Teresa's Fantastic Favorites for 2012

My List in No Particular Order

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A Bride's Flight by Murray Pura

This book by Murray was a pleasant surprise.

It was the perfect story, it had the right amount of murder and mayhem and the perfect cowboy to take care of the lady in distress. It reminded me of the good ole days of watching cowboy movies with my dad on Saturday mornings.
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A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman wows us once again with another sweet love story from the Winds of Change Series. To say this one was extra special is an understatement, all of Julie's books are that, but this one brings to a close the story of a family I have come to love...The O'Connors. 
I'm going to miss them all!    

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Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach

What a amazing book this was, Rita truly captured my heart with this story and kept me hanging on until the very end. It will take you through a gamut of emotions. This is book one in the Daughters of the Potomac Series, the second is Beside Two Rivers and it was also excellent. Please take time to read these, I promise you won't be sorry.

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Double Blind by Brandilyn Collins

This book by Brandilyn had me sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. 
If you like good old fashion suspense bordering on terror you will love this book.
I can't wait for her next book.

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Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver

I loved this story, it has a lot of mystery and what I really liked the most was how she dealt with a disorder that effects a lot of children. 
Her characters were charming and I really fell in love with Ceddy.

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Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Once again Laura takes you back in time to a beautiful place 
that will bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. 
I came to love Laura's work when I read the Frontiersman's Daughter, 
and I have enjoyed everyone of her books since.

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The Yellow Packard by Ace Collins

This is the first book I have read by Ace Collins and hopefully it will be the first of many. This is the story of a beautiful custom made car that seems to be cursed from the moment it rolls off the production line. 
If you love mystery, suspense and a happy ending this is a tale for you.
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The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

When I read this beautiful story by Ace I was so excited. It's the perfect Christmas story that's destined to become a classic. As you can see I have read two stories by Ace this year and loved them both.

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Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall

Since the first book of MaryLu's I picked up in the library years ago to this one I have never been disappointed in any of them. This one will take you to the beautiful city of Charleston, SC during its ultimate heyday before the Civil War and it will lay bare the horrors of slavery. It will have you wiping tears of sorrow and joy before it's over.

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Injustice for All by Robin Caroll

Robin certainly knows how to write a wonderful suspense novel. From the first you know that the good guys aren't always good and then it just gets better from there. This one had me frantically flipping pages until the end. It was so good!

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A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Oh what a fun story! I enjoyed this book from the first page until the last. Jen had me hooked from the very beginning with the lovely Lady Eliza. Eliza will have you rolling with laughter with her antics, I could so appreciate how the harder she tries to do something the more difficult it becomes. Having lived through a few of those episodes myself, I can fully understand Eliza's dilemmas. 

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Lily, Song of the River Series

By Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver

I loved this beautiful story of a young lady that loved the mighty Mississippi so much she doesn't let anything stop her dream of owning a riverboat, not even a handsome gambler.

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Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

Book one in The Men of the Texas Rangers series.

In this fast paced tale Margaret tackles the serious subject of human trafficking and the abuse of young girls. This was a book that was filled with things that make us uncomfortable to think about but the good part is there is a handsome Texas Ranger that will stop at nothing to rescue these girls. 

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A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman

This book by Julie is a story that truly is the epitome of what the Christmas spirit is all about. It explains the beginning of the O'Connor family, and what a family this is. ~sigh~  Thank you Julie for sharing with us how Marceline chooses the love of her life.

The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities

The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conqured Learning Disabilities

The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities

By Molly Noble Bull, Margaret Daley, Ginny Aiken, Jane Myers Perrine, and Ruth Scofield

(Westbow Press, 2011)

This book shares first person perspectives on coping with having a learning disability.  Our featured author this week, who has also been a teacher of special needs students, shares her own journey. 

I recommend this book for parents of children with learning disabilities, persons diagnosed with learning disabilities, and for teachers.   It is a great resource for what it is like to experience these difficulties first hand and to overcome them, with God’s help.

My own husband and my son both had problems with reading and both received vision therapy and special education services. I thank God that our son, now 10, who didn't read two years ago by himself, now is reading at the 11th grade level. And my husband is a successful marine engineer despite his early difficulties. Margaret’s comments paralleled much of what my husband has said to me over the years. I really appreciate her sharing her experience with others.

Thank you, contributors to “The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities” and keep getting your message out there!

 

Giveaways: In addition to Margaret’s giveaway and our OTT-WGH giveaway of one of Margaret’s fiction books (choice of book and format) we will be giving away a copy of The Overcomers: Christian Authors Who Conquered Learning Disabilities to a reader who would be one of the people I recommend this book to in particular.  

