Character Spotlight ~ Hillary Manton Lodge's Jayne

Today the spotlight shines on...............................Jayne Tate


Hillary Manton Lodge's debut novel, Plain Jayne, is a keeper and that's coming from someone who often gives her Amish books to her friend to read and review! You will see my review soon at TitleTrakk.com but in the meantime enjoy this look at journalist Jayne Tate!

Over to you, Hillary:~


Brief physical description

Jayne's about 5'7”, fair skinned, with dark brown, no-nonsense hair. She's pretty in a sharp-edged way.

Photo: James Devaney ~ Wire Image

Actor/famous person

Rachel McAdams, I think is the closest, a la State of Play. I like the photo because it looks like a face Jayne would make.

Daniel Day-Lewis for Levi Burkholder

Strengths and weaknesses

Jayne's one of the most talented reporters at the paper and knows it. She's bright and clever, but has allowed bitterness about her past to color her present.

Quirk (if any)

While staying with the Amish, Jayne develops a liking for cutting quilt squares. She doesn't know how to quilt, but enjoys making the squares.

Your inspiration for the character

I thought of the newspaper track journalists I knew in college as I wrote. I wanted her to be the kind of person who would learn a lot from being with the Amish, but also be able to think critically about the lifestyle.

Background to the story

One of my editors and I kind of developed the concept for Plain Jayne together. I gave her one pitch; it didn't go over as well as I wanted it to. I sat on it for a bit, then wrote another pitch with the same characters but different traits and stronger motivations. I like stories where a character is on one path, but finds the strength to make a lifestyle change; that's exactly what Jayne does.

The story also takes place at a time when the newspaper itself is a changing - some would say dying - form of media. I enjoyed weaving some of that shift into the plot. It's not a large part, but it does factor into some of the decisions.

Hillary ~ it is great to have you here at Relz Reviewz :) I'm sure you will be back to talk about your stories many times in the future!



On Monday, I will be spotlighting MaryLu Tyndall's Grace Westcott & Rafe Dubois from her latest tale on the High Seas, The Raven Saint.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Hillary's website and blog

Buy Hillary's book at Amazon or Koorong

The winners of Powers are................

Aussie winners ~ Chloe-Anne & Nolene

US/Canadian winners ~ Gill & Buukluvr81

Congratulations ~ email me your addy within 7 days to claim your book.

Book Trailer for Julie Carobini's A Shore Thing

Julie Carobini's books are fabulous! Check out the trailer for her upcoming Otter Bay novel, A Shore Thing, releasing from B&H Fiction in July, 2010.

Be sure to watch to the end to see an endorsement from moi :) What a privilege!

CFBA Blog Tour of A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
A Lady Like Sarah Thomas Nelson; Original edition (December 22, 2009) by Margaret Brownley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life; just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot straight.

Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying US Marshall at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.

His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and a sweet orphan in tow, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There justice will be meted out hopefully with a portion of grace.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Lady Like Sarah, go HERE

Watch the Book Trailer:

Coming in 2010 from Tyndale House

Tyndale House have some great books coming your way this year from debut author Gina Holmes to seasoned writers, Randy Singer and Sally John.

Anything take your fancy? I'd love to hear your thoughts.....


Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter.

As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible.

A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.

Releasing May, 2010



The Last Operative by Jerry B Jenkins

Jordan Kettering wants to go quietly into the sunset. His career as an NSA intelligence officer has taken a significant toll. His two adult children are little more than distant acquaintances. His wife has been patient and supportive, but he knows she has deserved better. That was part of the reason they were going to London. He wanted her to see Europe like a tourist. But that was before he was given intelligence information during the recent mission to Germany. The threat is grave—bigger than 9/11. And the risk is compounded by the fact that someone inside the NSA is involved. The most hidden place in Kettering’s past will have to be unmasked in order to meet the challenges of this mission.

Releasing July, 2010




Fatal Convictions by Randy Singer

Alexander Madison is part lawyer, part pastor, and part con artist. When a Muslim imam is accused of instigating honor killings, Alex must decide whether to take the case that every other lawyer in town is running away from. He doesn’t realize until it’s too late that defending the imam may cost him the one thing in life he cares about most.

