Book Title: Through a Broken Heart: Finding Hope and Healing After a Breakup
Author: Colleen Meissner
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 144 pages
Genre: Christian non-fiction, self-help, devotional
Publisher: A Book’s Mind
Release date: April 19, 2018

Synopsis

Dear Broken Heart ~

You must be hurting deeply. Perhaps you’re also feeling overwhelmed and completely alone in this place of emptiness and grief. I’ve been where you are and my heart aches with yours. I want you to know there is someone who sees and someone who cares. His name is Jesus. The journey right now is dark and painful, but if you will travel with me using God’s word as our guide, it will eventually lead to a place of hope and restoration. A destination where God’s love ushers you into wholeness. Where His healing hand won’t just repair your shattered soul, but will establish you in the truth that you are deeply loved and understood. In contrast to your current sorrow, this may seem too good to be true. I get that, I’ve been there. At this point, I’m only asking you to trust that He is able. I invite you to spend these next six weeks at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to enter into your wounded heart through this very place of brokenness. Will you give Him permission to transform you in a way that far exceeds your own expectations?

~ Colleen Meissner Married for the first time at 42. Colleen knows firsthand the pain of heartbreak, being single longer than expected, and the battle against fear and insecurity. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and has spent over 10 years sharing her own experience and knowledge as a coach and mentor. She now has a vision to share the wisdom she’s been given with you.

Interview

Today we welcome Colleen to StoreyBook Reviews.  She was gracious enough to answer some questions for us about herself.

Favorite travel spot?

I honestly don’t travel too often, my work and an elderly dog limit me a bit these days, but when I do travel I want to be at a beach, lake or river. I always say, “give me a sandy beach and a fruity cocktail over history and architecture.” I know how shallow that may sound, but it’s more about the fact that the beach, specifically the ocean is one of the few places where I am able to fully exhale and relax.

Favorite dessert?

My favorite dessert will always be ice cream. Some of my best memories of my dad and I are when we were laughing and being “indulgent” eating two (!) bowls of ice cream. He and I didn’t’ agree on much when I was younger – but we could always come together over a bowl (or two!) of Neapolitan ice cream – he loved the chocolate and me the strawberry; the vanilla was divided between us equally; it was a perfect balance. I lost my father this year, so these memories are especially sweet (pun intended! ☺).

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?

My Bible of course, that’s a no brainer. Bob Goff’s “Love Does” would be the second one – even if I’m alone, I’d want to remember to be kind and loving to myself, plus the book just makes me laugh –  that man cracks me up and his life is an amazing testimony of what it’s like to live and love fearlessly.

I’m not sure which I would bring for my third one, but for certain some type of reference book. I am a book hoarder, I still have books from college that I won’t give up just in case I may need to reference them at some point.

What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

This is an easy answer – this (publishing Through a Broken Heart) is the most courageous thing I’ve ever done, without a doubt. I am really shy and have a slight social phobia – so to step out of the shadows and to share my heart and lessons learned are really scary to me and way outside of my comfort zone.

But… I would rather do this and fail (or be criticized) then not do it at all. Perhaps that’s even scarier – getting to the end of life and wishing I had taken more risks. I’m at a point now where I’d rather go for it and fail then not take the risk at all.

Name a quirky thing you like to do.

The quirkiest thing I do isn’t actually quirky to me at all, but apparently it is to others. I can’t eat ice cream (the normal kind, not soft serve) without smashing it up in my bowl until the consistency becomes like a frosty. My favorite ice cream to do this with is plain old Neapolitan ice cream, with mostly strawberry and vanilla. I can tell if there’s too much chocolate if the “mush” is browner then pink. Is that really that weird?

As for hobbies, my passion work (mentoring, coaching and writing) take most of my free time, but love just hanging out with my husband, brothers and my girlfriends, put us all on the beach together and you have perfection, at least to me. The last time (and maybe the first) this happened was my wedding day in 2013, we married at the beach and only invited our closest family and friends – it was perfection.

About the Author

I earned a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in 2010 and have been mentoring women for over a decade. The most common area of counsel I provide is to single women not ashamed to admit they want to be married and have someone to share their life with. These women often without realizing it, are battling soul wounds (emotional and heart wounds) from their past that are preventing them from fulfilling this deeply held desire of marriage and family.

I consider there to be no greater privilege than to have women trust me with their deepest struggles and fears and to travel along side of them on their journey from a place of being held in bondage by lies (“I am fat, ugly, a loser, unlovable…”) to a place of freedom and victory. I know this journey well, I have traveled it; it is hard and it is long, and you cannot do it alone. There are seemingly impossible hills to climb, valleys to crawl out of and side-roads leading to nowhere. Perhaps more than a mentor, I am a tour-guide, leading you as you navigate your way to healing and overcoming those things that have kept you from embracing the fullness of life that the Lord came to give you (John 10:10).

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Giveaway

Win an ebook copy of Through a Broken Heart (open to USA & Canada – 2 winners)

(ends July 21, 2018)

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Title: CIRCUMVENT
Author: S.K. Derban
Publisher: Touchpoint Press
Genre: Mystery

Synopsis

Imagine living in a quaint, beach front cottage on the Hawaiian island of Maui. You have an amazing job, combined with the pleasure of working from home. Lunch breaks become a daily picnic on the sand. Dessert is always included because of your marriage to a famous pastry chef. Life could not be any better. Or so it seems… When French born, Nikki Sabine Moueix travels to Hawaii for a special work assignment, her job of writing an article about a famous Swiss pastry chef generates more than a magazine piece. They fall in love, get married, and Nikki becomes Mrs. Ruggiero Delémont.

