Ronie Kendig's Digitalis is here!

Ronie Kendig is back with her second Nightshade novel, Digitalis! Another fabulous military thriller, Digitalis tells the story of Colton "Cowboy" Neeley, a former Marine sniper struggling with flashbacks from his tours of duty and Piper Bloom, a women with a secret she can't share.

Ronie and I will be doing lots of fun things here to celebrate the release of Digitalis. Look for my review, character interviews, character spotlight, signed giveaway and more in the coming weeks. For now, don't miss a chance to win a signed copy from Ronie's blog, Craving the Supernatural, by clicking here.



I'm not the only one who thinks Digitalis is a fantastic read. Check out what others are saying about this book.

Balancing a story of high action and deep emotions isn’t easy, but with Digitalis, author Ronie Kendig pulls it off with the casual grace of a truly talented storyteller. I don’t know what kept me on the edge of my seat more, the fast-paced military intrigue or the powerful tugs on my heart. Doesn’t matter: This is one pulse-pounding adventure you don’t want to miss.
--Robert Liparulo, author of Comes a Horseman, Germ, and the Dreamhouse Kings

An action-packed thrill ride from start to finish...if you liked CBS's long running hit series THE UNIT you're going to love Ronie Kendig's DIGITALIS. Enjoy the ride and the read. I only have one question...where do I sign up for Nightshade?

--Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and the author of Enemies Among Us

In Digitalis, Ronie Kendig again displays her superb ability to reach from the page and pull the reader into the world of heart thumping espionage and richly flawed characters. Her heroes are some of the best I've ever read, and they are so unforgettable!
--Dineen Miller, author of Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage

Digitalis is a story of skill and purpose woven with love and spine-tingling danger...that will live long past the last page. None of us fully realize the dedication of those who keep our world safe.

--DiAnn Mills, Christy Award Winning author of Pursuit of Justice

Fast paced and deliciously intriguing, DIGITALIS delivers military high-octane with just the right amount of romance and suspense. Kendig knows how to keep readers flipping pages until the wee hours of the night. Don't miss this one!"
--Robin Caroll, author of Fear No Evil and In the Shadow of Evil

Reading a Ronie Kendig novel is like watching a movie—a nail-biting, intense action movie. The words [in Digitalis] seem to jump off the page and leave you breathless as Colton takes you from one heart-pounding scene to another. Novel Journey and I give it our highest recommendation.
--Ane Mulligan Novel Journey

In Digitalis, the second book of the [Discarded Heroes] series, Ronie Kendig has done it again. Passion, intrigue, and heart stopping action make this story impossible to put down. Action, great character, romance, and faith weave together to make this story a must read.
--Lara Van Hulzen Radiant Lit

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Nightshade

Visit the Discarded Heroes website

Visit Ronie's website and blog

Buy Ronie's books at Amazon or Koorong

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Melody Carlson

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas
"Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

There’s No Place Like….

by Melody Carlson

I grew up spending Christmases at my grandparents’ quaint Victorian home, surrounded by lots of relatives, laughter and love and really good food. For a little girl growing up in a single parent home, harried working mother, no church family, and TV dinners, these extended family holidays spent at my grandparents were like a real gift from God. But as a young adult, my grandfather passed on, the old house was sold, I grew up and eventually had a small family of my own.

Still I longed for those familiar kinds of “big” Christmases—I wanted that house full of relatives and fun times to go home to—I think the “child” in me thought I deserved it somehow. But my grandmother had gotten older and lived in a tiny apartment, and my mother and my husband’s parents were not comfortable hosting Christmas in their homes. For a while we went to my cousin’s, but I soon had to come to grips with reality. The days of going to Grandma’s for the perfect Christmas were a thing of the past.

