Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley

I'm so happy to introduce Margaret Daley's new novel. She's an awesome author, and she addresses a timely and sensitive issue in Shattered Silence.





This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Shattered Silence

Abingdon Press (September 2012)

by

Margaret Daley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold eighty-three books to date.


Margaret is currently the President for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.


Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.


On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.




ABOUT THE BOOK



A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders.

While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn't what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana's faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?

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

Click here to buy the book now!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Judge by R. J. Larson


Happy day after Thanksgiving! Hope you all had beautiful days of peace and plenty of love!

Yes, I have a giveaway copy of this book, so leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win.




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Judge

Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)


by

R.J. Larson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:








R. J. Larson is the author of numerous devotionals featured in publications such as Women's Devotional Bible and Seasons of a Woman's Heart. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and their two sons. Prophet marks her debut in the fantasy genre.



ABOUT THE BOOK



Kien Lantec, you will bear witness to my followers in ToronSea.


The last thing Kien Lantec expects on his first day of military leave is to receive marching orders from his Creator, the Infinite. Orders that don't involve destroyer-racing or courting the love of his life, Ela. Adding to Kien's frustration, his Infinite-ordained duties have little to do with his skills as a military judge-in-training. His mission? To warn the people of ToronSea against turning their backs on the Infinite to worship a new goddess.


Tell them I see they are beguiled. Tell them I seek their hearts. The wise will hear Me.


But why Kien? Isn't this the role of a true prophet, such as Ela of Parne? Seeking answers, Kien visits Ela and finds her stricken by a devastating vision of her own. Her birthplace, Parne, has forsaken their Creator and will soon suffer judgment. Pulled in separate ways, each must seek to follow the Infinite's leading...and hope He will reunite them again soon.


Child of dust, will you be My servant?


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

Click here to buy the book now!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Starflower by Anne Elizabeth Stengl


Yes, I have a giveaway copy! Leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win!

Don't forget to stop regularly at Suspense Sisters blog for more book updates, awesome interviews with favorite suspense authors, and great book giveaways! CLICK HERE TO GO TO SUSPENSE SISTERS BLOG




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Starflower

Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)

by

Anne Elisabeth Stengl


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:






Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She is married to the handsome man she met at fencing class and lives with him and a gaggle of cats. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.

Anne Elisabeth is also the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, a series of fantasy adventure novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style.



ABOUT THE BOOK



The Black Dogs Are on the Hunt, But Who Is Their Prey?


When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps fairest Lady Gleamdren, the Bard Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.


But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?


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



CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK NOW!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Too Far to Say Far Enough by Nancy Rue


A new one out by one of my favorite authors! Leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win a copy. :-)

Also, bop over to  Suspense Sisters blog for some timely thoughts on bullying from Margaret Daley, author of Shattered Silence.




This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Too Far To Say Far Enough

David C. Cook; New edition (October 1, 2012)


by

Nancy Rue


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




In 1980, Rue took a leave of absence from teaching and took on writing as a nine-to-five job. Although it quickly became apparent that she could starve to death that way, that didn’t stop her: she spent fifteen years getting up at 4:00 a.m. to write before going off to teach school, until she was finally able to pursue freelance writing full-time in 1995.


“I am living a God-directed life,” says the author: “doing what I was meant to do, what I love to, what allows me to give what I’ve been given. I spend as much of my time teaching, filling my well, hanging out with the people I love, as I do writing, and that has made all the difference."


Rue has become a successful, best-selling author of books for ‘tweens and adults. Over her career she’s written more than 100 books. For a complete list of adult fiction, click here. For ‘tween books, click here.


Nancy travels the country speaking and teaching at schools, churches, home school groups, and for groups of ‘tween girls and their moms. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Jim. Their daughter, Marijean, son-in-law, Brian, and baby granddaughter Maeryn, live in nearby Nashville. The Rues’ two yellow Labs share (and eat) Jim and Nancy’s home.




ABOUT THE BOOK



Allison Chamberlain has done everything God required of her—but as He continues to nudge her in the third and final book of The Reluctant Prophet series, she is ready to say, “Enough!”


