Book review Find the animal books by Penny Reeves

God Made Something AmazingSeries: Find the Animal
What animal might this be: a furry tail, sharp claws and a beak? Follow the animal detectives into the Australian bush to discover one amazing animal and a truly amazing God! (This book also encourages children learning their colours.)
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications, Scotlan UK. 2011
ISBN: 978 1845506940


My Review:
This is a really cute book. The illustrations are well done and the story is interactive for children. There are questions for children to answer such as what colour is the boys hat and can you find the swan. Each page has a bible verse also. Its a good teaching book and there is a hidden animal for children to find. This is a really good resource for children. 



God Made Something FunnySeries: Find the Animal
What is that? Noisy and nifty and hiding in the jungle! Join the animal detectives in another adventure and learn about a God who loves to hear us laugh. (This book also encourages children to practice counting 0-5.)
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications, Scotland UK. 2011
ISBN: 978 1845506919


My Review:
This is also a really cute book. This book teaches counting with questions about how many items in a basket or can you count two lizards. Once again there is a bible verse on each page and an item to find. The illustrations are well done and the story reads very well. I can see children loving having someone read these books with them as they are interactive. Another great resource for parents.

Book Review Anna's Gift by Emma Miller

This book will be released the end of September

Thanks to Harlequin for my copy.

Product Description:


Surprise Proposal In Amish Country... 

No one in Seven Poplars, Delaware, expects Anna Yoder ever to marry. Among her six pretty, petite sisters, big and plain Anna feels like a plow horse. But then Samuel Mast, the handsome widowed father she has secretly loved for years, asks if he can court her. Surely Anna has misheard—Samuel has his pick of lovely brides! She’s convinced he seeks a wife only as a mother for his five children. Or could a man like Samuel actually have a very romantic reason for wanting Anna by his side forever? 

Hannah’s Daughters: Seeking love, family and faith in Amish country


My Review:
I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. Anna is bigger than her sisters and has been teased all her life for being big. Samuel lost his wife 4 years ago and everyone thought he wanted to court Anna's mother. Right from the beginning this book had me hooked. Samuel wants to court Anna but Anna thinks he could only want her to look after his children and cook and clean for him. He is quite handsome and she doesn't think he could love her for herself. I really felt for Anna in a world where so many people look at the outside and not the inside Anna feels she is unattractive and that no man as good as Samuel could love her for herself. I love the way Emma told Anna's story and showed her insecurities. So many of us feel we are not pretty enough or good enough or even worthy of being loved by someone which makes Anna a character many of us can identify with. I know I do. I have have been teased for my looks and told I am fat even by people in the church and it does hurt and stick. What I love is how Emma tells Anna's story and shows readers how kind hearted and loving she really is. I also love how Samuel's story was told and we see just why he loves Anna so much. This book deals with self image, love and perceptions. This was a wonderful book and the best I have read from Emma so far.

Thursdays Questions for Carla Capshaw with giveaway

Todays Thursday feature is a little different. A couple of weeks back I asked for questions for Carla Capshaw and here are her answers. Thanks to all who asked and thanks to Carla for her time.
There is also a giveaway at the bottom of the post.

From Cecelia when did you know you wanted to be a writer?
***Hi Cecelia.  Thank you for your question.  The writing bug first bit me when I was about ten years old.  I watched a TV movie about Marco Polo as an English assignment for school and fell in love with the idea of writing a book and traveling.  I traveled a lot for years and then about ten years ago decided it was time to sit down and write.  Since I'd always been a Romance fan, I naturally gravitated in that direction.  I started with
contemporaries, but quickly learned I loved historicals more.  I started researching one of my favorite time periods and began work on a Colonial set in Charleston, SC.

From Lyn Have you always been fascinated by ancient Rome. She always starts with a setting and is curious what prompted your choice.

***Hi Lyn, my fellow LIH author!  I like history in general, but ancient Rome is one of my very favorite times and has been since elementary school when I studied it and ancient Egypt.  I love the people and beauty of the period.  Everything was so colorful, inventive and lively.

From Jennifer she would like to know why you picked the period of the Roman Gladiator to first write about. (she's not disappointed she loves Caros!)
Pol also asked the same question commenting its such an intense background.

***Writing The Gladiator started by accident.  I was debating on whether or not to start another novel, so I prayed about it.  The next morning the entire story played out in my mind. I wrote the synopsis and first three chapters in no time (unheard of for me).  I sent it to my agent.  She loved it and passed it on to Melissa Endlich at LIH.  Research  and getting the details right took some time, but Melissa bought the manuscript once I finished it about eight months later.

From Camy how did you do your research. What were your favourite books/websites? Did you have to interview history professors or anything like that?

