Friday, November 30, 2012

Every Perfect Gift


Every Perfect Gift
A Hickory Ridge Romance (Book 3)
Dorothy Love
(Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 978-1595549020
December 2012/320 pages/$15.99

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they’re not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward’s idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She’s equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan’s own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

Purchase a copy here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An award-winning author of novels for preteens, young adults and adults, Dorothy Love is currently at work on her 17th novel. She is the author of the Hickory Ridge series, historical novels set in the beautiful Smoky Mountains region of her native Tennessee. Her well-researched, heartwarming stories of small town Southern life, faith, friends, and family reflect the emotions, concerns, and values of women everywhere.

Growing up in McNairy County, Tennessee, Doro attended Bethel Springs Presbyterian Church and the local grade school where she spent every spare moment writing stories to share with her classmates. As a college student in Texas majoring in teaching and English literature, she co-edited her university newspaper. After earning a masters degree and a Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series (Thomas Nelson Fiction) marks her adult fiction debut.

When she isn’t busy writing or researching her next book, Doro loves hiking and hanging out with her husband Ron and their two golden retrievers, Major and Jake. Lifelong avid travelers, the Loves have explored the cities and the back country of New Zealand, photographed the Cuna Indians of the San Blas Islands, traversed the Panama Canal, explored Bermuda on motor scooters, and combed the best beaches in Hawaii and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

For more than twenty years they have collected antique maps depicting their many ports of call, chiefly those maps by 19th century mapmaker and engraver John Rapkin. Published by John Tallis of London, Rapkin’s maps in the 1851 edition of Tallis’ Illustrated Atlas are among the most visually appealing of the Victorian age. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.

Learn more on her website.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this final visit to Hickory Ridge. The town and this novel are filled with characters that were easy to connect with. Sophie endeared herself to me immediately. I can't imagine having to endure the heartache she did as a child, especially from so many adults. I admired her determination, and since I have a smidgen of newspaper background, her efforts to make the local newspaper successful fascinated me. She and Ethan seemed perfect for each other, if only they could shake off the dregs from their pasts. The one frustration I did have with this novel related to a subplot. It seemed as if a fair amount of time and paper was devoted to its development, only to skip the resolution. I was disappointed that it was not included. Overall, however, this is an enjoyable read, especially for a wintry night.

Dorothy Love is celebrating the new book in her Hickory Ridge Romance series, Every Perfect Gift with a "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts contest.


Celebrate the holidays with Dorothy Love and her protagonist, Sophie Caldwell, as they count down the days to Dorothy's author chat party with 12 Days of Gifts! Dorothy will be giving away copies of Every Perfect Gift and other holiday essentials, as well as key items from the book that Sophie would have worn during or used to celebrate the holidays (a beautiful, red shawl, Victorian ornaments, stockings). It's all happening on Dorothy's Facebook page. She'll post a new giveaway each day.

So bring on the Christmas cheer with Dorothy and the "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts. Then join Dorothy on the evening of December 13 for her author chat party! During the party, Dorothy will announce the 12 winners from the Home for the Holidays giveaway and host an author chat about Every Perfect Gift and favorite Christmas traditions. Oh, and she'll be giving away lots of fun prizes. RSVP today


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Thursday, November 29, 2012

A Wild Goose Chase Christmas

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Wild Goose Chase Christmas
Abingdon Press (November 2012)
by
Jennifer AlLee

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Jennifer:

As I look back on my life, it's interesting to see where God's taken me, and where I took myself that God pulled me out of. I finally got back to writing, the dream of my heart. Since 1996, I've published numerous short stories, devotions and plays. I've also been active in church drama ministries, another passion of mine. My first novel, The Love of His Brother (November 2007, Five Star Publishers), was followed by The Pastor's Wife (February 2010, Abingdon Press) and The Mother Road (April 2012). A Wild Goose Chase Christmas is book two in the new Quilts of Love series.

Besides being a writer, I am a wife and mom. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, my family has learned how to enjoy the fabulous buffets here without severely impacting our waistlines. God is good!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Upon her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild Goose Chase pattern quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure.

Of course, once the rest of the family finds out about the "treasure map," they're determined to have a go at the treasure themselves. And, if that weren't enough, Max Logan, a local museum curator, contacts Izzy and says that Grandma Isabella promised him the quilt.

What is it about this quilt that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Wild Goose Chase Christmas, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

I'm really enjoying the Quilts of Love books from Abingdon Press. Jennifer Allee's A Wild Goose Chase Christmas contains a bit of intrigue, plenty of family drama, and a reminder that some treasures are far more valuable than money.



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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Ho-Ho-Ho-Hodgepodge


It's still November but Joyce reminds us that there are only 4 more Hodgepodges until Christmas! Hence her segue into the first question.

1. With that being said I think I need to dive right in to some Christmas related questions, don't you? Which do you prefer: pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow? What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion?

I love receiving prettily wrapped gifts with a fancy bow, and I used to be really into wrapping gifts. Then traveling made it really hard to transport them. And kids made it seem a little pointless to put that much effort into it! I do a combo of bags and wrap now. And I try to use a few bows here and there but I don't get too elaborate.

2. What is one item on your Christmas list this year?

I really don't have one, although I wouldn't be averse to an iPad or a new iPhone (mine is the old 3G).

3. What makes a home?

Love, of course!

4. Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday on Hodgepodge Day-November 28th. Are you a fan of the Motown sound? If so, who's your favorite Motown artist and/or song? Here's a list in case you're stuck.

I am not a fan of Motown in general. That's not to say that I don't like individual songs that happen to fall in that category. The Commodores' Three Times a Lady takes me straight back to high school. I've always liked that song!

5. Red or green-which one is more prevalent in your closet?

Definitely red. I don't care for green at all, except for money!

6. True or false-bacon makes it better? If you answered true, what's your favorite dish made with bacon?

True, if "it" is breakfast. Or a hamburger. But I'm not the type who thinks bacon belongs on everything.

7. Share a favorite holiday memory.

I think I share this every year, but it's still special!

One year, when I was about 8 or 9, I couldn't decide if I wanted a REALLY BIG present (which meant I would probably just get one gift) or if I wanted a WHOLE BUNCH of smaller presents. There wasn't anything particular I wanted, but I'd always thought having a REALLY BIG gift to unwrap would be fun. But I loved opening presents and hated the idea of having just one thing to unwrap. When Christmas arrived, there was just one present, a REALLY BIG one, for me. When I opened it, I discovered the box contained a bunch of individually wrapped presents! At the time, I just thought it was so cool that I got both of my wishes. But as I grew up, I realized what an incredible thing that was for my mom to do. I was the youngest of four kids, and I can imagine the time it took for my mom to get all our gifts wrapped. She went to a lot of effort to please me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My brain is too numb and wiped out from the tragic death of one of our church's youth, an 18-year-old who was killed in an auto accident as he drove back to college Sunday evening. Ask me questions, and I can answer them. Give me a blank space and it's just liable to stay that way!




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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Life is Fragile

No books or banter today. Our church is reeling from the loss of one of the kids in our youth group. A young man who graduated from high school just this past May was killed in an auto accident as he was driving back to college from the Thanksgiving weekend on Sunday evening. The driver of the vehicle who caused the wreck (but was not involved) never stopped.

I can't even begin to wrap my mind around what his family is experiencing. My girl is heartbroken, and she wasn't even one of his closest friends. Just last Monday we had a funeral for the woman who died of cancer; now we're facing another one.

Give your kids an extra hug today.




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Monday, November 26, 2012

Every Breath You Take

I loved getting to read and read and read some more over during the Thanksgiving weekend. I read several short novellas as well as two full-length novels. Here are my thoughts on one of the novels I read.

Every Breath You Take
M.K. Gilroy
(Worthy Publishing)
ISBN: 978-1617950681
October 2012/365 pages/$14.99

A high-profile murder tied to an online dating service has the Chicago news media buzzing. Who better to go undercover in the world of personal profiles and promising matches than an ace detective who is single . . . and as attractive as she is tough? While Detective Kristen Conner can’t figure out her own dating life, she is about to get a crash course on finding true love (or at least a Friday night date) even as she becomes the object of a killer’s affections.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. K. Gilroy has helped create hundreds of projects and launch dozens of authors, working in every area of the publishing industry from his first job as a proofreader to publisher. Gilroy’s debut novel, Cuts Like a Knife, quickly garnered critical acclaim and introduced one of the most unique, fresh, and compelling lead characters in Detective Kristen Conner. Gilroy resides in Brentwood, Tennessee.

MY THOUGHTS

I missed M. K. Gilroy's debut novel, but this one makes me want to go back and read it! He has created a fascinating character in Detective Kristen Conner, and he put her through the wringer in this story! This is not a simple follow-the-clues murder mystery. Every time it seems that Conner and her partner (not to mention the rest of the Chicago Police Department) are closing in on the identity of the villain, a new twist arises. Plenty of layers and suspense make this an intriguing novel that I had a hard time putting down. While the case was resolved by the end of the book, I am intrigued and want to know what's up next for Detective Kristen Connor and the CPD!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of Every Breath You Take from Worthy Publishing via Wynn Wynn Media. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Borders of the Heart

Thanksgiving was great. We were at my MIL's, and just about all I did was eat, sleep, read, and visit with family! I read several short novellas as well as two full-length novels. Here are my thoughts on one of the novels.

Borders of the Heart
Chris Fabry
(Tyndale)
ISBN: 978-1414348629
September 2012/400 pages/$13.99

Desperate to escape haunting memories, J. D. Jessup travels from Nashville to Tucson and volunteers on an organic farm. The hardened landowner has one prevailing rule: If J. D. sees an “illegal,” call the border patrol. But when an early morning ride along the fence line leads him to a beautiful young woman named Maria, near death in the desert, his heart pulls him in another direction. Longing to atone for the choices that drove him to Tucson, J. D. hides her and unleashes a chain of deadly events he could never have imagined. Soon they are running from a killer and fighting for their lives. As secrets of their pasts emerge, J. D. realizes that saving Maria may be the only way to save himself.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris's novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and Not in the Heart, have won two Christy Awards and an ECPA Christian Book Award, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more. He has also published more than 65 other books, including nonfiction and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR. Visit his Web site at www.chrisfabry.com.

MY THOUGHTS

Borders of the Heart is one of those novels that will make you wonder if you are reading fiction or the daily news, especially if you live in the southern states abutting Mexico. While this is not my favorite of Chris Fabry's books, it is captivating. Packed with action, it was sometimes a little difficult to keep track of where J. D. and Maria were as they tried to stay a step ahead of Maria's enemy. Great characters made up for that, however, and I especially loved Pastor Ron! Borders of the Heart puts a face on the issue of illegal immigration and the evil of drug lords, yet also showcases the power of God's love and grace.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Friday, November 23, 2012

'Twas the Day After Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend: My heart is overflowing, my stomach is full, my schedule is empty, and my mind is blank!

I may or may not be back before Monday. Enjoy your weekend!



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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Let's Talk Turkey Hodgepodge!


Today the Hodgepodge is celebrating Thanksgiving. While the blogging community is made up of folks all over the world, I love Joyce's reminder that while Thanksgiving is an American holiday, gratitude for our blessings is (or should be) universal. So let's gobble up the questions!

1. Turkey-love it or leave it? White meat or dark? What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?

Absolutely LOVE turkey, as long as it's the white meat. Dark meat goes straight on my man's plate. My favorite thing with leftover turkey? A sandwich or just eat it with some salt and leftover dressing.

2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do--run a 10K or climb a mountain?

Do we have to burn them all off at once?! Neither of those appeal. I do NOT run, and there are no mountains anywhere near me. I've actually learned some moderation and don't usually make myself miserably full.

3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse? Explain.

Better. I tend to know more of what's going on with folks and it's given me a camaraderie with them, even--or maybe especially!--my local friends.

4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life?

I don't necessarily express gratitude FOR them. I do express gratitude IN them. I have thanked God for how He has used (or will use) certain things for my ultimate benefit, how He has/will grown my faith my walk.

Not railing on Joyce because I think it was just the way she happened to word the question, but I have known people who do think you are supposed to thank God FOR everything. Sorry, but that's just stupid. Who would say, "Thank you that my spouse/child just died of cancer"? No, you say, "Thank you, Lord, that even though this makes absolutely no sense to me, You are still sovereign and You have a plan. Thank you that You have promised never to leave me or forsake me and that You will work in this situation for my ultimate good."

Stepping away from the pulpit soapbox now!

5. In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'. Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight Thanksgiving night? Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday?

I thought it was insane that the stores opened at 4:00 am, and I really think it's appalling that they open at midnight Thanksgiving night. Won't be long until it will be noon Thanksgiving Day. No, I will stay far away from the stores on Friday. While I don't do a lot of Christmas shopping, some is done in stores and some is done online. But none of it has to be done in the crowds this weekend!

6. Speaking of the color black--which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?


Black is a good color for me and I enjoy wearing it. Probably my favorite item is a light fall blazer that's easy to dress up or down. The sleeves are ruched to 3/4 length, so it's been perfect for days when it's just a tad cool in the morning.




7. What do you appreciate about your life today?

It sounds so trite and automatic, but I'm so thankful for my family, for my church, for a safe, warm home, a reliable vehicle, and so many things that I am able to enjoy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of Black Friday, I saw this on FB the other day and absolutely loved it!





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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

You Don't Know Me


You Don't Know Me
Susan May Warren
(Tyndale)
ISBN: 978-1414334844
October 2012/384 pages/$13.99

To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids’ sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on bail and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the grace to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan May Warren is the RITA Award–winning author of more than thirty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church.

Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times and won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Four of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women's events about God's amazing grace in our lives.

Visit Susan's Web site at www.susanmaywarren.com.

MY THOUGHTS

The Witness Security Program has always fascinated me. I could never imagine having to walk away from my life and totally invent a new one, never to have contact with friends or family from my previous life. Susan May Warren has crafted a novel that makes it much easier to imagine but no less unsettling. Warren makes it easy to like Annalise, and it's heartbreaking to think that she was once a rebellious teenager making the kind of decisions that led her to testify and then forced her into hiding. The tension gradually escalates both within the family dynamics and as the danger to Annalise and her family creeps closer. Plenty of hold-your-breath moments make this a great read.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers and Lynch Public Relations as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Monday, November 19, 2012

The Christmas Star



The Christmas Star
Ace Collins
(Abingdon Press)
ISBN:
October 2012/224 pages/$14.99

Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each Christmas the final decoration Madge Reed hangs on the family’s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering.

Yet a letter delivered by one of Robert’s fellow soldiers and a mystery posed in that letter put a father’s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bestselling author Ace Collins has written more than fifty books including novels Farraday Road, Swope’s Ridge and Words of the Father, as well as the nonfiction Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, grAttitudes, and Lassie A Dog’s Life. His books have become movies and network television specials. He has appeared on Good Morning America, the NBC Nightly News and The Today Show and has been featured in the Distinguished Lecture Series at the National Archives in Washington D.C. Ace Collins has sold more than 1.5 million books during his career.

His latest book is the Christian holiday fiction, The Christmas Star.

You can visit Ace on the web at www.acecollins.com.


MY THOUGHTS

This is the first book by Ace Collins that I have read but it won't be the last. The Christmas Star is a moving tale of the other side of heroism: the grief and loss experienced by the son of a man honored for making the ultimate sacrifice. Collins wonderfully portrays Jimmy's heartache and anger over the hole in his life and the resulting choices he makes. I particularly loved how the old school bus driver, Calvin Jenkins, became such a quiet mentor and hero to him without Jimmy even realizing it. This is one of the best Christmas novels of the year; The Christmas Star will light up your season!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press via Pump Up Your Book Promotions as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Saturday, November 17, 2012

TSMSS - Come, Ye Thankful People, Come!