When another assignment calls for Nikki to spend three weeks in France, Ruggiero’s schedule prevents him from joining her. She travels alone, advancing straight into danger. After a threatening confrontation, Nikki wakes up in a French hospital with no knowledge of her past. When she fails to check in, Ruggiero panics and pushes for an immediate investigation. But as he closes in, Nikki’s new found friend moves her to another city. It becomes a game of hide and seek with Nikki as the prize.

CIRCUMVENT allows readers to form a bond with Nikki as they yearn for her to remember. They will cheer for Ruggiero and his relentless determination to locate his beloved wife. This is a story about two people who never lose their faith in God, and find amazing friends to help them along the way.

Review

Intrigue, amnesia, Hawaii, and France….all things exciting that made this book a joy to read. I even appreciated the Christian references and that they were not afraid to pray.

I enjoyed reading this book and the mystery kept me guessing as to who was involved and why. There were some surprises that I did not expect, but looking back I should have been a little suspicious.  I can’t imagine being in Nikki or Ruggiero in various situations – from Nikki not remembering who she was to Ruggiero being worried about his wife.  While the police might have thought Nikki was running away from her marriage, he knew better and this made him more determined to find out what happened to Nikki.  They have a very strong relationship and they both know when something isn’t quite right.

I think it was smart of the author to tell the story from both Nikki and Ruggiero’s point of view.  I was able to connect with the characters better and understand the range of motions they each experienced at various times during the story.

Definitely worth reading and we give it 4 paws up.

Excerpt

Prologue

Last Monday in October

Lyon, France

Nikki

Outside of the Metro Cordeliers subway station, Nikki descended the cement ramp with plans of hailing a taxi. She towed a duet of stacked, attached suitcases with her right hand, and carried a leather tote on her opposite shoulder. Nikki used her free hand to brush the curls away from her eyes and caught the attention of one particular driver.

The driver leaned against his idling vehicle with one foot casually crossed over his standing leg. Nikki watched him watch her as he adjusted his gray flannel driving beret. When she reached the sidewalk, he spoke.

“Bonsoir, mademoiselle,” he said in French. “I am Philippe Golmard, absolutely the best taxi driver in all of Lyon.” He side stepped to open the rear car door.

“This is your lucky night, beautiful mademoiselle. I am available and at your complete service.”

Nikki’s delicate shoulders quivered as she chuckled softly. Frenchmen, she thought. They will never change. “Merci beaucoup,” she spoke the language flawlessly. “Your offer is hard to resist.” With slim fingers, she adjusted the strap of her black tote and continued her explanation, “But my hotel is so very close, and after sitting for such a long time, I need to stretch my legs.”

“But, mademoiselle, even by such high French standards your beauty leaves me breathless. It is not good for you to walk alone.”

“You are very kind, but I am not going far.”

“If you are staying at the Grand Boscolo, I can have you there in two minutes. Then, you can stretch your legs without carrying the weight of your bags.”

With a polite, but dismissive motion of her hand, Nikki smiled at his perseverance. Fortunately, she was extremely familiar with the many one-way streets and pedestrian-only areas. With or without luggage, walking would be the fastest way to go. She renounced his offer with a turn of her head. “Merci, but perhaps another time,” she murmured while continuing by.

As Nikki rounded the corner of the first street, a gentle breeze blew several strands of her long, free-flowing hair. The curly wisps tickled her nose until a row of trees diverted the current’s path. She followed the natural windbreak as the street curved away from the direction of her hotel. Nikki had a passion for shopping but was purposefully avoiding the busy pedestrian area. Instead, she opted to walk around, knowing an attempt to navigate through the crowds while carting her luggage would only cause a delay. Besides, she thought. I will need two free hands to do any real shopping damage.  Nikki’s facial expression loudly announced her mischievous expectation of spending her first full day hitting the French stores. Work would come soon enough.

Finally, she made the necessary left turn and began negotiating the downward slope of a quiet side street. Nikki never expected her route to be completely void of people, and yet, surprisingly her neck hairs bristled when she heard footsteps from behind. While keeping her pace constant, she quickly glanced over her right shoulder and spotted a man who looked vaguely familiar. I know him from somewhere, Nikki thought. Still not certain, and feeling a strange vulnerability, she increased her stride and continued pressing ahead. From the sound of his footsteps, Nikki could tell the man had also sped and was gaining on her. Fear galvanized her when she suddenly heard him break into a run.

Nikki gathered her inner strength, then stopped, and turned to confront the man. She focused on his features and finally remembered. “It’s you! You’re from Maui,” she accused. “You drove my airport shuttle. What are you doing here in France, and why are you following me?”

“I, uh.” The man’s clouded eyes darted nervously in their sockets. “We gave you the wrong bag,” he responded anxiously.

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.” Nikki looked down at her bags and instantly recognized her custom brass identification tags. With a creased forehead, her dark eyebrows dipped inwardly. “What is really going on here?” she demanded.

The man stepped closer. “Look, lady, I—”

Nikki instinctively moved backward. “Get away from me!” she shouted. “Dear, God!” Nikki screamed for help as his thick palm closed around the lower carrying handle of her rolling, ground suitcase.

“Just give me the bag,” the man growled between clenched teeth.

