Clash of the Titles Alliance January Clash Champion

Thanks to all of January’s wonderful authors!

Here’s what readers had to say:

All of these books look like so much fun! When I first saw The Volk Advent by Kristen Wilks, I was intrigued by the combination of a teen trying to escape murder charges and a pack of wolves, and I like to read historical fiction because I can experience other cultures.

Cynthia Hickey is a wonderful author. Engaging characters with twists you don’t expect. I love her books!

Andrea Boeshars’ Seasons of Love—Love reading them

Beth Wiseman just happens to be the best of the best! Her novels are outstanding at character and plot development

Runaways is a book you start and can’t put down

Am so looking forward to reading Runaways by Brenda Poulos!!!

Congratulations Brenda Poulos on your new hit, Runaways: The Long Journey Home

Excellent reading. Great job, Brenda

Introducing Our Winner
Congratulations Brenda Poulos!



No Mama. An abusive father. A hound dog for a best friend.

A victim of physical and emotional abuse at the hand of his father, Jake runs away following the most severe beating he’s ever endured. Leaving the only home he’s ever known in the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains, he escapes into unknown territory with only his dog beside him. Jake and Hound face bitter cold and near starvation as they seek a new life--one free from fear, loneliness, and pain. And Father hunts Jake down with the very rifle he used to kill Sam and Mama.

Led by unseen forces. Protected by his dog. Jake experiences acceptance and unconditional love when he is befriended by a kindly older couple.

But, will he be able to put his past problems behind him and embrace a future made possible through the power of forgiveness?

Will he find a new life filled with hope for the future and learn to trust?

And when he is confronted with the biggest decision of his life, will he choose to run away, again, or face his father?

Runaways: The Long Journey Home is available on Amazon

From Brenda

For years, I had a recurring dream...a boy leaving a wilderness cabin on a cold winter’s night. No coat. No shoes. Totally unprepared for life on his own. And yet, I knew he was desperate to get away.
I was compelled to find out who the boy was, what circumstances he was running away from, where he would go, and if he would survive...

At this point, the dream left off, and the story—Jake’s story—began to take shape.

I sat at my computer day after day for almost two years. Eyes closed, I wrote as I experienced the journey along with this determined and resilient ten-year-old boy.

Reviews for Runaways: The Long Journey Home
Brenda Poulos should be a best-selling author! She is a masterful writer. Her ability to develop characters within the context of a compelling and spell-binding story is captivating. If you are looking for a fun read that will leave you wanting more, Runaways is a great selection. You’ll read this and find yourself recommending it to your friends. by J. Akerson on Amazon

Runaways is a book you won't be able to put down. The writing style of Brenda Poulos will pull you in as if you're a main part of the story. You will be on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what's coming next. And I'd bet the emotions of the characters will be felt throughout and will touch your heart. Wow! Perhaps a top-rated movie in the future? A+ by Jon Peterson on Amazon

Brenda does a wonderful job developing characters you care about while driving a story that is compelling and inspirational. This is a must read for all people who are looking for a story for the soul. by an Amazon customer

I couldn’t put this book down! Engagingly written, authentic characters, pain, and grace all intermingle in a believable way. Poulos lit up my mind’s eye with her vivid imagery. I will definitely read more from this author. by Kirsten Samuel on Amazon

Bio: Formerly an elementary school teacher and counselor, Brenda Poulos has now embarked on a new career as an author of Christian fiction. Her concern for families suffering abuse and her passion to reveal the power of forgiveness in creating lives with hope for the future were the catalysts for writing her first novel, Runaways: The Long Journey Home.

Time Tsunami romantic time travel review

Time Tsunami by Danele Rotharmel

Prism Books

January 2016

ISBN 978-1523314294

$3.99 ebook

$15.99 print

buy on Amazon

From the publisher:

To stop a cruel serial killer, she must travel twenty-four years into the past...

