Character Spotlight ~ M L Tyndall's Lady Charlisse Bristol & Captain Edmund Merrick

Today the spotlight shines on.........................Lady Charlisse Bristol and Captain Edmund Merrick

MaryLu Tyndall's Legacy of the King's Pirates series is one of my all time favourites and I notice Christianbook.com has them for an absolute steal! Be sure to pick up all three books ~ they make fabulous holiday reading for yourself or a wonderful Christmas gift :)

Enjoy MaryLu's thoughts on her her reformed pirate and the lovely Charlisse:~

I’m combining the first two books in my Pirate series, The Redemption and The Reliance, because the main characters are the same.

Lady Charlisse Bristol

Brief Description:

Charlisse is fair skinned with light blonde hair that falls to her waist and holds a natural wave. Her eyes are the color of a tropical sea in the full sun. Though she appears to harbor the natural weakness of her gender, inside Charlisse is as brave and strong as any man. Abused as a child by a demented uncle, she was also raised in nobility and carries herself with a haughtiness expected of her station. She is spoiled, demanding, and can be difficult to get along with, especially when she is upset or threatened, but this stems from a deep wound in her heart.

I named Charlisse after the actress Charlize Theron, and I picture her looking much the same: a raw beauty that speaks of strength and yet innocence.

Strengths:

Courage, Determination, heart of gold

Weaknesses:

Pessimist, bitter, angry and insecure. She doesn’t trust anyone

Quirks:

Charlisse plays with her hair when she is nervous or upset

Inspiration for character

Charlisse is a character that was born out of my own personal life journey. She is a kind-hearted woman with a zest for life that was squelched early on by a difficult childhood. She never knew her father and her mother died young, leaving her at the mercy of a disturbed uncle. Charlisse runs away from all she knows to search for the father she never knew, believing that once she finds him, he will give her all the love she’s been missing her entire life. In my own life, I also never knew my father and searched for many years for anything to fill that empty void. And like Charlisse, it wasn’t until I turned to God and He showered his love and acceptance upon me that I finally found the love, acceptance, and fulfillment I’d been seeking.

Captain Edmund Merrick

Brief Description:

Merrick is tall and big boned. He wears his long coal-black hair tied behind him, cavalier style. He is tanned and well muscled from having spent years sailing across the Caribbean. Once known as the most notorious pirate captain, he has now repented of his wicked ways and become a godly man. And though he continues to sail the seas, he now brings to justice those who commit acts of violence and piracy as he used to do. His dark, piercing eyes are his most notable feature.

I always pictured Merrick to look a lot like the actor, James Caviezel: strong, dark, and brooding.

Rel: I like your choice for Merrick ;-)

Strengths: Wisdom, Courage, Decisive, Loyalty

Weaknesses:

Bad temper, pride, arrogance, women, alcohol

Quirks:

Runs a hand through his hair when he is frustrated or confused

Inspiration for character

When God gave me the idea to write a story about a Christian pirate, I got very excited. I mean, what a dichotomy! I wanted to portray a man who wasn’t just an ordinary pirate but a man who came from nobility in England, a man who was running away from something and who had spent years committing acts of thievery and violence upon the seas. So much so, that he was now feared by his fellow pirates. Then I gave him a life-changing conversion to Jesus Christ and watched what he would do with it. Amazingly, he stayed on the seas and took to privateering instead. Determined to become a better man, a godly man, he still battles his old weaknesses of women and drink, both of which are tested when he rescues the lovely Charlisse from a deserted island.

Background for the books:

In my first novel, The Redemption, Lady Charlisse Bristol abandons her wealth and title in London and sails to the Caribbean in search of a father she has never known. She has turned her back on God and believes only the love of her real father can fill the emptiness in her soul. Shipwrecked on an island, she is rescued by a band of fierce pirates and their handsome captain, Edmund Merrick. Though at first terrified of Captain Merrick, Charlisse discovers she has nothing to fear from this man whose strong faith in God baffles her. Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest—until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean.

