New Romantic Suspense from Penelope Marzec

 

Angel of the L Train, by Penelope Marzec

Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Ebook $5.99
Prism Lux, August 12, 2022, 320 pp.

Buy Angel of the L Train:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Angel-L-Train-Penelope-Marzec-ebook/dp/B09VRRGSTR/
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/angel-of-the-l-train

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/angel-of-the-l-train-penelope-marzec/1141235956?ean=9781522399087

Google: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Angel_of_the_L_Train/ButkEAAAQBAJ?hl=en
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/angel-of-the-l-train/id1614935301

About Angel of the L Train:

Thea Ahern desperately needs a job, so when she lands a job at LetSlip, a New York City gossip magazine, she takes it even though it will mean hiding her heritage. When she helps a man who is attacked on the subway, she’s hailed as the Angel of the L Train, and people notice her striking resemblance to a once famous actress. This sparks a renewed interest in Paris Hulette and her whereabouts. What happened to the award-winning actress after her husband shot her? And is Thea Ahern really the actress's daughter?

Thea’s coworker, John, understands what it means to hide from your past, and so he shields Thea from the ensuing media frenzy. She falls for him, and he falls for her, but LetSlip’s CEO orders John to investigate Thea. Now he has to choose between protecting Thea or losing his job.

When LetSlip’s CEO is murdered while John is in the building, John is thrust into the public spotlight along with Thea, and his past is revealed. Can Thea ever trust him again? And can he ever be forgiven for what he’s done?

 

A Brief Interview with Penelope

 What do you love about your new book? I love the message of forgiveness in this book. The heroine in Angel of the L Train assumes the hero cannot be absolved for what he has done. Even the hero does not feel he is worthy of mercy. But none of us are truly worthy and yet the Lord does grant forgiveness. He gave his life for us. We are not supposed to judge others. That is up to the Lord, who loves us all. There is hope and there is forgiveness.

 Tell us about the most interesting thing you learned while researching. I went off on a tangent and researched what it takes to be an entertainer in the New York City subway. This was not important information for the story, but I wanted to know because there are entertainers everywhere in the subway system. Some have auditioned and applied for permits. Some have not. I learned you do not need a permit to entertain in the subway system. However, you must abide by all the Transit Authority’s many rules, which include not using an amplifier, not impeding the movement of passengers, and most of all not entertaining inside the subway car.

 I have seen all sorts of entertainment in the subway—including groups who entertained inside the subway car. Evidently, they get away with it most of the time.

 What's the background story no one knows about your heroine? The heroine’s mother was a well-known, award-winning actress who vanished from the public eye after the heroine was born. The heroine grew up in a small town in the New Jersey Pine Barrens where no one ever suspected her mother’s former fame. The heroine never knew her father and her mother forbid her to even say his name. Still, the heroine had a happy childhood until her mother became gravely ill.

 What are you reading now? I’m trying to read as many books published by Pelican Book Group as I can, but I am very far behind in my goal because there are so many books! At the moment, I am reading A Second Chance for Grace, by Karen Malley. I just finished How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart, by Candice Patterson. All the books are wonderful. I’m having so much fun.

 What’s next for you? I’ve been writing a historical romance set in 1903. I’ve been working on this one for a long time due to the ups and downs of life. However, I am drawing close to the end and I’m itching to put in the big climax.
 
About the Author:
Penelope Marzec grew up along the Jersey shore. She started reading romances at a young age and fell

hopelessly in love with happy endings. Two of her inspirational romances won EPIC’s eBook Award and another was a finalist in that contest. Her paranormal, Irons in the Fire, was a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award. Her Christian historical, Patriot’s Courage, placed First in the Inspirational category of the 2021 National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest. Visit her website at penelopemarzec.com for more information.

New inspirational thriller from Anita Klumpers

A Murder of Crows 

Anita Klumpers 

Romantic Suspense 

c. April 2022, Prism Book, Pelican Book Group 

347  pp

$5.99 ebook

Buy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher book store

About the book

On a video call, Paulina Deacon watches her friend follow a frenzied murder of crows through the woods. Moments later, Pauli is horrified when John stumbles upon three men and is murdered. In fear for her own life, she drives until she finds herself in the small town of Brier, Wisconsin. She reinvents herself as Polly Madison and is quickly hired to work doing odd jobs at a rehabilitation clinic.

Hal Karlsen has poured his life in to the Sweetbrier clinic helping people with addictions. When Polly arrives with her secrets, he is equal parts irritated and intrigued.
Terror follows Pauli to this small town and grows stronger each day as she finds her place in the tiny, welcoming community. Slowly, she begins to open up to Hal. As they work together to uncover exactly who is after her and why, their friendship deepens.