Fatal Convictions is the story of a lawyer willing to risk it all and the women who must choose between faith and love.

Releasing July, 2010








Ransomed Dreams by Sally John

Sheridan Montgomery leads a charmed life as the wife of Eliot, U.S. ambassador to Venezuela. But an attack on their lives cripples Eliot, and they retreat to a remote Mexican village. As Sheridan quietly cares for her husband, she sees her dreams slipping away. Luke Traynor shatters their reverie when he arrives to tell Sheridan of her father’s heart attack and the evidence implicating him in a conspiracy. Sheridan returns to Chicago to untangle the web of her father’s past and is forced to confront her feelings for Luke, a trail of deceit, and the truth about her marriage.

Releasing July, 2010






The Witness by Josh McDowell

From Monte Carlo to Morocco to Egypt and into Petra, Marwan Accad is pursued by authorities for murders he did not commit. Tracked by advanced intelligence-surveillance technology, his every location is eventually found out, thrusting those he loves into danger. Nurtured by a bitter past that equipped him with what he needed for his company to thrive, Marwan Accad never looks back. Yet the way forward promises only uncertainty, and living each day is a lie in which corruption and greed play in the lives of man. For whose lie is he going through all of this? Even as Marwan races against time to find his pursuers and their motives, he must grapple with what is beyond his life, with what is eternal.

Releasing July, 2010




Still House Pond by Jan Watson

Lilly Gray Corbett loves living on Troublesome Creek, but she would much rather play with her best friend than watch her little brother and the twins. Her mama, Copper, is often gone helping to birth babies, and Lilly has to stay home. When Aunt Alice sends a note inviting her to visit in the city, Lilly is excited to go, and Copper reluctantly agrees to let her. Later, when they hear the news that the train crashed, Copper and her husband, John, rush to find out if their daughter is injured . . . or even alive.

Releasing August, 2010

Becca by the Book by Laura Jensen Walker

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Adventurous and fun-loving Becca Daniels loves the rush of new experiences and is constantly pushing the envelope – trying everything from extreme sports, to while hair colours, to skydiving. So when a broken leg grounds her temporarily, Becca doesn’t take the interruption well.

Grumpy, restless, and a loose ends, Becca bristles one day when some of her Getaway Girls Book Club friends tease her about being commitment-phobic. To prove them wrong, Becca impulsively promises to accept a date with the next guy who asks her out; and to date him for three months or twenty-five dates – whichever comes first.

Unfortunately, the first invitation comes from Ben – too “churchy” and definitely not Becca’s type. Determined to win the bet, however, the two embark on a hilarious series of dates that plunge the outspoken, purple-haired Becca into a sea of church potlucks and prayer meetings.

Ultimately, the dating experiment opens Becca’s eyes to a new perspective on her life’s purpose and a new understanding of who’s directing her path – an epiphany that could lead to her biggest adventure yet.

What I thought:

Laura Jensen Walker has again delivered in fine style, with her third Getaway Girls instalment, ‘Becca By The Book’. Within the first few pages I was reminded how much I enjoy Laura’s work and happily engrossed myself in Becca’s world.

‘Becca By The Book’ has the perfect mix of humour and emotion. I laughed out loud at Becca’s antics and the situations she finds herself in. I cried as she faces heartache and loss. Despite being the fact that Becca is the embodiment of everything I am not, she is a character that I was drawn to. I was quickly invested in her story, wanting to know how her dating bet ended and whether or not the ‘hound of heaven’ catches her. I was captivated by Becca’s heart for those less fortunate and I loved viewing life through her adventurous, un-churched eyes. Seeing church culture through the eyes of one who has not had much experience in that environment was enlightening and Natalie Jensen Walker deftly weaves these truths with lightheartedness. I found myself considering the giant-sized hurdles to be overcome by those who come to Christ with no prior knowledge of church culture.

Laura Jensen Walker ends this instalment with the promise of adventure in Becca’s future and yet with some threads left untied, leaving me with something to look forward to with anticipation. I am entirely certain that Laura’s next book in this series will be one worth waiting for, however impatiently that may be!