Teresa Mathews Reviews Saving hope by Margaret Daley

Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

The Men of the Texas Rangers #1
Abingdon Press, 2012

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews

5 Stars *****

Saving Hope is the first book in Margaret Daley’s The Men of the Texas Rangers series. In this book Margaret delves into the horrors of human trafficking and child prostitution.

Kate Winslow is the Director of Beacon of Hope, a home for young girls who have been forced to sell their bodies. These girls usually have nowhere to go or no one that cares about them. After witnessing a childhood friend that was sold into prostitution and wanting to help her but couldn’t, Kate decided to spend the rest of her life helping young girls in similar situations.

Wyatt Sheridan, Texas Ranger, member of the Child Rescue Task Force, has seen horrors that no person should go through, much less children that are as young as thirteen.  Wyatt is the single father of a beautiful fourteen year old daughter, Maddie, whom he is trying to keep close and safe since his wife was murdered when Maddie was a small child.

When one of the girls comes up missing along with one of the home’s vans, Kate doesn’t want to report it stolen because she knows that Rose must have had a good reason for taking it. Rose was doing so good, she was happy and content at Beacon of Hope, and she had no reason to want to go back to her old life. Will Kate be able to find Rose and help her before it’s too late?

When Wyatt Sheridan is called out to the scene of the murder of a young girl, he is determined to catch the animal that killed this little girl, who is about the same age as Maddie. Since a van from Beacon of Hope is found at the spot where the young girl was left, he starts his investigation there. Wyatt is very impressed with Kate Winslow, and he can see that her concern for these girls is real. There is something about her that makes him want to help her. In the years since his wife was killed he has never even thought about another woman. What is it about Kate that tugs at his heart? Will Wyatt be able to keep Kate and Maddie safe from the people that want to stop him at any cost?

This is a very disturbing subject, children being used for horrible things, and it’s very heartbreaking to think about, but Margaret did a wonderful job with it.  This was definitely a story that held you spellbound until the end because you wanted to see the criminals brought to justice. There are some twists that will surprise you. I can’t wait to read Shattered Silence, the second book in this new series. Thanks Margaret!

*Thanks to Abingdon Press for giving me a copy of this via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Margaret's books can be purchased at Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Margaret's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Margaret Daley's Saving Hope reviewed by Marian Baay

Saving Hope

Saving Hope by Margaret Daley
The Men of the Texas Rangers #1
Abingdon Press, 2012

Reviewed by Marian Baay
4½ ****

Kate Winslow is running a home for girls who used to work as prostitutes, called Beacon of Hope. She’s giving the girls a place to live and heal. Wyatt Sheridan has been working on a team to expose a child prostitution ring. When Wyatt and Kate meet they discover that they have the same goal: to help the girls.

Rose is one of the girls that lives in Beacon of Hope. On a night she gets a phone call from Lilly - a girl who is still working as a prostitute. She needs help and Rose is taking Kate’s van to go to try to free Lilly. But things don’t go like she hoped and soon Rose is captured.

Wyatt comes to work on the case to find Rose. Kate and Wyatt often meet to talk things through. Wyatt didn’t expect to start feeling something for Kate. His wife was murdered 9 years ago and he never thought about searching for a new love in his life. His mother lives with him to take care of his 14 year old daughter Maddie. Maddie is trying to find her own way in life and gets into trouble. Wyatt’s mother is widowed and seeing a new boyfriend. Can the man be trusted?

Join Wyatt and Kate in their search for Rose. Will they find her again? And can they expose the prostitution ring?

Margaret Daley writes a story that is worth reading! She keeps the suspense high and the plot is well done.

*Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing me a free eBook for review.*

Margaret's books can be purchased at Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Margaret's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Teresa Mathews Reviews Margaret Daley's Shattered Silence

Shattered Silence

Shattered Silence
by Margaret Daley
Abingdon Press, 2012

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews
5 Stars*****

In this second book in Margaret’s series “The Men of the Texas Rangers”, she deals with a person that is murdering illegal aliens.

Liliana Rodriguez is a smart and beautiful detective with the Durango Police Department, who is a little leery of men because of things that happened in her childhood. When she has to partner with the new handsome Texas Ranger Cody Jackson, she is not excited about it. But it seems she has no choice since her partner is on vacation and there is a killer on the loose in Durango. Liliana has more to deal with besides finding the killer who seems to be targeting illegal aliens, her own sister is in harm’s way and it seems there is nothing Liliana can do to help her. Will Cody be a help or hindrance to her, will he be the one man she can trust to help break down the barriers of fear?

