Getting to know Amy Wallace and Healing Promises!

If you have read my review, I know you want to rush out and buy this amazing book! Before you do, check out the Q &A below about Healing Promises, Book 2 in the Defenders of Hope series and the lady herself, Amy Wallace.

Describe your six main characters using only one word each.

Clint Rollins—dependable

Sara Rollins—compassionate

Hanna Kessler—hesitant

Michael Parker—headstrong

Steven Kessler—watchful

Gracie Lang—wise

Which female character most reflects you?

I’ve never thought any of the female characters reflected who I am until I started writing Hanna Kessler. On the surface, we’re nothing alike. My husband is the photographer, runner and good-looking one, and my brother-in-law is a chef specializing in incredible cakes. They’re the people who taught me what I needed to know about those aspects of Hanna. But Hanna’s inside is so much me that it hurt to write her at times.

Are you able to choose a favourite FBI guy from Clint, Steven and Michael? If so, why?

Absolutely not! ;-) That’s too much like choosing a favorite child. There are aspects of each I love because they’re reflections of the best of my husband. But there are also things about each character I’m glad I don’t have to live with, like their jobs, different ways of expressing pride and fear and a few other interesting quirks that make up who they are.

Mmmm...it is definitely a toss up for me but I am edging towards Michael and I haven't even read his story, Enduring Justice, yet - LOL!!

What is the major theme of Healing Promises?

I’d say the theme that encompasses each character’s journey is that of faith under fire and how we respond to God when we aren’t sure if we can or should trust Him at all.

How do you hope Healing Promises impacts your readers?

My prayer is that Healing Promises will provide a page-turning story that goes beyond the senses and into readers’ hearts. I also pray as they read they’ll experience a deeper sense of the goodness and trustworthiness of God, even when life doesn’t go according to plan. I hope readers will see that at the end of ourselves only one truth remains—God is good. What we do with that fact changes everything.

You have achieved that and more with this reader :)

Amy has graciously subjected herself to a RelzReviewz interview twice before so this time we are going to dig a little deeper into Amy's life experiences! It was a lot of fun ~ hope you enjoy learning more about this special lady!

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

I certainly wouldn’t have chosen to be named after Amy March, the bratty sister in Little Women. Other than that, I like my name. It means beloved and is a very cool reminder of my heavenly Father’s love.

Your first pet’s name?

It was Boof, a black, furry, protective little dog that had also kept watch over my older sister who died of SIDS before I was born.

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

Linda Foster. She even wrote me letters when my family moved to Germany and kept in touch for a long time.

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

I had two beloved stuffed animals that grew old along with me and are now resting in my hope chest. One was a brown teddy bear named Jamie, and the other was a silly red monkey with a plastic banana sewed onto its hand. Her name was Judy.

If you could be an animal for one day, what would you be and why?

I’d be a wolf because I love their beauty, grace and untamed power.

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

Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. I’d like to thank them for music that moves me to worship, their example of faithfulness to God and each other and for inspiring so many and doing so much good with their influence.

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

That’s easy…. Chocolate! ;-) A close second would be my MP3 player.

If you could only have one favorite food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

That’s tough. I get bored fast with foods. But if I had to choose one, it’d be a toss up between steak and chocolate—as long as I could have a different marinate or flavor every few days.

Mango and potatoes for me. Separetly, of course!

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Strangely enough, it’s not chocolate. It’s Bruster’s birthday cake ice cream. It tastes like cake batter with yummy butter cream icing and sprinkles mixed in.

Well, that's a new one to me! If I ever visit, I'm up for it :)

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

A marine biologist. Good thing God pointed me in a different direction because to this day I can’t swim all that well. More on that below in the answer to my most embarrassing moment…

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

I’d go back to Berlin and take my family on a tour of memories through the city that stole my heart when I lived there as a young teen.

Or maybe I’d go to this awesome place called Australia and visit one of my dear friends. Yes, I think that’s where I’d go first! ;-)

Yay!!! Let me know when you book that flight! I'm thinking our girls and hubbys would hit it off immediately :)

Besides God, who has influenced you the most?

My children. They’ve stretched my heart far more than they stretched my abdomen. Before my children were born, I had no idea the depth of love, pain and exhaustion I could feel all at the same time. They’ve also shown me in action why God says to come as little children.

What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?

Bedtime. I love singing and praying with my kids. And then I wake up because I’m a total night owl.

What's your favorite movie?

One of the few movies I’ve watched a number of times and could watch again is National Treasure.

What's your favorite book?

My absolute favorite book is The Restorer by Sharon Hinck. This novel made me laugh, cry, understand myself and then worship God all wrapped up in an incredible story.

I just finished The Restorer's Journey and was amazed by the power, emotion and truth in Sharon's words. Still pondering the spiritual blessings!

Where's the most interesting place you have been?

Wading through a series of dark and wet underground tunnels used during WW2 that were below the radio station where my dad worked in Munich, Germany. The whole building was supposedly haunted and my elementary-school mind dredged up tons of terrifying stories of who used the tunnels along with all the when, why and hows.

What's your most fervent prayer?

That my daughters will walk with the Lord all the days of their lives and not only know, but experience how passionately God loves them.

Oh, yes! Me too :)

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

Become a mom. ;-) Second to that would be playing Supermom and taking my eighteen-month-old daughter’s place in the ER. She was diving into the sidewalk from our front porch and I managed to get between her face and the hard concrete, ripping tendons in my foot in the process. I dust off that story and my red cape on particularly difficult parenting days. LOL

What gift have you received that you will always treasure?

A very huge and beautiful but fake diamond my husband gave me on our twelfth anniversary. We found it in a gift shop we browsed during our first overnight trip to celebrate our anniversary. It looked almost exactly like the engagement ring picture I’d kept in my hope chest during high school and it crowned a turning point in our marriage—one of healing and hope.

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

I Thessalonians 5: 23-24 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

I love these verses because they remind me that God is the One who purifies, grows and keeps me safe.

What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?

Yikes! You mean I have to tell this to everyone? Hopefully no one present on this day I’m about to describe will remember...

