Amanda Stephan, romance writer, on the John 316 Marketing summer tour

Meet Amanda Stephan

Amanda Stephan is a Christian romance author and homeschooling mother. Her first novel, The Price of Trust, was released in May of 2010, and her second novel, Lonely Hearts, will be released in October, 2011. She loves to write in different genres, all with a Christian world view. After Lonely Hearts is released and she's able to breathe again, she'll be polishing up her next novel which is so large, she decided to turn it into a series.

The Price of Trust - Christian Romance/Suspense
Beaten and betrayed by the one who was supposed to love her, Carly Richards is on the run. Forced to live as a fugitive as he stalks her across country, she finds refuge in a small town in Montana. Her emotional scars are reluctant to heal, and Carly resists the friendliness of those around her ~ especially handsome farmer and eligible bachelor Joe Baird.

Caught in the circumstances, the kind people around her begin to creep into her softening heart. God is at work, and she has to trust Him not only to take care of her, but care for the people she is learning to love.


Lonely Hearts - Sweet Christian Romance
One lonely mother. Two matchmaking kids. Three eligible bachelors. What could possibly go wrong?

Becky Callis is the widowed mother of two. When they move to a new town, she only intended it to be a safe haven where she didn't have to be reminded of her late husband. Her children had other plans.
~*~ releases October 2011 ~*~

You can read the first three chapters of The Price of Trust as well as the first chapter of Lonely Hearts HERE!

**follow Amanda's blog, Facebook, or Twitter for exciting release news as well as many opportunities to win great prizes**

you can find The Price of Trust at Amazon.com, Amanda's website The Price of Trust , or Christianbook.com


Amanda says:

I've always loved to write. Many times in my childhood, if I couldn't find a book to read, I would write my own and hide it away for future perusal. Yes, I still have quite a few of my stories hidden away in our attic! But The Price of Trust I wrote for a specific reason. It's a love letter to my children so they could know that they're worth so much more than abuse and they should never settle for it in their futures. I love The Price of Trust, because it's my first venture out of my comfort zone, and I've learned a lot during this journey.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, my Facebook Fan Page, my Website, and The Christian Indie Authors site, as well as a slew of other places I like to frequent.

Rose McCauley, the Christmas Belles of Georgia, on the John 316 Summer tour

Bio: Rose Allen McCauleyis happy to live in the beautiful bluegrass region of Kentucky on a farm surrounded by God’s creation. She has been writing for over ten years and has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals. She is thrilled for this to be her first published fiction because Christmas books are her favorites. She has a growing collection of Christmas books, and this one will takes its rightful place among them.

A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for over 43 years, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and Mimi to three lovely, lively grandkids! You can reach her through her website www.rosemccauley.com or blogsite at www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com

Rose says:  

I wrote this book because I liked the intriquing idea, and I love it because it is a Christmas book and also one that includes a tradition we did with our family when our kids were younger.

The book is published by Barbour Publishing, so can be bought through them or anywhere that carries their books--WalMart, most Christian bookstores and www.cbd.com or www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com It's release date is September 1, 2011. You can also pre-order by clicking on the links on the home page of my website.

CEnjoy the Back cover copy – Christmas Belles of Georgia

Surprised by Life—and Love—at Christmas

Four letters are mailed from Monticello, a small antebellum town in Georgia. Sisters once, now heirs to a historic plantation, each young woman must come to terms with the circumstances of her birth. . . .

When she learns in a letter she’s adopted, Holly feels betrayed by her parents—and she books a flight out of Missouri immediately. Will she ever be able to love again?

Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will he remember her? . . .forgive her?

In one year, Starr has lost her parents, boyfriend, and job, so she’s sure her letter is more bad news. When the attorney flies to California to offer proof, Starr takes a second look—at the message and the man.

Noelle always knew she was adopted—and she’s always loved the foreman on her father’s Texas ranch too. But he’s so distant. . .perhaps a trip to Georgia is the break in life she needs.

Will the sisters receive a traditional Christmas gift. . .of love?

Rose invites everyone to visit her blog, and she hopes they will become a follower. Since her first book releases on Sept. 1, 2011, she will do a drawing that day and choose one follower to receive a hot-off-the-press copy of Christmas Belles of Georgia. Please leave an email address so she can contact you for your mailing info.

Book Review: The Final Hour

 

The Final Hour

By Andrew Klavan

Thomas Nelson publishers

ISBN: 9781595547156

$14.99

General Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure

“You’re not alone. You’re never alone.”

The Final Hour completes the four-pack of Charlie West’s adventures with the Homelanders. Charlie is a high school student, perfectly normal in studies, a black belt in karate, a young man of great faith, with loving parents and a sister. His biggest problem is that he woke up one day with no memory. Accused and convicted of murdering one of his closest friends over a girl, he’s been on the run ever since.

