Coming in mid 2012 from Revell

As promised, I'm back with May to August releases from Revell and would love your thoughts on these novels.

I always enjoy Kathleen and Lorna's (cover to come) books and while I'm looking forward to Irene's story the cover model looks nothing like I imagine Cole Taylor!  I love the simplicity of Eva's cover and the pink high heels on Janice's :)

Any favourites for you?

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago's rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work--and the classes she is secretly taking at the newly opened University of Chicago. When she meets an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World's Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family's expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is?

Readers will love being swept away into a world of mansions, secrets, and romance as they follow Lucy through the streets of the Windy City during one of the most exciting times in the city's history. From opulent upper-class homes to the well-worn rooms of an orphanage, Olivia Newport breathes life and romance into the pages of history--and everyone is invited.

May, 2012

The Ride of her Life by Lorna Seilstad

The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six year old. Widowed two years ago, Lilly leaves the shelter of her intrusive in-laws' home to stand on her own and provide for her young son by working for the summer as a cook at Lake Manawa. However, her in-laws find that life utterly unsuitable for their grandson, and when a row ensues, a handsome stranger--who designs roller coasters, of all things--intercedes on her behalf. Still, Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky (though charismatic) gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.

Filled with delightful characters and the romance of summer, The Ride of Her Life is another supremely entertaining story from the witty Lorna Seilstad. Readers will laugh out loud and sigh contentedly as they spend the summer of 1906 in Lake Manawa.

May, 2012

A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan

Moved by the desire for adventure and a yearning to help the Ute Indians, twenty-year-old Shiloh Wainright impulsively accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado. The new job, however, isn't what she imagined it would be, and Shiloh soon finds herself caught in the cross fire between the Utes, their unyielding Indian Agent, and the unrealistic demands of the US government. Her unexpected encounter with Jesse Blackwater, an embittered half-breed Ute and childhood friend, only complicates matters as they battle their growing feelings for each other amidst the spiraling tensions threatening to explode into a catastrophic Indian uprising.

Set amongst the wilds of the Colorado Rockies in 1879, this is a tale of a forbidden love and a faith tested in the cauldron of intolerance and the harsh realities of life on the untamed frontier. Bestselling author Kathleen Morgan deftly explores themes of mercy, fidelity to one's beliefs despite what others think or do, and compassion for those different from oneself as she plumbs the depths of the human heart and the healing power of God's love.

May, 2012

Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson

Life sometimes gets the best of us. For some it's the daily pressures, for others it's the shadows of the past. For Patsy Milstrap, it's both. When she travels to beautiful Cedar Key on Florida's Gulf Coast in search of healing, she never dreams her past will be waiting for her there.

With a large helping of Southern charm, Waiting for Sunrise is a touching story of family, young love, and the need for forgiveness. Author Eva Marie Everson expertly draws out the bittersweet moments of life, weaving them into a tale that envelops the soul.

June, 2012

Mary Magdalene by Diana Wallis Taylor

Long maligned as a prostitute or a woman of questionable reputation, Mary Magdalene's murky story seems lost to the sands of time. Now a portrait of this enigmatic woman comes to life in the hands of an imaginative master storyteller. Diana Wallis Taylor's Mary is a woman devastated by circumstances beyond her control and plagued with terrifying dreams--until she has a life-changing confrontation with the Savior.

Lovers of historical and biblical fiction will find this creative telling of Mary's story utterly original and respectful as it opens their eyes to the redeeming work of Christ in the lives of those who follow him.

June, 2012

The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson

Tia Morales is used to calling the shots. She's the director of the popular sitcom Stars Collide, and her life on set is calculated and orderly. Well, most of the time. But her life outside the studio is another matter. If only she could get her family to behave as well as her stars do! When she starts butting heads with handsome camera operator Jason Harris, it's enough to send a girl over the edge. Will she ever learn to let go and take life--and love--as it comes?

Full of the humor and crazy family dynamics Janice Thompson fans have come to love, this colorful story gives readers an inside look at Hollywood and a healthy dose of romance.

June, 2012

Joy Takes Flight by Bonnie Leon

Kate Evans and Paul Anderson are finally married, settling in, and starting a family. They rejoice when Kate finds she is pregnant, but soon it is clear that there are hurdles ahead. Should she continue in her dangerous profession as an Alaskan bush pilot? Can she really fall into the role of a wife? Then tragedy strikes, life begins to unravel, and Kate fears she may have lost Paul for good.

