Clash of the Titles May Champion

This month’s clash was one of International flavor, with participants from Australia to Canada writing historical fiction, mysteries and fantasy. The authors are truly a talented group and we are proud to feature their work.

Our Clash fans are awesome! You left wonderful encouraging words, a portion of which follow:

Rachelle Rea is so talented. I can't wait to read The Sound of Emeralds.

I am currently reading the last book in the trilogy written by author Rachelle Rea. So looking forward to the third of what I hope to be a long list of reading by this author.

Christine Lindsay, you work so hard to tell a great story that your books are a delight.

The Sound of Emeralds is such a good read, Rachelle! I was in tears when she lost the baby and nearly sobbing thinking that Gwyn would shut out Dirk for good! But you did tell me there was a happy ending, so I was not in despair! Lol Thank you for writing!

I so enjoy reading your books Christine Lindsay. Thank you for creating memorable stories that once I begin to read I cannot put down.

Lucy Thompson, Great title, great cover!

They are all fantastic looking books.

But of course there can be only one Champion. 

Christine Lindsay and Sofie's Bridge!

Congratulations!

About Christine, author of Multi-Award-Winning Christian Fiction and Motivational Speaker:

Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction. Tales of her Irish ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India inspired her multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British Raj, Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and explosive finale Veiled at Midnight. Christine’s Irish wit and her use of setting as a character is evident in her contemporary romance Londonderry Dreaming and her newest release Sofi’s Bridge 

Aside from being a busy writer and speaker, Christine and her husband live on the west coast of Canada. Coming August 2016 is the release of Christine’s non-fiction book Finding Sarah—Finding Me: A Birthmother’s Story. Please drop by Christine’s website www.ChristineLindsay.org or follow her on Amazon onTwitter. Subscribe to her quarterly newsletter, and be her friend on Pinterest , Facebook, and Goodreads.

How did the idea for Sofi's Bridge take root for you?

I always wanted to write a book about the various types of emotional and mental illnesses that strike individuals and families. In Sofi's Bridge I painted Sofi's mother as a vulnerable woman, addicted to laudanum as she grieves over the sudden loss of her husband. Historically doctors prescribed this heavy narcotic to patients for even the smallest emotional upset, and of course these patients became addicts. This is an issue that is so prevalent today. My own dear mother was diagnosed incorrectly by a busy physician and prescribed heave drugs that she not only became addicted to, but that created a mental illness that she never had in the first place. I stepped in as my mother's advocate to get her to a better doctor, see her weaned off these powerful drugs that she did not need and brought back to full mental health. Today she is the social butterfly at our church, and the card lady who send out greeting and encouragement cards to everyone in our church for all occasions. This is only one of the strong themes in what appears to be a light historical romance.  

Tell us what's next for you, Christine.

I'm writing a new novel, but also eagerly looking forward to the release in mid-August of my non-fiction book Finding Sarah--Finding Me: A Birthmother's Story. This is not just my story as a woman who relinquished my first-born to adoption, but includes other stories of people who have been touched by adoption and adoption reunion. The theme of this book is finding our identity in the face of Christ. 

Thank you Christine, and congratulations from the Clash of the Titles team.

Life is a Highway with Tracy Krauss

Life Is a Highway 

Tracy Krauss

$2.99 eBook

$5.98 Print
ISBN-13: 9781491223741

Buy on Amazon 

c. 2014

About the Book:

Life is full of surprises and there are many unexpected twists along the way. Hope and guidance are within reach when you let God be your tour guide. Using Biblical examples sprinkled with personal anecdotes. This little book offers sound advice and is sure to lift your spirits. Based on a series of talks given at a Christian women's retreat, it can be used as a study manual for small groups or as a personal devotional.

My Review:

Connecting with other people of faith is important for encouragement and sharing life lessons and experiences. Krauss’s book is like a virtual visit with this uplifting author. The chapters vary a bit in length, but each is a deeply personal and honest reflection on one Christian’s faith walk. Scripture comes alive to me when I see it interpreted through the eyes and practice of others, role models, so to speak. Krauss shares honestly where she came from as a youth, how she gave her life to Christ, and the continued sometimes difficult but joyful walk as a wife and mother and daughter of the king.

The personal reflection questions are great, intentional, and made me think about how I want to be seen as a person of faith to my neighbors and what practicing m faith really means to me. It’s a short book but shouldn’t be read all in one gulp. I’ll be going back to it.

About the Author: Tracy Krauss is a multi-published author and playwright living in northern BC, Canada. For more, visit her website: http://www.tracykrauss.com

Love Is... Navy Blues by Julie Cosgrove

Book Number 7 in the Love Is Series from Prism Book Group has arrived!

First Corinthians 13:4-8a New International Version (NIV)  

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8. Love never fails

Buy on Amazon
$2.99 single novella

From the Publisher:

Her fiancé cheated on her…in paradise. Brokenhearted and confused, Emma flies home to Fort Worth, Texas not sure what life without him will entail.