Gil Montgomery, a cadet in the Temporal Counseling Program, can’t wait to pass her field exam and become a professional time surfer. The TEMCO program targets death-row offenders for time-based counseling while they’re children. For her exam, Gil will travel twenty-four years into the past to counsel ten-year-old Danny Winston before he murders his abusive babysitter, Rick Olsen. Preventing the stabbing should stop the chain of events leading to Danny’s eventual execution.

Gil’s assignment seems simple until her advisor, Dr. William Ableman, learns that Rick is a serial killer targeting Danny’s mother. If Gil stays and protects the Winstons, she might not survive. William wants the woman he loves to be pulled from the field, but if Gil fails to complete her assignment, it will unleash a Time Tsunami and destroy the timeline.

As TEMCO undergoes an emergency lockdown, and Gil’s fellow cadets try to figure out what’s happening, Gil and William learn the importance of faith and the price of true love. Everyone’s fate is resting in Gil’s hands, but does she have the strength she needs to defeat a ruthless serial killer intent on annihilating everyone in his path?

Will she return from the deadly mission?

My review:

The summary of the book basically tells the story. Characters are lovingly drawn with all their quirks, challenges, flaws, and leaps—and it’s a large cast with some story lines meant to go on in other adventures. The first book in the series is complete, though, so never fear you’ll be left hanging by the main characters.

Several different characters narrate. There are brutal parts as the characters undergo physical action in confrontation. The situations feel frightening, real, loving, tense, as each scene unravels the story a thread at a time. There are plenty of moments of fun and silliness that showcase the characters and diffuse tension. There are parallel substories going on, so please be aware that, like time itself, the reader is transported to event upon event, many happening at the same time. Time Tsunami is not for book gobblers; readers will want to spend some quality time (pun intended) in Rotharmel’s world, which is both familiar and exciting.

While there are plenty of vague references to how time travel can happen, it’s best if readers don’t try to work it out, but simply enjoy the story as much as the author obviously did while writing it. The inspirational elements are detailed and involved but not overboard and necessary to help us all understand that the God of the Universe is in control of all of Creation, no matter how we try to bend it. Romance abounds!

Karen Cogan and Regency Romance A Relative Matter

About the book:

In this sweet Regency romance, life in India is idyllic for Anne Tyler and her younger brother, Jeremy until the deaths of their parents shatter their world. They are sent to England to live with a grandfather that neither remembers. However, as the years pass, the kindly man proves a balm for their wounded hearts. His death, when it comes, is a cruel blow. 

Though his will leaves the estate to Jeremy, the boy is not yet of age. His grandfather’s nephew, a man with a mysterious past, is named guardian of the property and soon arrives to take up his duty. Unfortunately, the man has a son who is both evil and cunning. Since he stands to inherit the estate should Jeremy die, he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the property. 

Murder and threats of murder soon haunt their every move. Standing between them and disaster is the handsome Lord Westerfield, a man who promises to defend Anne and Jeremy, even at risk to his own life. 

E-book: $3.99, currently free

Print: $11.43

• ISBN-13: 978-1512104561

Buy on Amazon

A brief interview with the Author:

Karen, tell us what you love about A Relative Matter.

What I love about this book is the fun I had doing research into the Regency period. The customs and proprieties of the time were fun to incorporate into this novel. I loved developing the characters and including a tread of mystery. My least favorite character was the unpleasant Mr. Fletcher.

Share something you learned during the research.

The research was intriguing. I enjoyed learning about the London social season as well as how the laws of inheritance worked.

What are you reading now?

I am currently reading The Deer on a Bicycle: Excursions into the Writing of Humor by Patrick McManus. My next project is to finish writing the contemporary romance in which two unrelated young adults share custody of their nephew. 

About the author:

A native of Houston, TX, Karen spent her early years enjoying life along the Gulf Coast. After high school, she attended Texas A&M as well as the University of Houston where she obtained a B.S. in early childhood education. She has written numerous articles and stories, books for children and novels for adults. She particularly enjoys writing contemporary and historical romance. She now lives in the Southwest with her family and assorted pets.

