Water's Edge

About the Book:

Sometimes the smallest towns hold the biggest secrets. Ambitious young attorney Tom Crane is about to become a partner in a big-city law firm. One final matter has to be cleared from his docket—the closing of his deceased father’s law practice in the small town of Bethel. Killed in a tragic boating accident, John Crane didn’t leave his son anything except the hassle of a bankrupt estate.

Then, within twenty-four hours, Tom loses his job, his girlfriend, and his cat. Job didn’t have it much worse.

Returning to Bethel with his pride ground to powder, Tom’s plan to quietly shut down his father’s practice and slink out of town runs into an unexpected roadblock—two million dollars of unclaimed money stashed in a secret bank account. Tom follows the money into a tangled web of lies, theft, and off-shore financial transactions manipulated by powerful men who will do anything to stop him from discovering the truth.

My Thoughts:

Tom Crane is an Ambitious young attorney. After losing everything he deems important to him, he is at a loss. The only thing he knows to do is drive to his Fathers small town of Bethel to close down his law practice. His Father, John has just passed away.

How would you feel if you:
lost your job, your girlfriend, your hoped-for and very certain you would get it - promotion, and then find out your Father has passed away?

Would you feel like you've lost everything? Or could it be that this is just the beginning of all that God has for you? Roger Whitlow shares the Scripture, Jeremiah 6:16, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls" Certainly, This is a Crossroads for Tom. As He closes down his Fathers Law Practice, he begins to meet and see people from a whole new perspective. He also finds there is far more information that meets the eye in regards to his Fathers death. But more importantly, Tom is awakened to his Heavenly Father.

Tom takes a journey that will surprise and inspire you. Maybe you will even be found reflecting on your relationship(s), I fell in love with Elias and Rose. I so appreciate the depth and sacrifice of their Faith. When those we love are in a battle, prayer is a weapon and Elias was on his knees, even if he had to pray all night! What a warrior for Christ! Thank you Roger Whitlow for showing what a deep Heritage and example our Elders can share!

Water's Edge if my first book by Robert Whitlow and I simply cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

Dangerous Mercy

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Dangerous Mercy David C. Cook (October 1, 2011) by Kathy Herman



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suspense novelist Kathy Herman is very much at home in the Christian book industry, having worked five years on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eleven years at Better Books Christian Center in Tyler, Texas, as product buyer/manager for the children’s department, and eventually as director of human resources.



She has conducted numerous educational seminars on children’s books at CBA Conventions in the U.S. and Canada, served a preliminary judge for the Gold Medallion Book Awards of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association , and worked as an independent product/marketing consultant to the CBA market.



Since her first novel, Tested by Fire, debuted in 2001 as a CBA national bestseller, she's added sixteen more titles to her credit, including four bestsellers: All Things Hidden, The Real Enemy, The Last Word, and The Right Call.



Kathy's husband Paul is her manager and most ardent supporter, and the former manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas. They have three grown children, five almost-perfect grandchildren, a cat named Samantha. They enjoy cruising, deep sea fishing, and birdwatching—sometimes incorporating these hobbies into one big adventure.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. —Matthew 5:7



When eighty-five-year-old Adele Woodmore moves to Les Barbes to be near the Broussards—and her namesake, their daughter—she wants nothing more than a comfortable, quiet life. Employing men from Father Vince’s halfway house for the homeless to do odd jobs and landscaping, she delights in the casual conversation she has with them, the fledgling friendships, and the idea that she is helping them get back on their feet.



A series of murders in Les Barbes has cast a pall over the town and, in fact, one of Adele’s handymen becomes a person of interest to the police. But Adele cares for these young men, she knows them, and continues to show them kindness in spite of her friends’ concern. And then one day a murderer walks through Adele’s defenses, sits down at her kitchen table...and they begin to talk...



If you would like to read the first chapter of Dangerous Mercy, go HERE.

Heiress ~ Review

About the Book:
They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty.