Chock-full of high-flying adventure, romance, and the drama of life, Joy Takes Flight is the exciting conclusion to Bonnie Leon's Alaskan Skies series.

July, 2012






 
The Gifted by Ann Gabhart

By 1849, Jessamine Brady has been in the Shaker Village for half her life, but in spite of how she loves her sisters there, she struggles to conform to the strict rules. Instead she entertains dreams of the world outside. When Tristan Cooper seems to step out of those dreams to entice her into the forbidden realm beyond the Shaker Village, her life turns upside down. Will Jessamine be able to survive the storms of the world? Or will she retreat back to the peace of Harmony Hill?

The thousands of loyal fans of Gabhart's Shaker novels will love this entrancing story of learning to trust the gifts God gives us and let him guide us through life.

July, 2012









Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

The police say her father's death was suicide. But Kelly Warren says it was murder--and she has new evidence that she believes proves it. Detective Cole Taylor doesn't put much credence in her claim, and nothing in his case review suggests foul play. But when Kelly ends up in the emergency room with a suspicious life-threatening medical condition, the incident strikes him as more than just coincidence. Digging deeper, he discovers she's linked to a long-ago crime. Is history repeating itself? And who wants Kelly silenced?

With her trademark high-intensity action and taut suspense, Irene Hannon closes out her Guardians of Justice series with a story of old grudges and budding romance that is sure to increase her substantial fan base.

August, 2012

The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision--one that goes against her very essence. Yet it's the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation--and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons--courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie's heart.

August, 2012

Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney

Cate Kincaid is just dipping her toe into the world of private investigating until one of the many résumés she has floating around lands her a real job. All she has to do is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? When the big and brooding house happens to contain a dead body, this routine PI job turns out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

Readers will be hooked from the very first chapter of this fast-paced and witty romantic mystery from bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney.

August, 2012

Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

Synopsis:~

Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. A divorced mother of two, Kim resents her ex-husband for moving on with his life and living it up while she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim's own father suggests a respite in the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key Island. As Kim revisits her childhood memories and loves, she soon discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and mistakes--both past and present--become redeemable in God's hand.

My take:~

Eva Marie Everson's latest story shows her versatility as a writer as she pens a contemporary romance with women's fiction undertones. Kim's journey to redefine herself as a person after her marriage fails and her former husband is granted the children for an extended stay, is heartfelt and moving. Flashbacks fill in the back story for Kim and Steven seamlessly, slowly revealing motivations and choices made. Family relationships are fully developed as Kim acknowledges and confronts painful experiences from her past that continue to haunt her family. Lost love, the impact of addiction and the pain of marriage breakdown form part of this engaging story that Eva pens with sensitivity and heart. I'm looking forward to returning to Cedar Key soon.

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of This Fine Life

Visit Eva's website

Buy Eva's books at Amazon or Koorong

Coming in 2011 from Revell ~ Contemporary

Here's a look at Revell's contemporary novels releasing May ~ June 2011.

Snitch looks fabulous and with an author's dream name, Booker can't go wrong! Lynette is getting better and better so I'm keen to read her latest Women of Justice novel, too, although I'm not a huge fan of the cover!

Are you feeling the book love?!

Snitch by Booker T Mattison

Andre Bolden isn't one to complain. Sure, he split up with his girl Sandra, he doesn't get to see his son Little Dre much, and he's worried about paying child support. But he's got a steady job driving a bus--and in Jersey City, that's something. Then Andre's world comes crashing down when he witnesses a murder on his bus route and later loses his job. When Andre realizes that the murderer is a feared gang leader, he needs to watch his back. He's trying to get it all back together, but it seems like even God is out to get him.

Enter the gritty world of Booker T. Mattison's Snitch, where the streets are alive and you need to tread lightly. This raw tale of revenge, romance, and redemption will leave readers breathless.

May 2011

A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. The new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he's hunting one of them too.

With nail-biting suspense, clever plot twists, and a hint of sweet romance, A Killer Among Us is the latest thriller from Lynette Eason. It will keep readers up late as they race to discover the killer--and whether Kit and Noah will live to tell about it.

