Getting to know Shannon Van Roekel

Shannon Van Roekel has brought her missions experience to her latest novel, Desert Fire. How she finds time to write as a homeschooling mother of five is beyond me :) Maybe there is insight below!

Enjoy getting to know Shannon:~

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

Brook. My mom always told me that Shannon was the name of a river in Ireland and my middle name, Lea, means a meadow. She told me my name means “a refreshing brook flowing through a meadow”. So I would choose Brook. Same thing, just more to the point.

Your first pet's name?

9 Miles Long.(It was a kitten born under our mobile home up North in BC. So I thought it would be clever to name the cat after how long the mobile was. Except I was too young to get the concept--obviously!)

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

Patsy.

We used to pretend we were princesses who lived in her apple tree and feasted at whim on yummy green apples!

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

There was a very small, pinky-grey, well worn teddy I loved as a small child. One day on a long road trip I dropped him out the car window. My father stopped the car and went to look for him but could not find him.

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

CS Lewis

Or if it has to be someone current, John Piper.

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

A big fat journal and a pen (oops! That's two)

What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

Caramel pecan.

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

A bride. This never changed, my mother tells me, until I was 12.

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

Fiji or Tahiti

Your favourite lollies (candy)?

Sour keys

Besides God, who has influenced you the most?

CS Lewis

What's your favourite book?

The Bible. Then The Narnia series.

What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?

Reading out loud to my two teenage homeschooling boys.

Where's the most interesting place you have been?

Florence, Italy. So much art and history. I love David.

What's your favourite movie?

Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant

Scrapbooking, drawing or cooking?

Cooking!

Lost, The Mentalist, 24 or Castle?

I have never seen an episode of any of them.

What's your most fervent prayer?

The Lord's Prayer

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

Besides raising five kids, I'd have to say back-packing through Europe for 3 months when I was 17.

What gift have you received that you will always treasure?

A ruby ring from my husband

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

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”

-Habukkuk 3:17-19

To me this is the great antidote to life and all its ups and downs. If you make the Lord, Himself, your greatest joy, then no matter how bad it gets (or how good) you will be secure in Him.

Could you ask each of your children to share one thing they love about you?

Brandt (22 yrs)-“Your heart of compassion for those who are spiritually needy.”

Holly (20 yrs)- “You're romantic.”

Danielle (19 yrs)- "I love the way we dance together in the kitchen to rock music"

Kieran (16 yrs)-“For loving me for so long.”

Zachary (15 yrs)- “You love everybody.”

Desert Fire

Desert Fire shines a spotlight on the genocide that continues to occur in the Sudan ~ what prompted you to write about this tragedy?

A relative of mine is a field researcher in Sudan and was sending out long e-letters to everyone he knew trying to raise awareness about what was happening in Darfur. The media was not touching it at that time, so when I decided I wanted to write a book I thought it would be neat if I could write a story interesting for its own sake, but that would keep people reading through the information and harsh reality of Darfur, and, hopefully, move them to compassion and prayer for the people there.

Please describe each of your characters with one word

Julia- activist

Joel- worldly

Dave- Teddy-bear

Kelly- loving

Fred Keegan- forgiven

Peter Kuanen- comforted

Steve O'Hara- joyful

Aunt Rose- prayer-warrior

Your book highlights the reluctance of the West to get involved in Darfur ~ do you think that has changed at all?

Not at all. In fact, since the Obama administration has been in power the sanctions and restrictions on Sudan have softened, if anything.

What was your favourite scene to write?

The scene where Joel visits Aunt Rose for the first time and finds her working in her dahlia garden.

I loved writing about Steve O'Hara's joy and confidence in the goodness of God.

What do you hope readers take away from this story?

Prayer is a powerful way to bring God's light to a situation and God's light always dispels the darkness.

What is in your writing pipeline? A sneak peek, please?

The based on truth sequel to “Desert Fire” takes Julia to Asia where she discovers Christian Asians who have been enduring genocide by their government for 60 years. Amazingly, in the midst of this battle zone, she discovers ancient prophecies and fulfillments embedded in this culture and contemporary heroes of our faith who embody the courage and boldness of Joseph, Daniel and Paul.

Of course, Joel is a main player in this story, but a life-altering situation has conspired to keep them from finding true love with each other…whether they can overcome it or not is for you to find out when you read it!


