Maybelle In Stitches

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Maybelle In Stitches Abingdon Press (March 18, 2014) by Joyce Magnin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.

The Tide and the Tempest

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Tide and Tempest Bethany House Publishers (March 4, 2014) by Elizabeth Ludwig

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the third and final book in the Edge of Freedom series. I enjoyed the first book, No Safe Harbor, but somehow missed the publication of the second, and that had an impact on my ability to follow and enjoy this one. It is really necessary to read all three books in the series.

I found the political elements of the book quite confusing, most likely because I missed book two and it's been a while since I read the first. But despite that I found the story line compelling and the characters interesting. I would have liked the story to continue just a bit longer, although I don't see how another book in the series is forthcoming.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Rocket, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies (co-authored with Janelle Mowery), earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year Award. This book was followed in 2009 by "I'll be Home for Christmas", part of the Christmas anthology collection, Christmas Homecoming.

In 2011, her second mystery, Died in the Wool (co-authored with Janelle Mowery) was nominated for a Carol Award. In 2012, the popular EDGE OF FREEDOM series released from Bethany House Publishers. Books one and two, No Safe Harbor and Dark Road Home, respectively, earned 4 Stars from the RT Book Reviews. Book three, Tide and Tempest, received top honors with 4 1/2 Stars.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Along with her husband and children, she makes her home in the great state of Texas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Two years ago, her fiance perished during their voyage to America.

Now she discovers it may have been murder...

Dreaming of a better life, Tillie McGrath leaves Ireland behind and, with her beloved fiance by her side, sets sail for America. But when illness robs her of the man she holds dear, she's left alone with only a handful of tattered memories. While forging on proves difficult, Tillie soon finds some new friends at her New York boardinghouse, and begins pursuing a new dream--to open a home for orphaned children.

Despite two years passing, Captain Keondric Morgan has never forgotten the lass who left his ship so heartbroken. When a crewman's deathbed confession reveals her fiance's demise was the result of murder, the captain knows he must try to contact her. But his attention draws the notice of others as well--dangerous men who believe Tillie has in her possession something that could expose their crimes. And to their way of thinking, the best way to prevent such an outcome is to seize the evidence and then hand Tillie the same fate as her naïve fiance.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Tide and Tempest, go HERE.

Poison Town

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Poison Town David C. Cook (February 1, 2014) by Creston Mapes

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second book in the Crittendon Files Series, and it is a fabulous follow up to Fear Has a Name. Again, Mapes had me sitting on the edge of my seat as I cheered for the 'good guys' to beat the corrupt corporation that was poisoning the town of Trenton City, Ohio.

It would be helpful to read Fear Has a Name before you read Poison Town, but there is probably enough back story that you can figure this one out without it.

Jack Crittendon gets thrown into  a tough story, which his boss for some reason doesn't want him to research. In the midst of this struggle, he is dealing with a personal issue where forgiveness is needed but almost impossible to grant.

I will always pick up a new Creston Mapes book! Highly recommended.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.


ABOUT THE BOOK

There's More Than One Kind of Poison in This Town

People are sick and dying. Rumors are swirling. Some claim chemicals leaking from a manufacturing plant are causing the cancer that's crippling people on the poor side of Trenton City, Ohio. Yet nothing at the plant appears amiss.

The problem remains a mystery until reporter Jack Crittendon's long-time mechanic falls ill and he investigates. Soon Jack becomes engulfed in a smokescreen of lies, setups, greed, and scandal.

The deeper he digs, the more toxic the corruption he uncovers. As he faces off with the big-time players behind the scenes and tries to beat the clock before more people die, he realizes the chillingly unthinkable--he knows too much.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Poison Town, go HERE.

How Sweet The Sound

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing How Sweet the Sound David C. Cook (March 1, 2014) by Amy K. Sorrells

MY THOUGHTS:
This is Amy Sorrells first book, and she is obviously a force to be reckoned with in the book world!

This book is a gift to anyone who has suffered sexual assault and struggles to heal. It is fiction, and it details the terrors of a family whose multi-generational secrets are tearing it apart. Sorrells writes in such a way that it wrenches your heart one moment and lets you cheer for progress and victory another. It is not an easy book to read, however her prose and ability to intimately understand the heart of a teenager caught in the midst of disaster are compelling. I cared so much about the primary characters, Anni and Comfort, that I became almost desperate to know how the story ended.

this book may be difficult for someone who has been through such abuse to read, however I'm convinced God will heal broken hearts through this story.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband, three boys and a gaggle of golden retrievers in central Indiana. After writing and editing for her college newspaper, she combined a nursing degree with journalism and creative writing, which led to publishing and editing a wide array of medical and nursing writing and multimedia projects over the past 21 years, a position as director of communications of her church’s children’s ministry, as well as a weekly column for a local newspaper which ran from 2009-2012. She has been a two-time semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis awards, and was the winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

When she’s not reading or writing, Amy loves spending time with her three sons; spicy lunches and art gallery walks with her husband; digging in her garden sans gloves; walking her dogs; up-cycling old furniture and junk; photography; and friends.