May 2011

Megan's Hero by Sharon Gillenwater

Six months pregnant, unmarried, broke, and alone, Megan Reed doesn't think things can get much worse--and then they do. Stuck on the road without shelter when a tornado appears, Megan barely escapes with her life. And when Will Callahan comes upon her in the road, her life will never be the same. While staying at the Callahan family ranch, she finds herself daring to love again, even while she suspects that Will's affection for her can't be anything but pity. But when she realizes that the townspeople think she's just a gold digger, she can't bear to stay. Can Will convince her that her past doesn't mean a thing when it comes to love?

Filled with the easy charm and warmth of Texas, Megan's Hero will have readers believing in the power of love and forgiveness.

June 2011

Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. A divorced mother of two, Kim resents her ex-husband for moving on with his life and living it up while she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim's own father suggests a respite in the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key Island. As Kim revisits her childhood memories and loves, she soon discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and mistakes--both past and present--become redeemable in God's hand.

Readers will be swept away to an island retreat where they walk alongside Kim as she discovers that God's answers may not come easily, but they do come.

June 2011

Coming in early 2011 from Revell

More great books to add to your 2011 wish lists, this time from Revell!

I just love the cover of Ann's book, maybe because I have three daughters and because of my love of romantic suspense and Biblical retellings, I can't wait for Fatal Judgement and Bathsheba. Mind you, none of the judges I've ever stood before looked like Liz Michaels - LOL!

How about you? What takes your fancy?


Fatal Judgement by Irene Hannon

Deputy Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action as a member of the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group, including a recent stint in Iraq. But he’d much rather go back to that hotbed of trouble than deal with his next assignment: providing protection for federal judge Liz Michaels. His antipathy toward her is just as strong as it was five years ago, when her husband—his best friend—died in a possible suicide.

But as Jake works to keep Liz safe, he discovers she’s not a cold-hearted workaholic wedded to nothing but her job, as he expected. Forced to reevaluate his opinion, he also finds himself grappling with a growing attraction. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes go up. Because now both her life—and his heart—are in danger.

Full of the suspense and romance Irene Hannon's fans have come to love, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep readers turning the pages late into the night.

January, 2011

Bake Until Golden by Eva Marie Everson & Linda Evans Shepherd

The ladies of the Potluck Catering Club may have thought that winning The Great Party Showdown reality show in New York City would be the biggest adventure of their lives. But they weren't counting on the strange goings-on they would confront when they returned to Summit View, Colorado. When a shocking event rocks their small town the ladies are stunned--especially when one of them is accused. And a 100-year-old legend about buried gold unearths some unsavory characters. Will old friends stick together through their trials? Or will they be torn apart by tragedy?

Full of mystery, friendship, and faith, Bake Until Golden is the final book in this popular series.

January, 2011

Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes

By virtue of her profession as a midwife, Tabitha Eckles is the keeper of many secrets: the names of fathers of illegitimate children, the level of love and harmony within many a marriage, and now the identity of a man who may have caused his wife's death. Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own secret to keep: namely, what he, a British nobleman, is doing on American soil working as a bondsman in the home of Mayor Kendall, a Southern gentleman with his eye on a higher office. By chance one morning before the dawn has broken, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths on a misty beachhead, leading them on a twisted path through kidnappings, de ath threats, public disgrace, and . . . love? Can Tabitha trust Dominick? What might he be hiding? And can either of them find true love in a world that seems set against them?

With stirring writing that puts readers directly into the story, Lady in the Mist expertly explores themes of identity, misperception, and love's discovery.

February, 2011

Angel Sister by Ann H Gabhart

It is 1936 and Kate Merritt, the middle child of Victor and Nadine, works hard to keep her family together. Her father slowly slips into alcoholism and his business suffers during the Great Depression. As her mother tries to come to grips with their situation and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to it, it is Kate who must shoulder the emotional load. Who could imagine that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what the Merritts need?

In this richly textured novel, award-winning author Ann H. Gabhart reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times. Multidimensional characters face real and trenchant problems while maintaining their family bonds, all against the backdrop of a sultry Kentucky summer. Readers will be drawn into the story and find themselves lingering there long after they've finished the book.

February, 2011

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews

Readers often think of Job sitting on the ash heap, his life in shambles. But how did he get there? What was Job's life like before tragedy struck? What did he think as his world came crashing down around him? And what was life like after God restored his wealth, health, and family?

Through painstaking research and a writer's creative mind, Mesu Andrews weaves an emotional and stirring account of this well-known story told through the eyes of the women who loved him. Drawing together the account of Job with those of Esau's tribe and Jacob's daughter Dinah, Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.

March, 2011

Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith

Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to suc cumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful king, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever?

