It Only Takes a Mustard Seed

Movie Review of Eternal Salvation #FishFlix @christianDVD

7/25/2016

Welcome back to my blog. I've posted a movie review on "Eternal Salvation." Hope you can check this movie out.

Release Date: Mar 8, 2016
Run Time: 87 minutes
Director: Reed Simonsen
Producer: Tim Gautier, Gina Gautier
Languages: English
FishFlix Stock No: LM3105001
Rating: NR (“Faith-Friendly”)
UPC Number: 806838246890

Eternal Salvation is an inspirational movie about God’s redemptive grace in our lives. The Dove Foundation has given the Eternal Salvation DVD a 5/5 rating of “faith-friendly” for ages 12 and over.

In this movie, Jonathan Wright has an incredible life with a beautiful family, great job, and big circle of friends. He believes that climbing the corporate ladder of success is one way to keep his family living in the same lifestyle they’ve been accustomed to. Jonathan suffers a brain aneurysm and subsequent coma. His life-threatening condition becomes a catalyst for God to touch his life.

Eternal Salvation demonstrated the salvation message in a manner that was devoid of a “preachy” tone. It showed real-life situations, the true message of the Bible, and good acting on the part of the actors involved. There were many touching moments throughout the movie—such as one of the hospital scenes where Jonathan’s friend, Paul, prayed for him and told him to “keep the faith and be strong.”

This movie offers viewers a good description of what it means to be a true Christian at work, while experiencing difficult persecution for your belief in Christ. Jonathan develops a strong friendship with his colleague, Paul, who demonstrates true unconditional love for others. Paul invites Jonathan to a Bible study and encourages him through prayer and studying the word of God. Jonathan becomes a Christian and understands the message of salvation through God’s grace. This movie is worth watching, and I gave it a 4/5 rating.

If you would like to get a $5 coupon to FishFlix.com, you can join their email list by visiting www.fishflix.com/5gift or texting 5-GIFT to 44222. You can find a variety of inspirational movies and Christian DVDs available from FishFlix.

(Disclaimer: I reserve the right not to post reviews with a rating below 3 Stars)
A gratis copy of this movie was sent to this reviewer by FishFlix in exchange for an impartial evaluation.

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Book Feature: The Cats of Cullaby Creek by @KimKasch is Featured at My Blog Today #CleanReads

1/25/2016

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Welcome back to my blog. Kimbra Kasch's book, The Cats of Cullaby Creek is featured here today.

Love is in the Air, something else is in the water

When Savannah meets Kyle, its love at first sight. And why wouldn't it be? He's perfect, as far as she can tell. But when she starts finding dead animals in her yard and hears something scratching at her window at night, she starts to worry. What’s worse? Kyle appears whenever things go wrong. Maybe he isn't everything she thought he was - maybe he's something more. It's a complete mystery until she discovers the water in Cullaby Creek is being bottled and sold as vitamin “infused” water. Mistic Water promises the impossible. And then, like a magical elixir, it delivers. People who drink it feel younger, smarter, faster...healthier. But it doesn’t take long before side effects hit. Everyone begins to change or “tate”. Some are becoming dangerous animals. Literally. And the secret to what they are tating into has to be in the water…or is it something more?

You can read an excerpt of Kimbra's book here.

Kelly and Kyle

These two shared some sort of history. And now I was in the middle of their story.

Sparks flew through the air. But, they didn’t seem to notice—or maybe they just didn’t care how uncomfortable they were making the rest of us.

I scanned the room. The terribly odd thing was that while they stood in the center of the cafeteria—arguing—everyone’s eyes were on me.
What is so interesting about me?

After a few seconds, I heard whispered accusations slammed back and forth, like a ping-pong ball. My name, muttered in odd and angry tones. No one seemed to mind staring at me, but only the bravest few were sneaking sideways glances over at Kelly and Kyle, hoping no one noticed.

This wasn’t what I needed on my first day at a new school. I hadn’t come here looking for instant enemies, but I knew I’d accidentally stirred a private pot and things were already starting to boil.

I needed to do something and quick. From the sounds floating around me, if they got into an actual argument, I was going to get the blame.
I spit out the first words I could think to say, “What’s a new kid to do, after school, around here… for fun?”

