A Clearing in the Wild (Change and Cherish Historical #1) by Jane Kirkpatrick

Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue–and often doesn’t even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony’s charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil.

Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await “the last days.” Christian believes they’ve found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian’s choice in favor of moving to Oregon.

Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength–if she can harness it effectively.

My Thoughts:


This is my first experience with Jane Kirkpatrick's work but it surely won't be my last. I am taken with how amazing her writing style is and this book and it's emphasis on a fascinating historical period make it a winner in my book!

I commend the author for taking on this time period and it's issues such as women's roles. I appreciated the slower moving pace of the plot-line because it allowed me as a reader to focus on the important details and issues that the author covers.

I adore novels where there is a real connection to true history and that makes me appreciate this one even more. The author's careful time and research pertaining to the development of the characters is evident and appreciated. I think it adds a depth to this story that would otherwise not be there. Character and setting are the two most important aspects of a good novel because if those are there, the plot-line will be easier to follow - Kirkpatrick certainly recognizes that as well!

I look forward to reading the rest of the series and have added it to my TBR list.

About the Author:

Jane grew up near Mondovi, Wisconsin, a little town not far from the Mississippi River. Her older sister Judy (now deceased) and younger brother Craig helped on the family dairy farm. Dozens of cousins lived within 50 miles providing the privilege of extended family memories. Most of the "Rutschow" clan remained in the Wisconsin-Minnesota area. Jane moved to Oregon in 1974 after completing her master's degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She worked in the disabilities field and became the director of the mental health program in Deschutes County and the first female president of the Oregon Community Mental Health Director's Association.

Homesteading & Family

Eventually, Jane "retired" to homestead and begin a new adventure in writing, working on the Warm Springs Indian reservation, growing watermelons, and attempting to grow grapes, alfalfa and cattle. The Kirkpatrick's new life included "clearing sagebrush and wrestling wind and rattlesnakes" while "homesteading" land on the John Day River in a remote part of Oregon known locally as Starvation Point.  "It was our 'rural 7-Eleven' since our home sat seven miles from the mailbox and eleven miles from the pavement" notes the author. Additionally, she worked for seventeen years as a mental health and educational consultant on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon with both Native American and non-Indian communities, a position she left in 2002.  Jane has two step-children.  Kathleen lives in Florida with her family and youngest granddaughter, Madison.  Matt lives in Wasco and works on the ranch full time when not looking after his family including his and Melissa's daughter, Mariah.

In the fall of 2010, after twenty-six years on the homestead, Jane and Jerry, her husband of 35 years, made another life change moving back to Central Oregon near Bend. "There is a season for everything," Jane notes.  Their seasons on the ranch changed their lives and they leave with no regrets looking forward to new adventures in writing and life.

Speaker & Philosophy

A lively and humorous speaker, Kirkpatrick is a frequent keynote presenter for conferences, women's retreats,fund-raisers and workshops.  In addition to her historical fiction which dramatizes pioneer life, Homestead relates, with love and laughter, her own family's modern-day struggle to catch a dream in the Oregon Territory.

Jane believes that our lives are the stories that others read first and she encourages groups to discover the power of their own stories to divinely heal and transform. Visit her blog for more information about her current projects and the privilege of following one's passion wherever the dreams may lead.
 

Rosemary Opens Her Heart by Naomi King

Another spring reminds the Amish of Cedar Creek, Missouri, that for everything there is a season.

Zanna Lambright is finally marrying Jonny Ropp, and friends and family have come from far and wide to celebrate. Among them is young widow Rosemary Yutzy, mother of toddler Katie, whose husband was tragically killed last fall. With a willing heart Rosemary has taken over care of her in-law’s family and continued to run a baked goods business from home, but privately she still mourns her lost Joe…and is unprepared for the changes that are coming…

Rosemary’s father-in-law wants to merge his lamb-raising business with Matt Lambright’s—a move that will require the Yutzys to relocate from their nearby town to Cedar Creek. Moreoever, it will bring Rosemary into constant contact with Matt, who is making no secret of his romantic interest in her. The challenges of contemplating a future unlike any she expected are overwhelming for Rosemary. And although Matt is strong and kind, his courtship is so persistent, she often wants to run the other way. As Rosemary struggles to see beyond her immediate joys and sorrows, will she embrace the outpouring of welcome and support from the people of Cedar Creek…and accept this new chance to open her heart to a more abundant life?

About the Author:

I’ve called Missouri home for most of my life, and most folks don’t realize that several Old Older Amish and Mennonite communities make their home here, as well. The rolling pastureland, woods, and small towns along county highways make a wonderful setting for Plain populations—and for stories about them, too! While Jamesport, Missouri is the largest Old Order Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River, other communities have also found the affordable farm land ideal for raising crops, livestock, and running the small family-owned businesses that support their families.

Like my heroine, Miriam Lantz, of my new Seasons of the Heart series, I love to feed people—to share my hearth and home. I bake bread and goodies and I love to try new recipes. I put up jars and jars of green beans, tomatoes, beets and other veggies every summer. All my adult life, I’ve been a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and we hosted a potluck group in our home for more than twenty years.

Like Abby Lambright, heroine of my new Home at Cedar Creek series, I consider it a personal mission to be a listener and a peacemaker—to heal broken hearts and wounded souls. Faith and family, farming and frugality matter to me: like Abby, I sew and enjoy fabric arts—I made my wedding dress and the one Mom wore, too, when I married into an Iowa farm family more than thirty-five years ago! When I’m not writing, I crochet and sew, and I love to travel.

