Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

There is a prequel to this book that you should get too! You can find it by clicking HERE! It is called, 

Appalachian Serenade: A Novella (Appalachian Blessings).

This is Sarah Loudin Thomas's first book, her debut novel and you don't want to miss it! Perla has come to Wise, West Virginia. Why? Well something bad happened to her. She fell for a married man. Now she and her little girl, Sadie, need a fresh start. Here in Wise, Perla can hide, heal, and possibly start over again with a new life for her and her child while living with some of her kin folk. Perla needs a life with out making the mistakes she made before, and maybe those mistakes haven't followed her, or have they? 

He had decided he would never marry. Nope, not this guy. Then Casewell Phillips met and started getting to know Perla. When Perla lays it all on the line, and trusts this man with her past, in addition to all the gossip he has heard, well ... he hasn't figured out how to not judge yet, or has he? As a major drought presses in, decisions need to be made. Forgiveness or judgement? Love, or hate? Water, or starvation? What if Perla has a part God wants her to play in these people's lives. What if you should be really loving your neighbor? Can this town, this one man, can Perla and her daughter find a home and forgiveness? Can these people mange to judge not that you yourself aren't judged? 

This is a really sweet story. I think you will like it a great deal. I'm looking forward to the next works from this new writer! 

Carol :) 

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Miracle in a Dry Season

Bethany House Publishers (August 5, 2014)

by

Sarah Loudin Thomas

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.

A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.

Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.


ABOUT THE BOOK

In a Drought, It's the Darkest Cloud
That Brings Hope

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor. . .until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Miracle in a Dry Season, go HERE.

Sarah can be reached through the Contact link on her Website 

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764212257 

Merlin’s Nightmare by Robert Treskillard’s (The Merlin Spiral book 3)

We return to our story, but 16 years have passed by since we last read Merlin's Shadow. Merlin is married. Yes, married to Natalyena, as we had really though he might, or hoped! He has children, what fun, but the adventure of a life time is just getting warmed up good!

It is close to time for Author to be King, but the invasions haven't stopped. Arthur's family members are kidnapped! Morgana is turning loose werewolves, as if Picti and Saxons weren't enough to cope with. How is one 18 year old going to handle all this at once? Britain is a mess, can they save it in time? Maybe not because Authur has gone missing. Can this nightmare of occurrences get any worse for dear Merlin?

This book could just about stand alone, and it tops the first two. It isn't the least bit disappointing, and I love the graphics that were used for the chapters.

Carol :)

Haunted by the past, chased by the present.

Arthur is now eighteen, and Merlin, tired of hiding and running from his enemies, wants nothing more than to spend his days with his family and train Arthur for his rightful place as king. But when Arthur goes missing, a desperate Merlin must abandon all other quests to find him before a shadowy pursuer catches Arthur first.

Having everything to fight for, and almost nothing to fight with, Merlin and Arthur must rally Britain’s warriors against three overwhelming enemies: Saxenow hordes in the south, Picti raiders in the north, and a chilling new enemy that has arisen in the west.

At the same time, Mórgana brings Merlin’s deepest fear to life and sets a horde of werewolves loose to destroy Britain. But when the secret purpose of this nightmare is finally revealed, will Merlin and Arthur find a way to survive—without unleashing an even greater evil?

Biography

Robert Treskillard is a Celtic enthusiast who has been crafting stories from his early youth, is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometime bladesmith. He and his wife have three children and are still homeschooling their youngest. They live in the country near St. Louis, Missouri.

It all began when Robert's son wanted to learn blacksmithing and sword-making. The two set out to learn the crafts and in the process were told by a relative that they were descended from a Cornish blacksmith. This lit the fire of Robert's imagination, and so welding his Celtic research to his love of the legends of King Arthur, a series was forged--The Merlin Spiral, published by BLINK Young Adult Books.