This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving hymns. I wish my church still sang it. It tells the whole story of the harvest and Thanksgiving, yet parallels it with God's harvest.



COME YE THANKFUL PEOPLE COME

Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field,
fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
ring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
In Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

WORDS: Henry Alford, 1844
MUSIC: George J Elvey, 1858

join me at Amy's for more songs!


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Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday Fizzle

This is one of those days there's not much brainpower left of me to post.

It's been a tough 24 hours to be a Care Minister. A dearly loved woman who impacted many lost her battle with cancer. Two church members were admitted to (separate) hospitals. And an accident claimed the life of someone close to one of our youth.

How in the world do people cope without the hope that Christ brings? Especially in the case of our dear friend, while we all grieve the loss and ache for her husband and children, we smile as we picture her in the presence of the Savior she adored.

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. (I Thessalonians 4:13)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:55-57)


I love the chorus from this song that we just don't hear much anymore:
But just think of stepping on shore--And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand--And finding it God's!
Of breathing new air--And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory--And finding it home!

(Finally Home by Don Wyrtzen), 1971


And this has been running through my mind a lot lately:
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my strength is gone
Still my soul will sing your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore!

(10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin, 2011)


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Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Texan's Choice




A Texan's Choice
Shelley Gray
(Abingdon Press)
ISBN: 978-1426714658
October 2012/320 pages/$14.99


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

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

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

Which was something he never thought possible....

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

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

Her latest book is the Christian historical fiction, A Texan’s Choice.

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

Connect with Shelley: Facebook | Goodreads


MY THOUGHTS

Readers who enjoy Shelley Gray's Amish books may be surprised but nonetheless delighted to discover her talent for creating a world far different from those close-knit, family-oriented communities. My heart broke for Rose as her home was stripped away and she was deserted. . .but her plucky and indomitable spirit made me smile. Scout Proffitt had quite a reputation but he had never come across anyone quite like Rose. This is a fun western historical that marries danger with romance, making one wonder if sparks or bullets are going to fly first!





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press and Pump Up Your Book Promotions as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



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Sophia's Secret

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Whitaker House (October 1, 2012)
***Special thanks to Cathy Hickling for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in western Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. After graduating, she traveled, then married one of her childhood friends, and together they raised two ldaughters. Now happily retired after teaching elementary school for over 30 years, “Shar” enjoys reading, singing in the church choir, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren—and, of course, writing. Her novels include Through Every Storm, Long Journey Home; the Little Hickman Creek series, the acclaimed historical trilogy, The Daughters of Jacob Kane, and the first two books in her latest series, River of Hope: Livvie’s Song and Ellie’s Haven.


Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

 The River of Hope Series, set in the 1920’s, continues with the story of Sofia Rogers who is pregnant, unmarried, and guarding a secret. Nobody in Wabash, Indiana seems to know her real story and Sofia isn’t about to share it. She’d rather bear the shame than face the threat of consequences. When Eli Trent, the new doctor in town, gets involved, trouble escalates in the form of thievery, arson, and death threats. Nevertheless, Eli remains determined to break down the wall of silence behind which Sofia hides her secret. He is out to convince her she is not alone and to help  her come to the realization that trusting him—-and God-—is the only thing that makes sense.

Product Details:
List Price: $10.99
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (October 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160374214X
ISBN-13: 978-1603742146

MY THOUGHTS:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. While the books can be read as stand-alones, it's fun to recognize folks from previous books in several of the scenes. Sharlene MacLaren's characters are always well-developed and likable, and Sofia and Eli may be two of my favorites. This story provides a great reminder of the importance of compassion and the damage that gossip and assumptions can do. Wabash, Indiana is a delightful town--with a few exceptions, that is!--and I've enjoyed my time there with the River of Hope series.


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:



The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
—Psalm 51:17
June 1930
Wabash, Indiana
The blazing sun ducked behind a cloud, granting a smidgeon of relief to Sofia Rogers as she compressed the pedal to stop her bike in front of Murphy’s Market and, in a most inelegant manner, slid off the seat, taking care not to catch the hem of her loose-fitting dress in the bicycle chain. She scanned the street in both directions, hoping not to run into anyone she knew, then parked the rusting yellow bike next to a Ford truck. These days, she dreaded coming into town, but she couldn’t very well put off the chore much longer if she wanted to keep food on the table.
Her younger brother, Andy, had won the race to their destination. His equally corroded bike leaned against the building, and he stood next to it, his arms crossed, a burlap sack slung across one shoulder. As she approached, a smug grin etched his freckled face. “Didn’t I t-tell you I’d b-beat you?” 
“That’s because you had a full minute head start on me, you rascal.” Sofie might have added that her present condition did not permit the speed and agility she’d once had, but she wasn’t about to make that excuse. “Just you wait. I’ll win on the way back home.”
“N-not if I can help it.”
She pressed the back of her hand to her hot, damp face and stepped up to the sidewalk. “We’ll see about that, Mr. Know-It-All.”
Andy pointed at her and laughed. “Now your face is all d-dirty.” 
She looked at her hands, still soiled from working in the garden that morning, and frowned. “I guess I should have lathered them a little better when I washed up.” She bent over and used the hem of her skirt to wipe her cheek before straightening. “There. Is that better?” 
He tilted his face and angled her a crooked grin. “Sort of.”
“Oh, who cares?” She tousled his rust-colored hair. “Come on, let’s get started checking those items off my shopping list.”
They headed for the door, but a screeching horn drew their attention to the street, where a battered jalopy slowed at the curb. Several teenage boys, their heads poking out through the windows, whistled and hollered. “Hey, sister! Hear you like to have a good time!”
At their crudeness, Sofie felt a suffocating pressure in her chest. With a hand on her brother’s shoulder, she watched the car round the bend, as the boys’ whoops faded into the distance.
“Who were those guys?”
“Nobody important.”
As if the baby inside her fully agreed, she got a strong push to the rib cage that jarred her and made her stumble.
“You alright?” Andy grabbed her elbow, looking mature beyond his eleven years.
She paused to take a deep breath and then let it out slowly, touching a hand to her abdomen. Even in her seventh month, she could scarcely fathom carrying a tiny human in her womb, let alone accept all of the kicks and punches he or she had started doling out on a daily basis. She’d read several books to know what to expect as she progressed, but none of them had come close to explaining why she already felt so deeply in love with the tiny life inside of her. Considering that she hadn’t consented to the act committed against her, she should have resented the little life, but how could she hold an innocent baby accountable? “I’m fine,” she finally assured her brother. “Let’s go inside, shall we?”
Inside Murphy’s Market, a few people ambled up and down the two narrow aisles, toting cloth bags or shopping baskets. Sofie kept her left hand out of view as much as possible, in hopes of avoiding the condemnation of anyone who noticed the absence of a wedding band on her left ring finger. Not that she particularly cared what other folks thought, but she’d grown weary of the condescending stares. Several women had tried to talk her into giving the infant up for adoption, including Margie Grant, an old friend who had served as a mother figure to her and Andy ever since their parents had perished in a train wreck in 1924. “The little one growing inside you is the result of an insidious attack, darling. I shouldn’t think you’d want much to do with it once it’s born,” Margie had said. “I happen to know more than a few childless couples right here in Wabash who would be thrilled to take it off your hands. You should really consider adoption.”
Because Margie had long been a loyal friend, Sofie had confided in her about the assault, including when and where it had occurred. As for going to the authorities and demanding an investigation—never! Margie had begged her to go straight to Sheriff Morris, but she had refused, and then had made Margie swear on the Bible not to go herself.
“That is a hard promise to make, dearest,” Margie had conceded with wrinkled brow, “but I will promise to keep my lips buttoned. As for adoption, if you gave the baby to a nice couple in town, you would have the opportunity to watch it grow up. That would bring you comfort, I should think, especially if you selected a well-deserving Christian couple.”
“I can’t imagine giving my baby away to someone in my hometown, Christian or not.” 
“Well then, we’ll go to one of the neighboring towns,” the woman had persisted. “Think about it, sweetheart. You don’t have the means to raise a child. Why, you and Andy are barely making ends meet as it is. Who’s going to take care of it while you’re at work?”
“I can’t think about that right now, Margie. And, please, don’t refer to my child as an ‘it.’”
The woman’s face had softened then, and she’d enfolded Sofie in her arms. “Well, of course, I know your baby’s not an ‘it,’ honey. But, until he or she is born, I have no notion what to call it—I mean, him or her.”
“‘The baby’ will do fine.”
Margie had given her a little squeeze, then dropped her hands to her sides and shot her a pleading gaze. “I sure wish you’d tell me who did this to you. It’s a crime, you know, what he did.”
Yes, it had been a crime—the most reprehensible sort. And it was both a blessing and a curse that Sofie couldn’t remember the details. The last thing she could remember was drinking her habitual cup of coffee at Spic-and-Span Cleaning Service before starting her evening rounds. She’d thought it tasted unusually bitter, but she’d shrugged it off at the time. Half an hour later—at the site of her job that night, at the law offices of Baker & Baker—she’d been overcome by dizziness and collapsed. She’d teetered in and out of consciousness, with only a vague notion of what was going on. When she’d awakened, it had been daylight, and she was sore all over. Fortunately, it had been a Saturday, and the offices were closed; no one had discovered her lying there, nauseous and trembling, her dress torn, her hair disheveled. A particular ache had given her a clue as to what had gone on while she’d been unconscious. As the sickening reality had set in, she’d found beside her the note that had haunted her ever since.
Breathe one word about this and you can say bye-bye to your brother.
It had been typed on the official letterhead of the sheriff’s office, making her even less inclined to go to the authorities. Whoever had assaulted her had connections to the law, and she wasn’t about to risk her brother’s life to find out his identity. Plus, without a name, and with no visual or auditory recollection, she had nothing to offer that would aid an investigation.
