ACRBA Tour Ehvah After by Rose Dee

1 – 5 August 2016

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

  is Introducing

Ehvah After

( August 25, 2015)

By Rose Dee

About the Book:

Ehvah Rowe’s life is in freefall. Her teen queen status is long forgotten, and with a childhood of tragic loss, no family save a diabolical aunt, and no career prospects, her L.A. celebrity world holds no future.

It will take a murder, an escape to the Australian tropics, and the friendship of an Aussie bodyguard, for her to discover healing, faith, and a way forward.

David Blake knows how to be a soldier. His army training equipped him to fight and protect. But when it comes to helping a fear-filled celebrity navigate the same post-traumatic stress symptoms he has suffered, David discovers the challenge in forsaking his own strength for God’s plan.

Rose Dee weaves a story of mystery, drama and romance, in her trademark tropical North Queensland Australian style.

About the Author:

Rose Dee was born in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel. Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, decided to try her hand at writing two years ago. The result of that attempt is her first novel, Back to Resolution. Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women. Rose’s other releases include Beyond Resolution – the second book in the ‘Resolution’ series. And A New Resolution  the final book in the series. Rose has also co-written a novel in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian Authors: The Greenfield Legacy. Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.

My book recommendation for Ehvah After can be found at the following link:

https://narelleatkins.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/book-recommendation-ehvah-after-by-rose-dee/

Book Recommendation – Glasgow Grace by Marion Ueckermann

Book Description:

Opera singer, Skye Hunter, returns to the land of her birth as leading lady in Phantom of the Opera. This is her first trip back to bonnie Scotland since her mother whisked her away to Australia after Skye’s father died sixteen years ago. When Skye decides to have dinner at McGuire’s, she’s not going there only for Mary McGuire’s shepherd’s pie. Her first and only love, Callum McGuire, still plays his guitar and sings at the family-owned tavern. Callum has never stopped loving Skye. Desperate to know if she’s changed under her mother’s influence, he keeps his real profession hidden. Would she want him if he was still a singer in a pub? But when Skye’s worst nightmare comes true, Callum reveals his secret to save the woman he loves. Can Skye and Callum rekindle what they lost, or will her mother threaten their future together once again?

Narelle’s Thoughts:

Journey to picturesque Scotland in Marion Ueckermann’s delightful and heartwarming romance novella. I loved the gorgeous white Christmas setting in Glasgow Grace.

Skye is an opera singer who returns to her homeland from Australia to start rehearsals in the New Year. She wants to visit her father’s grave in Skye and she’s staying in a swish hotel, courtesy of her opera company employer.

Callum knows that Skye is back in town and he has bought tickets for an upcoming performance. Skye visits the pub owned by Callum’s family just before Christmas and she reconnects with Callum. It’s like the old days, when they were teens and head over heels in love. But Callum hasn’t forgotten how Skye moved to Australia with her mother and never replied to his letters. Her mother is a pretentious snob who didn’t think Callum was good enough for her daughter.

Callum has his own secrets. He lets Skye believe that he’s a singer and musician who works in the family pub and still drives his old car.

The romance at the start of the story seems to plod along almost too smoothly. A big plot twist (that I didn’t see coming) changes everything and challenges their faith. Skye’s career is threatened and Callum’s secret is exposed. They have to work together to overcome all the obstacles in their path to true love. Glasgow Grace has a tender and emotionally satisfying ending that will charm readers who enjoy sweet Christmas reunion romances.

Many thanks to Marion for providing a complimentary advanced reader copy of the book.

ACFW New Releases: July 2016

Source: ACFW New Releases: July 2016

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance:

The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston — Devastated by a broken courtship, Rachel Fisher takes a position at a special Amish school for children with learning disabilities to keep her mind off of her pain. A new student joins the class, and when Rachel has problems getting him to pay attention, she reaches out to his older brother and guardian, Mike. She learns they are grieving their mother’s death and begins sending food to them in a special basket she found in her parents’ attic, a basket Rachel’s father gave to her mother long ago. Rachel and Mike grow close, but he doubts whether he can be a good husband while caring for his brother and dat. As they face the hardest days of their lives, Rachel’s old fears of another man leaving her come to the surface. Can they pull together and create hope for the future? (Contemporary Romance from Zondervan)

A Living Hope by E. C. Jackson — It was a match made in heaven. Or so everyone thought. Sadie Mae Cummings is all set to marry her childhood sweetheart, Kyle, when she is assigned to tutor Lincoln, the new college football running back. Through her alternate relationships with both boys, she learns some burned bridges can never be restored. Now Sadie fights for a chance to restore broken dreams. Will love endure? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