Making the instant decision to give up the suitcase and relinquish a few clothes, Nikki immediately released her grip on the rolling handle. But, as she attempted to run away, Nikki’s arm jerked painfully backward.

The man continued to tug at the suitcase, forcing her feet to slide toward him along the cement walkway. “Let go!” he insisted.

“I can’t!” she screamed. “My bracelet is caught!”

With one powerful yank, the man tore the bag from Nikki’s outstretched arm causing her to lose balance. Blinding pain shot through her system as Nikki’s head smacked against the concrete sidewalk. She moaned softly while straining to see through the rapidly collecting haze. Nikki’s eyelids continued to flutter as the gray turned to black, and she slipped from consciousness.

About the Author

Born in the United States, S.K. Derban moved to London within the first three months and remained in England until the age of five. Her mother was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts. Even after returning to the United States, S.K. Derban’s life was filled with a love of the theatre and a passion for British murder mysteries.

Her personal travel and missionary adventures also help to transport readers virtually across the globe. S.K. Derban has smuggled Bibles into China and has been to Israel on seven missionary trips. When writing, she relies on all aspects of her life, from a strong faith in the Lord to her unique combination of professional experience. The many personal adventures of S.K. Derban are readily apparent as they shine through into her characters.  Circumvent is the third mystery novel for writer S.K. Derban.

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Synopsis

Catherine Whitfield is sure that she will never again be able to trust anyone in the medical profession after the town doctor’s excessive bleeding treatments killed her mother. Despite her loneliness and her broken heart, she carries bravely on as Cimarron Creek’s dutiful schoolteacher, resigned to a life without love or family, a life where dreams rarely come true.

Austin Goddard is a newcomer to Cimarron Creek. Posing as a rancher, he fled to Texas to protect his daughter from a dangerous criminal. He’s managed to keep his past as a surgeon a secret. But when Catherine Whitfield captures his heart, he wonders how long he will be able to keep up the charade.

With a deft hand, Amanda Cabot teases out the strands of love, deception, and redemption in this charming tale of dreams deferred and hopes becoming reality.

Baker Book House  ┃  Amazon  ┃  Barnes & Noble ┃  Christianbook.com  ┃  Books-A-Million  ┃  Kobo

Review

There is something about this little Texas town called Cimarron Creek. It is a quaint western town with citizens that mostly help and support one another. I think life was a bit simpler back then too.

This installment focuses on the schoolmarm, Catherine. We met her in A Stolen Heart (book 1) and while I thought I might know who was going to be her love match in that first book, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

While this is an enjoyable story with plots twists and turns, it is also educational. When I first read that Austin was a plastic surgeon I thought this could not be possible. However, the author’s notes at the end of the story gave me the history of this profession and that there were doctors going back to Egyptian times that performed procedures similar to microdermabrasion.

The story is also full of conflict – from past wrongs to one father beating his son just because he likes to draw. And of course the conflict between Austin and Sherman, the mafia boss type. However, the story does have a happy ending but leaves lots of openings for future stories about this little town called Cimarron Creek.

We give it 5 paws up

About the Author

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, the first book of the Cimarron Creek trilogy, as well as the Texas Crossroads series, the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming.

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(This Giveaway is from a blog tour I am participating in and had a spotlight post on Monday)

THREE WINNERS

1ST: Copy of A Borrowed Dream, Novel Teas (25 count), Paddywax Library Collection Ralph Waldo Emerson Scented Soy Wax Candle, Cedar & Wild Fern (6.5oz)

2ND: Copy of A Borrowed Dream + $10 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

3RD: Copy of A Borrowed Dream + $10 Starbucks Gift Card

APRIL 12-21, 2018

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BENEATH THE SURFACE

Dive Team Investigations

Book One

by

Lynn H. Blackburn

Genre: Suspense / Romance / Christian

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: March 6, 2018

Number of Pages: 352

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Dive into the depths of fear with an exciting new romantic suspense novel, Beneath the Surface. This gripping tale from award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn will capture readers from the first page and won’t let them go until the final, heart-pounding scene.

After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston moves home to Carrington, North Carolina, to leave behind her troubled past. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present.

Homicide investigator Ryan Parker finds fulfillment in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer—one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.

Baker Book House  ┃  Amazon 

Barnes & Noble  ┃  iBooks

Christianbook.com ┃ Kobo 

Books-A-Million ┃  Lifeway 

Praise

“With this book, author Lynn Blackburn has moved from the status of an upcoming author to watch and cemented herself as an author to note. Her exceptional storytelling skills shine as she weaves an intricate plot, populated with characters we care deeply about. Another up-all-night-because-I-can’t-put-down-the-book read.”  —Edie Melson, award-winning author, blogger, and director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

“Beneath the Surface is a swoon-worthy romantic suspense that packs a punch from page one. The nonstop action will keep you guessing until the end.”  —Rachel Dylan, author of the Atlanta Justice series

“Just when you think you can relax, Blackburn brings you back to the edge of your seat in this riveting, high-tension suspense story.”  —Patricia Bradley, author of Justice Delayed

 

Watch the Book Trailer

 

Bringing a Character to Life

Guest Post by Lynn H. Blackburn

People often ask my characters are based on real people.

My answer? Yes and no.

I have never written a character that was entirely based on a real person. Every character is a little melting pot of dozens of people—real and fictional.

I often start with my character’s job. Are they in law enforcement or some other profession? Do they love their job or hate it? Did they go into the family business or choose a different path? Do they see their job as a calling or as a means to an end? I brainstorm all sorts of professions until I find one that fits the story that’s swirling in my brain.

