Giveaway! At Every Turn by Anne Mateer!

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

I’m not sure this is an “interesting” fact, but I started college as an English major (because I wanted to be a writer) but switched to history after my first semester because my English professor gave me a C in my freshman writing class! I pretty much thought I was done as a writer after that.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Historical fiction has always been my favorite to read and write, but I have written contemporary novels (unpublished) and I enjoy reading many genres, though I don’t read some as often as others. For instance, when I read suspense, it can’t be too scary, and even then I’m usually only up for 1 or 2 a year!

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

I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that it is okay to work at writing. I used to believe that unless it came naturally, it wasn’t legitimate. Now I’ve learned that crafting a story takes thought, planning and precision, and that rewriting is actually the most legitimate work I do as a writer.

5 things you love?

There are so many things I love! Besides Jesus, my husband and my kids, I’d have to say chocolate, books, travel (especially when it involves touring historical places!), coffee, and good friends.

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

Meeting other readers! I’m not a super outgoing person, but somehow that one common interest propels me out of myself and into conversation. I love meeting people who enjoy books as much as I do!

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My website/blog: www.annemateer.com

My Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneMateer

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AnneMateer

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/AnneMateer

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4609534.Anne_Mateer

Thank you for being with us today! 

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Anne'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 September 21st.

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 

Cliche, but True...I Loved Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz ~ Review

I love novels that so completely fill my heart, overflowing story, characters and the romance of love…love of faith in Christ and the romantic love that promises more than just a happy ending for characters I’ve fallen in love with.

         

   What’s the first word we think of when we want to describe a book we’ve adored? Love. It seems too simple, too cliché a description for when I think of Eden and Silas upon the page.

           

There is a rhythm, a cadence to their story, the words sweeping me into eighteenth century America. When I started reading their story, I thought the beginning a bit slow, but read much further than one hundred pages and you’ll find two well-crafted characters rise from the ashes of their circumstances. Circumstances that made me want to leap through the pages and fight for them together.

            

The novel takes a heart rending turn almost three quarters of the way through the story and I ached for the time lost in the romance between these two characters. There is a passion to their story, not romantically, but in their faith, in how they live life.

          

  Eden and Silas are larger than life, filling the pages, my mind with glorious word-painted images and my heart with the purity of their romance. My only wish? The novel hadn’t ended with their beginning. But I can’t wait to see them together again in book two of the Ballantyne Legacy.

         

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

           

**Available September 2012 from Revell, a division of Baker Publishers**

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More about the novel...

   On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in Lancaster. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege's daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other's jealousy destroy their love? 

In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. "Love's Reckoning" is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.         

Blogging Break

Because of Fair this week, work, and generally life getting in the way of my writing a vastly intelligent blog post for today (that's my excuse anyway, haha!), I will be taking a blogging break...though the fact that I'm actually writing something today doesn't really constitute a break...

I should quit while I'm ahead; can you tell it's after eight and I'm tired and it's been a long day week?

Have a GREAT Friday/weekend everyone, I'll see you right back here on Monday for a great giveaway! :-D

A Great Debut! ~ Proof by Jordyn Redwood ~ Review

“Proof” is nothing short of an adrenaline ride from beginning to end. From that first trauma ER scene in the opening chapter, I was hooked. Lilly Reeves is a competent doctor, able to tackle whatever barrels through her ER doors, but she never expected to lose the strength she placed in her job, in her security, when it’s all stripped away from her.

         

   The crimes are grisly ones. The victims are suffering. The villain seemingly uncatchable, even when it would seem he’s in the cop’s grasp.

          

  I was in awe of the intricacies that went into plotting these crimes. The novel certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but while Lilly might come across as unlikeable to some readers, I found her a hurting soul in need of healing.

        

    I couldn’t imagine being traumatized as Lilly was and then not having faith on top of that? I’m not sure how she made it through, but she did and none of it on her own power. When I finally made it to the happily ever after, I was so pleased to see the changes made in her “life” on the pages of the novel.

         

   “Proof” is definitely what I’d consider an excellent debut novel. It has adrenaline thrills and shattering lows and above all, the promising glimmer of hope that the best is yet to come.

