A Healing Heart by Angela Breidenbach

Mara Keegan's husband David died in an avalanche. He left behind three great kids, an awesome dog named Louie, a business that he co-ran with Mara, and a gaping wound in Mara's heart.

The story begins with Mara choosing photos for a memory quilt for her daughter Cadence's graduation present. Memories come to the surface, as well as anger and bitterness toward God, for allowing her to suffer such loss. She is supremely gifted, but trying to keep it all together on her own is wearing her out physically and emotionally--the bitterness isn't exactly contributing (positively) either.

Some thing's gotta give--fast! Mara must let go and let God (and others) help her-- or the icy slope of self-dependency will kill her.

Maybe you know someone like that? Maybe it's you.

This book was a reminder of God's enduring love and kindness in and through the most difficult situations. His love breaks through.

May God bless you in all of your situations.

A Healing Heart is part of the Quilts of Love Series. The publisher has some really good information if you will kindly read on.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Healing Heart

Abingdon Press (April 1, 2013)

by

Angela Breidenbach


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Angela Breidenbach is a speaker/coach in mental and physical health, author of A Healing Heart April 2013 from Abingdon Press in the Quilts of Love series, Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life, Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance, and Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She is certified in mentor/peer counseling as a CTA life coach, as a Stephen Minister, and a weight loss/nutrition coach. Angela serves as an assisting minister (worship/prayer leader) for her congregation in Missoula, MT. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom’s brain for the study of schizophrenia, but she’s also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Mara Keegan is an uber-successful mother and a widow of three years. She's been chasing success and all the "good things in life" for her family to make up for the cruel whim God played on them by taking her husband. In an effort to be the perfect mom, she decides to make a photo memory quilt, a graduation present for her daughter, Cadence.


She’s not yet finished when she experiences a heart attack. While Mara recuperates, she revisits the choices she's made that led to this physically and spiritually broken heart. The memory quilt must be finished in time for Cadence's big day, but Mara struggles with her burgeoning feelings for the man who must keep Mara's business going during her recovery, Joel Ryan. Can Joel find his way into Mara's heart and onto Cadence's quilt?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Healing Heart, go HERE

Josiah's Treasure by Nancy Herriman

Inheritances can be really messy things...

When Daniel Cady knocks on Sarah Whittier's door one evening declaring himself the rightful heir to everything-- including the home left to her by her friend and employer Josiah Cady her plans for her future are threatened to the core.

Why did Josiah fail to tell her that his children were alive and well and living in Chicago? His son Daniel is understandably upset and wants what belongs to him and his sisters, but Sarah is committed to helping young women leave dangerous situations by establishing a design studio where they can make a living legitimately.

Other nefarious types also want a piece of the action. It is rumored that Josiah has hidden a fortune in gold nuggets somewhere on the premises...

Nancy Herriman writes of life in 1880's San Francisco following the Gold Rush with clarity and warmth, love and danger. If I squint a bit I could see this made into an MGM movie classic musical (just for fun)... If only they made em' like they used to.

This one's a real gem! Please read on for more from the publisher. (Worthy Publishing)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Josiah's Treasure

Worthy Publishing (April 16, 2013)


by

Nancy Herriman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Herriman abandoned a career in Engineering to chase around two small children and take up the pen. She has been writing for longer than she would like to admit. Her work has been a finalist in several Romance Writers of America contests and she won the 2006 RWA Daphne du Maurier award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense. In 2009, she was an ACFW Genesis finalist. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.


When she is not writing, or gabbing over lattes about writing, she is either watching history shows on cable TV or singing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and sons, and wishes there were more hours in the day.



ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1882, Sarah Whittier dreams of opening an art studio run by immigrant women. She plans to use the house left to her by family friend Josiah Cady as collateral for her studio. But will all be lost when the inheritance is challenged by an angry man claiming to be Josiah's son and legal heir? Rumor of gold nuggets hidden in the house, place Sarah's life in danger. Her future uncertain and her safety threatened, Sarah has nowhere to turn. That is, unless she can soften a vengeful man's heart-and they both learn that love is finer than any gold.



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




 

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

Little Sarah Esh tumbles out of her family's buggy one summer evening--and wanders right into the heart of Jodi Winfield, an Englischer from Vermont.

Jodi is emotionally and spiritually lost after the death of her sister, and she and her fiance' seem to be drifting apart. She pounds the pavement as a long distance runner, letting the rhythmic pace sooth her weary soul. She just can't seem to outrun her grief.

Maryanna Esh, Sarah's widowed mother, is beside herself with worry when she realizes that Sarah is missing. She endures an endless night of worry and panic--she lost her beloved husband to an accident, will she also lose her precious child? 

Beverly Lewis lovingly crafts the third book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. Every time I read one of Beverly's books I'm sure that it's my favorite...then she writes another.

Beverly writes with clarity and compassion. Her characters are both real and likable. I find myself living out their situations right alongside. Their faith journey becomes my faith journey-- sometimes that's just what my weary soul needs.

Please read on for more information from the publisher!

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Guardian

Bethany House Publishers (March 26, 2013)

by

Beverly Lewis


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."        

ABOUT THE BOOK

When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak a word of English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.


As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow--and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?