I was thirteen and wore thick, coke-bottle lens glasses. Without them, the world was a messy blur. I’d spent the afternoon swimming at a pool in Berlin and wanted to escape the crowd after a particularly bad dive where I thought I was going to drown and the lifeguard asked me never to get on the diving board again. I slunk into the locker room, only to have the same male lifeguard follow me all the way in. I was mortified that he’d followed me into the women’s locker room. Until I realized I was the one in the wrong place. That’s right, I’d walked into the men’s locker room. Thankfully, I saw nothing without my glasses. But after that second scolding from the lifeguard, I retrieved my glasses and never visited that pool again.

LOL!! You poor thing! I endured the whole glasses thing too, although I don't recall ever making that grand an entrance - hehe!

How did your husband propose to you?

We met in February at an interview weekend for missions work. He came to visit me in Kentucky one weekend in March and I drove to visit him for Easter in Georgia. Then, on his birthday in late April, we spent the day at a local park, watched a very cool laser show and then hiked to the top of Stone Mountain. On the way back down, we stopped at an area overlooking the Atlanta skyline. At one point, David got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was so thrilled and surprised that I didn’t even see the ring he was holding out until he slipped it on my hand and asked if I liked it. Then he took me out for chocolate cake. He had me forever at the diamond and chocolate combination. ;-)

What a sweetheart!

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

Don’t expect perfection and be quick to forgive.

What is the best gift your hubby (or someone) ever gave you?

One year, when we had zero dollars to spend on Christmas presents, my husband crocheted me this huge afghan to help me stay warm when I worked on the computer in our chilly basement. Not only did he think about a need and meet it creatively, but he also gave of himself in learning a new skill and getting up before the crack of dawn to work on it while everyone else was asleep.

I'm impressed, David!

Ask each of your daughters one thing they think is special about you and share it with us, please!

Unedited and uncoaxed… ;-)

Oldest (age 10) “She’s able to write really good, detailed books as well as take care of us.”

Middle (age 7) “She loves us and homeschools us.”

Youngest (age 4) “She writes books and takes care of us and loves us forever, amen.”

Thanks, Girls ~ you are treasures! I think your mum is pretty great, too. Amy ~ thanks so much for sharing from your heart :)

The winners are....

When Zeffie Got a Clue ~ Jewelz

The Duchess and the Dragon ~ Fiona, Turtle-1975, Tracy and Rachel

Congratulations everyone! I have contacted the winners via email or blog post however will have to draw new winners if I don't receive a response in 7 days :)

If you couldn't see the trailer, I have updated it so it now works and loads more quickly than before.

She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt

Fairlawn Funeral Home is no longer a macabre, frightening place to live. For Jennifer Graham and her young sons it has become a home, haven and opened the door to a new career for Jennifer ~ funeral home director and mortuary assistant!

Now attending mortuary school, Jennifer has put her squeamishness behind her along with any hope of a social life. Her schedule is overwhelming between her studies, mothering her boys and assisting Gerald, Fairlawn's embalmer, with his duties. Meeting McLane Larson and discovering her secret changes Jennifer's life, causing her to look beyond herself and reevaluate her beliefs, prejudices and faith.

Angela Hunt's sequel to her innovative Doesn't She Look Natural affirms her exceptional abilities as a writer. Outstanding characterisation and an engaging story line continue to be a hallmark of this series. Tackling the issues of abortion, racial discrimination and God's sovereignty in a sensitive and perceptive manner, Angela delves deeply into the fears and frailty of humanity as seen through the eyes of Jennifer and McLane. There isn't as much levity in this tale as the first but rightly so, given the subject matter. The intricacies of the embalming process are revealed in a way that is intriguing rather than repugnant, a sure sign of Angela's talent and maturity as a wordsmith. I stated in my review of Doesn't She Look Natural that I couldn't wait to see where Angela planned to take this series, She Always Wore Red has ensured I am in for the long haul! Can't wait for book three!

Available now from Tyndale

CFBA Blog Trouble the Water by Nicole Seitz

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Trouble the Water
Thomas Nelson (March 11, 2008)
by
Nicole Seitz

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole Seitz is a South Carolina Lowcountry native and the author of The Spirit of Sweetgrass as well as a freelance writer/illustrator who has published in numerous low country magazines. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Journalism, she also has a bachelor's degree in illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design. Nicole shows her paintings in the Charleston, South Carolina area, where she owns a web design firm and lives with her husband and two small children. Nicole is also an avid blogger, you can leave her a comment on her blog.

Seitz's writing style recalls that of Southern authors like Kaye Gibbons, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Sue Monk Kidd, and this new novel, which the publisher compares to Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, surely joins the ranks of strong fiction that highlights the complicated relationships between women. Highly recommended, especially for Southern libraries.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the South Carolina Sea Islands lush setting, Nicole Seitz's second novel Trouble the Water is a poignant novel about two middle-aged sisters' journey to self-discovery.

One is seeking to recreate her life yet again and learns to truly live from a group of Gullah nannies she meets on the island. The other thinks she's got it all together until her sister's imminent death from cancer causes her to re-examine her own life and seek the healing and rebirth her troubled sister managed to find on St. Anne's Island.

Strong female protagonists are forced to deal with suicide, wife abuse, cancer, and grief in a realistic way that will ring true for anyone who has ever suffered great loss.

"This is another thing I know for a fact: a woman can't be an island, not really. No, it's the touching we do in other people's lives that matters when all is said and done. The silly things we do for ourselves--shiny new cars and jobs and money--they don't mean a hill of beans. Honor taught me that. My soul sisters on this island taught me that. And this is the story of true sisterhood. It's the story of Honor, come and gone, and how one flawed woman worked miracles in this mixed-up world."

"...a special sisterhood of island women whose wisdom and courage linger in the mind long after the book is closed."
-NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author SUSAN WIGGS

Preview of Ted Dekker's Sinner

Here's a peek at Ted Dekker's Sinner, releasing from Thomas Nelson in September, 2008.

