Obedient Unto Death by Liisa Eyerly debut historical fiction

 

Obedient Unto Death

Liisa Eyerly

Christian historical fiction

March 22, 2022

CrossRiver Media

355 pp

 

$15.99 Print

$4.99 Ebook

 

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About the Book

Christians under the rule of Emperor Domitian walk a lethal tight-rope between evangelism and martyrdom.  Sabina, a young Christian widow, knows this better than most, her Roman magistrate father is sworn to uphold the decrees of Rome and arrest any Christian who refuses to worship the Emperor.

     Her separate worlds collide when a young scribe is murdered at a house church, and her pastor confesses to the crime. With his execution imminent, Sabina sets out to prove his innocence, but to do so she must defy the laws banning her faith, and step beyond the privileged and sheltered world she has grown-up in.

     When a pagan idol is found hidden in the dead man’s robe, she soon discovers the life of this faithful scribe is anything but simple. Dogged by the scribe’s brother demanding justice for the death, they begrudgingly agree to join forces. They uncover fragments of a burnt scroll leading to the underworld of a mysterious Gnostic sect. The closer she gets to solving the murder, the more she endangers her family, the security of her Christian community, and her life. Can this collision between faith and Roman law bring anything but disaster? 

 

My Revew

Eyerly’s debut is a deeply moving mystery set in an exotic location during treacherous times. In ancient Ephesus, a death at a forbidden Christian worship service rocks the early church. One of the worshippers happens to be the daughter of the Roman magistrate of the cosmopolitan Greek city. Sabina is not willing to call her friend Benjamin’s death an accident or the will of God, and uses her unusual upbringing as the lonely daughter of a single father who raised her to challenge myth and tales through the lens of practical stoicism and facts.

 

Obedient Unto Death is a fascinating mix of faith and life in ancient times, told in a way that brings Ephesus to life. Readers walk with Sabina as she defies the Romans, the Ephesians who want to ban the Christian sect, other secret sects, and even her family and friends to get to the truth behind the death of a rising leader in her church.

 

Told through Sabina’s eyes, this inspirational story set during the era of the early church will keep you turning pages as she uses the four days her father gives her to unmask the real murderer or watch their congregation’s pastor die for the crime. Sabina finds Benjamin’s brother dodging her steps as he, too, is on a quest to find his brother’s killer, as well as learn more about his life. Colorful characters from Sabina’s cool, classic Roman father to her nurse to church members who all seem to have some sort of secret people this un-putdownable book. Standalone, but with future stories to come, readers who enjoy mysteries in any era will find much to love about Obedient Unto Death.

 

About the Author

Liisa Eyerly is the author of two Christian mystery novels set in ancient Ephesus. She is a retired elementary teacher and school librarian but will never retire from inciting the thrill of reading in all ages.

She has lived in some of the most beautiful areas of the U.S. The passion for exploring new places and connecting with people began there and inspired her writing. Her publishing career started after getting married, teaching, raising three children, opening a small business, closing her small business, and finally getting serious about writing. Check out her blog at www.liisaeyerly.com

New YA fiction from Kent Raddatz on bullying

The Boy Who Dreamed

Kent Raddatz

Young Adult

Fantasy

Kent Raddatz, publisher

May, 2020

Ebook - $2.99

Paperback - $7.99

197 pp

ISBN: 979-8638-8225-07

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About the Book

Twelve-year-old Jacob Tannin is being bullied by Willard and doesn’t know what to do about it. He pretends to be invisible in the hopes that Willard will pick on someone else. It doesn’t work. And sometimes, while he’s being picked on, something sarcastic pops out of his mouth—which never goes over well. But Jacob’s also a dreamer. And when his dreams take him to another world called Chimeran, things begin to change. In Chimeran, he’s attacked by Haggeldies, a new set of bullies. But he also makes friends who try to teach him how to stand up for himself. As he goes back and forth between these two worlds, he’s forced to see others in a new way. And he’s encouraged to believe in the power that comes from what he thinks about himself. Will Jacob ever stop being afraid? What will give him the courage to speak up for himself? And how will he learn what he’s worth when bullies in both worlds say he’s nothing?

My Review:

Debut author Kent Raddatz has produced a winner for kids who like to read, especially those who read to escape problematic reality.

Jacob is every boy, on the verge of becoming a young man who is learning about the tough side of life, and deciding his path. Will he join the side that walks over those who are different, or will he develop empathy, no matter how much it hurts?