In other words, it was time for me to grow up—time for me to start hosting our own Christmas celebrations. So biting the holiday bullet, I decided to just do it. With two very small children underfoot, I cooked my first turkey, made my first stuffing, invited some family, neighbors, and friends over, and we all crammed ourselves into our little house, balanced our plates on our knees, and had a very good time. Oh, I’m sure the turkey was dry and the gravy lumpy, but what I remember most is that everyone seemed truly happy to be there. And I realized that I wasn’t the only one longing for that sense of warmth and community—that longing to “go home again”—and I finally grasped that I could (with God’s grace) help to provide that for my family and others.

So for the next three decades we continued to host Christmas in our home. I got better at decorating, cooking, gifting…the works. Some years the place would be packed and crazy. A few years were thinner and quieter. But family, friends and neighbors could always count on the fact that the Carlson’s would be “doing something for Christmas.” It was a no-brainer.

Until this year. This year, for the first time in more than thirty years, my husband and I decided we’re going to take a pass on hosting Christmas—we are going to the beach. At first I felt terribly guilty, and even right now I’m a bit unsure—and wonder if I’ll end up changing my mind at the last minute. And yet, I believe it’s the right thing for us to do—for a lot of reasons. One being that my husband’s birthday is Christmas and he never gets to do what he wants on his birthday—this year will be different. But more than that, I hope that our stepping aside will encourage the younger members of our family to find and embrace some of their own traditions—to grow up and look for opportunities to stretch themselves a bit. Because, similar to how and oyster creates a pearl—or how a young mom learns to be a hostess—with some discomfort and distress a burnt turkeys, the end results are truly valuable.

~~~

About Melody: Melody Carlson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Labrador Retriever. She’s the author of around 200 books including this year’s Christmas novella, Christmas at Harrington’s.Visit her website for more information, www.melodycarlson.com.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Pat Ennis

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day at the Pearl Girls Blog! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

The First Christmas

by Pat Ennis

It was October of my eighteenth year of life when my Dad stepped into eternity. As a college freshman I not only had to deal with my own grief, I also was faced with the responsibility of helping my mother adjust to a new lifestyle. You see, when Dad died, she not only lost her husband of thirty years, she also lost her circle of friends. Suddenly the married couples (my Dad was the first of their group to die) didn’t know what to do about Mother—so they did nothing. Her grieving process was actually extended because of the withdrawal of her friends, many with whom she and Dad had enjoyed fellowship for years.

Our plight was magnified by the reality that we did not have extended family and I was an only child. Quite frankly, the outlook for the holiday season appeared pretty dismal!

As the holidays approached our neighbors, who embraced a different faith than we, graciously invited us to share their Christmas celebration with them. The sincere invitation, their effort to fold us into their family, inclusion in the gift exchange, and intentional conversation that focused on recounting the blessings of the year as well as looking forward to the next turned what could have been a miserable day into one of joy. Of course we missed our husband and Dad but the focus on the Lord’s provision for us through the hospitality of our neighbors (Philippians 4:8-9, 19) soothed our grieving spirits.

I have a happy ending to my Mother’s loss of her circle of friends that I described at the beginning of this story! Ever the gracious southern hostess, she did not cease to extend hospitality because of the change in her marital status—in the five years that she lived beyond Dad’s death, we entertained frequently, and eventually our guest list included widows from the group that had earlier excluded my Mother. Though her arthritic condition precluded her engaging in as much of the food preparation as she was accustomed to doing, she continued to help me hone the skills that were second nature to her.

The loving hospitality extended to us on that first lonely Christmas served as a catalyst for Mom and me to open our home throughout the year—especially during the holiday season! Will you consider displaying biblical compassion by including some of the “others”—singles, widows, and the grieving in your holiday celebrations? Who, knows, you might be entertaining an angel incognito (Hebrews 13:2)!

~~~

About Pat: Dr. Patricia Ennis, author of Precious in His Sight, the Fine Art of Becoming a Godly Woman, co-author of Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Others, and contributor to Pearl Girls, Experiencing Grit, Experiencing Grace as well as professor and establishing chairperson of the Department of Home Economics at The Master’s College. Visit Pat's blog, Unfading Beauty for more information.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!