I recently moved to Minnesota when my husband got a wonderful new job, so now he and I and our border collie, Ramona, are exploring our new state and making new friends.

To find out more about Naomi, please visit her at http://www.naomikingauthor.com/.

Visit her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NaomiC.King

On Goodreads at:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5163868.Naomi_King

My Thoughts:

What a delightful book...and what a delightful author!  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Naomi King's books over the last month and Rosemary Opens Her Heart is no exception.

I love simple books, simple being a compliment of course - books that have an easy to follow plot, believable characters that I really identify with and an ending that makes me pleased I picked up the book in the first place.  This was that kind of book - Ms. King has a writing style that makes the words flow and the pages turn so fast you can't believe that it is 2 a.m and you can't bear to put the characters away for the night.

I am so pleased to have discovered this author and her books - I will be sharing this one far and wide!

GIVEAWAY! ~ Guardian Angels by Andrew P. Weston

In a series of terrifying events, otherworldly beings intervene to save innocent lives. The world community reacts with relief as they realize that angels may in fact exist, and they are diligently protecting us.

But there are those who would seek to stop what they feel is a threat against their livelihoods. How far will some go to battle the Guardians? Is the fairy tale over before it even begins?

Guardian Angels is a powerful and compelling story about the catalyst that has the power to unite society in the hope for a better future. The spark of hope is fragile—can it last?
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About the Author:


Andrew P Weston was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston, eventually attending Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boy’s where he was School Captain and Head Boy.

He was an active sportsperson for the school, college and a variety of rugby, martial art, swimming and athletics teams throughout the city.

On graduation in 1977 he joined the Royal Marines fulfilling a number of roles both in the UK and abroad.

In 1985 he became a police officer with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, and served in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until his retirement in 2008.

Over those years, he wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for his children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers”, gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies, was an active member of Mensa and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.

An unfortunate accident received on duty meant Andrew had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up his recuperation, he was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” he had developed over his years in the military and police.

When not writing, Andrew enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by his wife, Annette, and hunting shadows in the dark.

Andrew is now contracted to Pagan Writers Press for two books.
“Fairy Tail”, is a dark and gritty paranormal thriller with a twist.

The second book, “Guardian Angels” is the introductory book to the “Guardian Series”, a sci-fi/fantasy epic set in the near future.

Further work on the Guardian Series and a new paranormal series has been completed and will hopefully be presented soon.

If you had the power to make a difference…would you?

Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson - Review

With a head more suited to bookkeeping than a bridal veil, Ida’s dreams include big business- not beaus.

Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.

Under Mollie's tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man's world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family's reservations about Mollie O'Bryan's business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can't ignore the two men pursuing her affections—Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.

Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed “suggestions” that young ladies don’t belong in business. Will it take unexpected love—or unexpected danger—for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?

My Thoughts:

Christian Western Historical Fiction - my new favorite genre!

Ahh...another awesome read from Mona Hodgson!  I am writing this review and reveling in the fact that I still have TWO more books to carry me through this journey!  How will I ever deal with the fact that there are no more when I finish the series?

Ida is the character I most closely related to - I think because she is just like me!  I loved her ideas of independence and adventure all the while feeling like she was in control.  She, like I, had to realize that God is in control and that we need to remember to let him take the reins.

Tucker is also my favorite husband of the Sinclair sisters - he is such a down-to-earth character, one that I can completely relate to.  He was perfect for Ida because she needed someone relaxed and easy-going to match her more rigid personality.

I love this author, and I love these books - looking forward to reading more by Mona!

Promise of the Wolves (Wolf Chronicles #1) by Dorothy Hearst

Kaala and her companions captured my heart with their enduring spirit and perseverance throughout this novel.  I am not usually one to care for books with animals as main characters but this is the second one in 2012 that I have read and loved - part of my list for 2013 is going to include more in this category!

WHAT IS THE PROMISE OF THE WOLF? NEVER CONSORT WITH HUMANS. NEVER KILL A HUMAN UNPROVOKED. NEVER ALLOW A MIXED-BLOOD WOLF TO LIVE. At least that's what the wolves of the Wide Valley believe. Until a young wolf dares to break the rules -- and forever alters the relationship between wolves and the humans who share their world.

This is the story of such a wolf. Born of a forbidden mixed-blood litter and an outcast after her mother is banished, Kaala is determined to earn a place in the Swift River pack. But her world is turned upside down when she saves a human girl from drowning. Risking expulsion from their pack and exile from the Wide Valley, Kaala and her young packmates begin to hunt with the humans and thus discover the long-hidden bond between the two clans. But when war between wolves and humans threatens, Kaala learns the lies behind the wolf 's promise. Lies that force her to choose between safety for herself and her friends and the survival of her pack -- and perhaps of all wolf- and humankind.

Set 14,000 years ago, "Promise of the Wolves" takes us to a land where time is counted in phases of the moon, distance is measured in wolflengths, and direction by the scent of the nearest trail. Years of research into the world of wolves combines with mythical tale-telling to present a fantastical adventure set in a world filled with lore.

