Stepping Stones Magazine for Readers

New Series

2012-02-02T12:13:00.000-05:00

BOOK LAUNCH ! Before the Scarlet Dawn

Book 1 in

The Daughters of the Potomac Series

Has Been Released!

When I first signed the contract for the series with Abingdon, and saw that the first book would not be released until 2012, I thought 'that is so faraway'. But the time flew by and now, with a thankful heart, the book is officially on the shelves.

* * *

On a windswept night in April of 1775, Eliza sat at her father’s bedside hoping he would recover. Forced to leave the home she grew up in, Eliza grows desperate. She could marry her former suitor, but cannot bear the thought of a loveless marriage.

Instead she falls in love with Hayward Morgan, the condescending son of a landed gentleman. When Eliza learns of his plans to leave England and build a life in the Maryland frontier, she decides to present a proposal of her own.

* * *

Writing a series was an amazing, challenging experience, especially since the heroines in the stories are attached in some way to the others. In book 1 there is Eliza, a daring heroine willing to do all she could to be with the man she loved, even if it meant living a life in the wilderness of Maryland during the Revolution. She is not without flaws, however. So keep a box of tissues handy as you journey with her through heart-wrenching trials.

When book 2 comes out, Eliza's daughter Darcy continues the story from her point of view, as she quests for answers about her past, and the meaning of unconditional love in Beside Two Rivers.

Book 3, Beyond the Valley, will be Sarah's story. She appears throughout book 1, and will take readers on a journey from the coast of Cornwall, England, to the wiles of Virginia and Maryland.

Some reviews have come in for Before the Scarlet Dawn. Here are a few snippets.

“…a big, beautiful, well-told story of love, faith, and the struggles of war that changed lives...and hearts.

~ Author Loree Lough ~

With as many twists and turns as the Potomac, and a VERY unexpected conclusion, I found myself not wanting to let go of this story even after I was done reading. I simply cannot wait for the next book in this series, and next time I will have the tissues handy!

~ Diana Flowers, book reviewer ~

If you would like to help promote this book, please post the below link on your Facebook page. Or feel free to copy and paste the content and share it on your blog. I would appreciate it more than words can say. And if you purchase a copy, either in paperback or e-book, thank you! I love my readers, and write with them in mind.

http://daughtersofthepotomacseries.blogspot.com/

~ Read Chapter One for free ~

http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/displayImage.aspx?pcid=2517746

The Sequel to 'Daughters of Liberty'!

2012-01-14T08:39:00.001-05:00

Native Son is the sequel to Daughters of Liberty. If you love great historical fiction with a blend of romance and intrigue you will enjoy these books immensely! If you've never tried this genre, I highly recommend you do.

Native Son

Heritage Edition

Joan Hochstetler

Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton has pledged his allegiance to the newly elected commander of the rebel force, General George Washington. But his heart belongs to fiery Elizabeth Howard, who charms British officers by day and by night delivers their secrets to the Sons of Liberty. Their plans to marry are put on hold, however, when Washington orders Carleton to undertake a perilous journey deep into Indian territory, while Elizabeth continues to spy on the British. Within weeks, she learns that far out in the wilderness Carleton has been captured by the Seneca. Despite all attempts to find him, his fate remains shrouded in mystery.

Forced to abandon Boston, British General William Howe prepares to unleash an overwhelming invasion force against Washington’s badly outmatched army at New York City. And reports begin to filter back from the western frontiers that a new Shawnee war chief named White Eagle is leading devastating raids against both British and American outposts in Ohio Territory.

Historical fiction

ISBN: 9781936438099

$15.99

Web site: www.theamericanpatriotseries.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Native-Son-American-Patriot-Book/dp/1936438097/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325640801&sr=8-3

Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/native-son-american-patriot/j-m-hochstetler/9781936438099/pd/438099?item_code=WW&netp_id=959481&event=ESRCG&view=details

Award-winning author J. M. Hochstetler is the daughter of Mennonite farmers, a graduate of Indiana University, a professional editor, and a lifelong student of history. A graduate of Indiana University, she has published three historical novels set during the American Revolutionary War, Daughter of Liberty, Native Son, and Wind of the Spirit, the first three books of the American Patriot Series. Book four, Crucible of War, releases in 2012.

Her contemporary novel One Holy Night, a retelling of the Christmas story set in modern times, was the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year and finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Carol Award. An editor with Abingdon Press for many years, she is currently the publisher and editorial director of Sheaf House Publishers, a Nashville area small press.

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

2012-01-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader,

One of the questions I’m often asked is how I get the ideas for my books. The answer is that oh-so-frustrating “It depends.” And it does. Each book is different from every other.

Those of you who’ve read my bio know that I’m an avid traveler, and so you probably won’t be surprised to learn that Summer of Promise was inspired by a trip. I’ve always been fascinated by the pioneers who traveled West in covered wagons, so what better place to visit than Fort Laramie, where all the wagon trains stopped to rest and stock up on supplies before crossing the Rockies?

At the time that I planned the trip, I had no intention of setting a book there. It was simply a chance to escape the seemingly unending work associated with moving into a new house. But inspiration strikes when you least expect it.

When we arrived at the fort, I was struck by several things. First of all, it didn’t look like my image of a Western fort. There’s no stockade surrounding the garrison. Instead, it’s open and seemingly unprotected. The second surprise was that the buildings didn’t fit my picture of Army construction. The barracks and the officers’ housing were constructed of a variety of materials and, combined with the central parade ground, made the fort look like a New England village. The third surprise was that, although this was once a military installation, it felt peaceful. In other words, it wasn’t what I had expected.

Prior to that day, if someone had asked me to write a book set at Fort Laramie, I would have assumed that it would take place during the great migration and that the heroine would be part of a wagon train. But as I walked around the fort and learned more about its history, I became fascinated with its final days. During its last decade of existence (the 1880s), Fort Laramie saw no wars, and not even much in the way of conflict. Instead, it was a place where officers lived in relative luxury, where their wives held teas and balls, and where the parade ground boasted gaslights and birdbaths.

I was hooked. And so, in the space of an afternoon, when all I had expected was a little recreation, I had the beginning of a book. As it turned out, not just one but three. I realized that Abigail, the heroine of Summer of Promise, was one of three sisters and that each of them deserved her own book. The Westward Winds trilogy was born.

If you journey with Abigail and Ethan to Fort Laramie in the summer of 1885, I hope you’ll come to love the old fort as much as I do. And, if you’re ever in Wyoming, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit it in person. Who knows? You might come away with an idea for a book … or three.

Blessings,

Amanda

www.amandacabot.com

The 'Legacy of the King's Pirates' Series by Marylu Tyndall - A fabulous series is back in print.

2011-12-16T09:49:00.000-05:00

Charlisse Bristol embarks on a voyage to find her long-lost father when a sea storm shipwrecks her on a deserted island. Rescued by the pirate, Captain Edmund Merrick, she struggles against his seductive lure while fighting insecurities fostered in an abusive childhood. She has turned her back on God and finds Merrick's reliance on him surprising. Merrick battles both the violence of his profession and his intense attraction

the lady he has taken aboard his ship. He offers to help her find her father-then discovers the man is the same pirate Merrick has been hunting, the most vicious pirate on the Caribbean

Buy from Amazon

Believing his wife, Charlisse, has been killed, Captain Merrick turns his back on God and returns to a life of piracy. Captured by the villainous pirate, Kent, Charlisse escapes and takes command of Merrick's ship to search for her husband. Along the way, she faces battles and mutinies as she struggles with the unfaithfulness of the man she once trusted. Disgusted with himself, Merrick repents, and seeks his old ship. Unaware that his wife is still alive and in command of her, he is shocked when the ship fires upon him. Will Charlisse be able to overcome her anger and forgive her husband? Will Merrick be able to trust God when he faces once again a decision to put Charlisse in grave danger?

Buy From Amazon

Lady Isabel Ashton, scorned by society after the birth of her illegitimate child, longs to regain wealth and position-despite Christ's call on her heart. But when her son is kidnapped, she's forced to seek the aid of the man who pirated her purity

How far will Isabel go to save her child and redeem her honor? Captain Kent Carlton, desperate to win the heart of the woman he once ravished, finds himself battling jealousy as well as the sea. Can a penniless pirate capture the love he so urgently desires, or will the lady seek her safe harbor in another man's arms?

Buy From Amazon

Thank you so much for being such great friends and readers. I treasure you all far more than you know. Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time. And I wish you all a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate our Savior's birth!

Sincerely,

MaryLu

Daughter of Liberty by J. M. Hochstetler

2011-12-05T17:28:00.000-05:00

Book 1, The American Patriot Series

Eastertide, April 1775. In the blockaded port of Boston, Elizabeth Howard plays a dangerous game. As the infamous courier Oriole, she is hunted by the British for smuggling intelligence and munitions to the Sons of Liberty by night, while by day she flirts with British officers to gain access to information the rebels so desperately need. But she hasn’t counted on the arrival of Jonathan Carleton, an officer in the Seventeenth Light Dragoons. To her dismay, the attraction between them is immediate, powerful—and fought on both sides in a war of wits and words. When Carleton wins the assignment to ferret out Oriole, Elizabeth can no longer deny that he is not only her most dangerous foe, but also the possessor of her heart.

As the first blood is spilled at Lexington and Concord, Carleton fights his own private battle of faith. And headstrong Elizabeth learns the bitter consequences of following her impulsive heart when her dangerous role thrusts her into the carnage of Bunker Hill.

Available for pre-order from Amazon and Christianbook.com. Official release date April 2, 2012 from Sheaf House Publishers. Book 2, Native Son, releases May 1, 2012.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Liberty-American-Patriot-Hochstetler/dp/1936438089/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1322615433&sr=8-4

Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/daughter-of-liberty-american-patriot/j-m-hochstetler/9781936438082/pd/438082?item_code=WW&netp_id=959480&event=ESRCG&view=details

Joan’s website: www.theamericanpatriotseries.com

The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Marie Cooper

2011-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

The year is 1790. The American Revolution has long been over, but the wounds of battle still linger in the hearts and minds of many.

A veteran Continental soldier still awaits the return of his missing father years after the last battle. Haunted by the painful memories of war and scarred from betrayal in love, the young man turns away from faith. The only hope he clings to is that perhaps his father still lives.

Then he discovers his hope is shared by a young woman, who understands loss and the longing for a father. As they encounter this unexpected connection, their hearts become drawn together. But jealousy, slander, and misunderstandings ignite a fire of doubt and mistrust—destroying their relationship.

Can two souls longing for healing and trust, love again? Can faith—and a family—be restored?

Available from online bookstores.

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna White

2011-11-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton.

Never did Lark think she’d want to escape Emerson Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life. But when he betrays her, she flees to Annapolis, Maryland, the country’s capital. There Lark throws herself into a new circle of friends who force her to examine all she believes.

Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his betrothed. Surprised when she refuses to return with him, he realizes that in this new country he has come to call his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to open his heart and soul to something greater … before he loses all he should have been fighting to hold.

Available for Pre-Order from Amazon and Christian Book ! Official release date: December 1, 2011 from Summerside Press

Roseanna's Website:

www.roseannawhite.com/

A Letter to Readers from Lynn Squire

2011-11-15T17:25:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

So much of life contains sorrow and hardship. You’ve heard people say, “We all deal with it differently.”

I suppose I’m one of those people. On some levels, I’ve wondered why I would write a book like Joab’s Fire, a story set in 1903 Alberta, Canada about a couple who lose their only son and their farm. I tend to have a “bring it on” kind of attitude toward struggles, so writing about someone grieving over their losses seems out of character. After all, I loved those once popular “No Fear” t-shirts and the concept of the daredevil.

Perhaps my outlook on life is the very reason this story evolved. As a young adult I thought the worst case scenario was being killed, and with that thought I could rejoice because I know I’m going to Heaven. After becoming a wife and a mother, I became aware that the worst case scenario is survival. How do you survive when you have lost everything? What keeps you going? That’s when the story of Job became real to me on a different level, and that’s when Joab’s Fire took shape in my mind.

I pray God will use this story to encourage, exhort and edify my readers. Survival functions because of hope. No hope, no survival. No survival equals death. What happens to you after death depends on what you believed when you were alive.

I really had no idea how Joab’s Fire would impact readers until I started receiving letters and reviews. Here are five (I had a terrible time choosing which ones to share, they were all wonderful):

“I was moved to tears at the restoration power and mercy of God at the conclusion of this book.

This is not the type of book I normally read, as I'm into the whole historical fiction, romance novel thing, but I feel I'm a better person for having read this book. A more thankful person...a blessed person.

Thank you, Lynn Squire, for this beautifully written, anointed book and for staying true to your calling.”

Diana Flowers, http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/2011/09/dianas-corner-book-review-of-joabs-fine.html

“I was immediately captured by the words and intrigued by the sophisticated storyline…It was so exhilarating and refreshing to find a talented writer who is willing to use her God-given skills to relay the highest message, that of God’s faithfulness and salvation. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Squire.”

Alicia Painter, Oklahoma.

“Joab’s Fire contains all the elements that make it a literary work of art. It is suspenseful and thus very enjoyable to read. The spiritual aspects of the story presenting biblical principles were so creatively woven into this book—an intricate literary tapestry!”

Elaine Serrano, California.

“If the author’s intent was to make readers of Joab’s Fire turn to their Bibles, she certainly succeeded with me. The minute I closed her book, I hunted up Job in my Bible, and looked for similarities, especially in the “friends” who came to comfort Job/Joab. While the Biblical characters had always seemed remote to me, Barty and Nathaniel were very real, and, truth be told, often annoying. We can all relate to the busybody!”

Alice Valdal, http://internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com/search/label/Joab%27s%20Fire

“Everyone has a past and some of us would rather forget the past then face them. Reading this book allowed me to learn that you can never run from your past and that it is easier to face it and move on than allow it to hinder your future and eat away your joy and peace.”

Dee Adekugbe, http://www.totalwomanministry.com

To God be the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

Lynn Squire
Joab's Fire (Release September 2011)
http://www.PresentingBiblicalTruths.com
Best of Faith, Fiction, Fun, and Fanciful (2008)
Condemned Criminal, Samuel, has one hope for Paradise--Do you?
http://faithfictionfunandfanciful.blogspot.com/
http://www.lynnsquire.com
ACFW SF Bay Area Chapter President

Jennifer Hudson Taylor

2011-11-01T05:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

Highland Sanctuary has a special place in my heart and there is a reason I’ve dedicated this book to my daughter, Celina. Even though I didn’t know it at the time, this story began with my daughter’s birth, specifically within the first 32 hours of her life. Celina was born with a life-threatening seizure disorder, much like the heroine, Serena.

Unlike Evelina, I had a very supportive husband and a community of healthcare professionals that rallied behind our family. We had the benefit of medical technology with medications that controlled my daughter’s seizures. Celina didn’t have to worry about hiding her condition since people have a general understanding about seizures these days and few think of them as demonic behavior.

As we learned to cope with Celina’s condition, I couldn’t help thinking about how different her life would have been if she had been born in the late medieval period. The next thing I knew, my story grew into a whole Village of Outcasts. As with everything, the maturity of this story needed to be in God’s timing. He knew I needed healing from the emotional trauma and time to let go of my fears.

Celina’s doctors told us she may grow out of her seizures, but we know she’s been healed. I’m pleased to report that Celina is now seizure free and no longer taking seizure medications. The descriptions of Serena’s seizures came directly from my experience with my daughter.