Thanks so much, Shannon, for sharing. I'm looking forward to Julia's trip to Asia :)

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Desert Fire

Visit Shannon's website and blog

Buy Shannon's book at Amazon or Koorong

Character Spotlight ~ Cerella D. Sechrist's Sadie, Jasper & Dmitri

Today the spotlight shines............on Sadie, Jasper & Dmitri



Cerella D Sechrist's first venture into a contemporary novel will tickle your tastebuds! Another in the successful Love Finds You series from Summerside Press, Cerella has a fascinating insight into her characters below - what a choice for Sadie!! Who would you choose ~ the best friend or the intriguing Russian?!?!

Over to you, Cerella:~


Brief physical description of your main characters:

Sadie is tall, about 5’ 8”, with straight chestnut brown hair and brown eyes. Her five-year-old daughter Kylie once described her mother’s eyes as warm like cinnamon buns, glossy and sweet. Kylie inherited her mother’s eyes and brunette hair. Sadie tries to constantly maintain a look of professionalism so her wardrobe is often slightly more conservative but with just a touch of eclectic jewelry which reveals her true, slightly bohemian spirit.

Jasper is described in the book as a ‘surfer dude gone country.’ He has choppy, wheat blonde hair and skin that bronzes in any weather. (Lucky guy!) His features are masculine and slightly rugged: angular jaw, slightly scruffy but with a cute, childlike pout to his lips. He’s a very laid-back type of personality so he’s often dressed in worn jeans and a t-shirt.

Dmitri is your classic tall, dark and handsome with a heart-melting Russian accent. His eyes are a pale blue. The thing to understand about Dmitri is that while he’s very attractive and serious outwardly, he possesses quite a bit of vulnerability. A lot of mystery surrounds Dmitri, and his personal style reflects that in the darker colors he wears. Like Sadie, he gravitates toward conservative fashions, which are more appropriate to his status as an entrepreneur of sorts.

Actor/famous person

Sadie: Sandra Bullock or Jennifer Garner

Jasper: Keith Urban meets Owen Wilson

Dmitri: Goran Visjnic

Strengths and weaknesses:

Sadie is determined and humorous, but she’s also a little selfish and unforgiving. In her defense, she learned these traits the hard way – her father wasn’t around much when she was growing up, but now he’s back, wanting to make amends. But for her, it feels like it’s too little, too late. Her husband died in a car accident when their daughter was only a few months old, and then her mother lost a battle with cancer, and her father wasn’t around for any of that. But her best friend, Jasper, was there for her, and she rather takes him for granted, I’m afraid.

Quirk:

Funny you should ask. Sadie actually remarks to Dmitri in the book that her ‘hobbies’ include “running people over in grocery stores and babbling incoherently to restaurant patrons.”

To which Dmitri replies, “I believe those are quirks, rather than hobbies.” =)

Dmitri’s own quirks include a penchant for classic black and white films. It was through Cary Grant and Greta Garbo movies that he helped his Russian grandfather learn to speak English.

Jasper’s quirks involve a lot of interesting analogies he and Kylie conjecture concerning the bathroom and an island paradise. It’s a shared game between the two of them. Read the book, and you’ll understand!

Your inspiration for the character:

In the creation of Sadie, it was one of those periods in my own life where I was facing the question of how to define my own self worth. I kept asking more from myself than I could possibly give, and when I didn’t measure up, I just drove myself all the harder. That frustration and compulsion all got channeled into Sadie’s character, who struggles with perfectionism and has to learn that she has value, even if she can’t be the best at everything she wants to achieve. It’s not that I inspired Sadie. It’s that Sadie inspired me – because I had to learn my own lessons through her struggles.

Background to the story:

I wrote historical novels for years before deciding I wanted to try my hand at something out of my comfort zone. I decided to switch gears from historicals to something contemporary, and the first question I asked myself was, “What would I want to read if I were the reader of this novel?” And that was easy because I’m a bit of a foodie, so I thought, “Why not a story about a chef?” From there, I hit upon the idea of Sadie, who is phenomenally talented in the food arena except for one thing.

She can’t make desserts.

And of course, enter this handsome Russian entrepreneur whose greatest culinary skill is dessert, and you have instant conflict. The fact that the town of Hershey is less than hour’s drive from where I live in southern Pennsylvania just made for a naturally sweet setting to a story filled with chocolate rivalry.

