Clash of the Titles Alliance with Joy Ohagwu and novel After

After, an inspirational novel by contemporary Christian fiction author, Joy Ohagwu, is poised to spotlight the strength in transformation, courage in love, and hope in times of despair.

PURCHASE

Amazon

About the book:

One step will transform her life.

Sixty thousand people watched as Candace Rodriguez literally fell off the stage while performing the national anthem, wrecking more than her self-esteem. Is her music career over? Now, weighing 350 pounds and jilted by her fiancé after the shame of her public fall, can she find another chance at true love? Will her new Christian faith anchor her future hopes?

Former highbrow stock trader, "JB" Patrickson has had enough of life making mockery of his best laid-out future plans. His father insisted he'd never make it more than selling " chickn" stock in Kentucky. Proving him wrong, JB succeeded at the NY Stock Exchange, becoming one of the best US traders...until the market crashed in 2008. Seven years later and mired in debt, he can't shake the urge that God is leading him down a different path. The path of accepting his grandmother's request to come help manage her farm, couple hundred miles away, despite his little to nothing knowledge about farming. Has he fallen low enough to toil with his hands to eke out a single meal? What future could God plan for him on a farm?

Twenty years after returning to the US from a fulfilling medical mission in Asia, Dr. and Dr. Mrs. Cantwell gratefully send off two sons to college, purchase a flourishing twenty-acre farm, and prepare to settle into their empty nest stage. But what will they do if God leads one more life into their path, one needing stitches of the soul not of the body? Can they answer His call to service, or will overlooked pain from the past threaten the fragile peace they'd so desperately coaxed into existence to survive together?

What our voters had to say:

--I love the book, AFTER! The cover is catchy, and the contents, inspiring!
--Congratulations, Joy! A lovely book inside and out.~~~Deirdre Lockhart
--I personally saw the love poured into writing "After" and I hope it blesses everyone who reads it! It's Awesome!!!
--CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK, JOY!!!! COVER IS ALSO FANTABULOUS!!!!
--Thumbs up, Joy!

Q: Joy, what was writing After like?

A: Thank you for asking. First, I’d like to appreciate everyone that voted for After during the COTT contest. Thank you all very much. I started writing After during NaNoWriMo 2013. Then earlier in summer 2015, after I wrote Candace in as a character for Blossom and Josh's story(which is now After 2), her personality and voice got so strong that she took over the story! It was amazing. I trusted my gut, went with the flow, and ended up publishing Candace's and JB's story as the first in the AFTER series. The AFTER series is about transformation and positively changing one’s lifestyle through fitness. But more importantly, After shows us that we should allow God to assist us in every area of our lives, especially those places where everyone expects us to fail. You can read the story here. Although I enjoyed writing about Candace and JB, I'm glad that I finally completed Blossom and Josh's story as well and it released as After 2 in November 2015.

Q: Can you share with us about your next book?

A: Sure. I'd love to. I'm presently writing Uncommon Ground, the first book in a romantic suspense series, and I’ll share what the story is about. Stella is a widow who's juggling a career and raising an older teen that doesn't believe in God. A disaster occurs that separates them and turns their world upside down. Stella's concerns multiply in the ensuing chaos after she meets Michael, a Christian man with a mysterious past and she wonders how many more unseen twists God trusts her to handle. Like Psalm 68 verse 5 says, God is a defender of the widows. Uncommon Ground is a story where we can identify with each of the characters’ struggles, and if we let it, it can potentially kick our faith higher into greater dimensions. After reading Uncommon Ground, we get to appreciate some of the things we usually take for granted as Christians. Uncommon Ground becomes available for preorder Jan 1, 2016, and I pray everyone gets their copy.

Thank you very much for having me here. God bless you!