While I’m thinking about that, I also start thinking about their family of origin. Was it happy or dysfunctional? Do they have siblings? Are their parents living? Married or divorced? Do they all live in the same town or are they in far flung places? Again, the answers to these questions are often related to how the story is unfolding in my mind. Sometimes I need a sibling to live local. Sometimes I need them out of the picture to isolate my character further.

And I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what is standing between them and true love. This is a romance after all! Do they date a lot but keep it light? Or do they avoid dating because they’ve been hurt too badly in the past? Or maybe they’re carrying a secret flame for someone they can’t have.

At some point, I just have to start writing because no matter how much I try to get to know the character before the book begins, there’s nothing like putting them in situations and seeing how they react to learn more about them.

The heroine of Beneath the Surface is Leigh Weston. She’s a nurse practitioner who left her position in a big hospital’s oncology department after a patient stalked and terrorized her for months. She’s returned to her hometown of Carrington, NC and is working in the Emergency Department now.

The inspiration for Leigh’s profession is my sister (who shared her middle name with my character). My sister is a nurse practitioner who does palliative care. She works with patients in end-of-life situations every day and I used her knowledge, compassion and skills to form the backbone of Leigh’s character.

But Leigh is very much her own unique person. She was adopted from China so I reached out to a young lady I know who was adopted from China and raised in the Carolinas. She was very gracious to answer a lot of questions that helped me get further into Leigh’s brain and understand how she might think about certain situations.

At the beginning of Beneath the Surface, Leigh has isolated herself as a coping mechanism to help her deal with the death of her mother and the stalker who threatened her life. None of those things have happened to anyone I know personally and are pure fiction.

Leigh was also a gymnast and loves yoga and that came from my own wish that I was flexible and strong like that! One of my favorite parts of writing is being able to give my characters abilities that I wish I personally had.

Of course, people often ask how much I put of myself into my characters and there’s usually at least one thing that each character does or enjoys that is all me. In Leigh’s case, it’s the cooking.

Maybe it’s a Southern thing but I do love to feed the people I love. If I wasn’t so busy writing books I would entertain every weekend. Not in a fancy way, but more the way Leigh does. Just opening up my home and providing some tasty treats and a relaxed place to enjoy them. Nothing makes me happier than to have my house and yard crawling with friends and their kids, all of whom know they are welcome to eat everything they see and flop into any chair they want.

Developing my characters, discovering who they are and what makes them tick, and then introducing them to my readers—those are some of my favorite parts of the creative process.

Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Hidden Legacy (Love Inspired, June 2017) and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

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Grand Prize: Print Copy of the Book, Library Card Socks,

Gone Reading Sign (wooden, 5″x7″), Reading Mug;

2nd Prize: Print Copy of the Book + $25 B&N Gift Card;

3rd Prize: Print Copy of the Book + $10 Starbucks Gift Card

MARCH 6-15, 2018

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VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR

3/6/18	Author Interview	Texas Book Lover
3/6/18	Bonus Post	Hall Ways Blog
3/7/18	Review	Reading by Moonlight
3/8/18	Guest Post	StoreyBook Reviews
3/9/18	Character Interview	Tangled in Text
3/10/18	Review	The Clueless Gent
3/11/18	Top 5	#Bookish
3/12/18	Review	The Love of a Bibliophile
3/13/18	Author Interview	Chapter Break Book Blog
3/14/18	Top 5	The Page Unbound
3/15/18	Review	A Page Before Bedtime

 

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Synopsis

When a Valentine’s Day contest for Arizona’s Cutest Couple throws two romance-challenged people together, will a fake engagement help them win the prize?

All Penny Merrill wants to do is run her own sweet shop in ritzy Scottsdale, Arizona, but her money-hungry mother and conniving stepfather are making it nearly impossible to keep her dream alive. When Penny finds an advertisement for a Valentine’s Day contest for Arizona’s Cutest Couple, with the winnings being enough to enable her to hold on to her floundering business, she comes up with an idea that might just work—if she can find the right man for the job.

Commercial contractor Preston Ames is starting to develop feelings for Penny, and even though he’s been through enough heartache to know that he should avoid her at all costs, he can’t keep himself from visiting her sweet shop every day. When Penny asks him to participate in a crazy scheme so that she can overturn her stepfather’s underhanded business ploy, Preston hesitates, wanting to keep the fact that he’s a billionaire a secret. However, one look into her soulful blue eyes and he’s a goner.

Everything seems to be going well for Penny and Preston until they compete with another couple whose heartache transcends all of their misconceptions about love. When all is said and done, will they do the right thing and, in the process, discover a bond that is greater than they thought was even possible? Can just one picture turn Penny into Preston’s sweet Valentine?

Read it Free on Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt

Setting: a phone conversation between Penny and Preston, my main characters, on the morning of their scheduled interview on a televised news program

On Monday, February twelfth, Penny woke up before the sun appeared through her window. With all the excitement of a teenaged driver getting her first car, Penny hopped out of bed and showered, making her hair extra soft and smelly (in a good way) for her on-air TV interview. She couldn’t believe this day was finally here!

After showering, she stood in front of her closet with a towel wrapped around her body, debating what to wear. She had chosen and re-chosen her outfits dozens of times already. But this morning, she couldn’t afford to be wishy-washy. This was a Valentine’s Day-themed contest, so she should wear red. Right?