About the Author:

Before the wolves barged in the door, demanding that their story be told, Dorothy Hearst was an acquisitions editor at Jossey-Bass, where she published books for nonprofit, public, and social change leaders. She loves dogs but doesn’t have one, and borrows other people’s whenever she gets the chance. After seven years in New York City and nine years as a San Franciscan, Dorothy now lives in Berkeley, California.

My Thoughts:

Oh how I enjoyed this book!  As a bit of a step outside of my genre comfort zone, I chose this book for our teacher book club because there are a few of us who enjoy books about alternate world, times, and just off-the-beaten-path kind of novels.  I am up for anything once and this novel is a clear example of why it is important to try reading new things...you just never know what you're going to love!

Kaala, the main wolf-character, captured me immediately - she is faced with adversity from her birth and her strong spirit and determination see her into the pack she so wants to be a part of.  I loved the ins and outs of pack life that are shown in this novel - the rules and requirements for how the pack will operate.  That glimpse into that life was my favorite part of the novel.

The interaction between humans and wolves was also a coveted part of the novel.  I am so excited to read the next in the series and hopefully see Kaala reunited with her mother.

Kudos Ms. Hearst, your novel is amazing!

Bud's Christmas Wish by Ashley Nemer: Book Spotlight

If a dream is a wish your heart makes, can it hear those things we want even if we don’t know what they are?  When sorrow brings young Lucy home to a land full of mystery, steeped in tradition and colored with unspoken magic, she finds herself reevaluating her life and her own place in it. Things are never what they seem, and people are seldom what you THINK them to be if all you base it on is what your eyes see and not what your soul speaks. There’s a fine line between destiny and duty, but when both are blended with love, who knows what miracles can occur at Christmas?


About the Author:

Ashley is married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs named Toto and Doogie. They have been together for almost 8 years and he brings her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend Laura gave her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.

Ashley finds her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support her in life and they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the values Ashley has and display's came from. With her Parents always cheering her on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to conquer the world.

Excerpt:

She sat in the chair watching him. The sincerity in his voice and the look in his eyes when he spoke about her granddad and the words he said. She had to stop and think about it, did he really only have two drinks a night? How had she not noticed this before?

“Please Lucy, give me a chance, one night ta show ye that I can fulfill ya dreams and give ye everything that ya could imagine ya needed. Everything ye could ever want.”

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Winter's Magic by Cynthia Gail: Book Blitz

Owner of La Bella Vita, a five-star day spa nestled in the affluent suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, Beth Sergeant knows her elite clientele first hand. She attended their private schools. She was even engaged, although briefly, to one of their most recognized bachelors. But she never fit in to their social-elite world.

After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. When he chooses to socialize, he has a never-ending list of exclusive events and beautiful women vying for his attention. Yet he never lets himself forget that everyone has an agenda.

Beth can’t resist Nick’s charm and accepts an invitation to dinner, despite her deep-seated insecurities. She proves she’s nothing like other women Nick's dated and learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick's past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret.

Read a FREE first chapter sampler on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author:

My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our teenage son and three dogs. Life is busy, but when I have free time, I love to read. A math/science girl at heart and a retail analyst by trade, I never thought I’d be writing romance. But one day, a story popped into my head and I had to write it down. The fantasy, escape, and wonder of just reading multiplied by ten-fold and I couldn’t stop my fingers from typing my own fairy tales.

I hope you enjoy my stories. Each one touches on modern day issues, fears, and challenges that women face every day. And each one illustrates that love is within reach if you let down those walls and allow your heart to open. Our lives and experiences are so much more meaningful when we have someone to share them with.

Cynthia’s latest book is the contemporary romance, Winter’s Magic (Book 1 in the Music City Hearts series).

Visit her website at www.Cynthiagail.com.

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“Heartwarming and Magical” ~ Romance Reviews Today

“I very highly recommend this book. The writing is excellent and the characters are realistic and easy to relate to. It's full of drama, a little mystery, passion, and romance ... Once I started, I couldn't put it down ... This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Gail and I can't wait to read more!” ~ Life in Review

“The dialogue is engaging, the love story is dazzling and the romance sizzling.” ~ Author Janna Shay

 

Twice A Bride (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek #4) by Mona Hodgson

Oh how I loved my journey with the Sinclair sisters!  I am so sad for it to end, it was truly magical to live through them for four books!

 Love lost doesn’t mean love lost forever.
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows?

Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek.  When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn.

With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West.  Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?  

Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns.

About the Author:

MONA HODGSON writes western, historical fiction for WaterBrtook Press. She is the author of TWO BRIDES TOO MANY, TOO RICH FOR A BRIDE, THE BRIDE WORE BLUE, TWICE A BRIDE, and THE QUILTED HEART novellas (early 2013 releases). Her writing credits also include nearly thirty children’s books, contributions to eleven books for adults, and hundreds of short stories, articles, and poems in newspapers and magazines. One of Mona’s favorite things to do (besides writing or eating dark chocolate) is to speak at women's retreats and schools, and for women’s groups, librarians, and at writers’ conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob. Check out www.monahodgson.com to learn more. You can also follow Mona on her blog http://monahodgson.wordpress.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/author.mona.

My Thoughts:

First let me mention how stunning I think the covers are of Ms. Hodgson's novels - they are so beautiful and portray perfectly what the Sinclair sisters must have looked like.  They provide a great visual for the characters to come!

I am in awe of this author and her books - she is dynamic and interesting and writes about characters exactly like her! 