Book 1: Merlin's Blade
Book 2: Merlin's Shadow
Book 3: Merlin's Nightmare

Merlin’s Nightmare -  http://www.amazon.com/Merlins-Nightmare-Merlin-Spiral-Treskillard/dp/0310735092/ 
Author Website - http://www.KingArthur.org.uk 
Participants’ links 
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Vicky DealSharingAunt
April Erwin
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Emileigh Latham
Jennette Mbewe
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Audrey Sauble
Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis
Robert Treskillard
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. 

Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering (Drew Farthering Mystery #3)

Oh Me! The part I'm most upset with myself over is that I missed the second book in this series! These books are simply delightful! Drew and his fiancee, Madeline, would like to focus on their wedding. However, there has been a murder. Shady going-on-s with the theater seem to mean more than just an easy cut and dry case. To make matters complicated, Drew's old flame is back in his life in a way he never imagined. she is the prime candidate for having killed this guy and now she has to have Drew's help. Will this also "kill" his love and thwart his potential wedding? 

 Are you able to figure out who did it before it is too late? Will Drew be able to do that? 

 I love this series! I can't wait to be able to get book 2 because Deering is not so completely predictable that I get weary reading. Just the opposite, I thoroughly enjoy her work. The humor as well as tackling larger issues. I hope there will be a 4th book to this series.

About

When a celebrated ACTOR IS FOUND MURDERED IN HIS DRESSING ROOM, all signs point to Drew's old flame. But behind the curtains nothing is what it seems and this quickly becomes hisMOST puzzling case YET.

Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has calmed down some, Fleur Landis, a former girlfriend, reappears, in dire need of his help. She's married now, no longer an actress--but the lead actor in her former troupe's production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police's number one suspect.

Drew would rather focus on his fiancée, Madeline Parker, and their upcoming wedding, but he can't leave Fleur and her family in the lurch--even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline begin investigating, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. It seems nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between.

Both the murder case and the presence of the beautiful, exotic Fleur put a heavy strain on Drew and Madeline's relationship. Will their still-young romance survive the pressure?

"Deering gives us an enchanting mystery set around an England country estate in the 1930s...Rules of Murder is a wonderful, inspirational novel for those of you who love a good murder mystery."--Fresh Fiction

1. 

   Photo courtesy of Tonya Sides Photography

   Julianna Deering

   Julianna Deering has always loved British history and literature and is particularly a fan of the classic mysteries written by Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and now works for an attorney specializing in wills...

   Continue reading about Julianna Deering

Reviews

Old and new fans will enjoy the Agatha Christie-esque feel of the story, which is brimming with intrigue, romantic angst and mystery.

RT Book Reviews

Undetected by Dee Henderson

Well now! My copy almost went Undetected! Something went amiss, and I didn't catch it. So soon as this book showed up, I started reading. Undetected is a longer book. Mark Bishop wants a good wife. Gina Gray would love to be a family gal, but she is oceans deep into her career, and she just can't make up her mind yet.

Lots of time, the first 100 pages or so, was taken up with setting up the submarines and things that just didn't hold my attention this time. Finally, things start to pick up and now we find that Mark knows he wants Gina for his wife, but he has to convince her. To make matters more complicated, she is dating someone else. Will that other person win her heart, or will Mark, or will she just wind up married to her career?

Well, the world almost never knew, because I got so-very-very-bogged down in the daily life of submarine stuff, that I have about lost interest and did something I never ever do. I skipped to the end just to see! GASP! That is so not me, but I did. I've read lots of other big name writers with submarines and many other things, so it wasn't that. It was totally different than Dee's other books. Sadly, I'm just not wild about this one.

Carol :0

About

When asked what he does for a living . . .
Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the Navy." But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping her crew trained and alert during ninety-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and handles it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating around the Pacific Rim, the Navy is glad to have him.

Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, with a lovely smile, and very smart. She's a civilian, yet she understands the U.S. Navy culture. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.

Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. A breakup she didn't see coming, though, has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she told the Navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter.