Cerella ~ what a terrific spotlight! Can't wait to find out who Sadie succumbs to ;-)



Stay tuned for Thursday's spotlight on Brannon Callahan & Roark Holland from Robin Caroll's romantic suspense, Deliver Us From Evil.

Relz Reviewz

Extras Visit Cerella's website and blog

Buy Cerella's book at Amazon or CBD

The winners of Deliver Us From Evil are..............

Aussie winners ~ ad & Laetitia

US winners ~ Michelle & ReadingRobin

Congratulations! Be sure to email me with your snail mail details within 7 days to claim your book.

Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll

Synopsis:~

After struggling for years to make it as an actress, Harper finally gets her big break—but will she have to sacrifice the love of her life to take it?

At thirty, Harper fears her chances for a thriving acting career and finding true love are both fading fast. When she's handed an unexpected role on Broadway—understudy to New York’s biggest diva––everything changes. She longs for love in the City, but when it doesn't happen, she reluctantly signs up to an online matchmaking site. Frustration mounts when the only men Harper is interested in are on the West coast, thousands of miles away. Harper feels like an actress who doesn’t act, and a woman in love with someone she's never met, but God's about to change all that.

My take:~

Chris brings to vivid life, the world of theatre acting and production, the lure of Hollywood and the ever growing online dating scene in his latest novel, Screen Play. Written in the first person, Chris excells where many male writers understandably struggle, giving voice to a thirty year old woman who feels her chance to act has passed her by. With fascinating detail, Chris provides insight into the mechanics and emotions a live stage play requires and combines it with a sweet love story played out via email and text messages. While I would have enjoyed reading more of Harper's written interaction with her far flung internet match, Chris provides a dramatic ending which gives perspective on fame and faith and closure to this intriguing and entertaining tale.

With thanks to B&B Media for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of A Beautiful Fall
Interview with Chris
Visit Chris' website
Buy Chris' books at Amazon or Koorong

