Scattered Petals
Texas Dream, 2
Cabot, Amanda
Revell
March 2010
Priscilla Morton very strongly encouraged her parents to head to Texas from Boston, looking for adventure. However, along the way Priscilla’s dreams of adventure is dashed as tragedy strikes and her parents are killed. Broken in spirit and hoping for a fresh start she continues her journey to Texas to meet her brother-in-law and his future wife. Once she reaches Texas, she resolves to leave out her life isolated, trying to find peace. But after the horrendous attack will she be able to recover, especially since there is Zachary Webster who won’t let her forget?
Zachary Webster is a loner and a drifter. When he meets Priscilla Morton, he knows that she feels uncomfortable with him. So he goes out of his way to avoid her. But God has other plans for them. When circumstances ensue that could lead to Priscilla’s reputation being tarnished, Zachary steps up and offers to marry her and she agrees. Will they be able to translate their mutual understanding and respect into love, before it is too late? And can Zachary keep the woman he married safe?
I enjoyed reading about Priscilla and Zach. This is my first novel my Ms. Cabot and I liked the way she introduced her character and the Texas frontier. She gives depth to both characters and she provides a lot of reality in the novel. The story is fast-paced and it takes both Priscilla and Zachary time to form a relationship. There are two things that I would have changed. One if the fact that Priscilla never seems to be able to dodge trouble. I almost felt like she was portrayed as Job in the Bible. Even though she marries Zach, instead of one climax there are multiple climaxes. The second thing is the fact that there are a lot of distracters in the novel. There are certain scenes and characters in the novel that are not necessarily needed to continue the storyline. But I suppose they can be considered background for the next installment. Also, I would encourage readers to start reading this series from the first installment. Being the second book in this series, I felt a bit lost when I started this one since it takes a while to place all the characters and their connection to each other. Otherwise, this is a great book and for historical fans this will be a treat!
Monday, May 10, 2010
A DISTANT MELODY
Wings of Glory, 1
Sundin, Sarah
Revell
March 2010
Allie Miller is set. She has gone to college and come back and is now expected to marry her long-time boyfriend and settle down raising children as her husband takes over her father’s company. But a short trip for a friend’s wedding changes her life: she meets fun-loving Walter Novak. Her week with Walter and his friends forces her to look into the emptiness of her own life. As t they part both of them agree to write.
Walter Novak has always had trouble with women, especially pretty women. He can barely string along words together, flushes red and can’t seem to swallow the big lump in his throat when he meets one. But meeting Allie is different. He is comfortable with her, enjoys talking to her and seeing her green eyes brighten. He is encouraged by the week they spent together. But his hopes for a future with her are dashed when he discovers the Allie is pledged to another. Despite this setback, they agree to write to each other as Walter heads to fight for his country during World War II. The letters fly back and forth filled with hidden meanings and longings. Will be they able to share what is in their hearts before it is too late, or will they let pride and lies rip them apart?
While a fan of historical fiction, I am not a big fan of World War II stories. Even before I read the novel, I can see mental images of devastation and destruction. Hence, when I got this book I pushed it to the back of my TBR (To Be Read) pile. A few days later, while clearing my desk, I came across this book again and decided to give it a chance. And boy am I glad I did! The last time I enjoyed a good World War II novel was a long time ago. Debut author Sarah Sundin knows how to flush her characters out. Initially, I thought Walter was a good-two-shoe, shy and inhibited. But as the novel progresses, you see his fun-loving character, his integrity, and his faults and how he comes to the place where God intended for him. The other aspect of Ms. Sundin’s writing that I enjoyed was the fact that she is not afraid to introduce sadness, heartache and everyday reality to her characters. Many authors, especially inspirational authors, love to tie up all the ends in a neat package with all the answers. But that was not the case with this book. This brings back the point that the characters in this book are extremely human. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series and I have added Ms. Sundin to my personal author watch list. Wings of Glory is a must-read debut novel!
Wings of Glory, 1
Sundin, Sarah
Revell
March 2010
Allie Miller is set. She has gone to college and come back and is now expected to marry her long-time boyfriend and settle down raising children as her husband takes over her father’s company. But a short trip for a friend’s wedding changes her life: she meets fun-loving Walter Novak. Her week with Walter and his friends forces her to look into the emptiness of her own life. As t they part both of them agree to write.
Walter Novak has always had trouble with women, especially pretty women. He can barely string along words together, flushes red and can’t seem to swallow the big lump in his throat when he meets one. But meeting Allie is different. He is comfortable with her, enjoys talking to her and seeing her green eyes brighten. He is encouraged by the week they spent together. But his hopes for a future with her are dashed when he discovers the Allie is pledged to another. Despite this setback, they agree to write to each other as Walter heads to fight for his country during World War II. The letters fly back and forth filled with hidden meanings and longings. Will be they able to share what is in their hearts before it is too late, or will they let pride and lies rip them apart?