Even though the word seizure was in existence by 1477, many people, especially those in remote areas of Scotland, wouldn’t have known the word. Those who did were still skeptical and had very little experience with them. For this reason, I tried to use the word as little as possible.

I hope you enjoyed Highland Sanctuary. I pray you were somehow touched and inspired by this story. Thank you for traveling back in time through the flight of my imagination to bonny Scotland.

Blessings,

Jennifer Hudson Taylor
http://jenniferswriting.blogspot.com/

A Different Kind of Love Story --- Dina Sleiman

2011-10-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl face obstacles in getting together. Boy and girl live happily ever after. That’s the basic romance novel in a nutshell.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I adore romance. For me, no book is complete without it. I even love a happy ending. But personally, I enjoy a few more twists and turns along the journey.

When I penned my debut novel, I wanted it to be a love story, but I wanted to go a different route in how I explored the topic of love. The first thing that came to mind was a Eugene O’Neil play I had read in high school. In it, the heroine lost her true love in one of the World Wars. She spends the rest of the play searching for a man who can take his place—but instead finds only men who fulfill aspects of that longing. This gave me an idea. What if my heroine turned her back on true love because of a childhood wound? She could spend the rest of the story searching for love. She would find men who represented aspects of love, but never quite the real thing.

The next thought that came to my mind was a nonfiction book I’d read by Dr. Ed Wheat called Love Life for Every Married Couple. The book lists the different Biblical words for love and explains each one. What if I were to combine this idea with the Eugene O’Neil play? My heroine could meet men that fulfill certain Biblical definitions of love, but never that true God-like agape love.

So in my novel, Dance of the Dandelion, my peasant heroine does indeed turn away from true love because of her childhood trauma of enduring a famine. This launches her on a journey of discovery. She goes through a series of men against an exciting backdrop of the medieval pageantry and adventure on the high seas. Gottfried, the stoic knight, fulfills her need for safety and belonging. Richard, the charming castle steward, meets her longing for romance and fun. Giovanni, the kind Italian merchant, provides her with friendship and companionship. Finally she meets Lucio, the sexy sea captain, who represents passion and desire, but each relationship lacks some important element and leaves her unfulfilled.

As you might have guessed, it is only when Dandelion finds God’s true love that she is set free to find earthly love as well. But the story doesn’t end there. Dandelion still has challenges and difficult choices to face.

So, I guess I write romantic love stories of the non-romance variety. And yet I think any romance reader will love my novel. I invite you to read Dance of the Dandelion, a different kind of love story that I sincerely hope will leave you breathless and stick with you for years to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dina Sleiman writes lyrical stories that dance with light. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront.

Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. She was the Overall Winner in the 2009 Touched by Love contest for unpublished authors.

Her debut novel, Dance of the Dandelion with Whitefire Publishing, is now available at amazon and other online and ebook distributors. Dina is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. She has recently become an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire as well. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of grace. For more info visit her at http://dinasleiman.com/

Dandelion at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Dandelion-Dina-L-Sleiman/dp/0983455600/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1312137856&sr=8-2

Dandelion at Barnes and Noble: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Dandelion-Dina-L-Sleiman/dp/0983455600/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1312137856&sr=8-2

Dandelion at Ebookit: https://www.ebookit.com/books/0000000691/Dance-of-the-Dandelion.html

Sandie Bricker Has a New Novel Out!

2011-09-30T08:23:00.003-04:00

Sandra D. Bricker has been publishing in both the Christian and general market for years with novels for women and teens, magazine articles and short stories. With 12 novels in print and 4 more slated for publication through 2012, Sandie has carved out a niche for herself as an author of laugh-out-loud comedy for the inspirational market. Sandie was an entertainment publicist in Hollywood for 15+ years and currently works a "day job" as an editor.

As a wedding planner, Sherilyn Caine should have the perfect wedding experience...

Sherilyn Caine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details. But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiance?

"What a fun read! This is perfect to take with you to the beach or to sit by a fire, although people will be looking at you strangely as you laugh and nod at all the problems Sherilyn has to face. And the recipes are to die for! Anyone who has been to a wedding will love the humor and romance in this book!" - Camy Tang, author of The Sushi Series and Protection for Hire

"You’ll want to say 'I do' to this delightful story filled with fun, romance, memorable characters, and all the charm of the South." - Jenny B. Jones, award-winning author of Save the Date and A Charmed Life Series

"This book will make you want to check into The Tanglewood Inn for a nice long stay! Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride is filled with friendship and romance and Sandra D. Bricker’s trademark wit and warmth. I want to hang out with these women! Bricker’s novels are like a fun visit with your best friend!" - Judy Christie, author of Hurry Less, Worry Less and fiction titles, including The Glory of Green, Book #3 in The Green Series

"I didn’t think Sandra D. Bricker could write another story in this series to outdo Always the Baker, Never the Bride. I was wrong. With her gift for natural, sparkling dialogue and her ability to throw believable, tension-causing conflicts into the path of our heroine, Sherilyn, Bricker has written another winner in Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride. While it was wonderful revisiting characters from the first book, new lovebirds Sherilyn and Andy stole my heart and awakened my empathy as soon as I met them. Before you start reading the book, you might need to check your own planner—it’s hard to set it down once you dive in!" - Trish Perry, author of The Tea Shop Series, including Perfect Blend and Tea for Two

Sandra's homepage: http://sandradbricker.com/

A Letter to Readers from Gina Holmes

2011-09-21T00:27:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader,

Ever seen a couple, still in love, hurl down the tracks toward divorce?

One day I noticed how the dissolution of perfectly wonderful relationships often happens one misunderstanding and unkind word at a time. That’s when a fictional couple began to take form and my sophomore novel, Dry as Rain was born.

I’m asked in interviews if I worried about telling the entire story from a male’s viewpoint, and an adulterous male at that. The short answer is, absolutely.

I tried my best to see the world through this particular man’s eyes, not as I wanted to see it, but as he did. In our society, men are said to be simple, but I didn’t find Eric to be that at all. He is not the stereotypical, dirty dog, who only thinks with, well, his sex-drive. He’s a man very much in love with his wife, even if the pain of her rejection helped him kill that part of himself for a while for self-preservation’s sake. He is also a man who has never had to struggle with his faith because life was going well, so long as he didn’t sit long enough to see how miserable everyone around him was.

He thought he was above the temptation of cheating, but I believe that given the perfect storm of circumstances we are capable of falling.

It’s easy to see the spouse who cheated as the bad guy and the one cheated on as the victim, but there are many victims where sin is involved, and one of them is also the sinner.

I hope Dry as Rain gives readers a little insight into how words and actions have a lasting effect on not only ourselves, but on those around us. I hope it puts us all on edge to guard our hearts, to take each thought captive, and to see how easy it is to let our guards down and allow the enemy to feed us with lies.

Dry as Rain is a story about a struggling marriage, and discovering what is important in life, but more than that, it’s a love story—between man and wife, husband and son, and God and his children. Thanks for reading.

Synopsis of the Story:

Behind every broken vow lies a broken heart.

When Eric and Kyra Yoshida first met, they thought their love would last forever. But like many marriages, theirs has gradually crumbled, one thoughtless comment and misunderstanding at a time, until the ultimate betrayal pushes them beyond reconciliation. Though Eric longs to reunite with Kyra, the only woman he has truly loved, he has no idea how to repair the damage that’s been done.

Then a car accident erases part of Kyra’s memory—including her separation from Eric—and a glimmer of hope rises from the wreckage. Is this a precious opportunity for the fresh start Eric has longed for? Does he even deserve the chance to find forgiveness and win back Kyra’s heart . . . or will the truth blow up in his face, shattering their last hope for happiness? A richly engaging story of betrayal and redemption, Dry as Rain illuminates with striking emotional intensity the surprising truth of what it means to forgive.

Dry as Rain, 2011

Crossing Oceans, 2010

www.novelrocket.com

www.ginaholmes.com

A Letter to Readers from Dr. Richard Mabry

2011-09-14T00:02:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

I never thought of myself as a writer, at least not of non-medical papers and textbooks. But that changed several years back. Following the death of my wife in 1999, I used my journaling as the basis for a non-fiction book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse, (Kregel, 2006). At about that time, I began writing short pieces that ended up in publications like The Upper room and In Touch.

Finally, my efforts at writing fiction led me to a genre in which I felt comfortable in what I've chosen to call "Medical Suspense With Heart." Now I have three novels in print with one more in the Prescription for Trouble series to be released in the fall of 2011.

What's next? I have no idea, but I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for me. I hope you'll stick around to see the results.

Dr. Mabrey's latest release.

Ever wonder what would happen to a doctor accused of killing a patient, even a so-called mercy killing? That's what happened to Dr. Elena Gardner. The threatening midnight calls followed her from one city to another. Even worse are the whispers of her own colleagues—whispers that started after her comatose husband died in the ICU. They grew stronger after another mysterious death during her training. When a third happens at her new hospital, the whispers turned into a shout: “Mercy killer!”

Elena says she can't really defend herself. Why? What is the dark secret that keeps Dr. Elena Gardner's lips sealed? Diagnosis Death is the third novel of medical suspense in the Prescription For Trouble series. I hope you'll try it.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Mabry, MD
Author of Prescription for Trouble series
Lethal Remedy, Abingdon Press, Oct 2011

http://rmabry.com/index.htm
http://rmabry.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/RichardMabry

A Letter to Readers from Jamie Carie

2011-09-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader,

Have you ever tried really hard to be a good Christian? You're reading your Bible, praying, controlling your flesh and following after Him. And it feels great! You might even feel justified, sanctified, worthy by your actions. And then BAM. Something (or someone) happens that throws you into a tail spin and reveals how weak and helpless you really are. You fail. You feel bad about yourself. And you might even hide from God, distancing yourself in shame instead of running to Him for help.

In my latest book, Pirate of my Heart, Lady Kendra Townsend finds out that she isn't nearly as good as she would like to be and that the American sea captain she falls in love with challenges all of her good intentions. Captain Dorian Colburn has a lesson in store too. It is easy to forget about God when life is going along perfectly. Oh sure, he goes to church and goes through the motions of being a Christian, but it takes a violet-eyed Englishwoman to knock the wind out of his sails and send his perfect life sinking faster than a flaming pirate ship. If they can just get through the struggles, there is real treasure to be found at the end.

It is such a relief to finally give all of our being over to Christ Jesus, admit defeat and ask for help. That's where the peace is. That's where the joy lies. In Him is our treasure.

I hope you enjoy Dorian and Kendra's love story. It was great fun to watch the sparks fly between these two characters and see them find treasure in God and in each other.

Jamie Carie
*************************************************************************************
She gave up everything for a chance at true love…
When her doting father dies, Lady Kendra Townsend is given a choice:
marry the horrid man of her uncle’s choosing or leave England to risk a new
life in America with unknown relatives.

Armed with the faith that God has a plan for her, Kendra boards a cargo ship
and soon finds herself swept away by the rugged American sea captain Dorian Colburn.
But this adventurous man has been wounded by love before and now guards his
independent life.

He wasn’t prepared to give up anything for anyone…
No swashbuckling man needs an English heiress with violet-hued eyes to make
him feel again or challenge his faith with probing questions—or so he thinks.
It is not until Dorian must save Kendra from the dark forces surrounding her
that he decides she may be worth the risk.

“Carie’s talent is to be commended. Whether her books are set
during the French Revolution, England’s Regency period
or the early days of America’s frontier, she weaves a beautiful
tapestry of historical fact, passion and multi-faceted characters
into an engaging plot.”—FaithfulReader.com

Jamie Carie is the author of Snow Angel, a ForeWord magazine Romance
Book of the Year winner, USA Book News National “Best Books 2007”
Awards winner, and 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. Her third
novel, Wind Dancer, was a 2010 Indiana State Library Best Books of Indiana
finalist. She lives with her husband and three children in Indianapolis.
www.JamieCarie.com

A Letter to Readers from Mary Moore

2011-08-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

I hope you will enjoy the story of Devlin and Nicole. They have become personal friends of mine, and characters that I hope will speak to you and inspire you.

As you may have surmised, one of my favorite passages in Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11-12. I have relied on its strength through some of my own struggles and I wanted it to permeate the story, especially in regards to Nicole. She began to claim verse 11 after an accident that left her disabled, but without the context of the verses that followed, she only saw a glimpse of God’s goodness.

Verse 11 tells her that He has a plan for her life and she holds onto it like a lifeline. But she is convinced that God has only one plan. Oddly enough, it isn’t until Devlin’s own revelation, that she receives the full blessing of verse 12; not only a plan, but a future filled with hope. I know I want God planning my future!

There were so many precious insights God gave me as I wrote this story and I pray that you will find something to touch your heart as well. If so, I pray God gets all of the glory. I hope, too, that you will begin a love for the Regency era that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for taking the time to read The Aristocrat’s Lady. I’d love to hear from you. Visit my website at marymooreauthor@vpweb.com and drop me note.

God bless you,

Mary Moore

'Surrender to Destiny' Series from Author Marylu Tyndall

2011-08-13T08:11:00.000-04:00

Follow the adventures of three Baltimore women who find love and destiny amidst the War of 1812, and in the process discover the three main things that keep God’s children from their true destinies in Him.

Insecurity

Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can't receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. Defying his father's wishes, Noah loathes the idea of marrying a woman he finds plain and pompous. Marianne wants nothing to do with the rogue who taunted her as a child, yet she must convince him otherwise or her mother will die. But when Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne chases him down and ends up on his merchantman out at sea. Marianne and Noah are forced to face their darkest fears as they desperately try to find a way to escape and fulfill their destinies-destinies that could change the course of the war and history forever.

Fear

Amid the war of 1812, Baltimore farm girl Rose McGuire is rescued by the least likely of heroes—British Naval Lieutenant Alexander Reed. How will she keep this enemy officer hidden from her family and friends? Alex didn’t plan on getting shot while rescuing a maiden in distress. Now at her mercy, he wonders if Rose will turn him over to the Americans or if his own troops will find him and charge him with desertion. As their attraction grows, a British invasion of Washington DC begins. What role will these young lovers play to change the course of history forever?

Unbelief

The only way Cassandra Channing can provide for her younger siblings is to hire a privateer, captained by the rogue, Luke Heaton. Although Luke’s prizes provide much wealth for her family, Cassandra suspects foul play. Luke Heaton spends his nights drinking, carousing, and selling supplies to British ships just off the coast of Baltimore. When Cassandra catches on to his treasonous acts, he begins to have second thoughts. Secrets and dangers abound as the British fleet heads toward Baltimore and begin to bombard Fort McHenry. With the fate of their fledgling nation at stake, what destiny awaits this couple as they struggle to keep their faith, their lives, and their love?

Visit MaryLu’s Website at www.mltyndall.com
Join the MaryLu Tyndall Fan club on Facebook for the latest news on books and events!

A Letter to Readers from Jeanette Windle

2011-07-25T09:30:00.008-04:00

Dear Reader:

What a privilege to share with you here my latest Tyndale House fiction release Freedom's Stand, a sequel to 2010 Christian Book Award and Christy Award finalist Veiled Freedom [currently a LIMITED TIME free e-book download!], set in contemporary Afghanistan. In brief, Veiled Freedom brought together on Kabul's dusty streets three unlikely allies, each in their own personal quest for truth and freedom. Returning in Freedom's Stand, all three soon discover that in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant, the cost of either may be higher than they realize.

Motivation for this story was my own frustration, disappointment—and hope. Like so many, I'd rejoiced in the post-9/11 overthrow of Afghanistan's Taliban, believing it presaged new freedom and peace for that region. A decade later, headlines reflect instead rising violence, corruption, lawlessness and despair. The signing of Afghanistan's new constitution, establishing an Islamic republic under sharia law, tolled a death knell for any hope of real democracy.

