Author Jewell Tweedt and Historical Romance

     

A holiday story from inspirational historical author, Jewell Tweedt! 

The story, a novella titled Christmas Bells, is a stand alone e-book or available bundled in a print anthology with two other stories in Love's Christmas Past from Prism Book Group, November 2015.

About Christmas Bells:
Come hear the sounds of Christmas… 

Vivacious frontier widow Connie Rose Simonson manages two cafés while dreaming of the perfect Christmas for her son Andrew, but not everyone welcomes her success. A corrupt banker wants her properties and will manipulate anyone in his way. 

Dr. James Connor heals others while forsaking his own needs. The town’s only doctor, an influenza outbreak, and the holiday season leave him exhausted and discouraged. 

It looks like another lonely holiday for the Connor and the Simonsons until Andrew is injured and the doctor becomes entranced by the attractive widow. But James has been hurt before and hesitates to get involved, after all, a physician must always maintain a proper relationship with his patients. 

It’s up to angelic newcomer Diana to bring them together creating new beginnings, new memories, and to hear When Christmas Bells Are Ringing. 

A brief interview with the author:
Jewell, tell us what you love about your holiday story.
What I loved about Christmas Bells is that it's about faith and hope for two lonely people, Connie Simonson and Dr. James Connor. They are hard-working respected members of the community who put aside their needs to help others. When they find each other it takes the interference of a nosy angel to finally bring them together.

Introduce us to your least favorite character.
My least favorite character is banker JJ Dawson who has plans to bankrupt Connie by shutting down her cafe and spreading rumors of unsanitary practices. He's despicable!

About the Author:

Jewell Tweedt was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, the setting for the Nebraska Brides series. She lives in western Iowa and divides her time between teaching middle school students and writing. In her spare time she reads, gardens and grades papers. Lots of papers.  Readers can learn more about Jewell and her books at www.tweedtjewell.blogspot.com

NOTE: Besides the Nebraska Brides Series, including A Bride for the Sheriff , Tweedt authored the Back to Omaha Adventure series, starting with Faith of the Heart.

Clash of the Titles Alliance January Clash Champion

Thanks to all of January’s wonderful authors!

Here’s what readers had to say:

All of these books look like so much fun! When I first saw The Volk Advent by Kristen Wilks, I was intrigued by the combination of a teen trying to escape murder charges and a pack of wolves, and I like to read historical fiction because I can experience other cultures.

Cynthia Hickey is a wonderful author. Engaging characters with twists you don’t expect. I love her books!

Andrea Boeshars’ Seasons of Love—Love reading them

Beth Wiseman just happens to be the best of the best! Her novels are outstanding at character and plot development

Runaways is a book you start and can’t put down

Am so looking forward to reading Runaways by Brenda Poulos!!!

Congratulations Brenda Poulos on your new hit, Runaways: The Long Journey Home

Excellent reading. Great job, Brenda

Introducing Our Winner
Congratulations Brenda Poulos!



No Mama. An abusive father. A hound dog for a best friend.

A victim of physical and emotional abuse at the hand of his father, Jake runs away following the most severe beating he’s ever endured. Leaving the only home he’s ever known in the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains, he escapes into unknown territory with only his dog beside him. Jake and Hound face bitter cold and near starvation as they seek a new life--one free from fear, loneliness, and pain. And Father hunts Jake down with the very rifle he used to kill Sam and Mama.

Led by unseen forces. Protected by his dog. Jake experiences acceptance and unconditional love when he is befriended by a kindly older couple.

But, will he be able to put his past problems behind him and embrace a future made possible through the power of forgiveness?

Will he find a new life filled with hope for the future and learn to trust?

And when he is confronted with the biggest decision of his life, will he choose to run away, again, or face his father?

Runaways: The Long Journey Home is available on Amazon

From Brenda

For years, I had a recurring dream...a boy leaving a wilderness cabin on a cold winter’s night. No coat. No shoes. Totally unprepared for life on his own. And yet, I knew he was desperate to get away.
I was compelled to find out who the boy was, what circumstances he was running away from, where he would go, and if he would survive...

At this point, the dream left off, and the story—Jake’s story—began to take shape.

I sat at my computer day after day for almost two years. Eyes closed, I wrote as I experienced the journey along with this determined and resilient ten-year-old boy.

Reviews for Runaways: The Long Journey Home
Brenda Poulos should be a best-selling author! She is a masterful writer. Her ability to develop characters within the context of a compelling and spell-binding story is captivating. If you are looking for a fun read that will leave you wanting more, Runaways is a great selection. You’ll read this and find yourself recommending it to your friends. by J. Akerson on Amazon

Runaways is a book you won't be able to put down. The writing style of Brenda Poulos will pull you in as if you're a main part of the story. You will be on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what's coming next. And I'd bet the emotions of the characters will be felt throughout and will touch your heart. Wow! Perhaps a top-rated movie in the future? A+ by Jon Peterson on Amazon

Brenda does a wonderful job developing characters you care about while driving a story that is compelling and inspirational. This is a must read for all people who are looking for a story for the soul. by an Amazon customer

I couldn’t put this book down! Engagingly written, authentic characters, pain, and grace all intermingle in a believable way. Poulos lit up my mind’s eye with her vivid imagery. I will definitely read more from this author. by Kirsten Samuel on Amazon

Bio: Formerly an elementary school teacher and counselor, Brenda Poulos has now embarked on a new career as an author of Christian fiction. Her concern for families suffering abuse and her passion to reveal the power of forgiveness in creating lives with hope for the future were the catalysts for writing her first novel, Runaways: The Long Journey Home.

