A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray

This was a very different inspirational romance, and better for it. Though it won't release until October, I wanted to share my review with you so you can watch for it. First, tell me what’s not to love about that cover? Covers absolutely influence buyers. And this cover wins!

Let’s begin with the summary:

Past promises will be tested as new ones are given...

When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant crying in the barn late one night, he first thinks she’s gotten herself into another scrape. But when he spies the marks on her back and hears about her stepfather’s advances, Clayton knows he must spirit Vanessa away to safety.

As they make their way west, it becomes apparent that there’s something special between Vanessa and Clayton— far more significant than mere friendship or his sense of duty. Unfortunately, also heading west are Vanessa’s brother Miles and her stepfather Price Venture. Price wants Vanessa back for obvious reasons; Miles wants to earn his stepfather’s respect. Eventually, unexpected confrontations reach a harrowing conclusion. As their family begins to heal, their journey and trials they've faced helps them realize their future is in God's guiding hands.

And now, my review:

The author’s means of naming her characters did not go unnoticed. Price Venture is the conniving antagonist, and he is rightly named.

But, let’s begin at the beginning. I was immediately hooked in the first lines and remained committed the entire story. This is the first in a series, which is very exciting. Can’t wait for the rest.

From their first scene, the hero is in kind, affectionate, protective mode with our heroine. These two have a history, which lends itself to the story in beautiful ways. Usually we have to wait through 75-90% of the story before the hero can use endearments—not here. Since they had a history, he used them right from the beginning. Loved that! The author’s method here helped us see the hero’s motives, the heroine’s safety, and their past. Well done.

There were two specific acts of violence committed around the story, but both happened off screen. One of the things that I respect about this author is she handled them tactfully, without glorifying them. She even brought her characters healing despite their hardships, an inspirational element readers will appreciate.

I will be watching closely for books two and three in this series. If you like something a little edgier, with a heavy dose of romantic tension, you’ll love this one. I did.

Highly recommended.