Kyle sighed and chuckled, “That depends on what you’re hoping to find and what you think is fun.” He stepped back away from Kelly for a moment. “You big city kids always think something needs to be going on. But in real life, in a small town, not much ever happens.”

“We could ask my Mom to drive us into Astoria to do some shopping,” I suggested. It was a little too obvious—even to me—Kelly wanted me out of the picture and was trying everything she could think of to keep me away from Kyle. I almost felt sorry for her—but only for a second.

“Or,” Kyle sat down and nodded for me to join him. I could feel a warm rush of air and his scent worked its way up inside my head. I barely heard him finish, “We could go for a run.”

“What?” Kelly demanded, clenching her hands into tight-balled fists at her side.

“Savannah,” Kyle lowered his voice and said my name slow, putting an emphasis on the last syllable, like it was a soft sigh, ‘ah’. And, for the first time in my life, I loved the sound of my own name. “Is a runner. And she’s fast. Aren’t ‘cha?” He nudged me and moved even closer. I could barely think. His smell overpowered my senses; it was the sweet woodsy scent of him that took me by surprise. I closed my eyes and drank it in.

When I opened them back up, Kelly’s eyes were shooting red flames of rage straight at me.

I gazed at Kyle and felt a warmth in my stomach again. It was working its way up into my chest. “That’s not what you said this morning,” I laughed then spun away.

“You two went running this morning?” Her voice came out in a squeak that broke into a high-pitched screech, like fingernails on a chalkboard.

“Yeah,” Kyle said casually, then back to me he added, “And, I’d like to see how fast you are.”

I wondered if everything he said was going to have a double meaning but I wasn’t ready to question his motives. He was my only real friend in this place, and it looked like I was going to need a few because I was making more than a few enemies, without even trying.

“I could use the exercise,” I nodded, looking around the table at the other kids’ faces and wondering why no one else had said a single word. “Plus, you could show me around the town.”

“No problem,” Kyle agreed, and I couldn’t help looking forward to it, even though I knew Kelly wasn’t going to be happy about my running off with Kyle. “But I only think it’s fair to warn you, there’s not much to see—so don’t get your hopes set too high.”

“Great—I mean about the exercise,” I smiled, and without even thinking how it might sound, I added, “Then it’s a date.”

Kelly only heard one word and it was like I’d pulled back a rubber band—hard—and snapped it against her forehead.

She wailed like a wounded animal, “Agghhh!” and spun around on her heels, stomping out of the room.

Kyle shrugged and started to walk toward the exit, then he twisted around to call out, “I’ll meet you out by the flag post after seventh period.” His lips curled softly, throwing me a quick backwards nod, “And, remember, it’s a date.” The last thing I saw was his warm, sensual grin, as he glanced around the room before he gave me an exaggerated wink—meant more for everyone else to see than for me, and then he disappeared out into the hall.

I wished he would have used a different word because he didn’t need to rub it in.

I shrugged. Who cares? I told myself, he’s been the nicest person in the entire school. If it weren’t for Kyle, I wouldn’t want to ever come back to Mist High.

The rest of the day dragged on and on. All I wanted was to see Kyle again, with his sleek body and powerful frame. But what I found fascinating was the casual way he had about himself. He said whatever he wanted, while I worried about everything I said, how it would be taken, and what people would think of me.

Somehow, Kyle was working his way into my system, like a powerful drug. And I was beginning to feel addicted. I couldn’t wait for our meeting out by the flag post.

Finally, after what seemed like absolutely for…ev…er, the bell rang.
I rushed out of class, down the hall, and out the front doors of the school to meet up with Kyle.

But as I got closer, my spine tingled. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Then I knew why.

Kyle wasn’t standing underneath the flagpole; someone else was there, waiting for me.

“Kelly,” I muttered under my breath.

She stood beneath the red, white, and blue banner with an enormous grin carved into her face, like a giant jack-o-lantern beaming up at me. But this look was way more sinister and gloating. My knees suddenly felt weak and my throat went dry.

This girl just kept surprising me.

You can buy Kim's books here:
AMAZON, NOOK, iBook, and KOBO

A message from Kimbra:

And join me on Twitter or stop by and see what I'm pinning on Pinterest and, if you've read one of my books and have a question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an email. I love connecting with readers.
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Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to chat with Kimbra and post your comments below.

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Book Feature: "The Irish Warrior" by Author @ashleyyork1066 is Featured

1/13/2016

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Click photo to find book on Amazon

Welcome back to my blog. Ashley York's book,"The Irish Warrior" is featured here today. We have some information about the book, as well as an excerpt for you to enjoy.

Outcast and alone, Thomasina MacDonell is hell bent on finding her brother, the only person who can thwart their father's latest scheme to offer her as payment for his gambling debts. Disguised as a lad, she defiantly sets off on foot to locate him—never expecting to find a handsome, Irish warrior riding her beloved horse. The warrior's offer of help and unsolicited advice on how to be manlier sparks an intimate desire to reveal her more feminine side.

Rejected by the love of his life, Sean O'Cisoghe wants simply to return home and heal his broken heart. When a young "lad" steals the horse out from under him, he discerns the spirited woman may be in way over her head against her ruthless father. Finding her brother while keeping her would-be betrothed at bay, Sean must confront the fact that Thomasina has stolen his heart. Will Norman soldiers out for his blood and shifting clan alliances cut short their growing passion?

You can find "The Irish Warrior" online here:
Amazon Barnes & Noble

Ashley has shared an excerpt with us. Let's check it out.

They ate in silence. The rain kept up with occasional fat drops that worked their way through the thick canopy to plop on them. It wasn’t long before she was being bitten by a variety of irritating bugs.

“Oh, damn.” Thomasina slapped the bug on her arm. Blood oozed across her soaked sleeve.

Sean sat leaning against a fallen log, oblivious, staring into the flames. His long, powerfully built legs stretched out in front of him. He’d retrieved a skin from his sack which he drank from at steady intervals without offering to share. They’d already found a nearby brook with water for drinking so she assumed it must be something stronger.

“Devil spawn.” She slapped another bug dead.

Sean turned his bright eyes on her, his brows low as if thinking through a problem. His long hair hung behind him, pulled back at the crown. Not really blond. More the color of wheat but it looked soft to the touch. He seemed to see right through her.

“Shite!” She slapped at her leg. She must be one tasty morsel according to all these bugs and he sat there totally unbothered.

At least in the cave there had been no flying things to feast on her, just a few bats that kept to their own area. It had also seemed much safer than this place, less exposed. She glanced into the darkness. She couldn’t make out anything beyond the light from the fire.

“Whoreson!” She slapped at her neck and her hand came back bloody. “What to hell!”

Sean raised his eyebrows now clearly contemplating her. As if she spoke a language he didn’t understand. As if he were just noticing her at all.

“Ye have quite a mouth on ye.” He sounded as if he were making an observation. No expression. “Let me ken when ye run out of expletives. I’ll be happy to supply yer youthful brain with words nae child should ken.”

“I’m not a child.”

Sean swept his gaze over her body and she felt the sudden urge to shield herself from his view. When he looked her in the face, he smiled. A knowing smile. A smile that said “I know yer secret”.

“I would not say ye’re a man yet. Would ye, Tommy?”

Thomasina seethed inside at her own prideful outburst.

Idiot!

Of course she was a child. Just a boy. Not a lass of ten and eight only pretending to be a boy.

Sean kept his eyes on her face. He watched but said nothing. The shadows cast from the fire played across the strong planes of his face. She shivered.

“Are ye cold, Tommy?” His voice pitched lower this time. He took a long drink, his eyes never leaving her.

She wrapped her arms across her chest, hugging herself. “Nae.”

He licked his lips as if whatever he drank were delicious.

A fluttering inside demanded… action. She held out her hand to him. “May I have some?”

“’Tis best not to indulge at such a young age.” His tone remained even but that light in his eyes intensified as if he were holding back laughter.

She kept her hand out. “Please,” she coughed again. “Please.”

Satisfied that her voice sounded more appropriate, she tipped her nose into the air. She tried for that I-will-not-back-down expression that boys get.

His white teeth gleamed and he took another swallow. “Are ye certain?”

Her hand did not waver and it suddenly seemed of the utmost importance that she taste whatever he was drinking. She was not much of a drinker. Her father imbibed too often and too much. She preferred not to be like him. This seemed different somehow. The need to win this stranger’s acquiescence pushed her.

“Yea.”

His eyes pierced hers. She felt the jolt down to her toes and she couldn’t explain it. As he moved forward to pass her the skin, his eyes never wavered. They held hers as if in a trance. His warm fingers brushed her palm. Lightning shot up her arm.

“Thank ye.” Her voice sounded breathy.

She glanced at the glistening, pink lips just visible through his heavy beard. His eyes remained on hers. She took a sip. Bitter liquid burned down her throat and she jumped to her feet. Grimacing, she spit it onto the ground.

“Now that is a waste,” he said.

“What to hell is this?”

Sean’s hearty laugh surprised her. He remained sitting but his whole body shuddered with his deep, gut-splitting laughter. She paused to watch him. His eyes were closed. His broad shoulders shook with the sound. The tension in her gut eased a bit turning everything inside pliant.

He opened his eyes, starting as if surprised to see her watching him. He cocked a brow and gave her a sly look. “I did warn ye.”

Thomasina wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and smiled. A heartfelt smile. “Ye did.”

“Ye should have listened to me.”

“Yea.” She raised her eyebrows in expectation. “Have ye had enough fun with me now?” Too late she realized she’d not disguised her voice. She swallowed hard. She waited.

Click photo to visit author's website

Let's meet the author, Ashley York.

Aside from two years spent in the wilds of the Colorado mountains, Ashley York is a proud life-long New Englander and a hardcore romantic. She has an MA in History which brings with it, through many years of research, a love for primary documents and the smell of musty old libraries. With her author's imagination, she likes to write about people who could have lived alongside those well-known giants from the past.

You can connect with Ashley online on her website, Twitter or email.

Website
Twitter
Email: ashleyyork1066@gmail.com

Ashley, thank you for sharing with us today about your book. I love your cover art and the excerpt was very intriguing.

Hope you all can stay for a bit to chat with Ashley. Feel free to post your comments below.

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"A Place in His Heart," A New World Romance!

8/12/2014

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Today's featured novel,

A PLACE IN HIS HEART

is a historical romance authored by Rebecca DeMarino.

It's her debut novel and book one of

The Southold Chronicles.

"I hope my readers find pure entertainment! I hope they enjoy the love story, with all of the ups and downs of Mary and Barnabas. I hope they get lost in a time period that was so far different than ours, and yet so filled with the same emotions – heartache and joy, a sense of belonging and adventure. The takeaway I had in writing this story is that God is with us – He will hold our hand – in all of our journeys, if we ask Him!"

--Author Rebecca DeMarino

PURCHASE
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

About the book:
Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Left at the altar and disgraced in her small hamlet, she is being pressured to marry the eligible son of the London milliner. Puritan Barnabas Horton, the town baker, still grieves the loss of his beloved wife, but he knows his two young sons need a mother.

With tender hearts, Mary and Barnabas take a leap of faith and wed. But when Barnabas’s secret plans to move his family to the New World to escape persecution come to light, Mary’s world is upended. How could she possibly leave her Papa and her dear sister? And will she ever reach the secret places of her husband’s broken heart?

About the author:

Rebecca DeMarino lives in the Pacific Northwest, and inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother, a love of horses, reading and writing from her dad, and a wanderlust gene from both parents. No one knows where she got her passion for jogging and hiking! A Place in His Heart, is a historical romance inspired by her ninth great-grandparents, Barnabas and Mary Horton, and is book one of The Southold Chronicles.

How the book came about:
"I grew up listening to my mom’s stories about Barnabas Horton, my ninth great-grandfather and how he

came across the pond from England on a ship called The Swallow, in the 1600’s. When my brother became interested in genealogy, we discovered there was a lighthouse named after Barnabas, located on Long Island. I asked my mom if she’d like to go there, and off we went.

"There was a lot of interesting information about Barnabas. He was a baker and a very recent widower with two young sons when he met my ninth great-grandmother, Mary, in Mowsley, England. But I could find very little about her, and I began to wonder about what dreams and motivations she had, and the courage she must have possessed, when she married and then left her family behind for the wilds of Long Island.

"A few years later, I began writing my first novel in hope that I could give her and the other courageous women who followed their men across the pond a voice." --Rebecca DeMarino

Find more great new inspirational novels at Clash of the Titles.com!

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June's Hot New Releases Clash of The Titles Champion

8/5/2014

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Thank you, voters and encouragers, for a great Clash of the Titles, June 2014 Release Battle.

We'll begin our champion announcement with the kindness of the voters....

Comments of Encouragement for this Monthâ€™s CLASH Authors:

They are all stunning... I love though how Tamara writes in the medieval time... Hard to find clean fiction in that time period :)

Heather Day Gilbert's previous novel convinced me to put any other fiction she writes in the top level of my "to read" list, so this month's choice was easy--even though there are some other books here that are also on my list.

Anytime a book weaves a tale that crosses generations is always a draw for me. Miranda Warning by Heather Day Gilbert offers that and a peak into WV life with a great mystery. Love it!

Oh my goodness -- too many wanna-reads in this list, not the least of which are Blind Trust, A Place in His Heart, and Lady of Eve. No fair we only get to vote for one!! ;)

A Place in His Heart is a beautiful story! So amazing that it's based on the author's ancestry.

Jolina Petersheim, I read "The Outcast" and I'm looking forward to reading your new book "The Midwife." I enjoy Amish fiction. Keep up the great work!

Best of luck Heather Gray Jackal is one of my all time favourite books!!

Rebecca DeMarino is off to a good start in her first of "The Southold Chronicles." I am looking forward to the second novel.

And Now, on to our Champion, with a sweet kudos to another clasher:

Sandra, Blind Trust looks intriguing, so I ordered a copy. I've already read Moon over Maalaea Bay at least 30 times. :)

Love Sandra's romantic suspense!

Sandra Orchard, I am looking forward to reading all the book in this series. Love the characters! Blind Trust looks great!

Sandra Orchard is the best. I enjoy her books and can't wait till the next one. Blind Trust is a great book.

Sandra Orchard -- Your cover is fabulous -- I can't wait to read the story.

And the winner is â€“ Sandra Orchard, and Blind Trust!

Congratulations!

About the book:

Blind Trust

June 2014

Revell, paperback, 325 pp.

$14.99

9780800722234

Revell, e-book, $14.99

9781441245069

Buy on Amazon

Caught passing counterfeit bills, Kate Adams races to expose the true counterfeiter before unwitting suspects pay with their lives, but the truth could endanger her most of all.

Book 2 in the Port Aster Secrets series

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she canâ€™t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parkerâ€™s investigations. Determined to prove her neighborâ€™s innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operationâ€“and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her worldâ€“and her budding romance with Tomâ€“begin to crumble. To Kate, itâ€™s clear that she wonâ€™t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Asterâ€™s secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

N.B. Each book in this series is a stand-alone mystery featuring Kate Adams, a herbal medicine researcher turned amateur sleuth, and Tom Parker, Port Asterâ€™s newest detective. Together the three-book series reads as a romantic suspense, with Kate and Tomâ€™s romance and an underlying suspense plot arcing the series. For that reason, and because book two is a spoiler for book one, we recommend the series be read in order.

A review from Booklist:

The second of Christian romantic-suspense author Orchardâ€™s Port Aster Secrets novels, Blind Trust finds Kate Adams still reeling from her friendâ€™s murder as she attempts to get her life back in order. However, what begins as a seemingly small-time counterfeit operation soon spirals into something much bigger, with Kate at the center. Detective Tom Parker has his eye on Kate, and not because sheâ€™s a suspect. His feelings for her continue to grow, as does his desire to protect her, but Kateâ€™s determination to get to the truth on her own means that Tom is often getting her out of trouble, rather than keeping her from it. When the action shifts from mere counterfeiting to poisoning, theft, and decades-old secrets, Kate insists on researching her way to the facts. Orchard infuses romance with suspense and keeps the excitement coming page after page. Readers will love the ever-deepening mystery as Kate extends her investigation and finds herself and her long-dead father tangled up in an international corporate conspiracy. Will Kate be able to clear her fatherâ€™s name, and stay safe? â€” Carolyn Richard

About the Author:

Sandra Orchard is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense/mysteries with Love Inspired Suspense and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and writes full timeâ€¦when not doting on her young grandchildren. You can learn more about Sandraâ€™s books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

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NEW JUNE RELEASES for this Month's CLASH of the TITLES

7/29/2014

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It's a NEW CLASH!

The best of summer reading - all in one list for you here. Find a New Author to love...I have.

I'll apologize in advance...I could not cut anyone from the list, so we have MEGA LIST this month.
You'll see what I mean: everything from spies, cloak and dagger to medieval to early Americana. Whew!

The QUESTION ALWAYS IS:

Based on the covers and short descriptions below, WHICH BOOK would be next on your To Be Read Pile? Use the voting poll below to enter your choice.

Happy VOTING... You have through MONDAY JULY 28, MIDNIGHT CST, and be sure to leave a word of encouragement for these authors.

I'll be back on the 29th for REVEAL DAY

The Midwife

Jolina Petersheim

Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrives in the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia's due date draws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left behind in order for the healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.

Miranda Warning

Heather Day Gilbert

Child of the Appalachian mountains, Tess Spencer has experienced more than her share of heartache--the Glock-wielding, knife-carrying housewife knows how to survive whatever life throws at her. But when an anonymous warning note shows up in best friend Miranda's mailbox--a note written in a dead woman's handwriting--Tess quickly discovers that ghosts are alive and well in Buckneck, West Virginia; Tess must scramble to find a decades-old killer, before she is the next victim.

Blind Trust

Sandra Orchard

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she canâ€™t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parkerâ€™s investigations. As family secrets come to light, her worldâ€“and her budding romance with Tomâ€“begin to crumbleâ€”and itâ€™s clear that she wonâ€™t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Asterâ€™s secrets.

Jackal

Heather Gray

Rupert is a man used to hiding in the shadows of life in order to stay alive. Then Juliana and her sisters crash into his world with secrets of their own, and he realizes it's time to step out of the darkness.

Moon Over Maalaea Bay

HL Wegley

In an instant the Maui honeymoon of Lee's dreams morphs into a nightmare when Jennifer disappears on their wedding night, and now everyone seems to want this young NSA research scientist. The US government wants her because she's a huge security problem, the trafficking syndicate she destroyed for revenge, a Middle-Easter prince for what she looks like, foreign agents for what she knows, and Lee just wants his bride back.

A Place in His Heart

Rebecca DeMarino

Anglican Mary Langton longs for true love, but Puritan Barnabas Horton still grieves the loss of his beloved Ann when the maiden marries the baker with two young boys. She could cross and ocean, but could she reach the secret places of her husband's heart?

Lady of Eve

Tamara Leigh

The last thing Lady Graeye Charwyck wants is to live out her life in a convent. When an opportunity presents that will allow her to avoid professing herself a nun, she impulsively gives herself to the sin--only to answer to her family's greatest enemy, Baron Gilbert Balmaine.

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O'Barr's Latest: Tender Shadows

7/21/2014

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Author Ann Gaylia O'Barr visits today!

She brings with her, in the form of her latest novel, all her experience as a Foreign Service officer in the turbulent Middle East. Tender Shadows is one of seven such novels and will appeal to lovers of foreign lands, culture, adventure, and romance.

PURCHASE

Amazon

About Tender Shadows:

When Beth Wilhite’s U.S. State Department job assigns her to an uncaring Washington, D.C. following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, her intense loneliness leads her to make decisions that clash with her values. Then she receives a new assignment to the Middle Eastern kingdom of Al Hajar and a chance to serve with an old friend, Joe Harlan, widowed a few years before. Can she overcome the grip of past choices? Not yield to them again? Can Joe accept what she’s done…and move beyond, perhaps even to loving her?

Joe’s daughter, Annie, working under Beth at the U.S. embassy, deals with her own secret choice. And the young diplomat, Palestinian-American David Antony, struggles with traumatic stress because of a choice he made earlier in Iraq. Yet Annie and David are inexplicably drawn toward each other.

Together, might this thrown-together community find courage to live out his or her individual calling…for such a time as this? And find a forever love?

Meet Ann Gaylia O'Barr:

Ann has at one time or another been a full-time wife and mother, computer programmer, historic preservation planner, Foreign Service officer with the U.S. State Department, and, since 2004, full-time writer (more or less). OakTara has published six of her novels. The latest is Tender Shadows, which came out this spring. Her last article was “The Diversity of God’s Call to Writers” in the winter 2012 issue of ACFW Journal.

Ann, many of the major characters in your novels are American Christians who serve their country at United States embassies overseas, as you did. What kinds of tasks did you and your colleagues perform overseas?

The work is tremendously varied. The web site www.state.gov gives some idea of what Foreign Service officers do. My job as a consular officer included aiding American citizens overseas. Some tasks were routine: renewing U.S. passports and performing notary services. Others were anything but routine, such as notifying families in the United States that a loved one had died overseas or visiting Americans who were jailed in the foreign country and reporting on their conditions--to the families and to the State Department.

How did your experiences influence your writing?

Observing the United States from other cultures, I developed an interest in why and how this country and its culture became what they are in the twenty-first century. The changes in our country from 1990, when I came into the Foreign Service, until 2004, when I left, have been tremendous. I was assigned to Saudi Arabia during both Gulf Wars (1991 and 2003) as well as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As we all know, the changes haven’t stopped since then.

Two observations stand out: 1) How decadent some foreigners judged our culture, based on the sometimes hedonistic lifestyles illustrated in the media. 2) For America to be the world power that it is, many Americans, including American Christians, often appeared not interested in what goes on in the world outside our borders.

A lot of my stories concern Christians working to explain the country they represent to foreigners. Beset with the same temptations and challenges that Americans experience domestically, they attempt to live out their Christian commitment in their foreign settings. The settings may reflect these temptations and challenges through a different lens.

Is this especially true for Tender Shadows?

I think so. A couple of the characters have strayed further from their commitments than in any of my other novels and struggle to find their way back. The small embassy community they inhabit means they work out their problems in closer quarters than in most domestic settings. Plus, foreign demonstrations at the embassy, along with concern over hostility toward Americans, heighten the tension and outline the challenges in a deeper hue.

Learn more about Ann's writing at these locations:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon

***FIND MORE GREAT READS AT CLASH OF THE TITLES!***

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Laureano Whisks Us Into Celtic Fantasy

7/15/2014

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Clash of the Titles is excited to introduce readers to C.E. Laureano's new release, Oath of the Brotherhood. We have heard nothing but good things about this book, which we recently featured on our site. Oath... is a stunning Christian Fantasy set against a Celtic backdrop. It's the first in the new Song of Seare series and will take readers through battles both physical and spiritual. Magic, prophecies, warriors, and romance...what's not to love? Take a look--

Q: What inspired the story behind Oath of the Brotherhood?
A: Iâ€™ve always loved both epic fantasy/adventure and Celtic fantasy, but I really hadnâ€™t seen a lot of books that combined both, especially not for the Christian market. The dark ages period of Irelandâ€™s history is so fascinating: high kings and clan conflict, traveling bards, and mercenary knights, not to mention the gradual Christianization of the country. I had fun incorporating all those details into my story world in a new way.

Q: What can you tell us about the main character?A: Conor Mac Nir is a kingâ€™s son who has been raised in fosterage (as was common with Celtic clans) by one of his fatherâ€™s lords. But instead of being raised as a warrior as the king expected, he was educated as a scholar and a musician. When heâ€™s clearly found to be unsuitable as a successor to the throne, he gets sent to a neighboring kingdom as a hostage to secure a peace treaty. Only then does he learn that his upbringing was no accident, and there are multiple parties pulling his strings behind the scenes.

Q: What was your favorite part of the story to write?
A: I really liked the fight scenes and the â€œtraining chaptersâ€ when Conor finds he really does need to learn how to handle a sword. The isle of Seare isnâ€™t quite as disconnected from the rest of the world as the real Ireland, so I got to mash up some traditional western swordplay with Greco-Roman wrestling and eastern martial arts training methods.

Iâ€™ll admit that I also enjoyed incorporating the love story between Conor and the young healer/seer, Aine. Their relationship is deep and has a sense of destiny to it, even considering that theyâ€™re in their late teens, but I also think itâ€™s healthy and grounded. They have a great deal of respect for each otherâ€™s callings and abilities.

FROM THE BACK COVER

An island at the edge of the world. An ancient prophecy. A reclusive warrior brotherhood. When evil encroaches, who will find the faith to fight it?

Author C. E. Laureano

To his clan, Conor Mac Nir is a disappointmentâ€”gifted with a harp, but hopeless with a sword. To the beautiful young healer Aine, heâ€™s one whose gift calls out to her own . . . and captures her heart. To the reclusive warrior brotherhood called the FÃrÃ©in, he may be the answer to an ancient prophecy . . . if he can be trained to fight. Can Conor and Aine find their true path as an ancient evil engulfs the isle of Seare? Must Conor sacrifice everything he loves, even Aine, to follow the path God lays out before him?

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

â€œLaureano pulls readers into this story and does not let them go. From the first page to the last, readers are gripped by the multifaceted story of Conor Mac Nir and Aine, who are trying to save the country from physical war and spiritual evil. 4 Â½ stars.â€ â€“ RT Book Reviews (June 2014 Top Pick)

â€œRich with Celtic lore, battle, and competing magics, Oath of the Brotherhood is a heroic coming-of-age fantasy experience and an inspired series opener.â€ â€“Serena Chase, contributor, USA Todayâ€™s Happily Ever After blog

â€œSong of Seare is a promising new fantasy series with a vast storyworld that hints at more wonders to come. I loved this book!â€ â€“Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid and Captives

Connect with C.E. Laureano: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest
Buy Oath of the Brotherhood: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | CBD

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May Releases are in the COTT Arena!

6/30/2014

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Hey there, readers. Michelle Massaro here, hoping you're suited up for literary battle. But first, we have some awards to hand out in the form of free books!

The winner of our June three-book giveaway is

Joan Bradley

Joan, you will receive the following novels:
Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson
Londonderry Dreaming by Christine Lindsey
Rebekah's Treasure by Sylvia Bombola

Congratulations!
Be on the lookout for correspondence
from the above COTT authors.

Now on to our Clash...

This month, the sands of our arena welcome 5 New Releases from a variety of genres. Which one will be the victor, receiving a free entry into next year's Laurel competition and a tour through our Blog Alliance? Check out each book then cast your vote below.

A young musician and scholar is forced to join a warrior-brotherhood to save his people. But is he willing to give up everything--even the woman he loves--to follow the path God has lain before him?

Oath of the Brotherhood by C.E. Laureano

Sunday's Child on life seas is tossed, awaiting the Lifeboat that rescues the lost

Sunday's Child by Clare Revell

Bobby Kent's name is synonymous with modern Country Music and he is no stranger to running from overzealous fans and paparazzo. But now he must protect his daughter and Carol, the mother of his only child, from a vicious and ruthless serial killer bent on their destruction.

A Carol for Kent by Hallee Bridgeman

Laila Pennedy awaits death by hanging. And she deserves to die.

Of The Persecuted by Angie Brashear

Ten years after he'd dumped her, Jessa is determined to not allow him to hurt her again. Lance was there to renovate her home, but could he change her heart?

Love Makes a House a Home by Kimberly Rae Jordan

Vote Below! Poll will be open through Tuesday night. Results will post next Thursday.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

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Three Books--One Winner!

6/23/2014

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GIVEAWAY!

Winner announced at
Clash of the Titles

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

By entering the contest, you understand that:

The books may arrive in Kindle, Nook, or paperback format, according to each author's preference.

Each author will send his/her book directly to the winner.

COTT cannot be held responsible for prizes not received.

Entry in this contest does NOT subscribe you to any feeds, newsletters, or other publications or networks

ENTER CONTEST HERE

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