Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Inspirational nonFiction for Couples from Dana Rongione

Introducing a new book from author Dana Rongione




What Happened To Prince Charming?
Understanding What To Do When You No Longer Know the Man You're Married To


About the Book:
My heart crumbled as this lovely young wife and mother told me of her struggling marriage and desire for a divorce. For as long as I had known her, she had dreamed of getting married and starting a family. When she met Mr. Right, the glow on her face outshone the sun, and when she found out she was expecting their first baby, it seemed like she had discovered her perfect place in life. So, what happened? It wasn't so long ago that she was singing the praises of her Prince Charming, but now it seems that all she can do is utter complaints about her Elmer Fudd. What made the change, and is divorce the only solution?

Unfortunately, her story is all too familiar, and her pain rings true in the hearts of hundreds (if not thousands) of women across the globe. What is a wife to do when she no longer recognizes the man she married? Within this book, you'll find the answer to that question along with Scriptural advice on making the most of your marriage. 

When you tied the knot, you made a promise to love your husband for better or for worse. I want to help you keep that promise!

Released February, 2016
92 pp
  • ISBN-13: 978-1530005932

To purchase from the author's webstore, click here.

About the Author:  
Dana is a full-time Christian author and speaker residing in Greenville, SC with her husband and dog, Mitchell. In fulfilling her call to evangelize the lost and edify the saints, Dana spends her days writing devotions, devotional books and books for children, as well as recording podcasts on various Biblical topics. She serves in many capacities at her local church, including the roles of church pianist and ladies' Sunday School teacher. Dana has a passion for souls and longs to be used of God in whatever way He deems necessary. When not writing or serving at church, Dana can most likely be found reading or hiking a nearby trail.

Check all of Dana's books, including her middle grade reader Delaware Detective series, click here.

A brief Q & A with Dana

Why I wrote the book:  
Honestly, the Lord has been teaching me so many things in my own marriage that I felt compelled to share the knowledge with others. We wives are quick to judge our husbands based on how much they've changed since we met them. Gone are the days of wooing and trying to win our affection. Instead, in our eyes, they have become couch potatoes or “good for nothings” that are only interested in one part of the relationship:  the physical part. These issues have led to frustration and arguments in more marriages than I can count. When I first began praying about these issues in my own life and the bitterness I was feeling toward my husband, I had hopes that the Lord would change my man back into the Prince Charming he was twenty years ago. But instead of changing my man, the Lord changed me and helped me to realize that many of the issues were because of me not my husband. It was a hard lesson to hear, but I'm so glad the Lord dealt with me and helped me to see the light. Now, my goal is to help other women see it as well.

Who is the book for?  
The book is intended for married women of any age, but there's a lot of information in it about relationships in general that anyone could glean from. 

What do I want readers to take away from this book?  
I guess the main thing I want them to understand is that their marriage is not doomed. There is still hope to have a “happily ever after” if they're willing to do what it takes to make the marriage work. I also want wives of all ages to know that these marriage issues are normal and that they're not the only ones wondering what happened to their Prince Charming?

How did I research the book?  
Many of the issues I deal with in the book are ones that have come up in my own life or in the life of a friend or family member. I also gathered some information from women through social media, trying to get a feel for how many people felt the same way I did. The number was astounding. As for the remedies to these situations, I needed only turn to the Word of God for those. There is a fair amount of Scripture throughout the book because I feel that the Bible contains the answer to any and all of life's problems. We simply need to know where to look.


What's next for me?
I am starting on a book project unlike anything I've ever done. The trilogy will be a Christian fantasy series based on Merlin the Magician and will contain a blend of myth, legend and Biblical truths. The majority of the storyline of the first two books will take place in Bible times after the teenager, Merlin, accidentally sends himself, along with young Prince Arthur, back in time. In book one, the traveling duo searches out Jesus in hopes that this “Man of Miracles” can send them home. Book two jumps even further back in time, but the rest of the details of that story are a bit of a secret right now. Finally, in book three, Merlin and Arthur return back to their time, but many things have changed, especially Merlin himself.  I have a true love of Camelot legends, so I am very excited about this project. Book one is already planned out, and Lord willing, I'll begin writing it within the month. Hopefully, books two and three won't be far behind!