But they can’t buy love.

The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.

Read an excerpt here.

About the Author, Susan May Warren:


Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found here

My Review:

Oh Em Gee!! I have been DYING to read a book by Susan May Warren! I am sooo excited that this was my First! WOW! This is an amazing story of two Sisters, Esme and Jinx. Two Sisters who couldn't be any more different from one another, even if they tried!
Jinx is the youngest and wishes very much for the privileges of the oldest child. She is quite jealous of her sister. Jinx longs to be a part of High Society, and to marry a wealthy man and receive all that comes with that.

Esme, desires exactly the opposite! She would love to follow in her Fathers footsteps and become a female journalist for his Paper. Esme is beautiful and full of grace, and longs to marry for nothing less than love. However, being an Heiress, she must be married off to the highest bidder.

Will their hopes and desires come true? Do they both find love and more importantly do they learn to love one another without any judgment or jealousy?

Heiress is a book that shares very clearly what happens when we follow after our sinful desires. In the face of adultery, rebellion, and betrayal, the Sisters take a journey that will separate them and then years later reunite them.


Susan May Warren takes us on such a journey in Heiress. The lessons are powerful, and I was drawn in from the beginning! I will be HIGHLY RECOMMENDING this one!

Thank you LitFuse for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinion !



Here is some exciting news!!
Heiress, a richly complex historical romance, is the first in Susan's three book Daughters of Fortune series. In honor of Heiress’ debut, Susan is hosting a FABULOUS Gilded Age Giveaway and giving away an opulent prize pack fit for an heiress!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 gift certificate to ModCloth.com


• A sleek silver iPod™ Shuffle


• A beautiful strand of Pearls


• Titanic DVD


• Speakeasy Compilation Music CD from Starbucks™


• Heiress by Susan May Warren

Click one of the icons below to enter. But do so soon - this giveaway ends 10/5/11. The winner will be announced Thursday, October 6 on Susan’s blog.

Rally Round Green GIVEAWAY

About the Book:


Green survived a tornado, but now the town faces a new storm—one that threatens the schools!

As Green continues to recover from a horrendous tornado, newlyweds Lois and Chris just want to return to a normal life in their home on Route Two.
But even more threats to Green loom on the horizon. The state of Louisiana announces plans to close Green’s schools, which will put Chris out of work and end a long-standing tradition of community pride. Lois and Chris know the loss will crush the community and harm students forced to travel more than an hour to classes. Then there’s that new highway that’s creeping even closer . . . But Green has another tradition: Rallying around each other. Newspaper owner Lois, Mayor Eva, and college students unite to fight the bureaucrats, with some surprising—and unexpected results.

About the Author:


Judy Christie worked as a journalist for 25 years before turning her talents to writing and consulting. In addition to her first three highly acclaimed novels, Gone to Green, Goodness Gracious Green, and The Glory of Green she is the author of Hurry Less, Worry Less and Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime. Judy lives in northwest Louisiana.


Judy was kind enough to share some of her thoughts with us:


How long have you known you wanted to be an author?
Since my first visit to the bookmobile in elementary school. I have always loved putting words together. I've kept a journal since I was nine and still have all of them. I was the editor of The Barret Banner in fifth grade.


When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
One of the things I love about fiction is that each person comes away with something different, depending on where he or she is in life. I do hope that my books encourage and entertain and help readers pause to think about enjoying each day more.


Any last thoughts for your readers?
Slow down and enjoy each day more. Don't rush and fret so much that life slips by. Have more fun.


And how can they connect with you?
I love to visit with readers! They can reach me through my website at www.judychristie.com or on Facebook or on Twitter @judypchristie. I enjoy Skyping and having conference calls with book clubs. I lead church retreats and workshops and am happy to consider all invitations.