Hi Camy.  Thanks for your question.  I'm a very visual person, so I do my research by visiting the places I write about.  I tour old homes, explore old towns, visit antique stores, haunt museum, etc.  For my Roman series, I went to Italy for three weeks, toured the Coliseum and spent four days exploring Rome specifically.  I also visited Pompey and the Amalfi coast, which provided tons of villas, ruins and ideas for the books.  I use the
Internet and libraries to check historical facts and background information.  Basically, I do whatever I can to make sure I get the story as authentic and "real" as possible.  :-)

Jennifer again, Do you model each of your characters after someone you personally know. She knows the last story was influenced by your parents.

***Hi again, Jennifer!  No, I don't intentionally base my characters on specific people.  I think each of my heroines probably shares some of my own likes, dislikes, fears and struggles, but none of them is entirely me or anyone else I know.  Like you said,  the hero and heroine's journey in The Champion was based on my parents, but that is probably as close as it gets to actually using a real person's story within the story. For me, the fun of writing is creating a character and letting that person grow and change along with the story.  When I start a book, I usually have a general idea of where it's going, the basic conflicts, a few details of the characters, like what they look like and what their job is. From there it's as much a mystery to me as anyone in terms of how it's going to turn out.  LOL

Janet asks Have you visited Rome and if so if you found enough in today's world that related to the time period of your book (almost wondering if it would be best to just see it all in your mind through books or if it helps to see it in today's world)?

***Hi Janet!  I did visit Rome and found so much history there to soak up and use in the books.  It's true that what's left of this time period in the present day is ruins, but there is enough that the flavor and feel of the era are everywhere.  I recommend going to Rome to everyone.  It is a truly beautiful city that is steeped in history. nbsp;Everywhere you look there is something beautiful to see and enjoy.

Momofthree asked How do you balance your writing and home/family life? Is it difficult finding enough peace and quiet to write? When are you most productive? Are you sad to leave this series of ooks in Ancient Rome?  (Jenny here commenting if Carla isn't I am).

Great question, Momofthree.  When I first started writing, things were harder than they are now because my son was much younger and life was a lot more hectic.  These days, my son is twenty-one and spreading his own wings so I'm on my own more.  In the early days, I made things work by writing after my son had gone to bed and I could concentrate better, but for years I functioned on four to five hours of sleep a night.  It also helped that I explained to my family that I considered my writing a real job.  I took that seriously, wrote a certain number of hours each day the same as if I had to go out to work, delegated household responsibilities and over time they took me seriously as well.

As for leaving Rome, yes, I'm sad to move on.   I love my gladiators and Rome, but I'm also excited because I'm researching a new time period (Victorian England) and getting to explore new conflicts and a new culture.

Jenny's question is do you have a favourite book in this series? do you have a favourite hero and heroine. After reading the last book I think this one is the best. I loved the other two but Tibi is special and I really like Alexius there was something special.

***I love this question, Jenny and so glad you loved The Champion.  I loved writing it because Tibi and Alexius were just so sweet together. I was constantly smiling at them.  lol As for the rest of your question, it's hard to answer.  I really don't have a favorite book.  Each of them is like my child with things I love and things I wish I could tweak a little.  If anything, my "favorite" tends to be the book I'm working on and when it's released, I'm crazy nervous that people aren't going to like it. lol  I honestly don't have a favorite hero.  Heroines?  I don't have a favorite, but I admit that Adiona is special to me.  She's very misunderstood and needs love *so* much.  I was glad there was a man like Quintus to love her and help her find the Lord.

Last question how do you come up with the names I found it hard to pronounce some of them.

***LOL I think some of them are hard to pronounce too.  I pick names from websites and books.  I research them for their meaning and origin.  I try to make the main characters' names something that will be recognizable to most readers or at least easy to sound out. Other, less recognizable names, I use on minor characters so the reader won't have to deal with them too much.   On a happy easier-name note, the hero and heroine of my next book are Rose and Sam. ;-)

Thank you for all these wonderful questions.  I'll come back and answer anymore you may have for me later.

Ciao for now,

Carla Capshaw

www.carlacapshaw.com

Product Description:
Triumphs in the Coliseum-and society bedchambers-made gladiator Alexius of Iolcos famous for his brutal skill and womanizing ways. Yet the only woman who intrigues him is Tiberia the Younger, who now needs his help. Protecting Tiberia places Alexius in the greatest danger he has ever known-from her vengeful father and his own heart.
Becoming a temple priestess may be an honor, but Tibi can't bear to surrender her freedom or her newfound faith. Alexius's solution stuns her. Marriage.to a gladiator! Scorned by her noble family, Tibi always felt unworthy. But with her champion by her side, can she accept-and give-a love strong enough to vanquish their enemies?

