Getting to know you Thursdays with Julie Lessman and giveaway

I am excited to welcome back Julie Lessman to my blog today. I have loved getting to know Julie over the past few years and she still likes me even though I admitted I don't like Gone With the Wind but I would love to see A Passion Most Pure as a movie. Julie is also giving away a copy of one of her books.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I’m a high-energy Baby Boomer married for 33 years to a man who makes me feel like I’m living my own personal romance novel. We have two wonderful kids, a daughter-in-law and a soon-to-be granddaughter, who I’m praying likes to read romance! Out of a family of thirteen, I was the drama queen and the one enamored with books and movies. In fact, I started writing my debut novel A Passion Most Pure when I was twelve years old after reading Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind. But … it wasn’t until almost forty years later that God breathed new life into that early attempt and inspired me to finish my childhood novel of passion—only this time the “passion” would be for Him!

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books? 

Well, number one is no secret—Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. As mentioned above, this is the book that launched my romance-writing career at the tender age of 12! J I think I may be one of the few people around who actually LOVED Scarlett O’Hara … and don’t even get me started on Rhett Butler! Another all-time favorite of mine as a child was To Kill A Mockingbird—incredible storytelling!

3. Do you have a favourite genre to both read and write? 

My favorite genre to both read and write is historical romance (shock!), the bigger the book, the better, which explains the … ahem … length of my novels, although this will change in my new series, The Cousins McClare. For that series, which will release in April of 2013, I hope to keep book at about 300 to 350 pages versus my usual 500 or so! (Jenny here wow that will be a challenge!)

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you? 

Grin … at the risk of being redundant, Margaret Mitchell! From the moment I saw that white-hot attraction she created between Rhett Butler for Scarlett O’Hara, I was a goner on romance.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author? 

Lol … when I cracked the spine of Gone With the Wind at the age of twelve, of course! I immediately set out to write (along with thousands of other love-struck young girls, I’m sure), what I hoped would be “the great American novel.” Obviously my dreams of grandeur didn’t go anywhere (grin), but I did write 150 single-spaced pages of a story that is actually the basis for my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure. (Jenny again wouldn't it be good if in 10 - 20 years we I am interviewing new authors who were influenced by A Passion Most Pure)

6. How did you go about becoming an author? 

I took very specific and strategic steps toward publication. Here’s exactly what I did and what I tell all aspiring Christian authors:

1.) Join ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers at http://www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com/), FHL (Faith, Hope & Love at http://www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/) and RWA (Romance Writers of America at http://www.rwanational.org/), both to get connected with other like-minded writers and to learn a lot about your craft.

2.) Take a fiction-writing class or attend a writing seminar or conference.

3.) Join a critique group (you can do that through ACFW).

4.) Purchase and study writing books such as Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King or Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas, AND invest in a great thesaurus such as The Synonym Finder by Rodale Press (my writer’s bible!!).

5.) Enter contests for invaluable feedback, growth, confidence, networking opportunities and to get your name out there.

6.) Frequent websites/blogs that deal with writing, such as The Seekers (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/), a group blog that I belong to whose theme is “On the road to publication. Writing, contests, publication and everything in between.”

7.) Go for an agent first, publisher second.

8.) Then pray your heart out and put it in God’s hands.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be? 

Oh, gosh, either a psychologist or a motivational speaker, I suppose. Either way, I have a heart to encourage people, especially when it comes to having an intimate relationship with God. But the true desire of my heart is to be an author. And, WOW, to actually be an author who writes for God – pinch me!

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do? 

I love watching old movies (Gone With the Wind, That Touch of Mink, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Susan Slept Here are some of my favorites) and I especially like going out to dinner and a movie with my husband or snuggling with him while we watch a movie on “his” big-screen HD-TV.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

Easy question! I would go to Ireland first because ever since Gone With the Wind, I have always been fascinated by the Irish. Then I would visit England next because our heritage is so steeped with that country’s influence.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why? 