General Contemporary (Women’s Fiction):

The Things We Knew by Catherine West — After her mother’s death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother’s death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can’t remember a bit of it. But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him, only it seems Nick is hiding things from her. As their father’s failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface—secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. (Women’s Fiction from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

Historical Romance:

The Courageous Brides Collection by Johnnie Alexander, Michelle Griep, Eileen Key, Debby Lee, Rose Allen McCauley, Donita Kathleen Paul, Jennifer Uhlarik, Jenness Walker, Renee Q. Yancy — Ride into adventures alongside nine determined women of yesteryear whose acts of compassion and bravery attract male attention. Marcy helps displaced Indians. Emmy tends wounds at Fort Snelling. Ronnie stows away on a cattle drive. Daisy disguises herself as a Pony Express rider. Elinor becomes an abolitionist. Mae tames wild horses. Hannah gets help for accident victims. Lucy’s curiosity unnerves criminals. Kate nurses soldiers on the battlefield. Will real dangers douse the sparks of love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

No Way Up by Mary Connealy — When Cimarron ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Badly injured, Chance demands that his will be read and its conditions be enforced immediately. Without anyone else to serve as a witness, Heath is pressed into reading the will. If Justin, Sadie, and Cole Boden don’t live and work at home for the entire year, the ranch will go to their low-down cousin Mike. Then Heath discovers the avalanche was a murder attempt, and more danger might follow. Deeply involved with the family, Heath’s desire to protect Sadie goes far beyond friendship. The danger keeps them close together, and their feelings grow until being apart is the last thing on their minds. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino — It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton’s ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados, with no survivors. She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island. Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy is rescued and aboard a British Naval Gunship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown. When he makes his surprise return to Southold–and to an overjoyed Patience–it’s not the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

An Elegant Façade by Kristi Ann Hunter — Lady Georgina Hawthorne has worked tirelessly to seal her place as the Incomparable for her debut season. At her first London ball, she hopes to snag the attention of an earl. With money and business connections, but without impeccable bloodlines, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. When he first encounters the fashionable Lady Georgina, he’s irritated by his attraction to a woman who concerns herself only with status and appearance. What Colin doesn’t know is that Georgina’s desperate social aspirations are driven by the shameful secret she harbors. Association with Colin McCrae is not part of Georgina’s plan, but as their paths continue to cross, they both must decide if the realization of their dreams is worth the sacrifices they must make. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Honor Redeemed by Christine Johnson — Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life. Arriving penniless in the South, Prosperity is dismayed to find David married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, she gains the friendship–and the affection–of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

Lawman in Disguise by Laurie Kingery — A Texas Ranger goes undercover to bring about the capture of a dangerous outlaw gang, but doesn’t count on falling in love during the process. Can he achieve his goal and begin a new life with the woman he has come to love, or will he pay the ultimate price for his daring? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Resurrection of Hope by Tamera Lynn Kraft — She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong? (Historical Romance from Desert Breeze Publishing)

A Changed Agent by Tracey J. Lyons — When schoolteacher Elsie Mitchell meets rugged William Benton on a train platform in Albany, it appears they have nothing in common. He isn’t the sort of fellow a proper young woman of the 1890s would ever speak to, much less become involved with. But when she arrives at her small town in the Adirondack Mountains, Elsie is offered a job as caregiver for this mysterious out-of-towner’s niece and nephew, who’ve been tragically orphaned. Heartbroken for them, she accepts. Unknown to her, William is an undercover Pinkerton agent posing as a lumber-company foreman. He’s never wanted family–his work is too dangerous. Yet as Elsie transforms his house into a home and he spends time with the children, he feels drawn to family life–and to Elsie. As a good Christian, Elsie is troubled by William’s secrets…though she does find him intriguing. And when a sinister figure from her past arrives, Elsie and William will have to trust in faith and newfound love to protect their unlikely family from danger. (Historical Romance from Waterfall Press)