Thank you Judy for sharing with us! The Publishers have shared not just one but TWO books to giveaway!! To enter for Judy's latest book "Rally Round Green"

1) Please leave a comment below
2) You must be a follower of this blog
3) Share a time when you have "rallied" around someone in need or have been "rallied" around in your time of need
4) share this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook


I will choose the winner(s) on Monday 9/26!!

The First Gardener

Jeremiah Williams has been tending the gardens of the Tennessee governor’s mansion for over twenty-five years. And like most first families who have come and gone, this one has stolen his heart.
Mackenzie and her husband, Governor Gray London, have struggled for ten years to have a child and are now enjoying a sweet season of life—anticipating the coming reelection and sending their precious daughter, Maddie, off to kindergarten—when a tragedy tears their world apart. As the entire state mourns, Mackenzie falls into a grief that threatens to swallow her whole.
Though his heart is also broken, Jeremiah realizes that his gift of gardening is about far more than pulling weeds and planting flowers. It’s about tending hearts as well. As he uses the tools that have been placed in his hands, he gently begins to cultivate the hard soil of Mackenzie’s heart, hoping to help her realize what it took him years to discover.
A Southern tale of loss, love, and living, The First Gardner reminds us that all of life is a gift, but our heart is the most valuable gift of all.

My Review:

The First Gardner is such a heart-wrenching story of loss. Mackenzie and her husband, Gray, who is the Governor of Tennessee,
are enjoying such a wonderful season in their life. After years of trying to have children, finally, they were blessed with their daughter, Maddie. Mackenzie and Gray are so happy and little Maddie is just the light of their lives! Just as she is about to start Kindergarten, tragedy strikes the London family.

Jeremiah, tends the Governor's Mansion garden, and has for the last 25 years. He has a very special place in his heart for this family. He has learned many lessons while gardening and longs to help the London family deal with their loss. He shares the one thing he know best ~ flowers.

I have to share about a very special woman in this story ~ Eugenia, Mackenzie's Mother! She comes to tend to Mackenzie and is just one of the brightest spots in this book! She brings laughter in what might be just a very sad book. She loves and cares for Mackeznie even though she is grieving as well. Like most Mothers do, give to their children before themselves right??!!

First Gardner although it is heart-wrenching, it is a book I will recommend to all! Truly, it is a must read along with must have kleenex's! You just may find yourself so involved with these characters and be inspired by them as well!

Thank you Tyndale Media for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!

Here's To Friends ~ Review

This is the final book in Melody Carlson's very successful series of the four Linda's! These four women, Abby, Caroline, Marley, and Janie, all in their 50's, share a special bond and regardless what each Linda may be dealing with they are there for one another!

This is a wonderful book! A precious example of the gift of friendship!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Here’s to Friends David C. Cook (September 1, 2011) by Melody Carlson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.



She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.



Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B&B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!



If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

A Lancaster County Christmas ~ Review

About the Author:




Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.




To celebrate the release of her first Christmas book, Suzanne Woods Fisher has teamed up with her publisher, Revell, to bring you the "Christmas in September" iPad Giveaway! The winner will be announced on 9/27 at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party! Details below. Tell your friends and join in the fun (9/7-9/27).

Oh and be sure to follow the blog tour here many of the bloggers have copies of the book to giveaway!


Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):

A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
$25 gift certificate to iTunes
A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas

To enter, click here But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.

But, wait! There's more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something *BIG* - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.


My Review:

A Lancaster County Christmas is such a wonderful story! I have admitted here @Heart of a Bookworm that I am a book cover snob, but THIS Cover won me over immediately! I KNEW instantly this was a book that I had to read!

This is a story of friendship, faith, and learning the Power of Gods perfect timing. You will meet Jamie and C.j. a couple who have lost their way, so it seems. They are brought together with Mattie and Sol Riehl. Mattie is a strong woman yet she longs to fill her home and dinner table with children. Sol is a strong man of God and like Mattie, he wants a large Amish family. Disappointment and heartache return again and again as Mattie is faced with yet another holiday without being pregnant.

God brings these families together for a Christmas they will never forget!