And yet the many players I've met in this drama have involved themselves for the most part with the best of intentions. The more I came to know the region and love its people, I was left asking, "If with all the aid and arms and good intentions, freedom has not come to Afghanistan, what is the true source of freedom? Can outsiders ever truly purchase freedom for another culture or people?"

The answer is, of course, that true freedom cannot be bestowed on another people through arms or an aid package, but only through individual hearts transformed by coming face to face with Jesus Christ. With that in mind, the question Freedom's Stand addresses follows inevitably: once you've found true freedom in Isa Masih, Jesus Christ, how far will love carry you in sharing that freedom with others?

Ironically, the real-life narrative that most inspired this story had not yet happened when I began writing it, though conditions were such I knew it was only a matter of time. By the time Freedom's Stand headed to print, Red Cross therapist and war amputee Sayed Mossa was but one Afghan Isa-follower who had found himself on death row for his faith under the current Karzai regime. Though back-door deals recently brought about Sayed's release and exile, others with less public press continue on death row. Meanwhile the freedom of faith issue itself remains unaddressed.

In Freedom's Stand, main protagonist Steve Wilson makes the blunt statement regarding freedom of faith in Afghanistan: "The way I see it, we can't walk the fence forever. Sooner or later the nations that call themselves free are going to face one of two choices. Either they'll have to face head-on an oppressive, corrupt ideology that dictates to a billion people how they can or cannot pray, think, act, believe. Which will be a problem since in the meantime they've been arming regimes practicing that ideology to their collective teeth. Or they're going to wake up one day and discover that their own freedoms are gone. What won't happen is that the 'free West' can keep enjoying forever their own freedoms while tacitly conceding those are now considered optional for the rest of this planet."

Whether ratifying sharia law constitutions for Afghanistan and Iraq or arming to the teeth Islamic fundamentalist governments like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia without requiring any accountability regarding human rights and freedom of faith, we are seeing a steady erosion among both the United States and other Western governments to any policy commitment that basic human freedoms are a non-negotiable right of every human being, not just those fortunate enough to live in "free" nations. As my Freedom’s Stand protagonist so aptly pointed out, sooner or later, that compromise will come back to bite us.

Is there hope for Afghanistan?

I will never forget one female humanitarian volunteer I met while in Kabul researching. Working within the Afghan educational system, she was decorously draped in hair shawl and long-sleeved, floor-length chapan overcoat despite 100 degree Fahrenheit summer weather. Still young, unmarried, and a known follower of Isa Masih, Jesus Christ, she'd begun to receive death threats. Not from mullahs or Taliban, but fellow professors and male students whose very livelihood and education were being funded by Western aid dollars.

Did she see things as getting better, I asked her. Would democracy and freedom eventually somehow ooze out of this mess on its own, as Western embassies fantasized? And what did the current deteriorating situation presage for the safety of volunteers like herself? For a long, silent moment, she paused. Then, calmly, quietly, she answered, "It's going to come to the shedding of blood." She paused again before adding just as calmly and quietly, "And I'm willing for that blood to be mine."

And therein lies the hope for Afghanistan that neither guns nor aid nor elections have been able to effect. The hope for our planet. Love. Unstinting. Self-sacrificing. Life-transforming. Love of the Almighty Creator stepping into a troubled planet in the human form of Isa Masih, Jesus Christ, walking our dusty streets to draw us back to himself and in the end laying down His life on a cross in atonement for our sins. Love of Christ-followers abandoning comfortable homes and lives to step into a troubled nation in some distant corner of the planet, laying down their lives in service to a people who too often do not even appreciate their sacrifice.

That quiet, sacrificial self-abandoning love became the inextricable thread running through the Veiled Freedom/Freedom's Stand story. To learn more about these issues, Afghanistan itself, my own website and blog has a list of recommended reading and other material.
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aonk0o3kQQ
Website: www.jeanettewindle.com

Special Offer: Veiled Freedom is for a LIMITED TIME a free e-book download on Kindle, Nook, Sony, Christianbooks.com

What's Ahead....

2011-07-24T09:58:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

Before we know it summer will be coming to a close. Lots of fabulous novels are coming out, and I'll be posting more letters from authors along with their new releases. Wait until you see the covers and read about these fresh new stories!

You will find these novels in both paperback and e-book formats.

Please join Stepping Stones for Readers near the bottom right side of this page and share the link to this site with your reading group, book club, and friends.

Blessings,
Rita Gerlach

http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com/

Reads for 2011 Summer

2011-06-16T15:06:00.065-04:00

A Letter to Readers from Bonnie Toews

2011-06-05T04:08:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Well, this novel wasn’t a quick and easy birth. Its publishing debut seemed to take as long as the dinosaur age. When I started writing it, I had no idea why. I had no clear plot in mind.

Actually, I had experienced a lengthy period of aphasia following a heart attack (extended loss of oxygen damages the brain too), so I was playing games with myself using a dictionary and a Thesaurus to redevelop vocabulary. I came across the word “amanita” – a poisoned mushroom, and the thought that I didn’t know anything about it fascinated me. So I went to the library and took out a book on botany to study it. I also came home with “A Man Called Intrepid” by William Stevenson, a Canadian author.

I’ve been a World War II buff since age ten. Two of my music teachers had survived the secret world of spies: one with the Dutch Resistance; the other was a Canadian assigned to British Intelligence. He lived in Berlin, and his cover was a Lutheran church organist. Under Hitler, being a church member was almost as dangerous as being a spy.

“Intrepid” intrigued me because, like my music teacher, he was a Canadian whom Churchill turned into his master spy throughout the war. Grounds called Camp X, near where I live in Ontario, were used to train Intrepid’s super spies. They were recruited from the U.S., Canada and Europe, trained and sent on their missions in Nazi-occupied Europe. Of all the brave men and women only identified by their code names in the book, one stood out for me. TRUDI.

Trudi was a second cousin of England’s King George VI. Her mission was botched. The Gestapo captured her, tortured her, according to the Dutch Resistance who sent photos of her in prison to London, and then it was assumed she bit down on her cyanide capsule rather than reveal her relationship to the king, for today, in British historical war records, she is still listed as missing in action.

“Amanita” and “Trudi” began my long journey to complete and publish “The Consummate Traitor,” the first book in the Trilogy of Treason series.

There is one chapter I have always believed God wrote, not me. I woke up at 3 a.m. and it seemed to write itself. When I finished and reread it, I was sure it was the real reason why I was inspired to write the story. From that point on, I grew even more aware of God in my life as well as in my writing. Yet, no one who has ever read the book has singled out that chapter. I’ve often wondered why. If I have to point out what I believe is His message to people, then is that really fulfilling God’s purpose? He does things for His own reasons. Right? I have to trust that and not feel left out because no one is spotting the significance of that chapter. Maybe it’s a private insight God wants people to experience, not a public one. I’ve prayed for guidance and I still feel his invisible hand restraining me from revealing it.

This opening novel serves another purpose that has become my mission: to show the human side of war and its folly and to show how the war correspondent suffers with the soldiers he or she writes about—some of them return home with what we now know is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Why do these people risk and sacrifice their lives for what appears to be a thankless assignment?

When I came home from Rwanda in 1994, I was asked if I had gone there on holiday. No one was interested in what was happening in Africa and hadn’t read about the genocide. Our peacekeepers returned home traumatized and no one cared about what they witnessed. Through decades and decades of peacekeeping missions, the general public has not been interested in what our military has endured to fulfill their duty to our country’s political commitments—until 9/11, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. led the war on terrorism and everyone took notice.

The mission God has placed on my heart is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves through my characters and their stories.

First up is THE CONSUMMATE TRAITOR now available at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Consummate-Traitor-1-Bonnie-Toews/dp/1461015383

Website: http://www.bonnietoews.com/books.htm

Blog: http://homecomingvets.wordpress.com

A Letter to Readers from Michelle Griep

2011-05-09T09:25:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Here are 'Top 5 Reasons to Admire a Viking'.

1. Sweet Texting Skills

The Viking alphabet, the Futhark, is a series of straight lines. Super easy to carve into a stick, a skull, what-have-you. Much of their communication has been unearthed by archeologists, down to shopping lists, threats, and love notes.

2. Viking Men Put Metrosexuals to Shame

Contrary to popular belief, Vikings were a meticulously clean and well-dressed people group. Unlike the English, they didn’t hold any ridiculous superstitions about bathing opening the door to demon possession. Once a week they soaked in their bubble bath and daily combed out their hair. Clothing was bright and fashionable, often incorporating imported silks and furs.

3. Debt Free Living

These people paid their debts and paid them fast—or were kicked out of the country. Everything had a monetary value, even a life. If you killed someone, you had to reimburse the deceased’s family (called wergild).

4. CEO Determination

They knew what they wanted and went after it. Gold and silver, mostly, though land was high on their list as well. And if a Viking showed up on your doorstep, you’d probably better cooperate. They employed ruthless practices such as the ‘blood eagle’ (I won’t go into detail to spare the squeamish at heart, but let’s just say this activity involved surgical skill, bone cracking, and organ removal).

5. Packers Suck

Enough said.

Now that your appetite is whetted for big, beefy Vikings, there’s a book you really shouldn’t pass up. Take a trip back in time and experience these wild and winsome people in UNDERCURRENT…

People go missing every day. Many meet with foul play, some leave the social grid by choice, but others are never accounted for. Such is the fate of successful linguistics professor Cassie Larson. She leads a life her undergrad students hope to attain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked into a swirling vortex…and a different century.

Alarik, son of a Viking chieftain, is blamed for a murder he didn’ t commit—or did he? He can’ t remember. On the run, saving a half-drowned foreign woman wasn’ t in his plans.

Ragnar is a converted pagan shunned by many but determined to prove his Cousin Alarik’ s innocence. He didn’ t count on falling in love with Cassie or the deadly presence of evil that threatens his village in Alarik’ s absence.

UNDERCURRENT…dare to be swept away. Available now at Amazon or Risen Books

~ Michelle Griep
   UNDERCURRENT... People go missing everyday. Where do they go?
   GALLIMORE... A Wizard of Oz tale with a medieval twist.
   www.mmgriep.com

A Letter to Readers from Christine Lindsay

2011-04-30T21:51:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader:

I’d like to tell you why I wrote SHADOWED IN SILK. When I was a child, my mother used to tell stories as we sat around our kitchen table. Some of those stories were of our Irish ancestors who had served in the British Raj of India. The Raj is the name given to the period of British rule in South Asia between 1757 and 1947—first through the English trading firm, John Company and its massive army, and later encompassing England’s colonial reign. Like all family stories handed down, my own family’s tales seeded my fascination with England's 300 year rule in India.

As time passed a desire to write a fictional novel that held all the adventure and romance of the British Raj took hold. But I wanted my story to have an element within it that mattered more than just an adventure. I wanted my story to convey what I had learned through my relationship with Jesus Christ, how I had come to see my value as a person through His eyes.

Like a lot of women—and men too—I thought of myself as a small, insignificant person. Much of this had to do with getting pregnant when I wasn’t married, and not finishing my education, and being a bit of a disappointment to myself. I made the hard decision to relinquish my first child to adoption, but a terrible feeling of inferiority grew in my mind afterward.I began to believe that I wasn’t good enough to raise my child, that she really was better off with another mother. It took a long time, years of love from my husband, and from God, for me to see that what I believed was not true. I’d made a courageous choice for my child, but I also realized that with God’s help I would also have made a wonderful single mom. I had learned of my value through God’s eyes. It was truths like this that I wanted to share with others in a fictional format.

After I finished writing the novel, an opportunity came for me to go to India. It was a long-held dream to actually go to the country that had fueled my imagination for so long. And it was there I fell in love with thousands of Indian children. Once there, I heard many true-life stories. One account resonated with me on a personal level. It was the story of a young girl named Priat. She was a Hindu "Dalit" which is to say, an untouchable. Hinduism is the predominant religion in India, and assigns to each person a place or caste in society. A Dalit is considered the lowest level a Hindu can be. This placement is so low Dalits are not allowed to enter Hindu temples, go beyond a few years of basic schooling, and are restricted to the most degrading jobs given to people. Dalits are forced to live in slums for no other reason than the caste they were born into.

As a Dalit, Priat grew up with the conviction that she could hope for no more from life than being a laborer in a rice paddy. That was until she came to the Christian church for a week-long camp sponsored by Children’s Camps International and heard stories about Jesus.When the week-long camp came to a close, Priat took tentative steps toward the pastor and asked, “In the Bible it says that if a person believes in Jesus as their savior, they become a child of God. Is this true?”

“Yes,” the pastor said. “We can only become a child of God through Jesus the Son of God.”

Priat mulled this over. “So, if a girl believes in Jesus, she becomes a daughter of God?”

“Yes.” The Pastor smiled.

Priat wrinkled her brow. “So, if God is the greatest Rajah (ruler) above all other rulers, and I believe in Jesus, would I then become a princess?”

The pastor’s smile deepened. “Yes, Priat, when you believe in Jesus, you become a princess of God.”

The young girl’s eyes gleamed. “So as a princess of God, I can go to school if I want to!”

The enlightenment Priat received that day is the enlightenment I, too, received years earlier. No matter what part of the world we live in, we can all come to the realization that when we open our hearts to Christ, we become the valued sons or daughters of God which no one can take away. No one can make us feel less than what we are in Christ’s eyes.

If you would like to join me in supporting this very worthwhile ministry, you can contact Children’s Camps International through their website http://www.ccicamps.com

Christine

Christine Lindsay writes historical Christian inspirational novels with strong love stories. She doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects such as the themes in her debut novel SHADOWED IN SILK which is set in India during a turbulent era. Christine’s long-time fascination with the British Raj was seeded from stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in India. SHADOWED IN SILK won first place in the 2009 ACFW Genesis for Historical under the title Unveiled. Shadowed in Silk is being released by WhiteFire Publishing in 2 stages this year, first as an eBook on May 1, 2011, and as the printed version Sept. 1.An interesting note about the cover. The model is Christine's daughter, Sarah, whom she relinquished to adoption and was reunited with 20 years later.

SHADOWED IN SILK:

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India with her small son, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. But his faith does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from the husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

A Letter to Readers from Cathy West

2011-04-22T14:55:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

I’m thrilled to have the chance to chat with you today! As a newly published author, I’ve had a lot of time to think about my publishing journey, and in particular, why I wrote Yesterday’s Tomorrow. Invariably, it’s a question that’s come up time and again in interviews, and I haven’t really had an adequate answer to give until recently.

Truthfully, I’ve been just as stumped as anyone. I’m really too young to remember much of The Vietnam War. I actually don’t enjoy war movies and I don’t appreciate violence of that nature (or any nature lol!). So why on earth would I write a book that takes place in the middle of a war zone?! When the story first came to me, I shied away. No way was I about to take on such a ridiculous idea. Can you imagine the kind of research that would go into a book like that? I write contemporary romance, not historical, thank you very much! Well, as some stories are, Yesterday’s Tomorrow was of stubborn stock, and refused to leave me alone. Once I gave in and began to research The Vietnam War and the female journalists who covered it, I realized why.

To say this book changed me is really only scratching the surface of the journey I took with Kristin and Luke. Not being adventurous by nature, I couldn’t imagine hopping a plane with little money and no job, heading into a war zone. I have no idea what it’s like to huddle in a foxhole wondering if the next grenade is heading for you. I have not watched men lay down their lives for their country in the name of freedom. After I wrote this book, I felt in some way, like I had. And although Yesterday’s Tomorrow is a love story, I knew it couldn’t be written without paying due homage to all the brave men and women who lost their lives in Vietnam not so long ago.

