DREAMING of: The Start of a Journey

I recently read this post by Susan Tuttle that was a total challenge and encouragement to me. She spent just a few words on dreams, but they were the most powerful words I read this week. And asked a question that hit my core: why do we pray ourselves right to the precipice of a dream and then just…quit? (Casey paraphrase)

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And I realized…I do this. I passionately pursue a dream and then after a while, it’s like I just…stop. Not always intentionally, but it’s like the fervor dies. Sometimes that’s the right thing, but sometimes I wonder if we lose faith because it hasn’t happened within what we thought would be our timing.

If “Dream” is going to be my One Word for 2014 and I’m going to take this journey seriously, I have an obligation to fulfill. First to God and honoring the dreams that He has placed in my heart. And second to myself to pursue those dreams. Not just sitting on the sidelines anymore, but getting up and learning how honor these dreams. That might look different for every single dream. It will look different. Maybe it means growing closer to God and His word. Maybe it means agreeing to something that frightens me in the changing of it all, but will ultimately lead to more good things God has in store.

I don’t have an agenda for this one word this year. What I do have for this year is to see where trust in God’s direction for these dreams takes me.

One of my friends posted on my Facebook page this week: “I hope this is the year of many dream-come-true moments”.

I don’t know if it will be or not. BUT what I do know and have complete confidence in this one thing: dreams are from God. The dreams He lays on our hearts and the dreams that present themselves in our circumstances. When our hearts are turned toward God, He’s going to direct us to those dreams that set our heart’s passions on fire.

This is the start of my “dream” journey. 

A Charming Collection! ~ A Match Made in Texas ~ Review

Just by the author names on the front cover, a savvy reader is going to know they are in for a spectacular treat with this sweet collection of love stories. And for the not-yet-familiar reader, they are sure to discover their new favorite historical romance authors.

          

  Each novella in this four book collection takes place in the quaint little town of Dry Gulch, Texas. One would not think love would be prone to blossom in such a place, but one matchmaker is not about to let love slip these heroes and heroines by.

           

Each story is unique and special to the author’s talents and voice. For fans of the Archers from previous full length fiction, readers get the chance to read Neill’s love story. His and Clara’s was definitely my favorite and I could have easily read an entire length book about these two.

            

One of the things I’ve never been in love with about novellas is the story line feels rushed or put-on because of the story word count. But I loved this collection. Each story did justice to their characters and covered a good bit of ground for having so little to work with. And there is a fun little “twist” to the last story as we finally meet who has been setting all our characters up.

         

   From beginning to end, a pleasurable collection of stories that will warm and soothe the most romantic of hearts.

          

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

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More about the title...

In Dry Gulch, Texas, 1893, a young woman with a tender heart that longs to help those in need takes it upon herself to meddle in the affairs of three acquaintances who are in dire straits. Wanting to stay anonymous, she relies on unusual methods to hire men and women of good character who she thinks can solve the problems facing her “targets.” How was she to know that her meddling would turn into a cupid’s arrow? And what will she do when her friends turn the tables on her with a matchmaking scheme of their own?

Four novellas in one volume.

Giveaway! Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Julie Lessman, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

Four life-altering words: Gone With the Wind. When I read that novel at the age of twelve, I was swept away into the world of romance for the very first time, capturing me like no other book had ever done. I immediately set out to write (along with thousands of other love-struck young girls, I’m sure), what I hoped would be “the great American novel.” Obviously my dreams of grandeur didn’t go anywhere, but I did write 150 pages of a story that became the basis (some forty years later!) for my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

Oh, now here’s a surprise—Gone With the Wind! From the moment Scarlett seared Rhett with a look on the winding staircase of Twelve Oaks, I was hooked, and my “romance-writing career” began! Clearly for me, GWTW is the greatest historical novel I’ve ever read, not only for the rich and sweeping Civil War tapestry that Margaret Mitchell created, but for the wonderful impact it had on me as well.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

I would look myself in the eye (in a mirror, obviously) and point a definitive finger, making sure I understood—really and truly understood—that what I was about to say was something critical for every Christian author to know. And that is—our peace, joy, and confidence MUST come from God, not from our career. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way!