In my 2^nd novel, The Reliance, believing his wife, Charlisse, has been killed, Captain Merrick turns his back on God and returns to a life of piracy. Captured by the villainous pirate, Kent, Charlisse escapes and takes command of Merrick’s ship to search for her husband. Along the way, she faces battles and mutinies as she struggles with the unfaithfulness of the man she once trusted. Disgusted with himself, Merrick repents, and seeks his old ship. Unaware that his wife is still alive and in command of her, he is shocked when the ship fires upon him.

Will Charlisse be able to overcome her anger and forgive her husband?

Will Merrick be able to trust God when he faces once again a decision to put Charlisse in grave danger?

Thank you sooooo much, MaryLu. You have made me want to grab my copies and read them all over again!

Please comment and let us know what if you pictured the characters differently. I will be spotlighting Kent and Isabel from The Restitution later this month so don't miss it.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Reviews of The Redemption and The Reliance

Character spotlight on The Falcon and the Sparrow's Dominique & Chase

Interview with MaryLu

Visit MaryLu's website and blog

Buy MaryLu's books at Amazon, CBD or Koorong

The Bone Box by Bob Hostetler

Archaeologist Randall Bullock’s world is imploding. Unable to move past his wife's death, his career is in tatters and his relationship with his only daughter almost non-existent. Pushed by his mentor to make one last attempt to resurrect his career, Rand heads to Israel to decipher the authenticity of newly discovered ossuaries which may hold evidence confirming the outrageous claims of Jesus of Nazareth.

Threatened by some enraged Haredi Jews as he investigates the burial site, Rand is given protection in the form of Sergeant Major Miriam Sharon, a woman he is drawn to. Further complicating an already tense situation is the surprise arrival of Rand's daughter Tracy, desperate to know her father yet carrying a whole world of anger towards him.

Attacked physically and emotionally, Rand is confronted by his own disbelief as the evidence he uncovers has implications for those of all faiths.

The Bone Box is a tale of a tried and true plot with an unbelieving archaeologist discovering evidence pointing to the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection. Rand is a likeable guy, living with regrets regarding his marriage and his poor attempts at fatherhood. Tracy's appearance provides extra dimension to both Rand's character and the plot, and provides the romantic element to the story. Interspersed throughout the book are chapters devoted to the time period A.D.18 to A.D. 37 and the events that led to the burial of the ossuaries, which are particularly fascinating and build great tension. Bob Hostetler has written a solid story with multi-dimensional characters and a significant faith element that will intrigue readers who enjoy political and archaeological suspense.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Bob's website

Buy Bob's books at Amazon and Koorong

Mid 2009 releases from Revell

Here's some more fantastic looking books coming mid next year from Revell.

Click on the links for more :)



Jillian Dare by Melanie M Jeschke

Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England. She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding?

This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.

Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson

Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family house in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Seeing the project as the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her self-absorbed husband and his snobby Atlanta friends, Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project. But things are not what they seem, both in the house and within the complex history of her family. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will Jo-Lynn's marriage survive the renovation? Jo-Lynn isn't sure she wants to know the truth--but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known.

The past comes alive in this well-written and thoughtful novel full of secrets, drama, and family with a hint of Southern drawl.

Worth A Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Life has always gone Indigo Burns's way. She's smart, pretty, and talented, and she knows exactly what she wants. A photography internship at her hometown's local newspaper is the next step in her well-laid plans for her future. But her long-term goals are put to the test when her boyfriend Brian proposes--two years before he's supposed to and in front of all the guests at her college graduation party. Too concerned about his feelings to say no, she heartily agrees, but inside she's cringing.

Indigo knows in her heart that she's not prepared to sacrifice her dreams to become Brian's wife--not before she has achieved any of them. Will she find the answers among family and friends in Jubilant, Texas? Or will the picture-perfect life she dreams of be left behind?

The Knight by Steven James

In The Knight, the third installment in the bestselling series of thrillers featuring FBI criminologist Patrick Bowers, the stakes have never been higher.