Since this is a fun “what-if” question, I could NEVER limit myself to just 3, so I’m going to put a spin on it and tell you what three “groups” I would absolutely LOVE to make a dinner for: 1.) All my favorite bloggers, 2.) All my favorite author friends and 3.) The Seekers, which, by the way, I will have the opportunity to do when most of the Seekers come to my house for dinner the day before the ACFW conference this year, in my hometown of St. Louis. (Jenny again does that mean me? would love to have a meal with you)

Finally can you tell us about your upcoming book, A Heart Revealed? Also where we can find you on the web.

A Heart Revealed will be released August 15 on CBD.com and September 1^st everywhere else. Book 2 in “The Winds of Change” series, it is the story of the oldest O’Connor brother, Sean O’Connor, a confirmed bachelor, and his sister’s best friend, Emma Malloy, a battered married woman. Here’s my own personal blurb:

The ring on her hand belongs to one man …

but her heart belongs to another.

As a battered woman, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston ten years ago, seeking shelter for a heart badly bruised by both her husband and guilt. But when she falls in love with Sean O’Connor, a man who wrestles with demons of his own, fear and shame almost destroy her … until she is finally set free by a heart revealed.

Thanks SO much, Jenny, for hosting me on your blog. Anyone who leaves a comment will be eligible to win a signed copy of any of my books, including my newest release, A Heart Revealed. 

I LOVE to hear from readers, so they can contact me through my Web site at www.julielessman.com, either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/. My newsletter is chock-full of fun info on my books and there’s always a contest featuring signed book giveaways including one right now to have a character named after you or a loved one in my next book. Also, I have a cool feature on my website called “Journal Jots” (http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots/), which is a very laid-back weekly journal to my reader friends that would give your readers an idea as to my relaxed style of writing. Then finally, I can be found daily at The Seekers blog (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/), a group blog devoted to encouraging and helping aspiring writers on the road to publication.

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational, Julie is also the recipient of 13 Romance Writers of America awards and was voted by readers as “Borders Best of 2009 So Far: Your Favorite Fiction” at http://www.borders.com/online/store/ListView_best2009favefiction. Chosen as #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also awarded #1 Series of the Year in that same poll and #3 Author of the Year, #5 Novel of the Year and #4 Historical Fiction Author of the year. She resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law and is the author of “The Daughters of Boston” series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Her “Winds of Change” series has recently released with A Hope Undaunted, which ranked #5 on Booklist’s Top 10 Inspirational Fiction for 2010. You can contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.

For a chance to win a signed copy of one of Julie's books you need to answer a question from Julie. You need to answer the question to enter. Please leave a way to contact you if I dont already have your address, you can put the addy as myemail at email dot com.


Julie's question is: If you have read my books, which is your favorite? And if you haven't, why not? 
You have til Friday 5th August at 6pm  Australian time.

CFBA tour Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa by Melanie Dobson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa Summerside Press (June 1, 2011) by Melanie Dobson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good, and she has now authored nine contemporary and historical novels including Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania which releases in November 2011.  



Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.



Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.



Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.





ABOUT THE BOOK

With a backdrop of the community of The Amana Colonies, the Civil War, and a great love story, Melanie Dobson’s new historical fiction title LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA both enlightening and entertaining.

The novel is set in the United States during the turmoil of the 1860s. As the rest of the nation is embroiled in the Civil War, the Amana Colonies have remained at peace with a strong faith in God and pursuit of community, intertwined with hard work, family life and the building of their colony.

Amalie Wiese is travelling to the newly built village of Amana in 1863. When she arrives in the colonies she finds that her fiancée, Friedrich has left to fight with the Union Army. Amalie fears for his safety as she also struggles with his decision to abandon the colony’s beliefs. Matthias, Frederick’s friend, stays back in Amana to work in the colonies. But there is something wrong with Matthias; he always seems angry at Amalie when there is no simple explanation for him to act that way.

The goods that colonies manufacture are much needed supplies for the war effort and Matthias decides to deliver the goods to the soldiers. When he leaves, Amalie realizes that her fear for Matthias’s safety is equally as strong. What will become of Friedrich, will Matthias return safely, and will Amalie marry Friedrich? LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is a richly told story of life in the Amana Society and the people who live and love there.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, go HERE.

My Review.
I loved this book. I like learning new parts of history and learning more of this society and how they feel about war. It was interesting seeing Friedrich's feelings when he went to war. I also love Amalie's character and how some perceive her. The way this society works is everything is shared and everyone has there own job. They share everything and live as a community. I also love how they helped provide supplies for the war and found this infact did happen. This is a great story and very informative. Great read.

