Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler~A Review

ABOUT HATTERAS GIRL
Fall in love with Alice J. Wisler's charming characters in this delightful story set in the beach communities of North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.

There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it—not to mention its outrageous price tag.

When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?



Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0732-7
ISBN-10: 0-7642-0732-6
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Number of pages: 320
Publication Date: Oct. 10
Formats: Paperback
Publisher: Bethany House


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina. Visit www.alicewisler.com


MY REVIEW
“Hatteras Girl” is the first book I’ve read written by Alice J. Wisler and I loved it. Ms. Wisler has a wonderful way with her writing. She writes fresh, riveting stories.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina where this book took place. It seems like a place I would really love to visit. You will find yourself transported to North Carolina.
This book is about Jackie and her best friend, Minnie. She {Minnie} is experiencing dreadful grief after losing her husband. Jackie and Minnie have always hoped to own the Bailey House a bed and breakfast, but the price tag is high above there reach.
Jackie interviews Davis Erickson the owner of The Bailey House.
From that comes many things.
You will see deceit, heartbreaking grief, love, peace and finally happiness with surprises mixed in.
There are very many special people in “Hatteras Girl,” like Aunt Sheerly, Uncle Ropey, Buck, Minnie, her son Zane and Irvy. You won’t want to miss out on all of the fun and sadness’s they all go through.
It’s interesting to read a book that is different and gives you surprises along the way. I really love the cover and title of “Hatteras Girl.“ This is a book that I recommend for all to read and enjoy. You will be very pleased to add this wonderful book to your collection.




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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

In Memory of Leisha Kelly

On January 25, 2011 a wonderful author Leisha Kelly passed away.
Here is a news release from Revell Publishing Company.
I've read many of Leisha's books and I will miss her writing very much.
I'm glad she's home with Jesus!
Here's the books she wrote:

1 The House on Malcolm Street 2010
2 Julia’s Hope
3 Emma’s Gift
4 Katie’s Dream
5 Till Morning is Nigh
6 Rorey’s Secret
7 Rachel’s Prayer
8 Sarah’s Promise
9 Tahn
10 The Scarlet Trefoil
11 Return to Alstair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leisha Kelly
July 1, 1963-January 25, 2011