Sarah’s Surrender by Vickie McDonough — When Sarah Worley rejects Luke McNeil’s proposal to pursue property in the Oklahoma Territory land lottery in 1901, the ranch hand pulls up stakes and goes after her. But he’s the last person she wants to see. The land lottery gives Sarah the chance to realize her dream of independence and a home of her own. But with it comes challenges she never considered. When her dream becomes a nightmare, she must decide whether to stay on her land or give up and return to the life she left. Luke hopes that by winning a claim, he can give Sarah the home she’s always wanted. How can he prove his love and show the stubborn woman that he’s the right man for her? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Incriminating Evidence by Rachel Dylan — When rookie prosecutor Jessica Hughes crosses the son of a major crime boss, she’s determined to bring him to justice–if his family doesn’t kill her first. And with newly minted FBI special agent Zach Taylor protecting her, she believes she can succeed. Zach will do anything to stay ahead of the crime syndicate and guard Jessica while she builds her case. The more time he spends with her, the more personal the assignment becomes. It’s bad timing for falling in love, but as the threats against her life escalate, Zach realizes Jessica is everything to him–and he will do everything he can to make sure she has a future. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Through Raging Waters by Renee Blare — Floods from spring runoff compounded by the storm of the century sends Timber Springs into a tailspin. Tossed into the role of rescuer, local pharmacist Paul Fitzgerald must face his past before the whole world falls apart. While he fights to contain the beast around him, he finds his steadfast control slipping through his fingers. And life…everyone’s life…hangs by a thread once again. Melissa Hampton has her own demons to battle. She’s never been a hero…but as waters rise and tension climbs within Timber Springs, she needs to rise to the challenge or lose the only man she’s ever loved. (Romantic Suspense from Inspired (Prism Book Group)

Fractured Memory by Jordyn Redwood — United States marshal Eli Cayne saved Julia Galloway’s life once…and he’s prepared to do it again. But his task would be easier if she could remember him–or the murderer who almost put her in an early grave and seems to be hunting her once more. To protect Julia from the latest threat against her life, Eli has to consider the possibility that he put an innocent man in jail. Julia has no memories of the serial killer called the Hangman, though, and no reason to trust Eli. But with the killer getting closer, she must work with Eli to confront her past—and the feelings growing between them. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

In a Killer’s Sights by Sandra Robbins — When Gwen Harwell witnesses someone dumping a body into a Tennessee river, she knows she’s the killer’s new target. Far from home on a work assignment, she isn’t sure where to turn–especially when her ex-husband appears. Five years ago, Dean Harwell’s burdens from his police work tore their marriage apart. But now he says he’s changed. He’s working as a rancher; he’s put his problems behind him. And he’s committed to keeping her safe until the killer is caught. With their troubled past, trusting him with her life is hard enough. Can she trust him with the truth about the child he doesn’t know they have? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Suspense:

Deep Shadows by Vanetta Chapman — Life in Abney, Texas is predictable and safe–until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology. (Suspense from Harvest House Publishers)

Speculative (High Fantasy):

Eirwen’s Dream: Inside Snow White’s Sleeping Mind by Kristen Reed — After eating her stepmother’s poison apple, Princess Eirwen has a fantastical dream in which she must defeat an evil Siren. (Speculative/High Fantasy, Independently Published)

ACRBA Tour The Warrior Lord’s Sword by Ray Hawkins

4 – 8 July

is introducing

The Warrior Lord’s Sword

(April 2016)

by  Ray Hawkins

 

 

About the Book:

‘The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword …’That is one of the ways the Bible defines itself. This Devotional takes you into 30 other of its definitions. Your confidence in and appreciation of God’s word will be strengthened as you understand its claims.The author’s hope is that this book will enrich your love for and understanding of God’s unchanging scriptures. For God has expressed Himself within them so you will know Him in a personal way.Scripture is God’s breath in print with power to declare His glory. It is His sword to strike against ungodliness. He has given it to us also to guide, guard and govern our relationship of faith in Him.

About the Author

Ray Hawkins, retired after over 40 years as a Churches of Christ minister, enjoys sharing themes from the Scriptures through Devotional writing. Married to Mary, multi-published inspirational romance author, they have three children and five grandchildren. Ray shares his insights in his first two books on Marriage and Children with more ideas to come about ministry and much more. Living in Beauty Point Tasmania Ray heads up a new Christian Fellowship as well as doing relief preaching, community work and writing.

Book Recommendation – Unraveled by Heidi McCahan

Book Description:

She ran away years ago. He never truly let her go. Will their renewed romance survive her shameful secret?

Lauren Carter can’t seem to catch a break. Suddenly jobless and blindsided by her grandmother’s rapidly declining health, she decides to finally return home after a lengthy self-imposed exile. But nothing could have prepared her for the pain of running into her old sweetheart.

Blake Tully has tried and failed to forget the woman who left him behind. So when she shows up back in town without warning, he can’t repress his raw flood of feelings. But after he sees her family crumbling under massive emotional and financial strain, he vows to step up and support her.

Burdened by the skeletons of her scandalous past, Lauren tries to resist falling all over again. And though Blake is ready for anything, he fears Lauren’s hesitance has already doomed any hope for their future.

Can Lauren and Blake find the path to forgiveness and finally settle down together?