CFBA Tour Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Canary Island Song Howard Books; Original edition (July 5, 2011) by Robin Jones Gunn





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Jones Gunn was born in Wisconsin and lived on a dairy farm until her family moved to southern California when she was five years old. She grew up in Orange County and spent her summers at Newport Beach with friends from her church youth group. After attending Biola University and Capernwray Bible School in Austria, Robin and Ross were married and spent the next two decades working together in youth ministry.



It was the young teens at Robin’s church who challenged her to write stories for them. She hadn’t thought much about being a writer, but took their request to heart and set her alarm for 3am, three days a week. With two small children it was the only time she could find to write the first story about Christy Miller. After two years and ten rejections the novel Summer Promise was accepted for publication in 1988. Robin hasn’t stopped writing since. Over 4 million copies of her 75 books have sold and can be found in a dozen translations all over the world.



Robin and her husband now live in Hawai’i where Ross is a counselor and Robin continues to write to the sound of tropical birds chattering in the palm trees outside her window. Their children are grown but manage to come to the islands with their families every chance they get. Robin's awards include: three Christy awards for excellence in fiction, a Gold Medallion finalist, Mt. Hermon Pacesetter and the Mt. Hermon Writer of the Year award. Robin travels extensively and is a frequent key-note speaker at various events around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and Jerry Jenkin’s Christian Writer’s Guild.





ABOUT THE BOOK

When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise.

    The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes.

    Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?

    Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Canary Island Song, go HERE.

I am still waiting for my copy of this book and will put up a review when I read it.

Book Review: Cora Villa by Meredith Resce

Product Description:
It's all arranged: Marriage to a man she's never met.
Garrison Stewart is looking forward to the day when his daughter, Cora, will be wed to his former neighbour's son, just as had been arranged fifteen years ago.

But that arrangement had been made before Cora had grown up, before the Stewarts had immigrated to Australia,and before Cora had fallen in love with someone else.

Now, Cora is forced to choose between the love of her father and the love of a mysterious stranger...one who is all too secretive about his past...


My Review:
I just finished this book and loved it. The inspiration for this story came from a house Corio Villa near Geelong. The house is the inspiration for the house in Cora Villa the rest is fiction. But after reading this book I want to see this house. The story revolves around Cora who was promised to Andrew Bennett when she was 6 years old. The book starts just after the death of her mother and her father determined she marry Andrew. Cora doesn't like the idea of an arranged marriage, she wants to choose her own husband and this is what she and her father clash about.
I loved the book and the different characters. Once again I would love to talk more about the story and some of the things that happen that I really enjoyed but I don't want to give away any of the storylines. Having said this there were areas of the book I really appreciated one in-particular as it took me back to my own childhood and something we use to do at Christian Endeavour. This book takes place early in the 19 century and if you enjoy historical books I am sure you will enjoy this story. 

Book Review: Heidi's October by Penelope McCowen

Book Description
Heidi's October is a heart-warming blend of the kaleidoscope of emotions that challenge, shape and enrich the human soul, and of the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present God who uses them to bring meaning, beauty and value to the lives of ordinary people. 

For Heidi Jordan, young and lovely, life is neatly mapped out and right on target. Her university grades are high, her future in the medical field all but guaranteed and her only dark secret is well kept. Until the first of October, that is, when Heidi discovers that reckless choices can have desperate consequences, and pain and anguish cannot be outrun.

For Annaliese Miller and her handsome fiancé Ben, the party on the evening of October the first was just the beginning of their brand new life together. But by midnight, Annaliese is lying on the cold flagstones in a pool of blood, her devastated husband-to-be kneeling in horror beside her.

Will Heidi return and face those she has shattered? Can healing happen when relationships and dreams have been crushed and ripped apart? Or are some things just too big to forgive? 