Blog tour for Virginia Smith's Third TImes' A Charm

Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Revell Release: January 1, 2010 ISBN-10: 0800732340 ISBN-13: 978-0800732349 Retail: $14.99 Virginia Smith recently contracted her twelfth book in four years. Previous books in the Sister-to-Sister series include: Stuck in the Middle and Age before Beauty. In 2008 she was named Writer-of-the-Year at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Stuck in the Middle was a finalist for American Christian Fiction Writers’ 2009 Book of the Year Award. A Taste of Murder was a finalist for the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Ginny and husband, Ted, divide their time between Lexington, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City, Utah, escaping as often as possible for diving trips to the Caribbean. Admittedly, her adventurous outings are often as much fun as they are “book research.” The Grand Prize will be awarded to one fortunate person who leaves a comment at one of the blog tours participating in the KCWC Third Time's a Charm blog tour. It includes: The complete collection of Virginia Smith books, TEN in all (listed below), with a personal behind-the-scenes commentary written by the author - especially for this tour! Sister-to-Sister Series, including: Stuck in the Middle, Age Before Beauty, and Third Time's A Charm. Unforgettable Mayla Strong Books: Just As I Am and Sincerely Mayla. Classical Trio Series from Love Inspired Suspense: A Taste of Murder, Murder at Eagle Summit, and Scent of Murder. Murder By Mushroom Bluegrass Peril The Inspiration Behind the Main Characters: I was watching a DVD when I first envisioned Tori Sanderson. In Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon is chic, petite, and more than a little headstrong. Plus, she’s ashamed of her upbringing, and therefore insecure even though she enjoys a successful career. That’s exactly how I pictured Tori as I wrote the first two books in the Sister-to-Sister Series. But Tori is several years younger than Reese, so as I wrote the opening chapter of Third Time’s a Charm, I was struggling to come up with the perfect visual image. One evening I saw an advertisement for “Samantha Who,” starring Christina Applegate. I jumped out of my chair and shouted, “That’s her! That’s Tori!” So I gave my character a curly perm to match Christina’s. I Googled the show’s cast and found Barry Watson, who became my model for the handsome handyman, Ryan Adams. And Mitch Jackson is modeled after Michael Weatherly, the gorgeous but suggestively inappropriate Tony DinNozzo on “NCIS.” Sounds like I’m a television junkie, doesn’t it? Not really, but I do like to have a visual image for characters as I write. It helps them come alive in my mind, and hopefully in the minds of my readers, too. Sisters, Shopping and a Search… Third Time’s a Charm The Satisfying Conclusion of the Sister-to-Sister Series Rel here:~ I've adored the first two books in this lovely series about sisters and can't wait to get into this one! My apologies to KCW Communications and Ginny for not having a review ~ the date for this tour didn't make it to my diary ~ sigh! Look for my review to come and for now, enjoy the interview below :) About the Book: There’s not too much in this world that a little retail therapy can’t fix—except maybe the empty hole in your heart from lost and undiscovered love. Tori Sanderson is no exception. Facing abandonment issues with her father, Tori sets out to find the real reason he left her. Along the way she discovers even deeper truths. Add in two matchmaking sisters plus a couple of attractive men vying for Tori’s attention, as well as a tempting job promotion possibility, and you’ve got one confused sister. Through it all, Tori searches for the love she’s been missing all these years. Author Virginia Smith, presents Third Time’s a Charm, the third installment of the Sister-to-Sister Series. Page-turning humor surrounding the lives of three sisters will once again engage readers, while somber self-discovery will unveil Tori’s struggles, and perhaps a few of your own. In a world with more than a few dysfunctional families, this story will ring true for many. Interview Questions: 1. This book is the third and final book in your Sister-to-Sister Series. How did you feel when you completed this last book? I felt a little sad, because I have lived with the characters for three years, and they’re very real to me. I’ll miss them. Plus, I wanted to leave readers with a good impression, so I was anxious for the last scene to be strong. I prayed over that last line for a long time, and when the words finally came, I got chills. They were absolutely the perfect wrap-up for the whole series. I still get tears whenever I read them. 2. Which of the sisters in this trilogy do you relate to the most? Why? That’s a hard question to answer, because there is a piece of me in each of the Sanderson sisters. But I’d have to say I relate most closely with Tori, because she is professionally ambitious, and she struggles to balance her career and her personal life. I did that for over twenty years, so much of her conflict comes from my experiences. 3. You've been contracted to write 12 times in the last 4 years. To what do you attribute this success and how would you encourage others who are doing everything possible to get published? Perseverance. I wrote for over twenty years before my first book, Just As I Am, was published. But I believed that the Lord gave me the desire to write, and even when my pile of rejections was growing (to an astounding 143 before my first publication!), I knew if He wanted me to write, I was going to keep writing. Even now – or maybe especially now – I trust Him for every story, every contract. Sometimes I still receive rejections, but I keep writing because He keeps giving me stories. 4. How is your relationship with your own sisters similar to Tori and her sisters? Did you pull from these sibling experiences when writing Third Time's a Charm? How? I sure did! Actually, my sisters were the inspiration behind the whole Sister-to-Sister Series. They are the most incredible women in the world, and I wanted readers to glimpse the relationship we have. And they were excited to have starring roles in my stories. It was funny watching them try to identify themselves in the books, because I took characteristics from each of us and mixed them up to create each of the Sanderson sisters. Tori, for instance, is a career-minded person, like me. She’s creative, like one of my sisters. And she’s a big flirt, like the other sister. Uh… I’d better not identify who that is, or I’ll start a family feud! 5. What's next for Virginia Smith? In May of this year I have a new book coming out from Steeple Hill. Researching A Daughter’s Legacy was a lot of fun, because it is set in a zoo! It’s my first straight romance, and was something of an experiment for me to see if I liked writing the genre. I loved it, and have a few ideas germinating in my mind for future romance novels. Then later in the year, Into the Deep will hit bookstores. That’s a romantic suspense novel with a scuba diving theme. It takes place partly in Key West, and partly in Cozumel, Mexico. Can you tell I have a lot of fun researching my books? For a more indepth look into the life of Virginia Smith visit the KWC blog.

Angela Hunt ~ What's Cooking?

Angela Hunt

Last year my mother, my aunt, and my cousin joined me on a visit to St. Simons Island, home to my novel-in-progress. While there, I picked up a lovely local cookbook and was delighted to find that it was filled with southern recipes. Yum! (If there's one thing we love to do in the South, it's eat.)

