Coming in 2012 from Zondervan

Here's some more cover love for you to chat about, this time from Zondervan.  I'm also keen to read these books.

I actually really like these covers!  Yes, Covenant of War and The Chase have faces  but I like the darker colours and grittiness of them both, especially Cliff's book :)  

Coming Home looks fabulous ~ love the roses and simplicity of it.

Your thoughts?

Covenant of War by Cliff Graham

The year is 993 BC. After years of bloody civil war, Eleazar son of Dodai, one of King David’s most elite warriors, wants nothing more than to finally live peacefully in the land.

But on the plains near the Great Sea, a terrifying army of Philistines has mobilized to crush the Hebrew tribes once and for all. In the sun-drenched valleys and dark forests of the hill country, Eleazar and his warriors make their stand against Israel’s deadliest enemy. The fate of an entire nation rests on the courage of a small band of heroes known as the Mighty Men.

In a land torn by conflict, depleted by drought and threatened by treachery, the horrors and heroism of the ancient battlefields come to life.

Covenant of War is the second book in the Lion of War series—the intense, gritty, and stylistic portrayal of the Mighty Men of Israel, a rag-tag band of warriors who came to King David in his most desperate hour and fought with him while he claimed the throne he was destined to fill. Their legendary deeds are recorded in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11.

February, 2012


Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

If forgiving your ex-husband was easy, everybody would do it.

Brent had cheated on Dayna and coldly said goodbye to her seven long years ago—dashing her hopes of having children or growing old with the love of her life. Working hard to make herself successful as a hospital executive, Dayna has moved on, finding comfort in a new dating relationship with a faith-filled colleague, Warren.

But when Brent resurfaces on her doorstep at just the wrong time, Dayna’s heart threatens to come unglued. Why is Brent asking for forgiveness now? And why are he and his new wife, Tamara, interested in reconciliation with Dayna? The unbelievable answers begin to surface  as Brent boldly asks Dayna to support him at the most crucial time of his life.

While Tamara’s heart brims with guilt, both women will discover what it means to reach beyond pain and baggage to love unconditionally, leaving the consequences to God.

February, 2012



The Chase by DiAnn Mills

To the FBI it’s a cold case. To Kariss Walker it’s a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it’s a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget.

Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel.

Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl’s missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the partners into a witch’s brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss’s pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag?

Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in The Chase.

March, 2012

Dreams That Won't Let Go by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Synopsis:~

Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are under way, her career as a photographer is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever--all except her brother Reuben who nobody has seen in years. But that's about to change, because Reuben has decided to move back home to Jubilant, Texas. But Reuben's hope to find healing with his sisters doesn't seem to be working. Soon enough their lives intersect in dramatic, sometimes painful, and ultimately healing ways.

My take:~

Stacy Hawkins Adams is a rare breed of writer! Her characters, their circumstances and responses are so beautifully authentic that every book is so satisfying. Dreams That Won't Let Go continues the story of the Burns family, tainted by tragedy and struggling to be honest with each other. Stacy's portrayal of the divisiveness of suppressed pain and emotions is so genuine you will cry with Indigo, Rueben and Yasmin and hope for healing. Any reader who seeks a genuine and moving story with discerning spiritual insights will appreciate this well written story.

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Character spotlight on Indigo and Rueben

Review of Worth A Thousand Words

Visit Stacy's website and blog

Buy Stacy's books at Amazon and Koorong

Character Spotlight ~ Stacy Hawkins Adams' Indigo & Rueben Burns

Today the spotlight shines.............................on Indigo Burns and Rueben Burns




Stacy Hawkins Adams is a busy lady ~ wife, mum, author, speaker and freelance writer! I was delighted that she could find the time to share about her latest characters, siblings Indigo and Rueben Burns, from her Jubilant Soul series and its final book, Dreams That Won't Let Go.