My Review:
This is a really good book. I hadn't heard of Penelope before but I am looking forward to more books. The story is gripping. One reckless choice by Heidi leads to a lifetime consequences. Heidi's recklessness changes the lives of those around her. Not that she intended what happens but its an eye opener into what a reckless action can do. What happens after the incident is the bases of the book. How will Heidi deal with whats happened, what will Annaliese do, how will Ben react. All these questions are asked and answered in the book. I really felt for all three and could see why they feel like they do. This book deals with forgiveness, accepting responsibility and how to move on. I can't say alot about the story without giving things away but I found the story gripping and am was very happy with the way Penelope wrote each character and so glad she didn't give easy solutions. A really good read. 

Book review Wyoming Sweethearts and Calico Bride by Jillian Hart

Product Description:
The chance to rescue abandoned horses has given Eloise Tipple the fresh start she needs. After losing her skating career and fiancé, she returns home to Wild Horse, Wyoming, to work at a beautiful inn and man the stables. Sean Granger has also come home to nurse some emotional wounds and would like nothing more than to pursue life as a lone wolf. Both say they want nothing more than friendship. But while saving homeless horses, can Sean and Eloise save each other and heal their wounds?


My Review:
Jillian takes us back to Wild Horse, Wyoming where we catch up with Eloise Tipple and Sean Granger a nephew of Frank. Sean has come to work on the ranch and Eloise is now working at Cady Winslows Inn. While at the Inn part of Eloise's jobs it to find horses for the ranch to use and some of the horse they find are rescue horses. This is where Sean comes in as he has a horse trailer. Both Eloise and Sean have emotional issues to work through and its interesting seeing how they tick. On the side we see the growing relationship with Cady and Frank which is so refreshing to see. I love the fact Cady is an older single woman never married and finding love for the first time. I loved the story and cant wait for more in the series.

Product Description:
Safe, predictable Angel Falls, Montana, is Lila Lawson's home-but she secretly wishes it had adventures like the novels she loves to read. Then the new deputy stumbles into her father's mercantile, gravely injured, and Lila gets more excitement than she can handle!
A harsh childhood left Burke Hannigan with two options- get tough or give in. Lila's compassion and tender care make him yearn for more. But how can he ask her to forgive his outlaw past when he can't forgive himself? Unless love and faith can transform him into a hero worthy of this calico bride.


My Review:
Loved this book too. I didn't want to put it down. We are back in Angel Falls, Montana and this time Lila Lawson is featured. Lila is working in her fathers store and had to contend with her step mother who tends to be more worried about appearances and reputation rather than caring for people such as Lila and her little sister. Burke stumbles into the mercantile after being shot. He is a deputy sheriff and its interesting seeing the interaction between Lila and Burke. Burke has a past which haunts him and he is trying to pay for. We learn more about him as the story goes on. Lila also has her issues with her step mother and wanting some independence. We also see the friends and what they are up to and we see Earlee again who we found out was writing to a prisoner last book. We see more on the story this book which was nice. I cant wait for her story. This is a good story and add the drama of a bank robbery, outlaws and danger and it becomes a great historical drama. I am looking forward to the next book.

CFBA Tour Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Shadows on the Sand Multnomah Books (July 19, 2011) by Gayle Roper





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gayle is the award winning author of more than forty books. She has been a Christy finalist three times for her novels Spring Rain, Summer Shadows, and Winter Winds. Her novel Autumn Dreams won the prestigious Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Summer Shadows was voted the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Book of the Year (tied with fellow author Brandilyn Collins).



Gayle has won the Holt Medallion three times for The Decision, Caught in a Bind, and Autumn Dreams. The Decision won the Reviewers Choice Award, and Gayle has also won the Award of Excellence for Spring Rain and the Golden Quill for Summer Shadows and Winter Winds. Romantic Times Book Report gave Gayle the Lifetime Achievement Award.



Her Amhearst mystery series, Caught in the Middle, Caught in the Act, and Caught in a Bind, originally published by Zondervan, was reprinted in 2007 by Love Inspired Suspense with a fourth original title added, Caught Redhanded. Another original single title, See No Evil, was also released. Caught in the Middle has been optioned for film.



For her work in training Christian writers Gayle has won special recognition from Mount Hermon CWC, St. Davids CWC, Florida CWC, and Greater Philadelphia CWC. She directed St. Davids for five years and Sandy Cove CWC for six. She has taught with Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers Services (CLASS), serving for several years as their writer in residence. She enjoys speaking at women's events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality.