When Jacob takes that first step of reaching outside of his own insecurity, and wondering what life is like for others and realizing that everyone is a potential friend, life doesn’t get easier. Every encounter with someone in his greater, wider world shows him another piece of his developing life puzzle. Even family members become heroes when viewed through his newly maturing sight.

Raddatz’s story is told through young Jacob’s eyes, in the well-drawn voice of a twelve-year-old learning that life is bigger than himself. Reminiscent of my favorite book of all time, Dandelion Wine, readers, both boys and girls, who appreciate coming-of-age tales, watching their narrator get the big lessons and grow, will enjoy The Boy Who Dreamed.

About the Author:

Kent Raddatz is a writer and author of The Boy Who Dreamed, the story of twelve-year-old Jacob Tannin whose dreams transport him to another world. Yet the most important thing to know about Jacob is that he’s being bullied.

Professionally trained as a Pastor, Kent worked with many children who were bullied in a variety of ways. Some were physically attacked while others were verbally abused. All were forced to put up with angry people. He listened to their stories and encouraged them to accept and love who they are.

He is well suited to write about this subject because, in his own words, “at times I was bullied; while at other times I did the bullying [I was too small to use anything except my words].”

A member of SCBWI and the Wisconsin Writer’s Association, he attended the 2015 and 2017 Novel-In-Progress Book Camp where he was awarded the Fox Ridge Scholarship.

Contemporary Fiction from Deborah L King

Glory Bishop

By Deborah King

Red Adept Publishing

June 4, 2019

Urban Womens Fiction

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About the Book: 

Glory Bishop lives her life in pieces. At work and with her friends, she reads novels, speaks her mind, and enjoys slow dances and stolen kisses with her boyfriend, JT. But at home, Glory follows strict rules and second-guesses every step. Though she dreams of going to college and living like a normal teenage girl, her abusive mother has other ideas.

When JT leaves to join the navy, Glory is left alone and heartsick. The preacher's son, Malcolm Porter, begins to shower her with lavish gifts, and her mother pushes Glory to accept his advances. Glory is torn between waiting for true love with JT or giving in to the overzealous Malcolm.

When a stranger attacks Glory on the street, Malcolm steps in to rescue her, and her interest in him deepens. But the closer she gets to him, the more controlling he becomes. Glory must eventually decide whether to rely on others or to be her own savior. 

My Review:

King’s tale of a teenager from a dysfunctional and spiritually damaged family falling in with an equally damaged husband shakes one’s soul.

Downtown Chicago, present day. Demons are alive and well—no, not spec fiction demons, the biblical demons that only Glory’s mother can experience. Glory Bishop’s mother is determined to raise a godly daughter according to standards that only mother can exact. The godliness comes about by regular beatings and a Spartan existence inside the home, and regular attendance at the opulent Baptist Church run by the “first couple,” who live an envious, glamorous life.

Glory is allowed to attend public high school where she enjoys her classes and friends, and is exposed to the evils of the world, which must regularly be expunged. One of Glory’s escapes is visiting the beauty salon where her mother goes for weekly appointments. Glory accidentally meets Herschel, the flamboyant and exemplar of parental kindness who for the coming years makes Glory’s life bearable. Glory has a secret—a wedding at age five with the love of her life, JT; a relationship Herschel helps hide. When Glory learns no relationship is sacred and her heart is broken, she feels adrift. Although creeped out by the attention of their pastor’s son Malcolm, a man a decade older who has hidden personality traits we suspect, Glory’s mother pushes them together. When the ominous music starts in the reader’s mind, we want to scream at Glory not to run into the dark woods where monsters hide, just like in the movies. We’re helpless as we watch events unfold and Glory is slowly sucked toward a cesspool covered with illusionary beauty.

Glory Bishop is a cautionary tale of societal prejudice toward outward appearances. Don’t let them fool you. Recommended for readers of contemporary family issue-laden stories with lots of colorful drama.

About the Author:

Deborah King has been a writer and storyteller her whole life. She published her first short story when she was seven years old. Her writing runs the gamut from poetry and women’s fiction, to espionage and science fiction. When she’s not writing, Deborah enjoys cartoons, cooking, photography, and Star Trek. Born and raised in Chicago, Deborah has managed to achieve all of her childhood dreams and still lives in the area with her husband and two youngest children. According to her daughter, she has “literally aced her life!”

Debut Young Adult

Spoken by Melanie Weiss

Young Adult fiction

March 2019 Rosehip Publishing

$7.99 Ebook

$9.99 Print

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About the Book:

High school freshman Roman Santi has everything -- good looks, great friends, a mansion with an infinity swimming pool -- except the one thing he really wants. A relationship with his father.