Salsa and Speedbumps by Susan Baganz

Salsa & Speed Bumps

by Susan Baganz

January, 2016

Prism Book Group

Ebook $3.99

Print $13.99

ISBN 978-1523256983

Buy on Amazon

About the book:

One moment of sin leads to a path of pain ...and unexpected love.

Stephanie’s life hits a speed bump in the wake of her boyfriend’s sin. Splitting up with him, she faces a future of difficult choices shaded in shame. She wants to do what is right but the new man in her life leaves her fantasizing about a future that is now beyond her grasp.

Roberto finds his heart and professional world turned upside down by the beautiful bombshell. He struggles with his own inner demons and past so he’s not about to cast stones. When he is accused of immoral behavior, and temptation haunts him from every side, can he stand true to the calling God has given him?

Joining forces to face the future though comes at a high cost for them both as their individual pasts rise up to destroy them and their relationship. Integrity comes with a high price tag. With a deep faith in God and the help of friends at Orchard Hill Church, can they find happiness and love they long for? 

A brief interview with the author:

Susan, tell us what you love about this book.

I love Roberto’s integrity, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances and in spite of his own pain. While the story is more Stephanie’s, Roberto made a great tortured hero. Stephanie has been a rock for her friend Renata (Pesto & Potholes) and when I shook up her world I didn’t know what to expect. The two of them together? Sizzle.

Introduce us to your most quirky character.

The quirky characters would be Roberto’s parents, but they are really just sweet and exuberant.

Can you share something you learned during the research?

I didn’t do a ton of research that I remember . . . but I wrote the original draft about four years ago! Most of my “research” came from conversations over the years that informed the writing of the story.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading Her Deadly Inheritance by Beth Ziarnik. But I read a lot of book at one time. I’m also working through some non-fiction books: The Divine Conspiracy (Dallas Willard), Humilitas (John Dickson) and Switch (Chip & Dan Heath). And of course the Bible which stands in a class by itself. In Matthew right now.

What’s next? 

Book three in the Orchard Hill series is Feta & Freeways and is tentatively due out in September. 

A novella which is part of the “Love Is . . .” series by Prism Book Group, is called The Baron’s Blunder and is due out in August but also serves as a prequel to my Regency series. I’m juggling edits and revisions on several manuscripts right now!

Thank you for coming today, Susan, and best wishes with your work.

My review:

Baganz’s tale of contemporary relationships, choices, reactions to the things that happen is a thoughtful and cautionary story. It is not traditional romance, and told with equal vulnerability from both the male and female interpretation of a relationship.

The author’s background in mental health authenticates the reluctance and shame behind criminal actions such as forced sexual relations between adults in potential compromising situations. Baganz’s female protagonist is an extraordinarily beautiful woman, desired not only by a dangerous illegal immigrant cook working at the restaurant where she’s a silent partner and server, but also by the owner of the family corporation for nefarious purposes. Another of her instant admirers has the potential to steal her heart. But Stephanie’s secret colors her life and future. With the support of her friends and business partners she explores a heart-wrenching decision. Stephanie’s new admirer, however, attorney Roberto, offers another option. Roberto is as close to a rescuing knight as can be, but for a shameful recent past that changed his life and leaves him in great physical pain that stretches his coping skills.

Two very broken people, from families that directly influenced them, come together through faith and hope to forge a new future, one that is threatened even after their marriage. Surviving the tough stuff becomes more than just a saying for Stephanie and Roberto. Salsa and Speedbumps is great food for thought. Told from multiple viewpoints. Recommended for readers who enjoy some thrills and danger, and heavy duty emotional inspirational stories.

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. 

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 blog www.susanbaganz.com, her twitter feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz

Clash of the Titles!