Sunday, March 13, 2016

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:

Connect with her online:


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Tweetables:

Tweet:
"I was hooked from the first chapter" Check out Grace in the Flames! #NewRelease #ChristianFiction http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA
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Tweet:
"intense" Grace in the Flames is now in the #Kindle store! http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA
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Tweet:
"couldn't put it down" ~ check out new #Christian #novel Grace in the Flames! http://amzn.to/1Y8EcPA

Friday, March 11, 2016

About Magnolia Lake by Emily Paige Skeen


Short romantic fiction from Prism Book Group
March, 2016

About the book:
Popular and beautiful, Cora Stephens has it all - including the perfect football-star boyfriend - until one fateful afternoon. Facing heartache and betrayal, Cora turns to long-time friend, Landon, for comfort. While his love for her grows, she does everything in her power to avoid getting hurt again - including flinging herself into the arms of another boy.
Then, just as Cora’s shattered world starts putting itself back together, life throws something her way that’s more horrific than she ever could have imagined. Through the emotional and physical pain, she begins to lose hope and abandon her faith. Will this once lighthearted, happy prom queen find her way back home?

A brief interview with the Author:

Emily, tell us, what do you love about this book?
The romance...definitely the romance. I’ve always been a sucker for a good love story, but watching this one develop out of the depths of my own mind was pretty exciting. Some of my favorite scenes to write were the romantic ones. There’s one in particular that comes to mind: Landon is about to kiss Cora and she’s panicking. I don’t want to give anything away, but that was a really fun scene to create!

Introduce us to the character you had the most difficulty with.
I’d say Jeff’s character was the most difficult for me to write. Drawing a believable line from the Jeff of the beginning of the story to the person he later becomes was challenging, to say the least. 

What do you hope readers will tell others when they’ve finished the book?
Like any author, I hope readers tell their friends how much they absolutely LOVED the book! But in all seriousness and above all else, I want readers to come away from this story feeling inspired. I want them to feel the power, faithfulness, and love of God. To know there’s no tragedy too big for Him. 

What are you reading now?
I’ve got a few books on my to-be-read list, including Julie Cosgrove’s Greener Grasses, Gay Lewis’s Clue into Kindness, and Anita Klumpers’s Hounded. I love to read for pleasure, but it’s often difficult to find the time.

What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on two novellas, one for Prism Book Group’s Christmas Cowboys series and one for their Love Is... series. After that, I plan on pitching an idea to my editor that I think fans of Magnolia Lake will be really excited about. This idea won’t be revealed until the details are all worked out, but it’s big!

Meet Emily:
Born and raised in a small Georgia town, Emily Paige Skeen takes from her own life experiences to create real, relatable characters for her novels. She loves to intertwine small-town charm with deep emotion and intrigue, creating stories that inspire readers.
When she’s not writing or chasing after her two youngsters - both under the age of five - you can find Emily reading, soaking up the sun whenever possible, or shopping. She, her husband, and their kids make their home in a tiny little town an hour south of Atlanta, on a five-acre plot of land right off a bumpy red-dirt road. Emily loves to sit and listen as the ever-present crickets and frogs perform their harmonious concerts in the still, quiet evening hours.
Writing has always been Emily’s passion, ever since she crafted her first sloppily hand-written story plastered over spiral notebook paper at the emotionally-charged age of thirteen. Now, she strives to encourage and inspire girls and young women with her writing. She believes that with a little bit of faith and a whole lot of love, anything’s possible.




Saturday, March 5, 2016

Susan Royal




Xander’s Tangled Web
Fantasy
Available April 26

About the Book
After a late night visit to Battington’s marketplace, Princess Mena vanishes without a trace. Merchants are frantic, because King Leander has called for a curfew and postponed the Spring Festival until further notice. Certain his former constable is the man for the job, the mayor hires Xander to investigate, hoping he can solve the mystery in a hurry so things can go back to normal.


But Xander’s not so sure that’s possible, because there’s romance involved, and he knows when that happens folks who are normally very sensible seem to lose all reason. In addition to sorting out truths, half-truths and outright lies, he must deal with gypsies, love potions and an illegal moonshine operation before he gets to the bottom of things.