He pledges to keep her safe. She swears to protect the clinic. But can either live up to those promises while the danger increases daily? And will those murderous crows drive her mad before they figure it all out?

My Review

Crows gather at the oddest times for the most intriguing reasons. When they flock at the apparent murder of her current crush in a back wood in North Dakota where Pauli had been substitute teaching and coaching, she naturally relates the behavior to peril. After trying to place calls to the sheriff and not knowing what else to do, Pauli drives across two states until she comes to a tiny town in Wisconsin that seems a safe harbor until she can sort out the oddness of her life.

Restrictions on contact with the outside world limit Pauli’s ability to learn about the events surrounding the murder. When she’s forced to rely on strangers, however kind and eager to help they are, things begin to unravel in her new little world of honesty, faith, and odd jobs, exercise and knitting classes at a local institution helping everyone from the rich and famous to every-day folk with their addictions. Crows continue to flock at times of danger, and when the stakes deepen, Pauli must decide who and how much to trust. Trust isn’t just a conditions between humans, she realizes. Matters of faith and putting her trust for her soul in the right place is her best therapy. The rest is frosting.

Anita’s story of rescue and finding home in a place of strangers all trying to heal together is a delight. Readers who enjoy tales of adventure and peril wrapped up in love and faith will love A Murder of Crows.

About the author

Anita Klumpers is Midwest born and bred, except for a brief and exhilarating few years in Denver when she was small. She received a teaching degree sometime in the previous millennium and used it mostly to homeschool her three sons. These days Anita chases her grandchildren around, waving books at them and suggesting everyone cuddle up for a good story.

Good stories are her passion, especially if they are well-written, have a dose of humor, just a tickle of romance, and a decidedly non-gory mystery. On the other hand, she lists Frankenstein and Fahrenheit 451 as two of her favorite books. Go figure.

Creating skits was Anita’s first foray into writing. Always up for a challenge and a reason to postpone defrosting the freezer, she tried her hand at a full-length novel. It only took five years, but she did it!

Daily (honestly) she marvels at how much she loves coffee and her husband; her family, friends and church. Even more, she is astonished at how much she is loved by her Lord and Savior.

DiAne Gates and her new novel Twisted

In these days of transient and blended families we’ve lost the generational stories of the good ole’ and not-so-good ole’ days, and have settled for the deception of a me-first, get-it-now culture. And relationships within families are the casualties. This breaks my heart for the kids, their parents, and grandparents.

My introduction to the action-packed world of rodeo, a number of years ago, seemed the perfect background to convey a story of teens trapped in circumstances beyond their control. Yet to confirm to teens and adults reading ROPED and TWISTED there is a Sovereign Creator God who is in control of all things. A God who loves them and died for them, so they in turn might live for Him—even when they don’t have a care or clue who He is or what He’s done.

But that process sometimes takes years, and some are lost in the process, as the Fairgate family history shouts.

The three teen personalities of ROPED and TWISTED had to be diametrically opposed to each other at the core of their being. And Crissy Crosby, Jodie Lea Fairgate, and Chun Len have lived up to and beyond my expectations—real life teens with a boo-coodle of every day and not so everyday problems they must face. Problems that threaten to destroy them and their families.

Jesus conveyed His message to the crowds by parables—stories of their culture which ordinary people could understand and hopefully apply to their lives. If our Lord used this method, don’t you think we might reach others for the Kingdom if we told our stories to those He places in our path?

Crissy Crosby, my protagonist, has a get-‘er-done at all costs attitude that is often annoying and generally plunges her in a heap-a-trouble. Guess whose character traits I followed for that girl? Uh-huh! Yours truly, my daughter, and granddaughter! Those apples didn’t fall far from that tree.

Jodie Lea Fairgate’s downright hateful and mean. Devoid of any comprehension of what’s right and good, while she lives in the luxury of the town’s rich, but bully father and coward mother.

Chun Len and his family immigrated from China and have just arrived in a small town in East Texas. Where the Fairgates despise anything different.

One of my edit partners fell in love with Chun from the get-go. And oh my, doesn’t racial prejudice punch a hot button in our world today? But Crissy can’t abide prejudice in any shape, size, or form—especially from Jodie Lea Fairgate.

ROPED gave us a peek into the dark side of consequences, but TWISTED rips off the secret death shroud of the Fairgates cesspool of relatives.

I’m seven chapters into Book Three, UNTIED, and all I can tell y’all is hang on to your hats!!! It’s going to get gruesome! But God is still in control.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NAS).

Buy Twisted on Amazon $4.99
Buy Roped on Amazon $3.99

About DiAne:

Texas writer, DiAne Gates, illustrates and writes fiction for children and YA, and serious non-fiction for the folks. Her passion is calling the Church’s attention to how far we’ve catapulted from God’s order and walking in obedience to Him as evidenced by her blog Moving the Ancient Boundaries.

