Three Times Blessed by Lori Copeland

Audrey Pride takes Thunder Ridge, Texas by storm as her wagon topples the town's water supply tower and she makes a very wet but memorable entrance.

Returning to take on the teaching position offered to her in Blackberry Hill, Audrey is dismayed to find the job is no longer available. Placed in an untenable situation, Audrey reluctantly accepts an offer by the town's undertaker she would rather refuse.

When disease spreads from an infected wagon train, Audrey's faith and grit are tested as she struggles to help the dead and dying while fighting an unheeded attraction to widower, Eli Gray, a man determined to ignore her attentions.

Lori Copeland's historical romances have been engaging readers' hearts and minds for over twenty five years, the past nineteen of those years in Christian publishing. Lori's experience shows as she creates memorable characters, an authentic town and a tried and true plot. I would have preferred greater interaction between Audrey and Eli and their minimal dialogue and connection did take away from the story for me. That being said, lovers of historical romance will find much to like in this second Belles of Timber Creek series as the sometimes hapless trio of Audrey, Copper and Willow continue their friendship throughout the trials and tribulations of living on the Texas frontier. The set up for Copper's story is intriguing and One True Love will finalise the trilogy upon its release.


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2009 Releases from Avon Inspire

The Desires of her Heart by Lyn Cote

Dorritt Mott is a woman ahead of her time! In 1821, when events make it impossible for her family to remain in New Orleans, they head for Texas and Steven Austin's settlement. Quinn, a part-Cherokee frontiersman, leads the way, unaware of danger lurking nearby. Will Dorritt and Quinn become pawns in a deadly scheme?

Releasing January, 2009







Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray

Twenty-year-old Katie Brenneman has always quietly fancied Jonathan Lundy. So when the brokenhearted widower asks her to help him take care of his two young girls, Katie knows it will be a trying time—yet she cannot pass up a golden opportunity to get to know this man better.

Just as she's settling into her new life, a message arrives from Katie's past, threatening to expose her darkest secrets. During her Rumspringa, her running-around years, she experimented with activities forbidden in the Amish way of life. Frightened by how far she'd strayed from her values, Katie ran back home, vowing to cut all ties with the outside world. Now her transgressions are coming back to haunt her, just as Jonathan seems willing to welcome her into his heart.

Will the past destroy Katie's chances for love? Or will Katie allow herself to accept God's love, forgive her past, and receive everything she's ever wanted?

Releasing, January, 2009

Awaken My Heart by DiAnn Mills & Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman

Harper Collin's new inspirational line, Avon Inspire, has some well know authors to its credit. Here are my mini reviews of DiAnn Mills' and Tracey Bateman's latest offerings.

Enjoy :)


Awaken My Heart by DiAnn Mills

Synopsis:~


When mestizos kidnap Marianne Phillips, they hope that her wealthy Texas rancher father will trade land for her freedom. But rebel leader Armando Garcia is enchanted with this young woman whose faith is so strong---and arranges for her escape. How much will Marianne and Armando risk to give their love a chance?

My take:~

DiAnn Mills fashions a passionate tale of two mismatched hearts against the backdrop of oppression and injustice in the new Texas colony. Armando and Marianne represent the social divide, Armando the reluctant but devoted leader of the mestizo peasants and Marianne, the daughter of a wealthy landholder. I enjoyed how DiAnn ably portrayed Armando as the rebel leader torn between loyalty and love for his people and abhorrance at his men's kidnapping of Marianne. Matters of faith, love and justice give this romance something above the usual fare. Awaken My Heart is good read for your next quiet afternoon!



Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman

Synopsis:~

Antonia Rodden once dreamed of a new life and happy family out west. Now the former prostitute doubts that anybody will ever love her for anything but her looks. Wagon scout and part-time preacher Sam Two-Feathers proclaims One who forgives sins and looks beyond outward appearances. Can Sam practice---and Toni trust---what he preaches?

My take:~

Highly anticipating the story of Toni and Sam ever since reading of their hidden attraction in Defiant Heart, the first in Tracey's Westward Heart series, I was not disappointed. Distant Heart is an emotionally satisfing read as Toni and Sam struggle to believe they could ever be good enough for eachother. Toni's unsavoury past convinces her she is unworthy of the God fearing and gentle Sam Two-Feathers, while Sam believes his heritage prevents him from ever telling Toni of his love and devotion. The redemptive message in this tale is moving and with a touch of humour, Distant Heart will please lovers of well written historical romances and garner the genre some new fans as well.

CFBA Blog Tour of For Pete's Sake by Linda Windsor

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

For Pete's Sake
Book Two of the Piper Cove Chronicles
(Avon Inspire - April 1, 2008)
by
Linda Windsor


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Maryland author Linda Windsor has written some twenty-nine historical and contemporary novels for both the secular and inspirational markets, but she is most noted for delivering “The Lift of Laughter and Spirit” in her modern inspirational romances.

A Christy finalist and winner of numerous industry awards, Linda has written for Multnomah Publishing (historical fiction and contemporary romances), Barbour Publishing (romcom novella), and Westbow Press (the Moonstruck romantic comedy trilogy). Wedding Bell Blues the first book in her new The Piper Cove Chronicles series, is featured on Avon Inspire's launch list.

In addition to writing and doing fiction-writing workshops at conferences across the country, Linda continues a music and lay speaking ministry started by her and her late husband, and she is a part-time financial analyst. She also works on “as desperately needed” home improvement projects on the 18th-century-plus house that she and her husband began restoring in 1986. Wallpaper and paint are definitely in her near future.

LINDA WINDSOR LOCAL APPEARANCES:

Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Jack's Religious Gift Shop
701 Snow Hill Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
2:00PM

Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Gospel Shop
800 South Salisbury Blvd
Salisbury, MD 21801
11:00 AM

ABOUT THE BOOK

For Pete's Sake is a remarkable story about the unlikely live between a grown-up tomboy and the millionaire next door.

Ellen Brittingham isn’t sure true live exists until she contracts to do the landscaping of the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface, He’s engaged to a beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he’ll soon have a mom for his troubled son Pete.

Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin façade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have his own sites set on Ellen – as his new mom.

As Ellen’s friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is about to marry the wrong woman for the right reasons. And despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only” with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into her heart, drawing Ellen and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete’s sake!

But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he’s engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn’t. When Ellen’s three best friends see she’s been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian’s love.

But Ellen must ask herself whether she’s ready to risk the heart that she’s always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God’s plan and her one true chance at love?

My take:~

From her engaging humour, entertaining yet substantial characters and fabulous storytelling, Linda Windsor's books shine and For Pete's Sake is no exception. Ellen and Adrian's attraction is instantaneous but the circuitous route required to act on it and numerous hurdles in their way, including a scheming fiancee, a marginalised young boy and an interfering mother, combine to make a top notch comedic romance. Ellen's friends return to encourage and frustrate, hinting at storylines to come and as always, Linda infuses her tale with genuine and relevant faith threads. Linda's writing captivates me every time and I look forward to more of the Piper Cove Chronicles in the future.