Grand Rapids, MI — Leisha Kelly, 47, was killed in car accident Tuesday night near Fowler, Illinois. Her son, 16-year-old Justice, was also killed in the crash. Kelly, a resident of nearby Clayton, Illinois, was the author of 11 books, among them a best-selling inspirational historical fiction series centered around the Wortham and Hammond families, set in Southern Illinois. Her most recent book, The House on Malcolm Street, was published by Revell in September 2010.
Kelly leaves behind her husband K. J. and a daughter, Hosanna. Kelly home-schooled her two children and served as a children's ministry director and a youth minister at her family's church. The couple had also recently become foster parents.
Vicki Crumpton, Executive Editor for Revell, who worked with Kelly since her first book, Julia's Hope, was published in 2001 said, "I remember receiving Leisha's first proposal in 2001. I read what her agent sent and called him that day to ask to read more of the manuscript. When I presented the proposal to our publishing committee, the team read the proposal and a few sample chapters. The first thing people asked was, 'When can we read the rest?' And every time we received a new proposal from Leisha, people always asked, 'When can I read more?' Leisha's fans felt the same way. They always wanted to know when her next book would be out."
"Leisha Kelly was an amazing talent. More than that, she was an amazing person, loved by family, friends, and her fans. Her unique writing voice will be greatly missed," Crumpton said.
Twila Bennett, Senior Director of Marketing for Revell, remembers a story Kelly told her once. "She had a vivid memory of one of her first writing experiences that has stayed with me after all this time. She was young, it was the year that Mount Saint Helens erupted and she had heard the news stories about how the ashes might fall on other states. She felt a story burning in her and went out to her front porch and wrote and wrote. And then, the ashes from Mount Saint Helens really did indeed begin falling on her paper like snow."
"I keep seeing that young Leisha now and look in wonderment at this girl, who overcame so much and gained the world on Tuesday with her son at her side," Bennett said.
For more information on Leisha and her books, please visit www.leishakelly.com.

~~~~~Memoriam for Leisha and Justice Kelly~~~~~
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/whig/obituary.aspx?n=leisha-and-justice-kelly&pid=148125319

Suzanne Woods Fisher-author interview & book giveaway

Today I welcome Suzanne Woods Fisher.
Here are the questions she answered so graciously.
I LOVE the cover of this book.

Giveaway guidelines below!

Tell us about “The Search,” the featured book.
The Search is the third in the ‘Lancaster County Secrets” series. It’s set in Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania, in 1972. The story begins as Bess Riehl is arriving in town to help her grandmother for the summer. Unbeknownst to Bess, her grandmother has a few plans for the summer up her sleeve!

Who influenced your writing?
I remember a moment in a college library when I looked up old Christianity Today magazines that had my grandfather’s name in the masthead. It gave me that bone-tingling chill to see his name…to realize how the written word carries forward. I had a great respect for my grandfather’s work—I think it was the inspiring moment for me to write for a career.

Your hobbies, interests?
Raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind! Love it! Love the people, love the pups.

Where do you like to vacation?
On the beach (any beach) on a perfect, sunny day. With a good book and a glass of iced tea.

What are some of your likes and dislikes?
Huge mortifying dislike: my last name is Fisher and I hate fish.

Tell us a little-known fact about yourself that readers may not know.
(See previous question!)

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day?
When I have the luxury of time, I try to have a writing goal of about 1500 words a day (good, solid writing). And then I like to spend time each day on promotion (answering e-mails, Facebook, planning for speaking engagements, working on my weekly program). But life is seldom filled with a luxury of time!

Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?
Six months would be awesome…but it’s usually been about a three-month turnaround. In a good way, it’s fun to be thoroughly immersed in a story. But I never want to rush a book out. My goal is that each book is better than the one before it. I want to keep improving my craft.

What are you currently reading?
A book by Jamie Langston Turner. She is a master of detail! I think I read that she’s a professor at a Christian college…you can just see her mind, collecting all kinds of trivia to weave into her books!

Do you grow flowers or vegetables? What are your favorite flowers?
I have a very large vegetable garden—love to grow summer tomatoes, zucchini, basil, pumpkins, strawberries, etc. I do love growing flowers, too—I have zinnias and marigolds in each garden bed. Right now, as I write, I have flowering narcissus bulbs on my desk. Hints of Heaven’s perfume!

What are you writing now?
Working on the second in a new series—I just turned in the first one on January 1st, so my mind is still stuck in that novel. I haven’t heard back from my editor yet…and she will probably have edits. I can’t quite let go of that story yet…but I am trying to get my mind wrapped around this new story. I have the basic idea mapped out…now, for the details and character development!

How can readers find you on the Internet?
www.suzannewoodsfisher.com I love to hear from readers! Means so much to me to connect with booklovers.

And thanks for spending this time with us, Suzanne.
We wish you much success.

Suzanne has offered to giveaway her wonderful book "The Search" to one of you my followers.


Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. ENTRY DEADLINE February 13, 2011

A fantastic gift to one of you for Valentine's Day!
I would love for you to be my follower and get my email updates.

Loving Liza Jane by Sharlene MacLaren*A Review

ABOUT LOVING LIZA JANE

When Liza Jane Merriwether rode into the town of Little Hickman Creek, her first thought was, "Oh, Lord, what have I done?" Kentucky was much different than what she was used to back East, but she knew God had led her here for a reason. Soon, the new schoolteacher is beloved by all-including Benjamin Broughton, a handsome widower with two young children. Despite his protectiveness and the fact that Ben has rescued Liza from several scrapes, her contract implicitly states that she is to have "no improper contact with the opposite sex." Liza has a lot to learn about God and His plan for her life.


Paperback: 351 pages
Publisher: Whitaker House (March 12, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0883688166
ISBN-13: 978-0883688168
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds


ABOUT SHARLENE MACLAREN
Born and raised in west Michigan, Shar attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree way back in 1971, she traveled internationally for a year with a small singing ensemble, then came home and married one of her childhood friends. Together they raised two lovely, wonderful daughters, both of whom are happily married and enjoying their own families. Retired in 2003 from 31-years of teaching, Shar loves to read, sing in the church choir and worship team, travel, and spend time with her family, in particular, her wonderful, adorable grandchildren, Dylan, Alexis, and Gavin!