DiAne worked as a photographer and writer for the East Texas Youth Rodeo Association magazine, and had the opportunity to be in the rodeo arena, feel the sting of Texas turf in her face and across her camera lens, giving birth to her western rodeo adventure series, released by Prism Book Group in August of 2015, ROPED. This first book of the series placed #5 on Top Ten Christian Reads for Teens and Tweens, 2016, as well as being a finalist in the 2015 Grace Awards, and a finalist in The Christian Literary Henri Awards for 2016.

 Book Two in the ROPED SERIES—TWISTED, was released by Pelican Book Group July 14, 2017.  And the third book, UNTIED, her current WIP, continues the adventure of two Texas teens and their families. DiAne writes a monthly article for Crosswalk, an online Christian magazine.

She also leads LifeSavers, an adult edit group for North Texas Christian Writers. And has a new blog THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF FLAVOR, where she shares family recipes and many tricks to cutting calories while retaining a massive injection of southern and southwest flavor into each tasty bite. DiAne facilitates GriefShare, an international support ministry for those who’ve lost loved ones.

Wife, mother, and Mimi, her passion is to share those hard life lessons God allows in our lives. Lessons she hopes will leap from the page into your heart and play out in loving family relationships.

Movingthe Ancient Boundaries

TheSouthern Side of Flavor

Web

Crosswalk

Facebook

Hoping For Joy with Penelope Marzec

Hannah stares at the diamond ring on her finger. Her hopes for a wedding fade as Logan puts off the date. Does he love her anymore? Should she hand him the ring and move on? Should Hannah stop praying for a fiancé with no faith? 

Logan hopes to save his sister from her addiction while helping his father raise his young niece. With his life in turmoil, Logan’s dreams vanish. One night, his sister holds a knife to Hannah’s throat and robs her. Will Hannah forgive him? What will he do with Joy, his sister’s child? Where can he turn for help?

The Love Is Series from Prism

Ebook $3.99

Buy on Amazon

Read Lisa's review

A brief interview with the Author

Penny, what do you love about this book?

Writing this book gave me the opportunity to use one of my favorite settings. I grew up along the Jersey Shore, not far from a town with a small amusement park. I spent many happy hours as a child enjoying the rides and later when my daughters were young, hubby and I took our girls to the same amusement park. We used to laugh and say they all learned how to drive on the bumper cars. The amusement park employed many local teenagers during the summer and while my daughters didn't work there, many of their friends did. It was--and still is--very much a family place and to me an idyllic setting for a story. The dunes, the sand, the sky, the water, the beach, and the honky-tonk of the boardwalk are the essence of summertime on the Jersey Shore. 

Introduce us to your main character.

There are two main characters in the book, the hero, Logan, and the heroine, Hannah. The story is told from each of their points of view. Logan and Hannah met in college. When they graduated, Logan asked Hannah to marry him. However, he gets a job at one end of the state, while Hannah gets a teaching job near the home where she grew up along the shore of New Jersey. The distance and Logan's troubles erode their relationship. Logan's sister is addicted to drugs. His ailing father takes care of his sister's daughter. Logan helps his father as much as he can, but winds up putting off his wedding and rarely visits Hannah. She wonders if she should give the engagement ring back to him. With a lack of faith, Logan struggles to handle all his difficulties on his own while Hannah's formerly solid faith is tested along with her love for a man who isn't the same as the the man who once promised her forever.

Share something you learned while writing this book.

I learned about tattoos while writing this book since the heroine's cousin is a tattoo artist. I have never wanted to get inked, though it is quite popular with many people--young and old. Daughter #2, who is an artist, has always felt it's better to use a t-shirt to show off your designs or opinions. Right before the book was released, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, I was treated with radiation and as part of that, I got tattooed. The tattoos are very small, freckle-sized dots used to aid technicians in targeting just the right spot. But I definitely felt the needle go in when I was inked. I can't imagine what it's like to have a large area of skin tattooed with a very elaborate design. While the skill of a good tattoo artist is impressive, everyone needs to be aware that there are those who tattoo people without proper knowledge and safety measures. Be careful when shopping for a tattoo. 

What are you reading now?

At this very moment, I'm reading St. Patrick of Ireland, by Philip Freeman. Daughter #1 handed it to me last week and it's appropriate for the season. I've always been intrigued with the Irish, since my great grandparents came to this country from Ireland. My great grandmother had nine children, the oldest was my grandfather. The entire clan reminded me of a bunch of leprechauns. They were witty, but devout, and always interesting. Recently, my uncle had a DNA test done and found that not only was he very much Irish, but there was a bit of Viking in him, too, which shouldn't be surprising. :-)

The next book I'll read will be one by a Prism Book Group author. You'll have to wait and see which one I pick. It's tough making a choice because they're all excellent. 