Unraveled is the first book in the Emerald Cove Christian romance series. If you like second-chance loves, heartfelt suspense, and touching redemption, then you’ll adore Heidi McCahan’s inspirational story.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

Unraveled is the first book in Heidi McCahan’s Emerald Cove series. We meet Lauren in Portland, Oregon, when her life is in chaos. She needs to find a new job, her car is falling apart, the girl who shares her townhouse may be addicted to prescription painkillers, and her fiance bails on the vacation they’ve planned to visit her family in Alaska.

Lauren is very concerned about the future of her relationship with her fiance, who is a surgeon and supposedly a good catch. When she arrives in Emerald Cove, Alaska, she’s perplexed to discover her attraction to childhood sweetheart, Blake, hasn’t gone away. She ran from Blake and her family to start a new life in Oregon. She has hidden a big secret from everyone in Emerald Cove. A secret that still haunts her eight years later.

Blake was devastated when Lauren left him, and he struggled to get his life back on track. He now owns a successful whitewater rafting and kayaking business with his brother, and he’s intrigued by Lauren’s reappearance in his life. His faith is strong and he has forgiven Lauren for walking out on their relationship. He’s a lovable hero who is very different in character to her self-absorbed fiance.

Lauren’s beloved granny is struggling with health issues and she is admitted to the hospital. Lauren’s parents want her to stay longer in Emerald Cove to help out at the family owned inn. When Lauren’s engagement is called off, she has no compelling reason to return to Portland. The Emerald Cove setting is stunning – who wouldn’t want to take an extended vacation in a gorgeous location in Alaska?

We journey with Lauren as she reconnects with family and old friends, and questions the direction of her life. A long held secret in Lauren’s family is exposed, and Lauren’s growing relationship with Blake is threatened by her inability to communicate and talk with him about why she left Emerald Cove. When all of Lauren’s past secrets are exposed, her lukewarm faith is challenged and she risks losing what she values the most – a future with Blake.

Unraveled is an emotion-charged and powerful story that delves into some big issues that can confront families. The characters make mistakes and have to deal with the consequences of their decisions, often many years later. I loved the small town setting of Emerald Cove, and the well developed minor characters added to the authenticity of the story.  I highly recommend Unraveled to contemporary romance readers who enjoy small town reunion romance stories.

ACFW New Releases: June 2016

Source: ACFW New Releases: June 2016

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Contemporary Romance:

Sweet Dreams by Cecelia Dowdy — A single mom trying to distance herself and her two year old daughter from their dysfunctional family is torn when she falls for a grieving baker dealing with his own family struggles. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

In Love and War by Miralee Ferrell, Kimberly Rose Johnson, Debby Mayne, and Trish Perry — In this collection, four couples have to decide whether to fight or find love. A gift shop clerk at a fancy resort fights to redeem her reputation with her high-school crush turned new boss. To save her fledgling business, a landscape artist competes in a design competition against two handsome men–her ex- fiancé and her one-time best friend. An ad agent disapproves of the new playboy working at her Washington, D.C. agency, until they’re forced to work together on a campaign and she finds herself falling for him. A man starts a new restaurant in the town where his childhood sweetheart owns a diner, and the sparks that fly aren’t just competitive ones.

Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon — After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up–only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he’s constantly distracted by noise, chaos–and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who’s invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client’s son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn’t high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves? (Contemporary Romance from Revell [Baker])

A Love to Treasure by Kimberly Rose Johnson — While on vacation an amateur sleuth follows left by her deceased grandmother, and ends up working with a local police officer to solve several mysterious burglaries. (Contemporary Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt — Caron Hollister goes on vacation to Colorado and ends up working as a home stager for her ex-boyfriend, a realtor participating in the Colorado Springs Tour of Homes. But she can’t let herself fall for him when she’s already won an all-expenses paid destination wedding for her and her current boyfriend—who hasn’t proposed to her yet. (Contemporary Romance from Howard [Simon & Schuster])

General Fiction:

Sapphire Secrets by Dawn V. Cahill — Twins Livy and DeeDee McCreary open a dance studio in honor of their late mother, whom they lost when they were six. Problem is, Livy remembers nothing of the day her mother died. The more she questions her family about that awful day, the more she suspects she’s been lied to all her life. While she’s seeking answers to what really happened, she keeps crossing paths with handsome engineer Scott Lorenzo, who compels her to question the New Age philosophy she was raised on. What if there is a personal God out there who cares about her? Before Livy can discover answers, a brutal accident interrupts her search. Can she find the strength to keep on with her quest, even if it means losing the two people dearest to her–her twin, and the man she loves? (General, Independently Published)