Or maybe pink. She owned the softest pink cashmere sweater. It would go perfectly with her pair of tight jeans and long, sleek boots. And Preston? What was he planning to wear? Eek! Why hadn’t she called him last night to ask?

She remedied that problem in no time flat. “Hiya, Penny,” he answered around a yawn on the second ring. “Everything all right? How are those new security cameras working out for you?”

This was the morning they’d been waiting for, and all he could ask her about was the security cameras? “Great, although they haven’t caught any suspicious activity since we put them up. But we caught another white mouse. Who knows how many more are scurrying around the place? And Ms. Forrester is supposed to come back any day.”

“I’ll help you do a thorough cleanup,” he offered.

“Thanks. Listen, I wanted—”

“Well, I’d better let you go so that I—”

“What are you wearing?” she blurted.

There was a pause. “Well, at the moment, since you just woke me up—”

“No, I mean today. What are you going to wear today?” Great. Now she couldn’t get the image of Preston, sitting up in bed with no shirt on, his face scruffy with new whiskers, and his hair standing out in all directions, out of her head. Oh, my!

“I’m going to wear a T-shirt and pair of jeans like I always do when I go to work.”

Work! “Preston,” she said, trying to keep the growing panic out of her voice, “don’t you realize what day this is?”

Another pause. “Monday?”

“The twelfth,” she added for emphasis.

Dead silence for at least thirty seconds. Then, “Something supposed to happen on Monday the twelfth?”

“PRESTON!”

A hearty laugh rang in her ears. Ooh! Was he going to get it—but not until after their appearance on TV. “You scared me out of my mind,” she confessed with an aggravated chuckle. “Please tell me you didn’t really forget.”

More laughter. “Nope. I just wanted to make sure you got your cardiac workout this morning since it is close to Valentine’s Day and all.”

Argh!

Just when she started thinking about the best way to get him back, he surprised her again by asking, “What are you wearing?”

Penny looked down at her towel-wrapped body. “Uh . . . “

“See? It’s not so fun to be bombarded with personal questions first thing in the morning.”

“I’ll try to remember that in the future,” she grumbled. “Now, can we get serious?”

“I am. I want to know what you’re wearing so that I can match my T-shirt to yours.”

“No. Not a T—”

His low rumble let her know she’d fallen prey to his teasing again.

“Preston Ames,” she said in a threatening tone.

“Uh-oh. In order for that to work, honey, you’ve got to know my middle name. It’s Preston Lee Ames.”

“I’m not your mother. I’m your—”

“Fiancée, I know. And that’s why we’re practicing our flirting, so we’ll be all warmed up for the show.”

Penny froze. So that’s what he was doing? What a sweet guy. Her legs turned to butter, and she practically sank onto the floor. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’ll pick you up at four-fifteen.” They’d been told they would need to arrive at a quarter ‘til five so that they would have time to prepare. They’d also been told to wear minimal makeup; their crew would take care of that.

It wasn’t until after Penny hung up that she realized that she never found out what he’d be wearing that day.

About the Author

Laura L. Walker grew up in a large family in the beautiful Gila Valley of southern Arizona. From the time she was young, she spent hours drawing characters on paper and fantasizing about their adventures. Life became more serious, however, when Laura met her own hero at Northern Arizona University and they later became the parents of six children. In between spurts of grocery shopping, sewing costumes or quilts, transporting kids to practices, and making dinner, Laura still enjoys putting her imagination to good use. She is the author of four novels and three novellas.

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MISSING ISAAC

 

by

 

VALERIE FRASER LUESSE

 

  Genre: Southern Fiction / Christian / Coming of Age

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: January 2, 2018

Number of Pages: 352

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Isaac believed in luck. But from Pete’s point of view, Isaac’s luck had all run out.

When Pete McLean loses his father in the summer of 1962, his friend Isaac is one of the few people he can lean on. Though their worlds are as different as black and white, friendship knows no color. So when Isaac suddenly goes missing, Pete is determined to find out what happened—no matter what it costs him. His quest will lead him into parts of town that he knows only through rumors and introduce him to a girl who will change his life. What they discover together will change the small Southern town of Glory, Alabama—forever.

With vivid descriptions, palpable atmosphere, and unforgettable characters, debut novelist Valerie Fraser Luesse breathes life into the rural South of the 1960s—a place where ordinary people struggle to find their footing in a social landscape that is shifting beneath their feet.

Baker Book House  ║  Amazon

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Praise for Missing Issac

 

“Valerie Fraser Luesse’s beautiful story reveals the human heart that always beats beneath the headlines. In the process, she movingly illuminates not only the spirit of a special region but the soul of every human being who ever dared to care. Missing Isaac will break—and then heal—your heart.” —J. I. Baker, journalist and author of The Empty Glass

“Welcome debut novelist Valerie Fraser Luesse to the legions of gifted Southern writers before her. Missing Isaac is the first of what we hope will be many more tales from this talented writer.”—Nancy Dorman-Hickson, coauthor of Diplomacy and Diamonds and a former editor for Progressive Farmer and Southern Living magazines

“Valerie Luesse has an ear for dialogue, an eye for detail, and a profound gift for storytelling. She breathes life into these colorful Southern characters and this quirky Alabama town from the first page.” —Sid Evans, editor-in-chief of Southern Living magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

This story encompasses much of life in the south in the 1960’s.  While there is some strife and conflict, most of the story is positive and upbeat which makes for an enjoyable read.