What an exciting 2016 kick-off for Clash of the Titles. Readers can choose from a teen novel, mystery, suspense/ thriller, love trilogy and an Amish novella collection of sweet romances. One of each sounds good. Peruse the selections, decide which to put at the top of this year's to-be-read list, scroll down, and vote for it on the form below. Voting starts today, January 20th, and goes through midnight PST on January 26th.

An orphaned Siberian teen faces murder charges and an escaped pack of pet wolves.

***

What Stormi doesn't expect is the final, life-altering gift from Matt's ex-girlfriend. Nor does she expect her bachelorette party to lead to murder.

***

Jake escapes from the remote Appalachian cabin—the only home he has ever known. And Father hunts him down with the very rifle he used to kill Sam and Mama.

***

In the novella, An Apple a Day, Dr. Brian Coridan needs a break so he vacations in quiet Blossom Lake, Wisconsin where he never expects to be distracted by Talia Fountain, the town's "health food nut." In September Sonata, Krissy and Blaine's marriage is in its autumn season...or is it just over?—and in Let it Snow, they were once a couple, engaged to be married, until Shari Kretlow ran off with another guy, but decades later, Shari is a widow who finds herself stranded in a Wisconsin blizzard on Christmas Eve, and it's her former fiancé, Brenan Sheppard, who comes to her rescue.

***

Spend a year in Amish country with four sweet romances.

Follow this link to vote!

Danele Rotharmel debut fantasy sci fi Time Tsunami

Time Tsunami (Book 1 of The Time Counselor Chronicles)

To stop a cruel serial killer, she must travel twenty-four years into the past…

Gil Montgomery, a cadet in the Temporal Counseling Program, can’t wait to pass her field exam and become a professional time surfer. The TEMCO program targets death-row offenders for time-based counseling while they’re children.  For her exam, Gil will travel twenty-four years into the past to counsel ten-year-old Danny Winston before he murders his abusive babysitter, Rick Olsen.  Preventing the stabbing should stop the chain of events leading to Danny’s eventual execution. Gil’s assignment seems simple until her adviser, Dr. William Ableman, learns that Rick is a serial killer targeting Danny’s mother. If Gil stays and protects the Winstons, she might not survive. William wants the woman he loves to be pulled from the field, but if Gil fails to complete her assignment, it will unleash a Time Tsunami and destroy the timeline. As TEMCO undergoes an emergency lockdown, and Gil’s fellow cadets try to figure out what’s happening, Gil and William learn the importance of faith and the price of true love. Everyone’s fate is resting in Gil’s hands, but does she have the strength she needs to defeat a ruthless serial killer intent on annihilating everyone in his path?

Will she return from the deadly mission…

Time Tsunami is a fast-moving thriller with time travel twists that keep the reader guessing until the very last page.

Time Tsunami may be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your local bookstore, or by following this link: Time Tsunami

A Brief Interview with Danele

Danele, what do you love about this book?

I love my plot twists! At times, my illness (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) was extremely painful, and on certain days, I would lie in bed looking at the clock trying to convince myself that I could survive for thirty more seconds. That’s how I got through some days—seconds at a time. But when I started writing Time Tsunami, my painful days changed. Rather than staring at the clock, I would peer up at the ceiling and think up plot twists. I would try to imagine the most unlikely thing that could happen to my characters and then I would figure out how to write it into my story. Instead of concentrating on my pain, I began concocting devious twists and sneaky clues that I could fold into my narrative. Time Tsunami is full of surprises! I’m very proud of my plot twists—not only from a literary standpoint, but also because each one represents my triumph over pain.

Introduce us to your most difficult character.