When Roman’s life gets turned upside down, (thanks, Mom!?), he is forced to leave his pampered Hollywood lifestyle and move into his grandparents’ Midwestern home. Sleeping on a lumpy pullout sofa and starting at a new high school is the worst, but Roman’s life starts to look up when his pink-haired friend, Zuzu, and his crush, a classmate named Claire, introduce him to performance poetry through the high school's Spoken Word Club. While his mom is flying back and forth to L.A., trying to return them to the life they had, Roman becomes part of a diverse group of characters who challenge his rather privileged view of the world. Through Spoken Word, Roman recognizes the hole in his own life he needs to fill and discovers his voice. Spoken Word leads Roman on a journey of new friendships, first love, and finding the dad he never knew.

“Spoken” is an uplifting, funny, and heartfelt coming-of-age story that captures how the honesty of performance poetry binds together students from all different walks of life and forever changes Roman’s life.

Review:

Weiss’s debut young adult fiction captures the angst and inner workings of a teenager, Roman Santi, whose life is turned from mansion with a housekeeper in LA to sleeping on grandma’s sofa bed with a statue of the Buddha staring at him. The novel is a lovely, refreshingly sweet and poignant story about a kid not warped by society whose goal is to simply live happily ever after, be a friend, find friends, but also to find the father he’s never known. One of my favorite lines is from Roman’s first day at his new school, when he’s challenged by his mother’s over-the-top appearance as a minor movie star in exile: “Welcome to my world, where I’m happy my hippie grandma is the one taking me to school today.”

Everybody knows about being fifteen. Teens suffer amid the transcending moments. Roman finds his transcending moment when a poem and a girl spark his interest and he joins an after-school poetry club. Weiss, a trained journalist, writes what she knows about Midwestern living and the experiences of the Spoken Word movement in high school. She shares about her inspiration for the novel. During the late nineties, when the character Roman was born, Spoken Word was incorporated into the English classroom in Oak Park. Weiss credits this performance writing as a means for students to share their struggles and triumphs. Her character. Roman, found his niche in his program, although he decides not to share his poetry with his family. “The only way I can be real about what I write is if I know I won’t have to explain myself to them,” Roman says. Participating in Spoken Word allows him to uncork his bottle of stuffed feelings about his place in life, his environment, and his upbringing.

 When an opportunity to go to Europe arises from a Spoken Word competition, Roman, with the encouragement of his friend Zuzu, takes a step on a journey to find his father. Roman knows only that his father is a French cruise ship entertainer his mother met the summer they both worked on board. But first he has to earn the right to be part of the poetry team to compete against their London counterparts.

Roman shares his story through first-person present tense narrative, an effective method of bonding the reader to him. Spoken is not one of those in-your-face epic hero journeys. It’s a rare school year peek into contemporary high school freshman year, where the onus to grab life and make meaningful memories in on us. It’s difficult to find comparisons to today’s contemporary YA. Spoken is a finely-tuned story about coming to grips with identity without needing to kill, die, have sex, or do drugs. The cover is an evocative rendering of experiencing not only what you learn, but how you can share it.

About the Author:

I am a member of the Chicago Writers Association and live in Oak Park, IL. As a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, I have worked as a journalist and in marketing. This is my first novel. 

The Arrow Bringer by Lisa Mayer

The Arrow Bringer 

Book one of the Alethian Journeys
Lisa R Mayer

releases March 2019

Write Integrity Press

E-book $6.99
Print $15.99

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About the Book

Evie could’ve saved Aletheia. Now it might be too late.

Evie Lewis has just been diagnosed with leukemia at sixteen and given precious little time or hope. A powerful being called the Arrow Bringer offers her a choice: to spend her last days in peace, or save Aletheia. 

She chooses poorly. 

But when Shawn Lawrence—the closest person she has to a friend—goes in her place, Evie must save Shawn and race to fix her mistake as a shadow falls over Aletheia. Even as leukemia consumes her body, a new enemy and more imminent perils pursue her. And she must endure all to save Aletheia while keeping her darkest secret: that the destruction of Aletheia is all her fault. 

About the Author

Lisa Mayer loves Jesus and his people very much. She takes to heart, "Love the Lord your God with

all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself."

She loves her husband Rich and her furbaby, Scooby. She loves her family and friends. She loves writing. In her free time, you'll find her curled up in her superhero pajamas binge-watching her favorite TV shows or movies, catching up on her reading list, or playing Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. She loves bike-riding, adventures and traveling. She crosses something off my bucket list every year.