Missing Isaac is billed as a coming of age story, which I do believe it is, not only for Pete but for his love interest, Dovey.  The story follows Pete’s life from about 11 to 17 and how he reacts to the passing of his father; his friend Isaac that goes missing; and meeting the love of his life by chance while searching for his friend Isaac.  For Dovey, it is finding love; singing in public (church) and realizing that perhaps there is more to life than what she experienced growing up on the Pickett’s farm.  I found it interesting that since the book was set in the 1960’s and in the south, that there not much mentioned about segregation in the town of Glory.  There is mention of visiting Tandy’s for ribs and Pete experiencing the blues for the first time, but any other mention was fleeting.

The book is also billed as Christian and there are many hymn lyrics quoted and of course there are events held at the Baptist church.  This seemed very appropriate because I associate Baptist and the South together.  There are some gentle pokes at the Methodists during an event, but nothing out of line.  In fact, most of it is treated as a joke from the pastor’s comments and it felt like it was in fun and not meant to be derogatory.

In small towns you can expect most of the families to be related in one respect or another – if not by blood then by friendship which is as strong as a blood relationship, if not stronger.  This is the sort of town I wouldn’t mind residing because people look out for each other and it isn’t because they feel obligated, but because it is taking care of family (blood or otherwise).  Ned Ballard is a strong patriarch and his kindness shines throughout the book.

This book also has a little bit of a mystery – what happened to Isaac?  I won’t spoil it, but it is revealed what happened the night he went missing.  And I was surprised, but not surprised at the turn of events and those involved.  Seems like those that feel entitled do so no matter the decade.

Overall we enjoyed the slower pace of this book, the love stories and the mystery and give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Fraser Luesse is an award-winning writer and a senior travel editor for Southern Living. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Louisiana’s Acadian Prairie, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She lives in Alabama.

 

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1/2/18	Author Interview	Texas Book Lover
1/3/18	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
1/4/18	Top 15 List	Tangled in Text
1/5/18	Excerpt	Texan Girl Reads
1/6/18	Review	A Page Before Bedtime
1/7/18	Guest Post	Books and Broomsticks
1/8/18	Review	Reading by Moonlight
1/9/18	Scrapbook Page	The Page Unbound
1/10/18	Playlist	Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
1/11/18	Review	The Clueless Gent

 

 

 

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Book Title:  Seeking a Familiar Face: The Transformational Journey of Connecting with God by May Patterson
Category:  Adult nonfiction,  175 pages
Genre:  Christian Living
Publisher:  Exploration Press
Release date:  September 2017

Synopsis

The greatest adventure of your life awaits. And it will change everything.

Ever feel disappointed? Like your life isn’t as fulfilling as you had always dreamed it would be? Are you laden down with responsibilities, feeling overwhelmed and empty, or maybe even a bit caged?

You’re not alone.

Many people in the Bible felt the same way. Most had difficulties. Some felt stuck. Others were depressed, afraid and uncertain. And some just wanted to get closer to God. So they set out on life’s adventure —seeking God—and encountered the One who fulfilled their longings and changed their lives forever.

The same can happen for you.

Seeking a Familiar Face guides you on the transforming journey of connecting with God, through simple, yet extraordinary ways. It doesn’t matter if you are already seeking Him or just getting started, this book will encourage you to go a little farther toward locking hearts with God.

In this book you will discover engaging narratives from ten biblical characters, along with stories, humor, and practical ideas for seeking God. There are thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter to discuss with a friend or a group. Most of all, “Seeking a Familiar Face” will offer you fresh hope for deepening your intimacy with God.

Video of May Patterson explaining how she came to write her book

About the Author

May Patterson has been writing and teaching bible study classes for several years. Her new book, “Seeking a Familiar Face,” was birthed from a Bible study she wrote in 2014 called “A Time to Seek.” She was trained in small group dynamics for over ten years at Bible Study Fellowship, serving as a leader for four years. She has written for several magazines including Focus on the Family, Upper Room Magazine and Shattered Magazine, among others. She is married to her dear friend, Mike, and they have three grown children. She loves to tell stories, laugh, and talk about the adventure of seeking God.

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HOLDING THE FORT

The Fort Reno Series, Book 1

by

REGINA JENNINGS

  Genre: Historical Western Christian Romance

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Date of Publication: December 5, 2017

Number of Pages: 353

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With Miss Bell as the Teacher, Everyone’s Bound to Learn an Interesting Lesson

Dance hall singer Louisa Bell has always lived one step from destitution. When she loses her job at the Cat-Eye Saloon, she has nowhere else to go but to her brother, a cavalry soldier stationed in Indian Territory. But he’s run afoul of his commanding officer. Unsure what she can do to help him and desperate for a job, she doesn’t protest when she’s mistaken for a governess at the fort. How hard can teaching really be?

Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno, especially raising two adolescent daughters alone. If this new governess doesn’t work out, his mother-in-law insists she’ll raise the girls herself–far away from the fort. Miss Bell bears little resemblance to Daniel’s notion of a governess–they’re not supposed to be so blamed pretty–but he finds himself turning a blind eye to her unconventional methods. Louisa has never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough to help her brother and to secure the respectable future she’s sought for so long?

