A Great Give A Way!

Go on over to Vera's Luxury Reading Blog and check out her contest. I've copied her review on the book.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: "White Picket Fences" by Susan Meissner

Reviewed by Amanda S.

In White Picket Fences, Neil and Amanda Janvier feel obligated to take in the daughter of Amanda’s estranged brother. Tally was staying with her grandmother when she passed away suddenly, and Tally finds herself with nowhere to go since her dad is out of the country and hasn’t contacted her. What will it be like living with her Aunt Amanda? Will they force her to tell why her dad went to Europe, a secret she promised to keep?

Do I want to know the truth of what happened all those years ago? If I find out the truth, how will it change me?These are the questions that Chase Janvier is asking himself regarding an incident that happened when he was four years old. Not knowing what to do, Chase keeps his secret to himself. That is, until Tally shows up at their house. Tally can tell that something isn’t right about Chase after they start working together on a Holocaust project. They interview two Holocaust survivors in a nearby nursing home and Tally notices Chase reacting oddly to certain parts of the story they are being told.

Amanda also begins to notice some pretty dramatic changes in Chase that cause her to wonder if he really does remember what happened all those years ago. But if he remembered, he would tell them, wouldn’t he? Should she ask him about it? What kind of damage would she do if she brings it up and he really doesn’t remember? Clearly, though, something is wrong and Amanda just doesn’t know what to do or which direction to turn.

Will they all be able to handle the truth when all the secrets are revealed?

As always, Susan Meissner does a wonderful job weaving a tale of deception, secrets, and twisted paths. The characters in this story have a serious problem with trust…trust in each other and trust in God, which unnerved me throughout the story. When I first picked up this book, I was intrigued by the cover: a white picket fence with a cobweb near the top. It’s so easy for people to look like they have it all-together on the outside with their pretty houses and white picket fences. But on the inside, all families have secrets and cobwebs hiding from the real world.

I always enjoy reading books my Meissner, and White Picket Fences was no different. Her books always challenge a person to really take a hard look at themselves, deep inside, to discover their true character. She caused me to ask myself how I would handle the truth if some long-ago family secret was revealed to me? Would I let it weigh me down or would I allow it to cause me to grow as a person?

Amanda lives in Missouri with her engineering husband and two boys. In between homeschooling and keeping up with church activities she loves to read Christian Fiction, Women's Fiction, and any Chick-Lit. She never goes anywhere without a book to read!

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Follow this link:

http://www.luxuryreading.com/2009/11/blog-tour-and-giveaway-white-picket.html

November Releases

November Releases

1. A SILENT PURSUIT, by Lynette Eason from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Gina Santino has something someone desperately wants. Now, she's on the hunt to find it. Her deceased fiance's best friend, US Ranger, Ian Masterson is her only hope of staying alive while they race to be the first to discover the treasure her fiance left behind.

2. Chasing Shadows, by Terri Reed from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. An heiress turns to her former love, a cop, for help when she fears for her grandmother's life.

3. Close to Home, by Carolyn Aarsen from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. A reunion of old lovers brings up the shadows of past tragedy.

4. Fit To Be Tied, The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs, Book #2
, by Robin Lee Hatcher from Zondervan. Who says a woman can't do a man's job?

5. I'm So Sure, A Charmed Life, Book 2
, by Jenny B. Jones from Thomas Nelson. Its prom time and someone is trying to sabotage the queen contest. Can Bella solve the mystery in time AND keep it together as her life goes public on a wrestling reality show?

6. The Bartered Bride, by Erica Vetsch from Barbour Heartsong Presents. Tempests rage, in the board room, the ball room, and on treacherous Lake Superior as two hearts set sail on a collision course.


7. Together for the Holidays, Fostered by Love Series
, by Margaret Daley from Love Inspired. Can the true meaning of Christmas bring two loners together?

Recent Books I've Read

I want to give you a list of the recent books I have read. They are all great books and I think you would enjoy any of them. I will give the title and then read what is written on the back to give you a little insight into what the book is about.

"The Blue Enchantress" by M. L. Tyndall

Still grieving the loss of her mother -- and private tragedies of her own -- Hope Westcott plays the part of a dutiful admirals daughter. But longing for the love and acceptance she never felt at home,

hope plunges into Charles Towne society -- and an illicit affair with Lord Falkland.

