Harry Potter is back at Pottermore.com

Mark your calenders: October 2011 is the launch for Pottermore.com

Exclusive site for e-books - fine. New information and background to the tale? Fantastic. You can also be sorted into a house, explore Diagon Alley and choose a wand. Sounds like a lot of fun. You can read more in this article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2007236/Pottermore-J-K-Rowling-unveils-Harry-Potter-e-book-website.html

The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus

Song Stuck on the Brain: I'm a Believer by The Monkeys

The Art of Romance

by

Kaye Dacus

MY TAKE:

This is my favorite of Kaye's books so far, and that's saying a lot, because I'm a big fan. You read yesterday's post about Love Remains, book one in the Matchmaker series, now let me introduce you to it's sequel.

Caylor and Dylan have more history than either of them realize. In fact, they might never have discovered it, if there grandma's weren't best friends and matchmakers. Perty and Sassy are just two of the 80 something grandma's that lovingly manipulate, er, pardon me... encourage their grandchildren to meet.

Caylor is an English professor, Christian Romance novelist, caretaker for her grandmother, choir member, often times assistant of the college drama productions and sometimes participant... her list of activities makes me tired just thinking about it. But she's happy with her life and satisfied that she's destined to forgoe love and marriage inorder to take care of her grandmother, Sassy.

Dylan is an artist that's trying to get his life back on track after it was hijacked by his ex-girlfriend. He comes home to Tennessee with little to his name. He moves in with his grandparents and begins to rebuild his life. Starting with a little encouragement from grandma Perty to check out a professorship at the college where Caylor works.

Of course, love ensues but not without it's issues. Secrets hard kept are harder shared, but eventually Caylor and Dylan learn to trust each other enough to open up and it's a beautiful thing.

I think I identify with Caylor more than I have any of Kaye's characters. Caylor and I share a lot in common, including the same favorite color- purple. (Ok, so I'm not tall or statuesque, but I have green eyes and red highlites...) The resemblance goes deeper and it was exciting to turn a page and think, YES! that is so me. I would totally do that. For example, there's a scene where Caylor and her sister Sage do the "Sisters" song and dance routine from White Christmas. That's my fav Christmas movie and my sister Angel and I do that song too. It was kind of like de ja vu.

I was super lucky to win autographed copies of both Love Remains and The Art of Romance from Kaye's blog and I gladly agreed to be an influencer. Why not? I already shout their praises from the roof tops. SO! Be good book-loving blog reader and accept my influence. Go find the nearest Kaye Dacus book you can get your hand on and read it!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sassy Evans and Perty Bradley are determined to get their older grandchildren married off, but when twenty-eight-year-old Dylan comes home after being fired from his teaching position because of the betrayal of his ex-girlfriend, Perty knows her grandson has more important issues to deal with first.

Sassy understands her friend's reservations about timing, but she also sees so many ways in which Dylan could be the perfect match for her thirty-four-year-old granddaughter Caylor. With his record of acclaimed paintings and Caylor's bestselling novels, they could complement each
other's talents and provide each other support and encouragement. And there's no denying the spark of attraction between the English professor with the untamed red hair and the painter with the unusual tattoos.

But neither grandmother realizes the secrets both Caylor and Dylan are keeping from each other. Will pain and embarrassment from the past keep Caylor and Dylan apart, or will they develop the courage to be truthful with each other and discover the true art of romance?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and editor who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. But her greatest joy comes from mentoring new writers through this very blog and seeing them experience those “aha” moments when a tricky concept becomes clear.

Love Remains by Kaye Dacus

Song Stuck on the Brain: One Last Breath by Creed

Today I'm reviewing a new favorite author. Not necessarily a new author, she's been around for a while and has a fantastic list of publications, but I've discovered her writing recently and love her work. In fact, I think she may be a long lost sister. She's officially on my favorite author list. If you haven't heard the name yet, then it's about time you did.

Meet: Kaye Dacus.

Okay, so this isn't the first time I've mentioned her, but she deserves a whole lot more mentioning. I was introduced to Kaye's writing through her book Stand-In Groom, book one in the Brides of Bonnterre series. It was funny and relevant and addictive. I've been working my way through her catalog ever since. Most recent has been the Matchmakers series. I'm reviewing the first book in that series today and the sequel tomorrow.