Agent Bowers is used to tracking the country's most dangerous killers, but now it looks like a killer is tracking him. When he realizes the murderer is using clues from an ancient manuscript as a blueprint for his crimes, Bowers faces a race against time to decipher who the next victim will be and to stop the final shocking murder--which he's beginning to believe might be his own.

Gritty, chilling, and intense, this psychological thriller is guaranteed to keep readers up all night.

Jennifer Erin Valent's Fireflies in December coming in January, 2009

Debut author Jennifer Erin Valent's novel, Fireflies in December, looks great! Pre order now from Tyndale and look for my interview and Character Spotlight with Jennifer in the new year.

Be sure to check out her fabulous website ~ another winner from PulsePoint Design.

"The summer I turned thirteen, I thought I killed a man."

So begins the story of Jessilyn Lassiter, a young girl whose world is torn apart the summer of 1932.

When Jessilyn's best friend, Gemma, loses her parents in a tragic fire, Jessilyn's father vows to care for her as his own, despite the fact that Gemma is black and prejudice is prevalent in their southern Virginia town. It doesn't take long for the Lassiters to attract the attention of a local band of Ku Klux Klan members, who make increasingly violent threats on Jessilyn and her family. As she struggles to navigate a complex world of first crushes, loyalties, and betrayals, Jessilyn ultimately discovers what it takes to be a bright light in a dark world.

Wind Dancer by Jamie Carie & Open Giveaway

Isabelle Renoir's heart and soul have always beaten to a different drum, setting her apart from the other young women in the British held frontier town of Vincennes.

Passionate, charismatic and impetuous, Isabelle handles a long rifle with ease and prefers to spend her time in the nearby forest, singing and dancing her praises to God. With the flamboyancy of her French father and the grounding of her British mother's devotion and faith, Isabelle hopes she can find God's plan for her life.

Named the Glorious One by the Indian tribes, as much for his stealth and formidable fighting skills as his long blonde hair, American spy Samuel Holt's restless spirit thrives on the risks he takes for his people.

The chance meeting of these two unconventional souls brings about a deep connection that will be tested to its limits as they are seized and held captive by the Shawnee, and Sunukkuhkaua, a man intent on making Isabelle his bride.

Jamie Carie claims Wind Dancer is her most intense novel to date and she is spot on! Set against the backdrop of the impending birth of a nation and filled with fascinating historical events, Jamie showcases her talent with the written word and her innate ability to craft potent and magnetic characters that immerse the reader in their lives. Isabelle's boldness, free spirited behaviour and her ability to worship God with abandon is both confronting and joyous to read. Samuel is a true hero of the times but battles his own demons and choices from his past. Wind Dancer will sweep you away from the mundane, engage your heart, mind and spirit and leave you sighing with delight. Jamie Carie is now no longer simply an author to watch, she has proven herself as one to follow.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Reviews of Snow Angel and The Duchess and the Dragon

Interview with Jamie

Visit Jamie's website and blog

Buy Jamie's books at Amazon and Koorong

Open Giveaway

Once again, thanks to the lovely folk at B&H, I have two copies to give away to my Aussie readers and two copies to my North American readers :) To enter:~

Post a comment before midnight on Sunday 21st December, 2008, leaving contact details and an AUS or US at the end of your post to identify your location.

Book Trailer for Certain Jeopardy by Jeff Struecker & Alton Gansky

I'm really looking forward to Certain Jeopardy which I previewed here!

Davo - this is absolutely one for you and all you other guys that might be lurking about ;-) A giveaway will be coming to Relz Reviewz when the book releases in May, 2009 so sit tight!

Character Spotlight ~ Jamie Carie's Serena Winter & Drake Weston

Today the spotlight shines on..................................Serena Winter and Drake Weston


Jamie Carie was born to write romance! Her French/Irish heritage is a combination to be reckoned with so her books are filled with passion and energy :) Here's a peek behind the scenes of her second novel, The Duchess and the Dragon.