She’s a total nerd and not afraid to be different. She has anxiety and OCD and is a proud mental health warrior who wants to break the stigma of mental health.

She writes because she loves it, but most of all because she loves Jesus and her readers. She hopes her books will reflect who she is: someone who wants to inspire others and make a difference. She hopes they give you a serious case of the feels, and that they make you laugh. Most of all, she hopes they help you know just how much Jesus loves you. 

A Brief Interview with the Author

What do you love about your first book?

There’s a quote that really resonates with me—a Writer is a World trapped in a person. The Arrow Bringer is the first time I opened my heart wide enough for the whole world to fall in. It’s a terrifying thing—to put your words on a page. Because in those words, in those characters, in that story… is me. My doubts and fears, my hopes and dreams, my sense of humor, my relationship with God. Within those pages, you’ll find everything I am within a story that I wrote and dedicate to you with love.

Tell us something you learned about the story in your research.

The thing that surprised me most as a writer was that I could write a scene I didn’t plan on or didn’t see coming. I would plan everything to go or be a certain way, and then suddenly—BAM! It’d be something else entirely. What also surprised me was how much of my heart and soul I poured into my characters. There’s a lot of me in them, and sometimes even the person I’d like to be. I would actually find myself learning from them and be inspired by them. It’s true that there’s a world trapped inside me. And sometimes the person who’s most surprised by that… is me.

Introduce us to the most difficult character.

There is one character who demanded more from me, and that was Liana. Liana started off as a minor male character named Lian. He didn’t have much of a part, and he’d pop up from time to time. Then someone pointed out to me that my book needed another strong female lead, and so Lian became Liana. And the more I got to know her, the more I loved her. She’s honestly strong in a way I wish I could be—speaking my mind, not caring what anyone thinks, and being completely herself all the time no matter what it means. She’s now one of my favorites, and so much more interesting as a girl.

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

I know that allegory is not that popular. I really hope that readers won’t just see the allegory. I’ll hope they’ll see that The Arrow Bringer is a story about them. That life is messy and complex, and yet it is beautiful. That we all have a special calling, we all matter, and every single one of us is irreplaceable. I hope The Arrow Bringer will challenge them, inspire them, and make them laugh. Mostly, I just really hope they’ll like it.

What are you reading now?

I am currently reading The Mortality Doctrine series by James Dasher. I love young adult novels and have a whole bunch of them on my shelf to read.

What's next for you?

I’m looking forward to the release of the next books of The Aletheian Journeys series. Two are already done and one more I’m about to start editing. Now comes the hard part—marketing. But what I really hope to do is connect with my readers. I hope to meet them, get to know them, and be part of their lives.

Social Media links:

Website:www.lisarmayer.com

Twitter @LisaRMayer2019

Instagram: author_lisa_r_mayer_2019

Facebook: Author-Lisa R Mayer

Emily Conrad and Justice

Justice by Emily Conrad

Christian romance

Pelican Ventures

March 2018

Ebook $4.99

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About the Book

Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she's pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it. As Brooklyn wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake, she can't bring herself to tell him the truth. To make matters worse, if the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake's coffee shop has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both. Can Jake and Brooklyn overcome the obstacles thrown in their path, and finally find the truth in God's love and in each other?

My review

At the core, this story’s title is the one-word bare truth of each character’s reality. Revenge, payback, responsibility, love, forgiveness, and loss all expose the depth of faith and steer the course toward Justice.

Friends from childhood, Jake and Brooklyn can’t seem to figure out what being in love with each other might look like. Their buddies and parents all expected them to marry long since, but Jake and Brooklyn explore relationships with others while they learn to navigate the scary world of responsible adulthood. When the time is finally right for them to move toward each other, crisis inflamed with outside jealousy steps between them. It takes ever-maturing belief to weather the storms, and a lot of help from their friends in an attempt to step back and find the bigger picture.

Jake is a driven young man, full of life and faith, overcoming the devastating death of his father and rising above to operate a popular business while making a difference, or trying to, in the lives of young people at church. Jake tries to follow in the footsteps of his bigger-than-life father, as well as fight the good fight of faith and hormones in the teenagers he wants to influence. He just can’t seem to work up the courage to show his longtime female buddy how he feels. Brooklyn is a naïve young woman who tortures herself by living in the shadow of her dysfunctional and cruel mother. She tries to convince herself that she’s not good enough for anyone, especially God, but has the sense to reach out to a wonderful group of women role models and finally, the person she’s leaned on for most of her life, Jake. When everything goes south, it’s grow up or shut up time. Jake falls back on his deep-seated anger while Brooklyn begins to understand the meaning and sacrifice of forgiveness. Watching their journeys crisscross and wander is a delight. Well-done.

