Noela Nancarrow reviews PERFECTING KATE by Tamara Leigh

Perfecting Kate

Perfecting Kate

by Tamara Leigh

2^nd Edition release (March 12, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

Perfectly Inspiring...

My life pretty much came to a full-stop when reading this thoroughly absorbing and lavishly entertaining novel! This seamless and non-formulaic story is narrated by and told from the character Kate Meadow’s perspective. Listening to Kate's heartfelt and humorous inner voice tell her story, the reader is given an amazing insight to the running feelings and thoughts of Kate. If you've ever experienced insecurities and self-condemnation, you’ll no doubt hear yourself in Kate’s thoughts. How amazing is it then, to be able to take a step back and look at ourselves afresh, and with such candor?

Kate Meadows, a successful San Francisco mural artist, has decided once again to throw in the towel on finding ‘Mr. Right’ and resolves to become content with being single. Well she had for all of about 5 minutes, until not one but two handsome eligible bachelors drop into her life! In one corner we have Dr Clive Alexander whose mere innocent touch delivers currents within her and is a Brad Pitt look-alike though maybe a little less tousled. Unfortunately he was heard agreeing with her friend Beau that she wasn't much to look at. And in the other corner, there’s Michael Palmier, a nationally known make-up artist who shows an increasing interest in the less than perfect Kate, rather than her physically perfect flatmate Maia. However, he continues to give Kate suggestions for self-improvement. Which of these men, if any, will give her what she really needs?

As much as the almost 30 year old Kate longs to fully embrace being single, she also desires a deeply loving marriage. As a result of Kate’s own insecurities and so much focus currently on her appearance, she decides it’s time to begin making improvements on herself. While focusing on the outward appearance however, Kate is neglecting her faith and overlooking God’s guidance. Will Kate’s misplaced focus on perfecting herself grant the outcome she craves? Or will her secrets, and distrust in love and God’s wisdom, be her undoing?

Author Tamara Leigh is a master at dialogue and storytelling. I was in awe reading Kate’s amusing and eloquent thoughts and reflections on love and faith, witnessing, her failures, and her dreams and hopes. And I was regaled with Kate’s hilarious take on people and situations. She was sassy and sweet, authentic, sometimes quirky, and her prayers at the end of each chapter were delightfully candid. I recommend everyone go on this life-changing journey with Kate and discover how true beauty is only found on the inside and that God loves us as we are! Highly recommended!

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You can purchase this e-book at Amazon for only $3.99! Also available at Barnes & Noble!

Noela Nancarrow reviews THE TROUBLE WITH PATIENCE by Maggie Brendan

The Trouble with Patience (Virtues and Vices of the Old West, Book 1)

by Maggie Brendan

Revell (February 17, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

The cocky, rough and tough sheriff Jedediah Jones can capture the lawless but can he capture the heart of a godly woman who loves to write devotionals?

Western justice and vigilantes once ruled the dusty main street and rugged territory of Montana. The most famous of them all, Vigilante X, now resides in the small frontier town of Nevada City as Sheriff Jedediah. Weighed down with guilt about his past, Jedediah aims to stay true to his badge and handle things the lawful way. However, his memories refuse to stay buried, and now it seems they just might just catch up in his life as well.

Patience Cavanaugh runs the neglected boarding-house ‘Creekside Inn’ that was inherited from her grandmother. She agrees to a mutually benefiting deal with the arrogant, albeit tall and rather ruggedly handsome sheriff, that has him promising to improve her run-down accommodation. When a mysterious man arrives in town and stays at the boarding-house, he begins helping Patience with the repairs himself, which doesn't impress Jedediah one bit. Who is this stranger and can he be trusted?

When cattle disappear, jewelry vanishes, and a rancher is murdered, Jedediah needs to figure out who are his friends and who are his enemies, while dealing with a past that’s returned and a woman that drives him to distraction!