Giveaway:

Carla is giving away 2 prizes to 2 lucky readers. One will be a copy of her new book The Champion and the second is a chance to name a character in one of her future books. Just leave a comment answering the below question and saying if you wish to be in both draws. 


Carla has had a couple of unusual pets in these books, a pet tiger called Cat and now a pet panther what animal would you like to have as a pet?


Please leave a comment by Friday night 2 September 6pm Australian time

Book review Surrender the Dawn by M.L. Tyndall

Product Description:
You’ll be gasping for air in this seafaring romance by popular author and Christy Award nominee MaryLu Tyndall. Baltimore’s Cassandra Channing will do anything to provide for her family—even if it means hiring the town rogue as a privateer. Luke Heaton is a handsome rake with a tortured past who is blackmailed by the British into selling supplies to their ships just off the coast. Cassandra and Luke’s worlds collide as they are drawn into danger, secrets, romance, and war. But when the British begin to bombard Fort McHenry, how long can they protect their love—and each other?


My Review:
This is the final of the Surrender to Destiny series and a great final book. We are still in Baltimore during the war of 1812 and this time Cassandra is needing help to provide for her family. Her father has died and her brothers are missing after going to Canada to fight. Her mother has no concept of managing money and its left to Cassandra to find a way to provide for her family. Luke has his own demons to fight and is the town rouge. He  has a ship but its needing repairs. When a encounter happens they end up partners when Cassandra hires Luke as a privateer. As mentioned in the blurb Luke ends up being blackmailed by the British and this leads to some interesting happenings. I do love this story and the way we learn about history. Cassandra is a strong, determined lady which can sometimes get her into trouble. Luke is caring a lot of guilt from something that happened when he was a child but children often find a way to blame themselves for things that are not there fault. I love how Mary Lu deals with this issue and shows why Luke feels like he does. Great read and I really wish there were going to be more in this series.

Book Review A family for Faith by Missy Tippens

Product description:

When Faith Hagin sees widower cop Gabe Reynolds every day in her coffee shop, she can’t help but feel for the struggling single dad. She’s raised a teenager of her own—and sadly, knows what not to do. But thanks to his matchmaking preteen daughter, Chelsea, the whole town’s praying for Gabe to find a wife!

Even though Faith thinks she’s content being just friends, spending time with him and Chelsea starts to feel like a fresh start at having a family. And their love may be the answer to everyone’s prayers.

My review:
Another great book by Missy. This is a fun story inspired by a father/daughter encounter on a plane. Gabe is the father of a pre teen and struggling. Faith is the neighbour who offers help.
Chelsea the daughter gets together with one of the ladies from church and they start praying for a wife for Gabe. this is where it starts to get really interesting. I love how Chelsea wants the best for her dad. Faith is also struggling with some past issues but is a real help for Chelsea. Both Faith and Gabe have issues they need to work through. It is interesting how things that happen in our past can affect us and our thinking into the future. Another good read.

CFBA Tour Ransome's Quest by Kaye Dacus with review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Ransome’s Quest Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2011) by Kaye Dacus



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing and Harvest House Publishers. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and even though she writes romance novels, she is not afraid to admit that she’s never been kissed.



Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and editor who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. But her greatest joy comes from mentoring new writers through her blog and seeing them experience those “aha” moments when a tricky concept becomes clear.





ABOUT THE BOOK

The pirate El Salvador has haunted the waters of the Caribbean for almost ten years. When he snatched Charlotte Ransome, it was a case of mistaken identity. Now Charlotte's brother, whose reputation in battle is the stuff of legend, is searching for him with a dogged determination. But another rumor has reached El Salvador's ears: Julia Ransome has been kidnapped by the man feared by all other pirates--the pirate known only as Shaw. The violent and blood-thirsty savage from whom El Salvador was trying to protect her.



When word reaches William of Julia's disappearance, his heart is torn--he cannot abandon the search for his sister, yet he must also rescue Julia. Ned Cochrane offers a solution: Ned will continue the search for Charlotte while William goes after Julia. William's quest will lead him to a greater understanding of faith and love as he must accept help from sworn enemy and have faith that Julia's life is in God's hands.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Ransome’s Quest, go HERE.

My Review:
This is book three of the series and a great book to end the series. This books has so many humourous scenes. Starts of with Charlotte being kidnapped only the kidnappers have the wrong woman. They were after Julia. El Salvador wanted to kidnap Julia to protect her now he's left her at the mercy of the pirate Shaw.
Both Ned and her brother William are off to rescue here which leaves Julia free to be kidnapped. As Charlotte was a midshipman before she knows about ships she knows her duty is to try to escape. She also knows her way around a ship. I love her strength and determination. I also love the way she and Ned care for each other but at the same time often have different opinions. We also see Julia's strength as she faces Shaw and his brutal tirany. On thing I took out of this book is how sometimes we can believe in something but when something happens to challange the belief we can actually be holding a prejudice we didn't realise we had.  This book was a wonderful book to end the series but I really wish we could revisit this series.