All books available at MuseItUp, Amazon, B&N, Goodreads



About the Author
Born in west Texas and raised in south Texas, Susan makes her home in a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town. She shares it with a ghost who harmonizes with her son when he plays guitar. 
      She is married and the mother of six (she counts her children’s spouses as her own) and five unique grandchildren. Her family is rich with characters, both past and present. Her grandmother shared stories of life with three sisters and three brothers on a farm in Oklahoma Territory and working as a telephone operator in the early 20th century.  She heard about growing up in San Antonio in the depression from her father, and experienced being a teenager during WWII through her mother’s eyes.When Susan isn’t writing, she works as a secretary in education and does her best to keep up with her grandchildren. Music and painting are two of her passions. She also loves to bargain shop anywhere there’s a sale and began repurposing long before it was popular. She is a firm believer in getting what you want without breaking the bank.  She paints, crafts and sews. Her office/craft/sewing room is littered with her latest projects.
     She loves to take her readers through all kinds of adventures with liberal doses of romance. So far, she’s written two books in her It’s About Time series, Not Long Ago and From Now On. They are time travel adventures with romance about two people who fall in love despite the fact they come from very different worlds. In My Own Shadow is a Fantasy adventure/romance. Xander’s Tangled Web is a fantasy. Look for her books at MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N. You can also find Odin’s Spear, one of her short stories featured in a Quests, Curses, and Vengeance anthology, Martinus Publishing, available on Amazon.
     Want to know more? Visit susanaroyal.wordpress.com or susanaroyal.moonfruit.com for a peek inside this writer’s mind and see what she’s up to. You never know what world she’s going to visit next.


In My Own Shadow (fantasy, adventure, romance) 
Not Long Ago (time travel, adventure, romance)
Not Long Ago book trailer

And pop on over to Susan's blog where she's interviewing me about my new upcoming book, Everything About You, due out March 25 from Prism Book Group.


Friday, March 4, 2016

Gay N Lewis and the newest Love Angel book

Welcome back to Gay N Lewis, author of the Sarah books. I love Gay's take on sweet, romantic love and forgiveness and getting the right kick once in a while to remind us of our priorities. Quite often similar characters will appear in her stories, but they are all stand alone books and don't have to be read in any particular order.

Gay's newest addition to the Sarah series is Sarah and a Date for MacKenzie. In this book, Sarah must find a boyfriend for a high school student while at the same time finding a companion for the teen’s mother.


About the Book
Merciful heavens! Getting acquainted with adult teachers in a high school is one challenge, but hang with the kids too? Sarah, heaven’s little love angel—known for bungles, has dealt with children and enjoyed them, but teenagers? My stars! They are a different ballgame. She doesn’t understand their jargon, clothes or hairdos. And mood swings? Forget it. She knew nothing about them—nada —zippo. She’d seen and heard them from above—even wondered at times why they existed on the same planet as adults. They were unique and interesting, but to mingle with them? Not a chance would she choose to do so—well, not until her latest assignment. Why would the Superiors send a bumbling angel like her to help a shy teenager find a date for a high school prom? Poopty doopty! A nightmare is about to happen.

Inspirational romance novella
$2,99 eBook purchase on Kindle and other online outlets.


Brief Interview with the Author

Gay, what do you love about this book?
Thinking of young people and the future they have ahead of them. My characters became real and I found myself hoping they wouldn’t do anything to cause regrets.

Tell us two things you learned from researching or publishing this story.
Young people don’t say they are dating. They say, “we are talking.” I also discovered they are extremely creative when asking someone to go to prom. They devise all kinds of events to pop the question. I enjoyed meeting with them at school, emailing back and forth, and becoming friends on FaceBook. These kids are great fun and have a bright future ahead.

Introduce us to your least favorite character.
Pace. This guy was abused by a female babysitter when he was seven years old. He never told anyone about it and didn’t seek help. As a result, he turned himself into a James Dean rebel and becomes a bully and a threat to Mackenzie.

What are you reading?
I’m finishing a book by Ann B. Ross. Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover. The author writes a series about an older woman. Like my character, Sarah, Miss Julia gets into all kinds of mischief.  Ann B. Ross writes humor and throws in common sense and inspiration at the same time. Each book stands alone, but if you haven’t read Miss Julia, I suggest you start with Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. It is hilarious.