~Lisa: St.Patrick sounds great. I'll have to check that out. We were surprised to find a bit o' the Irish, too, in a DNA test.

What's next for you?

I've been working on a sequel to my Patriot series titled Patriot's Courage. It's set in 1794 in Ohio Territory. I added more than 24,000 words to the manuscript during the month of February in a writers' challenge. There's still plenty of writing to go before the book is finished, but I've been having a great time with it. I love history and delving into the era has fascinated me. 

I also have to get to work reissuing four of my contemporary Christian romances which were originally published with Awe-Struck many years ago. My fingers will be busy for quite a while. 

~Lisa: Good! I love your Patriot series. Best wishes. 

About the Author:

Penelope Marzec started reading romances at a young age even though her mother told her they would ruin her mind, which they did. She became hopelessly hooked on happy endings. She is a member of the New Jersey Romance Writers, the Liberty States Fiction Writers, and EPIC. Winning the EPPIE award twice for inspirational fiction, she has also been a finalist in the same contest. Her paranormal, Irons In The Fire, was a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award.

http://www.penelopemarzec.com
http://penelopemarzec.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/penelopemarzecbooks

The Stone Giver military fiction from Buffy Andrews

The Stone Giver

Buffy Andrews

c. September 2016

Ebook $3.99

Print $11.99

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes and Noble

Full length book

Mainstream post-military romance

About the Book:

When a stone is thrown...ripples are created... A woman who has lost her way. A man crippled by war. What brings them together also pulls them apart. Zara Peede's growing feelings for her patient, soldier Jack Quinlan, scare the Walter Reed Medical Center nurse. Jack, a double amputee, is as wounded in spirit as he is in body. Jack's pain reflects her own grief for her lost brother, a fellow soldier who died in Afghanistan. Does she truly care for Jack, or are both of them just searching for someone to hold onto through their pain? To find out-and in search of her purpose-Zara flees, leaving Jack with only a note and a gift she doesn't fully understand herself. A stone. When Zara and Jack reconnect at an event in New York, they discover that some ripples last a lifetime. Will theirs?

My review:

From the shocking opening sequence of events to a satisfying conclusion, Andrews’s new romance show her penchant for well-researched and well-resourced stories. Readers are drawn right into the world of pain and recovery, anxiety and grief and rehabilitation as Jack makes the decision to find wholeness. Zara, one of his nurses, decides to shift course when Jack becomes that last patient who makes her work too personal. She only knows her new independence must include making a difference for others. An idea takes hold for a non-profit business that rewards encouragement and positive actions of others. Zara learns that a life of building on the success and joys of others spread out a wave of hope. When Jack and Zara cross paths again, they are able to take time without pressure and stress and pain to explore a relationship. 

Told in multiple viewpoints, this mainstream story tackles real questions of double amputees. The characters and dialog are lifelike, and overcoming problems handled in an empathy-inducing manner. Sexual scenarios and some swearing, along with bar scenes, are a natural part of the story. Readers will experience all the sweat, blood, and nightmares of the recovery process.

Fiction from Edie Melson: Alone

Alone

Edie Melson

Prism Book Group

November 4, 2016

$3.99

$11.99

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Smashwords 

About the Book

After her family is killed in the cleansing, Bethany’s purpose in life has changed. No longer will she be allowed to work to save her dying planet. As a slave, endurance is her goal as she marks each day as one moment closer to an eternity spent reunited with those she loved. But when her planet is invaded, everything changes. Now she must decide either to align herself with those from her planet who condemned her faith and killed her family, or with the warriors who have conquered her world. Ultimately her choice will mean life or death for more than just her planet’s ecosystem. She alone holds the key to a powerful secret, and the fate of the entire galaxy depends on her decision.

My Review

Reminiscent of the best Robert Heinlein or Arthur C Clarke stories, Melson explores the Christian faith spread through the galaxy. What might it look like over time and adulteration? It’s not all that different from ethnic cleansing on earth.

A dying world exploited to the extreme by a small group of powerful people are led by an influence of evil greater than time…a race of appointed spacefarers bent on taking over…an interpretation of moral codes passed down from generation to generation and now at great cost…and the cypher to a great formula the price of which is life as known.

I confess to changing my mind several times about the true identities of the good guys and the bad guys, who was telling the truth, but most importantly, who was trustworthy. Melson’s science fiction draws in echoes of my favorite stories, from Romeo and Juliet to Michael Crichton to CS Lewis. I enjoyed trying to decide whether the people of Bethany’s world understood what was at stake, how I might react if such a thing happened on earth, and whether the warriors were based on stories of the Nephilim from Scripture. I wondered what Bethany would decide to do, and who she would trust. Thought-provoking, action-packed, and well told, those who like Christian science fiction will find much to like in Alone.

