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Summerside Press is back with some historical romances, releasing later this year. I really am enjoying the focus on different eras and not just the usual 1800s! Rollin hides out in an Amish home, trying to uncover why the Cardanos are in Amish country and who is collaborating with them. As he gets closer to the truth, he also attempts to find out what a beautiful Amish woman named Katie Lehman—a woman who reminds him of the girl he once loved—is hiding. Will Katie trust him with her secret…and her heart? Or will the Cardano code of honor silence them both? November, 2010 Nightingale by Susan May Warren The sweet nightingale Esther didn’t love her fiancé—she was trapped in an engagement after a mistaken night of passion. Still, she grieves him, even as Wolf ’s letters cause her to consider another future. But what happens when the old plans come back to life?
How about you?
Love Me Tender by Janice Hanna
As "Love Me Tender" play in the background, Debbie Carmichael determines to salvage her family’s restaurant, Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe, when her father’s health fails.
Teen heartthrob Bobby Conrad, agrees to perform at a fundraiser concert. But just two weeks before the highly publicized event, Bobby backs out of the benefit. Enter...Johnny Hartman...a young, unknown singer to take Conrad’s place. Debbie soon realizes the twists and turns leading up to the concert are divinely orchestrated. And it isn’t dreamy Bobby Conrad who has stolen her heart—but the tender love of Johnny Hartman.
September, 2010
I'll Be Home for Christmas by Julie L Cannon
With Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” playing in the background, Maggie Culpepper and William Byrd proclaim their undying love to one another.
But with the U.S. at war and Maggie’s personal home front under attack, the Southern belle impetuously joins the WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service). When Christmas draws near and Maggie finds herself miles and miles away from her Georgia hometown...and her beloved William...will she realize that, no matter where she spends Christmas, home is where her heart is?
September, 2010
The Silent Ord
er by Melanie Dobson
Cleveland, Ohio, 1928.
Secrets bind the notorious Cardano family together, but Detective Rollin Wells is close to exposing the family’s dark secrets. The Cardanos are working in the hills south of Cleveland, and when Rollin travels to Sugarcreek to investigate, he discovers that the Cardanos want him dead. 
He’s almost relieved to be captured, interned as a POW in Wisconsin. And he’s also done his good deed by delivering the final letter of a dying American soldier. He has no idea he is sending it to the soldier’s fiancé—Nurse Esther Lange—or that he’ll strike up a correspondence with her that could cost them both their lives.
November, 2010
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Coming soon from Summerside Press ~ Historical Romance
Monday, 5 July 2010
Character Spotlight on Ronie Kendig's Max & Sydney Jacobs
Ronie Kendig's Nightshade has action, emotion, danger, sacrifice, love and complex and intriguing characters ~ no wonder it is a shoe-in for my 2010 Top Ten Reads! On top of that, the inspiration for the story is deeply moving. Enjoy meeting Max and Syd through the eyes of their creator!
Over to you, Ronie:~
Brief physical description Max – about 5’11, muscular, black hair, coal-dark eyes
Actor/famous person
Max – I used this photo of Matt LeBlanc because of the intensity and near-torment in his eyes. This picture seemed to scream defeat or weariness to me. But Max would never wear his hair this long let alone pose for something like this. :)
Sydney – Sydney has a lot of internal and external stamina. Her strength is part of what drew Max to her. She’s a sensible woman not prone to “stupidity,” as Max would say. She’s not hung up on make-up, fashion, or appearances. Maybe Keira Knightley, although I used a different picture/model when I wrote Syd.
Strengths and weaknesses
Max is the epitome of the warrior spirit. . .but he’s allowed things to fester and boil. Now, he’s angry most of the time and a vat of volatility, that is destroying what’s most important to him—his marriage. He’s a man’s man and if he calls you “friend,” believe that you’ll always be able to count on him. Just. . .don’t tick him off.