This adventure started with the first two sisters coming to Cripple Creek, Colorado and ends with two honorary sisters (the sister-in-law to Ida and the heartwarming boardinghouse owner Ms. Hattie) finding love in the town in a most unlikely place.

All of the books are love stories of the Wild West and it Christian fiction like this has quickly captured my heart!

I love the plots, L-O-V-E the settings and adore the characters...there is nothing that this series is lacking.  If you are looking for heartwarming novels sure to fill in that little gap Mona Hogdson's series is for you.  There will be no disappointment!

Big thanks for Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for this review copy!

Winter's Magic by Cynthia Gail - GIVEAWAY!

Beth Sergeant and Nick Chester come from opposite ends of the social food chain. While he sees a beautiful woman without an agenda, she sees a wealthy playboy. Can he convince her to let go of her insecurities and take a chance on love, when challenges from his past force her to reveal her most guarded secret?Owner of La Bella Vita, a five-star day spa nestled in the affluent suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, Beth Sergeant knows her elite clientele first hand. She attended their private schools. She was even engaged, although briefly, to one of their most recognized bachelors. But she never fit in to their social-elite world.

After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. When he chooses to socialize, he has a never-ending list of exclusive events and beautiful women vying for his attention. Yet he never lets himself forget that everyone has an agenda.

Beth can’t resist Nick’s charm and accepts an invitation to dinner, despite her deep-seated insecurities. She proves she’s nothing like other women Nick’s dated and learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick’s past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret.

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Check out this author and novel throughout the entire tour here:

http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/10/20/pump-up-your-book-presents-winter-magic-virtual-book-publicity-tour-50-visa-cardebook-swag-giveaway/

About the Author:

My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our teenage son and three dogs. Life is busy, but when I have free time, I love to read. A math/science girl at heart and a retail analyst by trade, I never thought I’d be writing romance. But one day, a story popped into my head and I had to write it down. The fantasy, escape, and wonder of just reading multiplied by ten-fold and I couldn’t stop my fingers from typing my own fairy tales.

I hope you enjoy my stories. Each one touches on modern day issues, fears, and challenges that women face every day. And each one illustrates that love is within reach if you let down those walls and allow your heart to open. Our lives and experiences are so much more meaningful when we have someone to share them with.

Cynthia’s latest book is the contemporary romance, Winter’s Magic (Book 1 in the Music City Hearts series).

Visit her website at www.Cynthiagail.com.

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The Cliff by Christie A. C. Gucker - Tour & GIVEAWAY

Can a childhood pact affect the lives of three adults?

Love and betrayal surrounds the lives of lifelong friends Lanie Rhodes, Grant Bennett, and Dane Voight. Years ago, they made a pact to remain together as friends forever. The boys also made another secret pact that same day—to never vie for Lanie’s love.

Grant and Lanie have secretly been pining for one another since they were children.

Now grown up, they finally admit their feelings for each other and what ensues is a twisted tale of deception as Dane does everything he can to stop them.
The story weaves around this uneven love triangle. What will happen to the pact? Will friendships be destroyed? Will lovers emerge?

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About the Author:

Christie A.C. Gucker lives in NJ with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of pets. Being a mother is one of the greatest joys of her life. She has worked in the advertising industry for over 20 years as a degreed artist, but also works in the fine arts, especially sculpting out of stone or snapping photographs. Christie is also a singer and musician, and can be found singing on a few CDs.

After the death of her father, Christie searched for something to fill her desire to make a mark in this world. Her love of the arts and creativity allowed her to search for a new medium, which she found with a pen instead of a brush. Being an avid reader her whole life, and with her family cheering her on, she decided to take her shot, and began writing.

Fascinated by the supernatural and sharks, Christie studies both avidly. You’ll be sure to find something spooky lurking somewhere in her stories. Her greatest joy is sitting on a beach with her family while surf fishing, flying kites or building sandcastles with her girls.

Author Links
Website / Facebook / Twitter

Author Interview:

1. Describe what it’s like to be an author in three words. 

Impulsive. Imaginative. Passionate.

2. What is your favorite genre of literature? 

I love paranormal fiction yet I write romance! LOL

3. At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a writer? 

I never actually did. I just started writing and went with it. I’m kind of like a jack-of-all-trades but master of none! LOL I try everything. This one seems to be working for me. Maybe I found my trade to master.

4. What would you consider to be the best book you have ever read? 

Twilight. I know what some people might say but the entire saga had me. I couldn’t put them down, not any of them. They were written like a true storyteller should.

5. What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer? 

Getting sleep! LOL I tend to write at night after working all day, and taking care of my family the rest of the time. So I tend to write when everyone else in the house is sleeping. Which leaves me exhausted, and that is no way to write. My emotions tend to show up in my writing so if I’m tired…my POV character is too.

6. Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or movie? 

EVERY SINGLE BOOK I READ I am the main female character! Not so much with movies. I feel like when you know what the person looks like you tend to picture that person. When the Twilight movies came out I was still reading but Bella became Kristen Stewart! LOL But of course I was then her! 

7. What do you find to be the biggest challenge when writing? 

When my characters take a break from my brain. When they stop I stop. I can’t force the writing.

8. Do you enjoy giving interviews? 

Its fun! I feel silly though, like I shouldn’t be the focus of attention!

9. What message do you want readers to take away from The Cliff? 

That unconditional love and forgiveness do exist.