Not mush by way of a synopsis yet but it sounds like it will be a good one:~


It's been predicted that Christians will one day not be tolerated in America. Now that day has arrived---with the return of Marsuvees Black! When the government classifies racial and religous speech as "hate" crimes, believer Johnny Drake refuses to remain silent. And the world waits for a violent showdown not seen since the time of Nero!

Red Helmet by Homer Hickam

A beautiful and exceptionally gifted city girl meets a rugged and handsome coal miner, their electrifying attraction plays havoc with their common sense when they marry on the beautiful island of St John. It is only the wedding night that they begin to consider the realities of their incompatible careers and lifestyles.

MIT and Princeton educated, Song Hawkins is the only daughter of the wealthy business magnate, Joe Hawkins and the Property and Acquisitions Manager for Song-Hawkins, Inc. She has never met anyone quite like West Virginian born Cable Jordan, Superintendent of the Highcoal mine, born with mining in his blood. Cable is captivated by Song's beauty and brilliance and doesn't contemplate for a moment that Highcoal, population 624, will not captivate her as it does him.

The unique people of Highcoal, dependant on good coal from the mine for their livelihoods, are stumped when their beloved Cable returns with his designer dressing wife and battle lines are drawn. The dirt, smell and enormity of the mine overwhelms Song and she finds nothing in common with the locals, dampening the newlyweds devotion to eachother. Hightailing it back to the comfort of her home in New York, Song resigns herself to the death of her marriage but she doesn't count on her interfering father or the pull of uncovering why one of Song-Hawkins businesses is failing - the mine at Highcoal.

Red Helmet is a love story, not only between a man and a woman, but a town and its mine. Homer Hickam excels in describing the hardships of the mining life as well as the intricacies of coal mining and the feats of engineering required to maintain the supply of coal - America's lifeblood. Wonderful characterisation abounds, from Song and Cable to each of the unusual men and women that contribute to this story. The plot is fascinating as Song and Cable struggle to maintain a marriage of opposites, as danger looms from the risks of mining and then from a more vindictive and vengeful source. Song's baptism of fire as a new miner, a Red Cap, is eye opening as Hickam's love for the coal mines, miners and their families bleeds from each page. Red Helmet is gritty, edgy and confronting and honours the sacrifices too often made by mining communities everywhere. Red Helmet will appeal to both men and women as it entertains, educates and enthralls.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

Available now from Thomas Nelson

Sneak peek of In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett

“I am the first writer, The Scribe. My books lie open before the Throne, and someday will be the only witness of your people and their time in this world. The stories are forgotten here, and the Day draws close. I will tell you one of my stories. You will record it.”

So begins the narration of one such angel in this sweeping historical tale set during the reign of England’s Henry VIII. It is the story of two women, their guardian angels, and a mysterious, subversive book … a book that outrages some, inspires others, and launches the Protestant Reformation.

The devout Anne Boleyn catches the eye of a powerful king and uses her influence to champion an English translation of the Bible—Scriptures the common people could read for themselves. Meanwhile, Rose, a broken, suicidal woman of the streets, is moved to seek God when she witnesses Thomas More’s public displays of Christian charity, ignorant of his secret life spent eradicating the same book, persecuting anyone who dares read it.

Historic figures come alive in this thrilling story of heroes and villains, saints and sinners, angels and mortals … and the sacred book that will inspire you anew.

In the Shadow of Lions, the first in a new series, releases in September from David C. Cook

Click here to see Ginger introduce her new book. And for those of you who were wondering, Ginger hopes to complete her Serpent Moon Trilogy in the future!

CFBA Blog Tour of Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Amber Morn
(Zondervan Publishing Company - April 2008)
by
Brandilyn Collins


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense™. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline

“Don’t forget to b r e a t h e …®”
Brandilyn writes for Zondervan, the Christian division of HarperCollins Publishers, and is currently at work on her 19th book. Her first, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows.

She’s also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons), and often teaches at writers conferences.

Brandilyn blogs at Forensics and Faith. Visit her Website to read the first chapters of all her books.


ABOUT THE BOOK

The whole thing couldn’t have taken more than sixty seconds.

Bailey hung on to the counter, dazed. If she let go, she’d collapse—and the twitching fingers of the gunman would pull the trigger. The rest of her group huddled in frozen shock.

Dear God, help us! Tell me this is a dream . . .

The shooter’s teeth clenched. “ Anybody who moves is dead.”

On a beautiful Saturday morning the nationally read “Scenes and Beans” bloggers gather at Java Joint for a special celebration. Chaos erupts when three gunmen burst in and take them all hostage. One person is shot and dumped outside.

Police Chief Vince Edwards must negotiate with the desperate trio. The gunmen insist on communicating through the “comments” section of the blog—so all the world can hear their story. What they demand, Vince can’t possibly provide. But if he doesn’t, over a dozen beloved Kanner Lake citizens will die...

Amber Morn is the climactic finale to Collins’ widely read Kanner Lake series. All first three titles in the series, Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, and Crimson Eve, were bestsellers. Library Journal placed Crimson Eve on its Best Books of 2007 list, and hailed it the “Best Christian suspense of 2007.”

A few early reviews of Amber Morn:

“… essential reading … a harrowing hostage drama.” – Library Journal

“… heart-pounding … breakneck pace … satisfying and meaningful ending.” – RT Bookreviews

“This cataclysmic ending left me breathless … Kanner Lake is the Best Suspense Series of 2007/2008.” – deenasbooks.blogspot.com

“Collins has saved the best for a last .. a powerful ensemble performance.” -- BookshelfReview.com

“… a staccato tempo … Sometimes you just have to close the book in order to come up for air.” – Dale Lewis

“…a masterpiece of page-turning suspense with a cast of dozens.” – Peg Phifer

Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren & Giveaway

Emma Browning has deterred men for years from acting on their interest in her with mild scorn and asserting her fierce independence. Content with managing her boardinghouse and distancing herself from her disreputable father, no one has come close to breaching her defenses, until a childhood friend returns to Little Hickman and is not easily dissuaded.