Sydney is quiet and reserved, but has a very thick stubborn side to her that does not allow her back down or give up easily. She’s thoroughly devoted to her husband, yet is shattered over the condition of their marriage. If it weren’t for her older, protective brother, she would never have filed for separation from her hero-husband.
Background to the story
marriage and her husband. He was suffering from PTSD after a particular incident in which a buddy sacrificed himself to save their team. It really woke me up—at the time, I’d been writing stories about soldiers/heroes and no really showing the trauma and toll it took on them. Sitting there, watching her life fall apart over the next several weeks, I was struck with a deep conviction that writing without showing the toll was a *grave* injustice to the heroes who put EVERYTHING on the line. I knew I could never write again the same way. Shortly thereafter, my mentor John Olson and I brainstormed a story. . .and out of those experiences came NIGHTSHADE. Thanks Ronie for a brilliant spotlight ~ can't wait to introduce the rest of the Nightshade team to my readers :)
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of Nightshade
Meet the Nightshade team ~ interview with Max
Visit the Discarded Heroes website
Visit Ronie's website and blog
Buy Ronie's books at Amazon or Christianbook
Enter for a chance to win a signed and personalised copy of Nightshade from Ronie
The winners of Blaze of Glory are...
AUS ~ GPK & Kathryn
Coming in 2011 from Barbour Books
Check out Barbour's 2011 releases with something for everyone ~ historical, contemporary, comedy and more all with romance added.
And can't do a post without saying that I have had the privilege of reading Digitalis by Ronie Kendig and as much as I loved Nightshade, Digitalis is even better!
Enjoy:~
Digitalis by Ronie Kendig
Former Marine sniper Colton "Cowboy" Neeley is recovering from a life of bad choices. Piper Blum, daughter of dissident Yakov Rosenblum, is in hiding--from life and the assassins gunning for her family. When she begs Colton to help extract her father from Israel, Colton petitions the group Nightshade to consider the mission. The team agrees, and soon they're deep six--straight into the Holy Land for a snatch-n-grab of Yakov. Will Colton and Piper make the treacherous trek out of hostile territory and into safety with their love--and lives--intact?
January, 2011
The Crossing by Gilbert Morris
From beloved author, Gilbert Morris, comes a new trilogy about the Civil War. Yancy Tremayne, son of an Amish man, joins General Stonewall Jackson’s troops, which leads to adventure and romance with a Southern belle.
February, 2011
Raider’s Heart by Marcia Gruver
Two brothers join forces with a band of outlaws and vie for one woman's hand. Duncan McRae can hardly stomach the raids made by his family of bandits. Hooper McRae knows what he wants and takes it by force. When their paths cross that of Dawsey Wilkes, the competition is fierce. How far will the brothers go to win her love? Dawsey is burdened by a mysterious family secret, confusing memories of a long-departed mother, a papa unable to cope with his loss, and her repulsion to the McRae brothers. Is her faith strong enough to see her through?
February, 2011
Rugged and Relentless by Kelly Eileen Hake
When three landowning women put an ad in the paper expressing their desire for healthy, hard-working husbands-for-hire to help them set up and run a sawmill, they never dreamed their tiny town would be overflowing with proposals from bachelors who responded promptly...and in person! Out of this logjam of potential suitors, which one will Evelyn Thompson choose? Jacob Grainger trails his brother's murderer to Hopesfall where, to keep his true intentions secret, Jacob pretends to court Miss Evelyn Thompson.
Will this lumberjack-turned-bounty-hunter find himself falling for the enterprising female?
March, 2011
Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough
Love triumphs in Texas. Pastor Jody Chapman returns to Lookout with a new name, determined to make restitution for past misdeeds. Reporter Jacqueline (Jack) Hamilton is bent on uncovering the new preacher's secrets. Can Jody win Jack's heart before she discovers his identity? After spending ten years in prison, Carly Payton returns to Lookout. Garrett Corbett isn't interested in marrying a jailbird. But how long can he resist his attraction to Carly? Twice-widowed Christine Taylor isn't looking for a new husband. Can Rand Kessler find a way to change her mind? Will love find a way--the first, second, third time around?