Dee Henderson is the author of nineteen novels, including Unspoken, the novella Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story, New York Times bestseller Full Disclosure, the acclaimed O'Malley series, and the Uncommon Heroes series. Her books...

Continue reading about Dee Henderson

Reviews

This leisurely paced tale of friendship evolving into love will strongly appeal to fans of evangelical Christian fiction.

A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson (Book 4 of Wedding By Design)

Janice Thompson did it again. I simply love her themed focused books! 

Book 1 - Picture Perfect

Book 2 - Icing On The Cake

Book 3-  The Dream Dress

I would so recommend not missing a single book, but you could read them as stand alone-s, they are so much more fun as a series! 

Now book 4! Cassia, who we have met briefly before, is running her flower shop. The Greeks are fighting with the Italians. My oh my! The Rossi's, who have their own cooking show their food is so good, are considered the "enemy". You see, Cassie's dad (Uncle Laz)  is sure his restaurant will take over all the customers from their restaurant. 

A few glitches. The Rossi's are EVERYWHERE. They are a huge family and they have multiple business and it isn't like you can go just hide, right? No! You can't, but Cassie might have to do some sneaking about to have a life! To make it even more complicated, in comes Alex. He is hanging out at the flower shop, when he makes delivers, and well, he is just too cute, and did I mention... Greek! 

Every chapter title in this book features a Judy Garland song, because Cassie is a big Judy fan. These are the extra themes that are so much fun, in addition to the wonderful jobs the characters have. 

If your looking for a fun, sweet, and crazy romance read, this book is for you! 

Carol :) 

A Bouquet of Love 

She didn't expect to fall in love--but roses aren't the only thing blooming on Galveston Island

Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation. She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations. But her boisterous Greek family--especially her father--has other ideas. They've all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant located on the Strand--directly across the street from iconic pizza place Parma John's--and they want Cassia's full participation.

To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston's premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neeley, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family's faithful customers. Not exactly the best way to get into this former Rossi's good graces!

Still, at least Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop . .

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review, and nothing more. 

A Grand Design by Amber Stockton (Quits Of Love #20)

Ah, and A Grand Design it is too! 

Alyssa was dared to enter a contest. A bit more than nudged by her best friend. So she did, and the next thing she knows - she's won! A Romantic trip for two to Mackinac Island, Michigan. Frankly, about the last place Alyssa ever planned to go back to again. You see, she once went every year to this wonderful place, to her Grandmothers. Then, she stopped, 15 years prior, and never told anyone at all why. Since she is without a fellow, she takes her best friend with her. After all, Libby got her into this to start with! 

Ah, but Grandmother still lives there, and she has a mission for our young ladies, and they soon find themselves out collecting quilt squares from long lost friends on the Island. Scott, is helping them with transport. He might be in Alyssa's future, but only if her broken heart can heal, and forgive, and move forward. How is she suppose to do that if the past keeps popping up, and not just in memories? What major issue/secret is hidden in her past and can it be healed, or will she just be broken for the rest of her life? 

You will have to read this latest Quilts of Love series book to find out what grand design brought all this about!  Carol :) 

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Grand Design

Abingdon Press (August 19, 2014)

by

Amber Stockton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Words from the author:

Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. I am in my mid-30's, married to the love of my life since July 2007, have a daughter and a son, and live in Colorado. Here, I am content to do what I love—write, speak, and offer virtual assistance.


Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author -- Tracie Peterson -- in 2002, I joined the American Christian Fiction Writers and wouldn't be published today without them. For those of you who are also fiction writers looking for a wonderful support group, check them out! My very first book, Promises, Promises, sold in December 2006 and released in February 2008. I've been going steady ever since.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.

As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Grand Design, go HERE.

Amber can be reached through the Contact link on her Website 

http://www.quiltsoflovebooks.com/

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1426773471 

Sky Zone by Creston Mapes (Crittendon Files book 3)

Wow! It is already the third, and last book of this series! Fear Has A Name, and Poison Town were the first two. This book picks up running and gets faster!