With thanks to Zondervan for Tracy's review copy

Guest reviewer: My friend Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence

Relz Reviewz Extras

Reviews of Daring Chloe & Turning the Paige

Interview with Laura

Visit Laura's website

Buy Laura's books at Amazon or Koorong

Book Trailer for Francine River's Her Mother's Hope

Enjoy this book trailer for Francine River's long anticipated novel, Her Mother's Hope, releasing in March from Tyndale House.

Are you looking forward to reading it?

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Synopsis:~

One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl--plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?

My take:~

As most of you will know I usually leave Amish fiction for my friend Tracy to review and my sister to read! Recently, I have chosen to stretch my boundaries and have read two Amish fiction and enjoyed the experience.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has developed an interesting range of characters in The Choice, each of them facing different challenges, and as the title suggests, choices which will impact their lives forever. Carrie, Abel, Yonnie and Sol provide depth and interest to the story with their unique personalities and the efforts they made to balance their desires and family and spiritual needs. Carrie's voice is not the usual Amish fare and I had to remind myself she was Plain. While the tragedies seemed a little overdone in the first half of the book, by the second half of the story I eagerly anticipated the outcome of each of the characters' destinies. A solid start to a new series in this popular genre.

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Suzanne's website and blog

Buy Suzanne's books at Amazon or Koorong

Character Spotlight ~ Stacy Hawkins Adams' Indigo & Rueben Burns

Today the spotlight shines.............................on Indigo Burns and Rueben Burns




Stacy Hawkins Adams is a busy lady ~ wife, mum, author, speaker and freelance writer! I was delighted that she could find the time to share about her latest characters, siblings Indigo and Rueben Burns, from her Jubilant Soul series and its final book, Dreams That Won't Let Go.

Over to you, Stacy:~

Brief physical description

Indigo Burns is pretty, about five feet six inches tall and thin. Her complexion is the color of honey and she has ebony eyes.

Her brother, Reuben Burns is tall, a shade browner than Indigo, muscular and has a great smile. He wears his hair close cropped and has a clean shaven face.

Actor/famous person

Actress Kerry Washington might resemble Indigo.

Actor Hill Harper might resemble Reuben.

Strengths and weaknesses

Indigo's strengths are compassion and talent. She gives until it hurts to her family and friends, and uses her skill as a photographer both to elevate her career and help her community.

Her weakness is a central theme in the book. She is upset by her brother's return home to the fictional Jubilant, Texas. On the surface, she simply seems jealous, but her weakness is her inability to articulate that her frustration is about more than just sibling rivalry.

Reuben's weakness is his inability to communicate his truths to others. His wife, Peyton, knows him well and understand what makes him react the way he does in particular situations. But Reuben's family welcomes him home without really knowing why he stayed away for ten years, or what has brought him back. Reuben eventually realizes that those facts will be important to helping his family heal.

Quirk (if any)

Indigo doesn't really have a quirk; she simply comes across as spoiled in the first half of the book. As readers come to know her better, they'll understand her better.

Reuben's quirk would be the nightmares and panic attacks he is experiencing and keeping secret from everyone except his wife.

Your inspiration for the character

My inspiration for Indigo was the “good brother” in the Prodigal Son story, who always did what was right, stayed home to help his father, and found himself feeling cast aside when his “long lost” brother returned. I'm certain many families grapple with some modern-day form of this issue, and I wanted to explore it through this female character.

My inspiration for Reuben was the proverbial “stoic man” who seems to have it all together and thinks he can handle his issues in his own way - without help from God or anyone else. I wanted to encourage readers who know people like Reuben to look beyond the surface and keep speaking truth and love into their lives; and I wanted to encourage the “Reubens” of the world to open up and give God a try.

Background to the story

Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are underway, her photography career is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever--all except her brother Reuben who nobody has seen in years. But that's about to change.

When Reuben decides to move back home to Jubilant, Texas, he hopes to find healing with his sisters. But Indigo isn't so sure their relationship can be mended. And when younger sister Yasmin makes a life-altering choice, it seems like it would take a miracle to put the Burns family back together.

Can family ties bind up deep-seated wounds? Will these three young people ever be able to live out their dreams?

Thanks Stacy :) It has been great to learn a bit more about Rueben who has been quite the intriguing character!