Book Review Ransoms Crossing by Kaye Dacus

Product description:

Set in the early 1800s, this captivating, romantic second book of the Ransome Trilogy from author Kaye Dacus unfolds with the grace, power, and excitement of an ocean storm.

Charlotte Ransome, desperate to reach Jamaica to see her secret fiancé, disguises herself as a midshipman for a convoy led by her brother, Captain William Ransome. Meanwhile, William and his new bride, Julia, face the rough swells of the sea and of marriage as they try to adjust to life together.

When yellow fever befalls Charlotte and her identity is discovered, she begs first officer, Ned Cochran, and Julia to keep her presence and illness from her brother. But could this secret create insurmountable waves between Julia and William? And will Ned’s tender care of Charlotte change the tide of her affections forever?

This smart, engaging tale is about holding on to faith during the journey to love and be loved.

My Review:

Another good book by Kaye. This book takes up where book one ended with Charlotte wanting to sail to Jamaica to marry her secret fiance. Charlotte joins the navy as a midshipman on one of the ships sailing back to Jamaica. She does well and isn't discovered til later on the journey. When I was reading and seeing what happens on a ship with the officers and midshipmen it took me back to episodes of Hornblower. I love Charlottes courage and strength. I also fell for Ned he has alot of demons to struggle with but he a good officer. We also spend time with Juila and William and its interesting seeing how they adjust to marriage. This book kept me up at night as I just wanted to keep reading. One word of advice if you buy this series buy the whole series at the one time. The first two books end with you wanting to keep reading. This is especially true with book two. I was so glad I had waited till I have book three as the ending is a cliffhanger.

Great read.

Need your help with questions for Penny Zeller

Once again I need your help. Penny will be on my blog in a couple of weeks to talk about her new release Hailee. We would like you to leave some questions that she will answer. I am adding info on Hailee which is number 3 in the Montana Skies series. Don't you just love the cover? Please leave your questions in the comments.

Product description:
For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin in the Cincinnati streets, stealing food to keep her two younger brothers fed. Her thievery landed her in a home for delinquent youngsters, where her life was changed, thanks to her teachers. Now, nineteen-year-old Hailee excitedly heads to Montana to be a teacher, yet she’s still plagued by her shameful past and the fear of never seeing her brothers again. 

Based on his upbringing in high-society Boston, no one would have guessed that Maxwell Nathaniel Adams Jr. would attend seminary and become a church pastor in rugged Montana. Even now, Nate’s parents refuse to put aside their own plans for his future and accept his calling. 

When their paths converge, an immediate attraction draws Hailee and Nate together, even as the pressures and demands of others pull them apart. Can the unlikely pair come to terms with their pasts and face the future together?

The winner of Mary Hawkins book is

Congratulations to Dale. I have sent an email and you have a week to contact me.

Thanks again Mary for being on my blog and offering a giveaway.

Getting to know you Thursdays with Lacy Williams

Please help me welcome debut author Lacy Williams who has released Marrying Miss Marshall through the Love Inspired Historical range. I was lucky to win this book through the LIH goodreads 400 member party and I have to say I Loved this book. It was one I didn't want to put down and would love to see as a film.
I have loved going to know Lacy also. 

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have been married for nine years to a wonderful man I met in college. He is my very own real-life hero and is very supportive of my writing career. We have a toddler daughter and a little boy on the way (due in early September). Luke is a big sports fan, including tennis, soccer, basketball, football… which gives me a lot of writing time as long as I can tune out the cheering from the living room. :) I love animals, especially dogs. We have three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and they are just the most fun to have around.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
I had a lot of favorites. I read all the time. If I had to pick one it would probably be Anne of Green Gables.

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

Romance. Anything romance. Historical, contemporary, paranormal, YA… if it has a strong romance with captivating characters, I will read it and love it. I write both historical and contemporary romance.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
I loved books with adventure in them--Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series (what an adventure to go West, right?); My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George is another one, and Jim Kjelgaard’s Big Red, Stormy and others. I think because of these authors I like to include adventure in my books as well as animals/pets.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I have wanted to be an author since I was a child. I don’t remember a specific instance of making that decision, but I always carried around a spiral notebook and pencil. When I was about ten, my parents bought me a typewriter for Christmas and I used that thing well into my teen years (thank God for parents who were willing to buy me those expensive cartridges!).

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

When I got serious about becoming published, I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers (www.acfw.com) and started learning (mostly learning how much I *didn’t* know!). As I learned more about the different publishers, I figured out that Love Inspired would be a good fit for me and started studying their guidelines and reading the LI books. Then I wrote and wrote and wrote, attended a couple of conferences and pitched to editors, entered contests, got critiques. My manuscript was requested by Emily Rodmell (Assistant Editor for Love Inspired) from finaling/winning ACFW’s Genesis contest in 2009 and the rest is history. It has been an interesting journey for me!

