Friday, January 25, 2013

Grace Given by Beth Shriver

I have truly enjoyed spending time with the characters from Beth Shriver's Touch of Grace series. Grace Given is book two, and if you can't get hold of Annie's Truth (book one), it's okay--this one is great on its own.

Elsie Yoder and her family moved from an Amish community in Virginia to a settlement near the Rio Grande River in Texas, where the land is plentiful and affordable. It is a good option for Amish families wishing to expand. But challenges abound, such as the unpredictable weather along tornado alley and some equally unpredictable local troublemakers who delight in claping--hate crimes against the Amish people.

Elsie's sister Katie has run off with Jake Fisher, whom Elsie also loved- without a word.  There is another young man named Gideon who loves Elsie, but will she be able to forgive those who hurt her and open up her heart to love?

There are so many "shades of grace" in this series and I would encourage lovers of beautiful, wholesome fiction to be blessed by Grace Given.




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Grace Given
Realms (January 8, 2013)


by

Beth Shriver


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Childhood memories of her grandfather's ranch came alive as Beth wrote her first Amish story. Her parents grew up in the country, so she appreciates pastoral life and respects those who make a living off the land. She visits a nearby Amish community just south of Fort-Worth for an occasional church service or brunch with the bishop and his wife. And on the way home she stops at the community store to get some plum jam!


Beth received a degree in social work and psychology from the University of Nebraska. She worked as a caseworker for Boulder County Department of Social Services before starting a family. Beth and her husband, two children, along with two cats and a beagle live in Texas after moving from their first home in Colorado. She freelances for the local papers in her area and writes columns, devotionals for magazines, and novels in a variety of genres in both fiction and nonfiction. Beth is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Literary Agency.



ABOUT THE BOOK



“Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.” —Amish Proverb

Elsie Kline can’t forgive her sister for leaving the community. Gideon Lapp helps Elsie through her bitterness by studying the Martyr’s Mirror book that is centuries old, describing their ancestors’ sacrifice for their faith. But he feels there is something more. When the community moved to Texas, they were not welcomed by some of the locals. They have told Katie and Elsie that harm will come to their community if don’t go back up north where they came from. Gideon stays by Elsie’s side as she learns to give grace and to humble herself to accept grace as well.
“Beth has a heart for helping others, whether through her nonfiction and fiction writing or in other capacities. It has been my pleasure to read and respond to her work during the past few years of knowing her.” —Leanna Ellis, Author of Facelift and Forsaken and winner of the National Readers Choice Award.


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






Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Mystery of the Heart by Jillian Kent

Jillian Kent wraps up her Ravensmoore Chronicles series with Mystery of the Heart. This one follows Mercy Grayson from castaway to countess and quite a bit in between. But will she find love with the adventurer who rescues her on the beach? We can only hope so as this Regency period thrill ride takes us there and back again with the brave Lady Mercy-- a truly worthy heroine-- and her ever exciting and lovable family.

Lovers of Regency Romance will rejoice at the satisfying conclusion of this series.

Read on for more information about Jillian Kent and the Ravensmoore Chronicles!




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Mystery of the Heart

Realms (January 8, 2013)

by

Jillian Kent


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Jillian Kent is a busy writer and the alter ego of  Jill Nutter, a full-time counselor.

Jill spent the first semester of her senior year of college at Oxford studying British Literature, where she fell in love with England. During this season, she came to appreciate the written word, the rich imagery of romantic poetry like The Highwayman, and historical novels of many types, including Jane Austen and all things Regency.

Jill received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Masters Degree in Social Work from WVU, and she brings her fascination with different cultures and societies into her writing.

Jill has always been a romantic at heart, so readers will find a good dose of romance woven through each of her novels.  Jill, her husband Randy, and children Katie and Meghan are animal lovers. They currently own two dogs, Boo-Boo and Bandit and a menagerie of cats, Lucky, Yuma, Snow, and Holden. Critters of all assortments make their appearance in her stories.  

ABOUT THE BOOK



Lord Eden is intrigued when he discovers Lady Mercy Grayson’s secret, but how can he hope to gain her heart when he is forced to betray her?

Lady Mercy Grayson longs be a physician like her big brother, Devlin, Lord Ravensmoore. However, society would never tolerate a female physician, let alone one who is a noblewoman. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands, disguising herself as a man to get through medical school. But then a male colleague discovers her secret, which is only the beginning of Mercy’s problems that could destroy her dreams forever.

The Prince Regent is awaiting the return of Vincent St. Lyons, Lord Eden, whom he sent on a secret voyage to locate and bring back a relic that some believe possesses the power to heal. St. Lyons discovers Mercy washed up on England’s shore upon his return and agrees to give her safe passage to London aboard a ship of men practicing African Vodun. Both must face treacherous circumstances, difficult decisions, and a growing attraction to one another that could forever change the course of their lives.

As the final installment in the series, the theme of this book is God’s plans for our lives. “Whatever the hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might” (Eccles. 9:10).

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