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

The Survivor by DiAnn Mills

The Survivor, DiAnn Mills newest novel, picks up where The Chase--her last book, leaves off. Just in case you thought best selling author Kariss Walker was settling into a life of romantic bliss with FBI agent Tigo Harris... well think again...

Kariss is a magnet for trouble, with a heart that wants to save the world... she reminds me of my daughters...anyway, while researching her newest book, based on a (fictional) true story, things start to happen. Car bombings, scary car chases, her Jag is in the shop--again!! Tigo comes back into the picture--you weren't expecting him to actually go away did you??? We would hope not!


All in all, The Survivor is a fun read--DiAnn Mills really delivers a suspenseful joy-ride that keeps you guessing right up to...

The End--;)

Oh wait! The publisher has some good information for you...

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Survivor

Zondervan (March 5, 2013)


by

DiAnn Mills


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops.

DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills


ABOUT THE BOOK

Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into a viper's pit of danger. Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss's new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold-case?




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

Wings of Glass by Gina Holmes

I wish that I could add something new and original to the praises that Gina Holmes has received for her novel, Wings of Glass, but alas, I can't. Brilliant has been taken by a number of esteemed authors and reviewers, and, I must say, that is the first word that came to mind when I thought about about Gina's book.

Penny, the main character, is writing to her infant son, Manny, about her life and marriage. Perhaps in explaining how it all came about, she might make sense of things, and in doing so, reassure her beloved baby boy of her love for him. She does this by explaining how he came to be. In the telling, there is a metamorphosis that takes place between character and reader. One of understanding the sometimes fragile and tenuous relationships between family, friends, and--ultimately-- God.

Gina Holmes draws lines, though often blurred, between abuse and neglect. She simply tells the story, pulling you into a (prayerfully) unfamiliar but strangely relatable world.
Like the butterfly or the phoenix...hope may spring from the ashes...Will Penny also rise above her circumstances?

Please read on for more information about Gina Holmes and a wonderful summary from the publisher.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Wings of Glass

Tyndale House Publishers (March 1, 2013)


by

Gina Holmes


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey now called Novel Rocket and she is also the founder of Inspire The Fire.


Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion bestseller. Her sophomore novel,  Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will releases this month.  She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.





ABOUT THE BOOK

From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet uplifting story of friendship and redemption. On the cusp of womanhood, Penny  is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time.  It isn’t the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of all.


When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to grow her own.


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

Catherine's Pursuit by Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena Nelson Dooley wraps up her "Mckenna's Daughters Series" with Catherine's Pursuit, which chronicles Catherine's discovery that she is, in fact, a triplet separated at birth! I know it sounds a bit preposterous, but Lena Nelson Dooley makes is not only plausible, but warmly believable, because that's what Ms. Dooley does.

Catherine's Pursuit spans not only the distance from San Francisco to Oregon City to Seattle, Washington, but also the wingspan of the heart of a father's love for his little girls that risked the pain of separation in order to give them a chance to live a better life than he could provide in the dusty, early days of the California gold rush.

Lena Nelson Dooley invites you on a voyage of discovery along with her characters, and does it in a lovely, gentle, life-affirming way that is a refreshing break from much of the entertainment available.
So, grab a ticket and climb on board!

 For more information, please read the following from the publisher.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Catherine's Pursuit

Realms (February 5, 2013)

by

Lena Nelson Dooley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Angus McKenna was forced to give two of his daughters to families in the wagon train, he promised he'd never try to contact them. Catherine made no such pledge. But when she sets out to find her sisters, she doesn't go alone. Angus sends Collin with her. Will they discover the two women---and love?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Catherine's Pursuit, go HERE.

Strand of Deception by Robin Caroll

If you love forensic drama, you will really enjoy Strand of Deception--A Justice Seekers novel by Robin Caroll. Madeline Baxter, forensic scientist and heroine of this novel, is someone I would want for a friend and was a character I could relate to. She has testified that "science doesn't lie" but finds herself puzzling over some questions... Such as--what is that sixth sense that has little to do with science and all about gut instinct about? And can it be trusted? She is girly and quirky, but a hard core professional at the scene of a crime. Maddie has a soft spot for Nick Hagar, an FBI agent who has been burned in the love department and is not about to surrender his heart to a woman easily-- in spite of his attraction to  Maddie Baxter.

Somethings gotta give...murder, politics, and hearts on the line make this book a really fun page turner!
Read on for more information about Strand of Deception.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Strands of Deception

B&H Books (March 1, 2013)


by

Robin Caroll

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books.

When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her 3 beautiful daughters, 2 precious grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Gina Ford, the daughter of a prominent Tennessee politician, goes missing from the University of Memphis a week after another girl was murdered on the same campus, police call in the FBI. Nick Hagar, married to his job as Special Agent in Charge, is assigned to the case, and when Gina’s body is found, her father demands justice.


Maddie Baxter is the forensic expert running DNA tests from the crime scene. When they come back without a match, Nick asks her to do a familial DNA run that yields a shocking result: the prime suspect is Adam Alexander, the very same guy who broke Maddie’s heart when she was in college.

But do scientific advancements tell the whole story? Strand of Deception offers romance, suspense, and a lively debate about the impact of DNA testing, for better or worse, on the United States justice system.



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