This is a sweet western romance with wagon loads of charm, mystery, and smiles. Historical detail is dispersed throughout, and there is wonderful inspiration in the themes of our self worth, faith, forgiveness, and trust in God. Get comfortable in your saddle or wagon because you won’t be wanting to pull up until you reach the end of the trail, er rather, book! 

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* Thanks to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This novel may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and Book Depository!

GIVEAWAY: Maggie Brendan is generously offering a paperback copy of 'The Trouble With Patience' to one blessed commenter! US entrants only on this particular giveaway.

Julie Lessman - Surprised by Love Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Surprised by Love, by Julie Lessman

Surprised by Love 
by Julie Lessman

Revell, (October, 2014)

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

~5 stars~*****

Romance Galore!!!

Megan McClare has returned from France a literally changed young woman. She's not the sweet little best friend buddy that attorney Bram Hughes had known--instead Meg has blossomed into an alluring young woman. And her nemesis,  Devin Caldwell, doesn't even recognize her. But once he does--he seeks to make up for lost time and sweep Meg off her feet. Except that her heart already rests in the hands of Bram. But not quite. Because Bram is promised to marry someone else and Devin and Meg's relationship continues.

Meanwhile Meg's mother, Cait, and her Uncle Logan, need to finish off their ongoing and tempestuous relationship if Caitlyn is going to find any peace in her life. She's accepted a marriage proposal from Logan's rival. But in the midst of his despair, God moves his heart and mind to a new place, and he finally grasps the spiritual gifts God is offering him. 

Bibliotherapy elements: Forgiveness - strong in both romances, self esteem for Megan and poor eyesight (which she's had corrected by "brand new" contact lenses which I didn't know were even being attempted at that point in time), rivalries in both romances, and following God's will (all of the main characters).

I loved this book--it had some unique elements that made it fresh and Julie put a twist at the end that was brilliant! She had me guessing all the way through, which is difficult for a writer to do as I often know what is happening in a story. In fact in two other reviews I just did, for two authors whose work I really have enjoyed, I had to write that the stories were predictable. Not this one! 

Julie creates some lovable and quirky characters. She saves her heroine from being ridiculously naive by throwing in enough explanation to make her actions believable. Lovely voice, great tension, a real page turner! 

Highly recommend!!!

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Thanks to Revell for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. 

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore. 

GIVEAWAY: Giveaway of a gently used copy of Julie's book to a commenter on this review (USA only).

A Bride in Store by Melissa Jagears -- Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Bride in Store by Melissa Jagears

A Bride In Store

by Melissa Jagears

Bethany House Publishers (August, 2014)

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

5 Stars *****

Sweet Story with Rich Layers!

Eliza Cantrell, the daughter of a Eastern businessman, arrives in Kansas only to be robbed on the train enroute. She has come as a mail-order bride, bringing funds to assist the mercantile owner of what is primarily a men's shop. But her intended isn't even in town when she arrives. Instead Eliza begins helping William Stanton, her husband-to-be's business partner at the store. Except William doesn't seem to know much about business at all. He wants to be a doctor. Not only that but he is generous to a fault, failing to charge for services and goods. Will Eliza marry the man who sent for her? Will William find a way to attend medical school? Their sweet romance affects everything!

Bibliotherapy elements: Robbery and attack with injury so there is some PTSD, abandonment by her family, self concept issues, sexism against a woman being a business owner, honesty in relationships, and more! This novel has lots of lovely layers of meaningfulness. Not a light fluffy mail order bride story!  

Available for purchase at Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, BAM, etc.

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away a copy of either of Melissa's novels this week, choice of format (international winners, ebook only unless available through the Book Depository. Leave a comment to enter.

*Check back in the Winners column on the top right hand side of the blog after Saturday.

Interview with Tamera Alexander

Tamera Alexander

Tamera Alexander is the author of A Lasting Impression, and also of Rekindled and The Inheritance, and is currently working on her tenth novel. Her fall 2012 release, To Whisper Her Name, showcases the history of the Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, the most successful thoroughbred stud farm in American history. 

Tamera, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.  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?

