Interview with Camy Tang

Camy Tang is a wonderful writer and just as lovely a person! She has a fabulous blog and her Sushi Series ~ Sushi for One? and recently released, Only Uni are entertaining and thought provoking. Single Sashimi releases in September, 2008 from Zondervan.

Check out my reviews by clicking on the links below:~ Sushi for One? Only Uni

And here is the lady herself:~

Writing

Why Christian fiction?

I felt called to write fiction for Christians. I know that might sound cheesy, but it’s true. I love reading fiction and I love writing fiction even more. When I finally gave my writing up to God, he confirmed that He wants me writing fiction, and more, that He wants me writing for Christians (as opposed to non-Christians in mainstream fiction).

It is quite a jump from biologist to romance author! How/why did you make the transition?

I was a writer first, but God asked me to lay my writing down—completely. Literally. It was a huge fight, but eventually I shoved my manuscript under the bed (where it still resides, because it’s complete dross) and stopped writing fiction. I went into biology work because I really enjoyed it in college.

Then a few years later, God gave me the green light to pick up my writing again. It seemed a little strange for a biologist to suddenly decide to write fiction (again), but I hadn’t expected a chance like this after I’d given my writing up to Him, and I wasn’t about to argue!

Writing is obviously in your blood - was there a particular person who encouraged you to nurture your gift?

My Mom was a high school English teacher, and she totally encouraged me to do it. She even let me monopolize our old Apple IIe computer and dot matrix printer! (Remember those? The sound would drive her nuts when I was printing out something.) She was my first reader, where she obliterated all my excess commas.

What writing project are you working on now?

I’m working on a few proposals for new novels. One involves a dog, so I’m very excited! I figure, all those painful months of trying to train my butt-headed dog Snickers have GOT to pay off eventually!

You are a bit of a pioneer in the CBA, with your main characters being Asian. How do you feel about that?

I didn’t originally write Asian characters, but in studying the market, I realized that the CBA didn’t have many Asian American (as opposed to Asians from Asia) characters. I started to think about taking a step like that, and then I got a very clear word from God for me to “write my heritage.” I didn’t get any clearer than that! I’ll keep doing it until He tells me not to.

Sushi Series

Please tell us the inspiration behind your unique series?

It was a bunch of different things, but mainly it was from talking with friends about our relatives. Everyone I know, whether Asian or not, had a relative who would nag them about being single and getting married. I took all their stories and impressions and molded them into Grandma Sakai, the worst kind of nagger I could come up with. The four cousins evolved from there.

We meet each of the characters from your subsequent stories in Sushi for One? Can you describe each of the cousins in one word?

Lex—jock
Trish—flirt
Venus—cactus
Jenn—doormat

Only Uni, Trish’s story, is your latest release. You tackle difficult subject matter yet inject a lot of humour, cultural details and matters of the heart and faith ~ how do you find the balance?

I originally set out to just write a funny, entertaining story. But in creating Trish’s character, I realized that she has more depth than just a flirty biologist (I had the same thinking when creating her cousins). The deeper issues came out of the complexity of traits I gave to Trish, and so while most of the story is funny, there were moments when she had to deal with her issues with herself and with God, and so the humor took a backseat.

How do you go about choosing names for your characters?

I completely SUCK at coming up with names. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I used friends’ suggestions and a random draw of books from my bookshelf.

Any ideas who you might cast in a movie of Only Uni?

There’s an Asian American actress in the TV show Chuck who’s perfect for Trish—Julia Ling. She’s sassy and funny and the right age, and she just looks like Trish to me, although with less makeup than she has in her character on Chuck.

What impact do you hope this book has upon the reader?

I am really hoping that readers will be encouraged to call on God even for the little things that happen to them, and not just the big things. We try so hard to do things on our own—even though we might have good intentions—when all God wants is for us to rely more on Him and look to Him for our identity, our righteousness, and our sense of being loved.

Can you give us a sneak peek at Venus’ story, Single Sashimi?

Sure! Here’s the blurb:

Drake Yu. Why would Drake call her after … what, five years? Six?
Venus heard in his voice that resonance that was almost a growl, that titanium-hard determination to get what he wanted. And he usually got what he wanted. The voice said: “I want you to work for me.”

Not this time… If it was a choice between Drake and McDonald’s—she’d choose french fries. She’d never work for him again. It would take an act of God.

Venus Chau is determined to start her own game development company and launch the next Super Mario-sized phenomenon. However, she needs an investor to back her idea. When Drake Yu, an old nemesis, approaches Venus with a contracting opportunity at his sister’s startup, the offer to become Chief Operating Officer tempts Venus to think the unthinkable.

Venus would rather throw away her PS3 than work for Drake again … except Grandma bribes Venus to do this favor for Drake’s wealthy family with a coveted introduction to the most respected investor in the game industry. It’s also a short job—only a few months—so Venus won’t have to stand Drake’s presence for very long.

