Friday, October 25, 2013

The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman


The Christmas Quilt is a story rich in the stuff of life. It fittingly begins with the scripture from Galatians which lists the fruit of the Spirit. The first fruit is love and that is really the heart of this story.

Annie is a nurse who has it all together and is pregnant with her first child. She is married to Samuel who is ten years older and suffered the loss of his first wife and child. He has managed to come through  his heartache stronger and wiser. They are a match made in Heaven.  

Leah, her best friend and sister-in-law is also a young wife, pregnant with twins and struggling with emotions, mood swings, and really swollen feet. She is married to Annie's brother-- a good man overall, but in a bit lacking in the understanding department. Leah's fear and insecurity are the enemies that threaten her ability to trust Adam and his love for her.

The main characters in The Christmas Quilt are Amish, and I loved the glimpse into the Amish life: Vanetta Chapman made even the labor intensive task of doing the laundry seem beautiful and I love how the Amish rally around one another when help is needed. 

The Christmas Quilt is another truly wonderful book in the Quilts of Love series.

Please read on for more from Abingdon Press. 
This week, the
is introducing
Abingdon Press (October 15, 2013)
by


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

A Word From The Author:

I hold a BA and MA degree in English, and I am proud to be represented by Mary Sue Seymour, AAR. I have published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, and have received over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.  I am honored to be a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Faith Hope and Love.


I live and teach in the Texas hill country with my husband, cats, and a rather large herd of deer. Our four children have flown the nest; however, we are fortunate that they all live close enough to visit.


I have always felt that my faith was at the very center of who and what I am, and I am thrilled beyond words to be able to now write about something that is so near to my heart. At various times I have served as a pianist, teacher, church secretary, and worship team member. While living in the Dallas area, I served as an adjunct professor of English Literature at Dallas Baptist University. When we moved to a small town in Central Texas, I continued teaching for a few years, but I now write full-time and I play the keyboard in our church’s praise band.


My grandfather was born in Albion, Pennsylvania, and I am currently researching whether I might have Amish roots.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie’s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.


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



 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Flip Flop by Wendy Lawton

On the surface Wendy Lawton's book, Flip Flop appears to be a fun, teeny bopper novel and it is. But it is so much more. Briana and Chickie are best friends who live across the street from one another in a nice, older neighborhood in rural California. Bree's father travels a lot for his job, and as far back as she can remember has had a drinking problem. In order to keep the "family business" private Bree has hung out exclusively at Chickie's relatively normal home. When the reality home improvement show Flip Flop chooses the friends for an episode, Bree fears that her secret will be exposed.

Wendy Lawton creates wonderful three dimensional characters that are so likable that I wanted more! She handled the problem of alcohol abuse with a deftness that could, I believe, actually help anyone who has suffered from its fallout. At one point in the story I didn't even realize that I was crying as I was reminded of some difficult times in my past. Tears of hope that things can change.

I would love to see this book on every tween-to-grandma's book shelf.

Flip Flop is book two of the Real TV series which is available on Amazon at bargain prices!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Plain Disappearance by Amanda Flower

                               Sleigh Ride Turns into Discovery of Amish Girl's Body

Chloe Humphrey, Englisher, and Timothy Troyer, former member of the Amish community were out for a picturesque Christmassy  ride in Timothy's grandfathers buggy when Mabel, Timothy's dog, discovers a frozen arm sticking out of the snow. Timothy recognizes the body as belonging to Katie Lambright. The Lambrights and the Troyers relationship has been strained ever since he and his sister Becky left the Amish way of life. It appears that the discovery will not help mend any fences...

 I began reading this book en route to St. Louis from Boston where I was visiting family. I enjoyed being transported to the Ohio Amish Country while I was waiting to be transported back to my own home. With well drawn characters to keep me company, an intriguing mystery, and the visions of sugar plums, yule logs, and miniature whoopie pies dancing around in my head-- the Amish are big foodies-- I'm sure that I was one of the happier travelers in the Pittsburgh airport. I honestly didn't mind the hour and a half delay.

A Plain Disappearance is Amanda Flower's third Amish mystery.
B&H Publishing Group have provided more information about this book. (Happy Reading!!)



This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Plain Disappearance

B&H Books (September 1, 2013)


by

Amanda Flower


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





Amanda Flower, an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel. Amanda is an academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland.




ABOUT THE BOOK



USA Today recently hailed award-nominated author Amanda Flower for A Plain Death, calling it “the first Amish rom-com . . . bring on the next one!” As the enthusiastic reviews continue to mount, she’s back with her third Appleseed Creek mystery, A Plain Disappearance.


It’s Christmastime in Amish Country, and Chloe Humphrey has begun settling into her life in Appleseed Creek excited to see where her new relationship with Timothy Troyer will lead. Unfortunately it leads to murder when the couple discovers the body of Amish teenager Katie Lambright while on their first date.