While a fan of historical fiction, I am not a big fan of World War II stories. Even before I read the novel, I can see mental images of devastation and destruction. Hence, when I got this book I pushed it to the back of my TBR (To Be Read) pile. A few days later, while clearing my desk, I came across this book again and decided to give it a chance. And boy am I glad I did! The last time I enjoyed a good World War II novel was a long time ago. Debut author Sarah Sundin knows how to flush her characters out. Initially, I thought Walter was a good-two-shoe, shy and inhibited. But as the novel progresses, you see his fun-loving character, his integrity, and his faults and how he comes to the place where God intended for him. The other aspect of Ms. Sundin’s writing that I enjoyed was the fact that she is not afraid to introduce sadness, heartache and everyday reality to her characters. Many authors, especially inspirational authors, love to tie up all the ends in a neat package with all the answers. But that was not the case with this book. This brings back the point that the characters in this book are extremely human. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series and I have added Ms. Sundin to my personal author watch list. Wings of Glory is a must-read debut novel!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Vickie has had 18 books published. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and is currently serving as ACFW treasurer. Vickie has also been a book reviewer for nine years.
She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother of four sons, and grandmother to a feisty four-year-old girl. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling.
ABOUT THE BOOK
It's been years, but Luke Davis is back--older and wiser--and still alone. Returning as Lookout's new town marshal, Luke is determined to face the past and move on. He flippantly tells his cousin he'd get married if the right woman ever came along. But then he discovers that the woman who betrayed him is now a widow, and all his plans fall at his feet.
Rachel has carried her guilty shame for eleven years. Her marriage to James Hamilton was not what Luke or the town thought it to be. Now James is dead, and her long-time love for Luke is reignited with his return to town. So when three mail-order brides appear, she panics.
Could they possible find love a second time?
Rachel begs his forgiveness, but Luke finds he has none to give.
And then the brides arrive. Three of them--ordered for Luke through newspaper ads by his incorrigible cousins. The only place in town for them to stay is Rachel's boardinghouse. And none of the ladies is willing to let Luke go. When choosing a bride becomes a contest, the chaos that ensues is almost funny.
When the mayor forces Luke to pick a bride or lose his job, will Luke listen to his heart that still longs for Rachel or choose one of the mail-order brides?
Will Rachel find the courage to tell Luke that she loves him? Or take an anonymous part in the contest for his hand?
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Anonymous Bride, go HERE.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After marrying his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (a true Southern belle), he went on to study for a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. He is the author of Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Brazos, 2007), as well as several scholarly articles and essays.
In 2002, Bryan took a position on the faculty at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he is a professor in the Theology Department. He teaches courses in theology, church history, and Western civilization from the ancient and medieval periods.
On the morning of January 6, 2007, Bryan woke up with an epiphany. Having finished writing his primer on the ancient church, he had the idea of trying his hand at fiction. The thought occurred to him that the writer of speculative fiction typically has two options. He can create an imaginary land like Middle Earth (which offers great creative freedom but is unrealistic), or he can delve into genuine history (which is realistic, yet limted to what ‘actually occurred.’) However, if a writer were to create a future world as in the Chiveis trilogy, it could be both realistic and creatively unlimited.
This little dream stayed in Bryan’s mind while he researched how to write fiction, and also researched the European landscape where the novel would be set. He planned a trip to the story locations, then went there in the summer with a buddy from grad school. Bryan and Jeff rented a Beemer and drove all over Europe from the Alps to the Black Forest with a video camera in hand. With that epic setting fresh in his mind, Bryan returned home and began to write.
Today Bryan lives in downtown Wheaton in a Victorian house built in 1887. He is blessed by God to be married to Carolyn, and to be the father of two amazing children, William, 11, and Anna, 9. For recreation Bryan enjoys basketball, traveling, and hiking anywhere there are mountains (which means getting far away from the Midwest – preferably to his beloved Smokies).
ABOUT THE BOOK
Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snowcapped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.
With that discovery, this work of speculative fiction takes readers on a journey that encompasses adventure, romance, and the revelation of the one true God. Through compelling narrative and powerful character development, The Sword speaks to God's goodness, his refusal to tolerate sin, man's need to bow before him, and the eternality and power of his Word. Fantasy and adventure readers will be hooked by this first book in a forthcoming trilogy.
Visit the book website at The Sword to see amazing videos and a wealth of information about the trilogy!
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sword, go to HERE
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ABOUT THE BOOK
But truth is hard to come by in the fall of 1943, when Copenhagen is placed under Martial Law and Denmark’s Jews—including Hanne—suddenly face deportation to the Nazi prison camp at Terezin, Czechoslovakia. Days darken and danger mounts. Steffen’s faith deepens as he takes greater risks to protect Hanne. But are either of them willing to pay the ultimate price for their love?
To read the first chapter of Wildflowers of Terezin, go HERE.
Friday, April 9, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi. But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.
Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries.
When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her marriage at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.
If you would like to read the first chapter of She Walks in Beauty, go HERE.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
She was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.
Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends.
Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Unbeknownst to them, the speculator's true motive is to find an excuse to bring women to the fledgling community of Plum Grove, Nebraska, in hopes they will accept marriage proposals shortly after their arrival! Sparks fly when these unsuspecting widows meet the men who are waiting for them.
These women are going to need all the courage and faith they can muster to survive these unwanted circumstances--especially when they begin to discover that none of them is exactly who she appears to be.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Sixteen Brides, go HERE.
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