But one wild youth group, a two-faced assistant, and Grandma’s determined match-making threaten to make them both fail—or go insane. With the encouragement of her three cousins, Lex, Trish, and Jennifer, Venus discovers that even a wounded heart can undergo a beautiful transformation …

Personal

You are quite a Jane Austen fan! Favourite novel, please?

Persuasion! There’s something I just admire about Anne Elliot—her strength, consciousness, and the sadness of her regret. And it’s got to be one of the most romantic stories I’ve ever read!

What are you reading at the moment?

A SOLDIER’S FAMILY by Cheryl Wyatt, and A WOMAN AND HER EMOTIONS by Gayle Roper

Favourite movie and favourite line from a movie?

Pride and Prejudice, the BBC version (well, it’s technically a miniseries and not a movie)

“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Colin Firth or Matthew MacFadyen as Mr Darcy?

Colin! Although I liked Matthew in MI6.


Colin Firth or Richard Armitage?!

RICHARD!!!! Rel: Our secret crush on Richard is out, Camy! For everyone else, pick up a copy of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South (BBC miniseries) and you will know what we mean! He is also in the current BBC version of Robin Hood as Guy of Gisborne!)

Who inspires you?

Debbie Macomber. She spends time in her Bible every morning before starting her work. She doesn’t often get critical acclaim for her novels, but she doesn’t let it get her down—she keeps putting out wonderful stories that millions of people enjoy.

Please tell us a little about your family (including Snickers!)

My husband is called Captain Caffeine on my blog, because he is an espresso connoisseur. When I got my first contract, I promised him anything he wanted—and he chose this expensive, stainless-steel espresso maker imported all the way from Italy. Since then, he makes a latte (or sometimes just espresso) every morning. He’s getting to be quite a good barista. Our other family member is our mutt Snickers, whom we adopted from the Humane Society. She’s a complete and utter butthead, but we love her because she’s so darn cute.

Please share some of your faith journey...

I was very lucky because I had a babysitter who was Christian, and she took me and my brother to Sunday School when we were younger. However, the church was very small and there weren’t anyone my own age—everyone was much older. So I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t really give my life to Him until I went to college, where I met Christians my own age who really lived out their faith and had a relationship with God that I didn’t have. Now I wonder how I ever took so long to surrender to Jesus. I’ve worked for eleven years in my church youth group, and I try to help them to live in Christ early in their lives, in a way I did not.

Some essential Aussie questions

When/if you make the trip Down Under what do you want to see first:~

YOU! Rel: Aren't you a sweetheart!!!


A platypus or a koala?

Koala! They’re so cute!

Barrier Reef or Uluru (Ayers Rock)?

I’ve never heard of Uluru, so I’d probably want to see that.

A cricket match or a game of Aussie Rules Footy?

What in the world is Aussie Rules Footy? I’m almost afraid to ask. Rel: Look to the left - none of the girly padding your gridiron boys wear - LOL!!!

Any last words?

Thanks so much for the interview! I do want to let people know that I have a website contest going on right now, giving away FIVE boxes of Christian fiction! Plus it’s open to international readers! The contest is exclusively for my newsletter YahooGroup subscribers, so join today: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Camys_Loft/join

Thanks for having me here!

Camy

Thanks Camy ~ a delight to have you :)

Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck

Tied to her small country town and her innate need to help others, Caroline Sweeney is finally on the brink of making a career choice that puts her own desires front and centre ~ a dream job in Barcelona, Spain. That is until the late Jones McDermott bequeaths her with the rundown Frogmore Cafe with a stipulation that Caroline keep the Cafe running or sell it to benefit charity.

Caroline's tender heart could no more turf the Frogmore's loyal employees and patrons out on their ear than she could poke a stick in her eye!

As Sheriff J. D Rand comes calling, Caroline soon finds other things to dream about than Barcelona but when Mitch O'Neal, the man who broke her young heart, returns from Nashville, more appealing than ever, Caroline must finally make a choice to follow her own destiny.

I love Rachel Hauck! Her stories overflow with humour, passion, delight and the beauty of faith. The writing beckons, engages and entreats the reader to walk with Caroline as she balances love and loyalty and searches her soul. The characterisation is supreme, from Caroline's giving heart, J D Rand's desire and Mitch's new found beliefs, each one complex and realistic. Rachel unashamedly, yet with subtlety and truth, reveals God's hand at work in unique and unexpected ways as Caroline struggles to believe in God and herself. Sweet Caroline has Rachel Hauck's stamp of integrity, depth and beauty and should not be missed.

As a bonus the reader is introduced to Elle from Rachel's next book, Love Starts with Elle ~ can't wait!


Read my review of Diva Nash Vegas, here

CFBA Blog Tour of Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sweet Caroline(Thomas Nelson February 12, 2008
by
Rachel Hauck

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism. As a member of Phi Mu sorority, I partied my way though the last few years of college.

But, the truth is, and always will be, I belong to Jesus. At the age of six, I knelt at the altar of a Tulsa Methodist church and gave my life to the One who loves me.

