Breaking Barriers, with Gail Pallotta

Breaking Barriers

Love Is series novella 8

Gail Pallotta

Love is…not easily angered.

Except when hatred and violence rule.

Gunshots ring out as Ann Jones enters the church. She hides in the bathroom until they stop, then stumbles into the sanctuary. The congregation lies dead in pools of blood. To rebuild the church, she starts True Light Guardians. At the first meeting, she’s attacked by a terrorist, but rescued by James Crawford. He melts her heart, cold from her father’s abuse, and they fall for each other. She’s afraid to commit to love that might grow angry later, like the type she knew as a child. James yearns to stop other attempts on Ann’s life, but can’t. Tormented by her constant risks, he breaks up with her. When an assault sends her to the hospital, an unlikely ally shares Ann’s plight with James, but he reveals a lead that puts all three of them in even more danger.

Inspirational romance novella

Near future events

$2.99 eBook Buy on Amazon

Bundled Print coming in the future

When I was in college I used to run into an atheist in the small cafe where we gathered for Coca-Colas, hamburgers and French fries after class. I tried to avoid him, because he always hopped over to my table and started an argument about my faith.

Perhaps he comes to mind on the release day of Breaking Barriers for several reasons. One, he was angry at me because I am a Christian. Even though today I can’t recall which verses he used, he’d take passages from the Bible and try to make me say they weren’t true. When I wouldn’t, he’d retort with a scientific argument and claim it had to be right.

The second reason he comes to mind—it was the mention of God’s love that finally silenced him. One day I grew so frustrated I asked, “If there’s no God, where does love come from? Why don’t you mix me up a little bowl of it? If scientists could do it, they would, because they could sell a ton of it for lots of money.”

His mouth gaped.

He never trotted to my table again.

Since then I’ve read that we have chemicals in the brain that produce love. I’ve often wondered if he came up with that theory. Even if that were true, the chemicals in the brain came from somewhere, and that would still lead back to God. I hope it wasn’t him. I hope he thought about God’s great love for us and decided to read the Bible. 

Lisa's review:

In the very near future Christians in the US are targeted for destruction. Ann knows, or thinks she knows many who could be likely culprits when she’s being stalked and attempts made on her sanity and life. When she takes on the job of leading disenfranchised and now underground church members in a new united effort to save the faith, attempts on the people of faith ramp up. The new man in Ann’s life, James, shows her not only how to practice what she preaches, but also how to trust God and let go of painful mistrust she’s carried since childhood. Ann’s stubbornness about her personal safety gives James more angst than he believes he can handle.

The story contains some humor mixed in with the real possibilities of future and present attacks. We’re not as safe as we think we are. Pallotta’s story is told through several viewpoints and focus on the gentle and growing love between two people caught up in frightening events outside of what we’ve come to accept as reasonable and expected safety. The goons might provide a little comic relief, but the potential situations underscore a general lack of respect that seems rampant in these times. When Ann can’t trust family, boss, workmates, maybe not even colleagues or friends, what’s left? A short novella will transport readers into a realm where trust not only relies on being able to sort out feelings, but also on faith.

Time Trap by Danele Rotharmel

Time Trap

By Danele J. Rotharmel

Time Travel/Romance

$3.99 eBook/$16.99 print

ISBN: 978-1-943104-56-7

When problems arise during a field exam, Director Peter Matthews and Dr. Laura Nelson are sent through a time portal to investigate. While they search for their missing cadets, they encounter an enemy who is calculating and brutal—a mysterious nemesis who is holding a grudge against the TEMCO program. As Peter and Laura race to unravel clues directing them to their kidnapped cadets, their own survival comes into question. A deadly trap has been set, and they are forced to pit their wits against a serial killer who is intent on playing a deadly chess game through time itself.

