a school chaplain.
2.When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
·The classic by John Bunyan, ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’.
·Another classic by Charles Sheldon, ‘In His Steps’. Reading it challenged me for the first time to follow Jesus and put Him first in my life.
·Lewis Carroll’s, ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
·And adventure story, ‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson.
3.Do you have a favourite genre to both read and write?
Yes. I love adventure and thriller fiction. I love the mood and pace changes in this genre. It can give a lot of scope for a fiction writer.
4.Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Authors such as CS Lewis and Robert Louis Stevenson certainly fired up my love for reading and writing. I loved too, Louisa May Alcott’s writing style and the richness of her characters in ‘Little Women’.
5.When did you know you wanted to be an author?
My journey as a writer began at an early age, as do so many other authors. My first real work (not published), was ‘QT, The Quarter Ton Elephant’ who broke loose from his handler and created havoc down Queen Street, Brisbane. At ten, I was pen pal to an Indian missionary working in the Punjab District. I hope I was an encouragement to her as she selflessly worked with those precious people. I certainly was encouraged by her. That’s the marvellous thing about writing; no matter what our age or disability we can encourage, sympathise and comfort, teach and mentor people through the written word.
6.How did you go about becoming an author?
I did what a lot of writers do; I made submissions to a number of publishers only to be rejected many times. It became a very disappointing and discouraging aspect of writing for me. My articles were accepted in youth magazines and sometimes in newspapers, but to get a book published was a completely different story for me. I truly believed that God gave me a gift for writing and I felt it was my responsibility to get my gift out there in the public arena and not hide it under a bushel. When I was 25, I self-published a collection of plays and skits but it didn’t do very well. I look back at my work and understand why it didn’t sell. I had much to learn and much more to experience. The Lord connected me with some wonderful writing companions. I may never meet many of them, but praying for them and sharing with them via emails has been very encouraging for me. Eventually, via seemingly unrelated events, I met Rochelle (Wombat Books) and she started me going again. It turns out that I’m not responsible at all for getting my gift out there. God had that part planned. I only had to make myself available at His leading.
7.If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
I always loved sketching and painting. My dad was an artist and I loved to watch him at work. His specialty was watercolour. For myself, I’m fond of oil painting.
8.Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
I love to sketch and paint but I also love to hang out with family and friends. I also have a couple of very special fur companions that keep me smiling too. I also love hiking, although I haven’t been as disciplined about exercise in recent months. I must get back to it.
9.Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
Without a doubt, my special place is the Bunya Mountains. They are approximately 100 kms north-west of Toowoomba. To spend a few days up there, waking to the twitter of birds and watching the mist climb up the tree covered slopes and walking along the many tracks with my husband and friends is the best thing in the world to do. I love those mountains – God’s country! (Jenny Here its interesting I have heard Western Australia is God's Country too of course all is his but its interesting how different areas make us feel we are in God's Country. I been to the Bunya Mountains and seen the birds and it is beautiful)
10.If you could have a meal with three living people who would you choose and why?
·Doctor Billy Graham: I admire him and his integrity as a man of God.
·Andy Thomas (astronaut): To listen to his experiences when preparing for shuttle missions, his time in outer space and working in NASA.
·Avi Lipkin: Israeli who is building a Bible block party to be part of Knesset (Israel’s parliament). I have always been interested in all things Israel and her struggle in the Middle East.
Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.
About ‘Yellow Zone’: Without giving too much of the plot away; terrorist cells attack and destroy a large proportion of our civilised world and cripple the global economy. Political systems fall as the financial sector crumbles. The whole world is perplexed as one leader rises to world dominance. No longer is there a democracy or a voice for the common people. A young man, Scott Ryan and his teenage sister Sally are forced to live in Yellow Zone, a gated community set up to protect and shelter a large population. In time, Yellow Zone draws fear and cynicism from its people. Deadly secrets are uncovered and it is a race against time for survival.
I have just completed my second book, ‘A Door Left Open’ but its publication is still to be finalised. Watch this space!
A coordinated terrorist attack destroys not only many great cities but the global economy. Political systems fall as the financial sector crumbles. What would you do without money? Without work? Without a government to provide social services? Would you speak up if 'unproductive' people were disappearing without a trace? It is decision time for Scott and Sally Ryan and their friends. Trapped in Yellow Zone, time is running out...