After graduation, hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. And I did it without a laptop, a cell phone, an IPod or portable DVD player. Those were hard times.

But, I traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine. But, life on the road is difficult. Working twelve to fourteen hour days, one doesn't get to see many of the sites. In Ireland, our company's distributor drove me around at night so I could see something of Dublin.

I met Tony, my husband, in '87, at church, of all places. We got married in '92. Tony has been a pastor for twenty years. I've worked with him in eighteen of those twenty. Our heart is to see teens and adults passionate, radical and whole hearted for Jesus.

Tony and I don't have any children of our own, lots of kids-in-the-Lord and we love them all. However, we do have a very spoiled dog, and an even more spoiled cat.

I've always wanted to be a writer. My dad used to tell me, "You're a writer." I have letters he wrote me post college, exhorting me to write. In this, I believe he had the heart of God.

In '93, I started an epic WW2 novel with two plots. It was well rejected. After that ordeal, I took a break and put efforts into my job as a software project manager. But, I missed writing and in late ' 99, I took up the craft again.

With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. I love writing chick lit and romance. I love writing. What an honor.

Rachel has several other books that have been received with great praise, including Diva Nash Vegas and Lost In Nash Vegas

You can purchase copies of Rachel's books, signed personally for you,
at this site: Signed by the Author.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

When a Southern waitress inherits the Lowcountry cafe where she works, she suddenly has to balance more than just her next food order.

Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.

Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.

But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville, Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.

Read my review, here! I loved this one :)

Coming in 2008 from Zondervan

Check out these fabulous Zondervan books for both cover art and content ~ can't wait! Click on the title and author links for more :)


Now and Always by Lori Copeland

Katie Addison’s big heart shows in her caring deeds: opening her home to abused women. Rehabilitating injured horses. Helping Warren Tate mend his broken heart. It’s only Sheriff Ben O'Keefe who can’t seem to get Katie’s attention. When mysterious events turn Katie to Ben for help, is this the chance he’s been waiting for?

Publisher's Description:

Very few things distract Katie Addison when she’s on a mission, whether it’s opening her home to abused women, rehabilitating injured horses, or helping tall, gorgeous Warren Tate mend his broken heart. But when financial difficulties pile up for her, Katie hesitantly admits she herself may need help. Since his fiancé left him, Warren is done with women—especially independent women, which he’d guess describes Katie Addison to a tee. Reluctantly he agrees to help Katie with her financial troubles. But when his budget doesn’t include Katie’s daily lattes, Warren realizes he may have a challenging client on his hands. Meanwhile, Sheriff Ben O'Keefe can’t seem to get Katie’s attention. Everyone in town knows he has had a longstanding crush on her. But to Katie, Ben is just Ben. When mysterious events turn Katie to him for help, is it the chance Ben has been waiting for?

Releasing June, 2008




Wagered Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher

Bethany Silverton can’t resist the challenge of charming a rough cowboy. But when she makes an innocent wager, unexpected results could turn a little flirtation into a lifetime of love. A sheltered preacher’s daughter stakes her heart on love in this action-filled romance in the wild west of 1880s Montana.

Publisher's Description:

When Bethany Silverton left the genteel life of Miss Henderson’s School for Young Ladies back in Philadelphia for the raw frontier town of Sweetwater, Montana, she had no idea how much she would enjoy the freedom and danger of this wild country. A conservative preacher’s daughter, Bethany can’t resist the challenge of charming the most attractive cowboy in town into attending her father’s new church. She never dreamed that the cowboy would charm the lady. But Hawk Chandler isn’t the only man vying for Bethany’s affections. Ruthlessly ambitious Vince Richards thinks Bethany is perfect for him: attractive, gracious, just the woman to help him become governor. And he is determined to get what he wants at any cost. Drawn to one man, an obsession of another, Bethany’s quiet life is thrown into turmoil. She wagered her heart on love. Now she has gotten more than she bargained for—and the stakes are about to become life and death.

Releasing June, 2008




Conspiracy in Kiev by Noel Hynd

A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she? Connecting the dots between an assassination attempt in Ukraine, a murder in Paris, and a brutal attack on a remote village in South America takes Alex on a dangerous puzzle-solving, soul-searching journey that changes her forever.

Publisher's Description:

This action-packed thriller introduces Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca—she knows how to handle a gun, likes her skirts short, can turn heads, and can fight hand-to-hand or instep-to-jaw when necessary. Alex has risen to the top of her field by being aggressive, relentless, and thorough. She’s fluent in five languages, stubborn as a bulldog and not above a personal vendetta. But her innate sense of justice and the basic principles of her Christian upbringing have always been enough to help her face any challenge. Until now. Temporarily on loan to an enforcement agency of the Department of the Treasury, Alex is tapped to be an undercover agent during a visit to Kiev by the new U.S. President. Her assignment: to keep personal watch on Yuri Federov, the most charming and most notorious gangster in the region. Against her better judgment—and fighting a feeling that she’s being manipulated by someone—she leaves for Ukraine. But there are more parts to this dangerous mission than anyone suspects, and connecting the dots takes Alex across three continents and through some life-altering discoveries about herself, her work, her faith, and her future.