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

I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and BB (before babies) I was an auditor for a public accounting firm. I really enjoyed my job and the people I worked with but my husband and I have been blessed and I have been able to stay at home with the baby (babies in a couple weeks!). So… if I wasn’t writing it would probably be some combination of being “mommy” and accounting.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
Well, since I have one small child and another on the way, my curfew is usually about 8:30pm so that limits me a bit… (I love being a mommy though so I wouldn’t change it). So I have my favorite TV shows (Castle is one and Rookie Blue is another), I like watching movies, and I enjoy walking my dogs and playing at the park when it isn’t too hot outside!

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

I love reading Regencies and I would love to visit Great Britain. I love history and historical sites, museums, etc… I’ve been trying to talk my husband into going to Wimbledon sometime and then I would take some nice little side trips… we’ll see what happens with that in the future. :)

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

Confession time. I would absolutely love to meet Kevin Durant of the OKC Thunder (NBA team). He seems like such a cool guy for someone so young and a good role model and I would love to share a meal with him! I would also like to meet and eat with Francine Rivers (one of my favorite authors), and I guess my last “pick” would be either my editor or agent. I only get to see them every couple of years so it is always nice to get to sit down and catch up with what’s going on with them. (Jenny here, one of the 3 I would pick just happens to be a professional sports person also he is a cricketer)

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.

MARRYING MISS MARSHAL is the story of a female town marshal in Wyoming in the 1890s and the tenderfoot detective she falls in love with. Danna Carpenter doesn’t get any respect from the people she’s sworn to protect, which makes it hard to do her job. She needs the help of detective Chas O’Grady but doesn’t expect to fall in love with the citified man…

Readers can read the first chapter and see promotions at www.marryingmissmarshal.com . My website is www.lacywilliams.net and I am also on facebook (lacywilliamsbooks ) and twitter (@lacy_williams ). I love to hear from readers!

Thanks again for your time and agreeing to be on my blog.

Thank you for having me!

Book Review Marrying Miss Marshall by Lacy Williams

Product description:
A Woman in a Mans Job

Filling the shoes of her late husband as town marshal hasn't been easy for Danna Carpenter. She's not only fighting criminals, she's also fighting to earn the respect of the townspeople. So crossing paths with tenderfoot detective Chas O'Grady is the last thing she needs. He's hunting a band of cattle rustlers and isn't used to the rugged Wyoming landscape. Teaming up is their only option, but when circumstances place them in a compromising situation, the town forces a more permanent partnership—marriage. If they can let down their guards with each other they might find that love is the greatest catch of all.

My Review

This is Lacy's debut novel. I really enjoyed this story. Danna is a sheriff and is also a women, Chas is a detective who thinks his job is to save Danna. What I love about the story is that it is different. Danna fell into the job of sheriff after the death of her husband the previous sheriff but she is good at her job she isn't a girly girl. She enjoys her job but the some of the towns people are not so sure. Chas is a city boy but also has demons he is dealing with which makes him want to protect Danna even if she doesn't need it. I love how Lacy writes both points of view so you can see why Chas thinks like he does. Add a large dog that tends to cause alot of trouble with some of the locals, seems it has a thing for digging up rose bushes much to the owners annoyance. The book deals with subjects such as fear from past incidents, insecurities and misunderstandings. This was a wonderful book.

Thank Lacy for my copy which I won from the LIH goodreads group.

Complete a survey for a chance to win $10,000 with Thomas Nelson.

From Thomas Nelson:



One of the highlights of our days in the Fiction department at Thomas Nelson? Receiving reader letters—either directly addressed to us or passed along from our talented authors. It’s critical to be reminded that at the end of our long days acquiring, editing, designing, selling, marketing, and publicizing books, those stories are reaching readers, striking nerves, changing lives. We want readers’ feedback. How stories have given you hope. Which authors’ series you can’t help from sharing with everyone you meet. We want to know what makes you stay up late in the night to finish a story, and conversely what turns you away.



We’re conducting a series of surveys—seeking answers from readers who love Christian fiction. Up for grabs is a free ebook for every respondent who completes the survery, as well as a $10,000 prize for one entrant. The responses we gather will help shape the future of the books we publish for years to come. As well as the data we’re collecting here, we’ll also seek more in-depth feedback from a panel we’ll develop over the next year. More details to come. The note below from one of authors gives a specific picture of how reader feedback shapes her work. In short, your opinion matters! We thank you for your time and appreciate your responding.