Fresh from his theological training, Jon Atkins takes up the pastorate at Little Hickman, and his friendly and compassionate ways endear him to the small community. Jon's genuine ways and practical approach to those in need being to break down Emma's skepticism about Jon's intentions and the God he follows. Jon soon discovers that But it will take more than a charming smile and faithful friendship to change Emma's mind about faith and family.

I have been anticipating Jon and Emma's story since Sharlene MacLaren first introduced them in Loving Liza Jane, the first in the Little Hickman Creek series. Emma is such an appealing character, protective of her lonely heart yet reaching out to her rough around the edges boarders. In Jon and Emma, Sharlene illustrates the different outcomes of a broken childhood, when God's healing is embraced and when it is not. Courting Emma is a charming historical romance which provides a wonderful romantic escape and a gentle reminder of the healing power of God's grace and forgiveness.

Available now from Whitaker House.

Read my reviews of Sharlene's other Little Hickman books and our interview:~

Loving Liza Jane

Sarah, My Beloved

Interview

As an added bonus, publisher Whitaker House, is kindly offering two copies of this lovely story to give away. This time it's easy - leave a comment before midnight Sunday 13th April and you will be entered into the draw. Be sure to leave an email or blog addy so I can contact you if you win. Open to ALL my readers!

Searching for Spice by Megan DiMaria

Tired of watching other couples show their affection for each other, Linda Revere determines to spice up her marriage, making a plan to entice her devoted, but unimaginative husband, into joining in.

After a few failed attempts, Jerry seems to be catching on when he surprises her with a spontaneous lunch date. Linda is hopeful she is on the cusp of the passionate and romantic marriage she began with, one that has waned over the past two decades.

When their romantic learning curve is put on hold due to a regrettable and potentially life altering incident, Linda begins to question whether the romance she has longed for is the answer to her prayers after all.

Megan DiMaria's debut novel takes you on a journey where the destination originally envisaged does not materialise in the expected fashion. I began this story sympathising and laughing with Linda, as she stumbled through what most women experience, expecting a lighthearted and fun read. Searching for Spice provides just that but so much more! Linda's attempts to revive her stable but slightly boring marriage are hilarious and oh, so real and Jerry's slightly bewildered responses spot on. Megan then cranks up the pressure on this genuine couple by adding in a momentarily irresponsible teenager, a petulant employer, a friend's shocking revelation and this engaging story becomes a compelling one. Searching for Spice celebrates marriage without downplaying the commitment, compassion and effort required to make true love last. This is a fabulous read and I look forward to the sequel, Out of Her Hands, later this year.

Available now from Tyndale.

Coming soon ~ Allison Pittman's With Endless Sight

I stumbled across Allison Pittman's newest book, With Endless Sight, releasing in May, 2008 from Waterbrook Multnomah. The cover looks great and the series so far is excellent so this one should be no exception. Here's what the publisher has to say:~

Behind every story of loss is the promise of grace.…

Belleville, Illinois and Wyoming Territories, 1861

Born into a life of privilege, fourteen-year-old Belinda never questions her security, even as she leaves Illinois with her family to discover new adventures in the Oregon Territory. But when disaster falls, Belinda is left wounded, weak, and alone. Her faith in God gives her the only strength she knows in a harsh new world.

Belinda’s journey takes her to a snow-covered mining camp and a red-roofed brothel in the Wyoming mountains, but not before she must spend a lonely winter with the man who took away the life she knew. Throughout the grief and hope of a strange land, Belinda must decide if her faith is big enough to allow her to forgive.

The satisfying conclusion to the Crossroads of Grace series, With Endless Sight offers a rich story of family, new beginnings, and the freedom that grace can bring.

PRAISE

“With Endless Sight paints an unforgettable story about the power of love and a young girl’s gritty determination to remain true to God. This stunningly beautiful novel is written with an emotional depth that will touch your heart and remain with you forever.” - Nancy Jo Jenkins, author of Coldwater Revival

“With Endless Sight sets a tender story against the harsh frontier landscape. Allison Pittman writes the kind of lush details that pull you into another time and place. She’s definitely earned herself a spot on my must-read list!” - Allie Pleiter, author of My So-Called Love Life

“Once again Allison Pittman has painted a masterpiece with words. With the deft brushstrokes of a master storyteller, Pittman’s canvas is filled with characters and places that will live on long after the last page has been turned. With Endless Sight is not to be missed, for to do so would be to miss an opportunity to see the grace and love of God working through the simple yet complicated faith of those who choose to love Him even in the hardest moments.” - Kathleen Y'Barbo, best-selling author of Beloved Castaway

Read my review of Ten Thousand Charms, the first in the Crossroads of Grace series, here.

Generation NeXt Marriage Blog Tour

As you know my focus here is fiction, but every now and then a non-fiction book catches my eye! Tricia Goyer's Generation NeXt Marriage is one of those!

Five unique marriage challenges faced by Gen Xers and how to tackle them!

1. Gen Xers saw more divorces than successful marriages.

The divorce rate doubled between 1965-1977 and Gen Xers were the victims. 40% of us spent time in a single-family home before age 16. We grew up in families with step-moms and half-siblings and living every other weekend with a different parent and faced the loneliness and alienation of our splintered families. As married adults, Gen Xers can meet their spouse's need by speaking encouraging words, which are like gold stars to a Gen Xer's heart -- and by never using the D-word. As author Madeleine L'Engle once said, "There are a lot of marriages today that break up just at the point where they could mature and deepen."

2. Without role models, many GenXers turned to music, movies and television for examples of healthy relationships.

Now, we often model our relationships after television sitcoms. We are good at quick comebacks and sassy remarks, without taking time to consider the other person's heart. We also want our problems wrapped up in thirty minutes or less! Instead, Gen Xers need to understand that unrealistic expectations can hurt our relationships. We also need to treat out spouses with honor and respect, even when we don't feel like they deserve it.

3. Our teen relationships were intense and often included sexuality, leading to intense breakups and the resulting baggage.

By the time many GenXers walked down the aisle, they'd experienced several "pretend-marriages." Spouses can break free from these bonds when we realize the truth about love, the truth about emotions, and the truth about intimacy. It's knowing that what we had in the past wasn't love -- and emotions don't rule. True intimacy is choosing to share our hearts and our struggles with the one we're committed to for life.