Gayle lives in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys her family of two great sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and the world's five most wonderful grandchildren. When she's not writing, or teaching at conferences, Gayle enjoys reading, gardening, and eating out.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.



When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But Carrie has a painful past, too, and when the reason she once ran away shows up in town, the fragile relationship she’s built with Greg threatens to implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry. Two wounded hearts struggle to find a way to make one romance work. Failure seems guaranteed when Carrie locates her waitress but is taken hostage...



If you would like to read the first chapter of Shadows on the Sand, go HERE.

My Review:
This is a good book. I loved the story and the mystery. There were some things I didn't expect to begin with which were interesting. Carrie is a great character who has had a hard life and is still holding on to many issues even though she doesn't realise it. I love what Gayle did with her. I also like seeing Greg and getting to see what makes him tick. He also has issues he is struggling with. The book deals with forgiveness of ones self and even others. It also deals with fears and how sometimes fear can cloud your reasoning. There are also great secondary characters in this story. I loved the book and would love to read more books by Gayle.

Getting to know you Thursdays with Laura O'Connell

Please welcome Laura O'Connell to my blog today. Laura is another Australian Author who I have recently come to hear about. Her book looks really good and I love the cover.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I used to be in the numbers world, now I’m hooked on words and how we can weave them to create a world so my reader can escape from everyday life. My husband and I are usually based on the Gold Coast, but we’re currently travelling around Australia in a caravan promoting  my books and speaking, and enjoying the sites of this vast country of ours. The travel has been a dream of ours since we married 33 years ago. We have an adult son who is a computer programmer.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

I had no particular favourites. I read because I enjoyed being taken into the world the authors created. I even read the encyclopaedia so that I could feel I was in another world.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

I love Contemporary Women’s Fiction. I live for, and in the moment, because I find life today so varied and interesting. When I see people living lives so very different to my own I feel inspired. It broadens my knowledge and how I might be able to change my life in a positive way.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

My early reading were the Grimm’s fairy tales then I graduated to Enid Blyton, Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Montgomery, Pearl S Buck, and Ray Bradbury. All of these authors’ works influenced me at various stages of my growing up, so much so I took inspiration from the way the characters behaved in the stories.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Twenty years ago when I was holidaying on Tryon Island, a remote island off the coast of Queensland, I had an epiphany. I was bored with the accounting world and wanted a challenge. I think I’ve always wanted to be an author ever since I read my first words in year one.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

Firstly, I read a lot of books on how to write; both nonfiction and fiction. My first published book was a nonfiction how to book on bookkeeping. The message I got when I started was to write about what I knew. I have five unpublished novels tucked away in a drawer never to see the light of day. The most important lesson I learned was to write, write and write some more; and to edit, edit and edit some more. I can’t be an author unless I write.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

An astronaut.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

Bush walking, body surfing, cooking and travelling.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I have many places I would love to visit on this planet and the universe. However, financial constraints keep me grounded to enjoy where I am in the moment.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Bill Gates, because he has changed the world with technology, and he is now a philanthropist. They are amazing achievements. I would like to know more about his personal journey.

Joyce Meyer, because she has changed millions of lives through grasping hold of God’s calling on her life. I’d like to know how she achieves so much in her day.

John Anderson, Australian ex-politician, because he had to juggle politics with his Christian walk. I would like to know what conversations he had with God to achieve this fine balance.

These three people are an inspiration to me.

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.

African Hearts is my debut novel and is currently available in Koorong, Word and CLC Bookstores. African Hearts is about business woman, Gina Messina, who goes to Africa to visit with her dying brother. Marco has already died by the time she arrives. Gina is guardian for her eight year old nephew, Justin, whom she didn’t know existed, but she’s reluctant to take on that responsibility because a little girl died in her care a couple of years earlier. It isn’t until Justin’s life is threatened that Gina realises he is her only living relative. God takes Gina on a journey of faith and love to a place she never thought she’d belong, and has found a purpose for her life she couldn’t have imagined.

Reading African Hearts will challenge you about God’s purpose for your life and where you belong.

My current work, The Tangled Web (working title), is an adoption story with a difference. This work is due for release in April 2012.