Over to you, Stacy:~

Brief physical description

Indigo Burns is pretty, about five feet six inches tall and thin. Her complexion is the color of honey and she has ebony eyes.

Her brother, Reuben Burns is tall, a shade browner than Indigo, muscular and has a great smile. He wears his hair close cropped and has a clean shaven face.

Actor/famous person

Actress Kerry Washington might resemble Indigo.

Actor Hill Harper might resemble Reuben.

Strengths and weaknesses

Indigo's strengths are compassion and talent. She gives until it hurts to her family and friends, and uses her skill as a photographer both to elevate her career and help her community.

Her weakness is a central theme in the book. She is upset by her brother's return home to the fictional Jubilant, Texas. On the surface, she simply seems jealous, but her weakness is her inability to articulate that her frustration is about more than just sibling rivalry.

Reuben's weakness is his inability to communicate his truths to others. His wife, Peyton, knows him well and understand what makes him react the way he does in particular situations. But Reuben's family welcomes him home without really knowing why he stayed away for ten years, or what has brought him back. Reuben eventually realizes that those facts will be important to helping his family heal.

Quirk (if any)

Indigo doesn't really have a quirk; she simply comes across as spoiled in the first half of the book. As readers come to know her better, they'll understand her better.

Reuben's quirk would be the nightmares and panic attacks he is experiencing and keeping secret from everyone except his wife.

Your inspiration for the character

My inspiration for Indigo was the “good brother” in the Prodigal Son story, who always did what was right, stayed home to help his father, and found himself feeling cast aside when his “long lost” brother returned. I'm certain many families grapple with some modern-day form of this issue, and I wanted to explore it through this female character.

My inspiration for Reuben was the proverbial “stoic man” who seems to have it all together and thinks he can handle his issues in his own way - without help from God or anyone else. I wanted to encourage readers who know people like Reuben to look beyond the surface and keep speaking truth and love into their lives; and I wanted to encourage the “Reubens” of the world to open up and give God a try.

Background to the story

Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are underway, her photography career is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever--all except her brother Reuben who nobody has seen in years. But that's about to change.

When Reuben decides to move back home to Jubilant, Texas, he hopes to find healing with his sisters. But Indigo isn't so sure their relationship can be mended. And when younger sister Yasmin makes a life-altering choice, it seems like it would take a miracle to put the Burns family back together.

Can family ties bind up deep-seated wounds? Will these three young people ever be able to live out their dreams?

Thanks Stacy :) It has been great to learn a bit more about Rueben who has been quite the intriguing character!



On Monday, the spotlight shines on Jayne Tate from Hillary Manton Lodge's excellent debut novel, Plain Jayne.

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Worth A Thousand Words

Visit Stacy's website and blog

Buy Stacy's books at Amazon and Koorong

Worth A Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Life has always gone Indigo Burns's way. She's smart, pretty, and talented, and she knows exactly what she wants. A photography internship at her hometown's local newspaper is the next step in her well-laid plans for her future. But her long-term goals are put to the test when her boyfriend Brian proposes--two years before he's supposed to and in front of all the guests at her college graduation party. Too concerned about his feelings to say no, she heartily agrees, but inside she's cringing.

Indigo knows in her heart that she's not prepared to sacrifice her dreams to become Brian's wife--not before she has achieved any of them. Will she find the answers among family and friends in Jubilant, Texas? Or will the picture-perfect life she dreams of be left behind?

My take:~

Worth A Thousand Words is my first foray into Stacy Hawkins Adams' writing and it won't be the last. With a gentle yet probing style, Stacy highlights the deep struggles her characters endure because of past choices as well as their perceived need to meet others' expectations. Indigo and Brian are fascinating characters that many readers will relate to and their journey is unexpected and authentic. Tackling issues that are often avoided in Christian Fiction, Stacy does so with sensitivity and discernment and thankfully does not succumb to a clean cut ending. Worth A Thousand Words is well worth adding to your collection!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Stacy's website and blog

Buy Stacy's books at Amazon and Koorong

Coming in 2010 from Revell ~ contemporary

Now it is Revell's turn to reveal what's in store for 2010!