April, 2011
Deep Trouble by Mary Connealy
Shannon Dysart is determined to restore her father's reputation by finding a city of gold. Deserted by her companions, she's set on getting on alone--that is, if she can find her way out of the deep pit she's fallen into. After being stranded overnight with a helpless female named Shannon, Zane Stanton suddenly finds himself wed to the driven fortune-hunter--and joining her on her treasure quest! Will Zane eventually give in to the increasing need to protect his fanatical wife? Will Shannon risk everything to find the gold? Will the newlyweds outwit the villains hot on their heels?
May, 2011
The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus
Two crazy grannies scheme to untie their artistic grandchildren. When twenty-eight year old Dylan Bradley, a former steamy romance illustrator, meets Caylor Evans, he's trying to build up a new professional reputation while recovering from a bad breakup with an older woman. Meanwhile, thirty-four year old Caylor, having once written titillating romances under a pseudonym, now pens inspirational novels. When they form a professional alliance and Caylor's manuscript is paired with Dylan's proposed sketches for its book cover, suspicions arise. Can Dylan and Caylor discover the true art of romance while hiding secrets from their past?
May, 2011
Simple Choices by Nancy Mehl
Set your GPS for Harmony, Kansas, where unexpected events disrupt lives in the peaceful Mennonite community. Will Gracie Temple find she’s overstayed her welcome?
June, 2011
The Stars Remember by Christine Lynxwiler
Revisit the dynamic McCord family of Arkansas at a time when perfectionist son, Matthew, is forced to face his most costly mistake.
June, 2011
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Interview with Max Jacobs ~ Nightshade's former SEAL
Nightshade, Digitalis, Wolfsbane and Firethorn.
Max, Colton, Canyon and Griffin have been kind enough to give up some of their downtime to answer some interview questions. Ronie and I hope you enjoy getting to know the lads at Relz Reviewz over the next few weeks.
of Nightshade
Former Navy Seal, Max Jacobs is not one to talk about himself but Ronie convinced him that it would be good for the team! And if there's one thing Max will do, it's take one for the team :)Over to you, Max:~
Rel: So a SEAL, MARSOC, PJ, Ranger and Army Special Forces member (you know the lingo better than me so feel free to amend) have an argument over which is the most skilled soldier - who wins?
Max: Seriously, man, think about it--this is my team. Think I'm going to front someone and get killed by the others? No thanks.
You're a trained SEAL - can you explain that to a civilian like me? Sure. I'm the best warrior on SEa, Air, and Land.
Your Nightshade team is tight but if you could only choose one of them, who would you want in your corner in a firefight?
No way, man. Not picking one. I'd never live it down. Besides, each man has a strength I'd want in a fight.
Who scares you the most ~ The Old Man, Griffin or Sydney?!?! Are you kidding me? Syd, of course. She can see right through me. Like she has this heat-seeking radar.
You have travelled all over the world as a SEAL - where would you go to relax?
As you find out in NIGHTSHADE, Syd's my anchor--so as long as I'm with her, I can relax. If we can run off to someplace with nothing but sand and water, I'd be in heaven. Like that place we went to in the story, the one where I nearly killed the Kid.
So what's so good about owning a motorbike?
Speed, freedom, the feel of wind ripping at your jacket as you whip down roads. What's not to love?
Any tatts?
Yeah, two. The SEAL emblem and the NIGHTSHADE emblem.
Thanks Max :) It's been fun. Say hi to the team from me!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of Nightshade
Visit the Discarded Heroes website
Visit Ronie's website and blog
Buy Ronie's books at Amazon or Christianbook
Come back tomorrow for Ronie's take on Max & Syd in a Character Spotlight not to be missed
Saturday, 3 July 2010
B&H Thriller Tour Pop Quiz ~ Tosca Lee
What did you do for your 13th birthday?