On Monday, the spotlight shines on Jayne Tate from Hillary Manton Lodge's excellent debut novel, Plain Jayne.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Worth A Thousand Words

Visit Stacy's website and blog

Buy Stacy's books at Amazon and Koorong

How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser ~ Tracy's Take

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Elizabeth Barrett is a published poet--and a virtual prisoner in her own home. Blind family loyalty ties her to a tyrannical father who forbids any of his children to marry. Bedridden by chronic illness, she has resigned herself to simply existing. That is, until the letter arrives..."I love your verses with all my heart," writes Robert Browning, an admiring fellow poet. As friendly correspondence gives way to something more, Elizabeth discovers that Robert's love is not for her poetry alone. Might God grant her more than mere existence? And will she risk defying her father in pursuit of true happiness?

What I thought:

Nancy Moser’s ‘How Do I Love Thee?’ is a beautifully written biographical fiction of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s life. Nancy’s love of history is obvious in her masterful telling of Elizabeth’s intriguing story.

I had little knowledge of Elizabeth Barrett, beyond the first line of her sonnet, ‘how do I love thee? Let me count the ways’. Nancy exquisitely portrays Elizabeth’s story, staying true to the known facts of her life whilst delving deeper to flesh out the possible reality behind those facts. I was intrigued by the family relationships and the iron-fisted rule of her father over a family of adult children. I was further absorbed by the debilitating effects of Elizabeth’s undefined illness and her contentment to live as a recluse because of it. That Elizabeth overcame her fear of meeting new people to accept a visit from Robert Browning was quite miraculous and it was at this point in the book that I was completely invested in the outcome and how Elizabeth bravely manages to leave her family home to wed Robert against her father’s wishes.

Whilst reading ‘How Do I Love Thee’ I was struck by the power of a parent in their child’s life. Elizabeth’s father refused to allow any of his adult children to marry. He dispensed his orders and expected them to obey him, refusing to acknowledge that each had hopes and dreams of their own. His method of ruling his home in a manner thinly disguised as love has prompted me to consider my own parenting. ‘How Do I Love Thee’ has highlighted, for me, the need to guide my children in seeking their own hopes and dreams for the future with my support.

With thanks to Bethany House for Tracy's review copy


Guest reviewer: My friend Tracy from Beyond My Picket Fence

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Nancy's website

Buy Nancy's books at Amazon or Koorong

Character spotlight ~ CJ Darlington's Christy & May Williams

Today the spotlight shines on sisters, Christy & May Williams


CJ Darlington is one amazing lady! Co-founder of TitleTrakk.com, antiquarian book buyer, author, winner of the Operation First Novel contest, daughter, sister and friend! I'm privileged to spotlight her characters, Christy and May from her excellent debut novel, Thicker Than Blood and I hope you enjoy the insight.

Over to you, CJ:~

Brief physical description:

Christy Williams is thirty-three and average height---five four or so. Her natural hair color is light brown, but recently she’s bleached it blonde to please her boyfriend. Life hasn’t been easy on her, and it shows up on her features. In fact, the first time her younger sister May sees her after fifteen years, it shocks her. The beautiful sister she’d idolized as a girl has the face of a much older woman. She tries to hide behind makeup, but there’s no denying what her hard living has done to her.

May on the other hand could pass for someone in her twenties. Living and working on a cattle ranch and spending her days outside has given her wrinkles around her eyes and on her cheeks, but her youthful features dominate her face. She’s a few inches taller than Christy, and working outdoors has helped her maintain the figure she had as a teenager.

Actor/famous person

I’ve been thinking about how to answer this question now for years (I hoped someday you’d ask it, Rel!) I’m not as up on current actors or celebrities as some, so it’s hard to nail down someone famous. But . . . I’ve always maintained that actress Tracey Gold reminds me a little of Christy. Especially that mug shot photo that’s circulating the internet. Since Christy’s arrested for a DUI in the first scene of Thicker than Blood, it’s kinda appropriate (sorry, Tracey!).

Now May’s another story. If someone were to play her in a movie, I think I’d want it to be an unknown actress. Just a normal young woman who wasn’t model-thin and could actually physically do some of the things May does on the ranch. I was paging through a book called The Montana Cowboy by David Stoecklein one day, and I think I spotted May.