Buy at the following links

Amazon   Smashwords     Barnes and Noble LISA: Danielle, I love your series premise, though I wondered about how some of the travels worked. Can you share with us some of your conundrums? DANELE: Conundrums were definitely on my mind when I wrote Time Trap. You see, at the time, I was very ill—so ill that I was quarantined in my home. I literally talked to people through the window glass. Quarantine wasn’t fun, and it lasted a long time--seven years. Now, what does quarantine have to do with the conundrums in Time Trap? Everything! My whole life while I was writing Time Trap was a conundrum. That’s why I included so many in my story. You see, before I became ill, I served God faithfully. I expected Him to keep me from harm. Instead, I became so sick that I almost died. I had to quit my job and stop driving my car. I couldn’t go to church, to stores, to restaurants, or out with my friends. I was shut up inside my house like some sort of weird zoo exhibit. I felt so much despair that I turned my back on God, but eventually, I reconciled my faith and my circumstances. When I wrote Time Trap, I explored some of my questions about God. And as the years of isolation slowly passed, I learned several truths. I learned that God is faithful. I learned that He will stand by us even when we temporarily lose faith in Him. I learned that this life is truly a momentary vapor. Pain comes, and pain goes—but God remains the same. And most of all, I learned that when we are in the middle of a trial, we can’t always see the great things that are just up ahead. I thought God was being mean when He allowed me to become ill, but what I’ve learned is that God allowed me to walk that painful path because He knew it was going to lead to something beautiful. During quarantine, I had time to draw closer to God. I studied the Bible and memorized vast quantities of Scripture. What I went through was painful, but it was beneficial. Besides my spiritual transformation, Quarantine also gave me the time I needed to write my books. During those long, painful years, I wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles (Time Trap is book two). If I hadn’t been ill, my books probably wouldn’t have been written. Quarantine also opened up a path of ministry. Because of the publication of my books, I started a blog, and on https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/, I discuss the lessons I learned during my illness. My blog is being read around the world. If my life hadn’t unfolded in the way that it did, I never would have had the opportunity to touch so many people for the Lord. Life isn’t fair. Life hurts. If we only look at the pain, we can become bitter toward God. But if we quiet ourselves and trust that everything will be okay, we learn that Romans 8:28 isn’t just a nice verse—it’s a powerful reality. God will turn every hurtful, confusing thing in our lives into something beautiful if we let Him. Our responsibility is to hold on and trust that God is real, God is good, God is concerned about everything that happens to us, and God is trustworthy. When we hold onto these truths, we can face the conundrums in life with peace—and even with joy. That’s what I have learned, and that’s what I tried to express in Time Trap.

My review:

Another romance amidst the astounding horror of a TEMCO project gone horribly awry. When a time counselor works to save a vulnerable teen in the near past, they unwittingly unleash a murderer who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on all those blamed for removing the object of desire. 

Book Two in the Time Counselor series takes a dramatic and gruesome turn even while loose ends are woven throughout and the future personas of those involved not only reach back to help at the exact right moments, but look fondly upon unfolding events. This begs the question, which is addressed in the story, of whether and especially why not prevent catastrophe when able to do so. Shouldn't suffering be avoided when possible? The answer is one for the ages and the subject of good discussion.

Told in multiple viewpoints in voices from the past and future, readers of the series, and new readers will welcome old friends and nemeses, find new villains to keep you awake at night, and a fluid, highly intertwined and entertaining visit to the future, the past, and a dramatic present as the founder of TEMCO is both available and unavailable to help his staff during their most dire project so far. Be warned: This ride is not for the faint of heart, despite the occasional lighter moments during the pursuit of true soulmates and the search for everlasting love. I especially enjoyed the creative clues used to track the murderer. Recommended for those who love a good conundrum with a truly warped antagonist and uber determined victors.

Clash of the Titles Alliance featuring Bitterroot Bride

A beautifully spun story about the power of second chances. ~ Amazon Reviewer

I loved The Bitterroot Bride! The part where she compares church 

to riding a trot made me laugh out loud.  ~A. Chatman

About the book:

No one knows the real Emmalee Warren, just what they want from the infamous prostitute. Men are coming out of the woodwork to stake a claim on the miner's widow. They wanted her body before. Now they want her money. Hiring a lawyer, Richard Lewis, to save her from financial ruin might let her start over where no one knows Miss Ellie. Becoming an unknown is the only way to freedom…or is it? Can she leave her past and build a new future?

Purchase

Amazon

Chat with Angela:

Ques: We heard there was something special that happened to you while writing your fourth book in the historical romance series, Montana Beginnings. What was special about the Bitterroot Bride heroine for you?

 

Angela: Writing Miss Emmie learning to read became an amazing experience. Though I’d learned to read at four, I didn’t understand how to connect and read people until well into my adulthood. So while Miss Emmie became proficient in reading, I became proficient in relationships. She’d eat up every book she could get her hands on and studied with intensity. I did the same thing, but about relational topics.

Ques: When did you realize the parallel character arc had so much in common with your real life?

Angela: About halfway through the first draft an epiphany happened. I stopped, took a day or so to really think about my personal experience, then began an intentional focus on writing the emotional parallel.

Ques: What do you hope Bitterroot Bride does for readers?

Angela: I hope this story is both entertaining and encouraging. I’d like readers to absorb the idea that like Miss Emmie and me, if you have the desire to learn something then you can. Age doesn’t matter.

Ques: Can you tell us the titles and a little about the Montana Beginnings series?