10. In the novel your main characters Lanie Rhodes, Grant Bennett & Dane Voight – explain their connections to one another and why you chose them.

Well – they grew up together from birth. Their parents also had grown up together. The three were raised on an isolated cliff together so they have always had a tight bond. Feelings of love, trust or hurt can truly affect people who have such deep ties.

11. What are you working on now, and what are your future writing plans? 

I will begin the editing process for my next novel The Purple Heart, which comes out February 22, 2013. I am just finishing up on a short story that will be releasing soon Snapshot to Destiny. Both will release thought Pagan Writers Press. I am currently a new novel called Pacifically You and am working with marine biologist, shark expert and TV host Luke Tipple on this one. I am hoping for an August release once I send it out for submission. Then it’s just keep writing as the stories come to me.

Pioneering Today: Faith and Home the Old Fashioned Way by Melissa K. Norris

I just have to share this book with you - I haven't even read it yet, only the foreword and I know it is a true gem!  Keep reading, you'll know what I mean...here is what the author shares:

When I sat down to write this book, I thought it was going to be a straight tutorial, cookbook, and do-it-yourself handbook for country living.  I believe God chuckles every time I try to yank the reins out of His hands.

I became more emotional and choked up writing this book than any other project I authored.  God used the following chapters to remind me of His goodness, to show me how far He has brought me.  Scars deep in my heart were brought forth, things I thought I'd long gotten over, and He whispered a kiss over them.  Those ugly painful areas in our lives, those are the places only He can bring beauty and healing to, if we choose to let Him.

I pray that you'll experience your own healing as you read this book.  That you'll see God in a new light and find Him in new places.  Above the hands on practical lessons, my heart's cry is that you experience Jesus and His love in every aspect of your life, from tending the garden, to cooking daily meals.  May He permeate every moment of our lives.

Read more at Melissa K. Norris's blog: http://melissaknorris.com/

Purchase Pioneering Today HERE

Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson

Love lost doesn’t mean love lost forever.
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows?

Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek.  When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn.

With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West.  Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?   

Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns.

My Thoughts:

I cannot repeat too many times how much I LOVE Mona Hodgson! I fell in love with her as an author when my Christian Fiction Book Club read Two Brides Too Many a few months ago. I voraciously devoured the rest of the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series and this novel was the perfect end to a fantastic set of reads!

Cripple Creek is the ideal setting for these novels - and Ms. Hodgson does a fantastic job of sprinkling the setting in just enough to paint a breathtaking picture. I love the details of the mountains and train coming in and out of town.

The Sinclair sisters have always been characters near and dear to my heart and in Twice a Bride, the addition of Willow really does add a new dimension.

My favorite parts of this novel were the attention to detail - down to the dresses and handbags the women carried. Ms. Hodgson has a way with words and I was swept back in time to walk the streets of Cripple Creek!

I so look forward to what comes next - this series is a keeper for me and I am sincerely grateful to WaterBrook Multnomah for supplying me with this novel to review.

Beside Two Rivers by Rita Gerlach

Darcy’s story and the sequel to Before the Scarlet Dawn:

Eliza Morgan’s daughter seeks to unravel a lifetime of memories and the absence of her parents, unaware that the young Englishman who loves her holds the answers. Her search takes her far from her beloved home along the Potomac, to a manor house in faraway England.

Will she discover the secrets of the past and be reunited with the most important people in her life? Will Hayward and Eliza find peace and reconciliation? Will Darcy’s faith sustain her to make the difficult choices, and will love endure?

About the Author:

Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.  In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with both American and English settings. Her new historical series for Abingdon Press entitled ‘Daughters of the Potomac‘ was launched in February 2012, with Before the Scarlet Dawn, book 1, followed by Beside Two Rivers, and Beyond the Valley to be released in February 2013. In 2009, Abingdon Press released Surrender the Wind, which gained four and five star reviews.

You can visit her blog at http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com.

Connect with Rita on Facebook.

Excerpt:

The Potomac Heights, Maryland
1797

She’d been warned not to venture far from the house, nor go near the river, nor climb the dark shale bluffs above it. But Darcy Morgan had inherited an adventurous spirit that could not be bridled. It had been her favorite place to retreat since the age of nine, when she had discovered it one morning while trekking with her cousins over the ridge that shadowed the Potomac River.

Bathed in sunlight, she stood at the bluff’s edge and gazed down at the water like she had one hundred times before. She looked at the sky. Pink and pearled, speckled with white summer clouds, it looked heaven-like in the glow of a golden dusk.

Mottle-winged caddis flies danced in hordes at the brink and Darcy paused to study them. How could such delicate wings flit so high without turning to dust in the breeze? It caressed her face, blew back her dark hair and eased through her cotton dress. She breathed deep the scent of wild honeysuckle that traveled with it. Drowsy warmth hung everywhere, while the birds sang evening vespers.

With closed eyes, Darcy listened to the water tumble over the boulders and rocks below. Stretching out her arms, she turned in a circle and soaked in the majesty of creation.

“Darcy . . . Darcy Morgan . . . Where are you, you adventuresome pixie?”

Turning she spied her uncle, William Breese, as he lumbered along the ridge toward her. With caution, he stepped over rocks, between roots of great trees, a barrel-chested man with stocky legs. His eyes were pale green against his swarthy face, his head framed in a nimbus of white hair. Darcy’s father, Hayward Morgan, had been his half-brother, and Darcy wondered if her father’s eyes had been like her uncle’s, for she could not remember his face. Breathless, her uncle glanced up to see her, and she skipped down the path toward him.