Close to Home by Deborah Raney — Bree Cordel Whitman is a Whitman by marriage, but sometimes she forgets she wasn’t born into Grant and Audrey’s family. Her late husband, Timothy Whitman, gave his life for his country on a windblown hill in Afghanistan. Bree has let the love of Tim’s family keep her ties to him strong–in the same way she keeps Tim’s memory alive for them. But it’s been almost five years, and she can’t hang onto the past forever. Fighting the guilt she feels for wanting to love again, she can’t help her dreams about a tall, dark, and handsome man–a man who is not her Tim. How can she accept the flirtations from Drew Brooks without throwing the Whitman family back into grieving? And how can Drew compete with the ghost of a hero and the hero’s very alive family who seem to hold some spell over the woman who shares their name . . . a woman he might just love? (General from Abingdon Press)

Historical Literary:

Like a River from Its Course by Kelli Stuart — An epic novel exposing the ugliness of war and the beauty of hope through the eyes of four people. Maria Ivanovna is only fourteen when the bombing begins and not much older when she is forced into work at a German labor camp. She must fight to survive and to make her way back to her beloved Ukraine. Ivan Kyrilovich is falsely mistaken for a Jew and lined up with 34,000 other men, women, and children who are to be shot at the edge of Babi Yar, the “killing ditch.” He survives, but not without devastating consequences. Luda is sixteen when German soldiers attack her. Now pregnant with the child of the enemy, she is abandoned by her father, alone, and in pain. She must learn to trust family and friends again and find her own strength in order to discover the redemption that awaits. Frederick Hermann is sure in his knowledge that the Führer’s plans for domination are right and just. He is driven to succeed by a desire to please a demanding father and by his own blind faith in the ideals of Nazism. (Historical Literary from Kregel Publications)

Historical Romance:

A Nanny for Keeps by Janet Lee Barton — With no teaching positions open, Georgia Marshall agrees to become the temporary nanny for the two little girls next door. She soon becomes enamored of the precocious children and their distant widowed father, but the nobleman is out of her reach. Tyler Walker swore he’d never again give his heart away. He refuses to allow this arrangement with the pretty teacher to become permanent…no matter how much he wants Georgia by his side–forever. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

The 12 Brides of Summer Collection by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, Margaret Brownley, Amanda Cabot, Mary Connealy, Susan Page Davis, Miralee Ferrell, Pam Hillman, Maureen Lang, Amy Lillard, Vickie McDonough,Davalynn Spencer, and Michelle Ule — Meet 12 adventurous Victorian era women–a beekeeper who is afraid of bees, a music teacher whose dog has dug up a treasure, a baker who enters a faux courtship, and six more–along with the men they encounter while making summertime memories. Will these loves sown during summer be strengthened by faith and able to endure a lifetime? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron — Lady Rosamund Easling boards a ship to America as a last adventure before her arranged marriage. There, the twenties are roaring, and the rich and famous gather at opulent, Gatsby-esque parties. The Jazz Age has arrived, and with it, the golden era of the American circus, whose queen is none other than the enigmatic Mable Ringling. When Rosamund’s path crosses with Mable’s and the Ringlings’ glittering world, she makes the life-altering decision to leave behind a comfortable future of estates and propriety, choosing instead the nomadic life of a trick rider in the Ringling Brothers’ circus. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter by Carrie Fancett Pagels — After her Huguenot father is arrested, aristocrat Suzanne Richelieu escapes Versailles. Handsome German peasant, Johan Rousch, risks his life to bring her to the safety of his family’s farm in the Palatinate duchy, but when Suzanne’s brother and the French army arrive with a warning that they plan to burn the area, she and Johan are forced to flee. With no money or options, both become indentured servants in exchange for safe passage to Philadelphia. Suzanne falls gravely ill aboard ship and marries Johan, only to survive with no memory of the wedding–a reality made worse when Johan spots the “priest” who married them working as a surveyor and later in Quaker cleric garb. Are their wedding vows valid? When Suzanne’s former fiancé arrives in port, planning to abduct her, Johan must save her again-but can he do so before Suzanne is lost to him forever? (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])

Young Adult:

No Pizza Delivery? by Grace Marshall — Ruth Deloach’s world is sent spinning when she finds out she is going to be ripped from America’s Dairyland to live in the embarrassingly small tourist town of Sainte Genevieve, Missouri. The blow is slightly lessened by the news that her father wants to start a horse ranch, but how enjoyable will it really be to live where there is no pizza delivery and a revolving door to the public? A public with a different idea of how things are done and said. To add embarrassment to her frustration she finds she knows less about horses than she presumed. Maybe the handsome ranch hand her father hires can brighten things up, then again, maybe not. (Young Adult, Independently Published)

ACRBA Tour Shoes Off Feet Up by Ellen Carr

6 – 10 June
is introducing

Shoes Off Feet Up

by  Ellen Carr
HopePost Publishing, 25 November 2015

  

 About the Book:

Shoes Off, Feet Up: Poems of everyday life and faith invites you to sit down, put your feet up and read awhile. It celebrates life with all its fun and adventures, its blessings and encouragements and its challenges. Some of Ellen’s poems touch on the light-hearted and humorous side of life, some rejoice in the joys of life and nature, while others deal with the deeper issues of living with faith in God.