You can find me on the web at http://laura-oconnell.com

The winner of Hometown Sweethearts is

Narelle. Congrats your book will be on its way by the end of the week.

Coming up soon a couple more LI books for Aussie readers and a couple of International giveaways.

Book Review Deep Trouble by Mary Connealy

Product Description:
Get ready for a Grand Canyon tour de force by award-winning author Mary Connealy. Gabe Lasley and Shannon Dysart are an unlikely pair. He’s an aimless wanderer who wants nothing other than to be left alone. She’s a fearless female determined to find a city of gold. When they are forced together the mayhem begins. As they set out to find the treasure, trouble is hot on their trail. Will the dream of gold color every decision Shannon makes? Will Gabe fail yet another helpless female in his life?  


Book Review:
Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book to review.
I loved this book I think this is one of Mary's best so far. The story is set in the Grand Canyon and when reading the book it took me back to when I visited Wiamea Canyon in Hawaii. The story starts with Shannon in trouble and Gabe comes across her. The adventure starts right from the first sentence and continues throughout the book. I also love the secondary characters in this book as they really make the book. Gabe is the youngest in the family and his brothers tend to baby him and think he is incapable of making his own decisions regarding what he will do with his life. We see some of these struggles in the book also. Shannon is an only child who is determined to prove her father's discoveries were real and not just wishful thinking. Seeing the stories blend together and grow was interesting. The back drop to this story is the Grand Canyon and Mary describes it in a way that makes me want to visit it and see what the characters saw. Excellent read.

Book Review The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus

Book Description
Author Kaye Dacus will ignite your love of romance with book 2 of her Matchmakers series. Dylan Bradley, who once illustrated steamy romances under the name Patrick Callaghan, has moved into his grandparent’s guest house in Nashville. Caylor Evans, having once written titillating novels under the penname Melanie Mason, lives with her grandmother. When their lives collide, due to the machinations of meddling matriarchs, the pasts of Dylan and Caylor threaten to derail their futures. Will they accept each other for who they now are—and once were? Or will they never discover the true art of romance?


My Review:
This is book two of the series and another good read. Once again the Grandmothers are in on the act trying to fix there grand children up so they will be married and have the first grand children before another group in the Church. Its actually quite interesting seeing how there minds tick. Caylor is an English Professor and an writer where as Dylan is an Arts teacher and artist. Both have things done in the past they want to keep secret and its interesting seeing what happens.  I found it interesting when Caylor's sister isn't an academic and doesn't have high ambitions that it was looked down on in a way as being under achieving. I know this comes from Caylor and her friends having higher jobs but wondered if all Academics and professionals think the same way of what they consider low ambition jobs. It struck me as I am studying Business Administration and never considered it a low ambition job. Saying this I still loved the book and enjoyed seeing what makes a professor tick. I loved seeing what would happen and how the different things would happen. Also we see Dylan's family and how they consider an artist as unimportant and almost a black sheep because it wasn't a profession but we also see how the brothers all get on so well. What I love most is that regardless of status everyone has vulnerabilities and insecurities and I liked how Kaye showed this. Good read and cant wait for the 3rd book in the series.  Thanks to Kaye Dacus and Barbour for a copy of this book to review.

CFBA Tour Falls Like Lightning by Shawn Grady

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Falls Like Lightning Bethany House (July 1, 2011) by Shawn Grady



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. He is the author of the novels Through the Fire, Tomorrow We Die & Falls Like Lightning.



Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.



After graduating from James Logan High School in Union City, California, Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego as a Theology undergrad. There he found clarity of direction and proceeded on to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada.



Shawn currently lives in Reno, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.



ABOUT THE BOOK

When hotshot smoke jumper Silas Kent gets his own fire crew, he thinks he's achieved what he's always wanted. But a lightning-sparked fire in the Desolation Wilderness of the Sierra Nevadas has his team in a plane before they can even train together.



Pilot Elle Westmore has been called up to drop the crew into the heart of the forest infernos. A single mother of a mysteriously ill six-year-old, she can't imagine her life getting any more complicated.