God works in mysterious ways, doesn’t He? He can take a story nobody wanted to publish, and do amazing things with it. I’m watching this happen every day, and I’m astounded. Awed and truly humbled that He would use my words to reach people in deeply profound ways, and draw them closer to Himself in the process.

So when you find yourself in the midst of something you just don’t understand, have faith. God is at work. If He’s brought you to it, He will see you through it!

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Be Blessed!

Cathy

************************

Educated in Bermuda, England and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of Toronto. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released March 15th, through

OakTara Publishers.

Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com

OakTara Website: http://www.oaktara.com

Blog: http://www.catherinewestblog.blogspot.com

A Letter to Readers from Lisa Harris

2011-04-06T09:22:00.001-04:00

Dear Reader,

I’m so thrilled for the opportunity to stop by! I don’t know about you, but I love it when a book strikes a cord with me and helps me look at life differently. I find that when I’m working on a novel, the same thing often happens. In my latest contemporary novel, Blood Covenant, I continually saw snippets of myself in my heroine, Paige. In the beginning, she felt too small to do what God was calling her to do, which is something I can certainly relate to at times.

Paul, though, says that it is through our weaknesses that we are made strong because of Christ’s power. I don’t know about you, but those words are pretty incredible to me.

Eventually, Paige comes to the realization that she has to admit her weaknesses and fears and rely only on God’s strength. There are numerous examples in the Bible of men and women who God called to serve Him in an extraordinary way through His power. Gideon was victorious with only three hundred men, a handful of trumpets, jars, and torches. Esther saved her people from the threat of death, David was a shepherd boy who became king of a nation, and I could go on and on.

God calls us in the middle of our ordinary, run-of-the-mill, take-out-the-trash- and drive-the-kids-to-school routine. So stop and ask yourself this one question. How do you see God calling you to make a difference in your world? He’s the one who will give you the strength to do extraordinary things for Him.

Be blessed today!

Lisa

*****************

Lisa's Newest Release ~ An Ocean Away

New York’s high society might prove more treacherous than the wilds of Africa.

“An Ocean Away ushers the reader from the comforts of the western world to the wilds of Africa where purpose, love, and God's plan entwine in an amazing adventure. Lizzie believed her purpose existed among her beloved Africans. Andrew's goal was to pull her home to New York. Neither understood the future—or the danger.” DiAnn Mills, Christy Award winner.

An Ocean Away Book Trailer- Summerside, March 2011 from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

Visit Lisa's Website at: http://www.lisaharriswrites.com

Delivered With Love by Sherry Kyle

2011-03-21T13:15:00.001-04:00

An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman's inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California. There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.

Claire James, age twenty-three, is ready to make it on her own. When she's fired from her job as a waitress and subsequently kicked out of her sister's home, she sees it as an opportunity to start over. But even before moving, a thirty-five-year-old love letter written to her mother keeps Claire stuck in the past. Michael Thompson, a middle-aged real estate agent, wants to keep the past where it belongs - at least until his grown daughter is married. But, then a young woman comes to town . . .

Sherry Kyle is a graduate of Biola University with a degree in Communications, and a minor in Bible. Her book for tween girls titled The Christian Girl's Guide to Style all about beauty, fashion, and character was recently released by Legacy Press. And her debut contemporary novel, Delivered with Love, will be released from Abingdon Press on April 1st, 2011. Sherry and her husband have four children, three biological and one by adoption. She lives in California.

www.sherrykyle.com

Author Loree Lough's Newest Novel is a Treat for Readers

2010-11-09T18:21:00.002-05:00

I just have to share the good news for my friend, author Loree Lough.

The prestigious “Library Journal” gives two thumbs up to Loree Lough’s Beautiful Bandit! This novel’s cover was chosen to illustrate an article featuring a select number of recent Christian fiction releases, and reviewer Nanci Malone hill called Lough “ … a prolific author with many fans,” saying of Beautiful Bandit “…the clean, crisp writing and slowly unfolding love story here will appear to readers of Western romances and fans of Lori Wick.”

(To read the entire article, visit (http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/book/885938-421/christian_fiction.html.csp.)

We can hardly wait to find out what LJ says about the next two titles (Maverick Heart and Rio Grande Moon) in Lough’s “Lone Star Legends” series!

A Letter to Readers from Author Roseanna White

2010-10-07T14:45:00.006-04:00

Dear Readers,

When I was a girl, back in the day before blog tours and online interviews, I thought authors were these super-people who lived in mansions on hilltops, coming up with their amazing stories in a world removed from us little folk. I remember the first time I wrote a letter to an author, the excitement of getting an envelope in the mail from her . . . and opening it up only to realize it was a form letter welcoming me to the fan club. Sigh. Yes, authors must indeed live in worlds removed. What, oh what, must I do to join their esteemed ranks?

Even after I had several finished manuscripts under my belt, I had a hard time shaking that idea that authors were somewhere above me. It wasn’t until I joined ACFW and began rubbing digital elbows with them daily that I realized my favorite authors were just like me–they had dreams, goals, disappointments, and chocolate cravings. Now that I count so many of them as my friends, I know they are not only people–they’re a wonderful breed of people. Not removed at all, though one could argue all we writers live in our own little world. (I’m still waiting for the mansion on the hilltop–that could drop from the sky for me anytime. Any . . . time.) ;-)

But once I felt comfortable calling myself an author, I found myself dealing with another false premise–that I must do it all on my own, that research must be solitary, and that I must never, never bother people with questions until I’m big enough to say, “I’m sure you’ve seen my books on your supermarket shelf . . .” Oh, silly me!

One of the most wonderful lessons I’ve learned in the last couple years is that people are genuinely excited to help out we who craft novels for them. From the arts’ district member who graciously answered all my questions about her little town to the Athenian jeweler who gave me permission to use his bracelet photos on my book covers, I keep running into all you wonderful folks out there who just love to share your knowledge and expertise. And I can’t thank you all enough.

I still consider myself a reader as much as a writer–and I love that the internet has made it so easy to bring the two together. I love talking to authors and seeing the people behind the books. I love talking to my readers and letting them see I’m not in a mansion on a hilltop (ha!–sigh) but rather just an email-addict who loves to chat. And I am so, so grateful the Lord has shown me the heart of His children are the same, no matter which side of the page they reside on.

Thank you, all you wonderful book lovers, for loving the same things I do! And thank you for being willing to share them with me.

Cheers,
Roseanna

Read more about Roseanna and her writing at her website: http://www.roseannawhite.com/
Her blog Writing Roseanna: http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/

Her new novel Jewel of Persia, will be available for preorder in January.

A Letter to Readers from Author Carrie Turansky

2010-10-04T20:15:00.006-04:00

Thank you, Rita, for inviting me to connect with readers through your blog! I appreciate the opportunity to say thank you to all those who enjoy reading Christian fiction. We authors would not be able to share our stories with the world if you didn't consistently read our books and tell your friends about them. Thanks for investing in Christian fiction. I hope you will keep it up and consider giving books to friends and family this Christmas.

When one of my books is released, I pray God will place it in the hands of readers who will be blessed by that story. I ask Him to use the characters and the issues they face, along with the truths the characters discover, to help readers with the real-life situations they face.

It's always so encouraging to receive emails and letters from readers who have been blessed by my books. I am often surprised to read how God uses different elements in the story to touch people and help them. Here are a few quotes from emails I have received.

"I liked the fact that you didn't just write a secular novel that was "cleaned up" for the Christian market--your characters actually struggled with spiritual issues, and the book was inspirational but still entertaining. This was a rough week for me. I found out Friday that a friend was diagnosed with a probably fatal brain tumor. He is a Christian, and that gives me comfort, but it is still hard to deal with. My husband just got back from a very stressful and sad tour with the Marines in Iraq. Thanks for giving me a little relaxation and inspiration to help me cope.
Priscilla "

"I just want to tell you that I think your new book, Along Came Love, is excellent, possibly among the best I have read. And, yes, it touched my heart deeply. I had forgotten I John 1:9 including those thoughts about forgiveness. Thank you, Carrie!! What joy and peace flooded my heart as I applied it again to myself. Judy"

"I was blessed by the admonition you gave to your readers. "God's arms are always open." And yes, He is waiting with open arms for us to come to him. God bless you richly and give you more stories with so much Biblical teaching. Ingeborg"

"I found your book not only enjoyable to read...being a single mom with children, etc.. but also loaded with truth for people struggling with issues of guilt, unforgiveness, etc. I find in my practice as a counselor that many people, including Christians, really struggle to forgive themselves. Thanks for writing. God is using you to spread His Light. Sharon"

"I loved your book Seeking His Love. There was so much in there that has helped me as a fairly new Christian. For one thing, I have been reading my Bible daily but found it hard to really know how to pray. After reading your book I began underlining some of the prayers you used and began to "shoot up prayers" as you would say in your book. This has truly helped me more than you could know. Patty"

So thank you for writing! Taking time to let authors know what you appreciate about their books is such a blessing! We love to hear when you've been touched by a story.

Hope to meet you again soon in the pages of a good book!
Blessings,
Carrie Turansky

www.carrieturansky.com
"A Shelter in the Storm" in A BLUE & GRAY CHRISTMAS, Barbour 9/09
"A Trusting Heart" in CHRISTMAS MAIL ORDER BRIDES, Barbour 9/10
SEEKING HIS LOVE, Steeple Hill 10/10

A Letter to Readers from Author Mona Hodgson

2010-09-24T09:21:00.005-04:00

Dear Reader,

I am singing my Thank You song to you. Can you hear it? It’s probably best that you can’t hear my singing voice.J But please know that it is a heartfelt melody that rings out with my gratitude to you—the reader who joins me on the pages of my books. What a wonderful gift Rita has given me to connect with you. While we’re together here, I thought I’d share a bit about my writing journey in hopes that it will encourage you for your journey—wherever you are and wherever God is leading you.

Several years ago, Patsy Clairmont wrote a book titled, Normal is Just a Setting on Your Dryer. Not only was it a great book title, but it’s so true.

If I’ve ever experienced “normal” in my ministry as a writer and speaker, I’m sure it was a fleeting figment of my imagination. I entered the world of publishing twenty-three years ago writing short devotionals for The Secret Place. Thus, began my journey as a writer for various periodicals. But even that wouldn’t have been considered normal. While my colleagues focused on a particular genre or two, I was writing devotionals, short stories, poems, profiles, personal experience and how-to articles, book reviews, and a weekly newspaper column for fifty different periodicals.

For the past dozen years or so I’ve been writing children’s books, twenty-eight of them published. But is it normal to write silly board books for two-year-olds while also writing stories for emergent readers and devotional nonfiction for adolescents?

About twenty years ago, I was walking down a dirt road with my dad when we discovered a deserted and dilapidated cabin not much bigger than my dining room. My imagination immediately planted seeds from which the premise for a contemporary novel sprouted. Nearly a dozen years ago, I began writing a historical novel set in an 1890’s copper mining camp in Arizona. In 2008, that story won first place in the Historical Fiction Category at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference.

My debut novel isn’t the one set in Nutrioso. Nor is it the Arizona historical. On March 31, 2009 a fiction editor at WaterBrook Multnomah contacted my agent. The editor needed a not-yet-published novelist who could write historical fiction set in an 1890’s gold mining camp in Colorado. What happened to me in that phone call and since isn’t normal. In October 2009, Two Brides Too Many enjoyed a six-month exclusive release in Walmart stores before its wide release in May of this year. Too Rich for a Bride, Book Two in the series, will debut in a limited and exclusive release in Walmart stores October 12th, 2010. Not normal.

Here’s what I know about normal. It’s just one of those words in the dictionary that doesn’t accurately reflect our earthly reality. I say we choose God’s normal as our “norm.”

God’s normal is like Him and His outrageous grace. Unpredictable. Surprising. Mysterious. Dizzying. And where I want to dwell. God knows us at our very core. He knows how to grow us, shape us, prepare us, equip us, and delight us with His extreme plans, for His purposes.

We were created by an extraordinary God and in His “abnormal” image to reflect His amazing Light and to be Him glory. That’s what I aspire to do in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek stories.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

Read on!
Mona
Mona Hodgson

You can follow Mona at www.twitter.com and become a fan at www.facebook.com, Mona Hodgson Fan Page. To read the first chapter of Two Brides Too Many, go to www.monahodgson.com, click on Mona’s Novels then on Sneak Peek.

A Letter to Readers from Golden Keyes Parsons

2010-09-17T16:09:00.005-04:00

Dear Readers,

I don't think you know how much we, as authors, value you. I'm still a "newbie" at this, but little did I know how much your encouragement and input would mean to me. I treasure each comment -- am encouraged by some and challenged by others, but each one is valuable. I make a hard copy of each email and keep them in a file. I'm happy to say those files are bulging!

There are some questions that are always asked of authors ... how did you start writing; how did you find a publisher; how long does it take you to write a book; who are your favorite authors, etc? The question I'd like to address here, however, is: What is the most difficult part of being an author?

Hands down, it would be the marketing of the book. I'm simply not very good at putting myself forward, but I've had to learn to do so. Had to learn how to maneuver through all the social networking avenues, how to do press releases and a book launch, the value of entering contests.

My publisher does some marketing, but as an unknown author, it's not as much as we need. And what the Lord has taught me is that the unwillingness to step forward to inform people about a book that He has led me to write has a kernel of pride buried beneath the surface. It's kind of the reverse side of humility, but it is pride. It is a humbling experience to offer your work to a world that may not accept it or want it. I need to be willing to be rejected or not get that 5-star review in order to touch lives for the Kingdom. No one of us will reach everybody, but together we can reach a multitude.

I heard a couple of weeks ago about a young woman in France, an atheist, who picked up In The Shadow of the Sun King and read it. She is now thinking, according to my friend who emailed me about this, "Maybe there is something to this God thing after all." That makes it all worth it!

The third and concluding book in my Darkness to Light series just released this week. May God draw people to himself through the feeble attempts of my writing.

Thanks again, Rita, for this privilege! And Happy Reading to All!

Golden

Golden Keyes Parsons

In the Shadow of the Sun King Finalist Book of the Year 2009 ACFW Prisoner of Versailles Finalist Daphne Inspirational Romantic Suspense/Mystery RWA Where Hearts Are Free To Be Released September 2010 Thomas Nelson Publishing

www.goldenkeyesparsons.com
www.classeminars.org
www.awsa.com

A Letter to Readers from Kathy Macias

2010-09-01T08:57:00.006-04:00

Dear Readers,

There are a lot of things I enjoy about being a writer, but connecting with my readers has to be at the top of that list! We have so much in common, since we’re all obviously book lovers, so your input and opinions and comments truly matter to me.

I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I was always getting in trouble with my mom for using a flashlight to read under the covers after I was supposed to be asleep. But I know you understand how difficult it is to let go of a good story once it has you in its grip!

That’s my goal for the novels I write today. I want to develop stories that grab readers in the first paragraph and take them on a page-turning journey to the very last word. Even then I want it to be a journey they remember fondly and share with their friends, like memorable slides from a favorite vacation.

Valeria’s Cross was a natural for that sort of story. As so often happens with my novels, it began as an unexpected nugget, a “gem” that niggled at my heart until I realized I needed to pursue and develop it. But where to start?