The most difficult character in Time Tsunami was Crystal Stuart—not because she was hard to write, but because she was so much fun. If I let her, Crystal would totally steal the show. During my seven years of quarantine, I wrote the first six books of The Time Counselor Chronicles. In my first draft of the books, Crystal stepped onto the stage at the end of book two—but she wasn’t content to stay there. When I was revising the first book of the series, Time Tsunami, Crystal demanded to be part of the action, and eventually, she became a main character. Crystal’s nickname is “Klutzy Crystal” and she really lives up to it. She’s always getting herself into silly situations. She has a hard time fitting in with her peers, but she has a heart of gold that’s just waiting to be discovered. I really love Crystal—she’s one of my favorites.

Danele, can you share two things you learned while writing this story?

The first thing I learned (although I already knew it) was that I have a really incredible family. When I told my parents and siblings about my books, they rallied around me in a unified show of support. They helped me proofread my manuscripts, and they gave me excellent suggestions about how to make them better. When my editor at Prism Book Group received Time Tsunami, she was very impressed by its quality. I know that’s partly due to the unified efforts of my wonderful family. I really love them! 

The second thing I learned was the truth of Romans 8:28. God really can make all things work together for our good. My illness and quarantine stopped my life in its tracks. In many ways, I lost everything—my health, my job, my social outlets—everything!  At the time, I thought my life was over. I thought nothing good could possibly come out of such painful circumstances. But looking back now, I can see that God brought incredible blessings out of my pain. I’m a different person now. I’m stronger, kinder, and more patient. I’m also closer to God. The silence of quarantine opened me up to hearing God’s voice. I learned how to be still and listen. If I hadn’t been ill, I never would have stopped my busy lifestyle. I never would have had the time to write my books. Every time I read one of my novels, I realize that God has redeemed those painful years. He has brought something wonderful out of my quarantine. He has indeed turned something awful into something good. Time Tsunami and the rest of the books in The Time Counselor Chronicles are tangible testaments to the fact that God is faithful and that Romans 8:28 is true.

What’s next?

When I was in quarantine, I wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles. Prism Book Group has given me a contract for the second book in the series, Time Trap. Currently, I am polishing the third book, Time Search, and preparing it for consideration by my editor at Prism. I’m very excited about my book series. I believe that each book is even better than the last. All six books deal with the same cast of characters, so by the time you read them all, the characters feel like family.

What are you reading now?

I read so many books that it’s hard to keep track. Lately, though, I’ve been rereading Brushing Fire: Soul Poetry by Anna Marie Kittrell. Brushing Fire is a book of Christian poetry that covers a wide range of topics. I really love it. I’ve read some of the poems so many times that I practically have them memorized. The poetry in Brushing Fire rings with such inspired truth. I think it is incredibly beautiful. I’ve also been reading your children’s book series, First Children of Farmington, to my niece. I really love the Farmington books—especially Green Leaf, the Potawatomi Boy. My niece is enjoying them too! She’s also been having fun with the hidden picture puzzles at the end of each Farmington book.

Lisa, thank you so much for allowing me to speak with you and your readers. I’ve had such a marvelous time. Thank you for this opportunity! I hope that you, and your readers, have a really wonderful day!

My Great Pleasure :0 and thank you!

Please return next Friday for my review of Time Tsunami 

About the Author

Danele Rotharmel grew up with a love of the literary word, and by age five, she knew she wanted to

be a writer. However, her life took an unexpected turn when a mysterious illness brought her close to death. Eventually, she learned that a low-level carbon monoxide leak from a faulty furnace in her home was slowly poisoning her. This poisoning triggered severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and partial amnesia.

       During this time, the hardest thing she faced was a crisis of faith. She had to quit her job and stop going to church. She couldn’t write, couldn’t drive, and could barely remember who she was. To say she was upset with the Lord was an understatement. She began reexamining her faith in light of her illness, and eventually, she came to the firm conclusion that God is real, God is good, God is interested and involved, and God is trustworthy regardless of tragedy.

       When her illness became even more severe, she was put into quarantine and could only talk to friends and extended family through the glass of a window. This quarantine lasted for seven years. During this time, she wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles.