Near the scene there is evidence that Timothy’s friend and auto mechanic Billy Thorpe is involved with the crime. The police reveal Billy is not really who he said he was and has been living the last decade in Knox County under a stolen alias. Now, Chloe and Timothy must find Billy, bring him to justice, or prove his innocence.


If you would like to read the first chapter of >A Plain Disappearance, go HERE.




Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins

Fans of thriller suspense fasten your seat belts because Brandilyn Collins is back with another incredible ride that will have you rounding the fiction world at breakneck speed.

Hannah Shire is your average middle aged widow who cares for her quirky mother who suffers from dementia. On their way home from a week end holiday she innocently stops to help an accident victim which inadvertently sets off a sequence of high stakes events that will force them to go on the run.

Superb storytelling, wonderful characters, and nail biting suspense await-- I seriously hope you to give Dark Justice a whirl. I promise--you won't be able to put it down!

Please read on for much more from Brandilyn Collins and the cool people from B&H Books!
Warning: If you read the first chapter, you will not rest until you get a copy for yourself (or your library)...




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Dark Justice

B&H Books (October 1, 2013)

by

Brandilyn Collins


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e . . ."®  Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn's awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice.


Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.


When she's not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching the craft of fiction at writers' conferences.


ABOUT THE BOOK



If I’d had any idea what those words would mean to me, to my mother and daughter, I’d have fled California without looking back.


While driving a rural road, Hannah Shire and her aging mother, who suffers from dementia, stop to help a man at the scene of a car accident. The man whispers mysterious words in Hannah’s ear. Soon people want to kill Hannah and her mother for what they “know.” Even law enforcement may be involved.


The two women must flee for their lives. But how does Hannah hide her confused mother? Carol just wants to listen to her pop music, wear her favorite purple hat, and go home. And if they turn to Hannah’s twentyseven- year-old daughter, Emily, for help, will she fall into danger as well?


Pressed on all sides, Hannah must keep all three generations of women in her family alive. Only then does she learn the threat is not just to her loved ones, but the entire country . . .


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Dark Justice, HERE.


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The Nurse's Secret Suitor by Cheryl Wyatt

I really appreciate the folks at Harlequin for keeping the printing presses churning with their Love Inspired line of "Heartwarming Inspirational Romance". They give the romantics among us the option of wholesome love stories with contemporary characters-- who may or may not be praying for a relationship-- but are often surprised to find that God's choice is what their hearts have been searching for all along.

Cheryl Wyatt's military/medical romance stories fit the bill perfectly.  The romantic games begin with fun characters like Kate Dalton, trauma nurse, and Caleb Landis, army medic (who is impersonating a Zorro inspired character to woo her). Kate is intrigued by the stranger in disguise but finds herself falling for the real guy (Caleb) at the same time...

I give Cheryl kudos for daring to step into the realm of a modern version of a masked hero who wins the heart of the battle-scarred former combat nurse. Yeah, she went there--and I'm so glad she did!

For more information about The Nurse's Secret Suitor and Cheryl Wyatt, please read on!




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Nurse's Secret Suitor

Love Inspired (October 1, 2013)


by

Cheryl Wyatt


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Not even Cheryl Wyatt’s closest friends would dream that this sweet, shy intercessor plots mayhem during announcements at church. She is a Registered Nurse turned stay-at-home-mom, wife and writer who loves Jesus with all of her heart.


Joyful chaos rules her home, and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. She is convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentines Day destined her to write Inspirational Military Romance.


Cheryl loves to laugh and to make others laugh, so she often plans comedic moments for her defenseless characters in spite of their grumbling. She says it’s payback for when they refuse to obey the plots she’s set out before them.


Prior to publication, six of Cheryl’s manuscripts placed in ten RWA Contests. Two of Cheryl’s stories also placed First in ACFW’s Noble Theme Contest 2005 (Contemporary Romance Category), as well as ACFW‘s Genesis Contest 2006 (Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Category).


She currently writes for Love Inspired. Her Wings of Refuge Series, about a team of USAF Pararescue Jumpers and the ladies who capture their hearts, can be purchased anywhere books are sold.


ABOUT THE BOOK



A Strong-Willed Heart
Trauma nurse Kate Dalton can handle any challenge—except love. The combat veteran dreams of settling down, but heartbreak is one risk she won't take. Then a chance encounter opens her heart to a masked stranger…who might not be a stranger after all! Caleb Landis, the army medic behind the disguise, has always admired Kate, even though she only saw him as her best friend's brother. What will it take for Kate to discard her fears and discover the man she's always hoped to unmask?
Eagle Point Emergency:  Saving lives—and losing their hearts— in a small Illinois town


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Nurse's Secret Suitor, go HERE.