Releasing October, 2008

Tour with The Next Level by David Gregory and Aussie Giveaway

I have just started this little gem of a book and am looking forward to Logan's journey. Read more below:~

Business degree in hand, Logan enters the immense Universal Systems building and is hired as an organizational analyst – a trouble-shooter. His job: evaluate the company’s five divisions, each on a separate level and each operating on startlingly unique principles. Which set of principles is successful? Why is most of the company’s profit generated by one tiny division? What is real profit, anyway? And who is the enigmatic executive that Logan ends up reporting to?

Logan engages in a life-changing pursuit for The Next Level—a fascinating parable that will help readers answer some of life’s most perplexing, vital questions. Joining Logan in evaluating each level’s approach, readers will be inspired to consider the big picture of their own life from an entirely different perspective – one that holds the key to life’s ultimate purpose. No matter where you are now, get ready to embark on your own passionate pursuit of The Next Level.

David Gregory is the author of the best-selling books Dinner with a Perfect Stranger and A Day with a Perfect Stranger, and coauthor of two nonfiction books. After a ten-year business career, he returned to school to study religion and communications, earning graduate degrees from The University of North Texas and Dallas Theological Seminary. A native Texan, David now lives in Oregon devotes himself to writing full time.

I have two copies of this book to give away. Please enter the draw by posting a comment before midnight on Wednesday 19th March, 2008. You must have an Australian mailing address to be eligible.

CFBA Blog Tour of The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Perfect Life
Thomas Nelson (February 5, 2008)
by
Robin Lee Hatcher

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon.

She also likes to blog. Go leave her a comment at Write Thinking!


ABOUT THE BOOK:


Katherine Clarkson has the perfect life. Married to Brad, a loving and handsome husband, respected in their church and the community. Two grown daughters on the verge of starting families of their own. A thriving ministry. Good friends. A comfortable life.

She has it all--until the day a reporter appears with shocking allegations. Splashed across the local news are accusations of Brad's financial impropriety at his foundation and worse, an affair with a former employee. Without warning, Katherine's marriage is shattered and her family torn apart. The reassuring words she's spoken to many brokenhearted women over the years offer little comfort now.

Her world spinning, Katherine wonders if she can find the truth in the chaos that consumes her. How can she survive the loss of what she thought was the perfect life?

I love Robin's books so am looking forward to reading this one. Check back for my review :)

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd & Aussie Giveaway

Tired of disappointing her parents with her inability to retain a job and the subsequent interference by family with inappropriate career advice, Lexi Stuart finally lands a job of her dreams. Well, it will be once she gets past the entry level! Sadly for Lexi no one is going to view her new role as counter help at a French Bakery as career advancement.

Ever the optimist, Lexi hopes that her mastery of the French language and love of cooking will soon see her move beyond the counter into a managerial position especially when the owner of L’Esperance, the attractive and very French, Luc, begins to appreciate the innovations she makes to the bakery.

Yet all her hopes seem lost when, in a fit of pique, Lexi finally loses her cool with everyone’s disapproval and let’s fly with Marie Antoinette’s infamous quote, “Let them eat cake!” in the middle of the crowded bakery, directing her frustration at a valuable L’Esperence client. It seems like her future is toast!

Let Them Eat Cake is as fresh and crisp as a buttery croissant! Sandra Byrd entertains with the likeable Lexi and her search for fulfilment in faith, career and love. Lexi’s desire to please her family while knowing their hopes will not bring her happiness or satisfaction in life is frustrating her no end. As she slowly builds the courage to be true to herself and rejoice in the talents God has given her, Lexi’s journey is sure to resonate with many a reader. Filled to the brim with delectable descriptions of French food, Lexi’s own recipes and interesting characters, Let Them Eat Cake is a fun and mouth watering read. The intermittent illustrated business cards, letters and even a job application form are delightfully unique and add fun and interest to the tale. I am looking forward to Lexi’s ongoing journey in Bon Appetit, releasing in September, 2008.

Available now from Waterbrook Multnomah.

To enter the draw for a copy of this book:~

1. Have an Aussie postal address;

2. Post by midnight on Sunday 16th March, 2008; and

3. Tell me your favourite kind of cake!

The winners are...

Stuck in the Middle ~ Danielle

A Sister's Test ~ Happy Little Momma

Congratulations! Please email me your snail mail to relzreviewz @ gmail . com

Sorry for the delay in these announcements but my hubby's 40th birthday got in the way!!!!

Betrayed by Jeanette Windle

Sisters, Vicki and Holly Andrews couldn’t be more different in personality, life choices and career. Vicki champions underprivileged children all over the world while the glamorous Holly advocates for animals and the environment.

