Marian Baay's Top Picks for Summer Reading 2013

Vacation in Portugal 2000

Here are some books I really enjoyed reading this year and I'm sure you will enjoy them too. 

All of them will make a great Summer Read!

Click on the titles to find the books on Amazon.

In no particular order.

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Once Upon A Prince

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck

What girl has not dreamed about being a princess? Or to be loved by a handsome prince? I think all girls have - at least I have!

This is a fantastic read with lovely characters - an ordinary American girl meets a handsome prince!

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A Road Called Love

A Road Called Love by Murray Pura

Exciting and adventurous!
This story made me think about life and God, and what matters and what doesn't.
FOUR fat volumes - only $0.99 each through June 1st. So, grab them while they're on sale!
This summer also available in paperback.

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Stealing the Preacher

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Not only a fabulous cover, but a lovely read as well!

Yes, when I saw the cover I was completely in love. But reading the book brought even more pleasure than I imagined!

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The Heiress of Winterwood

The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd

I immediately fell in love with characters Amelia and Graham. They're strong characters with flaws--which they must overcome. A good plot and good writing.
A very nice debut novel!

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Cry of Freedom Series

Cry of Freedom Series

If you like to read about the American Civil War then you should read this fantastic series. Many great authors writing unique stories. Our own Carrie released the first wonderful story in this series Return to Shirley Plantation, Murray Pura was second with his story The Last Waltz, and Kathleen L. Maher's Bachelor Buttons was third.
More stories will follow - all worth the read!


All stories are on sale for only $0.99 through June 1st, so grab your copy today!

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The Well

The Well by Stephanie Landsem

I enjoyed this book immensely! The writing is excellent, the plot well done, and the author has such a lovely voice!
And the characters...they're real, easy to love and to identify with.
From the first till the last page this book is a great delight to read!

This book will release on June 4 and is available for pre-order.

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The Reluctant Earl

The Reluctant Earl by CJ Chase

A story with all the ingredients to make it a delicious read; history, suspense, romance, and a believable storyline.

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Majestic and Wild

And last but not least I'd like to recommend Majestic and Wild by Murray Pura. Even if you're not going on an adventurous vacation this summer, you can go on a wonderful adventure in this devotional! The author will take you to some of the most beautiful places in the great outdoors of Canada and share some of his exciting adventures with you. His storytelling will draw you in and keep you glued to the pages. I'm sure you can't stop reading after only one story!

C. J. Chase's :"The Reluctant Earl"

The Reluctant Earl

The Reluctant Earl

by C.J. Chase

Love Inspired Historical, February 2012

5 stars~*****

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Set in 1817, in England, this new release by C.J. Chase is on my Best of 2013 list already and the year has barely started! 

Julian DeChambelle,  the new Lord Chambelston, recently lost his father, who may have been murdered for political reasons. There's lots of suspense and intrigue in this novel. His sister has frozen out most of the family but now Julian seeks answers and comes to spend time with her and her family, including her husband Lord Sotherton.

Meanwhile, our heroine,  Leah Vance, has her own trials and tribulations. As governess she can't afford to pay for her mentally ill sister's care in the asylum. She's been spying on the Sotherton household for extra money. 

I love the bibliotherapy elements in this book, too. A returning character from C.J.'s last book is DeChambrelle's younger sister with Down Syndrome, who Leah takes under her wing.  And Leah's own sister, who suffered a head injury, receives the only available care at the time, which is pitiful.  

C.J. writes a tight plot and excellent characterization.  I love her hopeful and strong voice.  I can hardly wait for her next book and I am tempted to reread this book again, it was so well-written!

LIH books are so inexpensive, pick yourself up a copy of "The Reluctant Earl" for yourself and a friend through Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble, or at your local WalMart. A great Valentine's Day gift!

GIVEAWAY: A copy of "The Reluctant Earl" will be given away to TWO commenters on this post. Leave your email address and answer the question: Have you known anyone who required care in a psychiatric facility? What was the time frame and what were the conditions of the facility?

Best of 2011 – Carrie’s Fiction List 2011 Releases

Laura Frantz’s The Colonel’s Lady, Revell (historical romance, colonial) Laura is a favorite of all four of us who contribute to this blog. Three of us have read TCL. We all wait with bated breath each year for her new release.  So I'll tag this one "To Sigh For"

MaryLu Tyndall’s Surrender the Dawn (historical romance)

and Surrender the Night  (I am counting these two as one). Diana and Marian and I all included MaryLu on our lists - officially a triple threat! Consistent excellence in writing.

Melanie Dickerson,The Merchant’s Daughter, Zondervan (YA, historical romance) I read this through in one day - she just grips your heart and won't let you go till you are done reading!!!