I was in dress rehearsals for my role as Clara in the Nutcracker.
Name 3 things you can’t live without:
My faith, massage therapy and a good pillow.
What 3 adjectives would your friends/family use to describe your personality?
Goofy, eccentric, obsessive
Where did your penchant for anxiety inducing thrillers begin?
In my 30s--when I actually started understanding what anxiety was!
If you could bring one character to life from your favorite book, who would it be and why?
Kayin/Cain. My heart aches for that boy.
If Micah Taylor, Clay, Lincoln Vailes and Dr Brock McNeil got together, what would they talk about?
Clay would spend the whole conversation wondering how everyone else seems to have it all together and if any of them have interacted with a demon and just not told anyone... or might be the demon Lucian in disguise.
What do you think is going to be the best thing about touring with your fellow thriller authors?
Laughing together, knowing them better, and making memories. I truly love all three of these authors.
She knew this earth when it was perfect—like her, for a time. Made by God in a manner like no other, she lived in utter peace without flaw in paradise until one fateful decision changed everything. Now, all humanity suffers for her mistake. But what did it feel like then to first sin and be exiled, to see all innocence crumble so vividly, and a strange new world take its place?
Experience the epic dawn of mankind through the eyes and heart of Eve—the woman first known as Havah.
Frenzy by Robert Liparulo ~ EJ's Take
Synopsis:~
It's time to enter the last story of the house.
There were things that seemed odd when the Kings first moved into their new house--but things got really strange when they realized the rooms upstairs were portals to other worlds. Even though the rooms were dangerous, it still seemed fun until people starting coming into the house and Mom was kidnapped. They've been desperately searching for her, but they risk their lives every time they enter a world.
EJ's take:~
Frenzy is the final instalment in the Dreamhouse Kings series I have been following so intently. I could not have asked for more in this enthralling story, it only took me one page to be swallowed inside of it.
This book exceeded all the others in the series and ended really well in my opinion. It continuously develops, going deeper, answering questions, and asking more until the end. It never ceases to impress, it's an absolute winner! I love the mystery that cradles this house and how I was constantly on my toes, fearing for what could happen next in all the danger that the characters faced, this book didn't slow down! One of my many favourite parts was in chapter 52, which held a strong meaning and stood out amongst some other portals. Unfortunately, I can't tell any other favourites or go into any detail for two reasons:
1. There are too many!
2. They would give away vital parts of the story.
Frenzy is in full acceleration mode from the very start and is easily my favourite book.
I promise, if you take the time to read it, you won't be disappointed!
With thanks to Thomas Nelson and CFBA for our review copy
Guest reviewer:~ my 12 year old, EJ
Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit the Whirlwind website
Reviews of House of Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods, Gatekeepers & Whirlwind
Character spotlights on Taksidian, David,Toria and Xander King
Exclusive interview with Bob
Visit Bob's website and blog
Buy Bob's books at Amazon or Koorong
Friday, 2 July 2010
CFBA Blog Tour of Refuge on Crescent Hill by Melanie Dobson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.
Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jobless, homeless, and broke, Camden Bristow decides to visit the grandmother she hasn’t seen in years. But when Camden arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother has passed away, leaving her the 150-year-old mansion on Crescent Hill. The site of her happiest summers as a child, the run-down mansion is now her only refuge.
When Camden finds evidence that she may not be the mansion’s only occupant, memories of Grandma Rosalie’s bedtime stories about secret passageways and runaway slaves fuel her imagination. What really happened at Crescent Hill? Who can she turn to for answers in this town full of strangers? And what motivates the handsome local Alex Yates to offer his help? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camdem uncovers deep family secrets within the mansion’s walls that could change her life─and the entire town─forever.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Refuge on Crescent Hill, go HERE.