Oh, how I wish I had known what an emotional roller-coaster it was going to be AFTER I got published. Like a lot of unpublished writers, I thought all the anxiety and self-doubt would dissipate after I signed on the dotted line. I mean that would validate me, wouldn’t it? Give me confidence as a writer? But I discovered that true confidence is not in accolades from your editor or a really good review, but instead in where your heart is with God. HE is my confidence when my sales rankings on Amazon.com are high or low, which is why 2 Corinthians ll:3 is a bedrock Scripture prayer for me as an author: Please, Lord—do not let my mind “be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out?

BC (before career as a writer), definitely homemade. AC? Take-out!

Email or snailmail?

HA! I think most people today would say “email,” don’t you? Goodness, does anybody write letters anymore?

Online shopping or Black Friday deals?

For others, online shopping—for as much as I can possibly get away with. For myself? Store shopping on the least busiest days!

Books or movies?

Oh, books, books, books!! Except on weekends, of course, then movies, movies, movies, because I can snuggle with Keith.

Note-taker or memorization?

Are you kidding—with my memory??? Note-taker!

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

I actually have two, one for each of the O’Connor saga series. For The Daughters of Boston series, it’s book 2, A Passion Redeemed, because it was the most fun to write of any book I’ve ever written. I actually wrote it (almost 500 pages) in two months, and that was working part-time at my day job! It just seemed to flow from me, I guess because Charity is so much like I used to be before Christ that it felt natural to be writing her story. I had to laugh at my husband while he was reading A Passion Redeemed because he couldn’t stand Charity. Poor guy, I didn’t have the heart to tell him he’s been married to her (without the incredible physical beauty) for over 35 years! J

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE A Passion Most Pure because it was both my debut novel and my love letter to God. And, of course, the heroine Faith O’Connor is very special to me because she is my spiritual self, so to speak—a woman heavily dependant on God and emotionally involved with Him, who prays at the drop of a hat. But Charity—goodness, my heart goes out to her and the woman I used to be—selfish, manipulative, lost. I think that’s why she fascinates me so much, because I look at her (and women like her) in the same way I suspect God looked at me back then—with eyes full of love and hope that we all can become new creatures in Christ. And quite frankly, I think she is just downright funny and quirky and such a hoot that she makes me laugh—especially in the 2^nd series, Winds of Change.

My favorite book in the Winds of Change series? Oh my, that would be A Hope Undaunted, my tip-top favorite book of all those I’ve written. Not only do I love, love, LOVE all the head-butting between the hero and heroine Luke McGee and Katie O’Connor, but this book is so well rounded with everything I love. Not only do you have an explosive love story between the hero and heroine, but several dramatic subplots, a family trauma that unites the entire family, incredible history during the Roaring 20s and Great Depression, and a story where three types of love come together with a powerful message—romantic love, brotherly love and Agape love. And then, of course, there’s always Luke McGee … hubba, hubba! J

Places for readers to learn more about you or contact you?

Well, I love to hear from reader friends, so if they like, they can contact me through my website at http://www.julielessman.com, either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/. Or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest.

Also, I have a cool blog feature on my website called “Journal Jots” at 

http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/, which is a very laid-back weekly journal to my reader friends that will give your readers an idea as to my relaxed style of writing.

Or readers can check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books on the “Excerpts” tab of my website at http://www.julielessman.com/excerpts/.

Of course, I can be found daily at The Seekers blog at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/, a group blog of 13 published authors that inspires, encourages, teaches, and informs aspiring writers on the road to publication and beyond.

Finally, here are some fun freebies, sales, and giveaways going on right now or in the future:

1.) FREE DOWNLOAD of my debut novel A Passion Most Pure! American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year, A Passion Most Pure has 341 five-star reviews on Amazon and some of readers have actually read it more than 20 times! Here are the links for your free download!  AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, CBD.COM 

2.) SALE TO END SOON ON 99-CENT A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW! I hope you’ll check out my video for my Irish love story, A Light in the Window, which stars my daughter and has won three awards and garnered 125 five-star reviews. It’s still only 99 CENTS on Amazon, but only for a little while longer, so check out the video here, http://bit.ly/1kkzvlC, and you can download it here: AMAZON.

3.) FREE DOWNLOAD on Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Inspirational and Sweet Markets coming FEBRUARY 11-15 on Amazon, so mark your calendar and here’s the link to find out more about the book: Romance-ology 101.

