This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Pattern for Romance

Abingdon Press (August 20, 2013)

by

Carla Gade


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carla Olson Gade has been imaging stories most of her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing Inspirational Historical Romance.  She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Writers, and the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.


Her publishing credits also include a variety of newspaper articles, newsletters, and web content.  She also enjoys developing discipleship materials for women. She has been a book judge for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest (RWA), and ACFW's Genesis Contest.


In addition to writing, Carla is a freelance website designer and webhost and an advocate for adult literacy.  An experienced event and program planner/promoter, Carla designs marketing materials for her writing group, women's ministry, and other functions.  Carla has also spoken at several women's events and facilitated many workshops and classes through the years.


An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy, web design, and photography. A native New Englander, she lives in beautiful rural Maine with her "hero" husband and two young adult sons, and a new grandson.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston Mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan—a design for love.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Pattern for Romance, go HERE.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Into the Whirlwind

Baker Publishing Group (August 15, 2013)

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

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.


Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.


While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Into the Whirlwind, go HERE.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Lost Medallion
B&H Kids; Mti edition (June 1, 2013)


by

Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bill Muir is a popular speaker, an international award winning film maker and a sought-after consultant.


Having completed his new novels The Lost Medallion and A Hidden Treasure, Bill has turned his creativity to his new Children’s novel, Howdy Neighbors.


When Bill isn’t writing a novel, he’s busy directing and producing movies. He recently spent four months in Thailand filming, The Lost Medallion: the adventures of Billy Stone. The movie will be in theaters this fall. When he isn’t working on movies, he’s having fun with his family working their farm.


Alex Kendrick is associate pastor of movie outreach for Sherwood Baptist Church. He is also an actor, writer, and director whose film credits include Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous. He and his wife, Christina, have six children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Archaeologist Dr. Michael Stone looked for the lost medallion his entire life, and now his son Billy has taken up the search. Amazingly, the medallion ends up in Billy's hands and a spontaneous wish in a precarious situation takes Billy and his best friend Allie, back 200 years to what they realize is a very different Aumakua Island.

When Billy and his friends are not jumping off waterfalls, avoiding animal traps, crossing the ocean, sneaking through caves or escaping a prison they're facing their nemesis Cobra, who wants nothing more than for them all to disappear.

With no other way to get home, and the well being of the entire island resting on his shoulders, Billy must discover the key to reclaiming the medallion and its tremendous power. One way or another, this adventure will change Billy, and life on the island, forever.

Best-selling author and film director Alex Kendrick (The Love Dare, Courageous) and Youth for Christ veteran Bill Muir bring us this exciting novelization of The Lost Medallion movie.



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lost Medallion, go HERE.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Rules of Murder

Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2013)


by

Julianna Deering


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, 2014).



 ABOUT THE BOOK

Downton Abbey Meets Agatha Christie in This Sparkling Mystery


Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.


Soon, financial irregularities at Drew's stepfather's company come to light and it's clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this game.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Rules of Murder, go HERE.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Millie's Treasure
Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2013)


by

Kathleen Y'Barbo


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots. Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From bestselling author Kathleen Y'Barbo comes Millie's Treasure, the second book in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series, a new set of novels involving romance, adventure, and hidden identity.

Memphis 1890--Bookish heiress Millie Jean Cope is as clever as she is beautiful. Unfortunately, though adept at solving puzzles and cryptograms, she doesn't realize her new fiancé isn't who he claims to be, but instead is a charming scoundrel. The infamous Will Tucker is presenting himself as a British gentleman, Sir William Trueck, though in reality he is a crafty criminal looking for a hidden map to a secret treasure.

Pinkerton agent Kyle Russell has been on Tucker's trail for years. At last Kyle believes he has Tucker cornered, but he is uncertain whether the lovely woman on the con man's arm is an unsuspecting victim or willing accomplice. Finding reasons to spend time with Millie is easy. Keeping himself from falling in love with her is another issue entirely.
A fun and entertaining story of how God can shine the light of truth on the most cryptic circumstances.


If you would like to read the first chapter of >Millie's Treasure, go HERE.

Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos by Vicki Courtney

Vicki Courtney's new book Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos chronicles the passages of marriage and motherhood from "love's first bliss", to toddler fatigue, the empty nest, and beyond.

With the wit of Erma Bombeck and the perspective of  a Beth Moore or Staci Eldredge, Vicki Courtney's Ever After is a fun, thoughtful read for girls of courting age and onward--anyone who hopes for or is waiting for a happily ever after.

I tip the scales on the  empty nester side of things-- with kids wafting in and out of college, grad school, the Kilimanjaro airport, and community college-- I found myself wishing that I had read this book before my own "fairy tale" life began. Ironically, Vicki Courtney and I were in not-so-different boats at about the same time!

Looking back, all that seemed available in the (gulp) eighties was--and this is not meant as a put-down-- Elizabeth Elliot's or Edith Schaeffer's books. Though theologically solid and full of Godly wisdom, they were (for me) impossible to live up to.  I felt very alone in my struggle to raise  godly and somewhat clean children in the midst of some pretty unrealistic expectations.

I really do thank God for women like Vicki Courtney who share from their own experience-- busting myths of what the "perfect Christian family" looks like. There is no such thing.

I daresay that Elizabeth and Edith would approve.

The following is a synopsis from the wonderful people at B&H Books:

Every woman grows up believing in the formula for a happy life: own a dream castle, marry prince charming and drive the perfect pumpkin-turned-carriage.  But when the reality of long hours, crying children and bills sets in, the fairy tale shatters and women are left with what Courtney calls “Fairy Tale Letdown.”

Filled with Courtney’s own humorous anecdotes and proven tips for overcoming some of life’s most difficult situations, Ever After chronicles a look at life when it’s not quite a fairy tale and offers readers the solace that God’s grace is more than enough for a happy ending.

“It was in the struggles, the messiness, the imperfections that the princess discovered herself and, more importantly, the God who created her,” Courtney writes.  “And that is far better than the classic fairy tale.”

FYI, B&H Books blog, Every Word Matters has some great information on the happenings in the Christian publishing world.
http://blog.bhpublishinggroup.com/

God bless you, and may you read something wonderful today.