Most of the side stories are woven beautifully into the thread of the story; the biggest one, that of the business competitor, feels a little like a shiny thread that is rough against the grain. While it’s more realistic to be on the side of the victim and not truly understand the hows of the vengeance-seeking little demagogue, I am left feeling a little puzzled. It’s like the scratchy tag on the inside of your shirt. Jake has some growing-up to do, and his business rival helps him learn, on a lesser scale, the lesson in forgiveness that Brooklyn is teaching him through her own faith expedition.

Told through multiple viewpoints, this debut novel is rich in Christian faith portrayal, and not shy about the depth and realities of sin. The characters have great dialog and emotional depth which spoke to me. Those who read deeply inspirational romantic fiction will find much to love about Justice.

About the Author

Emily Conrad writes Christian fiction. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two 60+ pound rescue dogs. Some of her favorite things (other than Jesus and writing, of course) are coffee, walks, and road trips to the mountains. She also blogs and offers free short stories at EmilyConradAuthor.com.

debut historical fiction from Jennifer Trethewey

Tying the Scot

Jennifer Trethewey

Historical Romance

Series

c. November 2017

Entangled Amara

Ebook $3.99

Print – coming soon

Audible

Buy on Amazon

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About the Book:

At age eleven, Alex Sinclair pledges an oath to the Duke of Chatham promising to serve and protect his illegitimate daughter, Lucy FitzHarris. Nine years later, the duke unexpectedly takes Alex up on his vow, offering the future Laird of Balforss his daughter’s hand in marriage.

Now a man, hotheaded Alex has difficulty convincing Lucy—who would rather starve to death than marry a vulgar Scot—to go through with the arranged marriage. Once Lucy arrives in Scotland, she cannot resist the magic of Balforss or the allure of her handsome Highland warrior. But when Alex seemingly betrays Lucy right before their wedding, she is tricked into running away. Alex must rein in his temper to rescue his lady from unforeseen danger and Lucy must swallow her pride if she hopes to wed the Highlander she has come to love.

My review:

Charming and delightful debut novel, wonderfully done. As described, it’s a marriage meant to be in the best interest of all parties—the illegitimate daughter of a Duke will never be accepted in London society, so is given to her father’s good friend and business partner’s son. Unfortunately, Lucy must travel north, away from everything she’s loved and known. Fortunately, Alex has grown up into a fine man. Lucy learns quickly there is much to love about Balforss, Alex’s home, and Alex, too—temper, playfulness, loyalty. Never having had a mother, she quickly takes to Alex’s family and their ways, and just when she’s decided that marriage better come fast before she and Alex get carried away, her past catches up to her.

I must say, with all the hype anticipating this book I was prepared for a bedroom romp, but the story is far from it. Sure, there’s sensual tension, but nothing out of the ordinary, and leads up to a highly anticipated wedding night. Well done, well crafted story to avoid being another cliché romance.

Told in multiple viewpoints from several characters, the author’s first book in the series shows adept, organic handling of customs, language and historical events without banging the reader over the head with brogue or unusual, unexplained practices or words. Some language. Tender and tough in all the right places. Recommended for those who enjoy Scottish or otherwise early nineteenth century historical romance and intrigue.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jennifer Trethewey and I write about men in kilts because, hey, what’s not to love about a man in a kilt? I was lucky enough to travel to Scotland twice. I have fallen in love with the Highlands and all things Scottish: the people, their language, cuisine, customs, idioms, humor, history, intense sense of pride, and, most of all, the land—the perfect setting for sweeping romantic tales of love, strife, and glory. As they say, Scotland is pure dead brilliant!

I’m an actress, former co-artistic director of a professional theater company, and my husband and I operate an improv comedy club. I live with my comedian husband in the Midwest where I’ve been ever since college.

I write both contemporary and historical fiction full time. I like to read romance, mystery, fantasy, and paranormal, as well as literary fiction and non-fiction. I love movies and music and dogs and good wine and I love to enjoy them all with my friends.

Picking Daisy by Kimberly Miller

Daisy Parker isn’t the woman that rock star Robby Grant would have imagined himself falling for. She’s soft-spoken, sweet, and lives by a strange code the struggling musician is recognizing as Biblical. And he’s helpless against it. Even if Daisy is hard-pressed to believe that a man like Robby would see her—a woman long forgotten by the rest of the world—as anything more than a step back to his career. But Robby challenges Daisy in ways she’d long avoided. With their mutual love of music, it seems nothing can separate them—not Daisy’s wheelchair or Robby’s ego. As Robby grows into the man he’s long dreamed of being, Daisy dares to trust again. But will this sweet melody last?