When Vicki’s latest assignment sees the sisters reconnect in Guatemala, a tragedy reminiscent of their fractured childhood occurs, leaving Vicki alone and afraid yet determined to uncover the evil lurking in the jungle and find justice for her sister.

I devoured Jeanette Windle’s engrossing thrillers set in South America, Crossfire, Firestorm and The DMZ so eagerly anticipated the release of Betrayed from Tyndale House. I was not disappointed.

Jeanette again returns to South America, a world she knows so well from her childhood and later as a missionary. Guatemala comes alive as Jeanette’s skilful hand describes the pitiful “garbage people”, the immense beauty of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere and the political minefields that plague this developing nation. The characters are diverse and well developed, complex in both personality and motivation. Intrigue, danger and a subtle and unexpected romance are seamlessly interwoven with a message of God’s love and faithfulness in the face of unimaginable human suffering.

Betrayed has confirmed I will read any book with J. M. Windle written on the spine!

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson ~ Tim's Take

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a fantasy book written by the author Andrew Peterson, the first book in the Wingfeather series.

Janner, a twelve-year-old boy, his brother Tink and their sister Leeli, live in the small, quiet town of Glipwood under the rule of the vicious Fangs of Dang, a serpent like race from across the Dark Sea. Life is hard for the three Igiby children, especially when a particularly evil fang by the name of Slarb takes a special interest in their misery.

The Igiby three are tested to the greatest of their ability to survive the cruelty of the fangs, especially avoiding the dreaded Black Carriage. Before they know it they have been cast into a quest, with not only their lives at stake containing a dark figure in an alleyway, jewels from a distant land, a few old books and a man with socks on his hands, all the while, trying to discover the secret to their dead father.

It was fascinating and almost haunting reading about how the Igibys faced their problems. It was so lifelike how Janner felt burdened with his two younger siblings, as well as the many other personalities of various other characters, like the well-read Oskar or the war hardened Podo. It could easily be happening somewhere in the world right now, minus, of course, some of the creatures and setting.

This is a well written story promoting many good family values. Peterson's good sense of humour has come through, making the book intriguing as well as funny. It has been a pleasure to read and I can't wait for the second book.

Guest Reviewer:~ my nephew, Tim

CFBA Blog Tour of Truffles by the Sea by Julie Carobini

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Truffles by the Sea
Bethany House (February 1, 2008)
by
Julie Carobini

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura Beach, California.

She also likes to blog! Go leave her a comment at Waves of Grace.


Julie left you all a special message:

To celebrate my upcoming CFBA tour March 5-7, I'll be giving away a copy of Truffles by the Sea AND and a 1/2 lb. box of yummy truffles to three CFBA tour readers.

All they need to do is drop by my blog http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact them if they win!


ABOUT THE BOOK:

If you read, Julie's first book, Chocolate Beach, then you might remember Gaby as Bri’s dramatic, lovesick best friend. Unfortunately, things get worse—much worse—for her before they get…well, best not to give it away.

Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate...

Gaby Flores has a penchant for drama and an unfortunate knack for dating Mr. So Wrong. After breaking off yet another relationship, watching her apartment building burn to the ground, and discovering that her dippy delivery guy has run off with most of her business, Gaby decides it’s time to turn things around.

So she moves to a tiny waterfront loft and takes on a new motto: “Be gullible no more!” With help from her friends, she works to rebuild her flower shop—and her life. But when legal troubles and quirky neighbors and two surprising romances enter her beachy world, Gaby’s motto and fledgling faith are put to the test.

Can a young woman prone to disaster in both work and love finally find happily ever after?

"Truffles by the Sea is delightful! Julie Carobini has a new fan in this reader, and she's earned a spot on my keeper shelf." --Kay James, RomanceReaderatHeart.com

"This book is a delight to read, and the author has us rooting for Gaby from page one. This girl's never-say-die attitude is incredible, and her life is filled with all kinds of foibles. This is chick lit with heart – about so much more than finding a man.... While keeping the light chick lit tone, this book satisfied while avoiding the tired old formulas. Just when I’m ready to give up on the genre, I stumble across an author who can write without relying on stereotypes." --Cara Putman, writerinterrupted.com

"I liked Julie Carobini's first novel, Chocolate Beach, but her sophomore release, Truffles By The Sea, greatly surpasses it. I thoroughly enjoyed Carobini's second book and felt her writing was much stronger throughout. The characters are deeper and yet funnier – a great combination.... It's a great read for a cold winter day – you can curl up with the book, a nice fire and pretend you're the one by the sea." --Jill Hart, RadiantLit.com

I haven't had the chance to review Julie's latest but I am looking forward to reading it and will review it with a giveaway copy soon!

Taming Rafe By Susan May Warren & Blog Tour

You know when you want a book that is fun yet moving, romantic but not sappy, pure entertainment yet with a striking message? Taming Rafe is the book and Susan May Warren, the author!