12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

The winner of Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas is...

Melissa H ~ congratulations!

An email is on its way to you :)

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

Synopsis:~

In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.

Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child--and man--she's come to love.

My take:~

The Preacher's Bride is a stunning novel of emotional depth, historical detail and overarching hope, its excellence belying its status as author Jody Hedlund's debut novel. Based on the life of evangelist John Bunyan and his faithful wife, Elizabeth, Jody has brought to life a close knit Puritan community, complex and inspiring characters and a story of danger, hope and love. Beautifully rendered, John and Elizabeth's rocky introduction slowly develops into dependency and a burgeoning love that surprises them both. Underlying the love story is the difficult and fascinating history of the Anglican church's battle against the Puritans and their lay preachers. An eye opening story of enduring love and unbending faith, The Preacher's Bride is a keeper and will appeal to readers of Laura Frantz and Liz Curtis Higgs. Jody Hedlund is a brilliant new author whose writing journey I will follow with enthusiasm!

With thanks to Bethany for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Jody's website and blog

Buy Jody's book at Amazon or Koorong

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Rachel Hauck

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day at the Pearl Girls Blog! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Wear Joy

by Rachel Hauck

Thanksgiving day in central Florida broke warm and sunny under a blue sky. The thin fall breeze beckoned me. Taking my bike out, I rode the neighborhood feeling so grateful for all my blessings.

Joy bubbled up in my spirit. I’d been feeling it for a day, these waves of joy, but as I rode my bike and talked to God, the waves strengthened and splashed my heart the entire ride.

I’d laugh. Then tear up. And laugh again. As one who’s battled and won the war on anxiety and fear attacks, the onslaught of joy was welcomed, and actually sparked a new prayer in my heart. I’ve endured attacks of panic, time for attacks of joy.

The journey of joy began earlier in the year while writing a book coincidentally named, “Dining with Joy.”

Sitting at my table one day, revelation hit me. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. The more I meditated on it, the more I wanted His joy. I don’t want my strength. I want His.

Not long after, I went to Nashville for a girl’s weekend. One of my friends handed me a coffee cup inscribed with “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Ever just know? God is calling.

During the holiday season, I turn 50. Yep, the big 5-0. Can’t stop it, I might as well embrace it.

Fifty is often associated with jubilee, a time of restoration, and healing, even release from debt and slavery. It’s a time of returning to property, and inheritance.

A time of rest.

A time of JOY!

This past week, a friend gifted me with a beautiful Christmas ornament. Inscribed on it? You guessed it.

JOY!

To me, the world doesn’t look very joyful. There are social and economic woas. But God is speaking and offering joy.

As you go into this holiday season, ask God for a pearl of joy. Like pearls, crafted through abrasion, God’s true joy is often formed in us during difficult seasons.

Here’s the thing, His strength isn’t doled out based on our goodness, our success or failure, or the fact the holiday season is hard or sad for you. He is ready, willing and able to overcome all your weaknesses, fears and anxiety, sadness with the power of His very own joy.

His joy. Your strength.

I’ve been walking into rooms, houses, outdoors, raising my arms and shouting, “Joy!” People look at me funny, but I want to spread the joy of the Lord. To spread the very essence of His strength.

How about you? Can you find the pearl of joy in your life, in the essence of God’s heart toward you?