4. Gen Xers were starved for quality time, so they appreciate balance.

Doing too much stresses us out. The first thing Gen Xers need to do is realize the impact of our faced-pace lives, and then make plans for peace. It's cutting out things that won't matter ten years from now and focusing on the things that will.

5. Gen Xers were labeled the "slackers" and the "grunge" generation. The generations before didn't think we'd amount to much.

Because of this, Gen Xers strive hard to prove themselves. We aren't content just "living life," we want to reach our full potential. Spouses can encourage each other to follow their heart dreams.

Some of this sound familiar? How about this:~

Do you still find yourself humming the love songs of the 80s and 90s?

Do you still believe that every marriage should be between soul mates?

But -- do you wonder how you can succeed at love and marriage when the generation you grew up in didn't?

Marriage isn't what it used to be-it can be better than ever.

If you are a Gen Xer, your marriage has challenges and potentials that no other generation has known. A Gen Xer herself, Tricia Goyer offers realistic help to achieve the God-honoring marriage you long for. She includes:

·Ways to protect your marriage despite the broken relationships modeled in your youth

·Stories, suggestions, and confessions from fellow Gen Xers facing the "What now?" question of real-life marriage

·Advice from the ultimate marriage survival guide: the Bible

·Stats, quizzes, sidebars, and study questions related to this "relationally challenged" time in history

·Practical helps for negotiating kids, work, sex, money, and dirty laundry-sometimes all in the same evening

If you are part of a generation of adults who don't want to bow to their culture or live and love like their parents did -- this book is for you.

My take:~

Goodies galore can be found for any marriage in Tricia's latest release, Generation NeXt Marriage.

Chapter 4, titled UNDER PRESSURE - Finding Balance, really spoke to me. Tricia talks about the fast pace of life and the obligation overload NeXtGen Xers find themselves tied to. Tricia reminded me that all our activities, whether they be work, exercise, church related or child based, are all determined by CHOICE. With that same ability to choose, we can, and must, make choices which "preserve and protect" our marriage. I know the busier Steve and I are the more likely intolerance, frustration and anger interferes with our joy and care of each other. Written specifically with Gen Xers in mind this book is fabulous and one I will pull out time and time again when I need a reminder to put my husband and my marriage first in line behind God.



Tricia's Bio:~

Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

Check out Tricia's website and numerous blogs!



Here's a fun extra from Tricia:~

Love Gen X Style!

Share your story and WIN a dinner for TWO to the restaurant of your choice! ($50 maximum)

Tell us the story of how you and your spouse met. If you have photos, send those along, too! The winning story will be chosen at the end of the blog tour and will be posted on Tricia's GenX blog. More comments on your post increases your chance of winning ... so tell your friends!

Contest entry form for Generation NeXt Marriage blog tour!

To buy a copy of Tricia's book, click for Amazon, CBD or Koorong!

CFBA Blog Tour of When Zeffie Got a Clue by Peggy Darty and Aussie Giveaway

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
When Zeffie Got a Clue
WaterBrook Press (March 18, 2008)
by
Peggy Darty


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Peggy Darty is the award-winning author of twenty-seven books, including two other cozy mysteries set in Summer Breeze, Florida: When the Sandpiper Calls and When Bobbie Sang the Blues. She has worked in film, researched for CBS, and led writing workshops around the country. Darty and her husband call Alabama home but spend a great deal of time in Colorado, Montana, and on Florida’s Emerald Coast.








ABOUT THE BOOK:

It’s an ordinary afternoon in Summer Breeze, Florida, when a young, wide-eyed girl steps into I Saw It First, the trash-to-treasure shop Christy Castleman and her Aunt Bobbie have opened. Clutching a jewelry box, Zeffie Adams tells Christy she needs money to pay her grandmother’s medical bills, prompting Christy to offer this curious visitor more than the jewelry box is worth–or so she thinks.

But complicated questions form when Christy rips out the box’s lining and uncovers a clue to a cold case murder mystery from eight years ago. Despite warnings from her family and handsome boyfriend Dan Brockman, Christy decides to do a little detective work of her own. After all, the infamous murder happened close to her grandmother’s farm. How risky could it be to take the jewelry box back to the Strickland plantation and ask around about it?

Soon Christy finds there is more to the small box than someone wants her to know. A jewelry theft. A mansion murder. Dangerous family secrets buried in history. Can Christy convince others to let go of the past before it’s too late?

I have yet to get to this book so can't recommend it personally but I do have a copy to give away. Meet the following cirteria and you you are in with a chance:~

1. Have an Aussie mailing address;

2. Post before midnight on Thursday 10th April, 2008; and

3. Tell me who you like best out of these mystery solving women from TV ~ Charlie's Angels, Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple?!

The winners are...

Par for the Course ~ stampedwithgrace

Unfortunately, the winner of Only Uni did not contact me so I have drawn another winner ~ Grateful Gramma

Congratulations!

As far as the election goes, my little query landed two votes for McCain and two for Obama and the rest undecided - LOL!!!

FIRST Day Blog Tour of Ryann Watters and the King's Sword by Eric Reinhold

It is April FIRST--no foolin'--, time for the FIRST Day Blog Tour! (Join our alliance! Click the button!) The FIRST day of every month we will feature an author and his/her latest book's FIRST chapter!

The special feature author is:

ERIC REINHOLD

and his book:

Ryan Watters and the King's Sword
Creation House (May 2008)

Illustrated by: Corey Wolfe

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eric J. Reinhold is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. The former Naval officer writes extensively for a variety of national financial publications in his position as a Certified Financial Planner® and President of Academy Wealth Management. His passion for writing a youth fantasy novel was fueled by nightly impromptu storytelling to his children and actively serving in the middle and high school programs at First Baptist Sweetwater Church in Longwood, Florida.

Visit him at his website.

For my daughter Erin's review, click here.

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

The
Angel’s Visitation

It first appeared as a gentle glow, almost like a child’s night-light. Heavy shadows filled the room as the boy lay face up, covers tucked neatly under his arms. A slight smile on his face hinted that he was in the midst of a pleasant dream.