Merci, mon ami, Jamie:~


Brief physical description:

Another Debra Sievers painting completely captures Serena for me. It’s called “Restoration” which is exactly what she is for Drake.

Drake is completely gorgeous! The epitome of a tall, dark, handsome Englishman. He’s a duke, wealthy beyond measure (for some parts of the story anyway:), and sought after by the most beautiful women in the world.

I’m thinking a Pierce Brosnan type?

Strengths and weaknesses:

Serena’s strength is also her weakness. She was raised with a strong faith (Quaker) and lives the life of a true servant for God.

When Drake enters her life, her faith is tested. She has to decide what she really believes and what she might have to give up to stay true to it.

Quirk (if any):

Serena is an artist and a little scattered at times (Boy, can I relate to this!). When she is in her creative mode, she gets very intense and doesn’t want to be bothered!!

Your inspiration for the character.

My inspiration for Serena was, at first, only a sweet, servant-like character with a strong faith in God. But as the story developed, I really learned her gentle strength, how a soft answer is more powerful than a booming voice, and how strength of character (and faith in God) will get a person through the trials of life.

Book Synopsis

Rising romance novelist Jamie Carie’s second book, The Duchess and the Dragon, tells the epic story of two unlikely soul mates who live worlds apart but soon meet and turn each other’s world upside down.

Drake Weston, Duke of Northumberland, is accustomed to a life of royalty until a tragic mistake followed by murderous rage results in his darkening character and sudden flee from England. With a hoarde of money on which to survive, Drake hops a ship of indentured servants to America but is duly robbed and taken ill by the merciless sea voyage.

In Pennsylvania, Serena Winter is a humble, devoted Quaker on a mission of mercy, ready to tend the sick people aboard a ship that has just arrived from England. Taken by Drake’s air of dark mystery after he begins to serve as an apprentice to her silversmith father, Serena falls in love and is excommunicated by her fellow believers when she accepts a non-Quaker’s marriage proposal.

Not knowing Drake’s history, Serena is later shocked to discover her new status as a duchess. What follows are hard truths and softening hearts, romance triangles, webs of deceit, and ultimately, the power of grace, love, and passion.


A pleasure to hear from you, Jamie, as always!

Look for Jamie's soon to be released novel, Wind Dancer, hitting stores in January but being reviewed here first!

Check back tomorrow for my review and amazing giveaway :)


On Monday, the spotlight shines on MaryLu Tyndall's, Lady Charlisse and her dashing Captain Merrick!

Come by and swoon appropriately - LOL!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of The Duchess and the Dragon

Interview with Jamie

Spotlight on Snow Angel's Elizabeth and Noah

Visit Jamie's website and blog

Buy Jamie's books at Amazon and Koorong

Getting to know Linore Rose Burkard

Linore Rose Burkard's debut Regency romance has been republished by Harvest House and is available now. Seeing a gap in the Christian market for Regency novels, Linore combined her love of the period with her desire to write and Before the Season Ends was born.

It is great to have Linore at Relz Reviewz for this honest and engaging interview.

Thanks Linore:~

If you could have chosen your own name , what would it be?

That answer could change depending on my mood! I've never been attached to a single name really strongly. But I've grown happy with having a fairly unique name.

Your first pet's name?

Needles. He was this little black mutt that could jump over our fence which we children found endlessly funny and fascinating.

Your best friend's name in primary (elementary) school?

Juni. She was Chinese and lived one block away. Oh, my gosh, the fun we had! We still email each other on occasion.

Did you have a special toy that went everywhere with you when you were young? Please describe.

No, I never did. I had a tall doll named Denise that came to bed with me, and I was very attached to her, and whispered my secrets to her, though.

If you could meet a famous person, who would it be?

Amy Grant. Her music has been with me since shortly after I became a Christian in 1979-80.

If you were stranded on a desert island what one object would you want with you? (Besides your Bible of course)

My inclination is to say a boat--but then I guess I wouldn't be stranded, huh? I hate being thirsty, so this is a scenario that makes my skin crawl. I'd have to say, a HUGE supply of bottled water! (And pen and paper! Must have pen and paper!)