I would recommend you join the Riehl's for their Christmas story and see how God moves in the hearts of these families!!

Thankyou LitFuse Publicity Group for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!

Don't forget to go enter the contest!!!


If you would like to purchase A Lancaster County Christmas and see more reviews, go here

THE QUEEN ~ Review

Murder in a small town has worldwide implications
The Queen is the latest Patrick Bowers thriller
from the author Publishers Weekly calls a “master storyteller at the peak of his game.”

It’s freezing in a small, Northern Wisconsin town when Patrick Bowers is called in to investigate a double homicide not far from his brother’s home. The local law enforcement thinks this is an open-and-shut case: a family is murdered and the missing father is their main suspect.

Once on scene, Bowers suspects there’s more to the story. For one thing, it’s only been a few hours and the Chief of Naval Operations is pressuring the FBI Director to have agents look into the case.

The high-tech conspiracy Bowers uncovers ties together long-buried Cold War secrets with present-day tensions in the Middle East and rocks one small town. The Queen (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1920-3, $14.99, 528 pages, September) by Steven James will have readers turning pages as they try to keep up with Bowers.

Praise for Steven James’s novels:

“Steven James continues to raise the bar in suspense writing. The Queen takes readers to a new level of suspense and is the best book in the Patrick Bowers series hands down!”—Suspense Magazine

“Thriller writing at its highest level.”—TitleTrakk.com

“James clearly knows how to spin a yarn.”—Booklist

“Exquisite.”—Fiction Fanatics Only

“Pulse-pounding suspense.”—FictionAddict.com

“John Sanford might have to start looking over his shoulder.”—Crimespree magazine

“Exhilarating.”—Mysterious Reviews

“Seriously intense.”—Pop Culture Tuesday

“Steven James has mastered the thriller.”—The Suspense Zone


Critically acclaimed author Steven James has written four other award-winning Patrick Bowers novels as well as many works of nonfiction. He has a master’s degree in storytelling and has taught writing and creative storytelling on three continents. He lives near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee with his wife and three daughters.
To learn more about Steve visit him at: stevenjames.net


My Review:

I have been looking forward to this next book in the Patrick Bowers series ever since I turned the last page in the Bishop (book 4). I love, love, love these books! I wondered though, would Steven James be able to pen another STELLAR novel? The answer: YES!

Steven takes us on such a ride...a ride that has many twists and turns, up and downs, and just when you think, "ok that's enough" you find yourself nearing the end, and finally, you can breathe! I like Patrick Bowers more and more with each novel! In The Queen, we see a different side of Patrick as he begins to deal with his past. I love how when Patrick does something, whether it be working on a case, being a Father, or looking at his past, he does it with all he has!

In The Queen, FBI Special Agent, Patrick Bowers is searching for a man whose wife and daughter were murdered. Did he murder them? Or Is he truly just missing? This is just the beginning and true to Patrick Bowers form, this case leads him to a conspiracy, a radical terrorist group, and a Russian Assassin. I have to say, the Cold War and the present day struggle with the Middle East hits sooo close to home! (This just makes it that much more thrilling!!) As Patrick continues to find more and more he can't help but wonder....Do all of these have something to do with his arch enemy, Richard Basque??

Patrick's "step" daughter Tessa, has her own issues to work through. She is having a hard time "forgiving herself" and can't shake the guilty feelings she experiences daily! Can Patrick help her to finally be able to have Peace and forgiveness?

The Queen, is full of suspense! If you think for one minute that you might just read a few chapters and then turns out the lights and fall asleep....think again! I have learned that if I am reading Steven James, I will most likely be losing some precious sleep! The Queen is a definite ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s FOR SURE!!


THANK YOU Donna Hausler and Revell Publishing for allowing me to review this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!

If you would like to read all the books in the series, the titles are as follows:

#1- The Pawn
#2- The Rook
#3- The Knight
#4- The Bishop
#5- The Queen