Carrie Fancett Pagels' Favorite Novellas and Short Stories of 2013

Novellas and short stories--This was the year of a wonderful assortment of both of these types of books and I was blessed to have published both a short story and a novella myself!!!

Here are my favorites for 2013

Short Stories

A Cup of Christmas Cheer collection--All the stories were wonderful. Carla Gade's story particularly moved me because it is set in Michigan's upper peninsula.  It was also beautifully done.  I enjoyed ALL of them!!! Very blessed to be in the company of Susan Page Davis, Julie Carobini, Johnnie Alexander Donley, Anita Mae Draper, Carla Gade, Ginger Kolbolba, Pam Andrews Hanson, Jennifer Collins Johnson, Ashley Clark, Jenness Walker, Marilyn Turk, Linda Clare.

A Cup of Christmas Cheer (Guideposts)

Heaven Is Not Far By Marian Baay. Lovely short story.

Heaven is Not Far by Marian 

Safe House by Kathi Macias, great short story. Sorry no pic yet!

Pioneer  Christmas: 9 Stories of Finding Shelter and Love in a Wintry Frontier by Kathleen Fuller, Vickie McDonough, Lauraine Snelling, Margaret Brownley, Marcia Gruver, Cynthia Hickey, Shannon McNear, Michelle Ule, Anna Carrie Urquhart. All stories were wonderful, and in particular I loved Shannon McNear's because forheaven'ssake it is COLONIAL!!!!  Of COURSE I would love that story!!! So my overall short story winner is Shannon McNear's!

A Pioneer Christmas Collection

NOVELLAS

Kathy Maher's "Bachelor Buttons" Civil War was a beautiful debut novella--she has a gorgeous lyrical voice and is an amazing story teller! My favorite historical (with strong romantic elements!) novella.

Kathleen L. Maher's "Bachelor Buttons"

Melissa Jagear's novella (Bethany) was my favorite romance novella with bibliotherapy element (dyslexia/reading disorder)  so of course I loved that!

Love by the Letter by Melissa Jagears

Available FREE on Kindle!!!



















Deeanne Gist's Tempest in the White City--great novella!

Tempest in the White City by Deeanne Gist

GIVEAWAY:  Kathy Maher's paperback or ebook to one winner. Pioneer Christmas collection to a second winner. Answer the question--What was your favorite short story or novella for 2013?

Marian Baay reviews SAFE HOUSE by Kathi Macias

Safe House

Cry of Feedom – Volume 8

SAFE HOUSE

By Kathi Macias

Helping Hands Press, 2013

Reviewed by Marian Baay

~5 stars~*****

In Safe House, Kathi Macias pens a compelling tale about eleven year old Nathaniel who is faced with an unexpected complication to his daydreaming. When reality calls and lives are at stake, he must make an important decision.

It is the summer of 1863. With his pa off fighting in the war, Nathaniel prepares himself for the first summer break without his father. He wonders when he will see him again. His pa and grandpa are abolitionists, but his ma believes it is wrong to break the law by helping to deprive others of their rightful property. He has not yet decided what to think of it himself.

Then Nathaniel discovers a secret which he cannot tell anyone, but it seems like his grandpa already knows…

When danger comes to their town at night, he must grow up fast and take responsibility. Other people’s lives are in his hands. Will he do what is right?

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You can buy this novella at Amazon.

And you can also find the other stories in the Cry of Freedom Series at Amazon.

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GIVEAWAY: Kathi will give away a copy of this story. 

TO ENTER: Like Kathi Macias' author page on facebook and leave a comment here on the blog - make sure to put KM in your comment when you have liked Kathi's page. Don't forget to leave your email address as well.

Marian Baay reviews LAST CHANCE FOR JUSTICE by Kathi Macias

Last Chance for Justice

LAST CHANCE FOR JUSTICE

by Kathi Macias

B&H Publishing

Reviewed by Marian Baay

Travel with mother Lynn and daughter Rachel to Bloomfield—a small town where everyone knows each other and nothing is secret from your neighbours. But still there is an unsolved mystery in Bloomfield.

When Lynn inherited her brother’s house at cemetery drive in Bloomfield, she never had thought that she would also inherit her brother’s desire to solve the mystery about Last Chance Justice. Who is this Last Chance?—and perhaps even more interesting is to find out how this man got his name.

Lynn grew up in Bloomfield and left town when she got married 35 years ago. Now she's back for a couple of days to go through her brother’s belongings and to put his house on the market. But things take longer than she anticipated and meanwhile she gets reacquainted with old friends.

Her beautiful daughter attracts the attention of the young men and soon two are vying for her hand.

This was a relaxing and enjoyable read. The characters are very real and it feels like the reader is visiting and having coffee or sun tea on the porch with them. There are also some nice and interesting secondary characters. The atmosphere is relaxed and lighthearted. The mystery keeps the reader guessing—I really had no idea where it was going. So yes, I think Kathi Macias did a very nice job!

*Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy through NetGalley.*

You can find Kathi's books at DeeperShopping, Amazon, CBD, and other bookstores.

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GIVEAWAY: Kathi will give away a copy of this book. Answer the question to be entered in the contest and don't forget to leave your email address as well.

QUESTION: Have you read any of Kathi's books yet? If so, do you have a favorite?

Interview with Kathi Macias by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Kathi Macias

Kathi Macias is the author of (The Moses Quilt, Last Chance for Justice, and The Doctor’s Christmas Quilt) and of (Emma Jean Reborn and My Son John) of more than 30 other books.

Kathi, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers.

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

Wow, there’s been a lot, but probably the toughest was being a very young (19) wife and mom of one baby with another on the way when I was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors suggested I consider abortion, as I probably wouldn’t be able to carry my second child to term and they wanted to start aggressive treatment as soon as possible. I wasn’t a Christian then, but that’s what started me praying and seeking God. I wasn’t saved until nearly seven years later, but I refused to consider abortion and instead opted for surgery only, with no radiation or chemo treatments. Quite obviously I made it through, as did my second child, now a healthy man of 45 who is involved in law enforcement. God is faithful and had His hand on me even then, and I never cease to thank Him for that!

(CFP: Wow--PTL that God was there for you even when you weren't ready to turn to Him--and that when you did He was ready with open arms!!!)

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?  

One of my novels, Obsession (from B&H), is available in large print, though I am unaware of any being available in audio—yet. However, the books I’m publishing now with Helping Hands should be available in that format soon.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

Almost all of my books (fiction and nonfiction) are issues-oriented and have discussion questions included in the book (or as free downloads from the publisher). All are biblically based. As a former biblical counselor on a large Southern California church staff, I make it a point to write from that perspective and to engage the readers in thought-provoking questions for their own lives.

CFP: Thank you, Kathi, for agreeing to answer these questions.  Have a blessed day and keep on writing!! 

We encourage readers to order Kathi's New Hope Christmas book which is available for pre-order (click here.)

Giveaway:  For the interview we will be giving away the winner's choice of any of Kathi's books, from OWG blog (ebook only for international winner.)  Later in the week, Kathi will give away a copy of her books reviewed by OWG so come back for each review and leave a comment, too.

You can connect with Kathi at www.kathimacias.com or on her blog at www.boldfiction.com .