It's Friday...

Which can mean only one thing... Time to log in with your latest reads and let everyone know how you are doing on completing your reading goal for 2010!


I have read some GREAT books this past week- ones that I couldn't put down and literally became my best friends. I have to share the cover art with you (expect reviews on a few of them soon), plus you will know how I am doing on my own personal challenge. Don't forget to say how many books you read- let's start wittling the number down!






Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson




The Raven Saint by M.L. Tyndall










Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock












A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman




4 down 96 to go! How did you do?

2010 Goals- What are yours?

Okay, I know I am late with this thought, 2009 is already six days behind us, but it is something I have been wanting to talk about. Seems I have been giving my "New Years Resolution" everywhere else I go, so now I need to tell you here.


I don’t do "New Year’s Resolutions". I find that when I make them, I never accomplish them, there is nothing, but myself to hold me accountable. But a goal, now that I can undertake and see to completion.


I know resolution- goal- same thing right? Actually, no. Resolution also means, fortitude, resolve, a decision to do something, without really intending to follow through (this is just a generalization not a classification :). Like the resolution, "I want to lose weight this year", that is just a promise filling empty air. But a goal, a goal pushes you forward, you see an end in sight- no matter how distant, it is still there. A goal is an ambition, an intent, a target.


I have two major goals this year that I intended at the first of this year to do come what may. I want to take my polish edits as far as possible on my first novel. Somehow to me this seems a more daunting task than my other goal. The end is more hazy, but I can still see the end, I know it’s there and I just have to keep pushing forward.


My second goal is to finish the rough draft of my second manuscript. This a pretty basic, simple demand on my life right now. I am writing 1,000 words a day and even before the end of the year gets here, I will have a full fledged novel that will just need to be edited down to as close as perfection as I can take it. But I have to be careful of this "simple goal". Something like this I could easily push to the wayside. To keep myself from throwing excuses to the wind, I sit down everyday and write. And I don’t stand up until those 1,000 words are done. You would be amazed at how fast thoughts flow your fingertips when you put yourself in such a constraint.


How about you? What goals do you have set for the new year and are they still sitting on the shelf as resolutions, gathering dust, or are they put before you as goals, ones you are striving mightily to accomplish?

Book Review: The Raven Saint

Grace Westcott considers herself holy, above reproach, until she is thrown against a man she cannot change. A pious woman, one who revers God, has to learn just what it means to be a servant of Christ.


Rafe Dubois got more than he bargained for in Grace Westcott when he kidnaped her. Certainly not a saintly woman of God. Will he be able to sell her as originally planned?


This was an excellent conclusion to M.L. Tyndall’s latest series, Charles Towne Belles. My only compliant is the overuse of the French language. It was often fatiguing and overbearing.


But the chemistry between hero and heroine was stunning. At first you think Grace isn’t flawed, but you soon learn just how far she has to grow, lending a beauty to the story that I greatly appreciated. Rafe was a tormented character, it was a joy to watch him transform. But this book didn’t have just transforming characters. Throw in a duel to the death, a one eyed cat, a murderous servant, a villainous father and his conniving wife and you have the ingredients of a fantastic story on the high seas! I read it through in two days and would gladly recommend it anyone who loves an epic adventure.

*Thanks to MaryLu for this copy to use as an "influencer".*

Interview and Book Giveaway: M.L. Tyndall and The Raven Saint

M.L. Tyndall (MaryLu) has written for Barbour Publishing since 2007 when her first book came out, The Redemption. A Christy Award Finalist, MaryLu writes books primarily set on the high seas featuring many of the villains and heroes that tread those waters-such as pirates and privateers! Her latest series, The Charles Towne Belles was first released in 2008 with The Red Siren. The Blue Enchantress came out in 2009 and her latest one, The Raven Saint, has just released this month. MaryLu lives California, with her husband, children and numerous pets. She has graciously agreed to give away an autographed copy of her latest book, The Raven Saint to one fortunate winner!

