Exceptionally Well Told ~ Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz ~ Review

From the first hundred or so pages of the novel, I wasn’t exactly sure where the plot was going. But the writing  and characters were intriguing and I wanted to see what would bring them together in a unique telling. After those first a hundred or so pages, the story that came upon me, kept me turning the pages to the climax.

            The novel is a masterful writing creation. It’s a bit slow in the beginning, but once you’ve read through to the end, everything in the start completely falls into place and I could be nothing but in awe of all the little details set in place.

            There is poetry to the writing and a style that lends to be more graceful and not as hard-edged or fast paced and more of a literary style. I’m not sure I am completely in love with it, but at the same time, I appreciate it and it fit the story very well.

            I hate to say too much in this review for fear of giving away too many details, but I can say that I loved Ally characterization. She started out hard-edged in the beginning, but seemed to be embracing God’s love in the end. I didn’t like a certain action she did in the end, at the same time I can understand it – I just don’t agree with it.

            All in all, it’s a good novel. Crafted exceptionally well, written in a style that keeps the reader moving forward and never stale in the motion of the characters or story.

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review.


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More about the novel and contest info!

Three lives are bound by a single book . . . and the cleansing waters of Molasses Creek.    

    Having traveled to the ends of the earth as a flight attendant, Ally Green has finally returned to the Lowcountry to bury her father as well as the past. But Vesey Washington is still living across the creek, and theirs is a complicated relationship—he was once her best friend . . . and also part of the reason she’s stayed away so long. When Ally discovers a message her father left behind asking her to quit running, it seems her past isn’t through with her yet.    

    As Ally’s wandering spirit wrestles with a deep longing to flee again, a young woman on the other side of the world escapes her life of slavery in the rock quarries of Nepal. A mysterious sketchbook leads Sunila Kunari to believe there’s more to her story than she’s ever been told, and she’s determined to follow the truth wherever it leads her.    

    A deep current intertwines the lives of these three souls, and a destiny of freedom, faith, and friendship awaits them all on the banks of Molasses Creek.    

Nicole is celebrating the release of Beyond Molasses Creek with a fabulous "Friendship" Facebook party! She'll be giving away a ton of great stuff (KINDLE TOUCH, some of her own beautiful artwork, a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies of the book for your small group/book club and a Live Skype Chat with Nicole), and more!    

         

    CLICK the button  (below) to RSVP for the party - then join us on February 16th for a book chat, story sharing and prizes! Hope to see you there!    

Save the Date! 2/16!

Charming Entertainment ~ Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer ~ Review

“Song of My Heart” is a completely charming story filled with quirky characters, escalating tension, sweet romance and just a few chuckle-worthy fiction moments.

           

I’ve got to start with the secondary characters, Melba, Shelba and Asa have got to be the most outrageous characters – not in a bad way – just in a bit of the ridiculous funny. Get into the way Asa (the villain) thinks and you just might want to chuckle – I did. (wink)

           

I loved Thad. A strapping hero, but with a heart of gold, though he isn’t without his troubles for sure. I love the subtleties of his character, his growth and realization through the course of the story.

           

You can’t get any more emotionally tormented than Sadie. Though I’ve never been in her kind of situation to need to provide for her family, I could completely understand and feel for that pull toward what’s right and what she needs to do.

            

The ending was definitely my favorite part of the novel. So many parts of the story came together for a well written ending that charmed and entertained this reader.

          

  Reading is all about entertainment and I found it easy and enjoyable to escape for a few hours into “Song of My Heart”. It’s a delightful read and a ready addition to my collection.

            

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.

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More about the novel and author....

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Song of My Heart Bethany House (February 1, 2012) by Kim Vogel Sawyer


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.






ABOUT THE BOOK

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.


Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.


Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Song of My Heart, go HERE.

Giveaway! Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey

Welcome to Writing for Christ Ann Shorey, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

 I’m a dog lover. I introduce a dog in Where Wildflowers Bloom, and by the second book he’s got a larger role. Who knows? Maybe in the third book he’ll be the protagonist. Ha. In my own life, I’ve had one or more dogs as far back as I can remember. I prefer larger breeds, such as golden retrievers or black labs. My current dog is a Belgian Malinois. A Malinois looks much like a German Shepherd, but overall they are smaller in stature. The females have “pretty” faces, and mine is beautiful. Not that I’m prejudiced!

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

 I love historical fiction, both as a reader and as an author. My favorite part as a reader is learning historical tidbits painlessly. As a writer, coming up with historical information is not so painless, but still fun. I have to make myself stop chasing rabbit trails and get on with my writing. I also love mystery and suspense novels, although I have no plans to write one.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

For a long time I’ve felt inferior to authors who can whip out 5,000+ words in a day. Then recently I read an interview with James Lee Burke in Writer’s Digest magazine, where he said that every day when he gets up he has his next two scenes in his head. He never sees farther ahead than two scenes. That comment was freeing to me—and it works. If I have my next two scenes in my mind, I write without feeling pressure about my word count. And somehow the words stack up!

5 things you love?

Only five?