Announcing the inaugural INSPY Awards
The INSPY Awards
Stemming from Amy's font of ideas, the INSPYs aim to unveil quality fiction that grapples with the Christian faith in ways that challenge, encourage and stir us. We hope you will join in by nominating books, applying to be a judge (be sure to read the fine print!) or simply follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our blog.
Our press release has all the details:~
Announcing the INSPYs: the Bloggers' Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Literature
July 2, 2010—Organizers announced the creation of a new book award today. The announcement of the INSPY awards coordinated with the launch of the INSPYs website, http://inspys.com.
The innovative award is designed to help readers in their search for the preeminent faith-inspired literature of today. The INSPYs were created to select and showcase books with the highest literary standards that grapple with the Christian faith. To find these works, the INSPYs net is cast wide, accepting nominations of books aimed at the Christian bookstore market as well as those from the general market.
The INSPYs are the brainchild of Amy Riley, of My Friend Amy, creator Book Blogger Appreciation Week. "We feel nothing compares to excellent faith-driven fiction, but it can be difficult to weed through the multitude of books published each year in both the Christian marketplace and the general market to find the best ones," Riley said.
Another factor that sets the INSPY awards apart is that it's organized and will be judged by bloggers with considerable experience and knowledge of books published in both the general market and the CBA market.
Award organizers are seeking book nominations in the following genres: Historical Fiction; Amish Fiction; Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction; General and Literary Fiction; Romance and Romantic Suspense; Speculative Fiction; Creative nonfiction; and Young Adult Fiction. The deadline to nominate a book is July 31.
In addition to book nominations, judges for each genre are also being sought this month.
Another way to help is to spread the word — blog about the INSPYs, tell your friends.
The winners of the first-ever INSPY awards will be announced December 13.
The advisory committee consists of Amy Riley of My Friend Amy, Carrie Kitzmiller of Books and Movies, Deborah of Books, Movies & Chinese Food, Hannah Nielsen of Word Lily, and Rel Mollet of Relz Reviewz.
To stay informed, subscribe to the site: Inspys.com.
Contact:
Hannah Nielsen, wordlily@gmail.com
OR: inspyawards@gmail.comThursday, 1 July 2010
Character Spotlight ~ Cara Putman's Audra Schaeffer & Robert Garfield
Cara Putman juggles being a mum, a career in the law and writing! Needless to say as a fellow mum and lawyer, I can relate. I'm really excited to read her latest historical novel, Stars in the Night, set in the fascinating era of World War II. Enjoy this peek behind the scenes.
Over to you, Cara:~
Brief physical description
Audra Schaeffer lives in Indianapolis in 1942. Because she’s trying to earn the right to use her law degree, she wears her brunette hair pulled back in a tight bun. She has slightly curved, hazel eyes and is pretty in an understated way. When you look at her, you see a woman who hides behind her bun and lack of make-up, though she would deny it.
Robert Garfield has dark hair that waves in all the right places, and chocolate brown eyes you can lost in. He has an easy Cary Grant kind of style: always wearing
pressed pants and a sports jacket, but he’d like to see himself as more of a Jimmy Stewart guy next door kind of actor
Actor/famous person
Audra Schaeffer is a Midwest girl and doesn’t have the glamour of the early forties going. Because she’s often denied her more feminine side to try to make it in the male dominated world of law, there weren’t any actresses that fit her look. The cover photo actually is a great match for how I envisioned her.
Robert Garfield: I had fun looking for screen actors from the thirties and forties that had the look I imagined for Robert. I ended up going with Peter Lawford, except Robert has blue eyes.
Strengths and weaknesses
Audra’s strength is her independence, but at the same time it causes her to not know who to rely on. She’s also walked away from the fulfillment of a dream to find her sister. Because of an earlier tragedy, she can’t go home and determines to find the killer. Her tenacity is a strength that could get her killed.