This last novel begins with Charlie imprisoned in a federal petitionary with hardened criminals and guards who are only a little lower on the social scale. Sent to his knees on occasion with flashes of memory detailing the last several months, Charlie realizes that he’s been on an undercover mission for the US government to infiltrate a terrorist group who call themselves the Homelanders. But like an Impossible Mission gone wholly wrong, he’s been disavowed and his one living contact to the truth, Detective Rose, has no way to convince his superiors to clear Charlie now that the terrorist cell has been broken up.

When Rose reveals to Charlie that the leader of the cell has not been caught and Charlie must remain in prison where his treatment is less than fine, Charlie connects with his former karate master and friend, Sensei Mike.

In a desperate plan to thwart the terrorists final act of mass murder, the detective, the karate master, and the imprisoned high school student work together to get past not just the remaining zealous Homelanders, but the US government officials who refuse to believe in the danger.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and fingernail-biting action kept me reading the story until the last page. Klavan manages to make me hang on Charlie’s every decision, to root for him, groan in pain and despair with him, and pray with him when nothing else can possibly make a difference. If Charlie makes it in the Air Force, I bet he’ll be cooler than Jack Ryan. Recommended for junior high and up readers.

A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher.

Wasll Scrawls

Literary Journal Selects Best for Wall Scrawls

Los Angeles, CA--Editors of the literary journal Solo Novo Wall Scrawls Vol 1 was just published. It will include the poetry of UCLA Extension Writers’ Program instructor Carolyn Howard-Johnson.

The journal is published by Solo Novo Press, Carpinteria, CA and North Wilkesboro, NC. Editor Paula C. Lowe says, “Wall Scrawls” is inspired by an Iowa farm house wall. Eighty years abandoned and orphaned, it is a “hive of letters, a busy kitchen of words. Every kid with a can of spray paint somehow gets here and leaves his or her native tongue on the walls.” One of those walls has become the cover art of this journal.

The selected poem by Howard-Johnson is "Inevitably Walls.” It is inspired by the poet’s extensive travels where she has come upon walls that only occasionally impart hope for the future of mankind. A quote from the poem:

[This wall] like the one we foundyears ago when we lost our way

in a dark forest somewherein Germany, cried when we

found it there—unexpected…

Howard-Johnson’s poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, Pear Noir, Manzanita and Poetic Voices. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine.

Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/ ) which featured her chapbook Tracings, winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence and published by Finishing Line Press.

The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. She is developing a new Celebration Series of poetry chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Among them are She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood (www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook) and Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry (www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse ). She also advocates with authors as the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).

Learn more about Solo Novo and how to order a copy at: http://www.solopress.com .

Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.

My To-Do List

Ever wonder about a full time stay-at-home writer's to-do list?
Here's mine for today - which will obviously stretch over:

Drop off car for body work from hail damage - 5:45 am
Check out the church flyer I made yesterday and put a PR together and send it to committee members.
Read and crit April's revised chapter.
Send out PR on the FHS Memorial Day program
Do my article and pre-post for COTT - peruse the site; folow up on more feedback for back cover copy
Plan lunch with Cherie
Do the TOTW stuff for Syndie
Do my flag day article and recipe for BarnDoor now that I have the pictures
Character tour for Ralene
Post Linda Rohrbough's stuff and send her links
PenTalk - follow up on contact with Carol
Post up Julie Carboni stuff for May 14
Paula's lunch stuff May 9 - post up
follow up with Charity about June 6 or 7 interview
follow up with Kerry at BL
Work on Random Lake Library workshop series
Figure out a groovy gift for my goddaughter's June 4 graduation
Work on Creative Wisconsin magazine which goes to the print May 15 and I'm only about 1/5 into set-up; follow up on ads and member books for the bookshelf; finish getting ready for the conference this weekend at which I not presenting, thank you
Post Judy Bridges book stuff
Spend time with the WORD
treadmill and do my gut and butt clenches and throat stretches
I should wash my hair today, which is a job unto itself
Stare at the honking TBR pile of books and look longinly at my Kindle
Check out PYPliaison site once
Keep tabs on the ACFW Course loop responses and respond when necessary
Keep up with the infestation of lady beetles and box elder bugs
Look at the blue sky, remind myself it's still really cold out so I don't feel guilty about not going out to whack more weeds and violets
Thank my precious Lord for friends like Patty who will watch the Barn Door site for me, and others who encourage and pray for and with me
Make dinner and clean up
Listen to the Brewers game :) Ah....

On the Road again--both physically and virtually

Just because I've been published in several media, the final goal--as I keep repeating--is developing a readership. Developing a readership is an ongoing and scary process for me, as it involves talking to people and asking them to buy something from me, something they may not like. And I hate to disappoint people out of their hard-earned cash. I love my stories, but I realize that every reader prefers a particular style, whether fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, or magazines. It's okay. I'm quite an eclectic reader; I have preferences, but the book clubs and review sites I belong to force me to expand my horizons. I learned I don't necessarily care for dog stories, but had a tear at the end of Marley and Me, which I never would have picked up; missed out on reading The Other Wes Moore when the book club last month didn't have a copy and I didn't want to buy one. I still attended and was able to participate in the discussion because I researched the book.