Angela: All four titles are set in Helena, MT from 1889 – 1895. It’s right when we became a state, but mining couldn’t support us forever. The Debutante Queen introduces us to Calista who steals an orphan off the street to protect her from a cruel master. Eleven Pipers Piping brings forward the newsies, newspaper boys and orphan train leftovers, into Mirielle’s classroom. Then in Taking the Plunge, Delphina takes us back to the iconic Broadwater Natatorium as a swim instructress. Then Emmalee enters the scene as we find out how Montana chose her state flower. Each of these lovely Victorian ladies finds her true love while carving out a meaningful life in Montana’s frontier. 

~~~~~~~

About Angela:

Angela Breidenbach is a bestselling author and host of Grace Under Pressure Radio on iTunes. Angela is the Christian Author Network's president. And yes, she's half of the comedy duo, Muse and Writer, on social media.

Connect Here:

Website: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com

Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest: @AngBreidenbach

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbachInspirationalSpeakerAuthor

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/angela-breidenbach-grace-under/id1026177378?mt=2

Clash of the Titles Alliance - The Babel Conspiracy

The Babel Conspiracy by Sylvia Bambola, was the first book I've read from this author. It will not be my last… it is very well written and at times, you won't want to put it down. Looking forward to reading more of this talented author! 

~P. McGuire

The Babel Conspiracy 

by Sylvia Bambola

About the Book:

The Babel Conspiracy is a tale of intrigue and love. Two women engineers struggle to develop the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft amid ever intensifying global terrorism and muddled personal lives. Trisha Callahan has an abiding faith in God, and “those roots of middy blouses and pleated skirts, prayer books and incense-filled churches went deep.” This faith is tested when she finds herself in love with a married man. Audra Shields sees herself as a modern Lady Chatterley, “liberated but not forsaking breeding, intellect, or femininity.” When she becomes involved with a dangerous stranger, she begins to question her lifestyle. 

Both women try sorting out their personal problems while racing the clock to finish a project fraught with sabotage and murder. And who’s behind it all? When the Department of Homeland Security and the Mossad finally figure it out, the answer surprises everyone.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

What readers are saying:

“It has been quite a long time since I have read a book such as this one, one so pertinent to today's landscape of life. The author has written an excellent novel that could have been pulled from tomorrow's headlines - from both political and scientific advancement points of view. . . . I highly recommend this book for those who love intrigue, suspense, fiction, and a little bit of romance. The book is well paced, has plenty of action, and good character development.” Rachel Helms

“The Babel Conspiracy by Sylvia Bambola is a very thought provoking novel about the way that things could be in the U.S. in the near future. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and pray for America in these perilous times. The characters were well developed and the story shows God's love and redemption.” Linda Rainey

About the Sylvia Bambola:

Sylvia Bambola is the award winning author of eight novels, including Rebekah’s Treasure (2015 CSPA Book of the Year/Christian Historical Fiction) and The Salt Covenants (2015 Reader’s Favorite

Bronze Medal Winner/Christian Historical Fiction). A resident of Florida, she teaches women’s Bible studies and has two grown children.

Where to find Sylvia:

Website

Goodreads 

Facebook

Twitter

New cozy mystery series for the Bunco set

Dumpster Dicing

Julie Cosgrove

Book review

Prism Book Group

June 10, 2016

Ebook $3.99

Print $12.99 (208 pages)

A Bunco Biddies cozy mystery, book 1

As Janie and Betsy Ann go for their morning jog, the city sanitation vehicle follows its normal five-mile Tuesday morning route through their retirement community of Sunset Acres. The two Bunco-playing biddies spot a leg dangling out of the dumpster when the truck lifts the trash container high in the air. Someone diced up one of their newest residents—a grouchy loner named Edwin Newman. Did he unpack too much of his dicey past when he moved in last weekend? 

My review:

Betsy Ann and Janie are widowed friends in their retirement community, Sunset Acres, in Alamoville, Texas. They play the dice game of Bunco with several ladies, including special friends Ethel and Mildred, whose barking puppy, Poopsy, caused the new neighbor, the despicable Mr. Newman, to complain and even hit the poor thing. While Betsy Ann accuses Janie of being a walking know-it-all encyclopedia, Betsy Ann has a walking inventory of the residents and their particular physical and mental capabilities.

Out for exercise one morning on trash day, the ladies are taking a breather when they spy a blue-jean-clad leg as the dumpster is being emptied. Janie recognizes the newly-moved-in grouch Newman, and the race to solve the murder is on between the biddies and Janie’s son-in-law, an Alamoville detective, Blake Johnson, who truly needs to spend more time with the family. They vow to help Blake whether he thinks he needs it or not.

Soon the ladies have the neighborhood divvied up and begin interrog—um, visiting with the neighbors in the search for clues. They put their wits to the test and do research in back issues of newspapers to get to the bottom of their former neighbor’s cash reserves, foul temper, and mistaken identity. When the whole Bunco group starts to help the police, Blake in particular, find the murderer so they can all feel safe again, it’s Operation Bunco Biddies to the rescue.