Robert’s strength comes in his faith. But his weakness comes in an inability to trust women. His ex-wife from a studio arranged marriage walked away, and he’s not sure he can trust himself to make a wise choice again.
Quirk (if any)
Audra’s c
onstantly playing with her charm bracelet and in day when there are precious few women attorneys, she’s determined to break through and make it in that field.
Robert grew up on the vaudeville circuit even if he’s stuffed that part of himself into a far corner of his persona.
Your inspiration for the character
With Audra, I knew I wanted a strong female character. Someone who had the backbone to do unexpected even frowned upon things. But at the same time she’s willing to walk away from all of it for the sake of her family. I also wanted her to be the antithesis of Hollywood. She’s not into image and glamour. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and is willing to fight for what she believes in.
For Robert, I read the back-stories of many stars from that time. It was fascinating to see how many of them got their start in vaudeville and then moved to silent films and then into talkies. But because of his faith, Robert hasn’t quite bought into the whole Hollywood aura. He’s there and he wants to succeed, but he’s learned the hard way that following everything the studios demand can lead to heartache.
Background to the story
I was looking for a new setting for a World War II series. Because I love movies from the 30s and 40s, I started thinking about the various roles the stars pl
ayed in the war. Some served. Some didn’t. Some participated in USO tours. Others in the Hollywood Canteen. But as I researched, I found a lot to love. The contrasts. The high drama. The glamour and the glitz.
As I kept looking I ran across the real Hollywood Victory Caravan. Conducted during May 1942, the train crossed the country from L.A. to D.C. filled with stars like Bing Crosby, Claudette Colbert, and Groucho Marx. Some joked that if anything had happened to the caravan, Hollywood would have been out of stars. While a bit of a stretch, you get the idea. My mind began to play with an idea. What if there was a second train? And what if people started dying? You’d be trapped with the killer but not know who it was. Stars in the Night grew from that initial set of what-ifs.
Cara - fascinating reading. Thanks for sharing your characters with us - looking forward to reading where you take them :)
On Monday, the spotlight shines on Ronie Kendig's Max & Sydney Jacobs from her stellar military suspense, Nightshade. You won't want to miss it!
Relz Reviewz Extras
B&H Thriller Tour Pop Quiz ~ Robin Caroll
Robin Caroll
Robin Caroll's romantic suspense novels have some of my favourite reads in the past twelve months. Deliver Us From Evil is out, Fear No Evil releases next month and In the Shadow of Evil, next year. On top of that, I'm thrilled she has signed for a new series with B&H and can't wait to read more of her fabulous fiction! Pop Quiz
What did you do for your 13th birthday?
Went to a wrestling match with my best friend, then out to eat.
Name 3 things you can’t live without
My God, my family and my friends.
What 3 adjectives would your friends/family use to describe your personality?
LOL..Isn't that a loaded question! Um, encouraging, loyal, dependable.
Where did your penchant for anxiety inducing thrillers begin?
I began reading the Trixie Belden series back in 4th Grade.
If you could bring one character to life from your favourite book, who would it be and why?
Mother Abigail from The Stand by Stephen King...because she was such a pure character.
If Micah Taylor, Clay, Lincoln Vailes and Dr Brock McNeil got together, what would they talk about?
God, of course.
What do you think is going to be the best thing about touring with your fellow thriller authors?
I love these 3 authors. They are the best. So I'm looking forward to the fun!
In the wake of a knee injury and the marriage of his best friend, former Great Smoky Mountains park ranger Lincoln Vailes senses God calling him to the bayou town of Eternal Springs, Louisiana, to become a police officer. Recent college graduate and eager social worker Jade Santiago has also moved there from Philadelphia at the urging of her protective brother, Carlos, who arranged a job offer she could not refuse. But if Jade is a complete stranger to the area, why is someone running her car off the road and pointing guns in her direction? As Lincoln investigates her case, he uncovers ties to big-city gang warfare up north that appears to be making its evil way down south.