 About the Author

Edie Melson is a leading professional in the writing industry. She’s a sought after writing instructor; and her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. http://steampunkfables.blogspot.com/

Jan Elder's Love Lies and Fireflies book review

Love, Lies, and Fireflies

Jan Elder

Prism Book Group

Contemporary romance

.99

14.99

Buy on

Amazon 

BN 

Smashwords 

About the Book

Didi O’Brien is engaged—at least she was an hour ago. Now she’s not so sure. Her fiancé, the suave Kevin Cabot, has just revealed that he’s been unfaithful, and he’s not the least bit sorry. Reeling from the betrayal, with her plans for a happily-ever-after life in doubt, she prays for direction. The answer comes as a complete surprise. God has someone better in mind.

Middle school teacher, Jake Montgomery, is struggling with some issues of his own. Sadly, a year previously his fiancée had been killed in a car crash. Battling anger and despair, in a mountain-top experience, Jake wrestles with the Almighty, and is ready to live again. In his youth, he’d felt an unmistakable call to the ministry but, like the prophet Jonah, since then, he’s been running hard in the wrong direction.

Through a crisis of faith, and glimpses of mercy, Didi and Jake find each other. But can they find the strength to resolve the many obstacles that conspire to keep them apart?

My review

A woman running into a marriage with a mentally disturbed person and a man running fast and hard from his own perceptions of faithfulness find each other. The right timing, interruptions by events out of their control, and self-revelation will either make them stronger together or apart.

When Didi’s attorney fiancé reveals what a cad he is, Didi walks out on their fancy restaurant dinner not realizing she’s caught the attention of a man healing from loss. That man, Jake, has some lessons to struggle through, though, before he can accept the blessings he’s avoiding. They begin a sweet relationship even as Didi’s former fiancé spirals into criminal behavior and Jake opens his ears and heart to his true calling. They may be able to face their past mistakes and save each other, but unless they are each obedient to their first love, God, they can never move forward, either alone or together.

Love is there—maybe even too quickly. Lies—well, justifying our selfish desires, withholding information either intentionally or innocently, and simple naiveté are all shades of misleading. Fireflies are God’s way of showing off, Didi’s father always said. Didi and Jake just need to pay attention.

Told through multiple viewpoints, Elder’s tale of love gone right and wrong is a sweet one with lots of description of food and fun, friendships and everything fun about falling in love is a very nice read.

Prism Book Group Love Is Series Hoping for Joy

Prism Book Group has released another book in the "Love is..." series of romances based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  Hoping for Joy by Penelope Marzec is about love always hoping.

About the Book:

Hannah stares at the diamond ring on her finger. Her hopes for a wedding fade as Logan puts off the date. Does he love her anymore? Should she hand him the ring and move on? Should Hannah stop praying for a fiancé with no faith?

Logan hopes to save his sister from her addiction while helping his father raise his young niece. With his life in turmoil, Logan’s dreams vanish. One night, his sister holds a knife to Hannah’s throat and robs her. Will Hannah forgive him? What will he do with Joy, his sister’s child? Where can he turn for help?

My Review:

One distracted fiancé is an understatement. Logan is so busy trying to get control of not only his life, but also that of his family. In the process, he loses sight of the things and people precious to him, not the least of which is his faith.

When Hannah wonders if there’s any cause to hope for a future with Logan. It takes some family drama and a real close encounter with the depths of despair to help everything see the truth of what’s important.

Lovingly told romantic story of realigning life’s purpose and realizing we can’t and shouldn’t try to be in control of everything. Multiple viewpoints, nice short, but not simple read.

Near future Christian Fiction from Judy DuCharme

Society of the L.A.M.B.
Judy DuCharme

Prism Book Group, 2016

$3.99 eBook

$11.99 Print

buy on Amazon

Society of the L.A.M.B.: Love. Authority. Mercy. Boldness.

In a raucous colony of those who celebrate dark desires, Josiah and other LAMBers who believe King Glory lives are hunted and imprisoned…or worse. But hope and truth endure in the midst of total danger. After fleeing the colony, Josiah finds light and hope at his grandfather's house, where a secret gathering of LAMBers have escaped the watchers. After learning of the power of the shout within himself, Josiah is chosen to carry the truth to others. But how can he return to the colony without being captured and put to death? The shout cannot be denied. Josiah knows his mission.

My review:

I honestly didn’t know what to think the first time I read this book. On the second reading, I wondered if I knew this place, this too-near, impossible, frightening future when Christianity is forced underground and grunge rules. Not if, but when.

DuCharme paints a grim picture of a time when active persecution against authority or show of faith is taking place in America. The persecution doesn’t even stem from a cohesive structure or face, but is a pervasive mentality which is somehow more frightening. It’s easy to fight something that has a name. Faith never dies, but emerges more determined than ever to show itself through Love that conquers, Authority over evil, Mercy toward the undeserving, and Boldness of witness.