         

   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 Proof Kregel Publications (June 1, 2012) by Jordyn Redwood
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jordyn Redwood has served patients and their families for nearly twenty years and currently works as a pediatric ER nurse. As a self-professed medical nerd and trauma junkie, she was drawn to the controlled chaotic environments of critical care and emergency nursing. Her love of teaching developed early and she was among the youngest CPR instructors for the American Red Cross at the age of seventeen. Since then, she has continued to teach advanced resuscitation classes to participants ranging from first responders to MD’s.

Her discovery that she also had a fondness for answering medical questions for authors led to the creation of Redwood’s Medical Edge at http://jordynredwood.com/. This blog is devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction.

Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters, and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting, and cross-stitching.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

Endorsements:

“Jordyn Redwood makes quite a splash with her debut novel. PROOF is a hard-edged mix of medical thriller and crime chiller that grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. This one will keep you up way past your bedtime.”
—Rick Acker, best-selling author of When the Devil Whistles

“From the very first chapter, the first page even, Jordyn Redwood pulls the reader into a story that won’t let go. PROOF is proof enough for me that Jordyn is the real deal: an author who knows how to weave a tight story, write descriptive, authentic prose, and deal with some pretty hefty issues. I’m a fan!”
—Mike Dellosso, author of Frantic and Rearview (a 7 Hours story)

“Debut novelist Jordyn Redwood has used her experience as an ER and ICU nurse to craft a blend of medical thriller and police procedural with twists and turns to keep fans of either genre turning pages.”
—Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Lethal Remedy and the Prescription for Trouble series

“A rollercoaster of a story. Jordyn Redwood’s PROOF has everything you could want in a thriller—believable characters, a villain who makes your skin crawl, a touch of humor, and a twisting plot—all bound by fascinating medical and scientific details. What a fabulous debut!”
—Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series

“Jordyn Redwood may be new on the scene, but she writes like a seasoned pro. PROOF is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time with well-drawn characters including a villain I despised and a hero and heroine I rooted for. I thought I would just take a peek at the first chapter and finish the story later. I thought wrong. I read late into the night, lost sleep, and put off my own writing to finish this book. I’m eagerly awaiting Jordyn’s second book and will be first in line to purchase it the day it releases.”
—Lynnette Eason, best-selling author of The Women of Justice series

“I love a great medical thriller and I’m glad to add another author to my list. Jordyn Redwood writes like the medical insider she is. A gripping tale laced with realism, sleep-robbing excitement, and something every reader loves: hope.”
—Harry Kraus, MD, best-selling author of The Six-Liter Club

“PROOF by Jordyn Redwood is a gripping medical thriller written with vivid detail from an author who knows her subject firsthand. A serial rapist is at large in the town—in the hospital, even? Can Lilly trust anyone? Even her closest friend? And just when you think you can relax, the stakes get even higher.”
—Donna Fletcher Crow, author of The Monastery Murders

“Jordyn Redwood’s debut novel is a page-turner with an ingenious premise and solid Christian values. A satisfying read.”
—Frank J. Edwards, Medical Director, Delphi Emergency Physicians,
author of the medical thriller Final Mercy

If you would like to read the first chapter of Proof, go HERE.

Giveaway! With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin!

©2008 Linda Johnson Photography

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

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

It’s been a wonderful, busy year. With Every Letter, the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series, just came out, and I’m finishing up my publisher’s content edit on the second book, On Distant Shores (June 2013). Now I’m working on the third book, plus playing with ideas for another series. I’ve also done more speaking, including being the speaker for a weekend women’s retreat, one of the highlights of my year.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

How to pick? I’ve read so many good books this year, and some gorgeous books taunt me from the to-be-read pile. One that stuck with me is Carla Stewart’s Stardust. Each of her books gets better and better. In Stardust, Carla’s voice is so beautiful and lyrical, the characters are eclectic and fascinating, the setting is a character of its own, and the message of forgiveness comes through in a startlingly refreshing way.

Do you have favorite authors?

This gets harder every year as I add more authors to the list. Some of my favorites off the top of my head include Laura Frantz, Dan Walsh, Liz Curtis Higgs, Dale Cramer, Athol Dickson, Jill Eileen Smith, and Lorna Seilstad. I also had the privilege of reading debut author Joanne Bischof’s Be Still My Soul for endorsement and had to add her to my list too!