About Bestselling Author Joy Ohagwu:

Joy Ohagwu is the bestselling author of The New Rulebook suspense series. Her novels are romantic suspense and inspirational stories geared to engage, inspire and entertain readers. She earned a Masters' Degree in International Affairs from American University, Washington DC; and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Professionally, she’s been honored with multiple awards for pioneer academic research, student leadership and overall excellence. Joy is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers(ACFW) organization. She pens stories during evenings, weekends, and whenever the food takes too long to cook. Despite the many hurdles she has faced, she counts God as being faithful in her life. Joy lives in the beautiful State of Maryland.

You can connect with Joy on her website, and follow her Author page.

Sweet historical holiday novella from Susan Baganz Fragile Blessings

Part of the Love's Christmas PAST collection from Prism Book Group
Novella Kindle ebook 99cents
Collection Print, bundled with Christmas Bells by Jewell Tweedt and A Medieval Christmas by Rachel James $13.99

From the publisher:

In the late 1800s, Grant and Lily have established their farm amongst the bluffs of western Wisconsin. As they anticipate the birth of their first child, tragedy strikes. With shaken faith and grief driving a wedge between them, is it possible for three orphans to heal Grant and Lily’s heart and relationship?

My review:

For a short read, Fragile Blessings packs a lot in, leaving the reader to ponder the events of the story long after the last page. Baganz has the ability to transport readers to the past effortlessly, making you feel as though you’re in the cabin, on the farm, or traveling through the snow with Grant and Lily.

Told from the viewpoint of the main characters, readers will struggle through emotions, tense situations, tragedy, and heartache at both sad and newfound, precious and sweet events in the lives of these settlers. Using real communities and even little facts, like the round barns built there, Fragile Blessings will stroke your heartstrings. Life and love, even faith, is a fragile entity, but the ability to grow, accept that God is in control, and move on without forgetting and through the help of loved ones, is the surest blessing. Recommended for those who like a bite of an historical inspirational story with a lot to think about.

About the author:

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

She has been published in Splickety Magazine and in the I Choose You anthology with OakTara Press. Her contemporary inspirational novels form The Orchard Hill Romances and include: Pesto & Potholes (2015),Salsa & Speed Bumps (Jan. 2016). Feta & Freeways (Sept. 2016), Root Beer & Road Blocks, Bratwurst & Bridges and Donuts & Detours.

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

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

Goodreads Book Giveaway Murder Mystery

Good Book! Inspirational Cozy Mystery by my friend, Sid Frost. Enter the Drawing.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Murder in Sun City

by Sidney W Frost

Giveaway ends February 05, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Mingle With the Authors January 30 Downtown West Bend WI

UPCOMING EVENT: MINGLE WITH THE AUTHORS, LISA and NICOLETTE PIERCE

CHOCOLATE. NEED I SAY MORE?

YOUR $25 gets you a book from each of us (I have two more coming this year, so if you want a future book, it's yours), oodles of goodies, and chocolate galore. Add the number of tickets, and hit the Add to Cart button to purchase. JANUARY 30, 3-5 PM Downtown West Bend

 

All In Books Used Bookstore

Home of Book Exchange Tuesdays!

136 N. Main Street

West Bend WI 53095

262-334-2836

http://www.allinbooks.net/

Mingle with the Authors

Michelle Lindo Rice Tell Me Lies

New Book Release: Tell Me Lies by Christian Fiction Author

Michelle Lindo-Rice

Kindle ASIN: B018EXNO70   Nook Book ISBN: 9781625179685
$3.99

Publication Date: Jan 12, 2016

Genre: Christian Fiction

About The Author

Michelle Lindo-Rice is an award winning, bestselling author of "Able to Love" and "On the Right Path" series. She enjoys crafting women's fiction with themes centered around the four "F" words: Faith, Friendship, Family and Forgiveness. She is the 2015 winner of the Black Writers And Book Clubs Rocks Author of the Year Award. www.michellelindorice.com  