Rafe Noble's high flying career as a champion bull rider looks to be over. Tragedy, anger and frustration have boiled over into disaster and Rafe is left with no choice but to skulk on back to the Noble ranch, run by the man who epitomises their surname, Rafe's big brother, Nick Noble.

Chasing down Rafe is Katherine Breckenridge, a woman born with a silver spoon yet a disturbing ability to fail at the one thing she should do best ~ fundraising for her mother's charity foundation. But this time, she has someone else to blame - the man who literally crashed her party - Rafe Noble.

Taming Rafe is Susie May Warren at her best! Rafe is completely engaging from his career flirting with danger to his vulnerable need to measure up in the eyes of his brother and sister and the hope of the man he could be if he lets go and lets God. Kat too, while beautiful and wealthy, exudes compassion, honest failings and a desire to do what's right. Rafe and Kat's journey is punctuated with snippets from a book written by a man, baring his heart to the woman he loves ~ a story within the story. From Susie's action packed descriptions of bull riding, beautiful scenery and unique characterisation, Taming Rafe is a ride worth hanging on for!

Some great blog tour extras:~

Susie's website (well worth a look!)

Taming Rafe's 1st Chapter (warning: you will be hooked!)

Buy the book (come on, you know you want to!)

Reclaiming Nick & Taming Rafe book trailers (lots of fun!)

A great contest from Susie :)

Finally, my review of Reclaiming Nick.

FIRST Day Blog Tour of The Restorer's Journey by Sharon Hinck

It is March FIRST, time for the FIRST Day Blog Tour! (Join our alliance! Click the button!) The FIRST day of every month we will feature an author and his/her latest book's FIRST chapter!

This month's feature is:

Sharon Hinck

and her book:

The Restorer's Journey

Navpress Publishing Group (February 7, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sharon Hinck holds a BA in education, and she earned an MA in communication from Regent University in 1986. She spent ten years as the artistic director of a Christian performing arts group, CrossCurrent. That ministry included three short-term mission trips to Hong Kong. She has been a church youth worker, a choreographer and ballet teacher, a homeschool mom, a church organist, and a bookstore clerk. One day she’ll figure out what to be when she grows up, but in the meantime, she’s pouring her imagination into writing. Her stories focus on characters who confront the challenges of a life of faith. She’s published dozens of articles in magazines and book compilations, and released her first novel, The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House), in 2006. In April 2007, she was named “Writer of the Year” at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking at conferences and retreats. She and her family make their home in Minnesota. She loves to hear from readers, so send a message through the portal into her writing attic on the “Contact Sharon” page of her website, http://www.sharonhinck.com/. She is also an avid blogger...visit Stories for the Hero in All of Us.

The first and second books in The Sword of Lyric series are The Restorer and The Restorer’s Son.

The FIRST chapter shown here is from the third book, The Restorer's Journey. Enjoy!


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


Chapter One - JAKE

My mom was freaking out.

She stared out the dining room window as if major-league monsters were hiding in the darkness beyond the glass. Give me a break. Our neighborhood was as boring as they came. Ridgeview Drive’s square lawns and generic houses held nothing more menacing than basketball hoops and tire swings. Still, Mom’s back was tight, and in the shadowed reflection on the pane, I could see her biting her lip. I didn’t know what to say to make her feel better.

I ducked back into the kitchen and used a wet rag to wipe off the counters. Clumps of flour turned to paste and smeared in gunky white arcs across the surface. I shook the rag over the garbage can, the mess raining down on the other debris we’d swept up. Broken jars of pasta and rice filled the bag. I stomped it down, twist-tied the bag and jogged it out to the trashcan by the garage. Usually, I hated the chore of taking out the trash. Not tonight. Maybe if I erased the signs of our intruders, Mom would relax a little.

So Cameron and Medea dropped a few things when they were looking for supplies. No biggie. Why did my folks have such a problem with those two anyway? They’d been great to me. I trudged back into the house, rubbing my forehead. Wait. That wasn’t right. A shiver snaked through my spine. Never mind. They were probably long gone by now.

“Kitchen’s done.” I carried the broom into the dining room, hoping Mom had finished in there. But she was still hugging her arms and staring out the window.

She turned and looked at the china cabinet, then squeezed her eyes shut as if they were hurting. “Why?” she whispered.

Glass shards jutted from one cabinet door, and the other hung crooked with wood splinters poking out. Broken china covered the floor. Mom and Dad had been collecting those goofy teacups ever since they got married.

I pushed the broom against the edge of the fragments, but the chinking sound made her wince, so I stopped.

Dad strode past with an empty garbage bag from the hall closet and stopped to give my mom a squeeze. He nodded toward me. “Honey, Jake’s alive. Nothing else matters. We all got back safe.” He leaned his head against hers, and I edged toward the kitchen in case they started kissing. For an old married couple, they were a little too free with their public displays of affection. No guy wants to watch his parents act mushy.

