Update: Her Nerdy Cowboy by Annette M. Irby

Hey friends, it turns out Her Nerdy Cowboy is now available on Amazon. It's a short story in the sweet (meaning wholesome) inspirational romance genre. Early feedback from readers has been very positive, which is a thrill for writers. :)

Here's the cover, the link, and the blurb:

Her Nerdy Cowboy

Whoever heard of a bookish cowboy? When Logan McDaniel’s brother-in-law dies, he steps in to help his beloved sister run her ranch. But what does a city boy know of herding cattle?
Claire Langley loved her cousin. After he dies, she agrees to serve as a temporary nanny for two heartbroken children. Claire and Logan find they share a love of books, and Claire can’t resist the nerdy uncle who is great with children and who reads to her of pirate romance, but Claire’s ailing mother needs her in Seattle. Can she break away? And if she does, can there ever be a future for Logan and her?

Husband Material

Husband Material E-book releases 7-22-11

Do you own an e-reader? I love mine! It's sort of addicting, clicking from screen to screen. E-books are the "wave of the future," but many of us are already riding it, whether as readers or writers.
 
Today I wanted to veer away from the usual reviews for just a moment to share some good news with you. As you may know, I'm not only a book reviewer, I'm also a writer. And I've recently received a book contract for an e-book Dollar Download* through White Rose Publishing!

Here's the summary:

Wyatt Hansen has no fears about commitment, but only three years have passed since his beloved wife died, and he can't bring himself to break their annual dinner date—that is until he meets restaurant owner, Lara Farr.

Lara doesn't have time for romance; she has a business to run. At least that's what she tells herself so she doesn't have to admit that commitment scares her. But Lara's business is failing, and it just may take a miracle—or marketing analyst, Wyatt Hansen—to save it.

Can Wyatt rescue Lara’s restaurant, help her overcome her fears, and prove he is good husband material?

Hope you'll check it out on Friday! Thanks for reading!

*Note: Dollar Downloads are short inspirational stories for Kindle or e-reading on other devices.

Surrendered Hearts by Carrie Turansky

I don't know about you but now that I own a Kindle, I love, love, love reading e-books! That's one of the reasons I was eager to read this book for review.

In 2006, Carrie published Along Came Love through what was then Steeple Hill Love Inspired (now known as Love Inspired). Surrendered Hearts is the sequel. Here's the summary:

Jennifer Evan’s life changes forever when a gas pipeline explodes, starting a fire at her apartment. Losing her home and beloved dog are terrible blows, but the ugly scars that cover her arm, neck and shoulder steal her confidence and cause her fiancé to desert her. With her funds depleted and her job on hold, she heads for Vermont where she hopes to reconnect with her brother and find a way to rebuild her shattered life. Bill Morgan, a strong and quiet man whose faith runs deep, challenges her view of God and faith. Will she hold on to the pain of her past, or will she surrender her heart and find the faith and love she seeks?

And now, my review:

Carrie Turansky has a way with words and storytelling. She has published traditionally, and now her first e-book shines with a strong hook, story, and characters. One of her strengths, so evident with this book, is showing her heart in the story. She dealt with some serious issues (like living with deformities) with tact, care, and heart. Kudos for that!

It’s so easy for romances to become formulaic, but Carrie bucked that trend too. For example, she took the issue of not being in a relationship with a nonbeliever to another level and used that element in an interesting way in the story, very effectively. She layered in elements I didn’t expect and handled all of it like the pro she is.

Her characterization was strong where her hero and heroine were concerned. I understood each of them as they shared their point of view and we got inside their heads and hearts.

For those reasons and more, I recommend this entertaining, heartfelt, out of the ordinary romance. You’ll be glad you downloaded this one. Looking forward to more e-books from this author. 

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Surrendered Hearts
Sequel to "Along Came Love"
Contemporary Inspirational Romance
Flowing Stream Books, April 2011
eBook available online, $2.99
ISBN 9781-888685-40-4