MaryLu, thank you for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you taking the time to answer these few questions, letting us get to know you better.

Q: How long did you write before you were published?

A: I’ve always written stories. Ever since I can remember I loved to dream up romantic adventures and put them together in story form. I had a poem published in my high school year book, and I nearly completed a novel when I was sixteen about a white girl who ran away with a Cherokee Indian. Of course I never finished anything and I certainly didn’t expect to get published. Writing was just a hobby of mine. I also wrote a time travel book in my 20’s as well as a Science Fiction novel. So, you see, I always loved to write, but because getting published was a one in a million shot, I never studied writing in school. Instead, I studied Math and Computer Science (Blaaa!) in order to make a good living.

Q: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

A: God is good! And that’s the truth. His mighty hand was all over the publication of my first novel, which was another one of those books I wrote as a hobby. It’s unheard of for someone like me with no formal training and no prior publications to submit her very first completed novel and get a contract not only to publish that one, but two more in the series. So you see why I truly believe this was a miracle.

Q: What are you working on now?

A:I’m working on a new series called Surrender to Destiny. The three books are set in Baltimore during the War of 1812 and follow the adventures of three women who, against their will, are thrust into the center of the war but who end up greatly affecting its outcome. It’s a series about finding your God-given destiny, and each story will be filled with adventure, action, and romance.

Q: Where can readers find out more about your books?

A: My website: http://www.mltyndall.com
My blog: http://www.crossandcutlass.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan club: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=38269435754&ref=ts

Q: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

A:The same message that I would shout from the rooftops if I could. There is a God. He loves you with all His heart. He died for you so you can live and He has a purpose for your life that is beyond anything you can imagine.

Q: Why did you choose this profession?

A: Actually, I think this profession chose me. I never had any plans to publish my work. I had a good career going at IBM, a great marriage, children, and several cats. When I felt led to write my first book about a pirate, I never dreamed I’d see that book on the shelves. I just kept taking baby steps, writing the novel, joining an online writer’s group, getting an agent.. etc... and God kept opening the doors. But now that I’m here, I have to say that I can’t think of anything I’d rather do for a living.

Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

If you made it down this far, thanks for listening!!! I love to hear from readers, so please drop by my website and send me a note. God Bless,

*Readers, please leave a comment with your email address to be entered to win a copy of MaryLu's great new release The Raven Saint. You will not be entered if you do not include your email address.

For an extra chance to win let me know if you are a follower or subscribe to my blog.

This contest is open to all. Void where prohibited. The winner is drawn randomnly and will be annouced on Saturday, January 16, 2010*

*This is an edited version of my original interview with author M.L. Tyndall*

Reader's Top Ten Pick of 2009

Fellow voters, here are your Top Ten Christian novels of 2009 to vote on!

The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkley

A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson

Cry in the Night by Colleen Coble



Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl Mckay

The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry

Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

How Sweet It Is by Alice J. Wisler

The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall

Please vote on the side bar at the poll. DO NOT leave a comment with your vote or it won't be counted. Remember you are voting on the story you loved best (you can only vote once) and those votes will then rank the books from 1-10. Voting will be open for one week!

Nominations closed

Thanks to everyone who nominated their favorite read for 2009. The *Nominations are now closed*.

Voting will begin tomorrow for the top ten Reader's Pick of 2009. I will be alerting the novelists of the ten chosen novels their books have been nominated. Be sure and come back to vote!

Welcome 2010!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!
I hope this new year holds many promises yet to be discovered for you and your loved ones. May new goals be reached and new experiences undertaken.

Thank you all for helping me through this rough first month with my blog. I can't tell you how excited I get to see a comment from any one of you. THANK YOU!

Be sure and join me on Monday for a special giveaway (shhh, it's a surprise :), but trust me, you DON'T want to miss this!

Be sure and leave a comment on the last post, nominating your favorite 2009 Christian novel. Voting will begin after ten books have been nominated.

Again, HAPPY NEW YEAR and God Bless!