But my mom didn’t look like she was in a kissing mood. She pressed her lips together. I had a sneaking suspicion that she was more freaked out about what had happened to my hand than our house. Like when I had cancer as a kid. She’d gotten really stressed about the details of a church fundraiser and cranky about everything that went wrong—stuff that wasn’t even important. It gave her a place to be angry when she was trying to be brave about a bigger problem.

“It’s only a piece of furniture.” Dad was doing his soothing voice. When would he catch on that only made things worse?

“Only a piece of furniture we bought as a wedding gift to each other.” She swiped at some wet spots on her face. “Only twenty years’ worth of poking around garage sales and thrift stores together. Don’t tell me what it’s only! Okay?”

“Okay.” Dad backed away from her prickles.

I made another ineffectual push with the broom. My folks didn’t argue much, but when they did, it grated like a clutch struggling to find third gear. Typical over-responsible firstborn, I wanted to fix it but didn’t know how.

Mom picked up a Delft saucer, smashed beyond repair, and laid the pieces gently into the garbage bag. Dad folded his arms and leaned against the high back of one of the chairs. “I can fix the cabinet. That splintered door will need to be replaced, but the other one just needs new hinges. I can put in new glass.” His eyes always lit up when he talked about a woodworking project. The man loved his tools.

Mom smiled at him. Her tension faded, and she got all moony-eyed, so I ducked into the kitchen just as the doorbell rang. Thank heaven. “Pizza’s here!” I yelled.

Dad paid the delivery guy, and I carried the cartons into the living room. Flopping onto one end of the couch, I pried open the lid. “Hey, who ordered green peppers? Mom, you’ve gotta quit ruining good pizza with veggies.”

That made her laugh. “We’d better save a few pieces for the other kids.” She cleared the Legos off the coffee table and handed me a napkin.

I gladly surrendered the top pizza box, along with its green pepper, and dove into the pepperoni below. “Where is everyone?”

“Karen’s spending the night at Amanda’s—trying out her new driver’s license. Jon and Anne are at Grandma’s. But if they see the pizza boxes when they get home tomorrow . . . ”

I nodded. “Yep. Pure outrage. I can hear it now. ‘It’s not fair. Jake always gets to have extra fun.’” I did a pretty good impression of the rug rats. What would the kids think if they found out what else they had missed? This had been the strangest Saturday the Mitchell family had ever seen.

I popped open a can of Dr. Pepper. My third. Hey, I’d earned some extra caffeine. “So, what do we tell the kids?”

Mom smiled and looked me up and down, probably thinking I was one of the kids. When would it sink in that I was an adult now? I guzzled a third of my pop and set it down with a thump. “We could tell them there was a burglar, but then they’d want to help the police solve the case, and they’d never stop asking questions.”

“Good point.” Mom licked sauce from her finger. “Jon and Anne would break out the detective kit you gave them for Christmas.”

Dad tore a piece of crust from his slice of pepperoni. “If we finish cleaning everything, I don’t think they’ll pay much attention. The cabinet is the only obvious damage. If they ask, we’ll just say it got bumped and fell.”

Dad wanted us to lie? So not like him. Then again, when Kieran told me Dad wasn’t originally from our world, I realized there were a lot of things he’d never been honest about. Now I was part of the family secret, too.

He rested his piece of pizza on the cardboard box and looked at Mom. “Do we need to warn them?”

“Warn them?” She mumbled around a mouth full of melted cheese.

“In case Cameron and Medea come back.” His voice was calm, but I suddenly had a hard time swallowing. Something cold twisted in me when he said their names. The same cold that had numbed my bones when I’d woken up in the attic. Why? They’d taken care of me. No, they’d threatened me. Confusing images warred inside my brain.

“You think they’ll come back?” My baritone went up in pitch, and I quickly took another sip of pop.

Dad didn’t answer for a moment. “It depends on why they came. If they plan to stay in our world, we need to find them—stop them. But my guess is that Cameron wants to return to Lyric with something from our world that he can use there. That means they’ll be back to go through the portal.”

Mom sank deeper into the couch and looked out the living room windows. At the curb, our family van shimmered beneath a streetlight.

They might be out there, too. They could be watching us right this second.

“Maybe we should call the police.” Mom’s voice sounded thin. I’d suggested that earlier. After all, someone had broken in—well, broken out.

Dad snorted. “And tell them what?”

He had a point, but it’s not like there was a rulebook for dealing with visitors from other universes. Unless you attended Star Trek conventions. “So what’s your plan?” I asked.

“I’ll get extra locks tomorrow. Maybe look into an alarm system.” Dad believed every problem could be solved with his Home Depot credit card. He turned to me. “Can you remember more about your conversations with Cameron? What did he ask you about? What did he seem interested in?”

A shudder moved through me, and pain began pulsing behind my eyes.

Mom gave Dad a worried glance, then rested a hand on my arm. “It’s okay, honey. We don’t have to talk about it right now.” She smoothed my hair back from my face.

“No problem.” I brushed her hand away, sprawled back on the couch, and studied the ceiling. “It just seems like it was all a dream.”

“What’s the last thing you remember clearly?” Dad pulled his chair closer and watched me.