Jack Crittendon and his wife Pam are expecting their third baby. Jack is out of regular work since he is not with the Trenton City Dispatch newspaper anymore. Struggling to make ends meet, Jack is miserable that his only work is security detail at the giant civic-center like arena.

Pam is working, while so close to having the baby, to bring in the meager income that isn't going far enough. Their best friends are set on preparing for worse event situations, and Pam's Mother who lives with them is instantly hooked on planning for the worst case scenario. (You have to read this! It is laid out so very nicely, and so very well explained!)

Jack is at work at the arena. The speaker of the night is the up and coming possible new Presidential candidate, who is currently known as Senator Martin Sterling. Right before everyone gets there for this big rally, event, speech, the team gets a heads up that a terrorist plot might be planned. While the event isn't getting canceled thus far, the team is frantic to keep everyone safe. That would be easier if a few team members were suddenly missing and not answering their walkies!

When the doors open before they are sure things are totally secure according to the team's liking, everything picks up into major and masterfully written, life-like scenarios! This could go as planned, or this could be a disaster of epic proportions!

You will not want to miss this book!

Carol :)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Sky Zone

David C. Cook (June 1, 2014)

by

Creston Mapes

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

A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.
A terrorist threat.
A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions.

Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work full-time while eight months pregnant. Having her recently widowed mother on hand isn't making matters any easier.

With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for controversial presidential candidate Martin Sterling where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save their own lives--and the lives of thousands of innocent people.

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

Creston can be reached through the Contact link on his Website 

Hidden Intentions by Stacy Clafin (The Transformed Series)

I normal review Christian Fiction. Sometimes I do read other books. Stacy Claflin is one of the author's who I have started reading who isn't in the Christian genera. My first free book of Stacy's was quite good, and I wanted to read more, thus, this review! Hidden Intentions is from The Transformed Series. 

Clara is in love, but she has secrets she hasn't told William Lennox yet. It's starting too look like things are serious and marriage could be next. William is in love with her, but he is under oh-so-much pressure from his Father to follow in the family footsteps. He is set to be the next lawyer in a long string of male lawyers from his family. However, life is never that simple. Clara's secrets could end their relationship, and destroy her heart for good. William is working through a few strange things of his own, including some haunting images. He has also kept Clara a secret from his family, particularly his Father! Can this relationship find honestly and the strength to hold onto love, or will it crumble? If it crumbles, who all will be left shattered, and who is it in this book that really has hidden intentions? 

Thus far, Stacy's books are clean, with an easy writing style that makes for fast reading. They are not filled with cursing or graphic scenes that bother tender spirits. They do have romantic scenes, but I think that Stacy is good about not driving her readers off by taking things too far. I admire Stacy's drive, and her openness with her readers and groups! I would recommend her books to anyone who likes romance, supernatural, and fantasy books. 

Carol :) 

Hidden Intentions by Stacy Claflin
(The Transformed)
Publication date: Summer 2014
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Fun-loving Clara is keeping a dark and deadly secret from William, the love of her life. Not because she wants to hide things from him, but because her story is so unbelievable he will probably think she’s crazy. If she tells him, she could lose him. If she doesn’t tell him, she will.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22081161-hidden-intentions

Purchase: 

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Intentions-Transformed-Standalone-Novel-ebook/dp/B00LDQB0OU/ref=la_B008AXCK1Q_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406561558&sr=1-7

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hidden-intentions-stacy-claflin/1119882881?ean=9781498947145

AUTHOR BIO

I love writing, reading, and watching most anything paranormal. My favorite shows include Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Fringe, Pretty Little Liars, and Once Upon a Time. I’ve been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble when I would try to convince others that my stories were real. 

When I’m not busy writing, I spend time with my family. I also run a home preschool and educate my kids from home.You can learn more about my current and upcoming books at StacyClaflin.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Author Links:

http://stacyclaflin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/stacy.claflin.author

https://twitter.com/growwithstacy

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6591338.Stacy_Claflin