4.) NEW CONTEST TO HAVE A CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU IN MY NEXT BOOK!  I have a newsletter contest going on now through 3/31/14 where posting even one short review for any of my books will enter you to win a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and if you are the top poster, a $50 gift card. So if you're interested, just sign up for my newsletter (I send out two a year) at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send you the info, okay? 

Thanks, Casey, for a fun interview!

Hugs, Julie

Readers, enter to win Julie's book here!

Please leave an email address! 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 7th

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 

How Big is YOUR Brave?

I bought this song for my Kindle this weekend and have listened to it several times a day since the purchase.

The one line that continues to stand out to me is “show me how big your brave is”. I keep going back to this one phrase as the singer shouts it from the rooftops of the song. It’s potent and strikes me in the gut. How big is my brave?

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We often don’t say what we think, do we? And most times that might be a good thing. Ha! But what about the times we hide behind the skirts of political correctness? I know I do. Too many times. I don’t like to see strife or upset and while that’s a good process in theory, often in reality it’s just a coping mechanism. A hiding place. How many times do I—do we—say we’re “fine” when the truth is far from so? We’ve made this form of lying acceptable in Western civilization.

Just how big is your brave? Big enough to state the truth in love? Big enough to stand up for yourself? To preach the gospel to a hurting soul? To pray for someone who might not accept the words pouring from your heart?

We all have inhibitions that hold us back. Whatever those might be, when the open door is presented to us, we either immediately back away because it’s something we have determined we would never do, or we simply assume we won’t enjoy. But how often are we sticking God in a box, because our brave isn’t big enough?

And I’m not referring to bungie jumping off the side of the Grand Canyon (because I would never do that)…what I am saying is what if: your husband is promoted, but it means you have to move and leave all your friends? What if the young man you’ve been courting is ready to propose marriage, but you’re afraid to say yes…to commit to one person that might hurt you later?

But the BIG what if lies in this one question: are you not brave enough to jump and know God’s arms are there to catch you? When our hearts are aligned with His, though our faith may be as small as a mustard seed, if He asks us to jump, we know He’s there. With arms outstretched. It’s only when we hesitate, when we put limitations on our brave that we risk the stumble and fall.

So I go back to the original question: how big is YOUR brave? 

Giveaway! A Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer!

Welcome back to Writing for Christ Karen Witemeyer, I am excited to have you here for a second time. :- )

What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?

I recently renewed my contract with Bethany House, this time with four full-length novels and two novellas. After experimenting with novellas in the new collection A Match Made in Texas that I am in along with Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Carol Cox, I found that I really enjoyed writing shorter pieces. I hope to incorporate more of them into my writing schedule. With three kids at home and a full-time job outside of writing, I know I'm not able to write more than one full-length project a year. However, I'd love to give my fans more content, so I'm hoping the addition of these novellas proves to be a good compromise. The next two novellas will probably be e-book only instead of being part of a printed collection, so this will be an experiment for my publisher as well to see if they sell well enough to justify the time and expense in producing them. I'm thankful to have a publisher who is willing to try new things. We'll just have to let the readers decide if they like it or not.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

I love reading Christmas novellas over the holidays, and I found one this year from a western author who I am coming to really enjoy. The name of the story was Miracle in New Hope by Kaki Warner. It was about a scarred, reclusive man, a heartsick woman, and a lost little girl in a Colorado snow storm. Just the kind of story I love.

The most truly spectacular read I had lately, though, was a non-fiction book. Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. I love books that challenge me to examine my spiritual walk in a new way. This book does that. It cuts through all the justifications and rationalizations to get to the heart of a person's Christianity. Are you a fan of Jesus or truly a follower? The book challenges you to strive for more than superficial Christianity, to find true discipleship. The author uses the lives of biblical characters who faced a crossroads where Christ demanded that they define their relationship with him – Fan or Follower – as well as contemporary examples from his own life and the lives of those around him. This book made me examine my faith in a brutally honest way. I would highly recommend it.

Do you have favorite authors?

I do have a handful of favorite authors that I return to again and again. In the Christian publishing world, some of these would include Mary Connealy, Margaret Brownley, and Dani Pettrey. In the general market, my favorites include Julia Quinn, Anne Gracie, Jodi Thomas, and the older historicals by Julie Garwood.