My Thoughts:

I love this series - Christian fiction is right up my alley and this book fit the bill for sure!  Rita Gerlach was first introduced to me through a Christian Fiction Book Club and this novel, everyone agreed, was a fantastic choice.  When I saw it up for review I just knew I needed to help promote it!

Darcy is a great character...one that you are truly vested in throughout the novel and intrigued to find out what becomes of her!  I went back and read the first novel to get a feel for what to expect and I am so glad I did - what a building block it provided! 

History...secrets, and a great line-up of characters makes this a fantastic read.  Congratulations to Ms. Gerlach on an amazing novel, I am so looking forward to the third book in this series which is due out in 2013.

Breathless Press: Blitz Tour

About Breathless Press

http://www.breathlesspress.com/

Breathless Press is an e-book publisher specializing in Romance and Erotic(a) stories.

Our mission statement is simple: To provide the opportunity for readers to connect with romance authors through the purchasing of quality e-books at a low price.

Starting in the summer of 2009, Breathless Press came into existence. Since then, we have been producing top end romance and erotic stories for valued readers to enjoy.

Our Goal?

Breathless Press is an electronic publisher of paranormal, erotic, and mainstream romance, releasing one to three e-books a week in a variety of downloadable formats. It is Breathless Press' mission to provide readers with quality romance books in electronic formats and to raise the standard in e-publishing.

Breathless Press will be awarding a $20 Breathless Press GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Breathless Press GC to a randomly drawn host from the tour.
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Reawakened by Carrie Pulkinen

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=13&products_id=341

Blurb:

Her magic has been reawakened. But will her heart let her follow her destiny?

Jules Hume lives in a world where magic is a myth and supernatural creatures are fiction. Or so she thinks. Her boyfriend Ian would have to disagree. When Jules discovers the man of her dreams is not only a vampire, but a vampire king who’s tasked with saving the world from a demon attack, life as she knows it ends. Can she accept her fate and take her place by Ian's side as ruler of the paranormal world? Or will she close her mind and her heart to the chance at love and adventure?


Excerpt:

This is the night, I thought. After what just happened, he had to tell me everything. I braced myself, and walked into the bedroom.

My clothes were gone. Ian must've put them in the dryer already. On the bed lay a soft, midnight blue robe. The bedroom door was closed, and I could hear the shower running down the hall. I figured it would be a while before Ian came back, so I left the towel in the bathroom and walked naked across the room to get the robe. Distracted as I was with everything that had happened, I wasn't paying attention to where I stepped, and I tripped on the rug, falling face-first on the ground. I let out a little squeal as I went down. I didn't think I was loud, but Ian was in the room in seconds.

"Are you okay, my Jewel? I heard you scream." He took me by the hand and lifted me to my feet.

"I'm fine." Heat flushed my cheeks. "And I didn't scream. I just squealed a little bit when I fell. You didn't have to stop your shower to come rescue me again."

It was then that I realized I was naked. And my eyes had been locked with his since he came through the door, so I was just beginning to realize that he was naked too. And he was wet. His muscles flowed down his body like a perfectly carved statue, firm and hard. My eyes took in his form. From his eyes, down to his chest. His muscular arms had me longing for his embrace. His perfect six-pack abs had my hands twitching with the need to touch. Down my eyes went to his...oh my! He was definitely excited. I forced my gaze back up to his eyes, and the expression I found there was one of pure need...of lust…and love. His eyes went down my body and back up to return my gaze. He licked is lips.

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All for a Fist Full of Ashes: Tour Director Extraordinaire, Book 2 by R. Ann Siracusa

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=15&products_id=349

Blurb:

A fast-paced romp through Italy with tour director, Harriet Ruby, and handsome spy, Will Talbot, in hot pursuit of a lost grave and an assassin.

I’m Harriet Ruby: Tour Director Extraordinaire.  At least, I thought I was worthy of that title, until…

My first mistake: Agreeing to conduct a private tour of Italy. Fourteen Italian-Americans from New Jersey? All family, for three weeks, with four teenagers? What was I thinking? Fate responds to my engraved invitation by placing one of the family under surveillance as a suspect in an assassination plot, and who is assigned to the case?  None other than my favorite drop-dead-gorgeous spy, Will Talbot.

My second mistake: Allowing Will to coax an invitation from the family matriarch to join the tour.

And that was just the beginning. The matriarch, searching for the unknown location of her mother's grave so she can bury her brother’s cremated ashes (which have been smuggled into Italy wrapped in Cuban cigars), and her quirky family members sweep through Italy leaving chaos, hilarity, and danger in their wake.


Excerpt:

Still standing inside the terminal with one hand on the door, I prepared to push it open, when an intense shiver skittered up and down my spine. I tingled all over and heat zinged to every to every erogenous zone, a sure sign of Will Talbot's presence in the airline terminal.

I hadn't seen him, but I didn't have to. When we're in the same space, he and I exchange a flow of energy, and my body's reactions said it all. We had a way of speaking to each other without talking.

Will was my…well, he's…hmm. Now, here's the thing. Will Talbot and I had this incredible, overwhelming physical attraction and a no-strings agreement to get to know each other better and see if the rest of our relationship could catch up with our lust.