Told in multiple viewpoints, the ladies add their detecting skills to the adventure, all in good natured attempts to help Blake get to his daughters’ special school year-end events, and learn more about themselves and their need to uplift and support each other in the process. First of a series. Nicely done. Lots of fun for those who enjoy chatty senior citizen-set mysteries.

Visit Julie B Cosgrove's website to learn more about the author and her work.

Clash of the Titles May Champion

This month’s clash was one of International flavor, with participants from Australia to Canada writing historical fiction, mysteries and fantasy. The authors are truly a talented group and we are proud to feature their work.

Our Clash fans are awesome! You left wonderful encouraging words, a portion of which follow:

Rachelle Rea is so talented. I can't wait to read The Sound of Emeralds.

I am currently reading the last book in the trilogy written by author Rachelle Rea. So looking forward to the third of what I hope to be a long list of reading by this author.

Christine Lindsay, you work so hard to tell a great story that your books are a delight.

The Sound of Emeralds is such a good read, Rachelle! I was in tears when she lost the baby and nearly sobbing thinking that Gwyn would shut out Dirk for good! But you did tell me there was a happy ending, so I was not in despair! Lol Thank you for writing!

I so enjoy reading your books Christine Lindsay. Thank you for creating memorable stories that once I begin to read I cannot put down.

Lucy Thompson, Great title, great cover!

They are all fantastic looking books.

But of course there can be only one Champion. 

Christine Lindsay and Sofie's Bridge!

Congratulations!

About Christine, author of Multi-Award-Winning Christian Fiction and Motivational Speaker:

Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction. Tales of her Irish ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India inspired her multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British Raj, Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and explosive finale Veiled at Midnight. Christine’s Irish wit and her use of setting as a character is evident in her contemporary romance Londonderry Dreaming and her newest release Sofi’s Bridge 

Aside from being a busy writer and speaker, Christine and her husband live on the west coast of Canada. Coming August 2016 is the release of Christine’s non-fiction book Finding Sarah—Finding Me: A Birthmother’s Story. Please drop by Christine’s website www.ChristineLindsay.org or follow her on Amazon onTwitter. Subscribe to her quarterly newsletter, and be her friend on Pinterest , Facebook, and Goodreads.

How did the idea for Sofi's Bridge take root for you?

I always wanted to write a book about the various types of emotional and mental illnesses that strike individuals and families. In Sofi's Bridge I painted Sofi's mother as a vulnerable woman, addicted to laudanum as she grieves over the sudden loss of her husband. Historically doctors prescribed this heavy narcotic to patients for even the smallest emotional upset, and of course these patients became addicts. This is an issue that is so prevalent today. My own dear mother was diagnosed incorrectly by a busy physician and prescribed heave drugs that she not only became addicted to, but that created a mental illness that she never had in the first place. I stepped in as my mother's advocate to get her to a better doctor, see her weaned off these powerful drugs that she did not need and brought back to full mental health. Today she is the social butterfly at our church, and the card lady who send out greeting and encouragement cards to everyone in our church for all occasions. This is only one of the strong themes in what appears to be a light historical romance.  

Tell us what's next for you, Christine.

I'm writing a new novel, but also eagerly looking forward to the release in mid-August of my non-fiction book Finding Sarah--Finding Me: A Birthmother's Story. This is not just my story as a woman who relinquished my first-born to adoption, but includes other stories of people who have been touched by adoption and adoption reunion. The theme of this book is finding our identity in the face of Christ. 

Thank you Christine, and congratulations from the Clash of the Titles team.

Life is a Highway with Tracy Krauss

Life Is a Highway 

Tracy Krauss

$2.99 eBook

$5.98 Print
ISBN-13: 9781491223741

Buy on Amazon 

c. 2014

About the Book:

Life is full of surprises and there are many unexpected twists along the way. Hope and guidance are within reach when you let God be your tour guide. Using Biblical examples sprinkled with personal anecdotes. This little book offers sound advice and is sure to lift your spirits. Based on a series of talks given at a Christian women's retreat, it can be used as a study manual for small groups or as a personal devotional.

My Review:

Connecting with other people of faith is important for encouragement and sharing life lessons and experiences. Krauss’s book is like a virtual visit with this uplifting author. The chapters vary a bit in length, but each is a deeply personal and honest reflection on one Christian’s faith walk. Scripture comes alive to me when I see it interpreted through the eyes and practice of others, role models, so to speak. Krauss shares honestly where she came from as a youth, how she gave her life to Christ, and the continued sometimes difficult but joyful walk as a wife and mother and daughter of the king.

The personal reflection questions are great, intentional, and made me think about how I want to be seen as a person of faith to my neighbors and what practicing m faith really means to me. It’s a short book but shouldn’t be read all in one gulp. I’ll be going back to it.

About the Author: Tracy Krauss is a multi-published author and playwright living in northern BC, Canada. For more, visit her website: http://www.tracykrauss.com