About The Book

A broken heart...When Sydney Richardson meets Pastor Noah Charleston it was practically love at first sight. Sydney has battled so much deception in her personal life and in her work as an attorney, she is glad to have a perfect man she can depend on. But her Prince Charming has some secrets that are worse than Sydney could have ever imagined. What will she do when Noah's past life come to light? A broken truth… Pastor Noah Charleston has come a long way since his troubled youth. A respected Man-of-God, Noah’s long buried past emerges in the form of blackmail and threats. Noah not only fears for his safety but also for his newfound love. Will he take a chance on the truth before it’s too late? A broken trust...Newly converted Christian, Belinda Santiago, harbors a secret that could end her friendship with Sydney. She’s in love with Lance Forbes, Sydney’s ex-fiancé. When Belinda and Lance’s relationship is exposed she may have to choose between her man and her best friend. A broken man...Lance Forbes returns to Port Charlotte to make things right with Sydney, but his feelings for Belinda are in his way. Lance knows for him to become a do-right man, he must face his childhood pain. Will Lance get his act together and take a chance on love or run again?

Connect Socially Website: http://www.michellelindorice.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.lindorice 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mlindorice

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1kj24B7  Amazon: http://amzn.com/B018EXNO70

Prologue

“The rumor is three black boys killed your parents. Is it true?” 

Perched on the edge of his cot, Noah Charleston lifted his eyes to look at the four half-men standing before him. The leader of the pack, Mitch, was sixteen with a baby face, braces and bad acne around his chin. His two muscles, twins Roger and Wylie, were about a year older at seventeen. Both were built like linebackers. Finally, the Whiz, or Matthew a slender fifteen year old with glasses that took up half of his face was the brain of the group. 

“Answer him,” Roger prodded, stepping into the small cell. 

Noah shrugged. “That was a year ago.” 

“We can do something about that.” Mitch popped his gum. “Join us.” 

Noah had heard about the “Avengers” as they dubbed themselves. They ruled the juvenile detention hall and dressed in their version of combat gear: khaki pants, boots and camouflage shirts. Even the counselors were afraid of them. Noah kept to himself. Everyone pretty much left him alone. Except for today. He looked up at them. “Do I have a choice?” 

Wylie stepped forward. “Do you want me to help you make up your mind?” 

“How about I help fix that ugly face of yours?” Noah threw back. 

Wylie sprung at Noah. Noah jumped to his feet and sidestepped the much bigger guy. Then he bashed Wylie in the back of the head. Roger lunged at him. 

“Quit it,” Mitch bellowed. “Leave him alone.” 

Roger’s chest heaved but he backed off. His eyes held a threat. Noah met his gaze, daring him to bring it. 

“I like your heart,” Mitch said. “We need you.” 

“I like my own company,” Noah said. 

“We have something you want,” the Whiz said. His voice was barely above a whisper. He wheezed his words as if he was always in need of an asthma pump. 

“You don’t have—” Noah’s eyes widened. The Whiz held a crumpled 3x5 photograph in his hand. Noah snatched it, “Where did you find this?” 

“We have our ways,” Mitch bragged. 

Noah squinted.

“I hacked into the computer system,” the Whiz said. This time he coughed at the end of his words. “I know who took your picture.” 

“We’ve handled him.” Mitch’s tone was solemn. 

“That’s why you should be thanking us,” Wyle said, rubbing the back of his head.

Noah looked at the photograph of his parents and closed his eyes to keep the tears from falling. It was his most prized possession. When he had been sent here to the juvenile home two months ago, Noah had placed it under his pillow before lunch. When he checked for it later that night, it had been gone. He searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. That was the first time since his parents’ funeral Noah had cried himself to sleep. “Thank you,” he grounded out. 

“Thank us by joining us,” Mitch said. The Whiz held up a picture. It was an African-American by the name of Tony Billows who had taken it. 

Noah clenched his fists. “Where is he?” 