A small but growing group of faithful Christ-followers are determined to retake their lives and battle near anarchy. Under the wing of the newly-awakened Josiah who returned to the fold of his grandfather, those who hear and practice the Shout gleefully strip the Over Garments of chaos and restore colonists, when possible, to Jajireh. With the help of an amazing angel band who has just as much joy overcoming every obstacle the evil one sets up, the Lambers rescue the kidnapped and retrain the near-lost.

Told mostly from Josiah’s perspective, the Society of the L.A.M.B. is sure to spark great conversation.

Judy DuCharme is a retired fifth-grade teacher (22 years at Gibraltar School in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, with an emphasis in science), former Christian radio announcer, Bible study teacher, speaker, author, and a great fan of the Green Bay Packers. She obtained her B.A. from Michigan State University in Communication Arts and her teaching degree through the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Judy s passion in all she does is to see people strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Her first published book, The Cheesehead Devotional earned her the Best New Writer Award (2013) at the prestigious Write-to-Publish Conference. Judy lives in Wisconsin with her family.

LAUNCH PARTY UNDERSTORY IS HERE!

November 11, 2016 from Prism Book Group

From the Back cover:

When nobody loves you, you have nothing to lose.

Lily Masters is not getting involved with any fake job scheme covering a sex trafficking operation supposedly cooked up by her stepbrother, prison guard Art Townsend. Hoping to get help at a friend’s place deep in the woods of northern Wisconsin before a blizzard, Lily loses her way. At first, she doesn’t realize how fortunate she is to be found by Cam Taylor, a poetry-spouting former lit professor. Cam has his own reasons to hide while writing a biography of his Civil Rights activist grandparents and accidentally stirs up a cold case murder involving a potential Supreme Court judge. When trouble follows, either of them is the likely target.

Beneath every story is layer upon layer of trust and lies. Who can they believe when things go from surreal to devastating?

ISBN-13:978-1-943104-50-5

$3.99 eBook

Print 

Amazon Kindle

SPECIAL LAUNCH PARTY WITH WOMEN'S FICTION WRITERS ASSOCIATION

NOVEMBER 15 - FACEBOOK 12-4:30 PM

JOIN ME FROM 2-2:30 EST for a book discussion 

and giveaway

The underlying theme of UnderStory is prejudice—how we look and perceive others and judge them and ourselves by the way they look, whether we can see the physical or emotional scars. Lily Masters is born with a genetic condition, Poland’s syndrome, which colors her world, makes her feel unloved and unwanted, and although she’s learned to hide her condition and feelings, get a good job and function in public, she can never again connect with someone who would learn about her physical problem and reject her. When Lily is rescued by a biracial Literature professor, Cam Taylor, who is dealing with prejudice on so many levels, and they are stranded together, she begins to learn not to judge people and situations by what others say or even by her own standards. Lily and Cam’s journeys are about learning that shame is a reaction they choose based on others’ perceptions and standards, not something they have to accept. Learning to free herself from the bonds of self-loathing, Lily realizes how to be strong and fight for her family and how to accept love as well as give it. Cam comes to a peaceful place as he learns to see the world through what is, not through what he anticipates.

Endorsements sample:

Lisa Lickel weaves together a masterful tale of intrigue and romance, and the multilayers of complexity will leave the reader turning the pages. The characters are well-developed, and overarching themes involving racism and prejudice will resonate with the reader. The story takes place in the Midwest—in a small town that harbors a big secret—perhaps more common than anyone dares to imagine. UnderStory is one of those rare books that’s not only a great read but makes a statement about what’s most important—in the midst of depravity, unfairness, and greed.

—Lorilyn Roberts, award-winning author and founder of the John 3:16 Marketing Network

Drugs, human trafficking, and corruption all play their part in Lisa Lickel’s atmospheric thriller, UnderStory, but it’s the characters and the love story you’ll remember most. In some ways, the book reminded me of the movie Fargo—quirky locals, investigators facing not only ruthless criminals but also a frozen winter landscape of snow and ice in an isolated far north town. The blizzard is the catalyst that brings together two emotionally damaged strangers when Cam finds the mysterious Lily unconscious near his isolated cabin. When he brings her inside, he becomes involved in both love and dangers he never expected when he hid himself away in the woods.

—Robin Johns Grant, author of Summer’s Winter.

Here's an Excerpt

Cam had borrowed Lily’s car to get home last night. As he drove back into Barter Valley in the morning, slipping around on the car’s bald tires, for his appointment with Minerva Thorsten, he kept a running commentary of his current situation spiraling in his head. Stone cold stupid. This whole deal with him and the Internet and research was a separate thing going down from the case Forbes was on, just like the man said. Cam could not believe him at first.