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?

By far, the most enjoyable aspect of being a published author is hearing from readers. I love to hear the stories of how my writing has encouraged them or given them pleasure. The best stories, however, are the ones that come from readers who have been facing difficult faith struggles in their lives and who feel God connecting with them through the spiritual threads of my books. That is why I write – not just to entertain, but to bring glory to God and encourage his people to a greater maturity in Christ.

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? :- )

I dream of a mountain retreat, a remote cabin surrounded by forest and quiet (yet with remarkable Internet connectivity) where I can simply look out the window to find inspiration. Sigh. What I get instead is either a basement-level office with a window that allows me a crack of sky or a bedroom with pillows propped behind my back for support and a laptop. Frequent interruptions and not much scenery. Yet, I can't complain. In truth, all that gorgeous mountain scenery would probably prove too distracting. Perhaps it's better to have a dull writing space so that I will want to spend more time in the fertile fields of my imagination.

Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?

I am a slow writer to begin with. I'm one of those odd ducks who insists on editing as I go. Everything must be perfect before I move on to the next section. There is no giant creative purge for me. My usual daily goal is to write two polished pages. Sometimes I've even managed three or four, but never more than that. Well, just a few weeks ago, I was writing at home, trying to finish a chapter that I thought would be done in about two pages. Wrong. Six pages and about four hours later, I finally finished it. That's my record so far.

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels. 

Readers, enter to win Karen's book here!

Please leave an email address! 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 January 31st

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 

Change is in the Air

It's a brand new year. 

2014. 

Fresh and new without being tainted, but can you just tell when change is around the

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corner? Maybe it's expected and wanted change, or maybe it's change that won't be very welcomed. It seems inevitable. 

I certainly hope that this new year brings some welcome and expected changes. I have prayed and committed my future towards that hopeful end, while also knowing that...my hoped-for changes might not be in God's plan. 

Oh what a throat-lump to swallow.

It isn't what I like to dwell on...who really likes to think about what they will do if God shuts that door and says no? But there really doesn't need to be much "thinking" involved, does there? It's God's answer. Period. And He's got something better in store.

Several weeks ago I learned of some changing news. Nothing directly in my life, but the ripples of this change do make a difference to me. And I admit it: I gulped. Big time. Could I still do this? I wasn't sure. I mean, this change affected everything I had planned for the next several months. 

God, why do I have to try and figure this out on my own?

Yes. I stopped there. Hyperventilating and all, I paused. Did God tell me I was going to do this on my own?

Um. No. 

Does He expect me to do this project all on my own?

Um. No.

I think 2014 is bringing change. I don't know what yet or when it will happen, but it's coming. It'll be scary changes and yet oh-so-good changes. It'll involve growing pains and smiles of joy. But no matter what, good or bad, God knows what is happening. Here and now and ten minutes or ten months from now. 

Why do we as humans worry and fixate on that which we cannot control? Even if we could, why would we want to? Change is going to happen. It's only when we resist and fight our way into this change that it becomes the most painful. What we love and what we have is constantly in a state of flux. Children grow up and move away. Good co-workers come and go. People retire or change careers. Friends grow apart and life just...changes.

2014 is going to be full of changes. Good and bad. The question is: what do you intend to do about them? There's nothing you can do to stop them from coming, but instead maybe we need to be praising God for the moment we have and soak up every second of it. Instead of fighting the change that will surely bring good and not evil, just as His Word promises.

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen ~ Review

Regency England seems to be the place to travel in today’s Christian fiction circles and there certainly seems to be plenty happening within the characters and their circumstances especially when it comes to living within their expected-and respectable-boundaries.

            

I will admit that Alec has not been my favorite hero to read, but-yes, I’m including a but-he grew and changed as the story progressed and I liked him a bit better. He has a bit of a pretentious air about him when the book starts, though he is reinventing himself in humble beginnings.

            Julia is a challenging character as well. Strong willed, she does manipulate her way around her mother’s affections and their strained relationship make for some strained scenes.

            It’s not a smooth ride for sure, though the thought of “regency fiction” does lend itself to seeming that way. You get a peek into a time period that really, had all the same problems we do, just dressed a bit differently.