Highlights for me are Sharon Gillenwater's book ~ I love her Scottish Highland books from many years ago, two new romantic suspense novels from Irene and Lynette and Ginny Smith's final Sister to Sister novel. That being said, I am really looking forward to Janice's Weddings by Bella series which debuts with Fools Rush In in September and I have just finished reading Stacy's Worth A Thousand Words which was very enjoyable!

To summarise, I can't wait to read them all - LOL!!

Your thoughts ~ Covers? Story lines? Can't wait for...?


Dreams That Won't Let Go by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are under way, her career as a photographer is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever--all except her brother Reuben who nobody has seen in years. But that's about to change, because Reuben has decided to move back home to Jubilant, Texas. But Reuben's hope to find healing with his sisters doesn't seem to be working. Soon enough their lives intersect in dramatic, sometimes painful, and ultimately healing ways.

This insightful novel by an Essence bestselling author will pull in women readers from the urban market and beyond.

Releasing January, 2010





Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater

Jenna Callahan has a young son and rewarding work on her father's ranch. She's content. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago. And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.

Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves.

With an emphasis on simple acts of love, Jenna's Cowboy gives romance readers what they want most: a love story with a Texas touch.

Releasing January, 2010





Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson

Bella Rossi's life is nearing perfection. She's got the perfect guy, she's running a successful business, and she's about to plan her most ambitious wedding yet, a Renaissance-themed fairy tale come true, complete with period costumes and foods, horse-drawn carriages, and even a castle. There's just one hitch. The best man just happens to be Brock Benson, Hollywood's hottest and most eligible bachelor. Oh, and did we mention he's staying at the Rossi house to avoid the paparazzi?

With all the pressure surrounding this wedding, Bella's not sure she's going to make it through. Add her starstruck sister, her feuding aunt and uncle, and a trio of large, sequined church ladies with even bigger personalities, and you've got a recipe for disaster--and a lot of laughs. This hilarious romantic comedy is sure to delight both fans and new readers alike.

Releasing January, 2010





Third Time's A Charm by Virginia Smith

Tori Sanderson has the professional opportunity of a lifetime. If she can prove she's executive material, she's in line for a big promotion. But there's only room for one new account executive, and her co-worker has his eye on the job--and on Tori. Her matchmaking sisters have a handsome handyman in mind for her. But how can she consider romance when she couldn't hold on to the one man who was supposed to love her forever--her own father? The time has come for answers, and Tori decides to search out the father who deserted her twelve years ago. While Tori may find the answers she craves, will she ever be able to love again?

A heartwarming story of sisters, retail therapy, and love that endures, Third Time's a Charm is the satisfying conclusion to Virginia Smith's Sister-to-Sister series

Releasing January, 2010





Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason

Samantha Cash is the FBI's secret weapon. Her methods are invisible, and she never stops until the case is closed. When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, Samantha is assigned to help local chief Connor Wolfe find the killer. And he has two problems with that. There's her faith--in God and herself. And then there's the fact that she looks exactly like his late wife.

As they get close to an answer, the case becomes personal. The killer seems to be taking an interest in Connor's 16-year-old daughter, who thinks her dad is getting way too protective. Can't a girl just have some fun?

Too Close to Home ratchets up the suspense with each page, and will have readers cheering for the characters they love as justice is served and love grows even in the face of danger. Read this one with the lights on!

Releasing April, 2010

In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon

FBI special agent Nick Bradley has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau. But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis--until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found and tells him she thinks something is wrong because of a strange feeling of terror it gives her when she touches it. Nick dismisses her, only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted child, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections--and puts Rachel's life on the line.

Filled with palpable suspense and a touch of romance, In Harm's Way is the final installment of the thrilling Heroes of Quantico series.

Releasing April, 2010