1.      The Lord, for forgiving my sins and providing my salvation.

2.      My husband and family—and again, thanks to the Lord for bringing my husband into my life.

3.      Reading.

4.      My dog. J

5.      French roast coffee and dark chocolate.

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

I love connecting with readers, both in person and online. I’m a people person, so I enjoy visiting with readers at signings.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

Please visit my website: www.annshorey.com, or find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey.  I love to hear from readers, so feel free to contact me through either address.

Thank you for being with us today!  

Thank you for inviting me, Casey! 

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Ann's latest book!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 17th.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Up and Coming Fiction! Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt

Kissing the wrong guy days before her wedding leads Allison to become a runaway bride. But can it also lead to happily ever after?

Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong: the huge wedding, the frothy dress, and the groom.

Still, kissing the groom’s brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a “Runaway Bride,” complete with "borrowing" her best friend’s car, doesn’t seem to solve her problems.

Can Allison find her way out of this mess? She prefers to be the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.

Wish You Were Here is fun and full of humor—sure to be a pleasure to inspirational romance readers

Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt

Howard Books / May 2012 / ISBN: 9781451659863 / Pages: 336 / Paperback: $14.99

Howard Books ~ Beth Vogt

A Novel to Be Shared ~ A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Dr. Gary Chapman ~ Review

It’s a quaint novella, even for this reader, being a bit “thick” in catching onto the similarities to Dicken’s infamous Christmas carol (I know, pathetic). But never fear, most readers will not have this problem and it didn’t make me enjoy the story any less.

            Some of the similarities between that old tale and this new one in “A Marriage Carol” are pretty funny: “Jacob and Marlee Ebeneezer”, but thankfully the dog was not named Scrooge. (wink)

            All joking aside, I found this novella a quick read, but completely charming. It’s a real world story in a couple on their way to sign the divorce papers, but what happens on the road to the lawyer completely sidelines any plans they had.

            I loved the little twist in the end, something I didn’t see coming and made me smile. It makes you think about how every choice we make effects our lives, no matter how small. In the book “Marlee” had the chance to see into her future, something that will never happen to the normal person in a normal world, but it certainly begs the question, would we make the same choices if we knew what the future’s outcome would be? Probably not.

            It’s a good story that gets its point across, but in a way that is enjoyable, sweet and worthy of sharing with any struggling (or not struggling) couple.

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Netgalley for my copy to review.     

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More about the novel...

This book was supposed to take part in the CFBA tour, but I never received my print copy. Sooo, I requested one from Netgalley and thought I post the required CFBA posting for you. :-)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Marriage Carol Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011) by Chris Fabry and Gary ChapmanABOUT THE AUTHORS:

CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the bestselling Five Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars, and his radio program airs on more than 400 stations.







ABOUT THE BOOK

On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm. This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they’re traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer’s office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow , spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Paul is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.


The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs—and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Marriage Carol, go HERE.

Friday's Note:

The winner of Death in Dahlonega by Deborah Malone is...

Holdenj!!

I'm emailing you now, so be haunting your inbox!

Living in Fear

I struggle with fear. 


I can be paranoid. On edge. Worried. Cautious. Overly anxious.


Basically fear. No matter how you label it, I have to fight it. And I have to fight it in such a way that I do not become blind to those things which I should be aware of, but also...not become consumed with that fear.


Because I do, much too easily. 

Photo Credit All Rights Reserved

My toes crimp around the end of the balance beam, but one slip of my eyes from the 2x4 beneath my body and I'm falling, falling, falling back into that pit of fear. 


It's such a debilitating emotion. It cripples my soul and makes me want to give up. What is the point of continuing to fight and try when fear only creeps closer and closer?


There is every point. Because when fear grabs and jerks at my throat, it's the devil's talons sucking deep. And I can't live my life bathed in fear. I can't wake up to a day without hope or joy or peace. And I have to turn to the giver of those gifts, fall on my face and beg for His holiness to sweep through me.


But too often this is my last response. It's not my chosen direction and I give into the fear. Let it fill my chest until I can't breathe. It's not a pleasant way to live life. It's not an honest way to live life. Because God calls us to rise above the rest of the world. To put our trust in Him and Him alone. 


That's not to say we shouldn't be aware or alert, watching the darkness around us. But it's everything about not letting that darkness slip in upon us. 


I can't live in fear. So I make this stand.


I REFUSE to live in fear. 

Giveaway and Author Interview: Hush Little Baby by Deborah Piccurelli

Welcome to Writing for Christ Deborah Piccurelli, it is great to have you here!

It’s a pleasure and honor to be here!  

Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

Maybe it shows from what I write, or in my website, but I am an advocate for sanctity of life issues.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

I like to read all genres, but my favorite is romantic suspense, which is why I write it.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

It’s the marketing thing. Be prepared and have a plan. It’s not as easy as I thought.

5 things you love?

Can some be people? First, of course, I love the Lord, and His Word. I love my family (husband, sons, puppy), I love writing (naturally), and reading (naturally, again).

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

I am touched whenever I receive feedback from readers about how much they liked my books and couldn’t put them down until they reached the end.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

www.deborahmpiccurelli.com

Twitter: @DebPiccurelli

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1035534-deborahp

I plan to join Facebook very soon, but have avoided it until now. I am also having a blog constructed and added to my website which I call, “Nuggets from God.”

Thank you for being with us today!

My pleasure, and thank you for having me! 

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Deborah's latest book!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on February 10th.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com