They sound like great books. Thanks! What else is going on with your writing career, Gay?
I have another book just released.
Clue into Kindness was released February 12, 
(From Lisa: see the post, a story from Gay about meeting her husband, and my review here.)

Clue into Kindness
“Love is kind…” 1 Corinthians: 13:4

Georgia loves her husband, Alan. She shows him kindness with actions and words, but Alan responds in a heartless, selfish way. To receive respect and admiration from people, he believes he must have a perfect wife—so he criticizes Georgia at every opportunity—even tells her she’s fat! Alan’s best friend Ken and his wife Jana, reassure Georgia that she remains the gorgeous beauty queen she was during her college days. Who will Georgia believe—her friends or the mysterious, handsome stranger who comes into her life? Circumstances bring a change to Alan’s attitudes. But is it too late to save this marriage?


About the Author
A native Texan, Gay lives in a small town west of Houston. Gay has always been involved with creative and artistic ventures.  Two videos she produced—The Canadian Rockies, English and Japanese translations, and Psalms from the Mountains, were sold in Canada, America, as well as all international markets.

Gay’s real love is writing. As a pastor’s wife, she has written, produced, and photographed many programs. Her Faith Features have been published in various church periodicals.

Teaching an adult Bible study every Sunday morning is Gay’s joy, and she is often called upon for speaking engagements.  When needed, she plays the piano or organ and serves as worship leader in her husband’s church. 

Take a glance at the covers and read the blurbs on Prism Book Group.
For more information, please go to www.GayNLewis.com
Read excerpts on www.prismbookgroup.com
Gay would love to have you see her video trailers and become a follower of her blog.

 Sarah has her own Facebook page. Follow Sarah on Facebook as Sarah Wingspand 

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Fiction from April Gardner and Michelle Massaro

The first three books in April W Gardner's Creek Country Saga have just hit the Amazon shelves! They are now available for purchase, but every subscriber to her newsletter gets the first in the series for
FREE!

Scroll to nab your copy!

Beneath the Blackberry Moon will sweep you away to another time, then make you sigh and wish you could stay just a little longer.


I cannot put this book down! April Gardner crafts the scenes and character interactions so well, you are there! What a powerful story.
~Amazon reviewer


This newsletter goes out only a handful of times each year to announce new releases, so no worries--your inbox won't be bombarded. April is generous to her email subscribers. Next month, each will receive another novel, absolutely free! See below to learn more about Better Than Fiction.


About the book:
War, captivity, hunger that will not be denied. And a blackberry moon with enough pull to endure the test of time.

Frontierswoman Adela McGirth has never feared her neighbors, the Creek Indians, but a suspicious encounter with a steely-eyed warrior shakes her confidence. As dreaded, a skirmish with the natives sends her family fleeing into a hastily constructed fort. But no picket is strong enough to hold off a party of warriors who fear nothing but the loss of their ancient ways.

Totka Lawe, a Red Stick bound by honor to preserve his heritage, will do what he must to expel the whites from Muscogee soil. But in the midst of battle, he is assigned to protect those he’s expected to hate and kill. One of whom is the copper-haired woman who has haunted his thoughts since that strange night under the blackberry moon. The war was simpler before his enemy became a beautiful face with a gentle warrior’s spirit he cannot resist.

But what woman would have a warrior whose blood-soaked hands destroyed her life?

Then again...does she have a choice?

PREVIEW BOOK BY CLICKING IMAGE


Learn more about this saga at
and Like her on

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Coming soon...

To get your FREE copy of Better Than Fiction,
(releases April 2016)

Better than Fiction
April W Gardner and Michelle Massaro

Romance novelist Meghan Townsend’s marriage is slipping, and no amount of prayer seems to help. She aims to recapture her husband’s waning attention by getting in shape and finds escape by crafting her own fictional love story. Taking inspiration for the hero from a new friend—the attractive, spiritual, and attentive Curtis Jameson—she pours her yearnings onto the page, and craves the kind of pulse-pounding romance found in her book, Racing Hearts

In 1916 Corona, California, motorcars are all the rage, and racing them is what Meghan’s hero, Russell Keegan, does best. But when his competition vandalizes his car, the only mechanic available is a greasy woman in a man’s overalls.
After a racing accident claimed her father’s life, Winifred became the sole breadwinner for her family. She is disdained as a female mechanic, but her daddy's trade is all she has left. Can she swallow her hatred of the races and take up Russell' s offer of big bucks to fix his car, or will she lose everything to mounting debt?