$4.99 eBook
$15,99 Print
Buy on Amazon

An Interview with the Author

Kimberly, what do you love about this book?
I love that Daisy and Robby are interesting and (I hope) believable characters. I also love that I’m able to use this medium to stretch people in their perceptions of beauty and the way we often treat each other.

Share two or three things you learned either personally, publishing-wise, or about your topic while writing this book.
Although I already understood that research was so important to the success of a novel, I definitely saw that in practice with this piece. I interviewed a friend numerous times regarding her experience with being in a wheelchair—in terms of relationships and just day to day frustrations. It was beyond helpful. And the greatest compliment I got so far on the novel was when she read it and said ‘that’s what it’s like’ and pointed to a passage from the book.

Introduce us to your sweetest character.
Daisy is by far the sweetest character, but she isn’t a pushover either. While she sees the best in people and wants to help others, she also sees Robby as a human being rather than a celebrity. This is important for his growth as well as hers.

What are you reading now?
The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore (I am a huge fan of Wonder Woman and this book has been waiting on my stack of to-be-read books for some time.)

What’s next for you?
Right now I’m back to teaching for the year so my writing will likely have to slow down as I focus on that. But I do have a contract on my second novel, Forgiving Tess, and a novella I’ve submitted. I am working on editing another novel and have had several requests already for a sequel to Picking Daisy—so I’m thinking on that too. Even when I can’t write as much, I still find I’m writing anyway.

Short excerpt from Picking Daisy
“You’ve been in love, haven’t you?” Robby accused with a wicked grin.

Daisy willed herself not to blush. “We aren’t talking about me.”

Robby leaned back in his seat and put his feet up. “With me?”

Daisy laughed easily. “No.”

Robby grimaced. “Not even before we met? What about when I was on TV? Did you love me then? I’ll bet you thought I was hot. Probably told Nick you wanted my autograph.”

Daisy ignored him as best she could while she scanned the lyrics in his notebook, finding the word love scattered like bullet holes throughout. There was little worth saving in what he’d written.
She glanced up at him, still frustrated. “I think Nick wanted me to fall in love with you, but I wasn’t interested—your life isn’t…reality. Mine is.” She pointed to the notebook. “Now, for the real problem. You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re forgetting the man under all those tattoos, the guy with a heart and feelings and…it’s common sense that I can’t possibly fall in love with someone I didn’t know until a few days ago.”

When Robby looked at her blankly, she continued. “Love is more than physical attraction. It’s understanding someone’s heart, it’s…” her voice drifted off and she paused. “I’m willing to help you if you want.” Daisy gestured to the notebook. “These lyrics are crap. Stop worrying whether or not I was in love with you—which I was not—and worry how to fix these.”

 Robby slowly sat up straight, placing his feet on the floor as he did. “Yes, ma’am,” he muttered. “What now?”

 Daisy had broken through. She drew a deep breath. It felt so good to be in control of something again she promised herself to stay focused and not let go. She drew a line over the entire page and smiled.

“Now we start over.”

About the Author
Kimberly Miller is a writer of novels and screenplays. She also teaches college-level writing and film courses.


When she isn't writing, you can find Kimberly reading, making jewelry, watching movies, or spending time with her family camping.

Connect with her on

Twitter 

Facebook

web:

https://kimberlymmiller.wordpress.com/

http://millerkm.weebly.com/  

Touring with Barbara Britton and her book Providence

Today we welcome debut author Barbara M. Britton.

Barbara, welcome!


Providence: Hannah’s Journey was a blessing to write, edit, and share with the world. Little did I know when I wrote this novel, that its theme would carry me through a challenging time in my own life. My main character, Hannah bat Zebula, is on a mission to find the prophet of Israel and find out what she needs to do to be healed from deformities she has suffered since birth. Hannah goes through many trials. Conflict and tension are mainstays in modern day writing, but as a writer, you want the chaos to stay on the page.

The theme I chose for Hannah is—God is in control even in the chaos of life. Great theme, eh? It was and is today. After I sold my story to Pelican Book Group and finished my edits, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. A lumpectomy and radiation were supposed to take care of the cancer. Though, after surgery, I still had cancer. What? That’s what I said. This news was a major bummer with major chaos. But, I remembered my theme. Through much prayer and consultations with doctors, I became a cancer ninja. I battled cancer with a bi-lateral mastectomy, physical therapy, and radiation. Is the cancer gone? The doctors are hopeful. I’m hopeful. I’m also prayerful.