By the time she realized she’d gotten pregnant, two months had passed—too late to go crying to the authorities. Not that she’d planned to. Her attacker’s threat had been enough to keep her quiet. She could bear the scorn and the shame, as long as he left her alone. And the only way of ensuring that was to comply with his demands. No, she couldn’t say anything more about it to Margie.
“Margie, we’ve been over this. It’s better left unsaid, believe me.”
“But, don’t you know people are going to talk? Who knows what they’ll think or say when you start to show? If they learned the truth, perhaps they’d go a little easier on you.”
“No! I can’t. No one must know—not even you. I’m sorry, Margie.”
Margie had rubbed the back of her neck as if trying to work out a kink. A loud breath had blown past her lips and whistled across Sofie’s cheek. “You know I love you, and so I will honor your wishes…for now.” Then, her index finger had shot up in the air, nearly poking Sofie in the nose. “But if he so much as comes within an inch of you again, I want you to tell me right away, you hear? I can’t abide thinking that he’ll come knocking at your door. You must promise me, Sofia Mae Rogers!”
Sofie had hidden the shiver that had rustled through her veins at the mere thought of crossing paths with her attacker again. Why, every time she went to work, she couldn’t get the awful pounding in her chest to slow its pace until she was home again. She’d stopped drinking and eating at work—anywhere other than at home, really.
“Show me your list, Sofie.” Andy’s voice drew her out of her fretful thoughts. She reached inside her pocket and handed over the paper. When he set off down an aisle, she idly followed after, her mind drifting back into its musings.
***
Dr. Elijah Trent parked his grandfather’s 1928 Ford Model A in the lot beside Murphy’s Market. As he climbed out, he was careful not to allow his door to collide with a bicycle standing nearby. Another battered bike leaned against the building. It looked as if it could use some serious repair work. He closed his door and took a deep breath of hot June air, then cast a glance overhead at the row of birds roosting on a clothesline that stretched between two apartment buildings across the street.
When he pulled open the whiny screen door, an array of aromas teased his nostrils, from freshly ground coffee beans to roasted peanuts in a barrel. As he stepped inside, a floorboard shrieked beneath his feet, as if to substantiate its long-term use.
“Afternoon,” said the shopkeeper, who glanced up from the cash register, where he stood, ringing up an order for a young pregnant woman. Beside her, a boy dutifully stuffed each item into a cloth bag. The young woman raised her head and glanced briefly at Eli, who sensed a certain tenseness in her chestnut-colored eyes. Then, she shifted her gaze back to the clerk.
“Say, ain’t you Doc Trent’s grandson?” the man asked.
“That I am, sir. Elijah Trent. But most people call me Eli.”
The clerk stopped ringing items for a moment and gave him an up-and-down glance. “Heard you’re takin’ over the old fellow’s practice. That’s mighty fine o’ you. I understand you graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, an’ you worked at a Detroit hospital for two years, but you were itchin’ for small-town livin’. Timing’s good, since Doc’s retirin’. S’pose you two been plannin’ this for quite a while now, eh? Hate to see Wilson Trent retire, but most folks seem to think it’ll be good to get in some new blood. Get it? Blood?” He gave a hearty chortle, causing his rotund chest to jiggle up and down.
Eli smiled at the friendly man. “It sounds like Grandfather’s been keeping everyone well-informed.”
“He sure has. Plus, the Plain Dealer wrote up that article ’bout you.”
“Yes, I heard that.”
The woman shifted her narrow frame and fingered one of her short, brown curls, but she kept her eyes focused on the counter. Beside her, the freckle-faced youngster poked his head around the back of her and met Elijah’s gaze. They stared at each other for all of three seconds, but when Eli smiled, the boy quickly looked forward again.
As the clerk resumed ringing up their order, Eli reached inside his hip pocket and grabbed the short list his grandfather had scrawled in his somewhat shaky handwriting. In Detroit, he’d taken most of his meals at the hospital. Helping his grandfather in the kitchen would be an entirely new experience. At least it would be only temporary, until Grandfather’s housekeeper of twenty-odd years, Winifred Carmichael, returned from her two-week vacation out West.
“You lookin’ for anythin’ in particular?” the clerk asked.
“Nothing I can’t find on my own, sir.”
“Pick up one o’ them baskets by the door for stashin’ what you need. Name’s Harold, by the way. Harold Murphy. I’ve owned this place goin’ on thirty years now.”
Eli bent to pick up a basket. He hadn’t thought to bring along a sack in which to carry the items home. The store he had occasioned in Detroit had offered brown paper bags, but the trend didn’t seem to have caught on in Wabash just yet. “Yes, I recall coming here with my grandmother as a kid.”
“And I remember you, as well, with that sandy hair o’ yours and that there dimple in your chin.”
“Is that so? You have a good memory, Mr. Murphy.”
A pleased expression settled on the clerk’s face. “You used to ogle my candy jars and tug at your grandmother’s arm. ’Course, she’d always give in. She couldn’t resist your pleadin’. Seems to me you always managed to wrangle some chewin’ gum out o’ her before I finished ringin’ her order.”
“It’s amazing you remember that.”
“Well, some things just stick in my memory for no particular reason.” He glanced across the counter at the freckle-faced boy. “Young Andy, here, he’s the Hershey’s chocolate bar type. Ain’t that right, Andy?”
The lad’s head jerked up, and he looked from Mr. Murphy to the woman beside him. “Yes, sir. C-c-can I g-get one today, Sofie?”
Her slender shoulders lifted and drooped with a labored sigh. “I suppose, but don’t expect any other treats today.”
“I won’t.”
The brief tête-à-tête allowed Eli the chance to disappear down an aisle in search of the first item on his list: sugar. He found it about the same time the screen door whined open once more, with the exit of the young woman and the boy. Next, Eli spotted the bread at the end of the aisle. He picked up a loaf and nestled it in the basket, next to the box of sugar.
“Well, I think it’s plain disgraceful, her coming into town and flaunting herself like that. My stars, has she not an ounce of decency? And what, pray tell, is she teaching that brother of hers by not keeping herself concealed?”
“I must agree, it’s quite appalling,” said another.
Eli’s ears perked up at the sound of female scoffs coming from the other side of the shelving unit at the back of the store. He stilled, slanted his head, and leaned forward. If he could push a few cans and boxed goods to the side without creating a commotion, he might manage a partial view of the gossips.