My Review:
From the first page I was hooked I just had to know what else was going to happen. The book starts strong then we find out what has happened in the previous two years to get to this point. I loved this start and seeing what had lead up to this point. The story is very strong and as you read parts of the book it will remind you of things that have happened in history and also things that are written in the bible. I love the way Janelle did this and the way she linked it to what was happening. I didn't want to put the book down as I needed to know what next. When I finished the book I was left wondering a few things like what next and a couple of other questions but I do believe this was very deliberate to make the reader think and wonder. This is a very relevant book about what could very well happen in the future. A very powerful book.
Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has been married for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. Andrea's educational background includes the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College where she studied in Professional Communications and Business Management.
Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.
Finally her first novel was published in 1994. Since then she's written numerous articles and devotionals. Andrea has also published inspiration romance novels, women's fiction, and novellas.
In 2003, Andrea joined the Hartline Literary Agency and worked for Joyce Hart as a literary agent. She saw much success. But then in 2007, Andrea realized she was more of a teacher/encourager than a sales person. She left the agency and became a certified Christian life coach. Now, in addition to her writing, Andrea enjoys encouraging others to use their God-given talents and gifts to their fullest.
Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar is a certified Christian life coach and speaks at writers’ conferences and for women’s groups. She has taught workshops at such conferences as Write-To-Publish, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Oregon Christian Writers Conference, Mount Hermon Writers Conference, and many local writers conferences. Another of Andrea’s accomplishments is cofounder of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) organization. For many years she served on both its Advisory Board and as its CEO.
ABOUT THE BOOK
When Pastor Luke McCabe begins paying extra attention to her, Bethany takes his fine-sounding words with a grain of salt. She's heard sweet talk before. This time she is going to keep her mind on the Lord and on her new teaching job in the Arizona Territory.
But when her reputation is accidentally soiled by the rakish town sheriff, Luke steps in with a marriage proposal to save Bethany's good name. Luke is certain their marriage is God's will...but Bethany is just as certain God must have someone else in mind to be Luke's wife.
Someone sweet and spiritual, who knows the Scriptures better than Bethany does. Someone like Luke's old friend from home.
If you would like to read the first chapter of , go HERE.
Watch the video trailer:
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book have loved the others in the series and this one was just as good. This time we see Bethany moving to Arizona Territory to become the new school teacher with Luke and Jacob McCabe. We also see the new Dr who just happens to be a doctor. This book tells the story of both brothers focusing more on Beth and Luke. I do love how Luke steps forward to save Beth when some rumors happen which are untrue. Beth has been put down and told she's a plain field mouse that no one could love and she is dealing with these feelings knowing Luke couldn't possibly love her. I feel for Beth as she deals with these feelings. On the other hand Luke doesn't realise how Beth is feeling and is clueless. I love the other stories happening at the same time along with some danger. The book deals with forgiveness, healing, acceptance. Good final book in the series.
I grew up as Julie Navarro, in a family of truly right-brained individuals. Among us you’ll find writers, artists, and musicians, all of us willing to talk about the arts at a moment’s notice.
Over the years, I’ve published several hundred articles and stories in magazines and books, including Aspire, Decision, Expecting, Focus on the Family, Key Magazine and God’s Abundance: 365 Days to a Simpler Life. As I wrote, I found a common theme cropping up: my family, the sea, and God’s timely work in the lives of those around me.
Maybe it was time to incorporate those interests into novels, I thought.
And so I did. Not once, but twice. Both times, God shut both doors and windows. So I continued to write and dream and raise my kids with Dan. Eventually I decided to write romantic seaside novels, and that’s where I found my voice.
When I’m not writing, marketing, or editing for others, I’m driving my kids around town, imagining that my mid-sized SUV is actually a sleek sailing yacht.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Suz Mitchell is the determined dreamer we should all be and won't allow her ex-husband Len's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, she moves with her child across the country to California's central coast and lands a sweet job restoring priceless paintings at the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the ocean.
To her utter surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, is also now working at Hearst and jumbles the dreams inside Suz's heart. While sorting out the awkwardness of their past split and current spiritual differences, a repentent Len shows up eager to restore his family.
Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Fade to Blue, go HERE.
Still waiting for my copy to arrive will review when it arrives.