For Capt. Nathaniel Mason, wealth means security, so he is determined to build his shipping business-- ignoring God's call on his life to become an impoverished Pastor. He also ignores his attraction to the frivolous, vain and Hope Westcott.

Hope's adventure seeking lands her in the hands of an unscrupulous ship captain who wants to sell her to the highest bidder. When Nathaniel sees Hope on the auction block, will he listen to God and sacrifice his ship, cargo, and security to save her?

From the Carolina coast to the Caribbean, through stormy seas and shipwreck, can Hope and Nathaniel put aside their painful pasts, listen to God's voice, and find true love and acceptance?

"Waiting for Daybreak" by Kathryn Cushman

Paige Woodward is out of options -- so when a dream opportunity arises at a brand new pharmacy, Paige chooses to keep quiet about her past to ensure she'll land the job. After all, she needs the money to pay for the treatment that can save her mother's life.

Clarissa Richardson feels alone. She wants desperately to honor the memory of her grandmother are running a successful pharmacy -- but that vision comes to a screeching halt when her grandfather hires Paige, the too perfect new girl who seems to be hiding something.

"Fools Rush In" by Janice Thompson

Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian turned Texan parents and over the family wedding planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch -- she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her wedding?

Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

I enjoyed all of these books thoroughly and you cannot go wrong with any of them. As always I wish you HAPPY READING!

Good News! Bad News!

I have mentioned several times about all of the contest that book blogs offer. What most of the blogs do is have an interview with the author of a new book that is coming out. Then there is a request for anyone who is interested in winning a copy of the book to leave a comment about the interview. There are a lot of blogs so therefore there are a lot of contest to enter. I have won several books and it is exciting to receive a book from the author and it is usually a signed copy. This has introduced me to many new authors that I had not read before.

One such contest was a little different than usual. This contest consisted of buying a book by the author who was Linore Rose Burkard. I had not read any of her books before but I decided that I would like to do this. Anyone who ordered one of her books from the Internet could enter the contest and the prize would be a critique of your manuscript. I entered the contest never believing that I would actually win. However, I was totally surprised when I received an e-mail from Linore telling me that I had won. Of course, I was so excited -then again I was a little concerned about the outcome. My manuscript is a very rough first draft and needs much work. Like my blog says I am in the caterpillar stage as a writer as well as my book is in the caterpillar stage.

Well, the good news is Linore seems to think that my manuscript has promise. The bad news is is going to take a lot of hard work. But as she explained this is what it takes for any new author to learn the craft of good writing. I would like to copy and paste the e-mail that she sent me. What a thrill to receive this critique from such a great author. You can look at the archives and read about the book that I bought and read, "The House In Grosvenor Square". This is one that you do not want to miss.

Dear Debbie

I apologize for the long wait for this. I am not finished, but I have the first four chapters edited, which I'm sending back for you to have a look. BUT WAIT~!
DO NOT look until you read this short note.
Deborah, you are a talented writer, and I think your strengths begin to shine when you moved the story to the present.
I did a line-by-line edit of the first few chapters, until I realized that you really meant this was a first draft--meaning you haven't quite settled upon
how the story will go, yet.
DO NOT be daunted by the amount of red and yellow markings I put in the manuscript. I assure you, this is totally normal for a new writer.
You are better than many new writers whose work I've seen, so be encouraged. Also, when I'm editing, I don't usually think to highlight the good stuff,
so just take my word for it when I say that I like your idea, and I think you can eventually polish this up into a saleable manuscript; but you do
have work ahead of you.
I am enjoying the story, and will continue with content editing today.
I hope some of what I write in my notes will be useful to you, and again, don't be discouraged if it seems I "picked on" a lot of stuff. I wouldn't have bothered
if the work didn't have merit.
All the best,
feel free to ask me any questions if there's something I wrote that you don't understand.