One of the most difficult struggles in my life is also––through God’s grace––one of my greatest victories. But as we know, every victor bears the scars of struggle. Sometimes those scars are visible, sometimes they’re hidden, but they’re still there. I was sexually molested when I was a young girl. The incidents occurred over a two-year period. The perpetrator was not someone in my family. It was a family “friend.” As I matured, I grew to realize that none of what happened was my “fault.” But at the time, and for years following, I felt as though I’d done something wrong. I felt dirty. And somehow…less.

That feeling took root inside me and manifested itself in the form of deep insecurity and self-doubt. Even stuttering. When I was around the age of 13, someone I respected read a poem I’d written and told me, “You’ll be making an a** of yourself if you ever let anyone read what you’ve written.” Due to lingering childhood issues, I took that statement to heart and put away writing for many, many years.

In my teen years and through college, God filled my life with people who helped me work through my past issues and hurts. He healed me of so much of that pain. And through a turn of events later in life, he drew me back to the love of writing. With writing comes risk. Risk that can feed insecurity and self-doubt. Funny little twist, huh? But God never calls us to do something we could accomplish on our own. He calls us to God-sized tasks so we’ll learn to rely on his strength and not ours. And his strength––like his grace and healing––is immeasurable!

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

I love Jeremiah 29:11-13, a much-quoted promise and one that’s very familiar to us…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

Sounds great, huh? God has a plan for you and me. Plans for good, not for harm. Plans to give us a future and a hope. God will listen to our prayers. If we look for Him wholeheartedly, we’ll find him. This is all great stuff! But…

Are you familiar with verse 10 of that same chapter, and verse 14? The two verses that [bracket] the promise we love to quote? They’re not as frequently quoted, but they should be. Note verse 10 and 14 in bold below:

“This is what the Lord says, “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the Lord. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your land.”

Captivity. God is promising captivity.

So yes, while verses 11-13 offer comfort and hope, don’t forget that God first promised his “chosen people” seventy years of struggle and hardship, circumstances they would never have chosen for themselves. Sound familiar?

These verses demonstrate to me that I should never judge God by my circumstances. They also remind me that sometimes, enduring a hurt or a painful circumstance is the best way for me to grow closer to God. And isn’t that the ultimate goal of my earthly journey, and God’s will for me here…to grow closer to him. To become more like Christ.

A Lasting Impression

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? 

Yes, A Lasting Impression is available in audio and large print and ebook, as are all my other novels.

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

As I write, I take steps closer to Christ. And it’s my deepest hope that readers––as they read my stories––will take steps closer to him too.

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

I particularly enjoyed writing A Lasting Impression because Claire Laurent and Adelicia Acklen (the “real” woman who built the Belmont Mansion) were both strong women with internal struggles. Struggles they hid well, and that only a handful of people around them knew about. Struggles (and weaknesses) that God used to make them stronger.

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

I’ve received numerous letters from readers who have struggled with insecurity and self-doubt due to past hurts, and who found encouragement and hope as they read A Lasting Impression. A Lasting Impression is about authenticity. It’s about being real first with yourself, then with others. And ultimately with God. 

All of my stories grow from either a personal struggle or a question I’m wrestling with in my own life. For instance, as I was writing my book, Within My Heart, I’d just lost my precious mom to gallbladder cancer, so much of my “working through grief of loss” is in that story, as well as many of my last moments with Mom.

Anything else you’d like to share, Tamera?

Thanks so much for the chance to share how God has poured grace and healing into my life. I’ll be sure to visit back often during this week, so if anyone has any questions––or maybe if they want to share their stories in the hope of encouraging others––I’ll be visiting and reading!

Thank you, Tamera, for sharing part of your journey with us. Have a blessed day and keep on writing!

Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded and nominated for numerous honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, and the Carol Award. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Nashville, Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children, and a ten-pound silky terrier named Jack.

LINKS for purchases of all Tamera's books (click here.) 