There's nothing better to do on a hot Sunday afternoon that sit around and make ice cream. We used to do it in those big canisters you had to cover with salt and ice and crank by hand, but these days we use indoor electric ice cream makers. So here's a recipe for ice cream that's distinctly Southern in flavor.

Angie

Key Lime Ice Cream

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups half-and-half

1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup Key lime juice

Zest of two key limes

Directions

Combine all ingredients well. Pour into an ice cream freezer canister. Freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Serve over crushed butter cookies with sweet whipped cream. Ahh!

Thanks, Angie! This recipe is just perfect for our summer ~ sorry if it is making all you Northern Hemisphere folks shiver!


Angela's Books

With over 100 books to her credit, they are too numerous to list here! I can highly recommend them and have nearly all of her adult fiction on my bookshelves. If you click here you can view all of Angie's books, including future releases ~ enjoy :)

Relz Reviewz Extras

All things Hunt @ Relz Reviewz

Visit Angie's website and blog

Buy Angie's books at Amazon or Koorong

Character Spotlight ~ Jennifer AlLee's Nick Shepherd & Maura Sullivan with giveaway

Today the spotlight shines on............................Nick Shepherd & Maura Sullivan


Jennifer AlLee's novel, The Pastor's Wife is garnering terrific reviews highlighting the authenticity of the characters and the genuine love story that unfolds. I'm looking forward to reading Jennifer's book so look for my review to come. Imaging Matt Damon as Nick won't be too hard a task ;-) Over to you, Jennifer:~

Brief physical description

Nick Shepherd is an average guy. He's not quite six feet tall, with sandy hair, grey-blue eyes and a great smile. What makes Nick so attractive is the depth of his compassion. Of course, that's also what gets him in trouble.

Maura Sullivan is beautiful in a girl-next-door kind of way. She's half Irish, so she's got dark hair and fair skin. But because she grew up in a California beach town, that fair skin is smattered with freckles.

Actor/famous person

When I think of Nick, I see a lighter-haired Matt Damon.

Maura's a little harder to pin down, but Evangeline Lily comes pretty close.

Strengths and weaknesses

Nick takes his commitments very seriously, which is a strength that turns into a weakness. He loves Maura, but he also feels called to care for the congregation. In his desire to live up to his own expectations of what a good pastor should be, he forgets to love his wife as Christ loved the church.

Maura is a passionate woman. She loves deeply, which means she expects the same in return. When Nick starts putting the needs of the congregation ahead of their marriage, she feels betrayed. Then, rather than talk to him about what's going on, she keeps it bottled up.

Quirk (if any)

Nick is a counter. When he's upset, rather than lose his temper, he counts to ten in his head. He has to do that several times in the course of this novel.

I don't know if you'd call this a quirk, but Maura hates casseroles. When she and Nick first moved to Granger, they were inundated with food from the congregation, most of it in the form of casseroles. The refrigerator and freezer were full of them. She'll be perfectly happy if she never sees another casserole again.

Your inspiration for the character

I was a church secretary for years, so Nick and Maura were inspired by the pastors and wives I've gotten close to. None of them ever had serious marital problems that I'm aware of, but I saw how stressful their lives could be. From there, I wondered what it would be like for a young woman who discovered that being married to a pastor was nothing like she expected. The characters really took on a life of their own after that.

Background to the story

As I mentioned, I took my experiences working with pastors and started asking a lot of “what if” questions. What if a young woman thinks she knows what she's getting into, but the reality of losing who she is and becoming a “pastor's wife” is more than she can handle? What if some other tragedy pushes her over the edge? Would she run? And what would happen if she had to return to the scene of her heartbreak years later? All those questions eventually became The Pastor's Wife.

Jennifer ~ thanks so much for sharing with us. It sounds like a great book :)

On Monday, the spotlight turns to Cerella Sechrist's Sadie, Jasper & Dimitri from Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Jennifer's website

View the book trailer

Buy Jennifer's books at Amazon or CBD

Open Giveaway

Jennifer is kindly offering a signed copy of her novel to one of my readers!

To enter, post a comment on or before Sunday 14th February sharing what you admire in a pastor's wife! Be sure to leave contact details :)

Hero's Tribute by Graham Garrison

Synopsis:~

Michael Gavin was a local hero, admired for his skill as a quarterback, his service in the military, and his work in the community. Stricken with cancer and on his death bed, Michael takes a leap of faith and entrusts his legacy to Wes Watkins, a reporter he’d never met, by asking him to deliver his eulogy.