--Thomas Nelson Fiction

Dear Friends--

Your opinion matters. It really does. I love hearing from readers about what worked for them in a story and about what doesn’t work. Reader feedback changed the balance between romance and suspense in my novels. After the Rock Harbor trilogy, I wanted to write more suspense in my novels because that’s what I personally like. But readers really wanted more relationship and romance in the books so I moved back that direction to about the same mix of 50/50 that the Rock Harbor novels contained. I write for you even more than for myself.



I had no intention of setting a whole series of books at Bluebird, Texas. It was going to be only one book, but readers sent me requests in droves for more books. The fourth book in the Lonestar series, Lonestar Angel, will be out in October. The Rock Harbor novels were going to be complete at three. There are now five and I’m thinking about another one! All due to reader demand.



I’ve often asked for reader input on names and locations too. When I was struggling for a name for my hero in The Lightkeeper’s Ball, I turned to my readers. Harrison really fit my character, and my readers told me. Love that! When I was trying to decide on a location for the new Hope Beach series I’ve started, I asked readers. Their overwhelming response was for a series set in the Outer Banks so guess what I’m writing?!



That’s why we’re coming to you for answers. We want to give you what you really want! Don’t be afraid to let us know what you really think. We value your honesty and the time it will take to share with us. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!



Your friend,

Colleen Coble

Book review The Champion by Carla Capshaw

Product Description:
Triumphs in the Coliseum-and society bedchambers-made gladiator Alexius of Iolcos famous for his brutal skill and womanizing ways. Yet the only woman who intrigues him is Tiberia the Younger, who now needs his help. Protecting Tiberia places Alexius in the greatest danger he has ever known-from her vengeful father and his own heart.
Becoming a temple priestess may be an honor, but Tibi can't bear to surrender her freedom or her newfound faith. Alexius's solution stuns her. Marriage.to a gladiator! Scorned by her noble family, Tibi always felt unworthy. But with her champion by her side, can she accept-and give-a love strong enough to vanquish their enemies?


Book Review:
This is the third book set in Rome by Carla and in my opinion one of her best. I have enjoyed all these books as each had new insights into how life for early Christians was. Book one we had a christian Heroine and we see how hard it was for her. Book two the Hero was the christian. In this book both Alexius and Tibi are searching. They have seen their friends become Christians it has had an impact on them. Tibi is different from the heroines in the previous two books she has been down trodden by her father and has spent her life trying to get him to love her. Alexius has loved Tibi from afar but feels unworthy of her because he is a Gladiator with a issues he needs to deal with also. I love the way they interact and seeing Tibi grow away from her father. This book also deals with learning to forgive and move on from the past. They are also searching for something. I am sad to say goodbye to Rome and this series. If you haven't read the first two books you would still be able to follow this book and not be confused.


Thanks to Carla for sending me a copy of this book.

Book review Lone Star Trail by Darlene Franklin

                          Lone Star Trail    

                               by Darlene Franklin

                               Topic (Fiction - General)

                               List Price: $14.99

The six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896 begins with Lone Star Trail.

Judson (Jud) Morgan's father died for Texas' freedom during the war for independence.  So when the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas (the Verein) attempts to colonize a New Germany in his country, he takes a stand against them.

After Wande Fleischers' fiancee marries someone else, the young fraulein determines to make new life for herself in Texas.  With the help of Jud's sister Marion, Wande learns English and becomes a trusted friend to the entire Morgan family.

As much as Jud dislikes the German invasion, he can't help admiring Wande.  She is sweet and cheerful as she serves the Lord and all those around her.  Can the rancher put aside his prejudice to forge a new future? Through Jud and Wande, we learn the powerful lessons of forgiveness and reconciliation among a diverse community of believers.

My Review:

Another great book. This looks like a really good series and I cant wait to read more of this series. In this book we learn about how immigrants from Germany came to settle in Texas. I didn't know about this part of history and its one thing I love about historical fiction. Right from the start I could see Wande was a strong character who I came to love. She has to deal with learning her fiance has married someone else and the way she copes this is endears her to the reader. We also meet Jud who has a massive chip on his shoulder when it comes to German settlers. He is not happy when his family help Wande's family. We also meet Marion who is Jud's sister who helps Wande learn english and Alvie who is Wande's little sister. This book has lessons in forgiveness, tolerance and also in accepting differences and dealing with preconceived ideas. I can't wait to read the remaining 5 books in this series and see what happens with the Morgan family and leaning more of Texas's history. 

Thanks to Moody Publishers for my review copy.

CFBA Tour Dancing on Glass by Pamela Ewen

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Dancing on Glass B&H Books (August 1, 2011) by Pamela Ewen



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Until recently retiring to write full time, Pamela Binnings Ewen was a partner in the Houston office of the international law firm of BakerBotts, L.L.P., specializing in corporate finance. She now lives just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, James Lott.