ABOUT THE BOOK

From a distance, the Harlans appear to be the perfect Southern family. Wealth and local fame mask the drama and dysfunction swirling through their family line. But as the summer heats up, a flood tide of long hidden secrets surface.

Devastation from a rape followed by the murder of two family members brings three generations of the Harlans together on their pecan plantation in Bay Spring, Alabama. Chief among them is Anniston, who by the time she turned thirteen thought she’d seen it all. But as her heart awakens to the possibility of love, she begins to deal with her loneliness and grief.

This tender coming-of-age tale, inspired by the story of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, shows how true healing and hope comes only from God. Though our earthly family can wound and disappoint, our heavenly Father brings freedom to those long held captive through His mercy and grace.

If you would like to read the first chapter of How Sweet the Sound, go HERE.

Balanced

Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-home Mom
by
Tricia Goyer


MY THOUGHTS:
Without a doubt, every single mom works from home should read this book. Tricia Goyer has been recognized by women all over the country as someone who appears to be THE superwoman among women. She has six children (three under age 6) and homeschools them. In her 'spare' time, she has run a home for unwed mothers, started at least two Teen MOPS groups, moved across the country, done missions work internationally, hosted a radio show, and has given numerous presentations all across the country. Oh, and by the way, she has also written over 35 books! Whew!

In this book, Tricia gets real about the difficulties of working from home, the impact it has on her life and her family, and the realities of combining tight deadlines with potty training. She doesn't sugar coat it, but instead gives terrific examples of the things she has done to make it work for her and her family.

The book addresses family priorities and goals, themes for family life, getting kids involved in work, setting up an effective workplace, doing what you can with the time you have, and finding ways to relax and center your life with God.

This book comes with a great 'disclaimer':
"Disclaimer. This book may not be for you if: You are looking for a simple how-to manual with only schedules, outlines, and agendas. You don't think your spiritual life impacts your work and home life. You think the whole balance issue depends on you and not on your dependence on God.

In this book, there is as much inner work I'm going to talk about as there are ideas, helps, and tips for balancing. Because as someone who's been working at home nearly all of my twenty-four years as a parent, I've discovered three main things:
1.What I do isn't as important as who I am.
2.What God can do in my life and what He's capable of doing can be two very different things--I don't want to limit Him.
3.My outward goals are only reachable if I submit my inward soul to God.

If this sounds like a book you need, good. If not, I understand! We moms only have so much time. You need to spend your time, energy, and hard-earned money on a book that will meet your expectations.

Know that I'm praying God will speak to your heart through my story. I hope you'll discover good advice to help you follow the dreams God has placed in your heart and be the wife and mom you've always wanted to be." - Quoted from Tricia Goyer - Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom

Tricia 'gets' the desire to be a supermom, and the reality of feeling like a failure. This book is a blessed combination of "you are doing a lot of things right", and inspiration (instead of guilt) to tackle some things that you could do better. I finished the book and felt like I had a cheerleader on my side helping me be a better mom, worker, wife, and child of God. 

Join in  Tricia's Balanced author chat party on March 10 (https://www.facebook.com/events/1452943561603285/). Tricia will be chatting about her tips for attaining balance and juggling the many hats moms wear. There will also be some giveaways, and Tricia will announce the start of an eleven-day Balanced challenge that begins on March 11. You're invited to take part in the challenge, and everyone who participates will receive a downloadable package of freebies from Tricia and her friends!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
How can a work-at-home mom raise kids, juggle a career and take care of family responsibilities with only 24-hour days? Working at home while raising kids and juggling a career and family responsibilities is no easy feat. Author and homeschooling mom Tricia Goyer shares her tips for finding balance among all your many hats as a mom. Balancing is a process and a journey, one that Tricia herself has yet to perfect. But between writing more than forty books, raising and homeschooling six kids, being a wife, and being active in her community, she has amassed valuable tips she shares in "Balanced."

The book includes tips on:
—how to create focus themes for your family
—how to prioritize your schedule
—how to utilize your job so it also benefits your kids
—how to keep yourself out of the comparison game
—how to make working at home work for you
—and much more!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and “Lead Your Family Like Jesus,” (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children. You can find out more about Tricia at www.TriciaGoyer.com.
Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.