“I always did wonder about her and that pitiable little brother of hers, living all alone on the far edge of town. No telling what sort of man put her in a motherly way. Why, if I were in her place, I’d have gone off to stay with some relative in another state. One would think she’d have somewhere she could go. She could have birthed the child, given it to some worthy family, and come back to Wabash, and no one would’ve been the wiser.”
The other gossip cleared her throat. “Perchance her ‘lover’ won’t hear of her leaving, and she doesn’t dare defy him. She always did come off as rather defenseless, wouldn’t you say?” 
“Yes, yes, and very reclusive. Never was one to join any charity groups or ladies’ circles. Why, she doesn’t even attend church, to my knowledge. As I said before, the whole thing is disgraceful.”
Eli shuffled around the corner and stopped at the end of the next row, where he picked up a couple of cans of beans, even though they weren’t on Grandfather’s list, and dropped them into his basket with a clatter. The chattering twosome immediately fell silent. Eli cast a casual glance in their direction, and he almost laughed at their poses of feigned nonchalance. One was studying the label on a box, while the other merely stared at a lower shelf, her index finger pressed to her chin.
When Eli started down the aisle, both of them looked up, so he nodded. “Afternoon, ladies.”
The more buxom of the two batted her eyelashes and plumped her graying hair, then nearly blinded him with a fulsome smile. “Well, good afternoon to you.”  She put a hand to her throat. “My goodness. You’re Doc Trent’s grandson?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, I’ll be. I overheard you talking with Harold, but I didn’t lay eyes on you until now.” She perused him up and down. “You sure are a handsome devil.” 
“Oh, for mercy’s sake, Bessie, mind your manners.” The second woman bore a blush of embarrassment. “Don’t pay her any heed, Doctor. She’s such a tease.” She extended a hand. “I’m Clara Morris, the sheriff’s wife, and this is Bessie Lloyd. Her husband owns Lloyd’s Shoe Store, over on Market Street. Welcome to Wabash, Dr. Trent. We read about your impending arrival in the newspaper. I hope you find yourself feeling right at home here.”
“I’m sure I will.” Eli shifted his shopping basket and extended a hand first to Mrs. Morris, then to the annoying Mrs. Lloyd. He would have liked to remind them that two upstanding women in the community ought to put a lock on their lips, lest they tarnish their own reputations, but he hadn’t come to Wabash with the intention of making instant enemies, so he restrained himself. “Nice meeting you ladies. You have a good day, now.”
He glanced to his left and, seeing a shelf with maple syrup, snatched a can and tossed it into his basket. Casting the women one last smile, he headed down the aisle in search of the remaining items.
“My, my,” he heard Mrs. Lloyd mutter. “I think it may be time for me to switch physicians.” 
“But you’ve been seeing Dr. Stewart for years,” Mrs. Morris said. “What about your bad knee?”
“Pfff, never mind that. I’d much rather look into that young man’s blue eyes and handsome face than Dr. Stewart’s haggard mug. Why, if I were younger….”
Eli picked up his pace and made it out of earshot before she finished her statement.
Several minutes later, he’d rounded up everything on his list, so he made his way to the cash register. As he did, the voices of the two gabby women carried across the store. Evidently, they’d found a new topic of conversation. “I went to McNarney Brothers yesterday,” Mrs. Lloyd was saying, “and would you believe they raised the price of beef by five cents a pound? Don’t they know times are tight? Before you know it, folks won’t be able to afford to eat.”
“She could afford to go a few days without eatin’,” Harold Murphy muttered. His eyes never strayed from his task, as he keyed in the amount of each item before placing it back in the basket.
Eli covered his mouth with the back of his hand until his grin faded. He decided it was best to keep quiet on the matter. Something else bothered him, though, and he couldn’t resist inquiring. He leaned in, taking care to keep his voice down. “That girl…er, that woman, who left a bit ago, who is expecting….”
“Ah, Sofia Rogers? She was here with her little brother, Andy.” Mr. Murphy rang up the final item, the loaf of bread, and placed it gently atop the other goods. Then, he scratched the back of his head as his thin lips formed a frown. “It’s a shame, them two…well, them three, I guess you could say.” He glanced both ways, then lowered his head and whispered, “Don’t know who got her in that way, and I don’t rightly care. When she comes here, I just talk to her like nothin’s different. Figure it ain’t really my concern. I know there’s been talk about her bein’ loose, an’ all, but I can’t accept it. Never seen her with anybody but that little boy. She takes mighty fine care o’ him, too.”
“She’s his guardian, then?”
“Sure enough, ever since…oh, let’s see here…summer of twenty-four, it was. They lost their ma and pa in a terrible train wreck. They’d left Andy home with Sofie for a few days, whilst they went to a family funeral somewhere out West, little knowing their own funeral would be three days later.” The man shook his balding head.
The news got Eli’s gut to roiling. Even after all those years of medical school, which should have calloused him to pain and suffering, his heartstrings were wound as taut as ever. He needed to learn to toughen up. Needed to accept that, thanks to Adam and Eve’s fateful decision in the garden, bad things happened to innocent people; that he lived in an imperfect world in which evil often won.
“Where do they live, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Somewheres out on the southwest edge o’ town. River Road, I believe, just off o’ Mill Creek Pike.”
Eli didn’t know Wabash well, but his grandfather certainly did, having driven virtually every street within the town limits to make house calls. But what was he thinking? He ought to bop himself on the noggin. He knew next to nothing about this woman, and the last thing he needed upon taking over Wilson Trent’s medical practice was a reputation for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong.
Eli paid the shopkeeper and took up the basket. He had a good feeling about Harold Murphy. “Nice to see you again, sir. I’ll bring this basket back next time I come in…or shall I return it to you tonight?”
Harold flicked his wrist. “Naw, you bring it back whenever it’s convenient. You give ol’ Doc a hearty hello from me.”
“I’ll do that.” Eli turned and proceeded to the door, shoving it open with his shoulder. The first thing he noticed when he stepped outside was the absence of the two bikes, and it occurred to him then that Sofia and Andy Rogers had ridden to and from Murphy’s Market on those rickety contraptions. A woman in what looked to be her seventh month of pregnancy, riding a bike clear to the edge of town? In a dress? And in this heat?
This time, he did bop himself on the head.