Wes accepts this unconventional offer, hoping to at least get a good story out of the situation. A good story will draw the attention of big-city newspapers and get him out of his small-town sports beat. But as Wes digs deeper into Michael’s background, everything changes. Secrets come to light, and soon Wes sees the hometown hero as he really is. As Wes tries to find the words to describe Michael, he is also forced to examine his own life and decide what will define him.

My take:~

Poignant and inspiring, Graham Garrison's debut novel, Hero's Tribute is a must read. Hometown football legend and military hero, Michael Gavin's golden image is not a true reflection of his life and he is determined that his small town remembers him for the man he was, not the man they thought him to be. Journalist Wes Watkins has his own internal battle scars and his journey to discover the man behind the image reveals more than he bargained for. This is not a story of a man with a deep, dark past seeking redemption but a slow revelation of his motivations, inner struggles and disappointments and the overarching power of grace and love. This story will appeal to men and women alike, with plenty of football and military detail alongside the heartbreaking emotion of losing a loved one and the sacrifices ordinary people are willing to make to save a life.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Graham's blog

Buy Graham's book from Amazon or Koorong

Harvest House 2010 Releases

Whether you like apocalyptic thrillers, buggies and bonnets or historical romance, Harvest House Publishers have got you covered in 2010! Here's a look at some of the stories they are releasing this year.

Enjoy!


Walker's Wedding by Lori Copeland

Abandoned by his fiancée hours before their wedding, Walker McKay is determined to never let a woman near his heart again, but he needs an heir to inherit his ranch after he is gone. Courting someone new is out of the question, so he’ll have to find a wife another way. Wealthy heiress Sara Livingston wants to be married, but her suitors are deemed unsuitable by her unreasonable father. When the opportunity to fill the bill for a mail-order bride comes her way, she grabs onto it with both hands.

Will Sara’s deception and Walker’s wounded heart keep them from finding what they are looking for? Or are they truly meant for one another?

Releasing June, 2010




The Mayan Apocalypse by Mark Hitchcock & Alton Gansky

Andrew Morgan is a wealthy geologist in search of the meaning of life. In his quest for answers he encounters the ancient Mayan predictions that the world will end in 2012. That the claims seem supported by math and astronomy drives him to check on them. Then he meets Lisa Campbell, an attractive Christian journalist also researching the Mayan calendar. She shares what the Bible says about the last days, yet is quickly dismissed.

During 2011, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and wars rapidly escalate. Are these the early indicators of a global apocalypse? Will anyone survive? Does Lisa’s Bible have the answers after all? Or has fate destined everyone to a holocaust from which there is no escape?

Releasing September, 2010

The Secret Identity by Gayle Roper

Cara Bentley is raised by her grandfather to appreciate family. When she discovers—quite by accident—that he was adopted, her whole perspective changes. If he wasn’t a Bentley, who was he? If she isn’t a Bentley, who is she? She determines to find her “real” family.

Ending up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she takes a room at the Zook family farm. When she seeks the help of attorney Todd Reasoner, the search for the truth begins in earnest.

But as mysterious accidents begin to happen, Cara suspects her attempt to find out the truth is not welcome—and neither is she.

Readers will be turning pages to find the answers Cara seeks.

Releasing September, 2010

Secrets of Harmony Grove by Mindy Starns Clark

When New York marketing executive Samantha Collins finds herself unemployed, she moves out of her pricey Manhattan apartment to sleepy Harmony Grove, Pennsylvania. She plans on running the bed-and-breakfast she had bought as an investment in Lancaster County. However, when the manager she lets go is later found murdered on the property, Samantha’s troubles take a serious turn.

A handsome local wishes to befriend her, but can she trust him? And when her ex-boyfriend shows up, wanting to reconcile, can she cope with him in the middle of this crisis? Samantha must learn to depend on the Savior she has recently taken into her heart. And she’ll need all the help she can get, because the secrets she uncovers in Harmony Grove threaten her livelihood, her safety, and ultimately her life.

Releasing October, 2010

Character Spotlight ~ Miralee Ferrell's Margaret Garvey, Andrew Browning & Nathaniel Cooper

Today the spotlight shines on Margaret Garvey, Andrew Browning & Nathaniel Cooper



Miralee Ferrell's Love Finds You novels are garnering five star reviews everywhere. Her latest takes the reader to the beautiful historical town of Bridal Veil where Margaret has to choose which man is right for her!