Time Tsunami romantic time travel review

Time Tsunami by Danele Rotharmel

Prism Books

January 2016

ISBN 978-1523314294

$3.99 ebook

$15.99 print

buy on Amazon

From the publisher:

To stop a cruel serial killer, she must travel twenty-four years into the past...

Gil Montgomery, a cadet in the Temporal Counseling Program, can’t wait to pass her field exam and become a professional time surfer. The TEMCO program targets death-row offenders for time-based counseling while they’re children. For her exam, Gil will travel twenty-four years into the past to counsel ten-year-old Danny Winston before he murders his abusive babysitter, Rick Olsen. Preventing the stabbing should stop the chain of events leading to Danny’s eventual execution.

Gil’s assignment seems simple until her advisor, Dr. William Ableman, learns that Rick is a serial killer targeting Danny’s mother. If Gil stays and protects the Winstons, she might not survive. William wants the woman he loves to be pulled from the field, but if Gil fails to complete her assignment, it will unleash a Time Tsunami and destroy the timeline.

As TEMCO undergoes an emergency lockdown, and Gil’s fellow cadets try to figure out what’s happening, Gil and William learn the importance of faith and the price of true love. Everyone’s fate is resting in Gil’s hands, but does she have the strength she needs to defeat a ruthless serial killer intent on annihilating everyone in his path?

Will she return from the deadly mission?

My review:

The summary of the book basically tells the story. Characters are lovingly drawn with all their quirks, challenges, flaws, and leaps—and it’s a large cast with some story lines meant to go on in other adventures. The first book in the series is complete, though, so never fear you’ll be left hanging by the main characters.

Several different characters narrate. There are brutal parts as the characters undergo physical action in confrontation. The situations feel frightening, real, loving, tense, as each scene unravels the story a thread at a time. There are plenty of moments of fun and silliness that showcase the characters and diffuse tension. There are parallel substories going on, so please be aware that, like time itself, the reader is transported to event upon event, many happening at the same time. Time Tsunami is not for book gobblers; readers will want to spend some quality time (pun intended) in Rotharmel’s world, which is both familiar and exciting.

While there are plenty of vague references to how time travel can happen, it’s best if readers don’t try to work it out, but simply enjoy the story as much as the author obviously did while writing it. The inspirational elements are detailed and involved but not overboard and necessary to help us all understand that the God of the Universe is in control of all of Creation, no matter how we try to bend it. Romance abounds!

Karen Cogan and Regency Romance A Relative Matter

About the book:

In this sweet Regency romance, life in India is idyllic for Anne Tyler and her younger brother, Jeremy until the deaths of their parents shatter their world. They are sent to England to live with a grandfather that neither remembers. However, as the years pass, the kindly man proves a balm for their wounded hearts. His death, when it comes, is a cruel blow. 

Though his will leaves the estate to Jeremy, the boy is not yet of age. His grandfather’s nephew, a man with a mysterious past, is named guardian of the property and soon arrives to take up his duty. Unfortunately, the man has a son who is both evil and cunning. Since he stands to inherit the estate should Jeremy die, he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the property. 

Murder and threats of murder soon haunt their every move. Standing between them and disaster is the handsome Lord Westerfield, a man who promises to defend Anne and Jeremy, even at risk to his own life. 

E-book: $3.99, currently free

Print: $11.43

• ISBN-13: 978-1512104561

Buy on Amazon

A brief interview with the Author:

Karen, tell us what you love about A Relative Matter.

What I love about this book is the fun I had doing research into the Regency period. The customs and proprieties of the time were fun to incorporate into this novel. I loved developing the characters and including a tread of mystery. My least favorite character was the unpleasant Mr. Fletcher.

Share something you learned during the research.

The research was intriguing. I enjoyed learning about the London social season as well as how the laws of inheritance worked.

What are you reading now?

I am currently reading The Deer on a Bicycle: Excursions into the Writing of Humor by Patrick McManus. My next project is to finish writing the contemporary romance in which two unrelated young adults share custody of their nephew. 

About the author:

A native of Houston, TX, Karen spent her early years enjoying life along the Gulf Coast. After high school, she attended Texas A&M as well as the University of Houston where she obtained a B.S. in early childhood education. She has written numerous articles and stories, books for children and novels for adults. She particularly enjoys writing contemporary and historical romance. She now lives in the Southwest with her family and assorted pets.

Salsa and Speedbumps by Susan Baganz

Salsa & Speed Bumps

by Susan Baganz

January, 2016

Prism Book Group

Ebook $3.99

Print $13.99

ISBN 978-1523256983

Buy on Amazon

About the book:

One moment of sin leads to a path of pain ...and unexpected love.