What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

Cookie Dough.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An interior decorator.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'd tour England bottom to top, and then most of Europe.

Besides God, who has influenced you the most?

My husband, Michael. He's a theology buff and we spent the first year of our marriage discussing and debating issues in near-nightly talks. He really influenced me in which books I read at that time, and how I eventually ironed out my beliefs.

What's your favourite book?

Other than the Bible? Oh, dear! I have too many favorites to list! I'll mention some authors I love, instead. Austen, Dickens, Heyer, the Brontes, Pearl S. Buck and Rumer Godden, to name a few. The James Herriot books are wonderful.

What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?

The first cup of coffee in the morning--just the thought of it can get me out of bed when nothing else works. I have this little trick I play, in which I allow myself to enjoy that coffee as though I have nothing else to do.

What's your favourite movie?

I rarely have one favorite anything. I love the Phantom of the Opera with Gerard Butler, and of course Pride and Prejudice, particularly the Garson/Olivier and Ehle/Firth versions. Period (costume) dramas make up a large portion of my favorites.

Where's the most interesting place you have been?

Art museums or--the library. As a former introvert, I never needed a great deal of outside stimulus to find life exciting or challenging. My vivid imagination was far too capable of infusing most any situation with dire or “interesting” overtones!

What's your most fervent prayer?

That my children will live their whole lives in obedience to the plan and glory of God.

What's the bravest thing you've ever done?

Not everyone will understand this, but there were days in my life as a teen or young adult when just leaving my house, and getting on a public bus, and going where I had to go, was intensely brave. God has brought me light-years away from all that angst and anxiety.

What gift have you received that you will always treasure?

I've had a few very “supernatural” experiences of God. His being beside me, his speaking to me, even one dream in which he appeared and spoke to me--oh, my gosh, when I woke up I could have cried. I did not want to leave him. God has given me absolutely no room to doubt His involvement in my life, and that is priceless.

What is your favourite Bible verse (or "one" of your favourites) and what does it mean to you?

Jeremiah 29:11. “A future and a hope.” God's plans for me. Knowing that God HAD plans for me was very liberating. For a time (during my teens and then during a post-partum depression) I was quite consumed with the idea of dying--soon. The Lord used this verse, (as well as speaking to me) to assure me that I had a future and a hope!

What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?

During one particularly bad day of low self-esteem, I suddenly decided I could NOT appear in school in what I was wearing. I went quickly with a friend to a nearby department store (this was in NY, so stores weren't far from the school) and I bought a different outfit. When I changed into it in the ladies' restroom, I was met at the door by a bunch of security guards and men in suits--MEN! They thought I was trying to shoplift the clothing. I was horrified, mortified, embarrassed, the whole gamut. Needless to say, I never used those restrooms again!

How did your husband propose to you?

We talked about marriage on and off for a few months until I finally agreed without changing my mind or calling it off. (I loved him, but I had baggage!) When he gave me my engagement ring, he dutifully fell to one knee, however, and repeated the question, though it was already a given that we were engaged.

What was the best advice you received on marriage before you were married?

The Lord actually used a book called, “Maximum Marriage” to deliver me from much of my fears. If I hadn't read that book, I would have been too afraid to take the plunge. It's written from a man's point of view about how his desire to truly love his wife could shape a marriage. God spoke right to my heart while I was reading it.

Before the Season Ends

Why a Regency Romance?

Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen books gave me a love for the period, and there weren't any Christian regencies to be found. I wanted to change that.

Where did you find your inspiration for Ariana and Phillip?

I'm not sure. I think they're both amalgamations of people I've read about and known.

England in the 1800s is a world away from the 21^st century. What do you think we could learn today from how society operated in the Regency period?

Times have changed, but people haven't. I think I can best answer that question by saying what benefits I hope readers will get from my books set in the period. My readers will feel as though they've been transported to the Regency for a good, satisfying visit; that they'll find hope that God is involved in THEIR lives; and that happy endings are possible for everyone.