Uncle Sam was monitoring his personal business. But Cam had beaten a mess before. He’d been acquitted. He wasn’t on any sex-offender registry or felon watch-list. He didn’t think so, anyway. How ripped from the headlines was that? “Illegal Wire Tapping in Small Town Library.” “Free Speech Rights Stomped Again.” “Sex Trafficking Stopped.” All of Matt’s dreams would come true when he broke both stories. And if Matt was right, this Minerva was the perfect legal representation for a person whose constitutional rights were being violated.

He parked, pulled up his hood and jumped frozen waist-high piles of snow to get to the newspaper office. At least the weather was changing. The high temp might make zero today. The dogs would be all right. They’d stay together, keep warm. He’d water them later. What day was it? Logan possibly had his truck ready. He caught a glimpse of a shadow on the walk, the prickle that something was in his way. He stopped and looked up. And swallowed. “Hi, there, Ole. What’s happening?”

Ole took off his gloves and cracked his knuckles. He slowly pulled the gloves back on. “Lily isn’t like the other girls around here. She sorta got a little stuck-up from living in the cities, but she’s still a nice girl.”

After the big guy’s little display of assumed prowess, Cam decided to refrain from eye-rolling, sighing, or any other possibly misunderstood gesture of superiority. Besides, he liked Ole and felt a little sorry about maybe taking Lily away from him…if he could even pretend like that. “I agree she’s a nice girl. Pretty early in the morning for a conversation like this, pal. And I’m on my way to an appointment. Spot you a coffee later?”

Ole plunged right on. “And good. She’s not going back there with you, all alone, to stay at your place again.”

At this, Cam let out a chuckle. “I agree she’s not going back there alone.” He watched Ole’s jaw muscles clench and held up a hand. “It’s not what you think, man. I care about her safety, and it’s not safe out there.”

The other man snorted as he breathed in. His mouth opened. “I kin keep her safe.”

Cam nodded as if he agreed and said softly, “Or your mother can.”

Ole’s apple cheeks turned an even darker shade of red, while his expression became wounded.

“Just so we understand each other, brother,” Cam said. “I trust you. Lily trusts you. We don’t trust anyone else.”

Cam swallowed and wiped his mouth as he watched Ole stride away, each step like a league, until he disappeared around a corner. A hugely smiling fox-faced Sven drove the snowplow past and honked.

They had to have been fraternal twins.

Ten seconds later, Matt moved his face from the computer screen at the Freeman office to notice Cam stood at his side. “Buddy! I gotta tell ya, this is the third most exciting thing to happen in Barter Valley. Since I can remember, anyhoo. Take a load off.”

Cam set his coat on the back of a chair and rubbed his hands. “Third?”

New Inspirational Fiction from Jan Elder

About the Book

Didi O’Brien is engaged—at least she was an hour ago. Now she’s not so sure. Her fiancé, the suave Kevin Cabot, has just revealed that he’s been unfaithful, and he’s not the least bit sorry. Reeling from the betrayal, with her plans for a happily-ever-after life in doubt, she prays for direction. The answer comes as a complete surprise. God has someone better in mind.

Middle school teacher, Jake Montgomery, is struggling with some issues of his own. Sadly, a year previously his fiancée had been killed in a car crash. Battling anger and despair, in a mountain-top experience, Jake wrestles with the Almighty, and is ready to live again. In his youth, he’d felt an unmistakable call to the ministry but, like the prophet Jonah, since then, he’s been running hard in the wrong direction.

Through a crisis of faith, and glimpses of mercy, Didi and Jake find each other. But can they find the strength to resolve the many obstacles that conspire to keep them apart?

Prism Book Group, September 2016

$3.99 eBook

$14.99 Print

ISBN:  978-1537410845

Buy on Amazon

A Brief Interview with Jan

Jan, welcome. Tell us what do you love about this book.

Seven (long) years ago, I started to write my first book, Love, Lies, and Fireflies. I loved the process of dreaming up exceptional characters with unique personalities and it kick-started my creative juices. Creating characters with hardships and major flaws, just like real people, was something I really wanted to achieve in an entertaining way. And what was most important? Making sure that God showed up as a central character—without being preachy. That will always be a passion for me.  

One of the most wonderful aspects of writing this book, though, was that I could slip parts of REAL people in there. The hero, Jake Montgomery, is a lot like my dear husband and the heroine, Didi O’Brien, has a lot of me in her. In the novel, Didi’s father passes away many years before the book starts and my own amazing father died in 1992. I made Didi’s dad a lot like my own. She has wonderful memories of sweet times spent with her father, and so do I. In fact, the title of the book has a lot to do with her daddy. I feel pleased that by including him in my book, I can honor my father in this special way.