It doesn't take long for things to go very wrong, very quickly. A suspicious engine explosion forces Elle to make an emergency landing. Silas is able to parachute to safety but soon discovers his crew can't be trusted. They're hiding something, and now Silas is on a race to save himself and Elle from the flames--and from a more dangerous threat: his own team.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Falls Like Lightning, go HERE

Getting to know you Thursdays with Jo-Anne Berthelsen

Please help me welcome Jo-Anne Berthelsen to my blog today. Jo-Anne is another Aussie author who I have recently met online and look forward to checking out her books.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in Brisbane, Queensland and hold degrees in both Arts and Theology, as well as a diploma in Education. I have worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary in Sydney, and have also been employed as part of a local church ministry team. I am passionate about touching hearts and lives through both the written and spoken word. I am the author of five novels – ‘Heléna’, ‘All the Days of My Life’, ‘Laura’, ‘Jenna’ and ‘Heléna’s Legacy’ – all published by Ark House Press. I love music, reading, mentoring younger women, and sharing with community groups about writing. I am married to a retired minister and have three grown-up children and currently two grandchildren.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books? I remember enjoying having favourites like ‘The House that Jack Built’, with its lilting repetition read to me and also being both fascinated and horrified with a version of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ that had parts cut out of the pages so you could see onto the next page. I remember feeling scared as I put my finger in these cut out parts and wondered if the wicked witch would pull me into the oven! And my sister and I were also fascinated by a series of large books called ‘Coles Funny Picture Books’ that had a strange mixture of poems and drawings and short stories in them.

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?

I love writing both historical and contemporary general Christian fiction, although I plan to try writing a work of non-fiction next – a kind of memoir of my meetings and journey with a dear older Christian friend and spiritual mentor. And I enjoy writing my weekly blogs (see www.joanneberthelsen.wordpress.com).

 As far as reading goes, I love good contemporary general fiction, Christian or otherwise, but I also enjoy biography and books by authors about how they go about their own writing, as well as ones about writing itself. However, probably the books I enjoy reading the most are those on some aspect of spirituality or the Christian life, and particular those which relate this to the journey of creativity that authors experience. One I really enjoyed recently in this genre was ‘The Soul Tells A Story’, by Vinita Hampton Wright.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Oh yes, quite a few. I loved the whole ‘Anne’ series and everything L M Montgomery wrote. I suspect I owe my wordy style to that fact, to some degree at least! I loved ‘Little Women’ and the others of that series – I especially related to Jo, given we have the same name and she wanted to be a writer! I loved ‘What Katy Did’ and ‘What Katy Did At School’ and ‘What Katy Did Next’. And I cried my heart out over books like ‘Seven Little Australians; and ‘Daddy Long Legs’ and so on. Later at high school, I discovered Charles Dickens – and at the other end of the spectrum, my mother’s Georgette Heyer Victorian romance novels!

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I always loved English and writing essays at school. I had wanted to write for years but I believe God had other things for me to do first, including going to theological college in my late forties and being part of a ministry team. Then around nine years ago, while visiting a missionary friend in Turkey, we were sitting in a little village on the Mediterranean coast reading our bibles one morning when God spoke to me very clearly through some verses in Isaiah and challenged me to start writing. I began my first novel a couple of months later and haven’t stopped writing since!

6. How did you go about becoming an author? I attended some basic seminars put on by the NSW Writers’ Centre in Sydney on novel writing, getting published, book promotion etc and a wonderful course called ‘Catch the Whisper’, which somehow gave me permission to allow my creativity to flow and to ‘hear’ where my story wanted to go. I read books on writing such as Mark Tredinnick’s ‘Little Red Writing Book’ and Anne Lamott’s ‘Bird by Bird’ and scoured the net for all sorts of information to do with writing. And then I simply took the plunge and began my first novel! I had five people of different ages read that first manuscript and took on board all their feedback. And then I found around six different publishers who would accept unsolicited manuscripts from first-time authors and tried them one by one. Since then I have attended other conferences and kept reading about writing – and most importantly, kept on writing. And now I have just completed my sixth novel, I still feel I have so much to learn and am not quite worthy of the title ‘author’!

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

Probably still a pastor – I love seeing God work in people’s lives and bring healing and change. But I think I would enjoy being a librarian too – or perhaps a hermit!