Strengths and weaknesses:

Christy is an alcoholic. There are reasons behind her addiction, but alcohol really has run (and ruined) her life. She’s not proud of it. But she doesn’t know how to change. In fact, she doesn’t believe she’s capable of change.

May is a strong character in many ways. She’s independent and fun loving. But her weakness is her struggle to trust God despite her circumstances. She’s facing financial ruin and about to lose her beloved ranch. She can’t see any way out. Trusting God is not coming easy to her.

Rel: I imagined Kristen Paige Williams as May

Quirk (if any):

Wow, I don’t think I gave these characters any quirks! How bad is that? I’m wracking my brain here . . . Rel, what do you think? Can you think of any? J

Rel: Mmmm....well, Christy certainly has a penchant for digging a hole for herself and as for May...I'm not sure either! Maybe some of you who have read the book can point one out??

Your inspiration for the character:

When I was a kid, my sister Tracy and I would play make-believe games with our best friend, Erica. We would each pretend to be a different person and make up stories for them as we went along. One of the characters we invented was a woman named Christy. She was originally a real estate agent, and she had a sister named May who lived on a farm. Often Christy would go visit May on the farm, and we had great fun inventing scenarios for them. As I got older, I asked myself, “What if I wrote a story featuring these characters?” They’ve developed and changed over the years, of course. But that core idea for Christy and May is still there.

Background to the story:

When I first started writing Thicker than Blood, I was fifteen years old. I still have the notebook in which I wrote that first draft. I had no idea that little story would become my first published novel.

Many things changed along the way. Christy obviously didn’t stay a real estate agent. I found myself bored to tears trying to research real estate. My mom was the one who actually suggested I make Christy a used book dealer because of my own interest in rare books. Something clicked, and a whole new story was born.

My fictional bookstore, Dawson’s Book Barn, is based on real-life bookstore Baldwin’s Book Barn in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I began my career in antiquarian books scouting for Baldwin’s. In fact, the manager at the time was the one who taught us the points of a first edition For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. I made that book play a prominent role in Thicker than Blood.

I hope the theme of redemption is clear in this story too. One of my goals as a writer is to show people that no one is ever too far gone for God’s love. You can never step so far away that one step back won’t place you in His arms.

Thanks, CJ! What a delight to have you on my blog as a published author! So excited for you, still :) Bring on the next novel - hehehe!



On Thursday, the spotlight shines on Rueben Burns from Stacy Hawkins Adam's, Dreams That Won't Let Go.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Thicker Than Blood

Visit CJ's website and blog

Check out TitleTrakk.com, founded by CJ and her sister, Tracy

Buy CJ's book at Amazon or Koorong

Powers by John B Olson & Open Giveaway

Synopsis:~

"Bury me standing. I must be buried standing."

Powers, the follow-up to John Olson's Shade introduces a sheltered Gypsy girl named Mariutza. Her grandfather utters a mysterious last request before dying in her arms after being shot by ten cloaked men. Those same men die before her eyes, but strange powers continue to pursue Mari through the swamps of southern Louisiana where she has always hidden from "the Badness."

The whole world seems to join in the chase-helicopters, soldiers, government agents, and the police are all trying to kill her. Mari's only hope of survival is to find Jaazaniah the Prophet, the mythical hero of her grandfather's bedtime stories. But she has never been outside the swamp or known other humans besides her grandfather and one teacher. How can this lone girl survive the bewildering world of men long enough to find a prophet who might not even exist?

My take:~

I love John's writing but I admit for the initial chapters of Powers, I felt a little like I was in Mari's swamp, confused and disoriented. I am happy to say that perseverance pays off with this novel as John hits his straps and takes you along for a epic ride as Mari and Jazz dodge government and supernatural forces and encounter an other worldly evil. Mind bending twists make for gripping reading and John's skillful characterisation adds heart, soul and even some romantic tension to the tale. Readers of Shade will delight in the reappearance of Melchi and Hailey and shiver with the return of the Mulo. Powers is a traditional battle of good and evil with unconventional characters and an intriguing plot that consolidates John's position as a premier author of Christian supernatural fiction.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Reviews of Shade & Fossil Hunter
Interview with John ~ Part 1 and Part 2
Visit John's website
Buy John's books at Amazon and Koorong

Giveaway

Thanks to the fabulous folk at B&HFiction, I have two copies of Powers to give away to my Aussie readers and two copies for my North American readers! To enter:

1. Post a comment before midnight Sunday 24th January, 2010
2. Add an AUS or USA at the end of your post so I know your location.

Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll

Synopsis:~

A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

My take:~

Heads up readers, there’s a new kid on the block writing stellar romantic suspense with grit, authenticity and heartfelt emotion. Robin Caroll hits it out of the park in Deliver Us From Evil as Search and Rescue helicopter pilot, Brannon Callahan comes face to face with US Marshal Roark Holland in a wild blizzard. Sparks and bullets fly with equal abandon in this action packed novel!

Tackling the despicable evil that is child trafficking, Robin brings awareness to this hidden trade in humans and the frightening toll on young lives. Tempering the painful truths in the story is the burgeoning relationship between Brannon and Roark that is simply a delight to read. Robin’s talent for building romantic tension is second to none, her plot twists intriguing and her faith elements quite uniquely woven into the tale. I am now a devoted follower of Robin’s books and am eagerly awaiting Lincoln’s story, Brannon’s SAR partner, in Fear No Evil releasing in August!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Robin's website and blog

View the book trailer

Buy Robin's books at Amazon or Koorong

Come back in February for a Character Spotlight on Brannon & Roark with a multiple giveaway of Deliver Us From Evil!

Blogging and more in 2010

What's coming up on Relz Reviewz 2010 calendar?

Reviews

Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll

Powers by John B Olson

Whirlwind by Robert Liparulo (my daughter is my guest reviewer!)

Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge

Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish

Double Trouble by Susan May Warren

and more.....

Giveaways

Powers by John B Olson

Angel's Den by Jamie Carie

Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll

The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee

and more.....

Character Spotlights from the following books

CJ Darlington's Thicker Than Blood

Colleen Coble's The Lightkeeper's Daughter

MaryLu Tyndall's The Raven Saint

Ronie Kendig's Dead Reckoning

and more......

Author Interviews

Jeanette Windle

CJ Darlington

Robin Caroll

Ronie Kendig

Richard Mabry

and more.....

In the meantime.......

If you are interested in Book Clubs, check out my recent interview with Julie from BookingMama about my book club which starts it's 9th year with Jeanette Windle's Veiled Freedom.

Sign up for Rene Gutteridge's blog which launches on 1st February, 2010 ~ Rene is one of my favourite authors.

Check out author Sharon Gillenwater's new website and look for her just released, Jenna's Cowboy. I read Sharon's early books back in the mid '90s and am looking forward to reading a new story from her.

The January edition of CFOM is out with brilliant author, Tosca Lee, as the cover girl ;-) Well worth reading if you enjoy fiction and other terrific writing tips and tales.

Family Camping

I have had a great time enjoying my family, hubby's sister and her family and some dear friends of ours, while camping in the great outdoors in southern New South Wales!

Here's a peek at some of the fun and beauty we enjoyed

My youngest singing on the beach!


A water lily at a local winery


Cousins and friends


Gum Tree


Boogie Boarding


Buzzing Bee


Australia Rock


My middle girl's shell collection


If someone had taken the camera from me then you would have seen a few photos of me reading as the waves lapped around me ;-)

Thanks for your patience with my hiatus! Back to it from my next post!

Relz Reviewz Hiatus, 2010

Every now and then it is good to take a break, even from the good things! So with that in mind, I will be taking a brief hiatus from blogging and twittering for the next two weeks to spend some quality time with my man and three girls :)

On my return to the blogging world, there will be more book reviews, Monday and Thursday Character Spotlights, more great recipes from your favourite authors on Friday's What's Cooking? and some fascinating interviews from both well known and debut authors ~ I can't wait!

If you want to let me know books you would like to see reviewed, characters you want under the spotlight or authors you are dying to get to know better, send me an email or post a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts :)

So please excuse my absence ~ I'll be back soon!

The winner of The Sound of Sleigh Bells is....

Tracy of Sunny Corner Farm ~ congratulations!

Please email me with your postal addy within 7 days to claim your book :)