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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Hodgepodge Heads Toward 200


Wow, the 100th edition of the Hodgepodge rocked the world so much that it collided with Hurricane Sandy, the election, and Joyce's travel plans. After a week off to catch her breath and get her electricity back, she's back to start us down the road toward 200. What better time for you to hop aboard and join us?! Just grab the questions, answer them on your blog, and then link up over at Joyce's blog.

1. What rule of life should never be broken?

The Golden Rule. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

And similarly,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39)

2. What's your favorite family recipe?

When I went to my blog archives to get this recipe, I noticed that I posted it in October 2008 and October 2010. Guess I'm a few weeks overdue for my every-other-year posting! As much as I love mocha (especially the season's peppermint mocha), I do love this version of spiced tea that came from one of my grandmothers. Don't even offer me the powdered stuff with Tang. This is so much better and makes the house smell wonderful!

SPICED TEA

1 tsp. whole cloves
1 1/2 inch stick cinnamon
3 quarts water
2 large tea bags
Juice of 3 oranges
Juice of 1 1/2 lemons
1 c. sugar

Place spices in a spice ball, add to water, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep. Heat juices and sugar and add to tea. Mix well and serve hot. Makes 3 quarts.

3. Is the media manipulative?

Does the sun rise in the east?!

4. Hubs and I saw Skyfall last weekend...are you a fan of the Bond films? If so, who's your favorite Bond?

I don't know that I've seen a Bond film since I was in high school in the late '70's. The one I remember most is The Spy Who Loved Me, both for the ending of the movie and the song. So I can't say I really have a preference.

5. What is one thing you hope people never say about you?

That my walk doesn't match my talk.

6. What's a nearby tourist attraction you'd like to see, but haven't gotten around to visiting?

Well, even though it's in Texas it's not exactly nearby--but I've never been to Big Bend.

7. Where's your favorite tree?

I love big old spreading oak trees that make lots of shade.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A seat heater is a glorious thing.



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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Change of Fortune

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Change of Fortune
Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)
by
Jen Turano

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen grew up in the small town of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where she spent an idyllic childhood riding her purple spider bike, ice-skating on a little pond and reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books in her tree house. High School was, surprisingly enough, fabulous as Jen spent time with her girlfriends. She headed off to college with no idea of what she wanted to be when she grew up, but settled on pursuing a career in fashion because she thought it sounded glamorous. Her parents thought she’d lost her mind, but they resigned themselves to her choice and after earning a BA degree in Clothing and Textiles, Jen set off to take the fashion world by storm, only to discover retail was certainly not the glamorous career she’d imagined it would be. She moved to Buffalo, New York to take a job in the buying office of a large department store, learning all there was to know about cookware, which again, was hardly glamorous, especially to a girl who did not have a knack for cooking. She met her future husband, Al, a few months after taking this job and eight months later, they were married. After moving into management at another department store and working that for a few years, the company went out of business and Jen decided she’d had enough. One year later her son was born and Jen hung up her heels for good and concentrated on being a mom.

She began dabbling in writing when her son, then in elementary school, said he liked her made up stories as much as those in his books. It was then that she fired up the computer and never looked back.

Jen loves to write humorous stories with quirky characters and a dash of intrigue and finds historical romances especially appealing, seeing as how she’s been reading them since she was a teenager. Her mother gave her a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss' The Flame and the Flower, and Jen was hooked on the genre. When not reading romance, she loves to read mysteries, young adult and her favorite series of all time, Harry Potter.

Besides writing, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.

When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Change of Fortune, go HERE.


MY THOUGHTS

A debut novel?! I never would have guessed! Jen Turano's knack for crafting a well-balanced story is on par with many multi-published authors. The underlying plot is solid, but what sets this delightful book apart from many others is the injection of humorous incidents and situations at just the right moments and in the perfect amounts. Though I wouldn't exactly consider it a comedy, this novel nevertheless had me chuckling periodically at Eliza's misfortunes as she endeavors to right the wrong committed against her family and bring about A Change of Fortune. Jen Turano is definitely an author to watch, and I look forward to the next books in this Ladies of Distinction series.





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