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

I like almost every part—the thrill of a new idea, research, getting to know my characters, wrestling my plot into submission, the flow of writing the rough draft, and even editing. Connecting with readers is a new joy. I’ve met some of the most fascinating people through reader e-mails and Facebook messages—and in person too

.

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

My lovely desk in my quiet office. Since two of our kids are in high school and the oldest is away at college, I have relative quiet during the school day. However, our yellow lab isn’t fond of quiet and does her best to disrupt it.

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 didn’t know this at the time, but my first six months of writing were extraordinarily productive. I wrote a 750-page (!!!) novel in six months, and I could only write about two hours a day back then. Granted, it was 750 horrendous pages, and that book will never be published (please, please burn it when I die!), but I’ve never come close to that pace since then. Nor do I want to.

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

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Sarah's 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 September 14th.

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 

Two Julie Lessman Books in One Year? Um...YES PLEASE!

It should come at absolutely NO surprise that I'm a HUGE Julie Lessman junkie. 

No offense to any of the other authors I adore, but give me a Julie Lessman title any day of the week and it's a promise, nay a guarantee that you'll not see hide nor hair of me until that finished (with a groan of despair that I'm finished. ;-)

Know what else I love? The O'Connor family. So not only do I get to read this very last family episode in a drama that wasn't nearly long enough...but...

This is the family that has made Julie famous (Julie, don't you dare dispute me on that fact) and when I learned there would be a PREQUEL to Marcie and Patrick's story I just about danced a jig. And...have you seen the cover reveal? 

Julie's own artist hubby put this together and her daughter is on the cover. A family affair? :-)

A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story begins in 1895 following a decade of explosive industrial growth and immigration that Mark Twain called America’s “Gilded Age,” when the nation plummets into the worst economic depression at that time.

Marceline O’Connor and her best friend Julie O’Rourke have been selected to assist Sister Mary Frances with the Christmas play fundraiser for the St. Mary’s parish soup kitchen. The play is called A Light in the Window, based on the Irish custom of placing a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome strangers as if welcoming the Holy Family.

Doesn't the thought of another Marcie and Patrick story (two in ONE YEAR) just make your heart sigh???

Please tell me I'm not the only one... :-)

In celebration I'm giving away another one of Julie's titles. I have a copy of A Heart Revealed (where yours truly appeared as a cameo character ;-) 

So tell me! Am I the only one this eager for two JL novels in 2012? And maybe if you're a new fan, then do you have another series you're eager to receive the coming novels for?

Also: please note the title I'm giving away is the fifth book in a series of six and it is best to read them all in order. US addresses only please. 

I'm eager to chat when I get home from work tonight!! :-D

Plenty of Twists! ~ To Write a Wrong by Robin Carroll ~ Review

Murder. Mystery. Deception. And the Deep South. You can up with a fairly intense plot with just these few elements.

            On a journey to right a wrong that has put a supposedly innocent man behind bars, Riley is taken into a world I don’t think she planned on entering. She is a determined reporter, intent on finding the truth and isn’t afraid to share it. Which gets her into trouble throughout the story.

            What captivated me the most in this novel and sets it apart from other mystery/thrillers, were the many subplots. Each character has their own story to tell and yet each part of their lives feeds into the main story. I don’t think there was probably a single scene without some form of character subtext filling the pages. Which is difficult to accomplish.

            The mystery takes on an unfamiliar twist, delving into the health care world of managed care. I thought the story line especially creative taking into consideration the research and imagination that was put into play to come up with a murder that didn’t just tackle one issue.

            As I mentioned, I think the different layers of this book, really set the story apart. I would definitely say this was a novel worth discovering for those who like a mystery with a romantic subplot, but also for the readers looking for something different. I was pleased with my latest novel find!

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

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More about the novel...

In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen, and vows to help prove her father’s innocence.

At the same time, Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping his little sister in line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing the lid off his emotional bucket. But when Riley Baxter storms into his life, struggling to understand why God would let bad things happen to good people, Hayden has no choice but to follow his heart.

Now, Riley and Hayden must work together to uncover the truth of the past . . . before someone shuts Riley up for good.