And then one day I sat chatting with my dear friend Susan Wales, as we enjoyed a nice meal together and tossed story ideas back and forth. When I mentioned the story of the Theban Legion, which I’d discovered tucked between the pages of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, her eyes lit up. Not only did she agree that their story was a great basis for a book, but she also informed me that she was quite knowledgeable about and interested in that time period.

The more we talked, the more we knew this was the book we would write together. We authors never suffer from a lack of ideas, but rather we struggle to isolate the best ideas and then to carve out enough time to develop them. By the time our nearly forgotten meal had grown cold, the story of the Theban Legion had risen to the top of our priority list. We couldn’t wait to get back home and begin!

Of course, things seldom go as smoothly as expected, do they? During the time Susan and I worked on the development of Valeria’s Cross, we each experienced nearly unimaginable personal crises with friends and loved ones, requiring repeated and prolonged interruptions to our research and writing time. But somehow, in the midst of it all, we were able to draw strength from the One who promises peace when we keep our minds focused on Him. The result is an amazing historic love story that blends historical facts with literary license—all bathed in prayer and honoring our faithful God.

I count it a privilege to have worked with Susan on this epic story, as she is undoubtedly one of the most precise researchers and fascinating storytellers on the planet. I learned a lot from her dedication and talent, and I treasure her friendship.

I also treasure our readers, and I am so grateful for each one of you who not only takes the time to read my books but also to drop me a note of encouragement, or to pray for me or post a review. I wish I had time and opportunity to meet and visit with each of you, but until we can do that around the Throne in eternity, know that my prayer for you now is that the blessings of Almighty God will overtake you at every turn!

***
Kathi Macias http://www.kathimacias.com/
http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com) is an “occasional radio host” (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/communicatethevision) and an award-winning writer of more than thirty books. A popular speaker at churches, women's retreats, and writers’ conferences, Kathi lives in Homeland, CA., with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding Al’s Harley—hence, Kathi’s “road name” of Easy Writer.

Valeria’s Cross is available from Abingdon Press, in bookstores everywhere. Online at Amazon, Christian Books.com, and other fine stores.

A Letter to Readers from Author Trish Perry

2010-08-25T19:53:00.003-04:00

Dear Reader,

Have I told you lately that I love you? No? Then I have another reason to thank Rita for allowing me to address you here.

Just as I never understood the power of a mother’s love until I had children of my own, I never appreciated my importance as a reader until I was a published author. You, reader, are so important.

Before I published books, if I read a book I liked, I told friends about it, but I typically didn’t write the author—what does she care what I think? I didn’t even post about the book on Amazon or other forums. The only time I considered posting about a book was when I read one that had won several awards but drove me nuts by constantly going off on overly poetic tangents over the most minor things. Things like incidental items in a scene. Someone’s shoes. A tin can on the counter. A particle of dust. I could feel the author stopping the story to indulge herself every time she did it, and eventually I cringed after each noun, knowing the ridiculous metaphor was coming.

Now that I’ve published for a few years, I’m so glad I didn’t write the negative post about that book. The author was doing the best she could. She wasn’t trying to drive me nuts. She was trying to please me, the reader.

When an author gets a positive email or card from you, a satisfied reader, you make that author’s day. I just wanted to let you know that. And it’s not just because everyone needs her ego stroked from time to time. It’s because the effort at communication has come full circle, and that’s a powerful thing.

If I write something that strikes a chord or tickles a funny bone and you tell me about it, it’s as if we’re in a room together, having a meaningful conversation or a good laugh. We don’t even know each other, but we’re enjoying thought together. That’s one of the best things about writing and reading.

So thank you, reader, for sharing your thoughts with me when I share mine with you. I’ve saved every card and email I’ve ever received. You honestly do make my day.

* * *

About the author: Award-winning novelist Trish Perry has written The Perfect Blend (2010), Sunset Beach (2009), Beach Dreams (2008), Too Good to Be True (2007), and The Guy I’m Not Dating (2006), all for Harvest House Publishers. She will release several new books in 2011. Perry holds a B.A. in Psychology, she was a rather terrible stockbroker in the 1980s, and she held positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission and in several Washington law firms. She serves on the Board of Directors of Capital Christian Writers and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She invites you to visit her at www.trishperry.com

* * *

About the novel: Steph Vandergrift left everything to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, who then stood her up at the altar. Too embarrassed to return home, Steph hopes to earn enough to get by until she can decide what to do next. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel hires her and appreciates the extra help at the tea shop.

Also appreciative of Steph is Kendall James, one of the kindest, most eligible bachelors in the area. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her run-away fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always blended so well.

Christie Burnham, the frank-talking equestrian from whom Steph rents a room, and her frillier sister Liz become fast friends and confidantes to Steph. Between the two sisters, there isn't much any man is going to pull over on Middleburg's newest bachelorette and tea shop employee.

A Letter to Readers from Author Laura Frantz

2010-08-19T18:41:00.005-04:00

Dear Reader,

I hope this summer has introduced you to new books and/or new authors! There are so many wonderful titles out there.

As a newly published author of historical fiction, one of the joys of the writing life is hearing from readers. Readers are really the pulse or heartbeat of the author’s life. In fact, my two favorite things about the publishing process are a book’s cover and a book’s readers.

Since I view writing as a ministry, readers minister to me in countless ways, just as I hope I minister to them through the written word. If you’re wondering what you, the reader, can do to encourage an author, here are some suggestions that bless both of us…

*Take time to write a note to an author, telling them how their book impacted you, what you liked about it, and how it helped or encouraged you at that particular time. Since I pray that the Lord will put my books into the hands of people who need them, I’m always amazed at the creative ways He accomplishes this. I’m also touched by readers who write my publisher who then forwards their letters to me. A blessed triangle.

*Go to your local library and request they order a book. Most libraries are very in tune to what readers want – it’s their business, after all! This not only blesses you but other library patrons who can’t afford to buy books. Church libraries are also a perfect place for CBA novels you like. Some of my favorite folks are at both secular and church libraries.

*Invite an author to be a guest on your blog, if you blog. Many authors love these type opportunities to know readers better. Often they’ll include a book to give away during their time with you. Recently a blogger/reviewer hosted a birthday bash for my heroine in Courting Morrow Little. Since Morrow’s birthday and release date were both in July, we gave away a lovely gift basket to a reader to celebrate. Creative ideas like these are endless!

*Visit your favorite author blogs regularly and leave comments. This links you not only with the author but other readers who like the same stories you do. On my blog I’m always delighted to get to know faithful readers this way. Even though we’re connecting in cyberspace, real friendships are formed. I give away books and other gifts on my blog. I'd love to have you visit!

*Offer to be an influencer for an author. When a new book releases, ARC’s – or advanced reader copies – are mailed out to individuals who have said they will read the book and spread the word about it. Many authors have bookmarks and/or book cards to distribute. I enjoy sending readers both and it always delights me when they ask for extras to give friends and relatives. Buy your favorite books to give as gifts for Christmas or birthdays or other occasions.

*If you really enjoy a book, take time to write a review and post it on Christianbook.com or Amazon or some other book site. I am always saddened when really fine books are overlooked and few reviews are posted. Potential readers really do look at reviews prior to picking up a book. Often your review will be the tipping point for them.
Most of all enjoy God’s precious gift of reading!

Bless you,
Laura
http://www.laurafrantz.net

A Letter to Readers from Author Judy Christie

2010-08-11T18:49:00.004-04:00

Dear Reader:

When charming and uncertain journalist Lois Barker moves to the small town of Green, La., she has many adjustments to make. One of these is how hot and humid it is down south. Therefore, it’s more than appropriate for “Goodness Gracious Green,” the second novel in The Green Series, to launch in August!

The hot days of summer remind me of summertime as a child – the fun of playing outside until dark, swimming in the river in Arkansas, making crafts in Vacation Bible School, and going to the library to get stacks of books to read.

Nowadays everyone stays so busy that we sometimes forget to slow down and enjoy each day. The end of summer is a great time to remember that. Quit rushing, and have some fun.
Seem impossible in your harried life? Try these tips:

** Make a quick list of things you’d like to do for fun between now and the end of the year. Pick one and commit to do it before September 1.

** Go to your favorite library or bookstore and stroll through the aisles. Pick a book by a new author or choose an old favorite, and allow yourself the joy of relaxing into a story.

** Get up early and walk around the block. Go to a local park and meander. Dig out that old bicycle and take it for a spin. Exercise cuts through stress like Formula 409 cuts through grease. Stretch your legs, and watch your brain muscles grow. Drink plenty of water, and don’t mind the sweat!

** Sit in the porch swing or a rocking chair or on the back steps and watch nature. I’m amazed at how much I learn from being outdoors. Hummingbirds are really small fighter jets, for example, squirrels are greedy, and twin fawns are adorable.

** Make time for a visit, preferably in-person, with an old friend. Talk about fun things, and don’t whine about the weather, whether you’re burning up or wishing it were warmer.

** Take something off your schedule. Don’t add anything in its place. Rest. Renew. Remember: You can’t do everything.

The months fly by, and there’s always lots going on. That’s what Lois Barker finds out in “Goodness Gracious Green,” and what I see in my everyday life. But life can be much richer when we stop rushing, and enjoy the joys of each day.

Happy end-of-summer!
Judy Christie

P.S. Would love to hear your thoughts! Post a comment here or e-mail me at judy@judychristie.com or visit on Facebook. We’ll draw a name at random, and you can choose between a free copy of “Gone to Green” or “Goodness Gracious Green.”

About the book: “Goodness Gracious Green” is the second novel in The Green Series. Journalist Lois Barker is delighted about her decision to keep The Green News-Item and excited about the possibility of romance with her good-looking catfish farmer/coach neighbor – and the growth of her fresh faith and friendships. However, her second year in Green has scarcely been run in before Lois is wrung out. Sit back and watch the possibilities explode!

About the author: Judy Christie loves to sit in the porch swing and think up things that are going to happen in the town of Green. She’s a former journalist and leads retreats and workshops on how to slow down and enjoy each day more. In addition to The Green Series of novels, she’s the author of the popular Hurry Less Worry Less nonfiction series. She and her husband live in Louisiana, where it is 100 degrees in the shade and where her dear friend invented the word “humisery,” which appeared in “Gone to Green,” Judy’s debut novel. She’s especially thankful for air-conditioning and mint-chocolate-chip ice cream.

For more information about Judy or to receive her free Hurry Less , Worry Less e-newsletter, see www.judychristie.com

A Letter to Readers from Author Marylu Tyndall

2010-08-03T14:49:00.016-04:00

Dear Readers . . .

I want to thank my good friend, Rita, for having me on this wonderful blog! I had the privilege of hanging out with Rita and her (quite hilarious) husband, Paul, when I was staying in Baltimore doing research for my current series, Surrender to Destiny.

There’s nothing quite like being able to visit the place where my stories take place, even if it is over 200 years later. (My kingdom for a time machine!) Yet, even though much has changed in Baltimore since 1812, just being there gave me a “feel” for the city. Did you know every city has a definite spirit about it? I’ve been to enough places to notice that odd fact. Perhaps it’s spiritual, perhaps it’s simply the product of generations of people making their mark, but Baltimore has a unique feel to it—a spirit of courage, tenacity, and innovation.

Listen to the remarks of American Captain Coggeshall regarding Baltimore: “The whole venom of the modern Goths seemed concentrated against the Baltimoreans, for no other reason but that they had too much spirit to submit to insult and tyrannical oppression.. . .In making these remarks in praise of Baltimore I do not mean to disparage the noble patriotism of many other cities of our glorious union; but I do mean to say that if the same spirit that fired the hearts and souls of the Baltimoreans had evinced itself throughout our entire country it would have saved every American heart much pain and mortification, and would, in my opinion, have shortened the war.”

Awesome, huh? So you can see why I fell in love with the city! Even if you aren’t familiar with the war’s history, you have by now surmised that Baltimore became a huge thorn in the side of the British. The city sent out more privateers than any other port and defended their city complete alone against an attack by the entire British fleet!

While I was there, I visited the home and museum of Mary Pickersgill, who made the enormous flag (30 by 42 foot ) that flew over Fort McHenry.

I also spent a day at the Maryland Historical Museum where I saw the original paper upon which Francis Scott Key scribbled our National Anthem as he watched the British bomb Fort McHenry. Then my love of tall ships forced me to spend an entire afternoon on board The USS Constellation docked in the Harbor. Although this ship was not the original one that fought in the war, I had a blast exploring every inch, nook and cranny. I stayed far too long, apparently, since one of the crew told me I had stayed there longer than any other visitor!

But the highlight of my trip was spending the day with Rita and Paul. We met at Barnes and Noble where we took pictures of our books (an embarrassing habit of all authors!), sat on the cannons in front of the USS Constellation (bet you can’t say you’ve done that!) and had lunch at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the harbor. Finally we went over to Fort McHenry for the War of 1812 Reenactment! I had so much fun. Rita’s husband kept me laughing the whole time while Rita and I went oooood and awwwwd over all the historical displays, clothes, and uniforms.

After they left, I stayed on to watch the actual battle reenactment, which you can view on my website if you’re so inclined. http://www.mltyndall.com/BattleRenactment.html

Surrender to Destiny is a trilogy set in this wonderful city of Baltimore. Each book tells the story of a young lady who against her wishes, gets caught up in the middle of the war and in the process finds not only love, but a destiny that could change the course of the war and history forever. In the first book, Surrender the Heart, Marianne Denton follows her estranged fiancé, Noah, onto his merchant ship, gets trapped aboard, and ends up in the middle of the Atlantic. In an effort to force her fiancé to take her home, she ends up sabotaging his ship and getting them all caught but the British. Forced to join the Royal Navy, Marianne and Noah must face their darkest fears as they desperately try to find a way to escape and fulfill their destinies.

To order: http://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Heart-Destiny-MaryLu-Tyndall/dp/1602601658/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

My website: http://www.mltyndall.com
My blog: http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/

A Letter to Readers from Author JM Hochsteltler

2010-07-21T19:27:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

First I want to thank Rita for inviting me to participate in this conversation. And I want to thank those of you who are reading my historical fiction series. The feedback I get from my fans is so encouraging and keeps me going when I feel overwhelmed by the scope of this project. I love to hear from each one of you!

Let me start by sharing a bit of my background. I was born in central Indiana and grew up on a farm outside Kokomo, just north of Indianapolis. My parents were Mennonite, and many of my relatives are either Mennonite or Amish. I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Germanic languages, married and had 3 daughters, and after a number of life changes served as an editor with Abingdon Press for many years before founding my own small press, Sheaf House Publishers. I currently live with my husband near Nashville, Tennessee.

My main project is the American Patriot Series, a comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution. The first three books have been published: Daughter of Liberty, Native Son, and Wind of the Spirit. In addition to the series, I have also published one contemporary novel, One Holy Night, a retelling of the Christmas story set in modern times that was the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year.

The series really started as a stand-alone book, Daughter of Liberty. Back in 1983 I watched a TV movie that was set during the French Revolution, The Scarlet Pimpernel, starring Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour. It totally enthralled me. I was so engaged by the storyline and the characters that I knew I had to write my own version of the story. Obviously I needed a different revolution, so what more natural than to set my novel during the American Revolution? I quickly decided my heroine would be a woman instead of a man, and then, of course, she would have to have a love interest who would be at odds with her dangerous role. I dove headlong into the history of the era, and everything just grew from there.