I submitted one of my stories to a small press and got turned down fairly quickly; I submitted to an agent and hope that the fact I didn't get a form reject means something; I'm about to send a project to Black Lyon today after getting an okay from the publisher. See--here is where being published means nothing; in fact it almost hurts my chances of getting more contracts because my sales figures are putrid. So, I'm trying to learn more about helping myself out in that department, but it's excruciating. I'm also writing short stories, and sent another to Harpstring for the May edition; will let you know, and one to ShortStoryAmerica.

And...looks like the kitty escaped the bag--Meander Scar is up for a Grace Award - wasnt' supposed to tell until Monday. Announcements in May. I'm shocked, truly, that I got enough votes, and also learned I'm up against respected friends.

I also met with Darla and Dawn at the Random Lake Library to introduce ourselves and brainstorm about upcoming workshops and sales ops. What are your best tips for selling your books?

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Give the Lady a Ride

By Linda Yezak

c. 2011

Port Yonder Press

ISBN: 9781935600190

$12.99

Contemporary western romance

From the publisher: Patricia Talbert is a high-class social coordinator from New York. Talon Carlson is a rugged bull rider from Texas. He thinks she’s too polished. She thinks he’s insane.
Opposites aren’t quick to attract when the lady who enters the cowboy’s world is on a mission to sell the ranch. But a box of letters changes her mind and her heart.

My review:

So I'm a sucker for westerns, what can I say with Zane Grey as one of my favorite authors. I fell in love with Linda's as yet unnamed story when it first crossed my desk. Already polished, I often forgot to edit as I read, which is something that rarely happens to me even with big-name publishers.

Talon (doncha love the name, but there's a reason for it, which you'll have to find for yourself), was left in charge of a Texas spread after Jake and Loretta, the owners, passed on. Leader of a rag-tag group of cowboys, he's waiting on Jake's will, hoping to be named the new owner since Jake and Loretta had practically raised him. When Jake's lawyer mentioned that Jake had left the place to a distant relative, who turned out to be a big-city socialite, Talon is devastated. Even more so when the hoity-toity young lady, senator's daughter Patricia, lets him know the place is for sale.

The cowboy's a man of faith, whereas the socialite hasn't had much time to spare for religion. When Patricia sees her first rodeo, all the horse-back riding lessons, and even a long-forgotten visit to the ranch, come flooding back. This ranch lifestyle tugs at her, and is much more appealing than the brittle glitter of New York. Talon might have an ulterior motive for convincing the lady to stay so that he can convince her not to sell; and Patricia a not-so-subtle reason for asking for bull-riding lessons, but they soon realize they're smitten with each other.

I love the behind-the-scenes looks Linda adds to the story to make bull-riding and rodeos and ranch life feel natural and alluring. In my mind those touches, along with appealing characters and heart-felt, heartstring-tugging romance makes Give the Lady a Ride a very sweet read indeed.

Lisa Lickel

Lisalickel.com

Review of Bound by Guilt

Bound by Guilt

By CJ Darlington

2011 March Tyndale Fiction

ISBN: 978-1-4143-4012-8

$12.99

General Christian fiction

From the publisher: Roxy Gold is a throwaway, shuttled from one foster home to another. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in.

My review:

CJ Darlington's sophomore novel avoids the slump. Completely. In fact, I liked Bound by Guilt much better than Thicker than Blood. Bound by Guilt has a more-rounded feel, a better linear story line and complete characters who participate fully in the narration.

Readers plunge into the seamy world of tramp life looking to take advantage of others right from the opening paragraphs. How could two teenagers become so lost and so troubled by their actions? One has been taken from a negligent mother and passed around like a hot potato; the other raised by a single doting mother. Related by blood only, Bound by Guilt is a very smooth transition from Thicker than Blood, using peripheral characters to create a sense of familiarity while devising a whole new story. Roxy is a sixteen-year-old girl who, contrasted with police office Abby Dawson's same-aged daughter, has nothing and no one to lean on or love, except for her second cousin Diego and his mother, Irene. The Tonelli's live by white collar crime, claiming not to really hurt anyone. When those conditions change, Roxy's conscience takes her on a God-directed journey toward all her heart's desires. That same guilt, however, must have closure and eventually her secret is discovered.

Abby Dawson has reason to hunt down Irene and Diego and Roxy. Although suspended on an unrelated incident, Abby uses her cop influence to sift through clues that lead her to her brother's killer. Things are not what they seem, however, when Abby catches up to Roxy. Bitterness, hardness of heart and guilt all come to a head as no one gets what she or he expects.

I can smell the dust and ancient ink, hear the crackle of pages and creak of bindings as CJ skillfully unrolls her story. Heartache, tissues, anger, relief, and remorse will be your constant companions as you read Bound by Guilt. CJ's style has definitely matured and I look forward to more from this talented young woman.

Catch an interview with CJ at The Barn Door on March 23.

Bound by Guilt is in stock! Buy it at Amazon, Christianbook.com and Barnes & Noble today!