Texas Ranger Cody Jackson has moved to Durango for two reasons, first to get his teenage son Kyle away from his step-father who may be involved in some disturbing goings on. Second is to help find the person responsible for shooting the last Texas Ranger in Durango, Ranger Al Garcia and forcing him into retirement. Cody is pleasantly surprised to find out Liliana is to be his partner while they are searching to find the killer of the beautiful Jane Doe. Will he be able to keep his mind on his work and not Liliana? As they are searching for the killer and more bodies start to stack up will Cody be able to protect Kyle from danger and help beautiful Liliana keep her family safe? Will he be able to survive an assassin’s attack?

Margaret has done a superb job of weaving a tale of murder, suspense, and best of all love. She also deals with physical abuse and racial prejudice. This has a storyline that goes beyond your simple murder mystery, you will find yourself drawn into the lives of the characters and it will have you steadily flipping the pages to find out what is going to happen. Thank you Margaret for this exciting read.

I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
You can buy Margaret's books at CBD, Amazon and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Margaret's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Margaret Daley's Shattered Silence Reviewed by Marian Baay

Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley

Shattered Silence 
by Margaret Daley
The Men of the Texas Rangers #2
Abingdon Press, 2012

Reviewed by Marian Baay
5 stars~*****

Durango is a nice town in Texas. Police Detective Liliana Rodriguez has lived in Durango all her life and she knows most of the residents. She loves her job and her family. There's not much time for other things in her life--surely no place for a love life.
Liliana's partner is going on vacation when the new Texas Ranger arrives in Durango. 

Texas Ranger Cody Jackson has just moved to Durango, Texas. Soon after he arrived, a pregnant woman was murdered. In the week that follows more people were murdered. 
Cody and Liliana are going to work together to solve the case. While doing that they come across a gun smuggling ring. Are the smugglers responsible for the murders, or is there another killer out there?

After an abusive childhood, Liliana has built a wall around her heart. There's no place for a man in her life. Her father was an abuser and her sister is also living with an abusive husband. When she gets to know Cody better, she finds out he is different. Can she let a man into her heart and busy life?

Cody's ex-wife died a couple of months ago. His son Kyle lived with his mom and now comes to live with Cody. He's trying to be the father Kyle needs, but Kyle doesn't like to live with his father and to live in Durango. Soon Kyle will make new friends and he will have to make an important choice in making friends.

Shattered Silence is book 2 in Men of the Texas Rangers series. Although it is the second in a series the book can be read as stand-alone. 

I think Margaret Daley has written an enjoyable and exciting story full twists and turns. I kept guessing how the story would end. It was just near the end that I began to suspect the bad guy.
Nicely done, Margaret!

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.*

You can buy Margaret's books at CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, some on Lifeway, and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Margaret's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

Second giveaway this week: Margaret is giving away a copy of Shattered Silence to one of our blog readers this week, also!

Interview with Margaret Daley

Margaret Daley

Margaret Daley is the author of Shattered Silence (Abingdon Press, October 2012) and Saving Hope, the first two books in the Men of the Texas Rangers Series (and of many other books!) She just had a Love Inspired release September, 2012--A Mom's New Start. I met Margaret through ACFW where she is president of the organization. In fact, she should be in the midst of wrapping up at the conference and heading back home, so I hope she'll be able to pop by a little, but I imagine she'll be spending a lot of time in airports today and unpacking tomorrow!

Margaret, 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 characters has had to get past?

I have a learning disability (auditory processing disorder) and struggled to learn to read. I don't hear sounds like others do. Nothing is wrong with my hearing. It has to do with how my brain processes what I hear. I could never learn to speak a foreign language even though I love to travel. I still have problems with my auditory processing and have to compensate for it.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

That is hard because there are so many verses I love. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

I write romantic suspense and this verse is about how important love is in this world. To me God is love. He is the best example of what love means.

Shattered Silence

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?  All of my books are available in large print. I'm not sure about ebooks that have audio capability.

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

Hope. Through the Lord there is always hope. Along with that goes trust in the Lord. When you trust in Him, you can let go of worry. When you don't worry, hope has a tendency to grow.

A Mom's New Start

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

The plight of these children who are taken by human traffickers--the life they endure touched my heart, and I needed to let others know about their situation. Our children are our future, and we need to protect them.

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

In my Overcomers (a non-fiction book with other Christian authors) I discuss what I went through as a child with a learning disability (at the time that wasn't addressed in school). I talk about compensating skills I developed and still use today. I also talk about what I tried to teach my students with learning disabilities to help them compensate in school. I not only had a learning disability, but I taught high school students with learning disabilities.

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

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Margaret’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.  

Second giveaway this week: Margaret is giving away a paperback copy of Shattered Silence, her October release!