Thanks and blessings,
I see a definite future ahead for you as a writer, so long as you put in the time and effort that we all have to!
Hugs,
Linore

--

Linore Rose Burkard

Inspirational Romance for the Christian Soul

Before the Season Ends, Harvest House

The House in Grosvenor Square, Harvest House

The Country House Courtship, Harvest House (Jan. 2010)

Amy Wallace's Update

I just wanted to post the comment that Amy sent about the meeting this past Tuesday. In the post she gives us a little more detail about the pictures so I am just going to copy and paste what she had to say. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and my little story about my adventure.

Hi, Deborah!

It was such a treat to meet you at WORD! And thank you for braving truly yucky weather to come visit with us. Anytime you're able to come again, we would LOVE to have you!

The lady in the blue shirt is Lindi Peterson, WORD VP.

Our speaker that evening was Creston Mapes and he spoke on how to make a living at writing. A very informative and inspiring talk and discussion that followed.

If you all would like to learn more about WORD, please check out our website: www.acfwword.com. And if there are any questions I can answer for you, please let me know.

Cream of the Crop!

It seems like it has been forever since I have been able to post on my blog. A lot of things have happened this past week and I want to tell you about one of those. Let me start off by sharing my journey to the Southeast American Christian Fiction Writers meeting that took place in Buford, Georgia.

I knew it was a long way from where I live but I looked it up on Google driving directions and found out that it was about an hour and a half drive. I had been wanting to go ever since I found out that they met in the area. I've put it off for a while because it did not start until seven o'clock and I knew that would make it late when I got back. However, I decided to go ahead this past Tuesday, October 27 and take the plunge. I called Ane Mulligan to let her know that I would be coming and might be a little late. But it was cold and raining and dark and the traffic through Atlanta was terrible. It took me a total of three hours to get to the meeting. By the time I got there it was half over. But that was okay because I got to stay for the second half and the best part was meeting several authors and getting our picture taken together. The good thing about coming home so late was there wasn't any traffic and I made it home in an hour and a half.

I have posted three pictures from the night of the meeting. The top picture features Amy Wallace, Cindy Woodsmall, Ane Mulligan and Missy Tippins. The middle picture features Cindy Woodsmall and Ane Mulligan in conversation with the guest speaker. The bottom picture features Amy Wallace, Cindy Woodsmall, Yours Truly, Ane Mulligan, Missy Tippens and another member, but I am sorry that I don't remember her name. Maybe one of the other authors will see this post and tell me what her name is as well as the guest speaker so I can write them in.

How cool is that to be in the presence of so many wonderful writers. The drive to the meeting was well worth it to meet so many people that are so talented. This was an inspiration to me in and of itself. Something I won't soon forget. Maybe one day I too will have a published novel. I am going to list the links to their websites so you can go and check out their books. You won't be sorry. As always HAPPY READING!

http://www.amywallace.com/

http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/

http://www.anemulligan.com/Ane_Mulligan/Home.html

http://www.missytippens.com/

Meeting Katie Cushman

I want to share an exciting experience I had Monday night. First let me tell you how I became acquainted with Katie. We both belong to the American Christian Fiction Writers group and in that group there is an e-mail loop. Within the loop everyone who has signed up can see posts from all those who have joined.

A few weeks ago Katie had posted an e-mail and asked if there was anyone that lived in North Georgia. I did not know Katie at the time that I wrote her back and told her that I did live in North Georgia. She didn't ask me if I would be willing to hand out some postcards promoting her latest book "Leaving Yesterday" telling about three book signings that would be taking place in our area.

Katie graciously sent me a copy of her book along with the postcards and some bookmarks to pass out. When I started the book I was unable to put it down (well not literally) until I finished it. It was wonderfully written in very time relevant - a book most parents would be able to relate to.

Well, October 19 arrived and I was so looking forward to meeting Katie Monday morning. Then something unexpected came up and I was unable to go. I was very disappointed that I wasn't the be able to meet her. But then, low and behold, things settle down to where I was able to go meet her at Jacobs Well Christian Bookstore in Calhoun, Georgia. She was just like I expected - a very attractive, friendly and warm person. we talked about writing of course and I bought another one of her books that I have already started. The name of this book is "Waiting for Daybreak".

I would like to post a couple of pictures I took at the book signing. I hope you enjoy seeing them. Be sure and go to her website and check out her books and read a little bit more about her. A link to her site is listed under my favorite links.