October 2012 (November 2012 release but book starts shipping October 10th)To Whisper Her Name, a Belle Meade Plantation novel by Zondervan. (OTT: We got our copies from Amazon, yay!!!)

GIVEAWAYS: Tamera is also doing a giveaway for us this week in addition to our giveaways of a book of choice plus one Tamera Alexander paperback that we are giving away ourselves--grand total of THREE giveaways this week. 

QUESTION: Have you lost a parent to cancer? How did you cope?

Interview with Melanie Dickerson

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice and of The Merchant’s Daughter.


Interview by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I met Melanie Dickerson through HisWriters, an online group for those who have either published or planned works with European characters. I have also been blessed to get to hang out with her at the ACFW conferences.

Melanie, welcome to Overcoming Through Time – With God’s Help.
 

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?

Wow, where should I start, Carrie? LOL! I grew up poor in a very poor area in south Alabama, but it made me determined to succeed and escape my circumstances. I definitely have that in common with my heroine, Rose! God blessed me and has brought me through some very lonely times into a place of trusting God completely (or at least, complete trust is my goal when I’m not trusting as much as I should). I’m thankful for my husband and two kids, and I have confidence in God that I can overcome anything, any disaster or tragedy, that might come my way. For years I was trapped by fear and low self-esteem, but I feel God healing me, and he has healed me, to a great extent. God is faithful!

One of the most difficult things we have gone through as a family is the loss of my husband's job over fourteen months ago. Then, on April 27th, our area was hit with several tornadoes in one terrible day, but God spared us.In this difficult economy, we are clinging to God's assurance that He will provide. He has provided, in so many ways, and he has blessed me with seeing my first book receive lots of acclaim, including being a finalist for a Christy Award. And then a dear friend told me, just days before the ACFW conference, that God nudged her and told her to help me get to the conference. In a matter of a few hours, she had raised, through ACFW members, enough money to send me to the conference. I was blown away by my friends’ kindness and generosity, as well as with God’s provision. God is amazing. Absolutely amazing. But I know many families out there are suffering like we are with the head of our household unemployed. It’s hard to see your husband go through this. We certainly are not alone.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7  This used to be my favorite verse because I used to be so riddled with anxiety! But as I said, God has healed me of this problem, to a great extent.

A current favorite is “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1  Whether you are a slave to sin or a slave to guilt or a slave to legalism, God wants to set you free in Christ! This is a theme that I have set for my life, as I have struggled with these things, and still struggle at times.

And I also love “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 That’s pretty much the whole gospel right there! And what romance writer doesn’t want to claim the verse that says “live a life of love.”

Disability friendliness:

Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? 


Wow, I wish it was available on audio! How cool would that be? It is on Kindle and all the other e-book formats. There is also a large print version available.

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

I really hope they will get the message that Jesus is the name above every name, and is more powerful than the darkest power. I also hope they will see that trusting God and listening to his leading will serve them well! God has a wonderful plan for your life if you allow him to work things out. So many times we get in the way because we want our own way, we think we know best, and we just mess things up. But God loves us and he has a good plan for us.

Carrie Fancett Pagels and Melanie Dickerson at ACFW Conference

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

I actually was surprised that things haven’t changed as much as people might think since the middle ages. People always wanted love, always wanted to succeed and be happy. That never changed. People always wanted to connect to God and wanted to learn about him, and that hasn’t changed either. Emotions and conflicts are the same, but it was also fun to write in the middle ages because some of their values are different, and their laws and society were different, making great fodder for conflict and angst—for any writer with an active imagination!  

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

The Merchant’s Daughter deals a lot with overcoming fear, overcoming feelings of betrayal and relational pain, and learning to trust God and rejoice in the Lord. I think it can be helpful for someone who’s going through emotional trauma of some kind.

CFP note:  In The Healer's Apprentice, Melanie also addressed these issues: Self esteem, trust, abandonment, adoption.


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


Giveaway:  Leave your comment and your email for a chance to win a copy of one of Melanie's books!