Friday, February 27, 2015

Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners

Author Mary Manners takes a slightly different approach to the Christian romance novel in her new book, Wisdom Tree.

The "wisdom tree" in the story is an actual tree where the hero of the novel, Pastor Jake Samuels goes to pray and seek wisdom from God. Carin O'Malley is the protagonist. She is the new English teacher where Jake's brother Corey is attending school. All of the characters have recently suffered some significantly life altering heart-ache and are dealing with it using their own natural coping skills-- some yielding more positive outcomes than others...

Jake and Carin have an instant connection, but are obviously not on the same page spiritually and Carin has some unfinished business from her past to work through.

Wisdom Tree is a "romance" that has a personal, realistic tone. I believed that the characters could, in fact be from someone's real-life story, which seems thoughtful to me, and carries a heavier quality than some of the lighter romances that are out there.

As an added bonus, at the end of Wisdom Tree the author has include a thirty day devotional with each one starting with a scripture reading. I really love that idea-- talk about life changing opportunity!!!

So... for more information about Wisdom Tree and Mary Manners please read on!




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Wisdom Tree

White Rose Publishing (September 19, 2012)

by

Mary Manners


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




A Word from the Author:
I live in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with my husband, Tim, and our teen-aged daughter, Danni. Also with us are Lucky and Gus - the two cherished cats we rescued from local animal shelters.

I'm a member of the Romance Writers of America and Smoky Mountain Romance Writers.
During the school year, I teach middle-schoolers reading and Algebra. When I have free time, I love to garden, take long walks with my husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

I write romance novels for White Rose Publishing. If you'd like to visit, I have an author page there, as well. That's where you'll find everything there is to know about my books.

I also have author pages at the following locations. Do come by and spend some time with me there!


ABOUT THE BOOK



Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned
After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with.


Carin O'Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love...especially with a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake.


But when Corey's antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan.


------------------------------------------------
Discover your own wisdom tree with the included one-month devotional.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Wisdom Tree, go HERE.





Friday, February 13, 2015

Devotion by Marianne Evans

Valentines Day is tomorrow. So it only makes sense to review a book about... marital infidelity???

No, it's not a self-help manual, but a novel about a couple, Kellen and Juliet, whose marriage hits a speed bump when Kellen is blind-sided by an attraction to a beautiful and extremely talented client. 

At the same time, wife Juliet has given up on the hope of  becoming pregnant, and her self-image and her faith in God have taken a hit. 

When Juliet hears some gossip about her husband and the truth comes to the light, she fears she will not be able to trust Kellen-- maybe forever.

Devotion is well written, somewhat reminiscent of Karen Kingsbury's style. Author Marianne Evans obviously has a heart for Christian marriages, and highlights how increased vulnerability can catch even   truly committed couples unawares.
She also explores the place for pastoral counsel and belonging to a church that nurtures and encourages.
Good things. 

For more information about Devotion, please read on!
This week, the
is introducing
Harbourlight Books (September 19, 2012)
by


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 


A Word from the author:
My career began at Kensington Publishing, then Wild Rose Press released what will likely be my last secular novel, With This Kiss. This book is very dear to my heart, because, in a way, it memorializes the life of my grandmother, Rachel Alfano. She was a feisty, loving Italian. Back in the day, folks came to her deli in East Rutherford "from the City" (New York, of course!) to get her pepperoni, or purchase her hand-made sausage and pastas. Life and times at 82 Mozart Street are engraved upon my heart, and precious to me. What better place to set a romance?

Now, I'm called to write 'Faith-affirming fiction' (TM). Christian inspirational romance, and Christian themed fiction, is something that both as a reader, and writer, I feel called upon by God to enjoy and create.


This segment of my journey began when I was lucky enough to win a writing contest sponsored by White Rose Publishing that led to the publication of my Christian inspy debut, Hearts Crossing. This humble, heart-felt novella went on to become a series...and an Amazon best seller! A Face in the Clouds, a short story spin-off of Woodland, is also part of my 'best seller' portfolio. What a blessing!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now. Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.

For Better or Worse

But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation?  How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?

'Til Death Do Us Part

When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.

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



Tuesday, February 3, 2015

A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Ellliott

If cozy mysteries are your druthers then you will have your fill of glorious cozy in A Stitch in Crime.

Antique store owner Thea James bites off a bit more she can chew when she innocently agrees to chair the first ever Quilt Show extravaganza in the tiny town of Larkindale.

A comedy of errors ensues when the kick off party at the Wentworth Mansion, home of the elderly but spry Mary-Alice becomes a crime scene. Along with an intentional bonk on the head, Mary-Alice's diamond brooch is stolen--and that's just the beginning...

Thea takes "the show must go on" to extremes valiantly forging ahead in spite of threats and foibles in her determination to help out the economically challenged little town--and save what's left of her wounded pride.

I loved the wacky, eccentricity of the characters and story-line and am pleased as punch to recommend this "Quilts of Love" offering to all my cozy loving friends!

Please read on for more information about author Cathy Elliott and A Stitch in Time!!



This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Stitch in Crime

Abingdon Press (January 20, 2015)

by

Cathy Elliot


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Cathy Elliott is a full-time writer who lives in northern California and whose cozy mysteries reflect her personal interests from playing her fiddle with friends to antique collecting and quilting. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antiques and is several years into recovery from her eBay addiction. UPDATE: She backslid a while back, enticed to bid on a 1945 Singer Featherweight. (She won.) But now she’s back on the wagon. Except for the recent crazy quilt pillow purchase. She also leads music at church and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK



Thea James has accepted an assignment as co-chairperson for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she’s already feeling frayed when things start to unravel. Mary-Alice Wentworth, a much-loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea’s dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick-off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds? When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Stitch in Crime, go HERE.