       Danele currently lives in Colorado where she continues to write. Although her journey back to health was long and difficult, it provided her with the opportunity to grow closer to God and to write her books. For that, she is forever thankful.

       You can learn more about Danele by visiting her blog at https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/ 

  

Suspense! The Dividing Stone by Anita Estes

Anita Estes debut novel

ISBN 978-1681872001

January 19, 2016

Tate Publishing
buy on Anita's blogpage

buy print book on Amazon

Peppered with mystery and intrigue, The Dividing Stone engages the reader in a dynamic interplay of supernatural forces, reflecting the  multifaceted reasons for the demolition of marriages and division in the church. It explores the spiritual and human dynamics involved in the treacherous plot to destroy believers, and the extraordinary power of prayer to overcome evil. 

From the back:

A sinister, dark force hovers over the unsuspecting valley when Margo Pierson discovers a tattered letter illuminating a mysterious ancestor and warning them of "a diabolical evil that stalks this town." Though preoccupied with preparations for the prestigious craft show, Margo, the young potter, is catapulted into a quest to unearth the truth and expose the uncanny murder of her namesake. Unwittingly, she and her companions stumble upon an ancient stone that holds the secret to both the past and present dangers. Caught off guard by her nemesis, Bill Guiles, he kidnaps Ms. Pierson and attempts to erase all she discovered of the secret society. Will their plans be thwarted? Will havoc be the new order? Will relationships be ruined and marriages annihilated? As the forces of good and evil engage in a spiritual battle in the heavenly realm, can Margo survive and foil the deadly curses set in motion centuries ago?

Come join Margo Pierson and friends for a roller-coaster ride and supernatural adventure of your life!

The Dividing Stone

No one can escape it. 

A brief interview with the author:

L: Anita, tell us why you wrote The Dividing Stone.

A: I started writing bits and pieces of the Dividing Stone many years ago when I was trying to understand why our vibrant church was being ripped apart and disintegrated before our eyes. We were leaving in a liberal college town known for its openness to New Age philosophy, covens and magic and I began to wonder if the spiritual atmosphere was the cause for the break up. If we were engaged in a spiritual battle, we had no idea it was so powerful.

L: Wow, Anita, that sounds like quite an experience. What drove you on?

A: Because of the historical significance of the area, I felt compelled to do some research about the town and found some connections to what I believed might be some underlying causes of division. Though the story deals with dark forces and spiritual battles in the heavenly places, the "diabolical evil that stalks the town" is bent on  dividing and destroying  Christians and the tiny band of prayer warriors of which the main character, Margo Pierson, becomes their chief target.

L: Tell us about the plot, Anita.

A: When I began to develop the plot for the book, I wove in some of my own experiences during this time, my research and what I believed God inspired me to write. Being a lover of  mysteries, I embedded this  into the plot and intertwined the spiritual and other aspects. At that time, I became a fan of Frank Peretti and found that my writing was similar to his. It was then that I incorporated scenes with the demons and angels, which I believe make it more powerful.

L: You've written non-fiction before. How long did it take you to write this book?

A: It took me years to write because I was waiting on God to guide me through. Every time I wrote something more, it was validated by research or something that I actually discovered. For example, when I started incorporating the freemasons into the historical component and general plot, I discovered at Sturbridge Village a building that had a room set aside for the Mason's meetings. The all knowing eye was painted on the ceiling.

L: Were you worried about making the story too dark?

A: I struggled with the plot at times being too "cutting edge" and dealing with a very dark evil. When I first started writing The Dividing Stone the group I had in mind were the worst I could imagine, but as ISIS began to be exposed for their cruel beheading, crucifixions and torture of Christians, the pages of the book leaped out as real. Thought it took me over twenty years to complete, I believe the timing is perfect and the message of The Dividing Stone relevant to what is happening today to Christians. 

L: Sounds exciting, Anita! Best wishes.

To find out more about Anita and her work, Visit her blog.