Now for my count! (Yes, I am cheating! I removed the ones that we all voted for already!)  Oh, and I am another Julie Lessman fan but did not get her 2011 release read yet.  

Laurie Alice Eakes' Lady in the Mist (Revell), a lovely historical romantic suspense read.  One of the best heroes of the year. 

CJ Chase, Redeeming the Rogue, Love Inspired Historical (Regency romantic suspense). Amazing!!! 

Roseanna White's Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, Summerside. Roseanna is on Diana's list, too.

Serena Miller, The Legend of Katie Calloway. Best Heroine and we love Serena and Katie!!! She'd on Teresa's list, too!

The Treasure Trove historical book for me:

Susan Craft’s, The Chamomile, Ingalls (historical, colonial)

Top bibliotherapy pick:
Jennifer Hudson Taylor - Highland Sanctuary, Abingdon  (Scottish historical romance). Wow!  She's also on Teresa's list as is the book.

Available on Audio (My preference!)

In a class all her own – Liz Curtis Higgs’ Mine is the Night, audible.com download (historical)  It would not be fair to even count this audiobook in my top ten because it is in a class all by itself – a fantastic audiobook NARRATED by the author HERSELF!!!!  You cannot beat this for really getting the story, the characterization, and of course that FABULOUS voice of Liz Curtis Higgs!!! 

Julie Klassen’s Girl in the Gatehouse, Bethany (historical romance, Regency). LOVE Julie Klassen's writing.  She has it ALL - unique storylines, amazing characters, fantastic writing, and beautiful voice!  AND it is on audio!!!

Best romance!!!

Kelly Marie Long,  Lilly's Wedding Quilt Thomas Nelson (Amish, romance).  Hunkiest hero and he is Amish!  Great use of bibliotherapy in this book.  Lovely voice and taut storyline.  She is one of my new favorite authors. And on audio and you have me sighing in gratitude!  Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers for making this wonderful book available in that format!

Released on audio in 2011 - Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist (originally published in pb in 2010 by Bethany House). Also on Teresa's list. 

Vannetta Chapman, Falling to Pieces (Amish suspense murder-mystery).  This is like inviting your BFF over to visit and she is sharing the story.  


Also on Marian Baay's list: Waterfall by Lisa Bergren (YA, speculative, romance) Only one of the trio available in audio at this point in time. This is one of those gripping listens - you pretty much have to stop what you are doing to listen to it.  She reaches many different types of readers.


Happy listening and reading in 2012!!!


GIVEAWAY: A Kindle copy of Melanie Dickerson's new release The Merchant's Daughter and a paperback copy of Julie Klassen's The Girl in the Gatehouse.  Winners announced on Marian's birthday (January 4th) and on my birthday (January 5th) so come back for the parties!

C.J. Chase - Interview

 

C.J. Chase is the author of Redeeming the Rogue (Love Inspired Historicals, August 2011). I was blessed to meet C.J. through our local Tidewater Area Christian Writers group when it got started several years ago.

C.J., welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

Well, like most people, I haven’t breezed through life unscathed by difficulties, but the one that stands out most was when our second son was born, and we learned he has Down Syndrome. That just wasn’t in my plans! I was one of those type-A perfectionists, and a child with intellectual and physical disabilities was a blow to my hopes, dreams, and ego. Now 13, Nathanael is a sweet kid who loves books, country music, and baseball. There will always be a bittersweet quality to our joy, but looking back, I can see how God has used him to change me. And I don’t think it was at all coincidence that the hero of my debut book has a younger sister with Down Syndrome. (CFP note: This is also referred to as Down’s Syndrome.)

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

For you created my inmost being,

        you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

        your works are wonderful,

        I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

        when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the

        depths of the earth,

        your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

        were written in your book

        before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139: 13-16 (NIV)

As to the why, I think most people can guess, based on my answer to the question above. It’s a comfort to know God has a purpose for us, even the least of us.

Is your book available in audio format?  Are any available as e-books with audio capability?  Large print?  (Thank you – we offer this information to our readers with difficulty reading books in regular print format.)

No audio, and at this time, Love Inspired Historicals are not published in large print. However, they are available for the most popular e-readers (Kindle, Nook).

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

I’ve discovered that many of the same questions and issues I hear people ask about God (i.e., how can a supposedly loving God allow evil) – often as excuses for shutting out God or denying God’s existence – apply to people across all times. I hope exploring these issues in past times will help modern readers grapple with them.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

Well, each book I write reveals something new to me about God and myself. I’ve come to believe that my time isn’t wasted, even if a book doesn’t sell, if I strengthened my faith during the course of writing.

Thank you C.J. for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Giveaway:  Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of C.J.’s new book.