Enjoy this look behind the scenes. Over to you, Miralee:~

Margaret Garvey

Margaret was such a joy to get acquainted with, as she’s the kind of woman I’d love to have as a friend. She’s incredibly loyal and goes out of her way (even at her own expense) to meet the needs of others in her small community. At almost twenty-one years old, she’s been a teacher in Bridal Veil for three years and is an only child of her widowed father. She fell in love at the tender age of sixteen and got her heart broken just six months later—and she’s never forgotten that man. Margaret rarely thinks of her own outer beauty—she’s a petite, gorgeous girl with long, red-gold hair—inner beauty is most important to her, both in herself and in those around her.

This picture of Joanna Garcia is an excellent depiction of how I think of Margaret….perky, happy, friendly and more than cute…very pretty!

Strengths:

Gracious, kind-hearted, generous to the point of putting others needs ahead of her own, and loves children.

Weaknesses:

She can be a bit quick tempered at times and has a hard time letting go of old hurts. Recently she’s been struggling with trusting God in all areas of her life.

Inspiration:

I’ve known a number of people like Margaret, but a childhood friend probably came the closest, mixed with my daughter for another aspect of Margaret’s life. My friend will go out of her way to heal another person’s wounds and gives of herself whenever she sees a need. My daughter isn’t afraid to stand up for what (or who) she believes in, even if it other people disagree. That’s a quality Margaret had in abundance….when two orphaned children run away and arrive in Bridal Veil, Margaret goes against the wishes of those close to her and takes them in. If she thinks something is right then no one can dissuade her from her course.

We have two potential heroes in this book and I can’t just spotlight one, or you’d know who wins Margaret’s heart. I’ll put them in order of how they appear in the book and your readers will have to decide who they’re rooting for!

Andrew Browning

Andrew is warm-hearted, with sandy brown, curly hair and has gorgeous dimples when he smiles. He’s not tall, but has a husky, logger’s build, a heart-melting grin and sparkling eyes. Andrew has lived in Bridal Veil for two years and has been smitten with Margaret for the past few months, but isn’t sure how to let her know. He works at the local planer mill, but he used to be a tree feller, which accounts for his strength and love for the outdoors. He’s kind, generous and wants a family of his own.

If I had to pick an actor who reminds me of Andrew I’d have to say Chris O’Donnell, with his roguish smile and somewhat stocky (but nicely built) frame. Both men have a bit of the devil-may-care, happy attitude about them, as well.

Strengths:

Calm, outgoing, loyal, loves kids and animals, trustworthy and believes in others. He’ll support Margaret in whatever she wants to do.

Weakness:

Has a tendency to be over protective toward those he cares for to the point they may feel he’s trying to direct their lives (although he’s really not, he just cares deeply). When backed into a corner or falsely accused, his temper flares up and he’s ready to fight.

Nathaniel Cooper

Nathaniel left Bridal Veil four years earlier, after secretly courting Margaret against her father’s wishes. He’s a bit of a drifter when it comes to work, but he’s returning to Bridal Veil determined to take charge of his life and find out if Margaret still cares. He’s never had a relationship with a woman that’s lasted very long, but truly believes it could be different with Margaret. He’s never completely recovered from the wound inflicted when he left Bridal Veil. Now he’s returning to the area to take a new job at the upper saw mill only two miles away. He’s still single but hoping that might change in the future.

I chose David Boreanaz as the character who (in looks anyway) most closely depicts Nathaniel, although Nathaniel has a mustache and I couldn’t find pic of David with one.

Strengths:

He’s developed some good leadership qualities that will serve him well in Bridal Veil when a murder is committed. He’s a strong man with definite opinions and loyal to those he cares for. Kind and compassionate, but he’s not afraid to speak out when he believes the occasion warrants.

Weaknesses:

Nathaniel tends to be a bit too suspicious of those he doesn’t know or trust. He has a jealous nature and struggles with doing the right thing at times, but truly believes that what he does will prove to be right in the end.