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do? I love speaking to all sorts of groups and in all sorts of contexts. I think being a trained pastor and also a schoolteacher in the past has helped in this regard. Apart from that, I enjoy playing the piano and listening to music. I love mentoring/coaching others, both face to face and via email and skype, including two missionary friends on the other side of the world. And I spend quite a bit of time with our grandchildren as well.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit? I have visited my missionary friend in Turkey five times and would love to go back there again soon. We have travelled through so many different areas of Turkey together but I would still love to see more. And one day I would love to visit Germany and England again.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why? In no particular order, I’d like to chat with TV personality Jennifer Byrne of the ‘First Tuesday Book Club’ on the ABC. Her warm personality appeals to me and I enjoy her ‘take’ on books and authors. I’d like to meet Caroline Jones, also from the ABC – I have read her book ‘An Authentic Life’ and would like to hear more about her spiritual journey. And I’d also like to have dinner with poet and essayist Mark Tredinnick. I love his books about writing style and grammar and the whimsical way he makes them so easy to read. I have heard him speak and enjoyed his gentle, entertaining style.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon.

My fifth novel, ‘Heléna’s Legacy’, was released earlier this month. This novel follows the story of one of the minor characters from my second novel, ‘All the Days of My Life’, Dr Susan Curtis. Susan faces the birth of her first child alone, bitter at being rejected by her fiancé and family. She begins her own reluctant journey towards God, but it is not until she comes to know Heléna Hajek, the main character in my first two novels, and to trust her that she is able even to consider forgiving those who let her down. Meanwhile, Heléna desires to make a real difference in the lives of Susan’s whole family as well as that of her good friends Ben and Marie. She thinks and prays about what sort of legacy she can leave behind for each of them – yet in reality the best and most lasting legacy she manages to leave them is the way her wisdom, kindness and prayerful support have brought such blessing and healing to them all.

My other novels currently available are ‘Heléna’, ‘All the Days of My Life’, ‘Laura’ and ‘Jenna’.

 Also, where we can find you on the web?

 My website is www.jo-anneberthelsen.com, and my weekly blogs can be found at www.joanneberthelsen.wordpress.com. I am also on Facebook - www.facebook.com/joanne.berthelsen.

CFBA tour Pattern of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Pattern of Wounds Bethany House (July 1, 2011) by J. Mark Bertrand



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J. Mark Bertrand lived in Houston, where the series is set, for fifteen years, earning an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Houston. But after one hurricane too many he relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota. Mark has been arrested for a crime he didn't commit, was the foreman of one hung jury and served on another that acquitted Vinnie Jones of assault. In 1972, he won an honorable mention in a child modeling contest, but pursued writing instead.







ABOUT THE BOOK

It's Christmas in Houston, and homicide detective Roland March is on the hunt for a killer. A young woman's brutal stabbing in an affluent neighborhood bears all the hallmarks of a serial murder. The only problem is that March sent the murderer to prison ten years ago. Is it a copycat -- or did March convict the wrong man?



Alienated from his colleagues and with a growing rift in his marriage, March receives messages from the killer. The bodies pile up, the pressure builds, and the violence reaches too close to home. Up against an unfathomable evil, March struggles against the clock to understand the hidden message in the pattern of wounds.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Pattern of Wounds, go HERE.

Introducing an wonderful new blog

Hi all, I am so excited to introduce you to a new blog by Australian writers. This is so exciting as the industry in Australia is still fairly new and its exciting seeing the fiction coming out of Australia. This is a blog by Australian writers and a great way to meet and learn about the exciting things happening downunder.  You will also see the different books we have out and may find some new authors to add to your TBR lists. Australians have had to mostly buy there Christian fiction from America and we are happy to do this and it will continue to happen but having an option for Australian books by Australian authors its so exciting and I hope others will feel the excitement when they read and Australian book and learn about my country and culture. You will find the voice style a little different as the books are written the way Australians speak which adds interest. You will get to feel the real Australia like we get to feel the real America.


The link is http://christianwritersdownunder.blogspot.com/. I am sure the authors would love to have you stop by and check out the blog. Its still new but I am excited.

The winner of a book from Anne Hamilton is

Ariella, Congrats. I have sent you an email also. 
Thanks also to Anne for the giveaway and being on my blog.