Any Regency romance is going to be compared to Jane Austen's novels ~ how are your books similar/different?

Other people say my book is “Austen-like.” That is a huge compliment, and one I would like to live up to.

The sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is releasing in 2009. Do you have more Regency novels planned?

My editor and I are tossing around ideas right now. I do have a few more regencies in mind.

What are you working on at the moment? A sneak peek, please.

I'm exploring whether to do a third book in the Regency Series, which at present is comprised of Before the Season Ends, and The House in Grosvenor Square. Book three would begin about five years later (about 1818) and follow the lives of a number of people who were introduced in the first two books. I would also probably introduce one new couple.

Thanks Linore ~ it has been delightful and your genuineness is appreciated! Now, I must go and finish your book!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Linore's website

Sign up for Linore's ezine

Buy Linore's books at Amazon or Koorong

The Big Aussie Christmas Giveaway

Here are the books my Australian readers have a chance to win in my Big Aussie Christmas Giveaway (apologies for the delay in posting!).

I have reviewed many of then so if you want more details click on the links in my sidebar under Past Reviews:~


Skid by Rene Gutteridge (#3 in the Occupational Hazards series)

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a co-pilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage. On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled in-flight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of “What Would Oprah Do?” will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests–prompted by his covert role as a spy for the airline–test the limits of the crews customer service.



Embrace Me by Lisa Samson

Biting and gentle, hard-edged and hopeful . . . a beautiful fable of love and power, hiding and seeking, woundedness and redemption.

When a "lizard woman," a self-mutilating preacher, a tattoed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster . . . and improbably close to grace.

In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett

Devout Anne Boleyn uses her influence over Henry VIII to champion an English translation of the Bible. Meanwhile Rose, a woman of the streets, is moved to seek God by Thomas More---ignorant of his efforts to destroy those same Scriptures. A remarkable story of two women, their guardian angels, and the book that launched the Reformation!

The Rook by Steven James (#2 in The Bowers Files)

While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the worlds most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop a criminal masterminds trap before it closes around him and the people he loves.

Book 2 in The Bowers Files, this riveting look into the darkness that lies in every soul is the perfect follow-up to James's critically acclaimed bestselling thriller, The Pawn.

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.







Try Dying by James Scott Bell

Rising legal star Ty Buchanan is anticipating a bright future with his beautiful fiancee, Jacqueline. When she's killed, the authorities say it was a freak accident---but a witness tells Ty it was murder! Determined to discover the truth, he relentlessly navigates the Los Angeles underworld---and finds himself the target of a killer!








That's (Not Exactly) Amore by Tracey Bateman (#3 in The Drama Queen Series)

When Laini Sullivan lands a job designing Nick Pantalone's coffee shop, there are two problems: one, Nick's nephew Joe hates all of her ideas and two, Laini has to admit he's right--she's a disaster at design. Still, she can't risk losing the job. To compromise, Joe brings in help on the project, while Laini continues to bake the goodies that keep his customers lining up.

Their relationship is moving along, so when new guy Officer Mark Hall implies that Joe's family is tied to the mob, Laini doesn't want to believe it. But things spin out of control when she meets the family, including "the uncles," who seem to confirm Mark's suspicions. To make things worse, Nana Pantalone makes it clear Laini isn't the kind of girl she has in mind for her grandson. Laini's not sure if she should give Joe the benefit of the doubt or just set her sites on Mark and fuhgetaboutit.

The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka

Packer Throme,a failed seminarian turned master swordsman,sets out on a great quest, but not in search of fame. He hopes to honor God by stowing away on (former) pirate Scatter Wilkins's ship Trophy Chase, convincing its captain and crew to seek the legendary firefish—a feat that could raise Packers fishing village from poverty and win the heart of his longtime love, the beautiful Panna Seline. Don't miss this enchanting tale!