With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.

March, 2011

Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming Ladreville's schoolteacher is just what she needs--a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. W hat she didn't count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood--or the way he slowly but surely claims her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly put the past behind them in order to find happiness?

Readers will love this story of overcoming powerful odds and grabbing hold of happiness. Book 3 in the Texas Dreams series.

April, 2011

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

What began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 for John and Laura Foster aboard the steamship SS Vandervere becomes a nightmare when a hurricane causes their ship to sink into the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself with the other women and children aboard a sailing ship while John and a hundred other men drift on the open sea on anything they could grab as the Vandervere went down. Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face the possibility of life alone--and meeting her new in-laws without their son if she ever reaches New York.

Readers will be holding their breath as they sail through this emotional and honest story of hope, faith, and love in the face of uncertainty. Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story through an intimate focus on two lost lovers. Inspired by real events, this moving novel will capture the hearts of all who dive into its pages.

April, 2011

The Dawn of A Dream by Ann Shorey

Luellen O'Connell is stunned and confused when her husband of just one month tells her he is leaving--and that he has another wife. Deeply wounded by this betrayal, Luellen decides to follow the dream she had set aside of obtaining a teaching degree. But her wayward husband left something behind when he abandoned her. Can Luellen overcome the odds and achieve her dream? Can she hide her secret, or will it destroy her dreams forever?

A moving story of tenacity and perseverance in the face of opposition, The Dawn of a Dream will inspire readers to discover and follow their own dreams.

April, 2011

This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

Synopsis:~

It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?

In this unique and tender story of an unlikely romance, popular author Eva Marie Everson takes readers on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Readers will experience the joys of new love, the perseverance of true friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.

My take:~

I tip my hat to Eva Marie Everson for her wonderful portrayal of a young women living in the 1960s in her latest novel, This Fine Life. Eva is an excellent storyteller and her characters bleed authenticity from their impulsive young love to the pressures and expectations they face as a young minister and wife in a small back blocks town. Told in young Mariette Puttnam's first person voice, this is an artfully executed novel of the struggles, secrets and passion of Mariette as she finds herself a minister's wife, confused by her own superficial beliefs and unable to find her place. Eva avoids clichés and stereotypes and instead provides a unique and delightful read that is both moving, heart wrenching and joyous. I can highly recommend this book to all generations but I know my Baby Boomer mum will especially love it!


Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras


Review of A Taste of Fame

Visit Eva's website

Buy Eva's books at Amazon or Koorong

The Potluck Club Cookbook by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson

You may recall my good friend Tracy reviewed this book at Relz Reviewz back in September. When the chance arose for me to review it, I jumped at the opportunity given Tracy's glowing praise and having now read and tried some of the recipes I have to agree with her :)

If you have been reading Christian Fiction long enough, you will have stumbled across novels that include a recipe or two as an added bonus to your reading pleasure, some concoction one of the characters has successfully or unsuccessfully cooked as part of the story! The Potluck Club series and the follow on series, the Potluck Catering Club, co authored by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson are novels well known for a tasty recipe or two. No doubt following from some positive feedback (pardon the pun) the authors have taken a further step and released a companion cookbook to their series, simply titled The Potluck Club Cookbook.

With the tag line, "Easy recipes to enjoy with family and friends", I succumbed to the simple pleasure of reading a cookbook from cover to cover! Recipes with minimal ingredients, most to be found in any well rounded pantry, with easy to follow instructions range from crock pot gems, salads, breads and desserts to vegie dishes, breakfasts, mains and casseroles, all seemingly tasty and simple. As an Australian, I was intrigued by certain ingredients ~ liquid smoke, Karo syrup, Cool Whip and Cheese Whiz ~ and the required use of cake mix in many recipes. Thankfully, a metric conversion guide at the back of the book put weights into perspective and I turned my hand to cooking! I can recommend the Sloppy Joes from a Crock-Pot (minus the crock-pot - I used my fry pan on the stove top) although I learned quickly how hot Chili Sauce can be and the Chicken Cacciatore worked well in my oven and was so very easy. I have my eye on the Old-fashioned Corn Bread and Eva's Mango Salad next!