“In the hospital with some missing teeth,” Roger said. 

“And a missing pinky,” Wylie added. 

Noah blinked. He would have settled it with a well-deserved punch or two. Not doing Tony serious injury. “That was vicious.” 

“It was a message. You mess with one of us you mess with us all. We’re a family,” Mitch said. 

“The Avengers,” Wylie and Roger said in unison. They held out their fists.

Noah had reservations but Mitch had used the magic word. Family. Noah wanted family. He made a fist and the boys all did a fist bump. “The Avengers,” he said.

“Welcome,” Mitch said.

“Glad to have you,” The Whiz whispered. “Now, let’s get you some proper clothes and a haircut.” Noah swallowed his reservations. He had a family again. Nothing else mattered. 

To Read the first three chapters, click here: http://michellelindorice.blogspot.com/2015/09/tell-me-lies-prologue-and-first-three.html

New Suspense from Linda Glaz Fear Is Louder than Words

Book Review for Linda Glaz, Fear is Louder Than Words

From the publisher:

Rochelle Cassidy has the perfect life as a radio talk show host in the Detroit market, but her celebrity status doesn't stop an angry listener from wanting her ... dead. Ed McGrath's ideal life as a pro-hockey player doesn't include a damsel in distress until the night he discovers Rochelle being attacked in a deserted parking structure.

Circumstances throw them together in more ways than one when Rochelle's producer plays matchmaker. A sick boy, a corrupt politician, and questionable medical practices put more than merely Rochelle in danger, and still, her attacker shadows her every step.

Will Ed be able to break through her trust issues in order to protect her, or will she continue to see him as Detroit's bad boy athlete? Her life AND his depend on it.

ISBN 978-1941103500

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

December, 2015

99cent Kindle

$9.95paperback

My review:

The motor-mouth princess, Rochelle “taking a stand against hell” freely opines from her conservative Christian radio talk show. Getting into trouble upon occasion comes with the territory, like from a politician exposed for corrupt practices, and all kinds of hate mail. When the hate mail has a stalker behind it, however, life turns upside down.

Glaz’s novel about wounded and empty souls will touch sore spots with readers. Many people walk around, hearing of God, but never really knowing Him, or understanding Him. While never leaping over the line of preaching, Glaz lets you know there’s a difference, and those who put actions and character behind what they profess about the Lord are at peace with their faith over the Sunday go-to-church, I’m-a-nice-guy believers.

Even as her character, Rochelle, fears for her life, she is able to affect those around her, such as her best friend co-worker and the co-worker’s pesky brother-in-law, Ed McGrath, celeb hockey star. Ed becomes Rochelle’s self-proclaimed protector, whether she wants him or not, and the two pursue a twisting and occasional rocky relationship. In a kind of weird parallelism, ghosts from Rochelle’s past and ghosts from a time of horror in international history haunt Rochelle and Detroit. Rochelle and Ed won’t let the past continue to destroy the future. These mysteries blend together for a suspenseful read.

I have to admit that I often buzzed through pages of “can I or can’t I” from Rochelle and Ed, but on the whole, Fear Is Louder than Words is an entertaining read. Recommended for those who enjoy conservative stances, a little bit of not too graphic gore in several arenas such as medical, physical attacks, hockey, the use of weapons, and don’t mind occasional suggestive language which fits the scenario.

About the author:

Suspense Sealed With a Kiss

I'm a wife and mother of three...and grandmother of three. I balance being a child of God while also being older than God. Hmmm, scary, but almost true. I've been blessed to have had an amazing life so far: Air Force meteorologist during Vietnam era, teaching karate and self-defense along with soccer for 25+ years. I sing and direct in church and community theatre musicals where this little old lady sounds more like the guys than the gals. Also scary, but true. My writing life is a 24/7 proposition. As well as writing my own stories, I am an agent for Hartline Literary Agency. I also speak at conferences, churches, ladies' teas, you get the picture. I have a big mouth and love to share words on writing. I wear so many different hats I'm surprised I wasn't invited to the Royal wedding. Blessings to everyone, may your writing dreams all come true. Visit LindaGlaz.com.