Originally I projected a total of 4 books in the series, but I quickly realized that was unrealistic if I was going to do justice to the scope of this story and take my characters all the way through the war. So now the series has grown to 7 books. The upcoming volumes are Crucible of War, which I’m currently working on; Valley of the Shadow; Refiner’s Fire; and Forge of Freedom. This project is not only educating me, and hopefully readers, but it’s also quite a blast to write! And from the wonderful feedback I’m getting from fans, it’s also a thrilling read—and that’s the most gratifying of all.

Recently I read an article titled “Who Cares About the American Revolution?” in the March/April 2010 edition of History Channel Magazine. It cited the results of a national survey conducted by the American Revolution Center (www.americanrevolutioncenter.org) in 2009 and concluded that “Americans highly value, but vastly overrate, their knowledge of the Revolutionary period.” Eighty-three percent of those tested on the underlying beliefs and freedoms established during the Revolution failed. In fact, the average score, according to the information on the Center’s Web site, was 44. That’s pretty shocking.

I’ve believed for a long time that there’s a serious need for non-traditional methods of teaching that bring history alive for students—and for adults too. So few of our citizens come out of the educational system with any understanding of or interest in history because the way it’s taught is boring. One bright spot is that a growing number of history teachers are recommending historical fiction to their students as supplemental reading. There are excellent reasons to do that. Well-written, accurate historical fiction not only teaches important facts, but it also allows readers to identify with the story’s characters and experience a world that, although outwardly very different from their own, relates deeply to their lives—in other words, to really “get” history on an intimate level.

That’s why I write historical fiction. My hope is that The American Patriot series will enable readers to live in the Revolutionary period and so learn about and cherish the liberties our Founding generation sacrificed so much to secure and the godly principles our government is based on. If we forget our history, we will surely lose that precious heritage!

Web site: www.jmhochstetler.com
Blogs: americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com; oneholynight.blogspot.com; lampofhistory.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1293566725

A Letter to Readers from Author Deb Kinnard

2010-07-15T10:37:00.000-04:00

Dear Reader-on-the-Beach,

Greetings, wherever you are! It's a lovely summer here in Chicago where I live. I haven't been to the beach yet and probably won't get the chance. How many of us can truly spend the summer of our dreams?

Each of us can, however, escape ordinary life, if not to a beach or vacation destination. We can do it in a book.

The best books, in my opinion, do more than give us a story to read. They transport us to a place we haven't traveled before. Sometimes the location or setting will cause the trip-in-dreams, sometimes it will be the characters' story or ultimate spiritual destination. However the journey happens for us, the reader, it can renew and refresh.

Come back with me now to another century. My character, Bethany, inadvertently travels through a time portal to 1356 Cornwall, in England. As a would-be historian, she has lots of ideas about how medieval life was. But the truth of living in that time upsets every last pre-judgment she's had, and then some...

SEASONS IN THE MIST is a tale of slipping backwards into a very different way of life. The reader hopefully will take this "vacation" along with Bethany to learn more of God's wonderful ways, of the vicissitudes of living we all share, and of love.

Best,

Deb Kinnard
www.debkinnard.com
DAMAGES, Desert Breeze Publishing
SEASONS IN THE MIST, Sheaf House, both available now!

A Letter to Readers from Author Sandra D. Bricker

2010-07-01T23:34:00.012-04:00

A letter to my readers. What a great opportunity!

The scriptures tell us that the Lord’s Prayer is a road map on how to pray, and I think also a really good navigation on how to live our lives.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Following this road map by putting honor and thanksgiving ahead of anything else in a letter to my readers, I would have to say THANK YOU right up front. I’m living a dream that I’ve held close to my heart since I was a child, and it’s because of you. Your readership, your support, your encouragement … it’s a valuable commodity in this writer’s life, and I can never thank you enough. I’m humbled and absolutely joyful over your appreciation for what I do.

That being said, it wasn’t always a lovefest that awaited my stories. In fact, on the precipice of what felt like my first big break, the person I perceived to be my dream editor called to tell me, “As I read your chapters, Sandie, I can see that you think you’re really funny. But I’m here to tell you … You are not.”

I was heartbroken, and it took me a long time to recover from the power of those words. But I did recover. Here’s what I learned from that experience: The only thing in heaven or on earth that can wash away hurtful words is the counteracting voice of God.

Has your heart been broken by the words of someone else? Dilute them with God’s words. Allow yourself the time to be still. Sit quietly and let the Lord remind you that He has a plan for you. Read His word and fill your spirit with the reminders that His thoughts are higher than yours, that His words never return void, that no weapon formed against you will prosper. Like straight bleach poured upon your heart, the soothing balm of cool water will eventually wash it away.

Meanwhile, remember that there have been many before you with a plan for their lives that others just refused to rally behind. In the end, the opposition didn’t stop them from fulfilling their destiny.

· "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." --Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles in1962.

· "Everything that can be invented has been invented." --Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.

· "You have a chipped tooth, your Adam's apple sticks out too far, and you talk too slow." –a Universal Pictures exec to Clint Eastwood in 1959.

· "His ears are too big and he looks like an ape." –Talent scout Darryl F. Zanuck regarding Clark Gable.

· "Stiff, unappealing. You just ain't got it..., kid." --Producer Jerry Tokovsky to Harrison Ford.

· ‘Balding, skinny, can dance a little,’ they said of Fred Astaire at his first audition.

· The New York Times announced that television would never appeal to the average American family.

· An early opinion regarding Dr. Seuss: "Too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling."

· The San Francisco Examiner, rejecting Rudyard Kipling: "I'm sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don't know how to use the English language."

· So many publishers rejected The Tale of Peter Rabbit that Beatrix Potter published it herself.

So chin up, my reader friends! Here’s the one thing I know for absolute certain: God has a plan for your life. If you simply pay attention to the signs along the way, He will take you to it.

BIO: Sandra D. Bricker has been publishing in both the Christian and general market for years with novels for women and teens, magazine articles and short stories. With 11 novels in print and 4 more slated for publication through 2012, Sandie has carved out a niche for herself as an award-winning author of laugh-out-loud comedy for the inspirational market. Sandie was an entertainment publicist in Hollywood for 15+ years for some of daytime television’s hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she left Los Angeles to provide care … and begin her writing career!
Web site: http://www.SandraDBricker.com
Blog: http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com

Note: Sandra's newest book 'Always the Baker, Never the Bride' will be officially launched in September...BUT IS AVAILABLE FOR PREORDERING FROM AMAZON.COM NOW! HURRY AND RESERVE YOUR COPY!

A Letter to Readers from Author Bonnie Leon

2010-06-29T10:09:00.009-04:00

Don’t be afraid to dream.

My first reaction when I was asked to write a letter to readers was, “What can I say? Do I have anything to share that matters?” My mind carried me to a couple of my passions—hopes and dreams. Dreaming about the impossible and hoping it can be made possible.

You see, I know a lot about that. God has been good to me. He’s done more for me and through me than I could ever even hope or dream possible. There was a time when I couldn’t envision writing a letter like this one. I couldn’t imagine that I’d one day write books.

Like my characters, my life has been full of twists and turns. God is forever surprising me.
As long as I can remember, I’ve loved to read, but writing was not something I even considered, that is until 1989 when I was hit by a compulsion to put my thought s down on paper. Seemingly out of the blue my mind was full of ideas and I filled legal pads with short stories, poems and personal experiences. I didn’t know where it all came from or why, but I loved it and that’s all that mattered.

And then a truck met me . . . er I mean slammed into me. It came around a bend too fast and tipped over, hitting my van. My life changed. At first it seemed a tragedy. And in some ways it is. I miss the old me who could chop wood, work in a garden and ride horses (I hope I can do some of those things in heaven), but the Lord took my damaged body and did something wonderful. He gave me more than I hoped or dreamed for. He gave me writing. I don’t know why me or why then, but that doesn’t matter. It’s his plan and I’m grateful for it.

He has a plan for you too. I hope it doesn’t include a close encounter with a log truck, but no matter what it is, trust him, listen to him and be courageous enough to follow where he leads. He always knows what’s best. That’s what He wants for us—the best.

Scripture says, “And we know that in all things God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
When I read those words how can I complain about my condition? God has used me, he has loved me and I am honored to have been called by him.

When I feel weak and afraid I remember who I serve—the God of the universe. My favorite verses are taken from Isaiah 40:28-31, which says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Do you feel it—the power and wonder of God? The promises of God? God our Lord and protector, our healer and Father? He will lift us above the fray, above the cares of this earth. Be God minded and know that with him we can do all he asks of us. He is our strength. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we will soar on wings like eagles.
Believe and dream.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie Leon
www.bonnieleon.com/

* * *

Bonnie Leon dabbled in writing for many years but never set it in a place of priority until an accident in 1991 left her unable to work at her job. She is now the author of several historical fiction series, including the Sydney Cove series, Queensland Chronicles, the Matanuska series, the Sowers Trilogy, and the Northern Lights series. She also stays busy teaching women’s Bible studies, speaking, and teaching at writing seminars and women’s gatherings. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.

CONTEST:

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Instructions on how to enter --- www.bonnieleon.com/html/contests.html

A Letter to Readers from Author Tiffany Amber Stockton

2010-06-19T14:22:00.009-04:00

Dear Readers,

Many of you already know about my passion for history, and not just any history, but *accurate* history. By that, I mean retelling history the way it occurred instead of the watered down and politically correct versions we get today through history books and classrooms or even the media. If you also love history, then you know what so many are told these days are only half-truths.

There is a strong agenda to remove all faith and influence of God or the church from the founding of the United States. And I for one don't wish to see another generation grow up not fully understanding their roots or the truth about their forefathers who fought long and hard for the freedom on which this country was founded.

So, I've taken my passion and combined it with my love of telling stories. You see, I've been creating and embellishing stories since I was a kid. Turning that penchant into writing novels seemed to be a natural progression. You readers are the reason I've been able to turn my dreams into reality.

In college, I began writing fan fiction for two different TV shows. For those who don't know what fan fiction is, it's taking existing characters and their backgrounds combined with their personalities to write a new story that wasn't written in the TV show or movie from where they came. Some might think this is easy because the characters are already created, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it's much harder, because you have to get the characters right. Readers of fan fiction will be the first to tell you the way you wrote a character is completely wrong. They are rather harsh, but that's a good thing. It forces you to work hard and get it "right."

Thanks to the feedback from readers during that time, I decided to pursue a professional career. It took me almost five years before any of the nibbles became true bites. In that time, I met a lot of other authors and learned from their experiences navigating the publishing world. They even shared some of their stories from readers, and I prayed one day I'd be blessed to hear from readers of my own.

In 2006, I sold my first novel, and it released in 2008. Two-and-a-half years and eight books later, I am still going strong. And it's all thanks to you! Without readers, an author goes nowhere. Because of you and your parting with your hard-earned money to purchase my books, I've been able to continue writing. My editors have requested more books. Thanks to your feedback, your letters, your emails, and your input, I've been able to improve and craft stories that you want to read.

So truly, it all comes down to you. Each one of my stories is different, and I love exploring the various eras of American history. Whether it's at the dawning of a new nation during the Colonial times, the excitement of the Industrial Revolution, the sacrifices during war-torn periods, or the adventure of Westward Expansion and the Wild West, I hope you find a way to connect in some way with the characters I create and the stories they tell. After all, you're the real reason I write. My prayer is that my stories will touch your heart and inspire your soul in ways even I can't imagine. I turn each one of my books over to God before I write, asking that the words contained within them will reach across the miles and speak to the ones reading them.

Right now, I'm working on a trilogy set in Wyoming in the 1870's. It involves a Philadelphia socialite artist who headed west to pursue her career only to discover adventure, heartache, loss, and love awaited her at nearly every turn. I also have 2 other series my editor is considering. One is set on the little island of Chincoteague, Virginia, home to the Assateague ponies and the legacy of Misty of Chincoteague. The other centers around an antique bookstore and a special book that brings 3 couples together.

In 2008, my first 3 books released (Promises, Promises; Quills & Promises; Deceptive Promises). Last year, 3 books again (Copper and Candles; Hearts and Harvest; Patterns and Progress). And this year, there are 2 (Liberty's Promise; Michigan Brides). Already this year, Liberty's Promise has been deemed a top seller with my publisher and a best-selling title in romance collections. You can read about each one of these titles on the books page of my web site. As soon as I have the book covers and back cover copy, I post the details on that page.

Stay tuned to my site for the latest news and releases. And while you're there, drop by my blog (http://amberstockton.blogspot.com) to read interviews with some of your other favorite authors. Right now, I feature interviews and book giveaways, but I'll soon be offering readers the opportunity to ask questions of authors to be answered in conjunction with the spotlights.

In the meantime, I always love to hear from you. Find me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/tiffanyamberstockton), my web site (www.amberstockton.com) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/amberstockton). Please, please, keep in touch. My books are my way of saying thank you!

* * * * *

Sign up for my Quarterly Newsletter & chances for FREE books - http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?m=1102660568968&p=oi

Liberty's Promise; March 2010 (Barbour Publishing)
Michigan Brides; December 2010 (Barbour Publishing)

Amber Stockton - Author (www.amberstockton.com)
Web Designer - Eagle Designs (www.eagle-designs.com)
Follow me on Twitter! (www.twitter.com/amberstockton)

A Letter to Readers from Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor

2010-06-14T11:23:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

Did you know I pray for you? My prayer is that whatever I write will be spirit-led and that it will reach you at a time when you need it most. It is my desire to write stories that will inspire you in your relationship with God, create characters who will be a witness, plant seeds in your hearts that will reap a harvest, and make history come alive for you.

My work will not always please everyone, but I’m trying to trust in God that even if you don’t like something I’ve written, God will still use it to bless you. Just as we sometimes go through trials and tribulations that we don’t like, once we overcome it, we can look back and see how God blessed us through it and helped us grow spiritually. I hope my words, characters, and plots will grow on you like that. Have you ever met someone you didn’t like upon first impression, but after getting to know them, you liked them? It was like that for me when I first saw Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”. I thought it lacked something that her other stories possessed, but I couldn’t figure out what. After watching it numerous times, I’ve come to appreciate it as much as her other works.

Why am I telling you this? Because my books will be different from each other and I hope if you don’t like one, it doesn’t mean you won’t try something else I’ve written. I don’t plan to write Scottish medieval for my whole writing career. In fact, in the future you might find a few Regencies, Victorian, American, roaring 20’s, and WWII historicals on the shelves by Jennifer Hudson Taylor. I love all of history. Each era has its own unique place in time and in my heart.

I often tell people that I think of history as HIS-story. I’m fascinated by how the times change and people change, but the essence of time and human nature has never changed. We are called to be like Jesus and his word says, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

My books will have different time periods, settings, characters, and plots—but the essence of my writing voice will be the same and will continue to be spirit-led.

* * * * *

Jennifer Hudson Taylor is the author of historical and contemporary Christian fiction set in Europe and the Carolinas. Her fiction has won awards in the American Christian Fiction Writers' Genesis Contest. Her debut novel, Highland Blessings, was released May 2010. She resides with her husband and daughter in the Charlotte area of NC.
Visit her at her website: http://jenniferswriting.blogspot.com/

A Letter to Readers from Author Lena Dooley

2010-06-08T13:30:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

You are the reason I craft stories. I love it when you give me feedback. Thank you for all the reviews you write on various web sites: Good Reads, Christianbooks.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, others you’ve sent me. I appreciate every word, even when you’ve mentioned things you might not have liked. We can’t please all the people all the time. However, I do try to write stories with characters who will grip your hearts. I want to entertain you and give you something to think about when you’ve finished reading.

I praise the Lord that He created me to write stories. No job I’ve ever had has given me so much fulfillment. And that wouldn’t be possible if you didn’t continue to buy and read my books. So thank you again for being part of my life.