Ryan is being discharged from the Navy to join a gastroenterology private practice in Fort Worth. New city, new life. The last thing on his mind is falling in love. Until a forlorn lady sniffles in the seat beside him on the flight.

A storm, an emergency landing and an out of control ex-fiancé thrusts Ryan and Em into a dilemma. Each must make some tough choices, but will those involve each other? 

NOTE: Julie Cosgrove's earlier book in the series, Greener Grasses (love does not envy) was featured here in February.

My review: 
This addition to the series shows how versatile Cosgrove is as a writer. Her earlier book, Greener Grasses, featured twins in different lifestyle to show the concept of love does not envy. In Navy Blues, she illustrates "love is not self-seeking" though a honorable young veteran physician who finds an unexpected soul mate who just broke up with her fiance. 


Told in first person, Emma West shares all her inner turmoil, fears and doubts as she makes an effort to move on with her life. The former Navy doctor, however, seems to turn up whenever she needs him most--especially when the former cheating fiance turns up again. There's nothing cavalier about this former soldier who seeks only the best for everyone he encounters. Emma worries she's not good enough wile Ryan helps her learn what she's capable of.

Connect with Julie

www.juliebcosgrove.com   

blog: Where Did You Find God Today?

Twitter@JulieBCosgrove, LinkedIn, Facebook

Unlocking the truth of Daniel with Laura Davis

From the Publisher:

Do you long to immerse yourself in God's Word and discover its truths for yourself? The new and exciting Digging Deeper Series was created just for you! Embark on a fulfilling journey through God's Word using a foundation of Scripture as well as history. Are you ready to begin? Who are the Kings of the North and South and what role do they play in the end-times? Many have speculated on who they could be. Using Scripture and history as our guide, this study will seek to reveal the truth. Discover God's plan for the Jewish people and for the world. See how events played out historically, and where we can expect to be taken next. Undertake a journey through the Book of Daniel and discover God's plan for your life.

Available in Print and E-book
ISBN: 978-0973202212
Buy on Amazon

My Review:
Laura J. Davis, a trained Precepts Ministries teacher, isn’t afraid of tackling the tough stuff of Bible studies. After digging into Revelation in her book, He Who Has an Ear, she begins a Bible Study series called Digging Deeper with the book of Daniel.

What I like about this series is that it’s meant for group discussion, but can also be used for personal introspection. The author includes suggestions and directions for anyone with an interest to lead a group interested in exploring the Scriptures. She recommends using a particular version or translation of the Bible for the study, but does not limit the choice and even explains that she also uses a variety of translations for her studies.

Each of the twenty-two chapters contains a brief explanation of the events of the biblical era in which the book is taking place, some contextual lessons, potential interpretations and possible connections to contemporary events, and a life application. Between ten and twenty questions are included as food for thought, with extensive explanations on each chapter for the group facilitator included at the end of the book.

Recommended for persons and groups who enjoy discussion and analysis of Scripture.

James Andrew debut novel WEST

West book review

James Andrew

11.99 paperback

9.99 ebook

buy on Amazon

Paperback: 164 pages

Publisher: Rising Star Studios, LLC.; First edition (May 1, 2016)

ISBN-13: 978-1936770724

About the book:

All is not well with Christopher Wilks. Nor is all as it seems. For one thing, he is ill-equipped for the mind-bending journey he is about to undertake. Hitching a ride in a strange fifties-era station wagon driven by an even stranger couple of elderly eccentrics he calls The Mister and Missus, Christopher finds his life unwinding along with the countless miles—all into the WEST. Is the journey real? Most certainly. But when is the natural actually supernatural? He’s not quite sure. Mystical campsites, impossible visitations, shattering memories come-to-life...the roadside attractions he encounters are incredible and exhilarating. James Andrew's WEST straps the reader in for a thrill ride through landscapes both painfully real, and wildly fantastical.

My review:

I loved the opening line of Andrew’s description of his quirky little novel. It’s not quite cliché, and it sets the tone for this ride of a lifetime.

Seeing one’s life before one’s eyes is not nearly as much fun as this clock-less journey with quaint and occasional surprising guides as Christopher visits his past. Where are we going? he asks after some time, when he’s had the time to recover from acute hopelessness in the gentle but unexpectedly fun  and poignant care of his hosts. Camping out, the endless supply of food, convenient pull-outs never seem to be a cause for question until Christopher’s hauntings, so to speak, begin to rouse him. From the innocuous question of how did they know my name, to passing through the eye of the needle in painful accusations to meeting people long gone from his life, the journey is more than allegory, and the destination coming quickly.

