Love Blooms in Winter by Lori Copeland

Best selling author Lori Copeland takes us on a train ride to 1892 Dwadlo Norh Dakota, where life is simple, but offers some big surprises.

Mae Wilkey, 27, is the adorable town- spinster post-mistress, who, due to the dreadful lack of eligible men, has been waiting for Jake, the only (seemingly) available man in North Dakota, to propose.

But time is marching on and Mae has commitments. She is the devoted guardian to her fourteen year old brother Jeremy who has special needs. And then there's Pauline, ninety two, a feisty kind hearted soul (just don't cross her) who is suffering from dementia and also depends on Mae for help.  So, it is obvious that our overworked post mistress must come up with a plan.  When Mae discovers a name and address among Pauline's papers, she sends a letter to a man named Tom Curtis who may or may not be Pauline's nephew.

Love Blooms in Winter is a testament to love finding you in the most unlikely places and the loving kindness that God has for his creation.

So get something warm to drink and curl up in your favorite comfy chair and make some new friends in Dwadlo North Dakota.

Read on for more info on Love Blooms in Winter.

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Love Blooms in Winter  Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2012)  by  Lori Copeland  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance.  Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.


Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market.  In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him.  It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market.  To date, she has had over 100 books published.



ABOUT THE BOOK  

A romantic new book from bestselling author Lori Copeland that portrays God’s miraculous provision even when none seems possible.


1892—Mae Wilkey’s sweet next-door neighbor, Pauline, is suffering from old age and dementia and desperately needs family to come help her. But Pauline can’t recall having kin remaining. Mae searches through her desk and finds a name—Tom Curtis, who may just be the answer to their prayers.

Tom can’t remember an old aunt named Pauline, but if she thinks he’s a long-lost nephew, he very well may be. After two desperate letters from Mae, he decides to pay a visit. An engagement, a runaway train, and a town of quirky, loveable people make for more of an adventure than Tom is expecting. But it is amazing what can bloom in winter when God is in charge of things.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Blooms in Winter, go HERE.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose... or is it?

I love roses.  In fact, they are my favorite flower.  One of the highlights of my life is going to the Missouri Botanical Gardens and hanging out in the rose gardens smelling the many varieties to my hearts content.  My children are pretty tolerant of my obsession and are so kind to comply with my requests to "oh, smell this one, " and "Wait, THIS one is fabulous".  The many fragrances of the amazing rose are mind boggling...  Some are lemony some sweet, some are soft and subltle, others almost overpowering (not for me) but I'm sure for some people (and that's okay).

So why am I pondering roses in the dead of winter?  Well, besides longing for spring,  I just finished a wonderful book called The Rose of Winslow Street, by Elizabeth Camden and the theme of the Rose pervades throughout the story as heroine Libby Sawyer shares her journey from shy and retiring shrinking violet to a rose in full bloom.

Ms.Camden weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense combined with colorful, often humorous and well developed characters that keep you unsure of the outcome until the very end.  

I used to be a bit embarrassed to admit that my favorite flower was the rose.  It seemed a bit common, not at all quirky or unique.  But the longer I ponder the rose the more individual each one appears. So I'm thinking that maybe we are all roses in the eyes of the Lord.  All of us exhibit the creativity of the master gardener who in his grace and lovingkindness forms each one.  Reflecting His image.  His fragrance.  His beauty.  I love fiction that takes me back to the rose garden.

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  The Rose of Winslow Street  Bethany House (January 1, 2012)

 by  Elizabeth Camden  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.



ABOUT THE BOOK

The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.


When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past.

As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Rose of Winslow Street, go HERE.

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  The Maid of Fairbourne Hall  Bethany House (January 1, 2012)  by  Julie Klassen  


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  

Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.


She graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?


Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?

On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE