A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan*Book Review

ABOUT A LOVE FORBIDDEN
Moved by the desire for adventure and a yearning to help the Ute Indians, twenty-year-old Shiloh Wainright impulsively accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado. The new job, however, isn't what she imagined it would be, and Shiloh soon finds herself caught in the cross fire between the Utes, their unyielding Indian Agent, and the unrealistic demands of the US government. Her unexpected encounter with Jesse Blackwater, an embittered half-breed Ute and childhood friend, only complicates matters as they battle their growing feelings for each other amidst the spiraling tensions threatening to explode into a catastrophic Indian uprising.

Set amongst the wilds of the Colorado Rockies in 1879, this is a tale of a forbidden love and a faith tested in the cauldron of intolerance and the harsh realities of life on the untamed frontier. Bestselling author Kathleen Morgan deftly explores themes of mercy, fidelity to one's beliefs despite what others think or do, and compassion for those different from oneself as she plumbs the depths of the human heart and the healing power of God's love.

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800719719
ISBN-13: 978-0800719715
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces

ABOUT KATHLEEN MORGAN
Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.

Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.

Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.

Kathleen was born in sunny Long Beach, California, one of four daughters of a career Army officer.

As a former Army nurse with a master's degree in counseling, she has lived in Germany, Korea, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, Washington, D.C., Alabama, California, and Colorado.

She is married to a retired Army helicopter pilot and is the mother of two sons-one deceased- and stepmother to another son and a daughter, both of whom have been very busy making her a grandmother.

In her free time, Kathleen likes to quilt, play the Celtic harp, and be companion and caretaker to an aging English cocker spaniel. She is also a companion and the wifely caretaker to her husband, who is not quite so aged :)
http://www.kathleenmorgan.com/html/heartoftherockies.html


MY REVIEW
  This is the first book I’ve read written by Kathleen Morgan and it won’t be the last. From the very first page to the last there wasn’t one page that wasn’t interesting and I was so eager to read, but hated the book to end.
 Usually in some books you have some parts that you skip over that aren’t exciting or help the story in any way, but A Love Forbidden was wonderful in every page and every line.
   I really like how deep Shiloh’s love runs for Jesse and the Indian people. She puts others ahead of herself and thinks of how she can help.
This book  is full of love, acceptance and forgiveness. It also shows us how we can let things remain in our lives, like hurts and bad feelings until they grow out of control and how the only way to get rid of these feelings is to turn it all over to God.
  This book A Love Forbidden is a Historical Romance and it tells of the Indians and how things happened in the late 1800’s for both white and Indian. It gives you a look at how hard it was for a white person and indian person to marry or have a life together. This book is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it for all.

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“Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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

Do This and Live Healthy-10 Simple Keys That Cure by Don Verhulst, MD* A Review

ABOUT THE BOOK
Real Health for Real People
A happy, healthy life is easier than you think

Good health is vitally important if we hope to enjoy the abundant life God promises. No matter what frustrations you have faced with poor health, weight gain, or hereditary diseases, you can enjoy the good health Scripture talks about—and it is easier than you may think.

When studying the Bible from a physician’s perspective, Dr. Don VerHulst discovered keys to health that are modeled throughout both the Old and New Testaments—even Jesus followed them in His daily routines. In Do This and Live Healthy, he explains these easy-to-follow basics, giving you God’s blueprint for achieving and enjoying good health.
Focusing on simple things you can do rather than a complicated list of restrictions, Do This and Live Healthy encourages and inspires with a simple approach that works. Discover how easy great health can be!

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Siloam (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616388269
ISBN-13: 978-1616388263
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Don VerHulst, MD, is a teacher, ordained minister, and speaker, and he hosts the television program Hope for Your Health. He embraces the naturopathic philosophy of health and has dedicated his life to teaching the principles of preventive medicine. He received his BS in zoology from the University of Michigan and his MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Don and his wife, Susan, have four children.


MY REVIEW
  When I saw this book I said to myself, Oh,No another book on health and fitness. Books like that have flooded the market. I was so very wrong to think that. This book Do This and Live Healthy-10 Simple Keys That Cure is a book like no other. From the very first page I was intrigued and couldn‘t wait to read more.  This book isn’t a book of don’ts but a book of Dos.
  The 10 keys are like it says very simple. Anyone can do them and will feel better and be more healthy right away. I’ll just tell you a couple of the keys, because I really want you to buy this book. It will be  the best book buy you have ever made.
 Key 2: Get to bed on time: sleep and the great healer.  From 10:00 p.m. until midnight your sleep is four times more restorative than the hours you sleep after midnight. {Also Dr. Don has many more reasons in this key}
Key 6: Bring Forth Fruit. The apple excels at helping the body detoxify and fight viral infections. It has been shown to lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar. {Dr. Don talks about a lot of different fruits and their benefits.} This book is just packed full of good advice and reasons for everything he says. Dr. Don talks about the Bible and the way Jesus did things when he was on the earth.
  This book comes in two sections. The first tells about the 10 keys to health and the second section is a reference guide for common health problems. Some of the problems he discusses are ADHD, Allergies, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cancer and many others.
  If you never read another health book in your life this one is a must.    Do This and Live Healthy-10 Simple Keys That Cure  will not make you feel guilty about your life or habits, it just gives you encouragment and helps you make plans to improve your lifestyle. This book is for everyone and if you do everything in this book I can promise your health will greatly improve and you will feel much younger.
  This is one of my favorite books of 2012 and would be yours also.  I plan on telling everyone I know about it, because I really believe it’s so important for us to take care of ourselves so we can live longer with better lives.
  I highly recommend this 5-star book and wish for all of you to own it.

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Thank you to Charisma 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

Book Review*Stardust by Carla Stewart

ABOUT STARDUST
Shortly after burying her unfaithful husband, Georgia Peyton unexpectedly inherits the derelict Stardust motel from a distant relative. Despite doubts from the community and the aunt who raised her, she is determined to breathe new life into it. But the guests who arrive aren't what Georgia expects: Her gin-loving mother-in-law; her dead husband's mistress; an attractive but down-on-his-luck drifter who's tired of the endless road; and an aging Vaudeville entertainer with a disturbing link to Georgia's past.

Can Georgia find the courage to forgive those who've betrayed her, the grace to shelter those who need her, and the moxy to face the future? And will her dream of a new life under the flickering neon of the STARDUST ever come true?

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: FaithWords (May 15, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455504289
ISBN-13: 978-1455504282
Shipping Weight: 0.5 ounce

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carla Stewart's writing reflects her passion for times gone by. Carla launched her writing career in 2002 when she received the coveted invitation to attend the Guidepost's Writers Workshop in Rye, New York. Since then, her articles have appeared in Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Saddle Baron, and Blood and Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine.

Her debut novel, Chasing Lilacs, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, was an Oklahoma Book Award Finalist, the trophy winner for the 2011 Best Fiction Book for Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and received 2nd place honors in RWA's Inspirational Readers Choice Award for 2011. Carla loves to hear from readers and invites you to contact her and learn more about her writing at www.carlastewart.com.


MY REVIEW
  Stardust is a really sweet story that is full of faith, forgiveness and love.  Stardust is a motel that has cozy cottages and they bring back fond memories for Georgia (love the name). She is willed the motel when someone in her family that she loves dies. Georgia wants to start fresh after losing her husband who was unfaithful to her and also to provide for her two daughters.
  She gets many offers of help to repair the old place and it comes alive again. This story is just rich with characters, beautiful scenery and delightful places to find.
  This is my first book by Carla Stewart and I really enjoyed it. She is a brilliant story teller.
  In Stardust one adventure after another happened until I was glued to my seat to see how everything could/would turn out. Was there any way possible that Georgia could ever be happy again? Could she forget being abandoned time and time again? Why does everyone leave her?
  I loved how her character changed through the story. How she grew as a person and took on responsibility, but then turned everything over to God.
  I was very intrigued and you will also to find out how things will work out when Georgia’s guests are first her mother-in-law who likes to drink too much; her dead husband's mistress; a good-looking, but broke drifter who's tired of always traveling and a older Vaudeville entertainer.
  How very interesting Stardust is and you will enjoy how everything turns out and lots of it is quite surprising. I recommend this book for your reading pleasure and know you will love it.

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I received my free copy from Sarah Reck at Faith Words/HachetteBookGroup, 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

Author Interview Janet Bly featuring the book Stuart Brannon's Final Shot-BOOK GIVEAWAY

Today’s interview is with Janet Bly featuring  the book Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot written by Stephen Bly with Janet, Russell, Michael and Aaron Bly. I have loved all of the books I’ve read written by Stephen Bly and this one is fantastic. Here is my review link if you would like to see what I thought. http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2012/03/stuart-brannons-final-shot-by-stephen.html
Janet and her sons Russell, Michael and Aaron did a incredible job finishing this  book. So on to the interview and giveaway!

Tell us about the featured book Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot.
Book blurb: It's 1905. Two orphans flee Oregon's Tillamook Head. One of them is branded a hero. Dare they tell the truth and risk the wrath of a dangerous man? Meanwhile, a retired Arizona lawman searches for his missing U.S. Marshal friend while he grapples with the game of golf on behalf of a celebrity charity tournament.
Summary: At age 58, legendary lawman Stuart Brannon--now a rancher and widower--had no intention of leaving his beloved Arizona Territory to attend the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Oregon, nor to participate in a celebrity golf tournament. His life no longer consisted of men to track down, people trying to kill him, gangs preying on the innocent.
Then the telegram came: Stuart, I need you in Portland. Tom Wiseman is missing. I think there's a cover-up. I'll contact you there. T.R.
How could he refuse a request from the President of the United States?
Reviews:
"Stuart Brannon's Final Shot delivers and reminds us what we'll miss most about the beloved author." Jerry B. Jenkins, NYT Bestselling novelist & biographer


"Bly throws his readers into the fray from the first page and never lets up until the final scene." Award-winning author Kathleen Y'Barbo


"A poignant reminder of a by-gone time...I was drawn into the world ...There's so much wisdom in this book...I loved the story. I loved the colorful characters..." Review by Angie Arndt, ACFW Carolinas Coordinator
"...comes alive with vivid details...an intriguing and often comical story of adventure and loyalty, flavored with the unexpected...has all the adventure one would expect from a Western, with enough humor to appeal to non-Western readers." Jennifer Slattery, CWG reviewer


"...unusual experience...I found it a fascinating look into the process." Michael Ehret, CWG Editor-in-Chief


What was the hardest thing about finishing this book that Stephen started?
Of course the obvious one--not having my husband as part of the project. And having so little time (four months) for such a challenge as this. We so wanted to match Steve's story writing ability, so it read like a Stephen Bly novel and portrayed the Stuart Brannon character as he created him to be. We also missed having a 'rest' time for the story to season for a final objective edit before the deadline. We sent the manuscript in such a flurry of last minute changes, we didn't have a settled feeling. Fortunately, we were allowed an additional look before it went to press. And, yes, we did make corrections.


Of your three sons who helped finish this book, do you see any of them becoming an author of other books?
I know they could create a book together with each of their different inputs. Also, either Aaron or Michael could write on their own, given the time and motivation. They have both expressed this desire.

Many writers are also avid readers.  Do you have any favorite authors?  If so, could you name a few?
Oh dear, where do I begin? I truly do read a vast number of fiction and nonfiction authors. And I'm so privileged to call many of them friends too. Right now I'm enjoying the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn. I know where Steve is, but I'm so curious to have more biblical information about what it's like for him there and what he might be doing. Reading about heaven comforts me in my great loss. Also appreciate Randy Alcorn's novels, in which he often tells the story from both the earth viewpoint and heavenly perspective.

If you could only take five books with you on a journey of ten years, which ones would you take?
The Bible. A concordance. A dictionary. A thesaurus. A journal.

What three things are you most thankful for in your life?
My family. My church. My friends.

Which do you enjoy more e books or print books?
Ebooks are fun to order. Print books are the most satisfying to read and mark and I don't have to remember to get them charged.
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Janet Chester Bly has authored and co-authored with Stephen Bly thirty nonfiction and fiction books, including Awakening Your Sense of Wonder, Hope Lives Here, The Heart of a Runaway, The Hidden West Series and The Carson City Chronicles. She lives at 4,000 ft. elev. in Winchester, Idaho. Find out more at http://www.blybooks.com/ or http://www.blybooks.blogspot.com/


Russell Bly is married to Lois, father of Zachary and Miranda (married to Chris Ross), and grandfather of 1-year-old Alayah. He is manager of Deranleau’s department store in Moscow, Idaho.


Michael Bly is married to Michelle and is Director of Business Operations for Inland Cellular in Lewiston, Idaho.


Aaron Bly is married to Rina, father of Keaton and Deckard. He’s Manufacturing Supervisor for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Lewiston, Idaho.


Filled with humor and heart, adventure and romance, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot is the story of a man who embodied the Code of the West. Christy Award–winning author Stephen Bly (August 17, 1944 – June 9, 2011) wrote 105 books including six Stuart Brannon novels. In Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot, we bid a fond farewell to the character — and to Stephen Bly, his creator.
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One fortunate follower will have the chance to win Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot.
Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.


Here are the ways to get extra entries:
~Be or become a follower  +1
~Be or become an email subscriber +1
~Be or become a networked blog follower +1


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 May 25, 2012

WINNER of Beckon by Tom Pawlik

go to Carole winner of the wonderful book by Tom Pawlik Beckon.

Thanks everyone for your comments and visiting Trinity Rose's Garden.

Have a wonderful week.

Author Interview-Charlene Ann Baumbich-BOOK GIVEAWAY-Finding Our Way Home

FINDING OUR WAY HOME by Charlene Ann Baumbich is a wonderful book that I know you will love. Here is my review link so you can see what the book is about and what I think of it.  http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2012/04/finding-our-way-home-by-charlene-ann.html 


Here is my interview with Charlene and below that a book giveaway for one fortunate follower.

Has being published changed your life? 

Being a published writer/authors has:

--helped pay the bills. 
--affirmed that what is entertaining to me is usually entertaining to others.
--ignited wonderful affirming emails from readers.
--delivered interesting new “people” (characters) from whom to learn. Seriously, my characters teach me a lot.
--made me appreciate, value and honor the power of story.
--given me a chance to travel to places I’d never have otherwise seen, especially when I wrote the Dearest Dorothy series for Penguin Books. They sent me on several marvelous book tours, from coast to coast and up and down.
--out of necessity, delivered lots of time alone, which I’ve always craved.
--helped my discipline. Deadlines!
--educated me on my utter NEED for good editors!


What do you find harder to do come up with a character, get the scenery or the plot?

I don’t actually come up with any of them; they come to me. When I am “absent” enough, they have room to arrive.

First a character shows up, one with a dilemma. They arrive the same way my imaginary friends used to: one day, they’re just there. Although this happens relatively often, I don’t write anything down. I just wait to see if they hang around, keep my attention, bug me until I simply must sit down with them for a spell, “listen” with my fingers, record what I start to see/hear, which runs like a movie in my head.

If they’re not memorable enough to keep my attention until I start writing about them, why would they be interesting to a reader?

Scenes begin to come into focus as I mentally follow the characters around, fine-tune my listening, surrender to their lives, not my version of their events and personalities. When I am listening well, the plot unfolds, as do the nuances about the characters. Eventually, they tell me where we are. As I begin to look through their eyes, I see what’s around them, meet their friends and relatives—learn their secrets and desires.

For me, writing is LISTENING, not TALKING to the page. My job is to get out of the way. Record well. Let the characters be who they are, where they are—even though I sometimes yell at them.

Which do you enjoy more e books or print books?

I enjoy books any which way, including audio. I spend a lot of time in my car, so audio books get their fair amount of attention from me. I have a longstanding membership with Audible.com, so I get a book and subscription a month. (I’m grandfathered into some old plan.)

I own a Nook Simple Touch, which I really like. I also have the Nook app on my Android smartphone. The two sync, which is nice. Since I always have my phone with me, I can read away from home whenever I find a few minutes without my eReader or a book around.

The Nook fits in my handbag, which is nice. But my favorite place to read it is in bed, even though I usually don’t stay awake long after I start reading.  I love sleeping in a cold room, and I can bundle the covers all around me with nothing out but my one hand holding the Nook. It’s even easy to turn the pages this way. LOVE it!

If, however, you saw the piles of books that surround me, and that I continue to buy, you’d wonder what I’m doing with a Nook.  New, used, rereading … 

It’s the words—the story—that matter most. Not how I consume them. A captivating story will keep my attention, no matter how it's consumed.

But in the end, seeing books on a shelf is more satisfying than seeing them on a “shelf” in a fragile electronic. I’m hard on books. I like writing in the margins, starring, underlining, arguing, dog earring, making notes in the front of books so I can easily find favorite things again …  We live in an unincorporated area, so I don’t have a library card. For the amount one would cost per year, I can buy a fair amount of books. Good thing, since I’m sure the library wouldn’t take any of mine back. 




Thank you so much Charlene for this wonderful interview. I thought you answers were most intriguing. 
Followers here are the rules for the giveaway.

Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.


Here are the ways to get extra entries:
~Be or become a follower  +1
~Be or become an email subscriber +1
~Be or become a networked blog follower +1


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  May 19, 2012

Author Interview with Dan Walsh featuring The Discovery and BOOK GIVEAWAY

I've always enjoyed books by Dan Walsh and The Discovery is one of the best. Here is my review link if you would like to look to see how much I loved it. 
http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2012/04/discovery-by-dan-walsh-review.html 


I would like to thank Dan for this fantastic interview and book giveaway. Also I agree completely with how you feel about books in print form. Now to the interview!

Tell us about The Discovery the featured book.


Here's the way it's described on the back of the book. Seems to say it pretty well without giving too much away:


When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's historic Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, has kept hidden from everyone-but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. 


Has being published changed your life? 


In many ways it has. It allowed me to do something I've wanted to do since high school -- write novels. I wasn't able to do this fulltime until after my 3rd novel came out. That made it possible for me to retire from pastoral ministry after 25 years. We're not rich, by any means, but finally making enough that it allowed us to transition into writing fulltime. This has also allowed me to write 2 books a year instead of one. Besides these things, I've met some wonderful new friends and now work with an amazing publishing team at Revell.

What do you find harder to do come up with a character, get the scenery or the plot?


I'm not sure which is harder of these three. In  some of my books, the plot (story) came first then the characters. With some, they were "born" at the same time. The characters don't start out as real as they become to me 50-70 pages into writing the book. I have an idea of who they are, but often they will "graduate" to the status of almost being real people that I know. After that, writing scenes with them becomes much easier. I often go back at that point and make changes to the first section of the book, to take this new understanding of the characters and adjust them to be the same person throughout the rest of the story.


Which do you enjoy more e books or print books?




Definitely print books. But I get the eBook craze. My wife is on her 2nd Kindle, and she absolutely loves it.  Both my agent and editor use them and, it seems, a growing number of my fans (judging by the sales figures). But I still like the feel of holding a real book, with actual pages that turn. Actually, I like hardback books the best, so I'm totally "old school." 
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www.danwalshbooks.com
The Discovery - AVAILABLE NOW/RT Reviews 4.5 Stars-Top Pick
Remembering Christmas - RT Reviews Top Pick/ECPA Bestseller
The Deepest Waters - "Matches the storytelling of Nicholas Sparks" - Christian Retailing
The Homecoming - RT Reviews, 4.5 Stars
The Unfinished Gift - 2 ACFW Carol Awards

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Giveaway The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

Here are the ways to get extra entries:

~Be or become a follower  +1

~Be or become an email subscriber +1

~Be or become a networked blog follower +1

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 May 16, 2012