You are invited to dip into this book and find some treasures. You will be blessed, encouraged and amused by these poems, and occasionally you will be challenged. Shoes Off, Feet Up ~ poems you will want to return to again and again.

Ellen Carr is an award winning author who lives in Melbourne, Australia. She writes about life, nature, things of amusement, and of her faith in God. She enjoys seeing the funny side of life, as well as pondering things of more serious importance.

 
 About the Author:

Ellen Carr lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, Rod. She has two adult daughters, Sarah and Alison, who have flown the nest. When she isn’t busy writing, Ellen delights in pottering about, drinking coffee, singing in a community choir, volunteering as a Christian religious studies teacher, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

 A retired teacher, Ellen has always enjoyed writing. She has written educational material, radio scripts, short stories, and of course, poetry. Writing from her heart, her works are about life, nature, amusing situations, and her faith in God. Her faith and her daily walk with God are high priorities in her life, followed by family, friends and fun. She enjoys seeing the funny side of life as well as pondering things of more serious importance.

Many of her award-winning poems and stories have been published at FaithWriters.com, an online Christian writers’ website, and some poems appear in Glimpses of Light, an Australian anthology, which raised money for CBM (formally Christian Blind Mission).Several of her pieces will appear in the upcoming series, Mixed Blessings. Her poem, Twelve Long Years, included in this collection, was awarded a Judges’ Commendation in the Tabor Adelaide Creative Writing Awards competition.

In addition, her poems have been read on the radio program, Songs of Hope, on 88.3 Southern FM, in Melbourne, Australia. She also wrote the lyrics for a song, The Peace of God, played on that same station. Other poems have appeared in church news sheets, religious educational material, magazines, and on Ellen’s blog.

You can find more of her work, and a link to her blog, at her website: Ellen Carr, Postbox Poetry and HopePost Publishing, at: postboxpoetry.wordpress.com

Book Recommendation – The Peppercorn Project by Nicki Edwards

Book Description:

One heartbroken woman. One bitter cop. One community to save them.

After the tragic death of her husband, single mum Isabelle Cassidy is bereft and broke. When she hears about The Peppercorn Project – a scheme that offers affordable rent in the tiny but vibrant town of Stony Creek – Issie sees it as her family’s best chance at a fresh start.

Newly single police officer Matt Robertson moved to Stony Creek to lick his wounds after a bitter divorce. Wanting only peace and quiet, Matt is against the Project, seeing it as a threat to the peace he’s found in the country town – until he meets Issie. Despite himself, Matt is drawn to the widow and feels inexplicably protective of her fragile family.

Just when Issie begins to imagine a future with Matt, an accident proves how far she has to go before she can move beyond her grief. But the citizens of Stony Creek won’t rest until they see these two broken souls find a new beginning, together.

Can Issie move beyond the pain of her past and entrust Matt with her family, and her heart?

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I loved The Peppercorn Project and I read it in one sitting. The characters are well developed and the emotional depth drew me into Issie and Matt’s story world. I will confess I’m not usually a big fan of the grieving widow romance trope. One reason being the heroine is distracted by her amazing late husband and it can detract from the developing romance with the hero in the story. How can the hero compete with the amazing dead husband?

What drew me into this story was the way the author handled the emotional fallout from losing a loving life partner in tragic circumstances. The story opens with the prologue and we experience in real time Issie’s very painful loss, the roller coaster of emotions, and the consequences for her young family. Issie’s need to stand on her own two feet and establish a new life for her children leads her to the small town of Stony Creek.

Issie and her children are interviewed by a committee of townsfolk for a coveted peppercorn lease. The idea is to provide people with an affordable home for a year to help them get back on their feet financially in a supportive small town community. Issie is desperate for a financial break and willing to move from coastal Torquay near Melbourne to a small town in the South Australian Flinders Ranges to put a roof over their heads.

Matt is a city cop who moved to Stony Creek when his marriage fell apart. Burned by his experiences with his ex-wife, he’s a confirmed bachelor and resisting the efforts by well-meaning town matchmakers to find him a new wife. He’s intrigued by Issie and drawn to her despite his reservations concerning the wisdom of the peppercorn project concept.