Cool! That is an awesome tribute. I doubt I'll ever publish my first book, but every once in a while I pull it out and glance through it. Introduce us to the easiest character to work with.

That would have to be Jacob Scott Montgomery, a.k.a. Jake the easygoing introvert with the word “hero” stamped on the back of his tee-shirt. Seriously, though, he’s a good guy who’s had some real tragedy in his life, but he’s determined to make it through.

I’ll give you a taste of this sweetheart’s personality with a short excerpt from the book:

Didi opened the door with a sunny smile. “Hi, Jake. I see you found me.”

On this unseasonably warm evening she was wearing cream-colored slacks and a petal-sleeved, burgundy, flowered top. Jake had remembered her as being cute, but this evening, his date was downright beautiful.

Full of admiration, his eyes widened. “Nice outfit. You look great.” He handed her the bouquet with a flourish. “I hope you like flowers.”

Didi’s face lit up with pleasure. “How thoughtful, Jake. I love flowers, and these are beautiful. Please come in for a minute, and I’ll put these in water.”

They moved into the living room as the cat from the window scampered into the room.

“Remember Maisie? I hope you’re not allergic to cats.”

“Definitely not allergic. I have a cat of my own.” He squatted down and extended his hand to the calico. “My, you’re pretty.” Maisie sidled up to him, rubbed her face against his leg, and fell in a happy heap at his feet. Doubtless, it was because his hands still smelled like the catnip he’d just given his own cat, Lucy, but there was no need to share that information with Didi.

“Little flirt.” Didi slanted her head. “I’m shocked. Maisie’s usually wary of men, so this is a monumental occasion. Look at her. She’s practically batting her eyelashes at you.”

Jake hoped to have Didi batting lashes at him soon, but for now, winning over her cat was a good start.

Sounds like a guy you’d like to take home to mother, doesn’t he?

Definitely! Share two things you learned during either the writing or publication process of this book.

Everything takes longer than expected but you make some wonderful friends along the way.

And speaking of friends, in the Christian world, publishing is not only about what sells, but also about how to get the word out there that God loves us unconditionally and He wants to have a real, exciting, personal relationship with His children. If we are all focusing on this truth as a team, nobody loses. I am blessed to work with so many remarkable authors who feel the same way.

What do you hope readers will tell others when they've finished the book?

I will share a review I received on Amazon that made my heart soar. As an author, hearing words like this are so very uplifting because you feel the reader actually “got” what you were trying so hard to convey. A humbling moment that truly brought tears to my eyes and a “Thank you, Jesus”:

This story certainly didn’t disappoint! The characters were engaging and well developed. In fact, they practically came to life and jumped right off the page. On the surface, this was a romantic tale with a suspenseful twist, but on a deeper level, this story explored the love of God and many other Christian issues. As the story unfolded, it discussed the complexity of dating relationships and the consequences of certain choices. I appreciated how the author gave the characteristics of abusive relationships and explained how a person could get out of one. I also appreciated the emphasis the author put on God. I thought this was a truly wonderful book. It had romance, suspense, and a beautiful, redemptive message. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.

What are you reading now?

I’m SO glad you asked that question. I stayed up until 3:00 a.m. this morning reading an advance copy of YOUR new novel, UnderStory. That’s another cool thing about being an author—getting to read some stellar books before anyone else!

Blushing...Thanks, Jan. What's next for you?

I’ve just finished writing a Christmas novella for a boxed set with four other inspirational authors. The set is called Frosting and Flurries and there is a cake and a celebration featured in each book somewhere. My book is titled Moostletoe, set in a fictional town in Maine called Moose Creek. Here’s the short blurb:

Rev. Samantha Evans lands in Moose Creek, Maine, where parishioners chew up new ministers for breakfast. Happily, she also reunites with forest ranger Eric Palmer, her best friend from her teenage years. With Samantha’s career on the line, Eric must save her job and rescue his own shattered heart in the process. But where does Matilda the moose factor in?  

At the moment, I am writing book 2 in the series, tentatively titled Moosed Opportunities. Lots of fun!

That does sound like fun. Can't wait to see it in print. I've got Love, Lies, and Fireflies on my list. Watch for a review!

About Jan

Jan Elder is an inspirational romance writer with a passion for telling stories other women can relate to on a deep level. She strives to write the kind of book that will strengthen the reader’s faith, introducing the reader to a loving and forgiving Lord who walks beside us in our daily lives, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love story.  

Happily married for thirteen years to loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along with Jamie (a chubby black and white tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a willowy tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside in search of the perfect ice cream flavor.

Connect with Jan:

http://janelderauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/janice.elder.author

https://twitter.com/JanElderAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13261561.Jan_Elder

https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Elder/e/B00VXW5F2C/