Even with two Sacrament Houses open, the Sisters’ second hand clothing boutique making its debut, and the orphaned Desmond legally adopted, Allison Chamberlain receives the divine Nudge to Go another mile. Eventually responding with her usual reluctant obedience, she finds herself caring for a very young prostitute and facing the deepest roots of evil. Despite the adversaries who threaten those closest to her, Allison finds that she has not gone far enough until she conquers hate and learns to love as God does. No matter what the consequences.    




If you would like to read the first chapter of Too Far To Say Far Enough, go HERE.




Click here to buy the book now!

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley

I'm so pleased to announce this new release from one of my favorite authors and a fellow Suspense Sister over at our new blog. (Check us out at http://ow.ly/eVDVv.) If you want a teeth-gritting, edge-of-your-seat read by an author with a heart for Jesus, snag this one.


A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders. 


While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn’t what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana’s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?
Review of Shattered Silence:
"The second installment in the Texas Rangers series skillfully tackles difficult topics (domestic abuse and bullying). The characters are easy to relate to, and the action is intense and fast paced. The second installment in the Texas Rangers series skillfully tackles difficult topics (domestic abuse and bullying). The characters are easy to relate to, and the action is intense and fast paced." 4 ½ Stars, Reviewed by Leslie L. McKee at RT Book Reviews"
READ AN EXCERPT:
No one sees me. They walk right by me and don’t even know I am here. I’m invisible.
But that’s all going to change today. The woman who has agreed to marry me will be here soon. The world will finally know someone cares about me. It was worth all my savings to bring her across the border. I’m tired of being alone. Being nobody.
I’m getting married. I won’t be invisible anymore—at least she’ll see me.
***
Maria Martinez lay flat on the dust-covered wooden planks, her right eye pressed against the hole in the floor of the abandoned house. Pedro won’t find me here. I’ll win this time.

A sneeze welled up in Maria, and she fought to stop it. She couldn’t. Quickly she looked through the small opening to make sure Pedro hadn’t come and heard her. Her older brother always thought he could do everything better than her. Not this time. He’d never think to look here. He’d think she was too afraid to hide here. A rattling behind her sent a shot of fear through her. She went still. Her lungs held her breath and wouldn’t let go.

There’s no such thing as ghosts. He just told me that to scare me. I’m not a baby. I’m eight.

Her words fueled her courage, and she popped up to look over her shoulder. Nothing. Just the wind blowing through the broken window. Maria sank to the floor in relief and took up her post again. Watching through the hole. If Pedro came into the house, she’d be ready to hide. He was not going to find her. For once, she would have the last laugh. He was just two years older, but the way he acted, you’d think he was Papa.

Another sound caught her attention. Down below. Footsteps. She started to hop up and scramble to her hiding place nearby, but a gruff, deep male voice stopped her. Not Pedro.

Who?

With her eye glued to the hole again, she waited to see who it was. Another voice—a woman’s—answered the man, then she laughed. A funny laugh—like Pedro when he made fun of her.

“Dumb. Evil eye,” the woman taunted in Spanish.

The man raised his voice, speaking in the same language so fast Maria had a hard time keeping up. Mama insisted on only speaking English at home. Now she wished she was better at Spanish. But she heard some words—the ones he slowed and emphasized, repeating several times in a louder voice a few cuss words that got Papa in trouble if he said them at home. The deep gruff voice ended with, “You will pay.”

The woman laughed again, but the sound died suddenly. “What are you doing?” she said in Spanish.

Maria strained to see the two people. The lady moved into her line of sight as she stepped back, shaking her head, her long brown hair swirling in the air. Maria glimpsed the top of a tan cowboy hat that hid the man’s face from her.

The beautiful lady held up her hands. “No!”

The fear in that one word chilled Maria.

Before she could think of what to do, a gunshot, like she’d heard on TV, blasted the quiet. The lady jerked back. She glanced down at her chest, then up, remaining upright for a few heartbeats before crumbling to the floor.