Wear joy this season.

~~~

About Rachel: RITA-finalist Rachel Hauck lives in Florida with her husband, Tony. She is the author of Dining with Joy; Sweet Caroline; Love Starts with Elle; and The Sweet By and By, co-authored with Sara Evans. For more information please visit www.rachelhauck.com.

Oh, and be sure to enter Rachel's Dining With Joy NOOK eReader giveaway!

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®.

For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Character Spotlight ~ Amy Clipston's Miriam Lapp & Timothy Kaufmann

Miriam & Timothy

Amy Clipston has made her mark in the world of Amish fiction with her Kaufmann Amish Bakery series, the just releases third book, A Place of Peace continues the story of this community.

Enjoy this insight into her characters:~

Miriam Lapp, 23

Physical Description

She is about 5’5”, slender with light brown hair and deep brown eyes. Think Natalie Portman.

Strengths and weaknesses

She’s unsure of herself and her place in the community. Her heart was broken when she left Timothy and her family 3 years ago. She believes her family and Timothy turned against her when a baby she was caring for died. She feels unlovable and unworthy of God’s love.

Quirk (if any)

She’s a really good baker!

Your inspiration for the character

Miriam may be an outlet of my own latent insecurities.

Timothy Kauffman, age 29

Physical Description

Of course, Timothy’s a hunk! He’s blond and blue-eyed without any facial hair because he’s an unmarried Amish man. He’s 6’2” with broad shoulders and a lean build. A carpenter by trade, he’s physically fit. Picture Luke Mably from “The Prince and Me.”

Strengths & Weakness

He’s loyal and hardworking but cynical and moody. Miriam Lapp broke his heart when she left him without an explanation.

Quirks

He loves crumbly peach pie, especially Miriam’s recipe.

Inspiration for the character

Timothy needed to be reconciled after he interfered with Sarah Rose (his sister) and Luke in A Promise of Hope (Book #2). He has a rough exterior but a very good heart.

Background to the story

A Place of Peace is the third book the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series. The story features Timothy Kauffman, who is a minor character in A Promise of Hope. In that book, you’ll find out that Timothy is deeply wounded by his failed relationship with Miriam Lapp. Due to his regret, he’s jaded and lets those feelings interfere in Sarah Rose’s life. In A Promise of Hope, Timothy was a very negative character, and I felt that he needed to be redeemed and his story needed to be told. Therefore, he was my initial inspiration for A Place of Peace.

In A Place of Peace, Miriam and Timothy are reunited after Miriam’s mother dies and she returns to Bird-in-Hand. Their journey toward reconciliation involves many complications, surprises, twists, and turns.

The piece of the story that is particularly special to me is the subplot of Miriam’s niece who needs a liver transplant. I’m very passionate about organ donation since my husband is on dialysis and awaiting a second kidney transplant. I hope that the story of Miriam’s niece touches the hearts readers and brings organ donation to the forefront of their minds.

Thanks for joining us again, Amy :)

Relz Reviewz Extras

Tracy's reviews of A Gift of Grace and A Promise of Hope

Character spotlight on Lindsay & Jessica Bedford

Interview with Amy

Visit Amy's website and blog

Buy Amy's book at Amazon or Koorong

2010 INSPY Award Winners

General & Literary Fiction:

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

(Tyndale House)

Creative Nonfiction:

Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans

(Zondervan)

Historical Fiction:

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

(Bethany House)

Thriller/Suspense/Crime Fiction:

The Knight by Steven James

(Revell)

Speculative Fiction:

Green by Ted Dekker

(Thomas Nelson)

Amish Fiction:

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman

(Thomas Nelson)

Romance/Romantic Suspense:

Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren

(Summerside)

Young Adult Fiction:

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

(Little, Brown)

Check out the INSPYs website for more and start thinking about books you can nominate for INSPYs, 2011!

12 Pearls of Christmas ~ Margaret McSweeney

Hello - I'm thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual 12 Pearls of Christmas! We've lined up several authors to share their Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along beginning today (Monday the 13th) through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

We are also providing this series as free content for your own blogs (as 12 html posts) - if you'd like to share the 12 Pearls of Christmas with your blog readers email (amy@litfusegroup.com) and she'll send you the content.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post or any of the following 12 Pearls of Christmas posts (on any of the participating posts) to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Pearls of Patience

by Margaret Mcsweeney

As I write by the light of my Christmas tree on a late winter’s night, I reflect upon the poignancy and purpose of this season. The tiny white lights look like strands of pearls draped gracefully (perhaps haphazardly is a more honest description) across the evergreen boughs. Tomorrow I will hang the ornaments and at last place the angel atop the tree

Angels carry a special meaning this Christmas. My brother, Randy passed away on December 2nd from a heart attack at age 53. He was feeding a stray cat on his side porch. Randy was always like St. Francis of Asissi – animals would find him, sensing a kind soul. And my brother was a gentle and patient soul. He loved to fish. He tried to teach me, but I immediately lost interest when I realized worms were involved. And I could never sit still on the banks of a river and just wait. However, Randy could do that. He could wait, and waiting is a true gift. He put into practice the Scriptures. “Wait upon the Lord.” “Be still and know that He is God.” Patience doesn’t have to be passive. Wait is still an action verb. Part of the waiting process for fishing is seeking. Elaine (Randy’s wife of 31 years) told me that Randy said he could see the fish deep beneath the waters. He actively waited for the right time to catch them.

During Randy’s last fishing trip on earth – just a week before his death, he felt an urgency to take a picture of the clouds with his cell phone. When he returned home, he showed the picture to Elaine. They realized that a face of an angel was looking at Randy from the sky – perhaps waiting for God’s timing to bring Randy home to heaven. In my heart I like to think that this “angel in the sky” was part of the heavenly host that appeared to the shepherds over two thousand years ago. A Christmas Angel.

The Christmas Angels brought tidings of great joy that Jesus, our Lord and Savior was born. And because of that incredible gift from God that these angels announced, we all have the promise of eternity. Let us actively wait for His return by sharing our faith, offering hope and acting with love in everything we do.

May each of you be blessed this Christmas as you celebrate the purposeful promises of the Season: Faith, hope and love. And may the 12 Pearls of Christmas be a blessing to you, too.