Why did I write Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico? Several reasons. First, I love mail-order bride stories. I like to bring two people together who wouldn’t have met any other way. And then I put them in circumstances that should keep them apart. I like to see them discover depths in each other they never would have seen. Watching them grow and mature helps me grow and mature in other ways.

Of course, a story isn’t made up of just two people, so throwing a wide diversity of characters together to create the story keeps me writing and you turning pages. I’ve enjoyed reading reviews that tell about the way the reader enjoyed all the cast of characters and how they enhanced the story.

And of course, I love the happily-ever-after aspect of writing romance novels. But I think you’ll agree that my endings don’t depict unrealistic expectations for the continuing relationships.

I do enjoy writing various kinds of romantic novels. Last year, I had four book releases you might enjoy.

Wild Prairie Roses is a three-book collection with a bit of mystery woven through about a lost shipment of gold after the end of the Civil War.

Cranberry Hearts contains a three-book collection of contemporary romantic suspense novels that take place in and around Massachusetts. However, my novel Who Am I? starts in my neighborhood in Texas.

I also was part of two Christmas collections. Wild West Christmas is about four daughters of a widowed rancher in the hill country of Texas. Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe is set at a fictional ski resort in Incline Village near Lake Tahoe, Nevada. My cousin, who often spends time at Lake Tahoe, loved this one.

Thank you for spending this time with me. I love it when you introduce your friends and relatives to my books. Feel free to contact me anytime through my Contact Me page on my blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Lena's Website: http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/

A Letter to Readers from Author Jamie Carie

2010-05-19T00:07:00.019-04:00

Dear Reader,

Can I start by saying thank you? Without you, dear reader, I wouldn't have books floating around the world, stories that sprang from my mind and heart and then came into your hands and heart. Without you I wouldn't have had my dream of being an author come true. So thank-you! Thank you for taking a risk on me. Thank you for writing me and telling me how much you enjoy my books. I thank God for you!

So why was becoming an author my dream? As a kid (preacher's kid) I spent hours writing poetry and song lyrics. My favorite times were swinging on my swing and singing praise songs I had made up to God. Then I discovered books and more specifically, historical romances. One of my friend's mother read historical romance by the grocery sack full and she began to pass them on to me. The covers were a little risqué (remember bodice rippers?) so I smuggled them into the house and read them under the covers by flashlight. Escaping into those books got me through some rough times during my teenage years but there came a time, years later, when God asked me to lay them down.

I didn't want to.

After a time, I finally gave in I began to read the classics and Christian romances. I was a young mother by then with two little boys and needed a creative outlet. One night I decided to try my hand at writing my own romance novel. Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave me plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Two years later, armed with my jewel, I sat out to get it published. Let's just say the next eight years were tough - lots of rejection letters, some near breaks and stepping out into faith again and again when it looked like I would never "break in" with my stories. I would have given up, tried to several times, but the desire to tell stories and my belief in them kept driving me back to the keyboard. Praise God, He wouldn't let me quit!

Now, five books later and counting, I sit at my keyboard and get to write you a thank you letter. A publishing house took a chance on me but you validated their decision by giving up some hard earned dollars and valuable time in reading these stories. Snow Angel, The Duchess and the Dragon, Wind Dancer, Love's First Light and now Angel's Den - each one a pouring out of my heart and I hope and pray, an uplifting encouragement, a picture of God's great love, and a feeling of being swept away to a different time and place for a little while.

In Him,

Jamie Carie

You can visit Jamie on the following websites.

www.jamiecarie.com

http://jamiecarie.com/wordpress

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jamie.carie?ref=profile

Jamie's other titles:

Wind Dancer - January 2009

Love's First Light - July 2009

Angle's Den - February 2010

A Letter to Readers from Author Shannon Taylor Vannatter

2010-05-12T19:26:00.012-04:00

Dear Readers,

From the time I was thirteen, I had this story in my head. I loved detective shows with hunky stars like Baretta, Starsky & Hutch, a

nd Vegas. In my story, the detective hero saved the heroine in jeopardy, which of course was me.

It took me seventeen years to realize the story was a book and another three to do something about it. I started writing to clear my head and because it was increasingly difficult to find a clean romance at the library. At that time, late 1999, I didn’t realize there were inspirational romances. I went to the Christian bookstore often, but always went straight to the music.

When I finally got a hand-me-down computer, the story flowed from my fingertips, but it took on a new aspect. I’d set out to write a clean romantic suspense, but my characters kept talking to God.

Once I finished the book, I asked my trusty librarian how to get published and learned there were Christian publishers looking for inspirational romances. Romantic suspense really wasn’t a genre then, but I confidently submitted to fifty-two publishers. While I waited for the phone to ring, I wrote another book and sent it to the same publishers. One-hundred-four rejection letters later, I kept writing. If I’d known it would take nine years to get published, I might have been tempted to quit, but I doubt God would have let me.

With the sixth book, I realized my favorite genre to read was inspirational romance. So, why was I writing suspense? Beats me, I’d stopped watching detective shows years before. After I changed genres, three books and five years later, that sixth book sold. Early last year, I signed with Heartsong Presents. My three book series is set in two tiny Arkansas towns seven miles apart, Romance and Rose Bud. Romance is famous for its romantic postmark and weddings.

Brides send their wedding invitations in manila envelopes to get the hand-stamped postmark from Romance and often mail themselves an invitation to be stamped with the date of the wedding for a keepsake. Romantics

choose Romance for their wedding with Valentine’s Day the most popular date. A privately owned waterfall hosts lots of weddings as does the post office. I’ve visited the Romance Waterfalls twice and use it in all three books.

Each Valentine’s Day, romantics mail their cards from Romance, with a unique postmark only in use from Feb. 1-15. The design changes each year and the envelopes become a keepsake.

The local flavor adds to each story. In White Roses, the heroine owns the floral shop in Romance and the hero is the pastor at the church in Rose Bud. In White Doves, the heroine is the postmaster at Romance and the hero is a mail carrier. In White Pearls, the heroine is restoring a historical plantation into a bed and breakfast in Rose Bud and the hero is the landscaper. The house is real with slave quarters. I recently got to tour it with my publicist. If only those walls could talk.

Though a spiritual element is woven into each story, each book tends to lean a little harder toward salvation through Jesus Christ. My prayer is that my books will entertain and uplift Christian women and they’ll loan the books to their non-believer friends. White Roses has a gentle spiritual message to plant seeds. White Doves introduces salvation and White Pearls drives it home. Having readers read the words God placed in my heart truly blesses my soul. If my books can be used as witnessing tools, other souls might be blessed.

* * * * *

Readers can visit Shannon's website and learn more about her books at http://www.shannontaylorvannatter.com
http://www.inkslingerblog.com
http://www.inkspirationalmessages.com

A Letter to Readers from Best Selling Author Liz Curtis Higgs

2010-05-05T06:58:00.020-04:00

Hugs to every reader who has taken this journey with me!

When my first historical novel, Thorn in My Heart, was released in 2003, my biggest concern was how readers might respond. At that point in my writing career, I was known for children’s books (1997: The Pine Tree Parable), funny books (1998: Help! I’m Laughing and I Can’t Get Up), edgy women’s Bible studies (1999: Bad Girls of the Bible) and lighthearted contemporary novels (2000: Bookends). My faithful readers had every right to be skeptical: “What’s Liz Curtis Higgs doing writing serious historical fiction?”

Here’s the answer: I was finally writing in the genre I most loved to read! Take a peek at my bookshelves or bedside reading table and you’ll find nine out of ten books are historical novels. I delight in exploring different times and places, then imagining how people lived centuries ago.

My love affair with history began in childhood, when my parents took me to Williamsburg and Yorktown, to Philadelphia and Gettysburg, to Boston and Plymouth. I’ve always lived in old houses, including the nineteenth-century Kentucky farmhouse my sweet hubby and I call home. Plus, my writing office is crammed with books on Scottish history (850 at last count!). An abiding love for the past is simply in my blood. And a passion for telling stories even more so.

At age ten I attempted my first "novel," using a Ticonderoga pencil and a lined marble notebook. It was a mystery (yes, like Nancy Drew) and it was painfully amateurish. But, I kept writing. Ten hand-written juvenile mysteries and three truly awful romance novels followed through my teenage years. All were embarrassingly bad, yet all were solid proof that a love for fiction was growing deep my heart, planted there by the One who holds our future in his hands.

God is so faithful…and so patient! Finally I joined a fiction writers group in 1995 and began attending workshops, interviewing gifted authors, and reading women's fiction by the pound. And plotting. And planning.

I’ll admit, I take research to a crazy level, inhaling books on every subject: architecture and art, customs and folklore, food and gardening, music and literature. Occasional trips to Scotland help, too (those frequent flyer miles come in handy!). I tromp about the villages and glens, visit libraries and cemeteries, snap a gazillion photos, ask questions of everyone I meet, and take copious notes in a little digital recorder (feeling like a spy). Then comes the challenge (and joy!) of weaving all that research into my story without making readers feel like they are choking down a history lesson. Only you can tell me if that goal is accomplished.

My Lowlands of Scotland series—Thorn in My Heart, Fair Is the Rose and Whence Came a Prince—transports the Genesis 25-35 account of Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel to eighteenth-century Galloway. A next-generation novel—Grace in Thine Eyes—retells Dinah’s story from Genesis 34 in early nineteenth-century Scotland on the Isle of Arran, a truly magical place.

For my latest historical novel, Here Burns My Candle, I spent months studying the biblical stories of Naomi and Ruth, then planted them in Edinburgh, Scotland during the time of bonny Prince Charlie, 1745-46, when he was trying to wrest the throne from King George. Oh, the drama! The story will conclude with the novel I’m writing now, Mine Is the Night, scheduled to release March 15, 2011.

For each faithful reader, old and new, who has embraced my historical novels, may the Lord bless you, many times over!

Your sister,
Liz Curtis Higgs

Please sign up for my newsletter, O Gentle Reader! http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/tlh/nlform.htm

Kindly take a virtual visit of my writing study: http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/scrapbook/study.htm

Check out the video trailer for Here Burns My Candle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2nPMBA_rgM

A Letter to Readers from Gina Holmes

2010-05-01T08:56:00.006-04:00

Dear Reader,

I've been writing toward the goal of publication for something like a decade. During that time I wrote four suspense novels and sustained rejection after crushing rejection. I began to think that my time would never come. That God had given me a dream to write but maybe He never intended me to be published. This was a very tough possibility to face but trusting Him the way I do, I decided after a time of intensive wrestling that I would trust Him not just with my life but with the dreams He laid on my heart and that if it wasn't His will for me to be published than it was no longer going to be mine either.

During this difficult time of refining, I began to read some amazing books, Memoirs of a Geisha, Peace Like a River, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, The Kite Runner,etc and I began to fall in love with books that weren't suspense. Suddenly, I no longer wanted to write suspense and so I began what is now my debut novel, Crossing Oceans.

Crossing Oceans is a story so different from anything I've written before but those who've read it have said that it is a story I was born to tell. I'm saying all of this because I know there are those of you who are holding a dream so tight and I know what that feels like... to want something more than you even want God. Let it go and trust that His plans for you are bigger than the ones you have for yourself.

If I had been published when I wanted to be, I would be stuck in a genre that is no longer my heart's desire. God held me back. He knew Crossing Oceans was coming. He knows what's coming for you too. It's so much bigger and better than even your best dream.

Yours, Gina Holmes

CROSSING OCEANS, 2010 ~Tyndale Publishers

"Sometimes love demands the impossible."

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In 1998, Gina Holmes began her career penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in Southern Virginia. Her debut novel, Crossing Oceans released April/May 2010 with Tyndale House Publishers. To learn more about her, visit: www.ginaholmes.com or www.noveljourney.blogspot.com

Letter to Readers from ACFW president, author Cynthia Ruchti

2010-04-22T20:39:00.001-04:00

Dear Reader,

It might not be particularly “green,” but you have to admit that a balloon launch can be a spectacular sight. Two of them linger in my memory. A classmate of my youngest son died just a few months before high school graduation following a lifelong battle with a horrific disease that pained, crippled, and disfigured everything but his smile and his spirit. During the graduation ceremony, an empty folding chair sat among the cap-and-gown clad teens. A single balloon taped to the chair represented the young man with the terminally ebullient spirit.

In the school yard after the ceremony, we who loved him and cared about his family gathered in a tight circle of support. In our small community, that meant the whole town. On cue, and on point of remembering an exceptional young man and his tenacity, we collectively released thousands of balloons into the ceilingless sky.

In my mind’s eye, I can still see the orbs of color rising higher and higher, carried by a kind wind sent by a saving God who had lifted that young man’s faith-filled spirit with even greater elegance.

A balloon launch last summer at a family reunion celebrated my brother’s 50^th birthday. Joy marked that day, a warm afternoon kissed by a Microsoft-blue sky. Old (like my brother) and young, the family members danced to the countdown moment when we released fifty balloons. They climbed in unison over the house, the hill—higher than our dreams dare climb. Our eyes strained to watch as long as we could, imagining where they would land, who would find a reminder that we cared about a guy named Alan.

Both of those memorable launches are on my mind because of another launch—my debut novel—They Almost Always Come Home, from Abingdon Press. As the individual copies are launched into the world, I wonder into whose hands they will land. Is it you, reader? Are you the one for whom the book was written—a place for your pain to find its voice? Are you the person who wanted a book both you and your husband could enjoy, discuss, and use to reconnect? Are you the one who was on my heart (and God’s) when the story was written?

I’m watching this story catch the kind wind sent by a saving God to lift someone’s spirits with His Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark. Are you one who will bend back the cover and find your pain spilled onto the pages? Or finish the final chapter with a deeper sense of gratitude and a sigh of satisfaction?

You were on my mind this morning. You’re on my mind every morning these days as I watch this novel launch. If you find a copy, and it moves you, would you let me know? I’m excited to see where they land.

And Rita, thank you for the opportunity to spend some time with your readers.

**********

Cynthia Ruchti is the current president of American Christian Fiction Writers (www.acfw.com). She writes and produces The Heartbeat of the Home radio broadcast (www.heartbeatofthehome.org) and speaks for women’s events and writers’ conferences. They Almost Always Come Home is her debut novel. It’s the story of Libby Holden, a woman whose husband fails to return from his solo canoe trip to the Canadian wilderness. He was supposed to go fishing, not missing. The authorities write off his disappearance as an unhappy husband’s escape from an oatmeal marriage and unrewarding career. But was it? If anyone had a right to leave, it was Libby. And she would, if she could find him. With the help of her father-in-law and her best friend, Libby plunges into the wilderness in search of what happened to her husband, her marriage, and her faith. You can read more about They Almost Always Come Home at www.cynthiaruchti.com.

Letter to Readers from Inspirational Author Linda S. Clare

2010-04-16T09:32:00.012-04:00

A Letter to Readers from Author Loree Lough

2010-04-07T12:50:00.005-04:00

First, for those of you who have written beautiful letters but haven’t yet heard back from me, my apologies…and a plea for your continued patience. I promise: Your replies will arrive soon!

I love hearing from you, whether by way of the mailbox out front or the one in my email program. When your words arrive, I stop whatever I’m doing to read, read, read. It’s always a joy, but never more than when I recognize a familiar name. How blessed I am that so many of you have become trusted, treasured friends over the years! Hearing the joys and successes you’re experiencing makes me smile and praise Him for your good news. And when you share trials and tribulations, I pray that the good Lord will see you through each.