Sweet read on limited time Sale Murder in Sun City by Sid Frost

 Murder in Sun City

ISBN-13: 978-0-9903181-2-5

Kindle US

$2.99 Regular price

$1.99 1/3/2016--1/10/2016

Kindle UK

£1.99 Regular price

£0.99 1/3/2016--1/10/2016

CHRISTIAN BOOKMOBILE NOVEL No. 5

Sun City is typically calm…until Liz shows up in her red double-decker bookmobile and starts cruising. When she finds one of her patrons dead, the police call it an accident and a day…but Liz has her suspicions and isn't about to give up. Lieutenant Bratton has met his match.

James Jones is a Vietnam War veteran who continued to fight the battles long after the war ended and everyone went home. His encounters are mostly in his head today, but if the military took senior citizens, he'd sign up without batting an eye. Combat was what he did best and he is lost without it. Now, as a soldier of fortune, James ends up in Sun City also.

This is the story of what happens when Liz and James cross paths.

My review:

Sid Frost is not only one of my favorite people, he's become one of my favorite authors. In this mystery, the fifth in his bookmobile series, Sid draws his readers into the life of librarian Liz Seido Helmsley who has found her true love in a British ex-pat farmer named Samuel, married and moved to Sun City. She takes the beloved red double-decker mobile library introduced in The Vengeance Squad Goes to England, and it’s not long before Liz and the library give her the opportunity for a mobile library route in this squeaky clean retirement community.

But wherever Liz goes, trouble seems to proceed her. This time it’s with a library patron found dead. Neighbor’s stories about the deceased don’t add up, and when Lt. Joe Bratton of the local police wants to wrap up the case as a simple accident, Liz decides to dig a bit deeper. Sharon Coleman turns out to be a lady of many oddities and mysteries, and Mr. Coleman even more so. With the help of her newly graduated grandson Michael and the blessing, mostly, of Samuel, Liz embarks on her own investigation to help Lt. Bratton whether he needs it or not, and make sure the Coleman’s daughter receives her proper inheritance.

One of Sharon’s secrets, an apparently homeless veteran with PTSD, James Jones, complicates everything. As the story progresses and the twists and turns lead the reader deeper into the corkscrewed life of the Colemans, about the only sympathetic figure left, so it seems, is Princess, Sharon’s pet pooch.

Murder in Sun City is a fun mystery, highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy mysteries featuring characters with a lifetime of experience, and plenty of exciting turns. I especially appreciated the treatment of those who suffer from PTSD and may not be in full control of their faculties.

About the Author:

Sidney W. Frost was born and raised in Austin, Texas, served in the U.S. Marines in California, worked in the space industry in Los Angeles and Houston, and is now living in Georgetown, Texas. 

He is active in his church and is a former Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader.

He has loved choral music from an early age, and was in 42 Austin Lyric Opera productions. He and his wife, Celeste, sing in their church choir as well as the San Gabriel Chorale. They have also participated in several Berkshire Festivals in and out of the United States. He loves to travel and has visited 33 countries.

He has a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Long Beach. He has worked in the Information Technology business for many years, and in May, 2011, retired after thirty years as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Austin Community College. He received the adjunct teaching excellence award in 2005. He now teaches writing courses, most recently a class on memoir writing for the Senior University of Georgetown.

He is the author of four Christian novels, set in and around Austin, Texas, and three non-fiction books. Awards for his first novel, Where Love Once Lived, include First Place in the 2007 SouthWest Writers Contest and First Place in the 2007 Writers' League of Texas Novel Manuscript Contest. Visit Sid’s website http://sidneywfrost.com, and Amazon author pages. http://amazon.com/author/sidneyfrost