Told through Christopher’s eyes with gentle splashes from The Mister and The Missus, WEST is an interesting look at one interpretation of—without giving anything away—a reflection of a life not so well-lived. I never thought about needing to prepare for such a journey, but as I read I thought, why not? Those intrigued by spiritual things will enjoy this story. A few grammatical and punctuation issues made this editor stop a couple of times to make a mental fix, but the casual reader shouldn’t be bothered. Nicely done.

About the Author

Artist, Designer and sometimes writer, James Andrew lives and works on Hayden Island on the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon. WEST was written during the long hospitalization of his wife Irene, who’s been faced with the challenge of recovering from several disabling strokes.

Clash of the Titles 2016 Laurel Winner Delia Latham

2016 LAUREL AWARD WINNER

Author Delia Latham's novel 

~At First Sight~

is the winner of Clash of the Titles's sixth annual Laurel Award.

CONGRATULATIONS, DELIA!

Delia will receive the following: a beautiful banner to display on her website; a year-long page on COTT dedicated to the winning book, At First Sight; a feature tour on COTT's Blog Alliance; and a lovely plaque.

At First Sight was chosen by a panel of judges who narrowed the list of competing novels to three. From there, the panel put their choices to a straight vote. Delia's novel, At First Sight, took home the crown.

Special thanks to each of our judges who volunteered their time to this contest!

BRIEF SUMMARY OF At First Sight: 

Reagan Massey has gone through a great deal of trouble to make her cousin irresistible to the visiting single minister but things get a little sticky when Reagan falls in love with Cord Phillips herself…

Stay tuned for the full-length feature of Delia's winning novel, At First Sight!

Cindy Lynch and debut novel Bye For Now

Bye For Now

Cindy Lynch

About the Book:

Callista Lamply sits watching television 1,300 miles away from her hometown. In an instant she recognizes the place in which a horrific tragedy is taking place. While watching images of the scene unfold, Callie finds herself anxiously waiting to hear new details of those involved. Feeling frightened and alone, wishing she could turn back time when life was simple, her childhood memories begin to flood her consciousness.

Remembering in detail the summer of 1982, Callie recalls meeting a blond haired, blue eyed, handsome boy named Wyatt who, as luck would have it, lived several doors down from her grandfather’s camp. Callie and Wyatt begin a romance that blossoms from summer to summer, bringing them closer than Callie had ever imagined. If only her brother Jimmy could let go of his suspicions about Wyatt. Just because he is the kid brother of Jimmy’s arch nemesis doesn’t make him a bad guy. Does it?

The seasons change, and as Callie enters college she meets Charlie—the vivacious, devilishly handsome co-ed who quickly becomes an important part of her life. But is it more than that? Are her summers with Wyatt about to end?

Needing some clarity, Callie seeks out Marilyn- her loveable, quirky Aunt with an otherworldly voice of reason. Unexpectedly she finds Aunt Marilyn having a conversation with a blackberry bush and wonders just how dependable she can be.

With her love life in the balance, Callie is determined to make a decision, but which way should she turn? Will Wyatt make promises he can’t keep? Is there more to Charlie than fun and games? Is it worth the risk or is it time to say goodbye?

A brief interview with the author:

Cindy, tell us what you love about this book.

I love this book because I have had it bouncing around my head since I was 14 years old but never knew how to start it. When the Sandy Hook tragedy took place in my hometown, I knew I had the start to my story.

Please share a couple of things you learned along the way to publication.

Two things I have learned during my publishing process: 1) Find an editor that gets you, really gets you. Make sure they are on the same wave length and that they understand what you are trying to say or do creatively. I was lucky enough to find an editor like that in Keltin Barney. It makes for such an enjoyable ride. 2) Don't let the little things becoming daunting tasks. Getting your ISBN isn't as difficult as it may seem. Take baby steps and before know it you'll have a novel completed; you're very own paper baby.

Introduce us to a character:

Meet Maddie, one of my favorite characters in Bye For Now. She's as harsh and addictive as an unfiltered cigarette. She speaks the truth even if it isn't asked for. This character is based on a close friend of mine from college whom I have great admiration for her ability to speak the truth no matter the outcome.

What do you hope readers will pass on to other potential readers?

Truthfully I just want people to feel something reading my books. Whether it's pain, angst, fear, sorrow, happiness I just want you to feel emotion. My biggest compliment is when someone says to me that my book made them cry.

Tell us what you’re reading now.

I just finished reading Me Before You and it wrecked me. Talk about emotion! It was so well written that I didn't want to put it down. I anxiously await the film adaptation.

What’s next?

Next on my agenda is to publish the second book in the Bye For Now trilogy. Even Willows Weep, the second installment should be published by the end of May, 2016. I'm very excited to continue this trilogy.

--That sounds enticing, Cindy. Best wishes!

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my book with your viewers.

Sincerely,

Cindy Lynch

My book can be purchased on my website cindylynch.net, createspace.com, or amazon.com.It's also available on Kindle.