Eva Marie and Linda add personal comments to each recipe, which were often fun or informative. The Potluck Club Cookbook is a perfect addition to any kitchen with simple, down to earth American style cooking and would make a perfect gift for any busy household.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com and with thanks to TitleTrakk.com for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of A Taste of Fame
Visit the websites of Linda & Eva
Buy the books at Amazon or Koorong

Coming in mid 2010 from Revell

Okay, I admit it! I get giddy with excitement discovering new books, their covers and blurbs :) The only downside is their release dates ;-)

Here are the latest from Revell's website ~ don't make me choose, I love the look and sound of them all! Just can't help myself ~ how about you?

As always, click on the links for more.


This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

It is the summer of 1959 and Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and fourth floors?

In this unique and tender story of an unlikely romance, popular author Eva Marie Everson takes readers on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Readers will experience the joys of new love, the perseverance of true friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.

Releasing May, 2010

It Had To Be You by Janice Thompson

Bella couldn't be happier that her long-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated.

Will Lazarro's friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly-approaching wedding amidst the chaos?

Full of laugh-out-loud humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You is the satisfying conclusion to an entertaining series.

Releasing May, 2010





Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston

When Flabbergasted stormed on the scene in 2003, the reviews came fast and furious:

"Good writing and an ample dose of humor make this as charming as Bridget Jones's Diary from the male point of view."--Library Journal

"Blackston's novel will tickle your literary taste buds with a relational gumbo of quirky characters."--Christian Book Previews

"Amazing. A novel that is simultaneously serious, hilarious, and impossible to put down."--The Dallas Morning News

"With a colorful cast of quirky characters and a plot full of surprises, this is one of the feel-good novels of the year."--CCM

Now this summertime favorite about a single stock broker looking for love in the murky waters of the southern church singles scene is repackaged with a hot new look.


Releasing May, 2010





A Love of Her Own by Maggie Brendan

April McBride has suffered a broken engagement once before and fully intends to guard her heart when she travels to Billings, Montana, to attend her brother's wedding. One look around the small mining town convinces April that this won't be difficult--just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys. But a run-in with a horse trainer named Wes Owen opens up vast possibilities for frustration, embarrassment, friendship, and . . . love?

Can April and Wes see past their differences in order to envision a future together?

Readers will love going on this adventurous, spark-filled ride through turn-of-the-century Montana.

Releasing June, 2010





The Homecoming by Dan Walsh

No sooner is Shawn Collins home from the fighting in Europe than he is called upon to serve his country in another way--as a speaker on the war bond tour. While other men might jump at the chance to travel around the country with attractive Hollywood starlets, Shawn just wants to stay home with his son Patrick and the aging father with whom he has finally reconciled.

When Shawn taps Katherine Townsend to be Patrick's nanny while he's on the road, he has no idea that she will be the key to his future happiness and the mending of his heart.

This heartwarming story of tender love and fresh starts will capture readers.

Releasing June, 2010






Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon

Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent young woman with a pioneering spirit. She pilots a mail-delivery plane in the forbidding Alaskan wilderness, the lone woman in a male profession. But even that seems easy compared to finding true love. She likes a fellow pilot and would even consider marrying him--if it weren't for Paul, a mysterious man on her mail route with a gentle spirit and a past to hide.

Can Kate break through the walls Paul has put up around his heart? And will her quest for adventure be her demise?

Book 1 in the Alaskan Skies series, Touching the Clouds will draw readers in with raw emotion and suspense, all against the stunning backdrop of the Alaskan wilds.

Releasing July, 2010





The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart

Charlotte Vance is a young woman who knows what she wants. But when the man she planned to marry joins the Shakers--a religious group that does not marry--she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country--and her own household--on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road toward unforeseen peace--and a very unexpected love.

Ann H. Gabhart brings alive the strikingly different worlds of the Southern gentry, the simple Shakers, and the ravages of war to weave a touching story of love, freedom, and forgiveness that sticks with readers long after they have turned the last page.

Releasing July, 2010






Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men--ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable--vie for her attentions, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her.

Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones--and garner suspicion from her friends--by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love?

This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop readers as it takes them from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness to the west in search of true love.

Releasing July, 2010




The Bishop by Steven James

FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers's cutting-edge 21st-century geospatial investigative techniques and impeccable logic have helped him track some of the country's most grisly killers. But those skills are pushed to the limit in this new installment of the highly-acclaimed, award-winning The Bowers Files series.

This time it's a congressman's daughter who is found dead even as her killers launch a spree of perfect murders in the Northeast. With nothing to link the crimes to each other, Agent Bowers faces his most difficult case yet--even as his personal life begins to crumble around him.

