Friday, November 1, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Susan Miura, Show Me a Sign
About the Book:
In Show Me a Sign,
seventeen-year-old Nathan Boliva is under investigation by the FBI for a
kidnapping he didn’t commit. Deaf and beautiful Haylie Summers agreed to go on
a date with him, then disappeared the day before. When the Feds discover a text
was sent from Nathan’s cell phone, asking Haylie to meet him behind her garage,
Nathan becomes a prime suspect.
Tied and blindfolded,
Haylie struggles to grasp Nathan’s role in her captivity. He doesn’t seem like
the kind of guy who would kidnap her. Then again, if he didn't, who is holding
her hostage, and why?
Desperate to solve
the crime and rescue Haylie, Nathan and his best friend, Alec, set out at
midnight to gather intel…and end up with far more than they bargained for.
An action-packed
plunge into intrigue and danger
ISBN:
978-1-60290-385-2
Can
be purchased from: www.oaktara.com Will soon be available (November, I believe) online from Amazon, Target, and other major booksellers.
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, longing for a horse and
reading books by Marguarite Henry, Walter Farley, and Anna Sewell. A week after
receiving my BA in journalism, I was hired at a local newspaper. Seeing my
byline in every issue was a dream come true, but there was another goal to
attain – moving out west. A year after graduating I headed for the wide-open
spaces of New Mexico, where I worked in television for two years until my heart
lead me back home to Illinois. Love and marriage followed, along with a career
in public relations. Though my professional world involved writing, it didn’t
provide a release for the stories in my head. When they wouldn’t stay captive
any longer, I began a fiction journey, rough and rocky, but blessed with people
who loved, mentored, cheered, taught, critiqued, and believed in me.
For the past 13 years I’ve worked full time as the public
relations coordinator for the Schaumburg Library. I review books for The Book
Reporter and give travel presentations throughout the Chicago suburbs. I’m the
mother of two, stepmother of a married daughter, and wife of a police sergeant
(who helps me get my crime scenes right). And…I am a member of the ACFW and
Willow Creek Community Church.
Susan, what
do you love about this book?
That it’s
done and published! But I also love the relationship between my main character
and his best friend, which I modeled after my son and his friends. It gave me
the opportunity to mesh some humor into the drama. And I really like my other
main character, Haylie, who is held captive during most of the book. Haylie is
deaf, but I didn’t want the story to revolve around that because being deaf is not
what defines her. She is smart, brave, and sticks to her faith even when faced
with terrifying circumstances. I guess another aspect that I think/hope teens
will like is that the characters are not stereotype sanitized, purified,
saintly Christians. They’re real kids with real attitudes, desires,
insecurities, dreams and emotions.
Well they
get equal billing and have their own chapters, so I’ll have to do both. Nathan
is Peruvian-American, which I chose because I always include different
ethnicities in my books, and I happen to have Peruvian relatives. He’s got two
adopted greyhounds, Ruby and Cougar, which his mom brought home from the animal
shelter where she volunteers. Nathan doesn’t share the “ladies’ man” reputation
of his English friend, Alec, but he works up the courage to ask Haylie on a
date. Much to his surprise, she says yes. Unfortunately, she gets kidnapped
before that happens. Haylie is an “A” student whose mother is a scientist for
Zetalab, a high-energy physics research facility. Her stepdad is a zoo
veterinarian. Both of these occupations play a role in the book.
That it’s
on the New York Times Best Seller list…because that would mean it actually is.
Seriously, I hope they find it to be a “page-turner,” funny in some spots,
suspenseful in others, and that readers will grasp the subtle message that God
is with us, even when He’s not making it obvious. Even when those miracles we
ache for don’t seem to be coming our way. I also hope at least some readers
will see the author’s note about human trafficking and decide to take action,
or at least become more knowledgeable about an issue that breaks my heart.
Anyone living in the Schaumburg area is invited to my Book Launch Party at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9th at the Schaumburg Library. There will be cake, lots of prizes, and a self-defense demo. Plus a very short and hopefully funny PowerPoint I’m putting together. Show Me a Sign will be available at a discounted price ($10).
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
CrossReads Book Blast: Carlene Havel's "Here Today Gone Tomorrow"
By Carlene Havel
About the Book
Disappointed, dumped, divorced. Everything Casey Slaughter counted on is gone. While contemporaries start their families, Casey works two jobs to haul herself out of debt. Friends and family recommend a new husband to solve all her problems, but Casey resists their well-intentioned advice. Although she longs for a soul mate, the last thing her flattened self-esteem needs is more rejection—and comparisons to her beautiful, talented older sister do nothing to enhance Casey’s confidence. Unable to have children, she feels she has nothing to offer in marriage. Will bitterness and insecurity destroy her, or can renewed faith in God provide some measure of comfort for this wounded heart? Can Casey ever find love again, or will a string of disasters keep her forever on the run?
Carlene Havel has lived in numerous US states, the Philippines, and Turkey. Like most writers, Carlene has always loved to read, and her taste is eclectic. Her other hobbies include sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery. She especially enjoys Bible study, normally devoting one day each week delving into the scriptures with a small focus group. The Havels make their home in San Antonio, Texas, in the midst of a big, extended family.
Follow Carlene Havel
Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Carlene Havel!This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Carole Brown's new book, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman
About the Book:
How far would YOU go to
avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara
is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of
Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his
prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara
realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?
The Redemption of
Caralynne Hayman is a novel of hope
shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance. This
novel was a semifinalist in the Genesis contest and is receiving raving
reviews. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499948/
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Sneak Peek:
The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman
Carole Brown
Chapter One
Twenty years earlier
The shadow creatures on
the wall shook their wings and legs. Heads with horns nodded. Scary, dark faces
watched.
The little girl clasped
her floppy-eared rabbit against her chest and stared into the dark.
“Mmm …” Mommy’s murmur
reached to her through the walls, and the giggles from her mother tiptoed in,
shooing the fear away.
Whoosh. She blew out a
breath and squeezed her rabbit tighter. “Mommy has a friend with her, Ramsey.
She loves me just like I love you and will give me hugs in the morning after
the man leaves.”
Ramsey said nothing. She
ran her fingers over his face and could feel his black button eyes staring at
her, trusting her to protect him.
“And she’ll read to us
and I’ll sit on her lap and we’ll snuggle—all of us together.” She nodded and
tugged on Ramsey’s left ear then rolled over.
Real live whispers and
laughter floated into the room.
Opening her mouth in a
wide yawn, she patted Ramsey’s tummy and whispered again, “Don’t be afraid. I’m
right here.”
“Please. That hurts.”
“Mommy?” The little girl
frowned but her eyes wouldn’t open. Just like they did when she and mommy put
cucumbers slices on their eyes.
“Stop it—”
Rubbing at her eyes the little girl sat up.
Mommy had never sounded like this before, and neither had any of the men—the
men who brought flowers and candy and money.
About the Author:
Besides being a member and
active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring
beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books,
along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding
titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have
ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy
their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she
mention their grandsons?
Connect with her here:
Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
Carole also blogs here:
Geezers Guys and Gals: http://geezerguysandgals.blogspot.com/
Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/
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