She has served on the Board of Directors of Inprint, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting the literary arts in Houston, Texas, as well as the Advisory Board for The New Orleans Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans; Pamela is a co-founder of the Northshore Literary Society in the Greater New Orleans area. She is also a member of the National League of American Pen Women.



Pamela’s first novel, Walk Back The Cat (Broadman & Holman. May, 2006) is the story of an embittered and powerful clergyman who learns an ancient secret, confronting him with truth and a choice that may destroy him.



She is also the best-selling author of the acclaimed non-fiction book Faith On Trial, published by Broadman & Holman in 1999, currently in its third printing.



Although it was written for non-lawyers, Faith On Trial was also chosen as a text for a course on law and religion at Yale Law School in the Spring of 2000, along with The Case For Christ by Lee Stroble. Continuing the apologetics begun in Faith On Trial, Pamela also appears with Gary Habermas, Josh McDowell, Darrell Bock, Lee Stroble, and others in the film Jesus: Fact or Fiction, a Campus Crusade for Christ production.



Pamela is the latest writer to emerge from a Louisiana family recognized for its statistically improbable number of successful authors. A cousin, James Lee Burke, who won the Edgar Award, wrote about the common ancestral grandfathers in his Civil War novel White Dove At Morning.



Among other writers in the family are Andre Dubus (Best Picture Oscar nomination for The Bedroom; his son, Andre Dubus III, author of The House of Sand and Fog, a Best Picture Oscar nomination and an Oprah pick; Elizabeth Nell Dubus (the Cajun trilogy); and Alafair Burke, just starting out with the well received Samantha Kincaid mystery series.



ABOUT THE BOOK

In the steamy city of New Orleans in 1974, Amalise Catoir sees Phillip Sharp as a charming, magnetic artist, unlike any man she has known. A young lawyer herself, raised in a small town and on the brink of a career with a large firm, she is strong and successful, yet sometimes too trusting and whimsical. Ama's rash decision to marry Phillip proves to be a mistake as he becomes overly possessive, drawing his wife away from family, friends, and her faith. His insidious, dangerous behavior becomes her dark, inescapable secret.



In this lawyer's unraveling world, can grace survive Ama's fatal choice? What would you do when prayers seem to go unanswered, faith has slipped away, evil stalks, and you feel yourself forever dancing on shattered glass?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Dancing on Glass, go HERE.



Watch the book trailer:

book Review: Miriams Heart by Emma Miller

Product Discription:
Miriam Yoder always thought she'd marry Charley Byler. Steady, dependable Charley, who grew up on the neighboring farm, and has been sweet on her since they were young. But then local veterinarian John Hartman catches Miriam's eye. He's handsome, charming, cares for animals-and is not Plain. While Miriam is known as the "wild" Yoder sister, she is still expected to marry a good Amish man. But what if it's God's plan to match her with John? Miriam must listen to her heart to truly know which man will claim her love and her future.


My Review:
This is the second book about Hannah's Daughters. I haven't read the first book but I was still able to follow the book without having read book one. I love Miriam, I love how she is different, she wants to work outside and with animals. It is interesting seeing how Miriam is attracted to John who is not Amish and also Charley who she sees as a friend. Watching the way the family interact was fun too especially their younger sister who has down syndrome. She has a habit of saying what is happening when its not always the best thing to say which can be interesting. The way she is treated was really good to see also.  This is a good read and I cant wait to read the next one in the series.

Book Review: Alexis and the Lake Tahoe Tumult by Erica Rodgers

Book Description:
It’s spring break, and Bailey has joined Alexis and her family on a Lake Tahoe ski resort vacation. During their stay, Alexis decides to film a documentary at a nearby animal refuge. . .only to witness strange and sometimes dangerous incidents. Who allowed the animals to escape? And who would leave the barn door open, knowingly putting the injured animals at risk? Are these events the work of a wildlife animal hating group? Or could it be an individual with a selfish scheme in the works? The Camp Club Girls are on the case. . . Will they be able to stop the perpetrators before it’s too late?


My Review:
This is another good book in this series. Alexis and Bailey are staying at Lake Tahoe so Alexis can film a documentary at a nearby animal refuge. Here things get interesting with incidents happening at the refuge and the girls decides there is a mystery to solve. They also meet some interesting people and learn things are not always as they seem.  I love the way this series shows how girls from different backgrounds can be such good friends. It is good to see how the girls work together and also pray for help. Each book also has bible verses that go well with the story. They are great christian novels for girls. (and in this case older girls)

Getting to know you Thursdays with Mary Hawkins with giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome Mary Hawkins to my blog. Mary is a fellow Australian. I first read some of Mary's book when she was writing for Heartsong Presents and loved the stories. I am so happy to be able to interview Mary.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My Dad was a farmer on the Darling Downs in Queensland but I was not sorry to swap milking cows to become a registered general and midwifery nurse. Later on when a Bible College student I met my own hero, Ray. We were married after I had graduated and we are still being richly blessed each day as we seek to be and do what God wants of us. Over the last forty-six years we have enjoyed being in ministry at churches in New South Wales, Queensland and then England for two years. We have been on three short term mission teams to Kenya, Zambia and Ghana. Eight years ago we settled in Tasmania and, besides us both having writing careers now, are involved for the third time in a new church being planted. We have three adult children, two delightful daughters-in-law and now are also proud grandparents.