~~~

About Margaret:

Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband, David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. After earning a master's degree in international business from the University of South Carolina, Margaret moved to New York City to work at a large bank where she met David. Charity and community involvement are very important to Marga ret. She is the founder and director of Pearl Girls.

For more information please visit www.pearlgirls.info. Margaret is fast at work on several fiction manuscripts and her book Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace was written to help fund the Pearl Girl Charities. Connect with Margaret on Facebook or Twitter.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!


12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

“I believe every life has hidden sons that hang by twin threads of music and memory. I believe in the songs that have never been played for another soul.”

Raised to appreciate music at the feet of his mandolin playing father, Billy Allman is an introverted soul whose childhood in West Virginia is marked by the heartbreak of a natural disaster and family tragedy. Never quite fitting in at school, Billy seeks refuge from the torment of his classmates in his music and his talent is soon discovered by a teacher who hears him play the mandolin. Invited to practice with the popular Gospel Bluegrass Boys, Billy life is forever changed in ways that will impact the remainder of his life.

“Time hinders the human condition, but it does not touch me....They neglect what they say is important and strive for sand that so easily slips through their fingers.”

Charged with observing Billy Allman from his early years, the angel known as Malachi ponders the condition of the human heart and the sometimes incomprehensible decisions made by his human charge. Removed for a crucial period in Billy’s life at the bidding of his creator, Malachi attempts to discover what happened during that time to shatter Billy’s creativity and shun the people who care about him most.

“I feel like God has given me an idea to help people in my Jerusalem. It’s nothing earth-shattering but it is kind of risky...”

Dedicating his life to God’s work, Billy puts his skills to work building a radio station for the people of Dogwood from equipment he has collected over the years. His heart believes that playing gospel-oriented music will point people to things above. Consumed by his radio station, working 20 hour days, Billy forgets to eat and barely sleeps. Is he driven by passion of pain?