            The ending was satisfying and the characters changed from their beginning counterparts. While not my favorite of titles that I’ve finished so far this year, I have absolutely no doubt that avid fans of Regency England will fall in love with Alec and Julia’s story and the stands they learn to take.

            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...

Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire--but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village--and heal long-kept-secret scars?

*~*Contest Info*~*

Best-selling author Julie Klassen will be hosting a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a live webcast event (1/23) to celebrate the release of her latest novel, The Dancing Master. Enter and RSVP today!

 
  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 23rd. Winner will be announced at the "All Things Jane (from Austen to Eyre)" Live Webcast Event on January 23rd. Connect with Julie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Julie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, Jane Austen DVDs, fun "Jane" merchandise, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Dancing Master and join Julie and friends on the evening of January 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

Giveaway! Shadowed by Grace by Cara C. Putman!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Cara Putman, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I’ve always had a love for good books and stories. When I was a teen, my favorite authors didn’t write new books fast enough – now I understand why! But at the time I thought they should be able to write more books in a year, so I decided to try my hand at it. Life intervened after I’d started two books, but the desire to write never died. In God’s perfect timing, He resurrected the dream and gave me the green light to chase the dream again.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

Circlemaker by Mark Batterson came at a time that I felt God was telling me to dream bigger and more. The challenge to circle those dreams in prayer came at a great time. Honestly, it’s something I still need to do. And God is continually challenging me to dare for more. His dreams for me are so much bigger than mine – and some of mine seem audacious to me!

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

To dig deeper earlier. To really push my characters to the crux of their stories at an earlier stage in writing. It takes work, but I think my stories are richer when I get to that point earlier. I’d also remind myself to stop and enjoy the journey. I’m really good at the work parts of writing, but I’d celebrate the milestones and achievements more.

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? Homemade tasting take out.

Email or snailmail? Snailmail – I love a note I can return to and read again.

Online shopping or Black Friday deals? There’s something about the hunt in a store that trumps online.

Books or movies? Books…they’re almost always better than the movie.

Note-taker or memorization? Note-taker!

               

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

Stars in the Night would tie with Shadowed by Grace. Stars by the Night was the first time I got to tell a fuller WWII story and it incorporate the glitz and glamour of classic Hollywood with a unique piece of WWII homefront history and a body count. Shadowed by Grace contains a piece of WWII history with the Monuments Men that fascinated me and it’s the first time I got to tell an international story, which has its own set of challenges.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

They can learn more about me on my website: www.caraputman.com, my blog: www.caraputman.com/blog, Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman, Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman, Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/caraputman, Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman

Thank you for being with us today!

Thanks for having me, Casey!

Readers, enter to win Cara's book here!

Please leave an email address! 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 January 24th

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 

Thriller of a Ride ~ No One to Trust by Lynette Eason ~ Review

Though not the usual “murder mystery”, “No One to Trust” took the reader on a fast-paced race to keep our hero and heroine safe.

          

  I think these characters become instantly likeable thrust into the situation that they are in: running for their lives. The action kept a good handle on the tension as our characters raced from the bad guys and we learned who was behind all the deception. I did like that the reader saw who was “behind the gun”, but I certainly held my breath a time or two, sure that the villain was lying in wait to take out our characters.

        

    I loved that our hero and heroine are already married at the start of the book. They already know they love each other, it’s building back up the trust that has been torn down. Summer’s distrust of her husband due to his lies are certainly understandable, but I didn’t feel I got as much of a glimpse into her backstory as I wanted to. It’s hard to weave all those kind of pieces into a story like this, but being a reader who really likes to dig into the mind of a character, I felt it was a bit shallow.

         

   The book overall is a quick read and a fast paced one. I’m certainly glad I requested it to review and look forward to what the second book in the series might bring.

           

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

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More about the novel...

Summer Abernathy wakes up one morning to find her husband missing, three men in her home intent on finding him, and the life she's been living based on a lie. Which Kyle Abernathy did she marry? The computer programmer she met in line at the bank? Or the one who was apparently using that image as a cover story?

The search for her husband--and answers--takes Summer ever deeper into a world of organized crime where people are used one moment and discarded the next. And with her deepest relationship of trust already shattered, Summer doesn't know who to believe.