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

Goodness, so many to choose from! There was that illustrated but abridged Alice in Wonderland book, Elizabeth’s Green Way, Billabong books and many more. However, Dad’s first farm when I was a young child was a long way from more than one small all purpose shop, so when Dad passed on to us his own love of reading we were allowed to subscribe to receive monthly reading material in the mail. These included Walt Disney comics and then the Girls Crystal magazine – and I still have some of those last ones hoarded away. (Jenny here, mum bought Norah of the Billabong when I was in High School for a birthday present. She read them when she was a child and loved them and started me on them. I enjoyed them too)

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

Right from those Girls Crystal days I always enjoyed stories the most that had friendships between boys and girls. Then in my mid-teens I discovered English Womens Weekly magazines and to my delight some of the authors of the lovely romance stories in them had whole romance novels in the library. And so my love of romance novels began and any book with romantic elements is still my first choose. Having said that, I am afraid I have to add there are many books in the romance genre these days with explicit sex scenes I simply cannot like. Besides “sweet romance” books, I am delighted there are now so many inspirational romance novels, including by Australian authors nowadays, to enjoy reading instead – and that readers want authors like myself to write them of course.

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

The main one is Mary Grant Bruce, the Australian author of the Billabong books and many others I am still finding. I occasionally pick up one of her old books from my collection again, but now read them with “writer eyes.” Why do I still enjoy them so much? How did she craft her characters so they became so real that my sister and I still know who we are talking about when we mention Jim and Norah Linton and Wally? What is it about her stories that so gripped me?

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

Wanted? I kept diaries, wrote long letters etc but quite frankly it never entered my mind until a couple of years after we were married my dear Ray told me I had a talent for writing. That sent me on a soul search and God challenged me to do something about that talent He had given me. I honestly can’t remember ever “wanting” to be an author until then.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

I didn’t know where to begin so did a correspondence writer’s course with the USA based Famous Writers School. Ray and I were then self-supporting while planting a church, one baby was born during those years and so the cost of the course was a big commitment. Besides believing it was what God wanted me to do, one reason I persevered for so many years when those inevitable rejections came for my first novel manuscript was to try and pay back that money. However, the course also made me realise I needed to keep learning and, as I wanted to write romance, joined Romance Writers of Australia when it first commenced. Belonging to writers’ groups like that and now Omega Writers in Australia and American Christian Fiction Writers also has been invaluable. And yes, I am still learning with every book I write!

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

A tough question. Have never thought about it except I did enjoy my nursing years.

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

I do enjoy speaking to women’s groups and especially where I can share about Christ and His love for us. These days I do also enjoy trying to help other Christian fiction writers, but sometimes I am inclined to allow myself to say that “yes” word too often for the good of my own writing!

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

My beautiful home city of Toowoomba, the Garden City of the Darling Downs, but also England and Scotland.

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

Only three? No, no, too hard to choose! I love sharing fellowship with other published authors too much to limit it to three.

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.

After books published by Harlequin, Heartsong Presents and Barbour, my 19^th title, Justice at Baragula, is the third book in this last series and was released last May. These are my first single title, longer inspirational romance novels and have been great fun to write. Return to Baragula was a fiction finalist in the 2010 CALEB book awards. The publisher, Ark House Press in Sydney, is now releasing new titles as print and e-books and so this third book is also available on Word and Koorong bookshop websites as digital downloads for e-readers. I have also been informed later this year they are hoping to have them available at Amazon for the Kindle.

My husband has also had two of his themed devotional meditations released last May and available at Christian bookshops.

Do check out the information about all our books and keep up to date with what is happening on my website, blog and Facebook. There are book trailers for the three Baragula books on YouTube. I am also a regular contributor to the International Christian Fiction Writers blog  http://www.internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com

http://www.mary-hawkins.com

http://www.maryhawkins.blogspot.com


Mary is giving away one of her Baragula books. The winner can choose which book they would like. This will be an open giveaway and you have til next Friday 19 August 2011 at 6pm Australian time. To enter just leave a way to contact you and answer this question.
Did you have a favourite book or story you use to read as a child?