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PRAISE FOR HOLDING THE FORT & THE FORT RENO SERIES:

“The first book in Jennings’ new Fort Reno series is a delightful read that helps solidify what a wonderful and imaginative writer Jennings is. She manages to create unique stories with interesting and well-developed characters while combining humor, mystery and a sprinkle of faith.” –RT Book Reviews

“In this character-driven series launch, Jennings offers a powerful lesson on the freedom of truth and forgiveness wrappd in a delightful story of love against the odds.” —Publishers Weekly

“This series launch is a charming historical romance set in 1880s Fort Reno, OK. . . . Jennings kicks off a new series with a light and enjoyable tale that will delight her fans as well as lovers of historical romance.” —Library Journal

 

When you are in the mood for a trip to the old west, life in a fort, and a sweet story about faith, love and forgiveness then this should be one of the books you pick up to indulge that feeling.

While this book is labeled as western Christian romance, it is not heavy on the religious aspect.  There is the right balance of faith/religion, love, action and the wisdom of two young ladies.

This story touched my heart in many ways.  Louisa was way out of her element pretending to be a governess to the Major’s two daughters.  But she would stay up reading ahead so that she could instruct these young ladies in their studies.  Don’t get me wrong, she was not unintelligent, she had just not gone very far in school which is not surprising for the time. But when it came to instruction on areas such as singing – this is where she excelled.  The way Louisa handled herself in various difficult situations was admirable…however, she probably should have come clean much sooner about who she was and why she was at the fort.  Daniel (the Major) was a widower trying to do his best in raising two rambunctious girls, away from civilization…and with an overbearing mother-in-law that wanted the girls to live with her.  He is strong in his faith which is what ultimately helps Louisa admit her past and accept her destiny.  I cringed at the thought of how Daniel would react when the truth came out about Louisa.  However, his reaction was that of a Godly man that believed in truth and forgiveness.  I laughed along with Daisy and Caroline as they fought against instruction from Louisa, but came to love her in the end.  Daisy’s innocence is quite captivating as she has no filters on what comes out of her mouth.  As they say, “out of the mouths of babes!”  But I felt this just added to the complexity of the characters and the situations they faced.

This story was also educational as it depicted life in a fort during the late 1800’s.  There were Indian raids from those tribes not wanting to change their ways.  The author researched the background on this story quite well and I might have even learned a few things.

Overall a very enjoyable read and we give it 4 paws up.

 

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

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12/18/17	Excerpt	Hall Ways Blog
12/19/17	Review	Texan Girl Reads
12/20/17	Notable Quotable	Books and Broomsticks
12/21/17	Author Video	Forgotten Winds
12/22/17	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
12/26/17	Excerpt	Tangled in Text
12/27/17	Notable Quotable	A Novel Reality
12/28/17	Review	Missus Gonzo
12/29/17	Top Ten List	The Page Unbound
12/30/17	Review	Books in the Garden

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TOO FAR DOWN

Cimarron Legacy Book 3

by

MARY CONNEALY

  Genre: Western Historical Christian Romance

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Date of Publication: October 3, 2017

Number of Pages: 322

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With Danger Drawing Ever Closer, The Boden Clan Risk Losing Their Ranch Forever

Having returned home to the ranch, Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back east and appreciating all that New Mexico Territory offers. Sure, he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys his new job running the mine and, when he’s honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone, particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who can’t seem to make up his mind about staying in New Mexico.

When a deadly explosion damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them. Melanie is determined to help Cole and the family finally put an end to the danger that’s threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm’s way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

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Praise for Too Far Down

“Connealy crafts relatable characters who will inspire readers with their love, loyalty, and fortitude, and the mystery remains intriguing until the end.” Publishers Weekly

“Recommended for those who enjoy a fast, smart historical-set suspense.” RT Book Reviews

EXCERPT: CHAPTER ONE, PART ONE

TOO FAR DOWN

BY MARY CONNEALY

 

Skull Gulch, New Mexico Territory

February 1881

 

An explosion brought Cole Boden to his feet. His chair slammed backward into the wall. Cole ran for his office door and ripped it open.

Murray Elliot, his assistant, rounded his desk in the outer office. “What happened?”

A second explosion rocked the whole building.

Cole didn’t bother responding. He charged outside into the winter chill, just in time to duck flying rocks from the mountaintop. He threw himself back inside as stones blasted right over his head with the force of cannonballs.

“Murray, get down!” Cole grabbed at the man who’d responded much more cautiously and was well behind. He tackled Murray to the floor just as another explosion went off.

The log wall of the office buckled. This building was small but solid, so the rocks were coming with terrific force. Rocks sprayed in through the open door and smashed into Murray’s desk.

“What is happening?”

“I don’t know.” Cole glared at the man. “Something blew up. We’re not blasting today, are we?”

“Nope, but we just got a supply of dynamite in.”

“Where is it?” Cole imagined a wagonload of dynamite, and explosion after explosion. But no, that’d be just one big explosion.

“It’s stopped.” Murray lifted his head.

“Is the dynamite stored in that big cave?”

“Just like always, boss.”

Cole knew explosives, and he knew they brought them in by the wagonload. And they stored them in a cold cave a good distance from where anyone worked. Even if they exploded, they shouldn’t have done anything but rock that cave. At the worst it might seal the mouth of it.

Three explosions and nowhere near a wagonload had blown—which meant there was plenty more to come.

“I’m heading for the big cave. You stay in here.”

“No, I’m coming with you.”

“You aren’t.” Cole heaved himself to his feet. “It’s my mine and my risk.”

“I’m coming, Cole.” Murray was up.

A fourth explosion sent a rock the size of Cole’s head slamming through the roof.

Murray fell onto his backside, then scrambled into the kneehole of his desk. He’d been hired for his brains, not his guts.