A Christian for forty+ years, and a lover of the English language, Shar has always enjoyed dabbling in writing—poetry, fiction, various essays, and freelancing for periodicals and newspapers. Her favored genre, however, has always been romance. She remembers well the short stories she wrote in high school and watching them circulate from girl to girl during government and civics classes. “Psst,” someone would whisper from two rows over, and always with the teacher’s back to the class, “Pass me the next page.” 


Shar is a an occasional speaker for her local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS’ HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the Apples of Gold program, and is active in two weekly Bible studies. She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with their lazy, fat cat Mocha.

http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com/

MY REVIEW
I have never read any of Sharlene MacLaren’s book, but I really enjoyed this first one. “Loving Liza Jane” is full of fun. Loving Liza Jane, the first installment in MacLaren's Little Hickman Creek Series. These books were written in 2007, but still are fantastic and super books to have. Suspense, loss and overall joy.
Eliza Jane Meriwether was raised by her Aunt and Uncle, but felt God calling her to a different place to live and start her life. The place she felt called to was Little Hickman Creek, Kentucky.
Eliza is a school teacher at her first assignment. In this school the children or lack of materials have already had three teachers leave.
Ben Broughton, a fascinating, good-looking widower having troubles running his farm and raise his two daughters, seven year old Lili and fifteen month-old Maggie. He is a spiritual man, who's accepted the death of his wife and not allowing his loss to make him a bitter man.
This book has lots of good clean romance, combines lots of scripture and Eliza has incredible determined character, which is really fun to read about.
ELiza Jane holds to the strict rule that a single teacher shouldn’t entertain or become friends with a bachelor and Ben needs help desperately so he looks to a mail-order bride ad. Altogether these elements really make a fantastic story.
I highly recommend this book to be one for reading and keeping in your favorites. Really loved the story and characters.
They have great deals at Amazon of these wonderful books, so check it out.


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Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Winner of Don't Waste the Pain

Greetings Friends!
We have a winner of the wonderful book "Don't Waste the Pain" by David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson.

Aik
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I will be emailing you soon to get your home address so you can get your book soon.
Thanks to everyone who commented. If you want to buy this book for yourself just go to Amazon.
More book giveaways coming really soon.

Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon A Review

ABOUT FATAL JUDGMENT

Fatal Judgment: By Irene Hannon
Guardians of Justice Series Book 1

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven't warmed in the five years since she drove her husband--and Jake's best friend--to despair . . . and possible suicide.
As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he's forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life--and his heart--are in danger.
Full of suspense and romance, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.


Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3456-5
ISBN-10: 0-8007-3456-4
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Number of pages: 336
Carton Quantity: 48
Publication Date: Jan. 11
Formats: Paperback

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Irene Hannon is the author of more than 25 novels, including the CBA bestsellers Against All Odds, An Eye for an Eye, and In Harm's Way. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier award, and the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine. She lives in Missouri.

For more information about Irene and her books, visit her website at http://www.irenehannon.com/.

MY REVIEW
In Fatal Judgment Jake Taylor, a U.S. Marshal, has a new assignment, to protect federal judge Liz Michaels. She is the widow of his college best friend. When Liz's sister is murdered at Liz's house, the police think Liz may have been the one the killer was after. Jake hates the thought of having to protect Liz because of his friend's description of her cold heartlessness and putting her career higher than all else. Liz amazes Jake by being friendly and considerate, the total reverse of what he expected.
This is the second book I’ve read by Irene Hannon and loved it as much as the first. Every part of the book is full of exciting, heart stopping events, but the last half is just so gripping that you just don’t want to quit reading. Fatal Judgment is about how sometimes when bad things keep happening to a person some people just can’t go on in a normal way. The reason why is because they don’t trust God to see them through. Fatal Judgment is a book you will want to read and keep.
If you love books that have compelling characters, faced -paced, roller-coaster chapters, this book is defiantly for you. The suspense of Fatal Judgment will keep you on the edge of your seat. Can’t wait for the next books in the Guardians of Justice series.


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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Never Been Kissed by Melody Carlson*A Review

ABOUT NEVER BEEN KISSED
New School = New Chance for That First Kiss
Summer is ending, and for once that doesn't seem like such a bad thing to Elise. She's hoping that starting fresh at a new high school will turn her first-kiss prospects around. New guys, new friends, and a new lease on life.
What she wasn't counting on was all the new pressure--to hang with the right crowd, wear the right clothes, and date the right guy. Just when it seems she's on top of the world, everything comes crashing down. Could one bad choice derail her future?


Price: $9.99
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3259-2
ISBN-10: 0-8007-3259-6
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8
Number of pages: 224
Carton Quantity: 52
Publication Date: Jan. 11
Formats: Paperback

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.





MY REVIEW
Another winner by Melody Carlson. “Never Been Kissed” is a young adult book. My daughter who is 18 and I both love it. As soon as I would put “Never Been Kissed” down my daughter would pick it up. Hannah-my daughter doesn’t like to read many books I do, so if she read this you know it has to be excellent.
In this book you will see many of the dangers and traps that happen when a person in high school thinks about being the most popular.

Elise Storton is going to a new school which is hard enough and now she is turning sixteen has never been kissed. She meets a super, fantastic guy named Asher Gordon, but he has a girlfriend.
We find out what small lies, being harassed by peers, wanting to fit in can do to a teen. This book talks about some of the very real problems of teen life, like being teased, humiliated, sexting, making wrong decisions. Also the very real issue of teen suicide because of teasing. This book teaches us to know who you are emailing/texting etc…
Also “Never Been Kissed” have a very strong religious theme, but not overpowering that would turn unbelievers off.
I really recommend that you and any young person male/female read this book. It really speaks to them to not let others push you around and get the best of you.

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I received my free copy from Donna Hausler from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255