Since he lived in Spain and I resided in Rome, we only got together every two or three weeks. We hadn't progressed much beyond the lust stage of "getting to know you," but there seemed to be a lot of other stuff going on between us, which neither of us had figured out yet.

Excited, I opened the door and stuck my head out. "I'll be there in a few minutes, Mario," I yelled, my voice tinged with anticipation, trying to keep an eye on the terminal at the same time. "Please, get everyone on board. Thanks."

He cocked an eyebrow and grinned. Mario knew about Will and me and, like I said, nothing surprised him.

Stepping back inside and away from the entrance, I closed my eyes and waited. I sensed Will's approach and the closer he got, the more my girly parts tingled with anticipation.

Even though I expected it, I gasped when he placed his warm hands on my shoulders and turned me around to face him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Mistress for Magnus by Ann B. Harrison

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=15&products_id=346

Blurb:

Is Kate prepared to trade six months as Magnus' mistress to save the home and people she loves?

The death of Kate's mother sends her father on a gambling spree that he keeps hidden from his family. When the will is read after his death she finds out how bad things are and can see no way out, except one.

In a desperate attempt to save her home and the people she loves, Kate offers her neighbour water rights to the largest dam in the area that also happens to be on her land.  What follows is an introduction to a world of passionate sex that she doesn’t want to give up after the contract ends. Kate also didn't expect to fall in love with him.

Magnus is intrigued with Kate after years of having women drop at his feet and granting him his every desire. On a whim, he adds an extra clause to the contract—she is to be his mistress for six months.


Excerpt:

Magnus held the lead rope tight as a slight shadow filled the doorway. The mare skittered around, startled by the figure hesitantly coming toward them.

"Mr. Lane?" A soft female voice quivered slightly as the words were spoken.

"Yes," he answered as he steady the mare, his hands soothing her. "And you are?"

"Kate. Kate Holden."

She was a good head shorter than him, her dark brown hair tucked under a dusty, battered Akubra. The red and black checked shirt which had seen better days hung on her slight frame; the sleeves rolled up to her elbows showed tanned arms. Her jeans, faded and dirty, were tucked into scuffed brown boots. She looked like a homeless waif.

"What can I do for you, Miss Holden?" A strange feeling tingled his scalp. Crossing his arms, Magnus watched the emotions roll over her face, a face that belonged to a Botticelli angel, not a dusty cowgirl. He suddenly realized he craved this woman with a passion that almost frightened him. Magnus pushed the feelings down and tried to concentrate on her next words.

"You were trying to negotiate with my father, weren't you?" she asked.

He nodded his head, not trusting himself to speak until he knew what she wanted.

"You wanted to buy us out, but that's something I can't do. I wondered if you'd be interested in buying water rights instead?" Kate was wary of the man in front of her. She stood dead still even though her heart thudded. With his heavily muscled arms, he looked every inch the hard businessman her father had warned her about. She had no choice. She had to try and talk him into buying what she had to offer.

"I hardly think this is the place to conduct a business meeting, Miss Holden," he said, looking down at her, a frown marring his brow."But if you would care to come up to my office we can continue this conversation. Jock, would you mind putting the mare back in her stall please?"

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La Bella Isabella by Raven McAllan

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=17&products_id=313

Blurb:

When your life is all arranged for you, there's only one thing to do—enjoy yourself while you can.

When Amanda finds out whom her parents have chosen for her to marry, it puts her into despair. The one man occupying her dreams is to be hers in name only. Determined to enjoy life before it's all too late, La Bella Isabella and Her Dancing Girls is formed.
   
The beautiful girl he keeps meeting by accident intrigues Harry. There is something familiar about her…he just cannot place.

A private performance by La Bella Isabella provides a little knowledge, but is a little knowledge a dangerous thing?


Excerpt:


The snow was beginning to fall faster, and there were no cabs to be seen.

"Bloody hell, I'll be too cold to warm anyone up at this rate," he muttered as he slid through the thickening snow, his footsteps muffled by its depth. "My prick will be so shriveled up, it'll take a week to be normal again. Even with help."

So engrossed in keeping warm and muttering to himself, he heard nothing until a snort and a jangle of harness immediately behind him almost made him loose his footing.

A black carriage had drawn level.

"My lord," said a soft voice from inside, "this snow is getting thicker, and walking must be hazardous. As I trust there are no dogs out and about, I believe it is safer traveling in a carriage. May I give you a lift anywhere?"

He recognized that voice. So did his body. No, not a week, after all. He felt light-headed and somewhat giddy. Not even a minute.

"That would be kind...miss? Lady?"

She laughed. "Yes, wouldn't it. Now, if you wish, get in and tell my coachman where you are heading."

"Smithson Gardens," he said to the coachman, knowing that was near enough to his destination without revealing exactly where he was heading. He opened the door and swung inside, shutting it quickly after him to keep as much snow out as possible. The occupant was cloaked in dark velvet, a hood covering most of her face. She showed no inclination toward removing the hood.

"I do hope I'm not taking you out of your way," he remarked urbanely. "For I believe on our earlier meeting, you were heading in the opposite direction.

"I was, wasn't I, my lord? But as you see, now I am heading in this direction. And indeed, you will not take me out of my way."