I received my galley for Providence: Hannah’s Journey after my second surgery. I had to laugh at the timing. God knew I needed a distraction from hospitals and doctors and needles. What a blessing to focus on my debut novel rather than cancer, prosthetics, or a recurrence. Jesus was my rock. His gift of writing served as a diversion from the chaos of cancer.

That’s not all. Through radiation, I edited my second book in the Tribes of Israel series. Another wonderful distraction. Would I change anything? No, because God, in all His providence, knows what journey is best for me. And, I couldn’t have asked for a better release month for my print edition than October—Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I urge all my female readers to get regular 3D mammography. If something shows up, do not wait to have a biopsy. Cancer doesn’t want to be found. And remember, if you receive a cancer diagnosis, God is still in control. His church and His people can walk beside you on your journey.
Because He lives, I can face the chaos of life.

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My website: www.barbarambritton.com
Facebook
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My real name is Barbara M. Britton. The journeys will continue in February with “Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey.”

 
Thanks to Barbara for stopping by today. Be sure to pick up her debut Biblical fiction, Providence: Hannah's Journey.
 

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Visit all the stops along the tour

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.

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.

Grace in the Flames by Michelle Massaro, giveaway

Debut Release by Michelle Massaro:

Grace in the Flames

"I couldn't put it down, consider yourself warned."

~ Amazon reviewer

About the book:

Three people. One God of grace.

John Douglas thought he knew the future God had for him--raise a family and grow old with his bride, Hannah. But then a deadly house fire incinerates his faith, destroying the man he’d been.

Worship leader Jenni Dupont conquered her demons years ago and has the scars to prove it. But temptation strikes when her world is shattered, and this time she's not sure if God can carry her through.

Bar waitress April Johanson lives with the secret trauma of an abusive past. Desperate to stay off the streets of Vegas, she’ll do whatever is necessary to pay the rent.

When their lives intersect, God will ask them to do the impossible. To love Him even if…

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>>Buy on Amazon<<

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What readers are saying:

• "intense"
• "I was hooked from the first chapter"
• "outstanding debut novel"
• "couldn't put it down"

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Enter a drawing for a free copy--comment by Wednesday, March 16, noon Central

Tweet or otherwise post online about the book with the Amazon link (http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA) and be entered to receive a free digital copy of the book. (suggested tweetables provided at end of this post.) Then, share a link to your post in the comments section of this blog, and tell me what your favorite Easter tradition or song is. Mine: The End of the Beginning (David Phelps)... chills every time!

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Michelle, what made you write this story?

The story premise came to me as I was just pondering my faith, asking myself how deep does it go, would it survive if truly challenged? The characters wrestle with some of life's toughest questions—How could God let this happen to me? Where is God when my heart is breaking? I believe in God, but my hurt is so big I’m not sure He’s enough. These are all thoughts that I've encountered in my life as well.

But even when life is unbearably hard, God is right there placing our tears in a bottle and inviting us into His arms to carry us through. I hope readers come away with a better sense of that truth when they read Grace in the Flames.

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What's next?

I’m about to release my second novel, a fun dual-genre story I co-wrote with the amazing April W Gardner called Better than Fiction. It’s a Women’s fiction wrapped around a historical romance set in 1916 Corona during the height of its auto racing glory. The short description is:

While creating a fictional romance between her 1916 heroine and a reckless racecar driver, a novelist falls prey to an emotional affair with the man who inspires her handsome hero.

Corona, California is my hometown and it’s been a blast to dig into our rich history. The release will coincide with the town’s 100th anniversary of the final race, and we are so excited! We have a Facebook page set up for the book: www.facebook.com/betterthanfiction2016 and will be offering a free digital copy to subscribers, so check that out, too!

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About the Author:

MICHELLE MASSARO writes contemporary fiction soaked in grace. She makes her home in Southern California with her husband of over two decades and their four children. She’s dabbled in homeschooling, teaching Creation Science, and leading worship. When she isn’t tinkering with words, Michelle enjoys old Rogers and Hammerstein movies, making kefir, and Sudoku. A new lipstick and a good French roast always make her happy.

Sign up for bonuses and insider info:

Newsletter

Connect with her online:

Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

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Tweetables:

"I was hooked from the first chapter" Check out Grace in the Flames! #NewRelease #ChristianFiction http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA

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"intense" Grace in the Flames is now in the #Kindle store! http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA

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"couldn't put it down" ~ check out new #Christian #novel Grace in the Flames! http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA

Elaine Stock and her novel Always With You

About Always With You:

Can she move forward without knowing her past?