I had a hard time deciding which of these men should win Margaret’s heart. She cares for them both and for a long time she couldn’t make up her own mind, which didn’t help me at all! Both men are decent, hard-working, and very attractive, and in their own way, both adore Margaret. One will prove to be the better choice before it’s over, and Margaret’s eyes will be opened. I was so grateful when she finally let me know…and when one of the men tipped his hand that he might not be the best and the other proved that he was! You’ll just have to read it yourself to see ‘the best man win’ our heroine’s heart.

Background for the story:

It’s 1902 in the small logging and saw mill community of Bridal Veil, Oregon, just twenty miles east of Portland, in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Margaret Garvey’s father has been keeping a secret for four years that could destroy Margaret’s faith in him, and he goes to his grave without being able to confess. She fell in love with Nathaniel Cooper four years ago, and he left town without saying goodbye. Now she’s teaching school in Bridal Veil and beginning to care for Andrew Browning, a local saw mill worker who was also a friend of her father’s. Life seems to be settling down for Margaret when her father’s death and the return of her old flame, Nathaniel, sends her life into turmoil. Add a murder of a local logger and the arrival of two runaway orphans and Margaret has her hands full—especially since she’s come to care for the children and the simple-minded brother could be the person who committed the murder. Margaret musts fight to save the children, as well as her own reputation, and decide if Nathaniel or Andrew is the man she wants to marry.

Thanks, Miralee - you certainly make it a difficult choice for Margaret :) Looking forward to reading the book and discovering her decision!

On Thursday, the spotlight shines on Jennifer AlLee's Maura Sullivan and Nick Shepherd from her latest novel, The Pastor's Wife from Abingdon Press

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Love Finds You in Last Chance, California

Character spotlight on Alexia & Justin

VIsit Miralee's website and blog

Buy Miralee's books at Amazon or Koorong

Look to the East by Maureen Lang

Julitte Toussaint has been ostracized for years in the tiny French village of Briecourt, a community divided by a forgotten dispute between the Toussaint and de Colville families a century ago. Isolated from the early stages of the Great War, the villagers keep up their petty disdain for each other until the jackboots of the German army drown out their arguments with fear and retribution.

Rumours spread by the de Colvilles, keep the German soldiers wary of Julitte which provides her with a temporary reprieve from enforced work. When a faithful visit to her little church for prayer, reveals a man hidden in the cellar of the church, Julitte's heart is placed in danger, too.

Wealthy Belgian Charles Lassone struggles with his captivity in Briecourt's church cellar, desperate to do something to stop the German advance through France and into his homeland. Yet any attempt to escape could endanger the villagers doing their best to keep him alive, especially the intriguing Julitte.

Look to the East is a beautiful rendering of the terrifying and fascinating era of the First World War as seen through the eyes of a small village at the mercy of the German troops. With fine detail Maureen has brought Briecourt to life from the countryside to the bakery, the village church to its eclectic inhabitants. Expert characterisation enables to reader to live the experience through the eyes of not only the main characters of Julitte and Charles but the town gossip, the compassionate Father Barnabe and even a German Hauptmann. Maureen's story is a reminder of the courage and sacrifice so many made while trapped by the German occupation and the faithfulness of God in a time of overwhelming fear. Look to the East is engaging, informative and inspiring and I am looking forward to more in this Great War series.

With thanks to TitleTrakk for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Character spotlight on Charles Lassone
Review of My Sister Dilly
Character spotlight on Dilly and Hannah
Visit Maureen's website and blog
Buy Maureen's books at Amazon and Koorong

Contests and blogs and websites...oh my!

Keeping you all in the loop on very important matters!



Robin Caroll launches the release of Deliver Us From Evil with an
amazing contest to win a Garmi Nuvi GPS!



Susan May Warren launches the release of Double Trouble with a brilliant contest to win a $150 Super Sleuth Prize Package which includes a new iPod shuffle!



Rene Gutteridge has entered the world of blogging to coincide with the launch of
her latest novel, Listen, with a video blog ~ Rene is a perceptive and brilliant writer
and I can't wait to hear her talk about the book and how it came to be!


Tyndale House is launching its new website with a thirty day celebration, giving away four books a day in the following categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Bibles, and Kids.

Please note these contests are open to US or North American residents only

Book Trailer for James Rubart's Rooms

James Rubart's novel, Rooms, will make your head spin and challenge your heart, no question! My review, which is currently swirling in my brain, is coming soon.

Here's the trailer ~ what do you think?