The minor characters add flavour and colour to the story, and an authenticity to the idyllic rural romance setting. Matt is a cynical city cop who knows it’s only a matter of time until the Stony Creek community will have to face the challenges of the illegal drug trade. A subplot relating to the ice (methamphetamine) epidemic that’s facing many Australian small towns was realistic and well handled. Issie is a nurse and we journey with her as she faces many professional challenges in a medical context.

The romance between Issie and Matt was centre stage and their emotional journey to love was full of obstacles and baggage from the past. A loving intimate scene between Issie and Matt toward the end of the book was beautifully written and contained emotional rather than physical descriptions that will pull at the reader’s heartstrings. The perfect happy ending for two people who had grown to love each other, and Issie’s adorable children, during the story.

I highly recommend The Peppercorn Project to romance readers who enjoy sweet medical romances set in small town rural Australia.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing a complimentary advanced reader copy of the book.

ACFW New Releases: May 2016

Source: ACFW New Releases: May 2016

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Amish Romance:

Amish Firefighter by Laura Hilton — Banished from home and blamed for a barn fire at her new residence, Abigail Stutzman is desperate to prove her innocence. But God doesn’t seem willing to help. Volunteer firefighter Sam Miller is determined to atone for his past. When local barn fires escalate, everyone suspects arson. And since the Miller family are among the victims, Sam means to see the perpetrators are brought to justice. When Abigail and Sam meet at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or extinguish. And they’ll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno. (Amish Romance from Whitaker House)

Biblical Fiction:

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar — Before Christ called her daughter . . .Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left. No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body . . . and soul? (Biblical from Tyndale House)

Contemporary Romance:

Kiss the Bride Novella Collection by Robin Lee Hatcher, Melissa McClone, and Kathryn Springer — Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone: Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away, but he wrongly blamed wedding photographer Jenna Harrison for ruining his political aspirations. Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love? I Hope You Dance by Robin Lee Hatcher: Groomsman Grant Nichols and former rodeo queen Skye Foster are no match on paper. But when the male kitchen genius and the rodeo queen-turned-dance-tutor step onto the dance floor, they create a melody all their own. Love on a Deadline by Kathryn Springer MacKenzie: Newspaper social events writer “Mac” Davis is charged with covering the celebrity wedding of her high school nemesis. The only highlight of the job is spending time with Ethan Channing, the bride’s older brother—and Mac’s first crush. (Contemporary Romance from Zondervan)

An Informal Introduction by Heather Gray — An ICU nurse and a state trooper find their lives crossing paths professionally and personally. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

The Cowboy’s Twins by Deb Kastner — Hardened cowboy Jax McKenna finds twin girls on his doorstep, and only new-to-the-area Faith Duggan, who needs horse-whispering Jax’s assistance with her new mustang rescue, can help make Jax the daddy he longs to be. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Rescue Me by Sandy Nadeau — First Responder Ronnie Spencer has a no-dating-firefighters rule. She lost her father to a fire, and won’t risk the heartbreak of losing someone else. But when Steve McNeal returns, Ronnie’s heart is tested. How can she swear off dating a firefighter when she has to work with the one man she used to love? When the unthinkable happens, Ronnie has doubts. How can a loving God allow tragedy to stalk her life again? As her faith wavers, Ronnie must decide. Will their blossoming relationship be quickly extinguished by the very thing she feared, or will Ronnie trust God and allow her heart to be rescued–even if that means giving it to a firefighter? (Contemporary Romance from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])

Falling for the Hometown Hero by Mindy Obenhaus — After returning home wounded from an IED attack, former soldier Kaleb Palmer is hailed as a hero. But survivor’s guilt makes him feel like a fraud. He hopes setting up a business in Ouray, Colorado, will give him a purpose and help him forget. But his new office manager has her own plans. Grace McAllen brings light and hope wherever she goes, and she’s getting Kaleb to open up. As she helps him make Mountain View Jeep Tours a success, Kaleb realizes a happy ending is in reach, if he can convince Grace to stay in town–and his life–forever. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Her One and Only by Becky Wade — When NFL super star Gray Fowler is threatened by a stalker, his team hires a professional bodyguard to ensure his safety. But when Gray’s “protection” turns out to be a woman half his size, he’s indignant. Will Dru Porter–a former Marine and expert markswoman–prove herself worthy of the job? And meanwhile, who’s going to guard Gray’s heart? (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Historical Romance:

Sofi’s Bridge by Christine Lindsay — Can Sofi trust Neil, whose gentle manner brings such peace to her traumatized sister and such tumult to her own emotions, and can Neil, the gardener, continue to hide from Sofi that he is really Dr. Neil Galloway, a man wanted for murder? (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin — For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. She loves the wartime challenges of her new job but spurns the attention of society boy Ens. Archer Vandenberg. As Arch’s destroyer battles U-boats along the East Coast, Lillian uncovers a black market drug ring. Arch and Lillian work together on the investigation, but can he ever earn her trust and affection? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

His Prairie Sweetheart by Erica Vetsch — After being jilted at the altar, Southern belle Savannah Cox seeks a fresh start out West and accepts a teaching position in Minnesota. But between her students’ lack of English, the rough surroundings and sheriff Elias Parker’s doubts and distrust, Savannah’s unprepared for both the job and the climate. However, she’s determined to prove she can handle anything her new town throws her way. Elias gives it a week–or less–before the pretty schoolteacher packs her dainty dresses and hightails it back home. But no matter how many mishaps he has to rescue her from, Savannah doesn’t give up. Yet the real test is to come–a brutal blizzard that could finally drive her away, taking his heart with her… (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Mystery/Thriller/Suspense:

Murder Comes by Mail by A. H. Gabhart — Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane must desperately try to protect those he loves when a serial killer threatens all he holds dear in Hidden Springs. (Cozy Mystery from Revell [Baker])

The Progeny by Tosca Lee — Emily Jacobs is the descendant of a killer. Now, she’s become the hunted in a 400-year-old war between the offspring of “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, the most prolific female serial killer of all time, and a secret society dedicated to erasing every one of her posterity. She’s on a quest that will take her to the secret underground of Europe and the inner circles of three ancient orders–one determined to kill her, one devoted to keeping her alive, and one she must ultimately save. (Supernatural Thriller from Howard [Simon & Schuster])

Medical Judgment by Richard L Mabry, MD — Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her, then set a fire at her home, and she has no idea what will come next. Her late husband’s best friend and a recovering alcoholic detective are trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late, but both appear to be vying for her affection as well. Sarah finds herself in constant fear as the process plays out. The questions keep mounting. Who is doing this? Why are they after her? What will they do to her? Will it mean her death? And, meanwhile, whom can she trust? (Medical Thriller from Abingdon Press)

Romantic Suspense:

Sins of the Past by Lynette Eason, Dee Henderson, and Dani Pettrey — In Dee Henderson’s “Missing,” a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident and begin a race against the clock. In Dani Pettrey’s “Shadowed,” adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector. Lynette Eason’s “Blackout” delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found–but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her? (Romantic Suspense from Bethany House [Baker])

Medusa’s Hands by Monica Mynk — When Megan’s friend goes missing, she has to team up with her alcoholic stepbrother to save her from a human trafficking scheme. (Romantic Suspense from Mantle Rock Publishing)

Women’s Fiction:

Home to Chapel Springs by Ane Mulligan — Trouble comes to Chapel Springs in the form of a homeless author, a heartbroken daughter, and a theatre ghost. (Women’s Fiction from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

All About Mercie by Sharon Srock — Scottlyn Rich is sixty-seven days from her wedding to Grant Weber, but she feels more orphaned and adrift than ever. Until her mother walks through the door. Grant Weber has spent two years earning Scottlyn’s trust and can’t believe how easily she accepts her mom’s excuses. There’s something off about Jocelyn Rich and he’s determined to find answers even if it costs him everything. Will Scottlyn allow deception to derail her future, or will she take hold of wisdom and realize that her life truly is all about Mercie? (Women’s Fiction from A Blonde and a Prayer Books)

The Mercie Collection by Sharon Srock — The Mercie Collection is three novellas in one. For Mercie’s Sake: A teenage victim of rape is disowned by her family when she refuses to abort the child she carries. Determined to raise her baby, she finds refuge with a widowed school teacher harboring sorrows of her own. Begging for Mercie: College student Scottlyn Rich is about to celebrate her daughter’s first birthday when she receives news that the young man who raped her has died in prison. His grieving mother wants custody of Scottlyn’s child. Can God find a way to bring peace to both women, or will someone end up begging for Mercie? All About Mercie: Scottlyn Rich is weeks away from her wedding to Grant Weber, but she feels more orphaned and adrift than ever. Until her mother walks through the door. Grant Weber has spent two years earning Scottlyn’s trust and can’t believe how easily she accepts her mom’s excuses. He’s determined to find answers even if it costs him everything. Will Scottlyn allow deception to derail her future, or will she take hold of wisdom and realize that her life truly is all about Mercie? (Women’s Fiction from A Blonde and a Prayer Books)

Narelle Atkins
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