Will he enjoy his present if he can’t free himself from what he left behind?

In the heart of the Adirondacks, Isabelle lives in the shadow of a dark family secret whose silent burden strips her family of emotional warmth and faith in God. Tyler belongs to the religious sect called The Faithful, which Isabelle’s father dislikes immensely. Yet, because Tyler belongs to this group, Isabelle sees only a man devoted to his family and faith.

She wants it; she gets it; they marry.

And when the truth comes out, Isabelle faces two choices:

Staying could endanger her child.

Leaving could cost her life.

Buy the book:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JYAwNy

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1PfRyXX

A Brief Interview with Elaine Stock:

What do you love about this book?

One of my passions is helping to stamp out hatred and prejudice between different races and faiths. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY during the 60s, surrounded by civil rights protests. In my youngest years I was raised in what was considered as a very poor section, filled with “lower class” people, which I was typecast into. I never understood why there was so much misunderstanding and name-calling, why people refused to get along, and why those who did not live in East New York failed to respect us as human beings who had the same needs as anyone else.

Many years later, tragically, 9-11 struck.

Always With You is my attempt to show that God created us as equals and loves us all the same… it is up to us to follow Him the way He wants us to.

Share one or two things you learned during researching or publishing this book

As a former psychology major I’m fascinated by the why behind hatred. I researched a lot to grasp the motivation behind these emotional preferences. It was only when I learned that these people not only justify their feelings but also develop an entire lifestyle behind it that swallows them whole did I begin to understand (though not condone!) the whys behind their action.

Introduce us to your most difficult character.

I like challenges in my writing. Each of my characters in Always With You provided their own unique test. In creating Isabelle I had to make her a naïve but intelligent young woman who at first stands up for what she wants but puts aside her independence when love blindsides her. Tyler is a wounded man, wanting to give to his family and his faith so much out of his heart that he refuses to see the harm he surrounds his loved ones in. However, my most villainous character, the group leader, Thomas, is a hating machine—he had to be portrayed as both a loving man to his devoted followers yet, willing to snuff out the lives of others who won’t follow his beliefs. Hmm. Doesn’t that seem to be the way of past and present figures who have changed the shape of the world?

What are you reading now, Elaine? 

I just finished Room by Emma Donoghue, which is an amazing story both plot wise and POV wise since it’s told strictly through the viewpoint of a five-year-old boy. I’m about to begin Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke because I enjoy WW II based fiction, especially if it’s a time-slip novel that tells a story between 2 different eras.

Can you share what's next for you?

I’m finishing up a story that involves 3 different family members that all need rescuing within 1 week’s time and for different reasons.

Sounds complicated and excited. I look forward to trying it out. Best wishes, Elaine, and thanks for coming. 

About the Author:

A former Brooklyn gal, Elaine Stock lives in the Northeast with her husband where she enjoys spring, summer, autumn, and puts up with the winter. A member of several writing associations, she also is a contributing author to the international “Happy Sis Magazine.” In addition to Twitter  Facebook  and Goodreads  she hangs out on her active blog, Everyone’s Story, dedicated to uplifting and encouraging all readers through the power of story and hope. Check out her Reading Group Guide her website.

My review:

Always With You is a cautionary tale of the dangers of keeping secrets, of following after false impressions, of swallowing one side of a truth as presented.

Lonely young people, one from a family of violent abusers and another from an austere but comfortable home, find each other during a moment of terror. Isabelle, a high school grad and waiting to get into the college of her dreams is rescued by Tyler, who lives on a compound of an outwardly innocent community. After her knight comes to her aid, she battles her family and the suspicions of her small town to look beyond their animosity toward the group who keeps itself apart from Outsiders. When she knows she can’t win, she surrenders to the Faithful.

Tyler knows inwardly all is not right with the Faithful family who rescued him and his siblings as unsecure orphans. But his desire to take care of his family, including his young wife, overrides other sensibilities and creates a desperate turmoil he doesn’t understand and does not know who to turn to for help and trust.

Told from three viewpoints, one not introduced until the last part of the story, Always With You is a frightening page turner, making any parent want to go and hug his child, no matter the age. Twists and well-planted cues lead to some inspiring aha moments, as well as the possibility of surprise in that it is not completely predictable. Recommended for those who like gritty stories of redemption and reality mixed in with credible characters in inspirational fiction.