Stephanie’s life hits a speed bump in the wake of her boyfriend’s sin. Splitting up with him, she faces a future of difficult choices shaded in shame. She wants to do what is right but the new man in her life leaves her fantasizing about a future that is now beyond her grasp.

Roberto finds his heart and professional world turned upside down by the beautiful bombshell. He struggles with his own inner demons and past so he’s not about to cast stones. When he is accused of immoral behavior, and temptation haunts him from every side, can he stand true to the calling God has given him?

Joining forces to face the future though comes at a high cost for them both as their individual pasts rise up to destroy them and their relationship. Integrity comes with a high price tag. With a deep faith in God and the help of friends at Orchard Hill Church, can they find happiness and love they long for? 

A brief interview with the author:

Susan, tell us what you love about this book.

I love Roberto’s integrity, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances and in spite of his own pain. While the story is more Stephanie’s, Roberto made a great tortured hero. Stephanie has been a rock for her friend Renata (Pesto & Potholes) and when I shook up her world I didn’t know what to expect. The two of them together? Sizzle.

Introduce us to your most quirky character.

The quirky characters would be Roberto’s parents, but they are really just sweet and exuberant.

Can you share something you learned during the research?

I didn’t do a ton of research that I remember . . . but I wrote the original draft about four years ago! Most of my “research” came from conversations over the years that informed the writing of the story.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading Her Deadly Inheritance by Beth Ziarnik. But I read a lot of book at one time. I’m also working through some non-fiction books: The Divine Conspiracy (Dallas Willard), Humilitas (John Dickson) and Switch (Chip & Dan Heath). And of course the Bible which stands in a class by itself. In Matthew right now.

What’s next? 

Book three in the Orchard Hill series is Feta & Freeways and is tentatively due out in September. 

A novella which is part of the “Love Is . . .” series by Prism Book Group, is called The Baron’s Blunder and is due out in August but also serves as a prequel to my Regency series. I’m juggling edits and revisions on several manuscripts right now!

Thank you for coming today, Susan, and best wishes with your work.

My review:

Baganz’s tale of contemporary relationships, choices, reactions to the things that happen is a thoughtful and cautionary story. It is not traditional romance, and told with equal vulnerability from both the male and female interpretation of a relationship.

The author’s background in mental health authenticates the reluctance and shame behind criminal actions such as forced sexual relations between adults in potential compromising situations. Baganz’s female protagonist is an extraordinarily beautiful woman, desired not only by a dangerous illegal immigrant cook working at the restaurant where she’s a silent partner and server, but also by the owner of the family corporation for nefarious purposes. Another of her instant admirers has the potential to steal her heart. But Stephanie’s secret colors her life and future. With the support of her friends and business partners she explores a heart-wrenching decision. Stephanie’s new admirer, however, attorney Roberto, offers another option. Roberto is as close to a rescuing knight as can be, but for a shameful recent past that changed his life and leaves him in great physical pain that stretches his coping skills.

Two very broken people, from families that directly influenced them, come together through faith and hope to forge a new future, one that is threatened even after their marriage. Surviving the tough stuff becomes more than just a saying for Stephanie and Roberto. Salsa and Speedbumps is great food for thought. Told from multiple viewpoints. Recommended for readers who enjoy some thrills and danger, and heavy duty emotional inspirational stories.

About the author:

Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits and is a native of Wisconsin. She is an Acquisitions Editor with Prism Book Group specializing in bringing great romance novels and novellas to publication. Susan writes adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical world-view. 

Susan speaks, teaches and encourages others to follow God in being all He has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology, a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church. Her favorite pastimes are lazy ones--snuggling with her dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup of spiced chai latte.

You can learn more by following her blog www.susanbaganz.com, her twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz

Clash of the Titles!

What an exciting 2016 kick-off for Clash of the Titles. Readers can choose from a teen novel, mystery, suspense/ thriller, love trilogy and an Amish novella collection of sweet romances. One of each sounds good. Peruse the selections, decide which to put at the top of this year's to-be-read list, scroll down, and vote for it on the form below. Voting starts today, January 20th, and goes through midnight PST on January 26th.

An orphaned Siberian teen faces murder charges and an escaped pack of pet wolves.

***

What Stormi doesn't expect is the final, life-altering gift from Matt's ex-girlfriend. Nor does she expect her bachelorette party to lead to murder.

***

Jake escapes from the remote Appalachian cabin—the only home he has ever known. And Father hunts him down with the very rifle he used to kill Sam and Mama.

***

In the novella, An Apple a Day, Dr. Brian Coridan needs a break so he vacations in quiet Blossom Lake, Wisconsin where he never expects to be distracted by Talia Fountain, the town's "health food nut." In September Sonata, Krissy and Blaine's marriage is in its autumn season...or is it just over?—and in Let it Snow, they were once a couple, engaged to be married, until Shari Kretlow ran off with another guy, but decades later, Shari is a widow who finds herself stranded in a Wisconsin blizzard on Christmas Eve, and it's her former fiancé, Brenan Sheppard, who comes to her rescue.

***

Spend a year in Amish country with four sweet romances.

Follow this link to vote!