This reminds me of the letter that arrived a few years ago from a reader-turned-friend who wrote to ask me to pray for her son, recently separated from the girl of his dreams. Just one short year after these two professed undying love and pledged to work toward a solid, Godly marriage, they separated, and my friend was heartbroken.

I couldn’t help wondering what had come between these God-fearing young people. Money? Meddlesome in-laws? His job or hers? Adultery? The questions inspired my novel Suddenly Reunited, the story of a couple forced to make the most important decision of their lives: Set aside petty, stubborn grievances…or lose all hope of finding their way back to one another’s loving arms. The storyline mirrored the lives of my friend’s son and daughter-in-law who, after many miserable months apart, turned to Christ for help and healing. “Love one another as you love yourselves,” they learned, is some of the best advice any married couple can hear…if it’s put into practice.

Every romance novel is, by nature, a relationship story. In Christian romance novels, Christ Jesus is the author of those relationships. So what a blessing it’s been to see more and more publishers putting faith-based novels onto bookstore shelves! These gripping, down-to-earth tales are peopled by characters who, just like us, face tragedy, trauma, and temptation…and find their way to grace by the pure bright light of God’s mercy and joy.

It’s no accident that so many of my readers write to say that my stories have touched their hearts and changed their lives. I’m quick to point that every page is the result of God at work in my life.

He knew I wasn’t equipped to become a missionary in the world’s deserts or jungles, so He blessed me with writing talents and the discernment to understand that He expects me put those talents to use delivering His holy word—to readers in luxury condos and high-rise apartments, to beachfront cottages and mountain cabins, to tenement buildings and trailer parks, to movie sets and nursing homes—where those who might otherwise not hear His word will read it, instead.

Perhaps one of my stories will make its way to a reader whose faith is sagging, or one whose life experiences have led her to believe Christians are self-righteous, judgmental zealots who don’t practice what they preach, or someone who, for any number of reasons, has never been exposed to the glory of His name. That is my missionary work…crafting stories and characters that will open eyes shut tight and soften hearts hardened by life’s miseries.

Yes, these letters I receive every day of my oh-so-blessed life are black-and-white proof that He will not be ignored! If need be, He’ll find His lost children in the pages of a novel…then lead them the rest of the way home through the pages of His holy book! I pray the right novel will find its way to your hands at that perfect moment in time as designated by your Creator.

Now I’m off to get busy answering this hefty stack of reader mail. Until your response arrives, I pray He will shower you and those you love with joys too numerous to count!

Blessings and hugs to you,

Loree

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At last count, best-selling author Loree Lough had 74 books, 63 short stories, and over 2,500 articles in print. Dubbed by reviewers “the writer whose stories touch hearts and change lives”, she has earned dozens of “Readers’ Choice” and industry awards.

Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry! has been joined by Prevailing Love and Tales of the Heart (Whitaker House). Also from Whitaker, Beautiful Bandit (#1 in Loree’s “Lone Star Legends” series) will be released this June. From Ashes to Honor (#1 in her “First Responders” series from Abingdon) is expected to hit the shelves summer, 2011, along with her third Love Finds You title, LFY in Folly Beach, South Carolina (Summerside).

Loree and her husband split their time between a little house in the Baltimore suburbs and a really little cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where they cater to a formerly-abused Pointer whose numerous vet visits inspired the nickname ‘Cash’.

Visit Loree's website at

http://wwwloreelough.com

Dear Readers from Author Marylu Tyndall

2010-03-17T16:00:00.006-04:00

Dear Readers,

Do you ever wonder why Jesus taught people through parables? When asked why, He said it was because their hearts were hard and they wouldn't accept what he said anyway. Then why did He always say, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." I tend to believe that it was not God's will to toss the good news of the Kingdom to people who would trample it underfoot. God's message was only for those who sought it out with all their heart. And in order to do that, they had to really think about the parables and question what they meant and take time to study them.

Christianity is much the same way today. For those of us who truly want to know God and His will, we must take time to study His Word, to seek out His will with all our hearts.

Parables are simple stories that have deep spiritual lessons embedded within the plot. At first glance, you may think they are just nice stories, but if you dig deeper, you can actually grow in your faith by reading them.. As an author and a storyteller, this is exactly what I set out to do with each one of my books. I am in no way comparing my stories to God's parables, but since the Creator of the Universe used stories to teach lessons, why can't I?

In my latest series, The Charles Towne Belles trilogy, I attempt to bring to life Jesus's parable of the Sower and the Seed found in Matthew 13. I love this parable because it shows what can happen to God's Word in different people's lives. It reveals how Satan, and temptation and struggles and the pleasures of this world can steal our salvation and our destiny in Christ.

In my first book, The Red Siren, the heroine, Faith, represents the seed that fell among the rocks and when struggles and problems arose, she fell away from God. In fact she fell so far away from God, she became a pirate in an attempt to garner enough wealth to care for her sisters!

In The Blue Enchantress, my heroine Hope drifted from God when she got caught up in the pleasures of this world. Her desperate search for romantic love left her lonely and ashamed until a Godly man came alone to show her what true love really was.

And finally, in The Raven Saint, my heroine, Grace, represents the seed that fell on the good soil. Grace is a good woman who tries to follow all of God's commandments. Then why does God allow her to be suddenly kidnapped by a French Mercenary bent on selling her to the Spanish?

It is my hope that through this trilogy, people will have a clearer understanding of the things that can so often steal our devotion away from God and ultimately lead to our destruction. Besides that, they are simply fun adventures with lots of exciting romance!

________________________________________________

Note from Editor: In addition to Marylu's trilogy, readers may also be interested in her Legacy of the King's Pirates Series. In August her Surrender to Destiny Series will be launched with the first book 'Surrender the Sea'.

Marylu's Website:

http://www.mltyndall.com/index.html

A Letter to Readers from Judy Christie

2010-03-03T11:29:00.007-05:00

Dear Reader:

I have a confession to make. I write letters.

Real, go-through-the- mail- with-a- stamp on them letters.

I’ve gotten immense joy out of this habit for years, writing a friend in the Philippines throughout high school, corresponding with a college friend for thirty years now, and sending notes and cards to a variety of people always.

One of the fun things about writing letters is getting letters in return. I quickly sort through the day’s mail looking for the handwriting of a dear friend, a fat envelope that means a long, juicy letter full of the details of daily life, or for a note from an elderly aunt in Texas or a card from a girlfriend in Seattle or just across town.

I like mail so much that one of the characters in my debut novel, “Gone to Green,” released last year, includes a character who is a rural mail carrier. She’ll continue to play a role in the second in the Green series, “Goodness Gracious Green,” out in August.

Write a letter this week, a note to say thanks or hello or to chat about your day. Put it into the mailbox with a smile on your face, knowing it will bring a smile on the other end.

Judy Christie

______________

Judy Christie is an author and consultant who lives in Northwest Louisiana. Her debut novel, Gone to Green, was released in August 2009 as part of the new inspirational fiction line from Abingdon Press and is the first of a series about Green, La. Novel two, Goodness Gracious Green, will be released in the fall of this year.

Judy is also the author of the popular Hurry Less, Worry Less nonfiction series, published by Abingdon Press: Hurry Less, Worry Less at Work; Hurry Less, Worry Less: 10 Strategies for Living the Life You Long For; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime.

Hurry Less, Worry Less for Families will be released in Spring 2010. Judy was a journalist for many years and is a frequent speaker at workshops and retreats. She works with clients around the country on how to slow down and enjoy each day more and how to set and meet goals.

http://www.judychristie.com

Contact Judy at judy@judychristie.com
_________________________________

At long last my novel 'Surrender the Wind' is officially out in the world...in brick and mortar bookstores and online retailers everywhere. Be sure to have a box of tissues on hand.

Surrender the Wind is the story of Seth Braxton, a patriot of the American Revolution, who unexpectedly inherits his loyalist grandfather’s estate in England. Seth is torn between the land he fought for and the prospect of reuniting with his sister Caroline, who was a motherless child taken to England at the onset of the war.

With no intention of staying permanently, Seth arrives to find his sister grieving over the death of her young son. In the midst of such tragedy, Seth meets Juleah, the daughter of an eccentric landed gentleman. Her independent spirit and gentle soul steal Seth’s heart. After a brief courtship, they marry and she takes her place as the lady of Ten Width Manor, enraging the man who once sought her hand and schemed to make Ten Width his own.

From the Virginia wilderness to the dark halls of an isolated English estate, Seth and his beloved Juleah inherit more than an ancestral home. They uncover a sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction, and betrayal--an ominous threat to their new life, love, and faith.
A Couple Endorsements:

'Surrender the Wind' is a gripping tale of intrigue that kept me turning the pages long after I should have turned out the lights.' ~ Author Mirella Patzer

'Surrender the Wind' portrays a haunting world of passion, deceit, and betrayal redeemed by unwavering faith and love that will not be denied. ~ Author J. M Hockstetler

Read the prologue and first chapter:
http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/displayImage.aspx?pcid=1173111

Book trailer ~
Endorsement trailer ~
What Rita is working on next.
http://ritagerlach.com/

To Readers from Bonnie Toews

2010-02-24T20:59:00.011-05:00

Dear Reader:

When I write, I picture you sitting beside me. I picture you having the experience I am writing about because my earliest memory as a three-year-old child was the thought, “It’s not fair.” I’ve been a rebellious advocate ever since.

As a child, books were my escape from a friendless world. At ten, I gave an impassioned speech about the responsibilities of democracy. After I won the speech contest, a blonde girl my age sought me out. Eleanor Fitzgerald. We became lifetime friends, and when my Trilogy of Treason books are published, my first book will be dedicated to her memory. We were true sisters-in-spirit, and I miss her very much.

Originally, writing for me was a private outlet. I was being groomed to be a singer and an actress, and I was afraid that my writing and artwork might be exploited too. No one recognized I was an introvert until I met my present husband. His unconditional love freed me from my “public personna.” I was so accustomed to meeting others’ expectations, I really didn’t know what I wanted to be “when I grew up.”

A heart attack at 40-years-old clinched it. I had to leave my job as an advertising salesperson. Because of the oxygen cut off to the brain as well, I experienced aphasia. I would look at a chair, know I knew the word, but the screen in my mind went blank. The same for paper clips. Everyday words we take for granted disappeared, and I would roll my hands in frustration to my husband and daughter to fill in the gap. They treated it as a game of Charades, but when I was home alone, I didn’t have their input.

Before this happened, I had read about rewiring the brain, so I started to read the dictionary and Thesaurus to relearn vocabulary. When I wrote, I discovered I often wrote words I didn’t recognize, but when I looked them up in the dictionary, I had used them correctly in context. This told me the damage was more to the oral skills than to the writing ones, and I concluded different parts of the brain must control them.

I began writing my thoughts down. I became very reflective. Often my husband would receive a letter even though he was willing to wait me while I tried to talk. One day he said, “Now you don’t have to work. Why don’t you do what you obviously love to do? Write.”

At first, the frustration was terrible. I couldn’t see a thread through an article, never mind a story, but I read about the technique of bringing the conclusion of an article back to the premise in the opening sentence. In a few years, I was writing articles for trade publications. Within 13 years, I was appointed the editorial director of the Southam News Media’s Business Group of 30 trade publications.

In 1994, my magazine designer (as photographer) and I were assigned to cover the global humanitarian relief effort following the genocide in Rwanda. At the time, it was an incredible logistics feat. What we saw, what we experienced, changed us both. I just have to say the word, Rwanda, and my memories are as vivid as the day we were there. On the flight home, I decided the best way I could share many of my experiences and passionate interests was to portray them in novels, to create characters you readers could relate to, and perhaps what happens to them would help you work through your feelings of betrayal or loss to find your way back to salvation.

I did see something in Rwanda in 1994 that has never left me, and only recently have I come to realize what the significance of that was. Not all victims of the genocide, despite the horrors and tragedies they experienced, became cynical and distrusting. If we went to their dwelling and they only had one slice of bread, they would still welcome us into their home and share what they had left to eat with complete strangers. Yes, I saw the results of vengeance—such horrors harbor hatred and deep rage—but, in general, an amazing innocence and gentleness prevailed among survivors of the genocide. Somehow, their faith in God only strengthened despite the betrayal of Roman Catholic priests and nuns to their crucifiers during the 1994 genocide. Today, amazing stories of miracles and redemption in Rwanda line my bookshelves.

This is what my Trilogy of Treason novels are about: The true power of forgiveness and our struggle to achieve it. The first explores the bonding between sisters-in-spirit as they face the evils of the Holocaust and the atomic bomb in WWII. The next is partially set in Rwanda. The United Nations broke its word to the world, “Never again.” The last in the series goes back to WWII and the post-war years, when people questioned a God who would expose them to such deprivation and horror. Each story stands alone, yet some characters continue their lives through them. Each also tells a love story within the context of intrigue and suspense.

While each story in the trilogy involves readers in atrocities the victims can never forget, I am not exploiting horror for horrors sake. What I want to show to you is that war is not some romantic, adventurous video game. I believe a staggering number of Canadian, American and other Coalition troops returning from the “war on terror” as well as journalists and peace workers for non-government organizations suffer from post traumatic stress disorder because they are unprepared to deal emotionally with the horrors they witness and experience. We—their parents, teachers and trainers—have not conscientiously prepared them to deal with the world outside their own domain. Instead, we have removed history from their curriculums and avoided the unseemly in busy silence. We have made our children, now young adults, victims alongside those they are trying to save.

What I have observed at the crossroads of humanity is that victims of atrocities can never forget what they have endured. Nor can they handle their survival while others perished. This convinces me as long as victim and perpetrator seek retribution against the other, true peace can never be achieved.

But there is an answer: the ACT of FORGIVENESS. We understand the idea of God's forgiveness, for that is a given, but the act of forgiveness becomes meaningless if we cannot first forgive ourselves and then one another. To make a difference in world peace, victims and their perpetrators must forgive themselves before they can forgive one another and live in harmony. I hope my novels become models of this truth.

Marching in faith,

Bonnie Toews
http://www.bonnietoews.com/

Editor's note: Bonnie is seeking representation and publication for The Consummate Traitor. Agents and Publishers are welcomed to contact her at bonnie.toews@rogers.com

Abingdon Press Fiction Launch ~ The Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship!

At long last my novel 'Surrender the Wind' is officially out in the world...in brick and mortar bookstores and online retailers everywhere. Be sure to have a box of tissues on hand.

Surrender the Wind is the story of Seth Braxton, a patriot of the American Revolution, who unexpectedly inherits his loyalist grandfather’s estate in England. Seth is torn between the land he fought for and the prospect of reuniting with his sister Caroline, who was a motherless child taken to England at the onset of the war.

With no intention of staying permanently, Seth arrives to find his sister grieving over the death of her young son. In the midst of such tragedy, Seth meets Juleah, the daughter of an eccentric landed gentleman. Her independent spirit and gentle soul steal Seth’s heart. After a brief courtship, they marry and she takes her place as the lady of Ten Width Manor, enraging the man who once sought her hand and schemed to make Ten Width his own.

From the Virginia wilderness to the dark halls of an isolated English estate, Seth and his beloved Juleah inherit more than an ancestral home. They uncover a sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction, and betrayal--an ominous threat to their new life, love, and faith.
A Couple Endorsements:

'Surrender the Wind' is a gripping tale of intrigue that kept me turning the pages long after I should have turned out the lights.' ~ Author Mirella Patzer

'Surrender the Wind' portrays a haunting world of passion, deceit, and betrayal redeemed by unwavering faith and love that will not be denied. ~ Author J. M Hockstetler

* * * * * * * *