With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman (#3 in the Crossroads of Grace series)

Belleville, Illinois and Wyoming Territories, 1861.

Born into a life of privilege, fourteen-year-old Belinda never questions her security, even as she leaves Illinois with her family to discover new adventures in the Oregon Territory. But when disaster falls, Belinda is left wounded, weak, and alone. Her faith in God gives her the only strength she knows in a harsh new world.Belinda's journey takes her to a snow-covered mining camp and a red-roofed brothel in the Wyoming mountains, but not before she must spend a lonely winter with the man who took away the life she knew. Throughout the grief and hope of a strange land, Belinda must decide if her faith is big enough to allow her to forgive.




Truffles by the Sea by Julie Carobini (#2 Chocolate Series)

Determined to turn her life around, Gaby Flores moves to a beachfront loft, takes on a new motto, "Be gullible no more, " and begins to rebuild her flower store while searching for Mr. So Right. But when a lawsuit, an eviction notice, a near-empty bank account, and quirky neighbors invade her beachy world, not even chocolate can solve her worries as her fledgling faith is put to the test.






Wishing On Dandelions by Mary DeMuth (#2 Maranatha Series)

When Miss Peach arrives to take over the only place Maranatha's ever called home---leaving trails of fabric swatches and cloying perfume in her wake---it rouses Maranatha's issues with trust. Can the 17-year-old, whose childhood was bruised by abandonment and abuse, sort out the confusing layers of love for friends, family, boyfriends---and God?







The Secret of Us by Roxanne Henke

Married for nearly a quarter century to a workaholic husband, Laura Dunn helps with her daughter's wedding plans . . . and wonders wistfully about life's lost horizons. The rest of the family was able to succeed at their dreams; could she possibly now realize one of her own now---and become an artist?







The Root of All Evil by Brandt Dodson (#3 Colton Parker Series)

Wealthy businessman Berger Hume is dying. And the one thing he wants most is the one thing his millions cannot buy a relationship with the son he has never met. As Colton Parker, private investigator, searches to locate the son, he finds himself the target of threats from a powerful gang with ties that extend to highlevel government.The twists of this case cause Colton to question his own values. Will he risk the one thing that matters most? And will this race against time become a race for his own life?







Forsaken by James David Jordan

When Simon Mason, the world's best-known televangelist, receives threats from Muslim terrorists, he hires beautiful former Secret Service agent Taylor Pasbury to take charge of his security. Taylor is thrilled to receive the high-profile assignment, but she has no idea that Simon already knows more about her than she could imagine. When the terrorists strike, making a demand of the pastor that would shake the most steadfast saint, Taylor draws on all of her hard-knock toughness and training as she fights to save Simon and his daughter. Along the way, she discovers that she is not the only one who has done things she would like to forget--and she is not the only one who understands that some things are more important than living.




Red Helmet by Homer Hickam

Song Hawkins is a beautiful, tough, but lonely New York City businesswoman who thinks she’s met the man of her dreams in Cable Jordan, the superintendent of a West Virginia coal mine. But soon after they impulsively marry during a romantic holiday, Song realizes they’re in big trouble. She can’t imagine life outside of New York, and Cable has no intention of leaving Highland.

Song’s visit to the little mining community to meet its quirky citizens only makes things worse and it looks like the marriage is over. But in a shocking turn of events, Song realizes it’s up to her to put on the red helmet of the new coal miner and descend into the deep darkness to make a life-changing sacrifice for both Cable and the entire town.

To enter:~

You must have an Australian postal address and post a comment telling me which books you would like to win (feel free to put "all") by Monday 15th December, 2008.

Please let your friends know to give them the opportunity to win a gift for themselves or a Christmas present for someone else!

So I can share the love I am limiting the number of books one person can with to two!

Go for it!

The winners are....

Havah ~ Kathy Fuller

The Paper Bag Christmas ~ Anita Yancey

All About Us series (Books 1-3) ~ Pattie

Congratulations ~ hope you enjoy these books!

Please email me your snail mail addys to claim your prize :)