Maria froze. Her mind blanked.

The man came closer to the still lady on the floor, her unseeing dark eyes staring right at Maria, pinning her against the wooden planks. She saw the gun as he lifted his arm and aimed it at the woman. He shot her in the stomach then the forehead.

Maria gasped.

The man must have whirled away. Suddenly he wasn’t in her line of vision. She bolted to her feet as the sound of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs echoed down the hallway.
Terror locked a vise about Maria and held her in place.

Then her gaze latched onto her hiding place—one she’d found when she’d first come to the house. She’d laughed out loud that her brother would never find her there. Now she wasn’t so sure it was perfect.

But the approaching footfalls prodded her into action. She had no other choice. She clambered toward the couch as qui- etly as she could. She ripped the seat cushion off and squeezed herself into the small place someone must have used before. The pounding of her heartbeat in her ears drowned out the sound of his footsteps.

The man threw open a door at the end of the hall. The slam of it against the wall startled Maria as she set the cushion over her like a shield a knight used in a movie she’d seen. When he’d stormed a castle, hundreds of arrows rained down on him. He had survived.

Could she?

The scent of mold and dust threatened to set off her sneezing. She held her hand over her mouth and nose praying that would stop her from making any sound.

As the man’s footsteps came nearer, her heartbeat reverberated against her skull, again overriding all other sounds. Surely he could hear it. Find her.

Please, Lord, help me. Mama said You protect children.

But not her prayers or her fear calmed her thundering heartbeats. The racket grew louder inside her chest and clamored in her ears. Her head spun. She uncovered her mouth to try and breathe deeply. She couldn’t get enough air.

The door opened, crashing against the wall. She flinched, hoping the seat cushion hadn’t moved. Please. Please, Lord. I’ll be good. The footsteps approached the center of the room. Lightheaded, Maria closed her eyes as if that would hide her from the bad man. Something scurried over her leg. Something big. A rat? The urge to flee her hiding place robbed her of any thoughts. She curled herself into the tightest ball she could and prayed, her chest rising and falling so rapidly. The darkness continued to swirl behind her closed eyelids.

An eternity passed. A brush of whiskers reinforced her fright. She tensed, expecting any second the cushion being plucked off her hiding place or sharp teeth sinking into her. A warm gush between her legs and the odor of pee heightened her terror. He would smell it and . . .
I’m going to die. Mama . . .



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.



Wednesday, November 07, 2012

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

An outstanding book by an outstanding author! Leave a comment at the end for a chance to win!



This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Breath of Dawn

Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)


by

Kristen Heitzmann


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




From the time my dad taught me to read at sit-on-the-floor school when I was four—launching me past kindergarten into 1st grade—I have loved learning and expressing what I know through art, music, and especially writing. Education came easily, and I grew accustomed to having my work read and displayed. But breaking out of the family mold, I left college to marry my husband Jim (celebrating our 29th this year.) Since then, life and all kinds of research have provided the grist for my stories. We have three awesome adult kids, and one incredible teenager. (You might think I’m biased, but ask anyone who knows them.)


While home schooling my four kids, I wrote my first novel. I pitched it for publication, and it became the first of a five book historical series. Since then, I have written three more historical novels and nine contemporaries. The Still of Night was nominated for the Colorado Book Award. The Tender Vine was a Christy Award finalist and Secrets won a Christy in 2005.


People often ask why I started writing, and I say to get the stories out of my head. Some say they’d like to write a book, but I say if you’re not wracked with labor pains, there are easier ways to express yourself. Being a writer is a solitary, eccentric, and often compulsive path. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.




ABOUT THE BOOK



Kristen Heitzmann Delivers Powerful New Romantic Suspense


Morgan Spencer has had just about all he can take of life. Following the tragic death of his wife, Jill, he retreats to his brother's Rocky Mountain ranch to heal and focus on the care of his infant daughter, Olivia. Two years later, Morgan begins to make plans to return to his home in Santa Barbara to pick up the pieces of his life and career.