Chris Fabry is a thinking person's writer, reaching deeply into the soul of his characters, examining who they are and what drives them to reach for the impossible or causes them to give up hope. Beautifully rendered, Almost Forever is moving and confronting, challenging and encouraging in both direct and subtle ways that will leave you pondering your response to the story for days to come. The slow pacing of the novel may be a detraction for some, but it suits the revelatory nature of the book, as Billy's inner turmoil, the community's journey and the thoughts of an angel are gently exposed. The angel Malachi's thoughts, interspersed throughout the story, proved to be a bit of a distraction as I read but not to the detriment of my engagement in the story. Cameo appearances by characters from Chris' brilliant novel, June Bug were delightful and readers will enjoy learning a little more of their journey. While not having the same draw for me as June Bug, Almost Heaven is a compelling read and courageously tackles a subject too often shied away from in Christian Fiction. To say any more would give away a key development in the story. I look forward to more fiction from this talented author.

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

With thanks to TitleTrakk for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Tracy's reviews of June Bug & Dogwood

Visit Chris' blog

Visit Andrea Fabry's blog

Learn about the Fabry's mold story

RBC Book Club interview with Chris

Buy Chris' books at Amazon or Koorong

Book trailer for CJ Darlington's Bound by Guilt

CJ Darlington's second novel, Bound by Guilt, releases in March, 2011 and the book trailer is more than intriguing! I must get to the ARC that is burning a hole on my bookshelf!

What do you think?

Character Spotlight ~ Angela Meuser's Emily Van Arsdale & Tracen Lake

Emily & Tracen

Angela Meuser's debut novel is hitting shelves now so enjoy this sneak peek behind her characters.

Over to you, Angela:~

Brief Physical Description

Emily is an actress who played Wonder Woman in a movie--so think young Linda Carter. She's very petite with dark curls she'd recently cut to chin length and bright blue eyes. Her cheekbones pop out when she smiles, which she does a lot.

Tracen's appearance is based on actor Josh Duhamel. He's got messy medium brown hair streaked lighter by all his time in the sun and hazel eyes. He's tall and lean--a whole foot taller than Emily.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Emily is spry and agile, which makes her a good stunt woman. She likes a challenge though she runs away when she gets scared. She's kept herself busy with work--too busy to have time for family even though that's the thing she wants most in life.

Tracen is loyal and stable, which is why he has a chip on his shoulder about all the celebrities that visit Sun Valley. He is the only one of his large family to remain in the area, and he strongly believes in "home sweet home" rather than "home is where the heart is."

Quirks

Emily is allergic to dairy and wheat. As a child she was very sick. Once the doctors changed her diet in 4th grade she was able to participate in sports for the first time and she's been active ever since. Her aversion to coffee is not from an allergy but because she always burns her tongue and spills on herself--driving her costume designers crazy.

Tracen suffers from the Achoo Syndrome--a real ailment that causes him to sneeze whenever he looks at the sun or bright lights--so he is always wearing sunglasses.

Jor-El (I have to throw Jor-El in here because he is very quirky and because I love him so) is a chubby kid who rides a unicycle and collects comic books. He has a huge crush on Emily since she played a comic book superhero in a movie

Inspiration

The idea of writing about a stuntwoman comes from the Trampoline class I took at University of Oregon. Many of the students went on to work as stuntmen in the film industry. I wasn't that good...but I imagined I was.

Originally the story was set in Sweet Home, Oregon, which is on a river between two lakes in a state where it rains a lot. I thought, "This story has to be about water." So I put them in a raft. I was a little overwhelmed when the publisher asked me to relocate the story, but the theme still fits Sun Valley, and I think the change works even better with Tracen's intolerance to the sun and his disdain for celebrities.

Background to the story

Nothing specific I need to share under background, so how about future ground? I honestly don't think this storyline itself is anything remarkable, but the characters make it great. I fell in love with all my characters (just wait until you meet Howie and Honey), and I'm hoping to write romances for two of Tracen's four brothers. They are just so fun to hang out with.

Thanks Angela for sharing about Tracen and Emily :)


On Monday the spotlight shines on Amy Clipston's Miriam Lapp & Timothy Kaufmann from A Place of Peace.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Angela's website and blog

Buy Angela's book at Amazon or Koorong