Book review: Sarah and the Widow's Mate by Gay N. Lewis

Sarah and the Widow’sMate

Gay N. Lewis 

Prism Book Group

November 2013

ISBN: 978-1940099279

$3.99 ebook; $14.99 print book

Inspirational fantasy

 

From the publisher:

Widow Beth Marsh is not only beautiful, but wealthy enough to buy a third-world country. When she enters the dating arena to find companionship, two men profess an interest in her...but is it Beth they want, or are they out to get her money? Watching from the Heavenlies, the Superiors dispatch Heaven’s Little Love Angel to Houston during the Christmas holidays. Sarah’s mission is to help the lady determine which of her suitors is the genuine article. Is black-haired Bryan Wingate the real deal? Or is good-looking Charles Chadwick the more earnest suitor? When Beth invites human-disguised Sarah to attend a wedding, the delighted angel looks forward to an opportunity to wear a beautiful formal gown, and maybe—at long last—red stilettos! But Sarah’s mission becomes deadly serious when she discovers Beth’s life is in danger. If Sarah fails in her mission, Tomas, the Warrior Angel, will intercede. Determined to keep her human charge safe from gold diggers and save Tomas the trouble, the little love angel steps up her efforts. But Sarah wouldn’t be Sarah without a few bungles along the way...

 

My review:

The adorable love angel, Sarah, is on her next assignment. After successfully running interference in encouraging Laney and Cannon’s romance and marriage in Sarah: Laney’s Angel, Sarah, aka Annie Wingspand, is tasked next with guiding Beth Marsh. Beth has been widowed a few years, and is being courted by three different gentlemen, one of whom means her harm. Sarah is charged with helping Beth choose the right one.

Who couldn’t love angel who adores food, high heels, whose favorite exclamation is poopty doopty, and giving lost people a little help, even when those sidetracks aren’t part of her mission. I appreciated that about Lewis’s story; even her description of heavenly messengers with different missions.

Told from Sarah’s point of view, those who enjoy fantasy stories about what angels might be doing, hanging around us, will find much to love in this story. Those who enjoy Mignon Ballard’s August Ballard will love Sarah. One of my favorite parts was those rumbles from above whenever Sarah entertained less than charitable thoughts. I tried to practice that on myself—imagining those rumbles. I’ll report back later when I don’t end up soaking everyone around me with thunderstorms.

 

Note: The first book, Sarah: A Mission of Love, is on sale for Kindle, .99

Brave New Century, new historical romance anthology

Brave New Century

Inspirational Historical Romance from Prism Book Group

Stories of four young women who are each braving challenges at the dawn of the 20^th century in the big city. Will they overcome their hardships and find love?

Available from your favorite bookseller, Amazon Print, Kindle

Smashwords eBook

ISBN: 978-1940099255

Print: $13.99

Electronic: $3.99

Three Rings for Alice by Lisa Lickel

Love and respect in 1899 Milwaukee is as close as a phone call.

Forgiven by Paula Mowery

When Henry and Jessie meet it seems to be classic love at first sight until a shocking revelation tears them apart.

The Pocket Watch by Kathleen Rouser

Searching for the past an orphan and a young doctor find love for the future.

Flames of Hope by Teena Stewart

Love ignites in the midst of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

 

More about Three Rings for Alice:

Our opening story, Three Rings For Alice, shows Alice Smith’s struggles to be a modern woman at the turn of the twentieth century in America. Orphaned, she must make her own way in an age when women are just coming into the workforce. Despite a proposal of marriage from a long time friend, she determines to marry for nothing less than love, even if her love is a voice over the telephone.

About the author: Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. A muti-published, best-selling and award-winning novelist, she also writes short stories and radio-theater, is an avid book reviewer, blogger, a freelance editor, and magazine editor. Visit LisaLickel.com.

 

 

 

 

More about Forgiven:

Henry Smith has little interest in the plans his parents have for him when it comes to his career and who he will marry. His world is turned upside-down when a shoot-out ends in fatalities. 

Jessie Lee Capelle and her sister strike out from the orphanage their father mysteriously abandoned them at to make a life for themselves. Shamed by her background, Jessie struggles with Henry's attention. 

Just as Henry and Jessie decide on a life together a shocking revelation could force them apart unless true forgiveness can be found. 

About the author: Paula Mowery is a published author, speaker, and acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group. Her articles have appeared in Woman's World, The Christian Online Magazine, and the multi-author devotional blog, Full Flavored Living. She reviews Christian fiction for several authors. She is a member of ACFW and on their author interview team. Paula is a pastor's wife who lives with her husband and daughter in East Tennessee.  Find her at www.paulamowery.blogspot.com or connect with her through her author page on Facebook.

More about The Pocket Watch:

Isabel Jones, an orphan, receives a ruby ring left by the mother she never knew and wants more than ever to find her roots. When a young physician, Daniel Harper, rescues her from an oncoming automobile and she finds his pocket watch in a puddle, her circumstances take a turn. She begins to consider what life outside the orphanage could be like. Daniel’s heart has been broken before and the attractive young lady who finds his treasured timepiece wouldn’t be deemed suitable by his social climbing parents.

When Isabel and Daniel work side by side, caring for the orphanage children during an influenza epidemic, she becomes gravely ill. Compelled to redeem the time by helping her find the past, Daniel finds a buried truth that creates an unbridgeable chasm between them. Where will they find hope in a hopeless situation?

About the author: Kathleen Rouser has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. The Pocket Watch is Kathleen’s debut novella. She has been published in Homeschool Digest and An Encouraging Word. She currently enjoys interviewing authors for the Novel PASTimes historical fiction blog. Her desire is to bring to life endearing characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in southeast Michigan with her hero and husband of 31 years, Jack, who not only listens to her stories, but also cooks for her. Find her at: www.kathleenrouser.com, www.novelpastimes.com and https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser

 

 

 

More about Flames of Hope:

Young San Francisco police officer Gideon Light is smitten the moment he sees Lily McMinn rolling down the awnings on her father’s mercantile. Lovely, petite, and spunky, Lily had to grow up quickly after her mother passed away. She not only oversees the welfare of two younger siblings, she also helps run her father’s business.

Gideon and Lily are immediately attracted to each other and soon become good friends. It doesn’t take long before Lily realizes her feelings for Gideon have changed to something far deeper. He secretly harbors dreams of advancing in the force to earn a substantial enough income to make Lily his wife.

Before either has a chance to pursue each other, however, an earthquake of unthinkable magnitude shatters their world. With a raging fire fast in its wake, tragedy and triumph await as Gideon, Lily, and her family flee for their lives with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Set during the time of the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, this tale of great loss, incredible human courage, and sweet romance, will inspire and warm your heart.

About the author: Teena Stewart is a published author, an accomplished artist, and a ministry leader. In addition to Brave New Century, her recent published books include Mothers and Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship and The Treasure Seeker: Finding Love and Value in the Arms of Your Loving Heavenly Father. Brave New Century represents Teena’s first fiction inclusion in a book. She and her husband Jeff are involved in “out-of-the-box” organic church ministry in Hickory, NC. For more info on Teena visit www.teenastewart.com

CrossReads Book Blast with Becca Fisher's Amish Christmas Boxed Set

Amish Christmas Boxed Set By Becca Fisher

About the Book

Four different Amish Christmas stories, plus one bonus novella by Best Selling Amish author, Becca Fisher:

The Christmas Surprise

Joshua Zook and Sadie Miller have been dancing around their feelings for months. But just as Joshua works up the nerve to admit how much he cares for Sadie, he realizes that he may be too late to win Sadie's heart.

The Christmas Miracle

William Bieler just wants a simple Amish Christmas. But with a newborn child at home, nothing is simple. When William's wife falls ill however, it will take a miracle to save Christmas at the Bieler house.

The Christmas Performance

Emma Bieler is chosen to do a solo at the school holiday pageant. But a case of crippling stage fright strikes her just before she's about to go onstage. What happens next will change Emma's life forever.

The Christmas Gift

When Amish widow Hannah King remarries, her daughters do not take well to their new step father. But as the holidays approach, it's make or break time to bring peace back into Hannah's house. Bonus novella: Clara Bieler's Amish Christmas

LINK to KINDLE

 

Becca Fisher I'm Becca Fisher and I write sweet Amish romances featuring simple people with complex love lives. I'm devout in my faith, relish time with my family, and seek to bring joy to as many lives as possible. I would love to have you as a reader. God bless. If you would like to be the first to know about my new books, join my mailing list here http://eepurl.com/s3WIT Everyone that signs up for my mailing list will receive a Free copy of my "Complete Amish Romance Boxed Set."

Follow Becca Fisher

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

Enter to Win one of two prizes: A $50 Amazon Gift Card or a Nook 7" tablet!

Enter below to enter a $50 Amazon gift card, sponsored by author Becca Fisher! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Winner of The German Girl

 

 

 

Thank you to Carole Brown, author of the amazing book The Redemption of Caralynn Hayman,

 

winner of

 The German Girl,

 

for her loving comments on the recent excerpt tour of

The Potawatomi Boy.

Holiday Extravaganza recap

For a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card, between December 1 and December 16, 2013, enter the John 3:16 Marketing Network Rafflecopter drawing at: http://bit.ly/Christian_Books

 

To recap, the books and authors were featured during this special holiday promotion at these links:

 

Brother Half Angel

 

The Redemption of Carolynne Hayman

 

Hobbits, You and the Spiritual World

 

The Donkey and the King

 

Green Leaf, The Potowatomi Boy (Amazon purchase link)

 

Spiralling Out of Control

 

Warning Signs

 

 

For another last chance to visit and comment on The Potawatomi Boy Excerpt Tour, here's the list. Comment to win a copy of The German Girl.

 

Kim Payne: 1, http://bit.ly/1bU0nTc

Kara Howell: 1, http://bit.ly/1dhTLfD

Kara Howell: 2, Dec 6 - http://bit.ly/1cwRsDW

Lorilyn Roberts: 3, December 4 http://bit.ly/1bj4BiK

Emma Right: 4, December 5 http://bit.ly/1bJtme5

Carol A. Brown: 5, December 7 http://bit.ly/18RbY4k

Janis Cox : 6, December 16  http://wp.me/p2yfqH-1ag
 

 

And a very big thank you to these lovely folks who hosted me these past weeks:

 

Anne Evans, My Mommy the Writer blog: http://annegarboczievans.blogspot.com/

Cherie Burbach - http://workingwritersandbloggers.com/2013/11/21/green-leaf-the-potawatomi-boy/

Susan Craft – Dece 1 - http://historicalfictionalightintime.blogspot.com

Sharon Lavy – Dec 1 - http://www.sharonalavy.com/2013/12/green-leaf-potawatomi-boy.html

Patty Wysong – Dec 3 http://www.pattywysong.com/2013/12/childrens-book-potowatomi-boy.html

Kimberely Payne, December 8^th on Books for Book Lovers blog at http://www.kimpayne.wordpress.com

Carole Brown - Dec 10 http://connectwithcarolbrown.blogspot.com/2013/12/introducing-lisa-lickel.html

Joanne Sher – Wed Dec 11 - http://www.joannesher.com/2013/12/lisa-lickel-and-potawanomi-boy.html

Karla Akins – Dec 16 http://karlaakins.com/featuring-the-potawatomi-boy-by-lisa-j-lickel/

Jill Richardson - Dec 16 - http://jill-theimperfectjourney.blogspot.com/2013/12/new-childrens-title-for-christmas.html

 



 

Today, December 16, is the last day to enter and win...and a very happy holiday season to you all.

Special Holiday Book Tour with Lorilyn Roberts and Prize Drawing

For a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card, between December 1 and December 16, 2013, enter the John 3:16 Marketing Network Rafflecopter drawing at: http://bit.ly/Christian_Books

 

 

Five Favorites with Lorilyn Roberts, author of The Donkey and the King, a children's picture book.

 

QUESTION:  Favorite city you have visited?
LORILYN:  Jerusalem. I will never forget approaching the city and seeing a modern street sign that said “Jerusalem.”  Tears welled up in my eyes, but the lack of sleep made my eyes burn so much I had to quit crying. The juxtaposition of a modern sign with an ancient city seemed anachronistic. I couldn’t believe I was there.

QUESTION:  Favorite food?

LORILYN:   Chocolate – in any form except ice cream.

QUESTION:  Favorite authors?

LORILYN:  Randy Alcorn, C.S. Lewis, and Max Lucado

QUESTION:  Favorite book you’ve read in the last three months?

LORILYN:  On Writing, A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King

QUESTION:  Favorite historical person?

LORILYN:  Corrie Ten Boom

~*~*~*~*

 

About the Book:

 

The Kindle version of  The Donkey and the King is all new and updated. The artwork has been rescanned from the original drawings, and the text can be resized for young readers. Click on the artwork on each page, and enlarge the drawing to look for the hidden word “good.” The Donkey and the King will entertain young ones and help them to become lifelong lovers of books and reading, all while teaching them about Jesus and redemption.







Be sure and pick up your Kindle version of The Donkey and the King for 99 cents at http://bit.ly/Donkey_Kindle

 

About the Author:

 

Lorilyn graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama in 1991. Her studies included spending two weeks in Israel at the start of the Gulf War and touring England, Australia, New Zealand, and several countries in Europe. She later attended the Institute of Children’s Literature and earned her Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Perelandra College.

Lorilyn has two daughters whom she adopted from Nepal and Vietnam as a single mother. She homeschooled both of them, the older one through high school, and believes that the hope of the United States may rest on the conservative values homeschooling families instill in their offspring.

“If we fail to teach our children how to live out their Christian faith practically, we will have lost an opportunity to impact the world for good. It only takes one generation to forget the past. As JRR Tolkien said, ‘There is some good in this world and it’s worth fighting for.’”

To learn more about Lorilyn, you can visit her website  and blog.

You can follow her on twitter and Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 



Support Operation All the Way Home with a great book, Room Four

AJ Knauss returns with a special request to support

Operation All the Way Home.

I introduced AJ and her book Room Four at Wisconsin Author Review. Read the post.

 Recently she sent this request:

Hi Lisa,

I have partnered with Operation All the Way Home to donate all my book proceeds until the end of my current army tour to their organization.  OATH is a group of high school students who are building an accessible home for SPC Jerral Hancock. On his birthday, he became paralyzed, burned and lost his left arm in Iraq.  He has two young kids and an indomitable spirit.

As a physician I know too well that the acute trauma care we provide is only a small part, the long road after is everything.  kids and Mr. Hancock are truly inspiring.

They are over halfway there in fundraising and I think they could get there so quickly if word spread.

Thank you again for your support of Wisconsin authors!

MAJ Anne Johnson MD

Camp Arifjan, Kuwait

author of ROOM FOUR, AJ Knauss

 

 

 

Mission Statement

    OATH is a grass-roots, community effort created and organized by the Pride of the Nation students of Lancaster High School.  
    The mission of Operation All The Way Home (OATH) is to assist veterans of the United States Armed Forces with the acquisition of housing, both permanent and transitional. OATH also assists veterans with other needs as they relate to assimilating into civilian life after completion of their service.
    OATH's current mission is to raise funds and break ground for construction of a new home for wounded warrior, Jerral Hancock, within one year. Committed to working from June 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014, the students have enlisted for a one-year "tour of duty" to make this happen.  


About the book:

It's just after Christmas and Alan Fries, hapless accountant, wonders why nurses with antler hats are hovering over him. He endures a three day coma stuck with only Jerry for company, an 87-year-old crank who died in the same room earlier but is waiting for someone to sign the death certificate. Jerry and Alan becomes dead flies on the wall of an aging Chicago hospital and observe the staff...the doctor who leaves his sperm sample in the work fridge, the veteran nurse putting the kibosh on an intern's crush, the holiday hamfork injuries and the various nutcases who file through the ER doors. When they uncover a billing scandal and the truth about the corrupt CEO who is bankrupting the hospital they get to work. But can they put the proof in front of the eyes of the living in time? Can they save the hospital before driving each other crazy? Will Alan get resuscitated and start the bucket list he never had? A grouchy, laugh-out-loud, heartwarming tale of how tough love shines through the crustiest exterior.

ISBN: 978-1477572436
$11.95 Print
$3.79 E-book

Connect with AJ:

Amazon Author Page
Website