Quinn Riley has been avoiding her past for four years. Standing up for the truth has forced her into a life of fear and isolation. After a "chance" first meeting and a Thanksgiving snowstorm, Quinn is drawn into the Spencer family's warm and loving world, and she begins to believe she might find freedom in their friendship.


The man Quinn helped put behind bars has recently been released, however, and she fears her past will endanger the entire Spencer family. As the danger heightens, she determines to leave town for the sake of the people who have come to mean so much to her.


Fixing problems is what Morgan Spencer does best, and he is not willing to let Quinn run away, possibly into the clutches of a man bent on revenge. But Morgan's solution sends him and Quinn on an unexpected path, with repercussions neither could have anticipated.


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Breath of Dawn, go HERE.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK NOW!

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Suspense Sisters Off and Running!


Hi, Dear Friends:

I’ve hooked up with some awesome mystery and suspense writers to form a blog tailored for readers of Christian suspense and mystery. We call ourselves the Suspense Sisters. I'm so excited to announce that the Suspense Sisters blog and Facebook page are up and running, and we have an awesome contest going for great prizes! Please drop by and check us out.

Here's the blog link: http://ow.ly/eVDVv

Here’s the Facebook link: : http://ow.ly/eVFLR

My fabulous Sisters are Margaret Daley, Sharon Dunn, Lynette Eason, Elizabeth Goddard, Nancy Mehl, DiAnn Mills, Gayle Roper, and Roxanne Rustand. Some of you may already be fans of theses authors’ writing, but if you haven’t read their books, I invite you to check them out for some great reads!

Abundance of Blessings!

~~Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth~~
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com 

Show/Don't Tell drive you nuts? Save your sanity: 
Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View 
 

Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil. 4: 4 - 5

Thursday, November 01, 2012

A Thousand Sleepless Nights by Michael King

What a wonderful ministry tool, and a poignant read by an excellent author! If you don't win this one, you need to pick up a copy for yourself and anyone whose heart will be comforted and encouraged by the themes of this book. Leave a comment at the end of the post for a chance to win a copy!



This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Thousand Sleepless Nights

Realms (October 16, 2012)

by

Michael King


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




When Mike Dellosso won a one-year battle with colon cancer he set out to help readers of his books discover it before they had to go through what he experienced.


“I want others to avoid what I had to go through,” he says. “It was an experience that taught me a lot about myself, others, and God, but one I wouldn’t want to repeat. If I can help even one person battling this disease, it would have been worth it.”


Mike set about writing a novel quite different from what his fan base had come to expect from him. Not a thriller, but a character-driven novel, so he wrote it under a pen name, Michael King, and entitled it A Thousand Sleepless Nights. His publisher, Charisma Media, went for it and the first copies went on sale in October.


Mike’s next step was to determine whether a partnership between him, Charisma Media, and the Colon Cancer Alliance was possible. This month both announced their cooperative fundraising venture, with Charisma Media making a significant contribution to CCA and Mike committing a portion of the proceeds from the book through December to CCA.


Speaking about A Thousand Sleepless Nights Mike says, “I want people to see colon cancer (and all the other cancers) for the monster it is, but also to show it does not need to defeat us. There is hope, there is strength, and there is courage and love. And though cancer may rob us of our physical vitality, it has no power over our spirit.”


ABOUT THE BOOK



In the 1970s, escaping a home where he knew nothing but violence and hate, Jim Harding found work, and love, on the largest horse ranch in Virginia. The object of his affections, Nena St. Claire, is the daughter of the owner—a man who ruled his ranch with an iron fist and would do whatever it took to keep Nena and Jim apart.


Against the wishes of her family, Nena marries Jim, and after her father dies, she sacrifices everything—including her family—to keep the ranch alive. Now their three grown children have lives of their own and want nothing to do with Nena. She was never the mother they needed.


When cancer strikes and Nena is given a devastating diagnosis, can Jim reconcile the family before it is too late?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Thousand Sleepless Nights, go HERE.

Click here to buy the book now!