“Braide Wood.” I closed my eyes and smiled. “It reminded me of summer camp. And I was so tired of running and hiding in caves. I finally felt safe. Tara fussed over me, and I taught Dustin and Aubrey how to play soccer. It felt like home.”

I struggled to remember the rest. For some reason my memories were tangled up, like the time I had a major fever and took too much Nyquil. Mom and Dad waited.

“I went to see Morsal Plains with Tara. Brutal. The grain was all black and it smelled weird. Tara told me about the attack. How Hazor poisoned it on purpose and how Susan the Restorer led the army to protect Braide Wood.” I squinted my eyes open and looked sideways at my mom. They’d told me she had ridden into battle with a sword. “Unbelievable.”

Even though she was watching me with a worried pinch to her eyes, she smiled. “I know. I lived it, and it’s hard for me to believe.”

“Anyway, I hiked back to Tara’s house, and some guys came to take me to Cameron. He made a big fuss over me. Said it was his job to welcome guests to the clans. Said I’d run into bad company but he’d make it up to me. He gave me something to drink, and there was this lady. She was amazing.” No matter how fuzzy my memories were, Medea was easy to remember. The long curly hair, the sparkling eyes, the dress that clung to all the right places. My cheeks heated. “I can’t remember everything we talked about. She made me feel important, like I wasn’t just some teenage kid. It was . . . ” I sat taller and angled away from my parents, my jaw tightening. “She helped me realize that no one else had ever really understood me. I wanted to become a guardian. I had an important job to do.”

“Jake.” Dad’s voice was sharp, and I flinched. “The woman you met was a Rhusican. They poison minds. Don’t trust everything you’re feeling right now.”

A pulsing ache grabbed the base of my neck. I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes. Mom’s hand settled on my shoulder, and I stiffened. Weird static was messing with my head.

“Jake, they used you to find the portal. She doesn’t really understand you.” Mom’s voice was quiet and sounded far away. I felt like I was falling away inside myself. She squeezed my shoulder. “Remember my favorite psalm?”

I managed a tight smile. “How could I forget? You made us learn the whole thing one summer. ‘O Lord, you have searched me and you know me…’ blah, blah, blah.”

Despite my smart aleck tone, the words took hold and some of the static in my brain quieted.

“What’s the rest?” Dad pressed me.

What was he trying to prove? That I couldn’t think straight? I could have told him that. I struggled to form the words.

“‘You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.’” Once I got started, I rattled off the verses by rote. In some strange way, the words actually stopped the sensation of falling away inside myself.

“Sounds like there’s someone who understands you a lot better than Cameron and Medea. Remember that.” Dad stood up and tousled my hair. Then he yawned. “Let’s get some sleep.”

Mom didn’t move. She was still watching me. “How’s the hand?”

I rubbed my palm. “Still fine. Weird, huh?” I held it out.

A scar, faint as a white thread, marked the skin where broken glass had cut a deep gash an hour earlier. My lungs tightened. What did it mean?

Dad shook his head. “Come on. Bedtime.”

Mom hesitated, but then stood and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. “Good night, Jake. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

Oh, great. She sure loved talking. I looked at Dad. His mouth twitched. “I’ll get us signed up for some practice space at the fencing club.”

Good. He hadn’t forgotten his promise. I couldn’t make sense of my trip through the portal, or the sudden-healing thing, but I knew I wanted to learn to use a sword.

My parents gathered up the pizza stuff and carried it to the kitchen, out of sight, but not out of earshot.

“If we hide the portal stones Cameron and Medea won’t be able to go back,” Dad said over the crinkling of a sheet of aluminum foil.

Someone slammed the fridge door shut hard enough to make the salad dressing bottles rattle. “We don’t want them running around our world. They don’t belong here.” Mom sounded tense.

“I know. We have to send them back. But on our terms. Without anything that would hurt the People of the Verses. And what about Jake?”

Silence crackled, and I leaned forward from my spot on the couch.

When Mom refused to answer, Dad spoke again, so quiet I almost couldn’t hear. “We need to keep the portal available in case he’s needed there. But how will we know?”

Needed there? Did he really think . . .?

I waited for them to head back to their bedroom, then slipped down the steps from the kitchen to the basement. Most of the basement was still unfinished – except for my corner bedroom and Dad’s workbench.

I hurried into my room and shut out the world behind me. Tonight everything looked different. The movie posters, the bookshelves, the soccer team trophy. Smaller, foreign, unfamiliar.

I pulled a thumbtack from my bulletin board and scratched it across my thumb. A line of blood appeared, but in a microsecond the tiny scrape healed completely. I had assumed the healing power was some heebie-jeebie thing that Medea had given me, or that had transferred over from my interactions with Kieran.

But now that my head had stopped throbbing, I could put the pieces together. Excitement stronger than caffeine zipped around my nerve endings. My folks thought this was more than a weird effect left over from my travels through the portal. They thought I might be the next Restorer.