Ryann Watters, who had just celebrated his twelfth birthday, rolled lazily onto his side, his blond hair matted into the pillow, unaware of the glow as it began to intensify. Shadows searched for hiding places throughout the room as the glow transformed from a pale yellow hue to brilliant white.

Ryann’s eyelids fluttered briefly and then flickered at the glare reflecting off his pale blue bedroom walls. Drowsily, he turned toward the light expecting to see one of his parents coming in to check on him. “What’s going on?” his voice cracked as he reached up to rub the crusty sleep from his eyes.

***

Under a pale half-moon, Drake Dunfellow’s house looked just like any other. A closer inspection, however, would reveal its failing condition. Water oaks lining the side of the curved driveway hunched over haggardly, like old men struggling on canes. The lawn, which should have been a lively green for early spring, was withered and sandy. A few patches of grass were sprinkled here and there. Rust lines streaked down the one jagged peak atop the tin-roof house. The flimsy clapboard sides were outlined by fading white trim speckled with dried paint curls. Hanging baskets containing a variety of plants and weeds all struggling to stay alive shared the crowded front porch with two mildew-covered rocking chairs. Inside, magazines and newspaper clippings both old and new were carelessly strewn about. Encrusted dishes from the previous day’s meals battled each other for space in the bulging kitchen sink. In the garage, away from the usual living areas, was a boy’s room. Dull paneling outlined the bedroom, while equally dreary brown linoleum covered the floor. The bedroom must have been an afterthought because not much consideration had been given to the details. A bookcase cut from rough planks sat atop an old garage sale dresser.

Moonlight pressing through the dust-covered metal blinds tried to provide a sense of peacefulness. Instead it revealed bristly red hair atop a young boy’s head poking out from beneath a mushy feather pillow. His heavy breathing provided the only movement in the quiet room. Tiny droplets of perspiration lined his brow as he began jerking about under the thin cotton sheets.

Starting at the edge of the window, the blackness spread downward, transforming all traces of light to an oily dinginess. Drake was slowly surrounded and remained the only thing not saturated in the darkness. Bolting upright to a stiff-seated attention, Drake’s bloodshot eyes darted back and forth. He stared into the black nothingness shuddering and aware that the only thing visible in the room was his bed.

“Who . . . who’s there?” Drake cried out, puzzled by the hollow sound that didn’t seem to travel beyond the edge of his mattress. Beads of sweat trickled down his neck, connecting his numerous freckled dots. He strained, slightly tilting his head, ears perked. There was no reply.

***

Neatly manicured streets wandered through the Watters’s sleepy, rolling neighborhood. If someone had been walking along in the wee morning hours of March 15, they would have noticed the brilliant white light peeking out from around Ryann’s shade. Below his second-story window the normally darkened bed of pink, red, and white impatiens was lit up as in the noonday sun.

Ryann was fully awake now and quite positive that the dazzling aura facing him from in front of his window was not the hall light from his parents entering the bedroom. Golden hues flowed out of the whiteness, showering itself on everything in the room. It reminded Ryann of sprinkles of pixie dust in some of his favorite childhood books. His blue eyes grew wide trying to capture the unbelievable event unfolding before him.

“Fear not, Ryann,” a confident, yet kind, voice began. “I have come to do the bidding of one much greater than I and who you have found favor with.”

Rapid pulses in his chest gripped Ryann as he struggled to understand what was happening. Instinctively he grasped his navy blue bed sheets and pulled them up so that only his eyes and the top of his head peeked out from his self-made cocoon. Squinting to reduce the brilliance before him, Ryann stared into the light, trying to detect a form while questions scrambled around his mind. What had the voice meant by “finding favor,” and who had sent him? As Ryann struggled to work this out, the center of the whiteness began to take the shape of a man. Human in appearance, he looked powerful, but there was a calmness about his face, like that of an experienced commander before going into battle. Ryann recalled hearing about angels in his Sunday school class at church. He wondered if this could be one.

“Ryann, thou have found favor with the One who sent me. You will be given much and much will be required of you.”

Still shaking, Ryann was fairly certain he was safe. “S-s-s . . . sir, are you an angel?”

“You have perceived correctly.” “And . . . I’ve been chosen by someone . . . for something?” Ryann asked.

“The One who knows you better than you know yourself,” the angel answered.

Ryann knew he must be talking about God, but what could God possibly want with him?

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Thou must search out and put on the full armor of God so that you can take a stand against the devil’s schemes. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

“The devil? Forces of evil? I’m just a kid,” Ryann said. “What could I possibly have to do with all of this? You’ve got to be making a mistake.”

“There are no mistakes with God. Thou have heard of David?”

“You mean the David from David and Goliath?” Ryann asked.

The angel nodded. “He was also a boy chosen by God to accomplish great things. God chooses to show His power by using the powerless.”

Ryann tried to comprehend the magnitude of what this mighty being was saying to him. Realizing he was still sitting in his bed, covers bunched around him, he pulled them aside and swung his feet out, never taking his eyes off the angel. Landing firmly on the carpet, Ryann’s wobbly knees barely supported him, the bed acting as a wall between him and the angel.

“Who are you?”

“I am Gabriel and have come to give you insight and understanding.”

“Wow!” Ryann couldn’t believe this was the same angel who had appeared to Joseph and Mary in the Christmas story he heard every December. The lines of excitement on his face drooped as he fidgeted, thinking about the angel’s words. “I don’t want to . . . seem . . . ungrateful,” Ryann hesitated, “but . . . is there any way you can . . . ask someone else?”

“Only you have been given this trial, Ryann, yet you shall not be alone.”

“Who will help me?”

“As the young shepherd boy David spoke, ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. For He commands His angels to guard you in all your ways.’” Gabriel’s twinkling gaze rose as he stretched his arms heavenward, “And these will assist you along the way.”