Cole was glad he’d been delayed from running outside. But he also knew he was going now, and it was most likely a blamed fool idea.

“Stay under there until we’re sure the explosions have stopped.” He hoped Murray stayed put under the solid oak desk. It should protect him even if the whole building collapsed.

Cole raced out the door to see the smoldering ruins of the newly opened mine only about a hundred yards from his office. The entrance was collapsed, and he knew men were trapped inside. Before he could deal with that, though, he had to make sure the dynamite was done blowing up.

He charged toward the cave.

He hoped and prayed his men inside the new mine were all right. If they’d been far enough in, around the corner from the blasts, out of the line of any flying debris, they should still be alive. The entrance had collapsed, but they’d shored the mines up with thick timbers. There was a good chance the inside of the mine was still intact.

Once he got near the cave, grit and dust filled the air. Choking, Cole jerked his kerchief out of his pocket and covered his mouth. His eyes burned, but he had to see. Cole raced faster, thinking of all that could have gone wrong, all the men who could be hurt.

He saw one still form on the ground, so covered with dust he couldn’t identify the man. Yet Cole could see clearly enough to know the man was beyond help.

Running, stumbling over rocks, barely able to breathe, Cole finally reached the cave. Outside it was a burning fuse, heading for a wooden box, torn open, full of explosives.

He slid on his knees to beat the fuse from burning down. It ran shorter by the second. Cole fumbled for the knife he kept in his boot as he crawled the last foot through the rubble. He caught the fuse only inches from burning down. He slit the sparking fire with one slash.

He looked down the side of the mountain. The office of the CR Mining Company was near the top of Mount Kebbel, with only its snowcapped peak higher. The CR leased claims to many men, all spread over a hundred square miles. A few dozen of them were right here close to headquarters.

Cole’s eyes swept down the long, steep slope dotted with mine entrances and saw boxes of dynamite burning at a bunch of them. Enough to account for nearly every box they had in storage. Cole could never reach them all in time.

Yards away, he saw the next fuse burning toward a wooden box. Thinking furiously, he saw this fuse was longer. Whoever’d done this wanted the explosives to go in separate blasts, and the boxes were far enough apart not to be set off by an earlier explosion. Men were deep in their mines, so they might hear the explosions, and they might not.

This time, with the men inside, was deliberate. Midmorning. All the miners were hard at work at this time of day and very few were outside. The explosions would bury them alive.

(Click to read PART TWO on the 11/29/17 Lone Star Book Blog Tours stop with A Novel Reality blog.)

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

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11/13/17	Missus Gonzo
11/14/17	Books and Broomsticks
11/15/17	Books in the Garden
11/16/17	Hall Ways Blog
11/17/17	The Page Unbound

VISIT THESE BLOGS ON THE SPECIAL FEATURES TOUR:

11/27/17	Special Feature	StoreyBook Reviews
11/27/17	Special Feature	Forgotten Winds
11/28/17	Review	Reading by Moonlight
11/28/17	Special Feature	Syd Savvy
11/29/17	Review	The Librarian Talks
11/29/17	Special Feature	A Novel Reality
11/30/17	Review	Texan Girl Reads
11/30/17	Special Feature	Momma on The Rocks
12/1/17	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
12/1/17	Special Feature	Bibliotica

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LADY JAYNE DISAPPEARS

by

JOANNA DAVIDSON POLITANO

  Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: October 3, 2017

Number of Pages: 416

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When Aurelie Harcourt’s father dies in debtor’s prison, he leaves her just two things: his wealthy family, whom she has never met, and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll. Her new family greets her with apathy and even resentment. Only the quiet house guest, Silas Rotherham, welcomes her company.

When Aurelie decides to complete her father’s unfinished serial novel, writing the family into the story as unflattering characters, she must keep her identity as Nathaniel Droll hidden while searching for the truth about her mother’s disappearance—and perhaps even her father’s death.

Author Joanna Davidson Politano’s stunning debut set in Victorian England will delight readers with its highly original plot, lush setting, vibrant characters, and reluctant romance.

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Praise for Lady Jayne Disappears

“Emotional. Intriguing. Both haunting and romantic. . . In her historical fiction debut, Joanna Davidson Politano delivers a smart plot that navigates twists and turns with a mixture of wit, intelligent characters, and a refreshingly original voice. Reminiscent of Dickens’ classic storytelling, Lady Jayne Disappears is a debut to remember!” —Kristy​ Cambron, author of The Illusionist’s Apprentice

“Wonderfully unique, this compelling debut grabs you from the first intriguing line. The evocative English setting, textured characters, literary theme, and unusual romance make Lady Jayne Disappears a standout, the lovely cover offering a hint of the gem within. A must read!” —Laura Frantz, author of A Moonbow Night

 

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her manuscript for Lady Jayne Disappears was a finalist for several contests, including the 2016 Genesis Award from ACFW, and won the OCW Cascade Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and shares stories that move her on her website.

 

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17-Oct	Excerpt	Texas Book Lover
18-Oct	Review	Syd Savvy
19-Oct	Book Trailer	StoreyBook Reviews
20-Oct	Review	Missus Gonzo
21-Oct	Character Interview	Chapter Break Book Blog
22-Oct	Scrapbook Page	Tangled in Text
23-Oct	Review	Momma On The Rocks
24-Oct	Deleted Scene	The Page Unbound
25-Oct	Author Interview	The Librarian Talks
26-Oct	Review	Reading by Moonlight

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