Under Meghan's skillful pen, these two embark on a thrilling, adventurous romance. But she finds that writing those love scenes with Curtis’s face in mind takes her heart places it shouldn’t go. Will she realize in time that real life can be better than fiction?


Friday, February 26, 2016

Love Does Not Boast, read Nancy Bolton's A Work in Progress



Ah, love! Such a topic!

For me, I had a close, loving family growing up, but we hit some rough times when my siblings and I were all teenagers in the 1960s, and the closeness often became strained and rocky, especially with our Dad who felt pretty overwhelmed with his outspoken, stubborn children. How I longed for the uncomplicated days when we were smaller!

 I’d always gotten along well with boys, and often preferred their company. But due to a childhood trauma, as I grew older, I was wary of any romantic relationships, and figured I’d never marry since the whole dating process appeared pretty scary to me. Though I perceived interest from various boys during high school, I kept a friendly distance, protecting myself from the titanic hurts I watched my siblings suffer as they navigated through their dating years.

Then, in my junior year, when I was seventeen, I became re-acquainted with a boy who’d once lived next door to us years back, and who I’d hardly seen in recent years. He had soulful, dark blue eyes, and a marvelous, quirky sense of humor which captivated me. He didn’t show any of the annoying romantic attention that always made me wary, and I delighted in humorous bantering with him, and sharing comic observations about everything. He was such fun to talk to.

Somehow, he snuck through my giant defenses, and I found myself fascinated at the thought of getting to know him as more than a friend. Though I resisted it once I realized he was becoming romantic toward me, it grew more difficult to push away the strong feelings I had for him. To his credit, he waited and maintained our friendship while the attraction deepened. When I finally opened the door to my heart, he rushed in and though we’ve had our rough times, now five sons and 40 plus years later, he still makes me laugh and is my other half.

We also shared our spiritual journey toward new birth in Christ in our twenties, and God has been a huge part of our ongoing relationship. I am well and truly blessed with love, and children and we even have two grandchildren now. We’ve never had a regular sort of life, but I’m comfortable being rather an oddball, and so is my husband, who first taught me to embrace my eccentricities, and enjoy them, just as he’s always enjoyed his and mine.  God makes all kinds of quirky folks, and I’m so happy to share my life with my husband John, though honestly sometimes he drives me nuts!!! I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Check out Nancy’s contribution to Prism Book Group’s new Love Is series…

A Work in Progress

“Love is kind…” 1 Corinthians: 13:4



$2.99
Prism Book Group
February 26, 2016
Buy on Amazon

About the Book:
There’s something cooking outside the kitchen…. 

They’ve worked together for two years, but that’s all they have in common. Like oil and water, they just don’t mix. Julie thinks he’s a shallow flirt, Mark thinks she’s a cold fish. Despite their mutual dislike, they’ve carved out a civil work relationship at the restaurant. But after each of their inner worlds suffer a jolt; the careful, polite kitchen routine becomes a stew of conflicting emotions. Things are about to get interesting. 


My review:
Nancy Shew Bolton, author of other Prism novella favorites of mine, Hidden Storms, and The Right Ingredients (both on sale at 99 cents each), adds another winner to the Love Is line, based on the apostle Paul's famous biblical passage in I Corinthians 13. "Love does not boast" means gifted, talents chefs Julie and Mark, who work at the same steakhouse restaurant, each with their special creative abilities to turn out new special dishes, should not let stress affect their work. When Mark visits a clinic for troubling symptoms, he meets new friends who help him put his life into perspective. But when he learns about Julie's secret outside-of-work life, his sense of duty wars with his curiosity. Used to getting the attention of girls, Julie is a puzzle Mark is determined to unlock. When their lives circle around and a mutual project brings them a fresh purpose, these cooks definitely sizzle.

Told from contrasting viewpoints, A Work in Progress follows two individuals with strong passions as they learn to meld and help each other grow.