Beckoning Ryann from behind the bed, the angel glided effortlessly forward to greet him. Walking to within a foot of Gabriel, Ryann bowed humbly, basking in the radiant glow that emanated all around him. Reaching out, the angel grasped Ryann’s left hand firmly and slipped a gold ring, topped by a clear bubble-like stone, onto his finger. Before he could inspect it, the angel took his other hand and placed a long metal pole in it. Ryann’s hand slid easily up and down the smooth metal finish. Its shape and size were similar to a pool cue. Bone-white buttons protruded from just below where he gripped the staff. They were numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Mesmerized by the gifts that begged for more attention and questions, Ryann hardly noticed Gabriel loop a long leather cord through his arm and around his neck. From it a curved ivory horn hung loosely below his waist, resting on his hip.

As Gabriel finished and backed away, Ryann continued marveling at each of the gifts. Reaching down to inspect the horn, he ran his hands along its smooth, yet pitted surface, until he reached the small gold-tipped opening. He wondered how old the horn was and if it had been used before.

“What do I do with these? How do I use them?”

“It is not for me to reveal,” answered the angel calmly. “You shall find out in due time.”

“But what do I do now?”

“Thou must seek the King’s sword.”

“How? What King? Where do I look?” Ryann blurted out, panicking as questions continued to pop into his head.

“The Spirit will lead you, and the ring will open the way,” the angel replied as he began floating backwards, the light peeling away with him.

“Wait, wait! Don’t leave—I don’t know enough—where do I go now?”

“Remember,” Gabriel’s clear voice began to fade, “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that you may be thoroughly equipped for all good works.”

Clutching the mysterious heavenly gifts he had been given, Ryann collapsed in a heap on his bed, body and mind drained from his supernatural encounter. He drifted into a welcomed sleep.

***

It seemed Drake’s bedroom no longer existed. Only his bed remained, an island floating in a sea of darkness that completely surrounded him. His eyes bulged, darting about for anything that would give him a hint of what was going on. A cool draft drifted down his neck, chilling him despite the safety of his covers. Caught between reality and a nightmare, he let loose a scream that normally would have been heard throughout the house and beyond, but now was absorbed into the heavy darkness enveloping him.

“Who’s there?” he said again. He pinched himself to see if he was dreaming.

With a loud swoooooooosh, huge wings shot out of the darkness surrounding his bed. Drake dove for the safety of his covers.

A thunderous, commanding voice ordered, “Come out from hiding and stand up!”

Drake hesitated, knuckles tense and white as they curled tightly around the edges of his blanket.

“Now!” the voice thundered.

Jerking his covers off, Drake scurried to the edge of the bed, lost his balance, and awkwardly fell face-first onto the cool floor. Petrified at what he might see, yet too scared to disobey, he raised his head slightly. Half expecting some hideous beast, Drake was surprised at what he was facing. The black-winged warrior towering over him was imposing enough to paralyze anyone with fear, but his face was what captivated Drake. Instead of a hideous three-eyed ghoul with fangs, like Drake imagined, he stared into one of the most ruggedly handsome faces he had ever seen. Drake froze, mesmerized.

“Sit up and listen closely, human,” the dark angel began, closing his wings in an effortless swish. Lowering his voice, he spoke in a precise, but less threatening tone. “I have chosen you to carry out my wishes.”

Drake raised himself to a clumsy crouch. The face he looked intently into was perfect in almost every way, except for a long thin scar that traveled from his left ear to his jaw. He was convinced now that this wasn’t a monster trying to devour him.

“Why me?”

The angel’s scar became more noticeable when he smiled at Drake. “I have been here before with great success and have reason to believe you will serve me well.”

“What do you want me to do?” Drake blurted.

“The one who seeks to bind me must be stopped!”

Drake stumbled backwards, putting a hand on the floor to keep from falling. Swallowing hard, he could feel the black, penetrating eyes staring deep into his.

“You are the one,” the creature said confidently.

No one had ever chosen Drake for anything, yet this powerful being wanted him. He didn’t know if he could trust the dark angel or not, but the chance for power excited Drake. “How do I do it?”

The dark angel continued to smile, sensing the blackness in Drake’s heart spreading murkily throughout his body.

“I will be your eyes and ears, a guide to lead you in the right direction, and,” he hesitated, “I will give you these.”

The dark-winged angel stretched out his hand, his index finger pointing toward the empty floor in front of him. Immediately three items appeared before Drake’s eyes. He blinked again. They were still there. Drake’s hand shot out in a blur to grab the closest item.

“Stop!”

Drake froze, and then cowered, his eyes shifting back to the booming voice as he slowly retracted his hand. His eyes darted back and forth between the three items and the dark angel in the awkward silence.

“You move when I tell you to move. Now . . . kneel before me, child of the earth, while I make you ready for your task.”

Still hunched-over, Drake pitched forward onto his knees with his head bowed, eyes glancing upward in anticipation.

“My first gift to you is a cloak of darkness. It will provide you with cover at night. You and the night shall become one.”

Drake reached out his hands to receive the cloak. It felt smooth and slippery. Looking intently at it, the cloak seemed several feet thick, as if it was projecting darkness.

“My second gift to you is a ring of suggestion. With it you will have the ability to project persuasive thoughts to those who are weak-willed or in the midst of indecision.” Powerful hands with long curled fingers took hold of Drake’s hand, spreading an icy chill from the tip of his fingers to his wrist. As the creature slipped the black band onto his finger, Drake briefly noticed a red blotch on the top. His hand felt stiff, then the numbness traveled up his arm and throughout his body. Chattering clicks from his own teeth broke the silence as he awaited the angel’s next words. “Lastly, I provide you with a bow and arrows of fire. These arrows were formed in the lake of fire and will deliver physical and mental anguish to those they touch.”

“Thank you . . . uhh . . . what should I call you?” Drake asked.

“I am one of the stars that fell from heaven. My master is Shandago and I am his chief messenger. You may call me Lord Ekron.”

“Thank you, Lord Ekron, for these gifts. I may be young, but I’ll do as you ask to the best of my ability.”

“It is expected. Also, these items I have given to you are not for use in this world. When the time is right, you will find a passage into another land. There you will put these gifts to work.”