Known for his intricately woven, masterfully plotted novels of high-octane action and spine-tingling suspense, Steven James delivers once again. The Bishop is a gripping, adrenaline-laced story for readers who are tired of timid thrillers. Strap on your seatbelt and get ready for a wild ride. The game is on.

Releasing August, 2010

The Potluck Club Cookbook ~ Tracy's Take

It is an exciting day in my world, when I am offered a new cookbook. One that teams with a great novel can only mean I am in for a real treat. I loved the inclusion of comments from the authors about each recipe. I feel like I have delved a little into Shepherd and Everson family traditions!

I eagerly tried two of the recipes from ‘The Potluck Club Cookbook’. First came the Chicken Cacciatore from page 56. This fabulously simple recipe belies the depth of rich flavour delivered by the end product. My refrigerator and pantry perpetually contain the ingredients for this Chicken Cacciatore, making the experience that much more enjoyable. The recipe’s serving suggestion calls for spaghetti or rice as an accompaniment. I can also attest to the fact that it teams perfectly with soft polenta as well. According to my family, this one is a keeper.

Next I decided that something sweet should come next. Grandmother Miller’s Teacakes on page 46 tempted my fancy this time. I was intrigued when I discovered the directions cutting out cookies. My image of a teacake is more…cakey. The result was more of a softly vanilla flavoured cookie that has a slightly cakey texture, rather than a crisp cookie. Everyone in our home has eagerly devoured every last crumb and asked if we can make those again. Always a sure sign of success!

One of the things that intrigued me most about this book also caused me the most challenge. This book is inherently American, for obvious reasons! As an Australian, I was captivated by what is enjoyed by a vast number of typically American homes. I thoroughly enjoyed this insight. The challenge came when trying to determine what a stick of butter might weigh and what was meant by tomato sauce or whipped topping. Thankfully, the internet is a vast ocean of information and all my questions were answered without too much effort.

The road testing of recipes won’t end here! I have plans afoot to continue my American cooking lessons with a little Southern Ambrosia and Sloppy Joes.

Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Guest reviewer:~ My friend Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of A Taste of Fame

Visit the websites of Linda & Eva

Buy the books at Amazon or Koorong

A Taste of Fame by Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson ~ Tracy's Take

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Is America ready to meet the Potluck Catering Club on reality TV?

The women of the Potluck Catering Club have a growing business. They even became the subject of a budding filmmaker's class project. Problem is, they didn't read the fine print when they signed off on his documentary. When he enters the club in the reality show The Great Party Showdown, the ladies of Summit View, Colorado, must head to the Big Apple for the unexpected adventure of their lives.

Between navigating New York City, dealing with cutthroat contestants, and trying to maintain their close friendship in the surreal world of reality TV, the Potluck women must keep their eyes on the prize--a cool million dollars--and work together if they're going to make it back home in one piece.

A Taste of Fame serves up the perfect blend of humor, misadventure, and mouthwatering recipes. Fans new and old will love this exciting trip into the wild world of competitive cooking!

What I thought:

‘A Taste of Fame’ is filled to the brim with characters that appeal despite their flaws and the hilarious calamity the meets them at every turn. The authors have deftly infused the make-believe world of ‘reality’ television with women who seek to achieve their best despite personal adversity and lack of entertainment industry savvy.

‘A Taste of Fame’ is written in the first person, which each chapter from a different character in the Potluck Club. In the past I have found this format a little challenging to begin with, however, the deeper insight to the personality of each character soon overrode any of those feelings as I eagerly embraced each woman in a different way, just as each brings something different to their Potluck Club. For me, the most inspiring was Evie. It is Evie who reminds the group to get back to their roots and walk forward in prayer, rather than rushing ahead like fools.

One of the things the cook within me loved was the inclusion of recipes from the pages of the story. What a stroke of genius from these gifted authors, to indulge not only the imagination, but the taste buds as well. There is no need to merely dream now, you can jump in and taste along with the rest of the Potluck Club!

Despite the levity that permeates this novel, there remains a depth that comes from the real storms of life. As these women meet the difficulties in their lives head on, they prove the faithfulness of a God who loves harmony. They inspire the reader to value the things that are really important and to work hard to maintain strong relationships with the people we love most dearly.

Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.



Guest reviewer:~ My friend Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit the websites of Linda & Eva

Buy the books at Amazon or Koorong

Drop back tomorrow for Tracy's delectable review of The Potluck Club Cookbook ~ yum!