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. 

~~~~~~~~

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

Stephen Bly

I logged on to our library’s website today and put two books on hold. Westerns. Not my usual read. Why? In honor of a kind man and author, Stephen Bly, who passed away this week while battling cancer.

I’d only interacted with him occasionally, and always online. He and his wonderful wife Janet Chester Bly were always so gracious, and kind.

The e-loops I belong to, the Facebook pages, are all burning up with expressions of love and mourning for this great man. No matter what we're called to do, that’s the kind of legacy we want to leave behind—a legacy that goes beyond our calling to the type of person we are were.

See you on the other side, Stephen. You are missed.

New Christian Fiction Releases: June, 2011

This list was compiled by American Christian Fiction Writers. More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

A Vision of Lucy by Margaret Brownley -- Romance from Thomas Nelson. Trouble may follow Lucy wherever she goes, but with the help of God and the rugged, reclusive David Wolf, she'll never face adversity alone.

Behind the Badge by Susan Sleeman -- A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense. Can a rookie sheriff's deputy find a killer before the killer takes the lives of the people she loves?

Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love -- General Fiction from Thomas Nelson. Unless she can let go of her fears and learn to trust again, Ada may lose the heart of a good man.

Broken Wings: A Novel by Carla Stewart -- General Fiction from Faith Words (Hachette). One woman clings to her memories. The other wants to erase hers. A story of an unlikely friendship birthed in providence and bathed in grace.

Forever After (A Hanover Falls Novel) by Deborah Raney -- General Fiction from Howard (Simon & Schuster). A series of arson fires at Hanover Falls rebuilt homeless shelter threatens its residents and casts new suspicions about the original fire.

Home Sweet Home by Kim Watters -- Romance from Love Inspired. Finding a home is all Abby dreamed about, until she discovers the man she falls in love with has a less permanent agenda.

Idaho Brides by Erica Vetsch -- Romance from Barbour. Experience the Wild West through the eyes of the three McConnell brothers who long to overcome their troubled childhood as drunkard’s sons.

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa by Melanie Dobson -- Romance from Summerside Press. As the rest of the nation is embroiled in the Civil War, the Amana Colonies have remained at peace—until now.

Protecting Her Own by Margaret Daley -- Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense. Protecting her own father when an assailant targets him, bodyguard Cara Madison with Connor Fitzgerald, an ex-boyfriend, searches for a would be killer while fighting her feelings toward Connor.

Purple Knot by Raquel Byrnes -- Romance from White Rose. With her faith shaken and her world cast in shadows, can Reyna trust the God she believes abandoned her?

Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond -- Romance from Thomas Nelson. How could a marriage possibly work when the couple has only exchanged a few letters?

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo -- Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House). Unlikely romance is sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away

The Irresistible Earl by Regina Scott -- A Romance from Love Inspired Historical. If Chase Dearborn, the powerful Earl of Allyndale, found Meredee Price's family in Scarborough, surely he'd continue his quest to challenge Meredee's stepbrother to a duel. Meredee is determined to avoid the earl at all costs.

The Story in the Stars, Gateway to Gannah, Book 1 by Yvonne Anderson -- Fantasy from Risen Books. The inhabitants of the planet Gannah are known as bloodthirsty savages who once tried to conquer the galaxy. Now a plague has ravaged the planet and only one survivor remains.

The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser -- General Fiction from Bethany House. The Sweetest Thing is the story of two girls--opposites in every way--fighting for the same thing: survival amidst tumultuous change.

The Wedding Season: The Gentleman Takes a Bride by Louise M. Gouge -- Romance from Love Inspired Historical. Surely Elizabeth Moberly was born to be a nobleman's bride. She can't possibly be attracted to the untitled stranger who interrupts her cousin's wedding.

Under a Desert Sky by DiAnn Mills -- General Fiction from Summerside Press. A race from danger...straight into the arms of love.

The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue

This challenging book is a great read, and a great ride!

Let's begin with the summary:

At age forty-two, Allison Chamberlain is still making a half-hearted attempt to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Although she has been a pew-sitting member of a church for seven years, “prophet” has never been on the short list of possible careers.

Then one Sunday Allison senses a divine nudge to buy a Harley motorcycle and go wherever it takes her. Soon she is wondering if she is called to present the reality of Christ to one of society’s darkest corners—and challenge her own church to look beyond their fears.

The first in a brave trilogy from seasoned writer Nancy Rue, The Reluctant Prophet shows how one person’s response to God’s call can change a community forever.

And now, my review:

Nancy Rue has a way with words. And storytelling. And pacing. And characterization. Written first-person, past tense, this story grabs you from the first words. You’re immersed in the story as if you’re the heroine. But as the reader, you’re wondering where the Lord is going to “Nudge” our heroine, how the down-and-out are going to respond, and how the other Christians are going to react.

You’ll cheer our heroine on as she takes on the judgmental Christians around her while helping the lost and destitute. The storyline made me glad for our church’s vision of going outside the four walls of the church. But I was still challenged. Would you buy a Harley, learn to operate it, then cruise around the worst neighborhood in your city?

God’s nudges were a great aspect of this tale. He absolutely directs us. He made our heroine aware of His directives, and she learned to heed Him. He gave her courage, boldness. She lived like Jesus, setting an example while setting up a “mirror.” No one liked the transformation, at first. She battled onslaughts from every side, even the Christians. Her battles and hardships were true-to-life that though God’s way isn’t easy, it’s worth pursuing.

This novel doesn’t leave you untouched. Rather, it challenges your beliefs about serving others,

taking risks, reaching out, and what you do with God’s nudges. The author was brave to begin this series and readers are brave to ride along.

My only disappointment is that Book Two in the Reluctant Prophet Series (Unexpected Dismounts) doesn’t come out until October. I’ll be waiting. Expectantly.

Highly recommended.

Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere

Jesus is the Lion of Judah, so for Him to relate with His people as lionesses makes sense. So when I saw this book, and knew that I trusted the author, I felt this was a must-read. Glad I picked it up.

Here’s the summary:

Awaken.

The lioness rises from her slumber, a magnificent image of strength, passion, and beauty. Her mere presence
commands the landscape, protects her young, and empowers the lion. In groups, lionesses become a creative and strategic force to be reckoned with, acting as one to change the world around them.

You too are a lioness.

In Lioness Arising, author and speaker Lisa Bevere offers the life and image of the lioness as a fierce and tender model for women. Revealing the surprising characteristics of this amazing creature, Lisa challenges women to discover fresh passion, prowess, and purpose.

Learn what it means to:

• be a stunning representation of strength
• fiercely protect the young
• lend your voice to the silenced
• live in the light and hunt in the dark
• raise a collective roar that changes everything

Packed with remarkable insights from nature and a rich depth of biblical references to lionesses, Lioness Arising is a call for women to rise up in strength and numbers to change their world.

Jesus is, after all, the lion of the Tribe of Judah.

We are His lioness arising.

****

And now, my review:

Yes, this book was written with women in mind­—we’re the primary audience. But I loved that Lisa didn’t take a stance of “it’s about time we prove we’re better than men.” That is not the direction her book takes. Rather, this is a call to rise up and change the world. To live the potential we were created to live, meant to live. She presents her message, God’s charge, with humility, transparency, and boldness.

In the wild, lionesses don’t have to prove they have power. They just walk in their strength. No one dares ask them if they’re strong, capable, living their destiny.

With many insights from her own personal journey and studies, Lisa urges women to make a difference in the areas they feel called to impact.

This book will change your life, encourage you, challenge you and help to wake you up. Chances are, there’s more to this life than you’ve lived yet. More God is calling you to do. Lisa’s words will stir that calling to new life and light a fire under you to make it happen. If you want to live a purposeful life, to fulfill what God’s called you to do, this book will embolden you to make it happen, by God’s grace.

Highly recommended.

Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini

What's not to love about that cover? Gorgeous color and composition! I really like Julie's writing and her Otter Bay series.

Let's begin with the summary:

How do you restore a soul? One brush stroke at a time ...

Suz Mitchell is a determined dreamer, and won't allow her ex-husband's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, Suz moves with her child across the country to California's central coast, and lands a job restoring priceless art for the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the sea.

But even dreams have shocking twists. To her surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, works at the castle and jumbles the new aspirations in Suz's heart. While sorting through their past and a palette of spiritual differences, an even bigger brush with yesterday awaits.

Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.

And now, my review:

I love Julie’s setting for this novel—a castle and the ocean. Very enjoyable. Her characters seem to breathe on the page, and I could see myself in her heroine here and there. The artistic flavor of the story, due to the heroine’s (Suz’s) job, was a delight. And the deep relationship and love Suz had for her son rang true.

I like Julie’s way of subtly including grace and God-things in her stories. You know you’re in good hands with her as an author. Her discussion between Letty and the heroine about God writing their life story was great. And that’s just one example.

Her heroine, in this first-person, past-tense rendering asks herself this question: Why were my emotions swayed by the attitudes of others? What a great question. See what I mean? You get a dash of wisdom here or there, an opportunity to check in with yourself.  

Speaking of her first-person point of view—I love this POV. And Julie skillfully carries it off, as usual.

One of her main themes was overcoming the past. Our heroine didn’t want to hold anyone’s past against them, though she held hers against herself sometimes. She gave herself little credit (who hasn’t?). She gave others in her life too much credit. It’s all part of what makes this story compelling.

Enjoyable read!