The darkness in the room began to rush toward Lord Ekron, as if he were absorbing it, except he wasn’t getting bigger—only darker. Drake kept staring at him, trying not to blink, so he wouldn’t miss anything. Despite his efforts, the dark angel began to fade, and Drake found himself peering into the darkness at the blank wall. When he was sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him and enough time passed so that he felt safe to move, he stood up.

Drake would have thought this was all a bad dream, but the items he held in his hand were proof that it was real. He ran his hands through the dense blackness of the slick cloak, wondering how he might use it. Drake was anxious to try the bow and arrows as well. He didn’t dare pull the arrows out of their quiver right now, but decided that he would have to buy a regular bow and quiver of arrows as soon as possible so that he could begin practicing. Looking down at his hand, he examined the unusual ring he now wore. The entire band was a glossy black, except for the unusual red marking on the top, which resembled a flying dragon.

Not much had gone right for Drake during the first thirteen years of his life. “Now things are going to be different,” he thought. The smile inching across his face looked evil. He knew with Lord Ekron at his side no one would be able to tell him what to do.

BUY THE BOOK AT WWW.RYANNWATTERS.COM/

Ryann Watters and the King's Sword by Eric Reinhold ~ EJ's Take

I am delighted to introduce my latest guest reviewer, my 10 year old daughter, EJ, along with her first review. When this book arrived, EJ's eyes lit up and three days later she was done! Proud mum, that I am, I think she has done a fantastic job!

Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword is a fantasy story written by Eric Reinhold. It is about a 12 year old boy named Ryann Watters, who is paid a remarkable visit by the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel gives Ryan three supernatural objects, a ring, a staff and a horn. They may seem like regular objects but they aren’t.

The class bully, Drake Dunfellow, is visited by a dark angel who provides him with a cloak, a persuasion ring, a bow and a set of arrows. This sets both boys on an adventurous journey.

Ryann soon travels through a portal to the majestic land of Aeliana and is sent on a quest to find the King’s sword with the help of his friends from Earth, Liddy Thomas and Terell Peterson, and some new friends from Aeliana. He is pursued by Drake, who uses his ring to persuade some Aelianans to support his evil quest.

I was captivated by the book due to the descriptive language and the way Eric Reinhold created the characters with their individual personalities. The book starts with illustrations and descriptions of the main characters which were fascinating, together with a data page to record the powers or meanings that you find in the book about Ryann’s gifts. I enjoyed this interactive page. I stayed up late reading it as I couldn't put it down and that's a fact! I highly recommend this book to readers 10 to 14 years of age, but this exciting adventure novel would appeal to anyone. I am looking forward to reading about Ryann's further adventures.

Now available from Creation House

Guest reviewer:~ my eldest daughter, EJ

As High as the Heavens by Kathleen Morgan

When her father concocts a desperate plan to free Mary, Queen of Scots, Heather Graham doesn't anticipate being its key to success. However, loyalty to her Queen and family finds Heather devoting her time to teaching the loutish and brash Highlander, Duncan Armstrong the airs and graces of the nobility.

Living in close quarters with Duncan and his family, Heather's initial disdain for Duncan slowly turns to a grudging respect and then blossoming affection. As danger edges ever closer, Heather realises how fragile love can be.

Kathleen Morgan's name is synonymous with quality Scottish historicals and As High as the Heavens maintains the same calibre of her past offerings. Duncan and Heather both have independent spirits that clash at first instance and their interaction is mercurial and passionate. Kathleen's descriptive prose places the reader amongst the heather and streams of the Highlands at the same time as the political intrigue and romantic tension enthralls. While the conclusion it forgone, it doesn't detract from this engaging story which will have historical romance readers clamouring for more.

Available now from Revell

On the Loose by Jenny B. Jones ~ Chloe-Anne's take

Katie Parker is actually getting used to life as a normal teenager. She loves the new life her foster parents James and Millie have given her and everything that comes with it. But will it stay like this? Katie’s life is a complete rollercoaster, always has been and most likely always will. Nothing ever stays the same, there is always something new around the corner.

When a tornado blows the roof off Katie's foster grandmother's house, she shifts in with Katie's family but the only spare space is in Katie's room!! Things surely couldn’t get any worse…….but they do. Someone who Katie loves dearly gets diagnosed with cancer and Katie starts to wonder whether God really cares because if He did, in Katie's mind, none of these things would be happening.

During all of this Katie gets framed for stealing and everyone believes she did it but why would she? Katie’s life changed dramatically moving to this small town and she has no reason for stealing anything. Who would want to get her into trouble and why?

On the Loose is a fantastic sequel, that guarantees a good laugh. Before this series came out I had never heard of Jenny B. Jones, but after reading her books Inbetween and On the Loose, she is one of my favourite authors. I love Katie’s character! She is a down to earth normal teenager who struggles with some big issues. Although a lot of the problems that happen are everyday things that most teens struggle with, she is easy to relate to.

In most books, the main character is either already a Christian or becomes one within the first book in the series. In Inbetween and On the Loose, Katie doesn’t ignore God but she slowly becomes familiar with Him and learns that maybe He is in control. I like this because not all believers come to Christ in the blink of an eye, some take longer than others and this is a perfect example of it.

On the Loose is wonderfully written and I am sure that I will pick it up and read it again.

The final book in the Katie Parker series, The Big Picture releases from NavPress in April.

Guest reviewer:~ teen Chloe~Anne

Where is my winner?

flchen1 ~ you won a copy of Only Uni here but did not leave any contact details.

If I don't hear from you by midnight Sunday 30th March (Australian time) I will have to draw another winner.

Please contact me ~ relzreviewz @ gmail . com (minus spaces). I would hate for you to miss out.

The Duchess and the Dragon Trailer and Aussie Giveaway

Thanks again to B&H's generosity I have four copies of Jamie's riveting story to give away. Here are the conditions of entry:~

1. An Aussie postal address;

2. Post a comment by midnight Thursday 10th April; and

3. Give me your thoughts on book trailers ~ are they a good marketing tool, do you watch them, are you more inclined to buy a book having seen a good trailer, etc!