Harry sat back against the squabs. It was definitely his damsel in distress. And she obviously felt secure enough to invite him into her carriage even though she had no companion. But who was she? Obviously quality, but surely no lady of quality who valued her reputation would be in a carriage without a companion, let alone would invite a gentleman to share it with her. "I feel you have the better of me. You know me, but do I know you?"

Again, that musical laugh.

"You feel so, my lord? I wonder why? Because I call you 'my lord'? Are you a lord?"

"I am. As to why? I thought I did feel so, perhaps I will feel so again."

Such gentle innuendo, but realized—and judging by the brief laugh he heard—appreciated. "Are you a lady?"

She considered. "Well, I am female, so that makes me a lady. Am I a lady? One of life's mysteries, my lord."

Harry moved slightly, so his thigh rested against her cloak. "I love a mystery."

"Oh, so do I."

The coach came to a halt. "I believe we have reached Smithson Gardens, my lord. Are you sure you do not want to be taken all the way to your destination? We wouldn't want you to catch a chill and be unable to...shall we say...help Lady Mellissa, would we?"

The minx! So she did know who he was! And about his involvement with Mellissa, something he was sure very few people were aware of.

A Texan's Choice by Shelly Gray

When notorious outlaw Scout Proffitt wins a rundown ranch in west Texas, he expects to find the home he’s never had. Instead, he finds a run-down shack, a barn in dire straits…and a lovely woman who’s in no hurry to give up her ranch.

When Scout discovers that Rosemarie has nowhere else to go, he   reluctantly allows her to stay with him for two weeks until she can find another home. But soon the locals get involved and insist they marry.

Determined to do at least one thing right in his life, he marries Rose. Then people from his past come back and give him an offer he can’t refuse. If things go well, he can make a fresh start. If not, he’ll be even worse off than before.

Which was something he never thought possible…

About the Author:

Shelley Gray’s first Amish novel, Hidden, was nominated for the Inspirational Readers Choice award. Her book Simple Gifts won the Reviewers Choice Award. Shelley’s novel, The Protector, recently made the New York Times bestseller list.  Her novels have won the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award, the Reviewers Choice Award, and been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She’s also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations. In addition, her novels have made both the USA Today and New York Times Bestsellers lists.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degrees in educational administration. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time.

You can visit Shelley’s website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

Connect with Shelley: Facebook | Goodreads

Purchase A Texan’s Choice: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |  ChristianBook.com | Abingdon Press

My Thoughts:

I will definitely say that you need to read these books in order to get the background that you need - I did not do that, I started with this one and there was a lot that I had to catch up on.  In fact, this book inspired me to go grab the first two so I can read up on what happened before the third novel.

I liked the premise behind A Texan's Choice and I thought the plot line was believable and interesting, my only suggestion would be that the characters needed a bit more depth - but I wonder if that was missing because I was just meeting them this novel, perhaps more depth was present in the first two so I certainly can't hold that against the book!

I love Christian Western romances and this one really did fit the bill - I look forward to reading the first two and more by this author!

The Billionaire Playboy by Christina Tetreault

She's spent her life avoiding love

Captain Charlotte “Charlie” O'Brien, a doctor in the United States Navy, returns to her home in North Salem, Massachusetts to visit her family and make an important decision about her future. Mother Nature has other plans when a hurricane strikes, flooding the town and throwing Jake Sherbrooke in Charlie's path. Initially she believes Jake is nothing more than a rich playboy, but quickly, she learns that he is so much more.

The media calls him Prince Charming

Jake Sherbrooke has never been one to follow the path laid out by his parents. That is why he started the Falmouth Foundation, a non-profit disaster relief organization rather than enter politics. When he learns of the destruction in North Salem, he immediately travels there to offer aid and meets Charlie O'Brien. Charlie is unlike any woman he has ever meet and he can not help but be drawn to her.

Soon neither can ignore the incredible chemistry between them. But will his reputation as a billionaire playboy damage their budding romance?

Welcome to today's stop for The Billionaire Playboy by Christina Tetreault.  Christina has been so kind as to offer a $10 Amazon gift card to one random commenter during the tour so follow along for a chance to win!

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/virtual-book-review-tour-billionaire.html

About the Author:

I wrote my first story with characters similar to those in the Sweet Valley Twins books at the age of 10 on my grandmother's manual typewriter.  As I got older my stories and characters became more mature.  During my freshman year at UMass Dartmouth, I read my first romance novel and fell in love with the genre.  I have been writing romance ever since.

Today I live with my husband, three beautiful daughters and two dogs in Massachusetts.  Whenever I have a free moment you'll find me either reading a romance novel or working on my most current story.

You can follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/christinatetreaultauthor and twitter @cgricci

You can also follow my blog at http://happilyeverafter-cgtetreault.blogspot.com/

My Thoughts:

I was glad that this was a stand alone book despite being the second in the Sherbrookes of Newport Series.  I haven't read the first one and it was nice to be able to pick this one up and jump right in without worrying that I would be missing something.

The main character is Jake, a world-class playboy - someone who everyone views as a literal playboy.  Charlotte (Charlie), is a strong independent woman who vows that she will never fall in love or enter into a relationship.  Jake proves to be a greater strength than her resolve to stay single and this book really is a cute story of their path towards happiness. 

I liked this story, it was a light read and one that really went quick for me.  It made me want to pick up the other book in the series and see if that one was as good as this one was! 

Looking forward to following Christina's work in the future!