Love Remains

by

Kaye Dacus

MY TAKE:

One of the things I like most about Kaye's characters, is that they are real women. Women with hips and tummies and a dress size in a double digit. They aren't all the same, because let's face it, in real life even if you and I shared a dress size, we still wouldn't look the same or be built the same. Not every character is plus sized, but they are all real women. I also appreciate that these characters don't obsessively diet despite any personal image issues they may have. Their weight is not their main focus, but it's not glossed over either. Instead, they live normal lives with family and careers and hobbies and yes... ROMANCE. :)

In Love Remains, Dr. Zarah Mitchell is a real woman. A highly regarded historian working with the Middle Tennessee Historic Preservation Commission. Her father was verbally and emotionally abusive, but she found love and a home with her mother's parents when she was just 18. She found a new life and purpose. Now, 14 years later, the man she almost married is back in her life and bringing up all kinds of old heartache. Bobby Patterson is still in love with Zarah, but his job with the Tennessee Criminal Investigation Unit could get in the way of reconciliation when he has to take on a case where Zarah is a prime suspect. Bobby and Zarah learn a whole lot about themselves, their relationship with God and what the truth really is from 14 years ago.

It's an incredible story, fun and full of heart. The matchmaking grandmothers are a riot. My grandmas would have fit right in. Kaye's sense of humor and her honesty in story telling make this a definite book recommendation. And once you've read Love Remains, you'll be just as anxious for the sequel, The Art of Romance which I'm reviewing tomorrow.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nashville native Bobby Patterson has just returned home after many years away to take a position with the Tennessee Criminal Investigations Unit. His new job: lead a task force investigating potential real estate fraud connected with the Middle Tennessee Historic Preservation Commission. Zarah Mitchell, who’s worked at the Commission for more than a decade, is about to face a piece of history that could ruin the life she’s built in Nashville: Bobby Patterson—her first love and the reason her father kicked her out fourteen years ago. When Bobby realizes Zarah is part of his investigation, he is tempted to use his grandmother’s not-so-subtle setups as a way to learn if Zarah is involved in the fraud. Zarah, at her grandmother’s suggestion, tries to put the pain from the past aside to see if any love remains between her and Bobby. But when she learns he’s been investigating her, will she be be able to forgive him a second time?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing and Harvest House Publishers. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and even though she writes romance novels, she is not afraid to admit that she’s never been kissed.

B4B: When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley

Song Stuck on the Brain: I Can't Fight This Feeling by Chicago

When Sparrows Fall

by

Meg Moseley

MY TAKE:

I Can't Fight This Feeling by Chicago seems to be the appropriate song to be stuck on my brain. "My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you." Those lyrics seem to suit Jack Hanford to a 't', a single, college professor and literature lover, Jack's life is turned upside down when he receives a call from his 12 year old nephew, Timothy, telling him his mother is in the hospital and Jack is their legal guardian. Jack hasn't seen his deceased brother's family for 9 years, and he's only met them once. When he arrives at the secluded country home 90 minutes later he finds 6 kids all waiting for answers.

Meg Moseley did a brilliant job with this story. Jack, quirky as he is at times, is the normalcy and anchor for the craziness that follows. Miranda is a young widow trapped in a cliquish, near cult like church with secrets that run so deep, fear rules her life. Jack is her only remaining family and she'd rather trust her children to a near stranger than risk Pastor Mason gaining any more control in her life. She longs to break free and Jack is the key to helping her do that.

The mystery of Miranda and her family is more tangled than the ball of yarn their kitten Hellion would play with, but the author does an admirable job of unraveling the threads for the reader at just the right pace. Always anxious for more and unable to stop reading. The undertones of forgiveness and hope are strong, and I loved the touches of allegory that peppered the book. Each one of the children are strong and three dimensional, from 4 year old little Miss Martha and her ability to see beyond the surface of a person, to Timothy, the boy/man finding where he belongs in the world.

Fantastic writing, I look forward to more from Meg Moseley.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Freedom. Safety. Love. Miranda vows to reclaim them--for herself, and for her children.

A widow and mother of six, Miranda Hanford leads a quiet, private life. When the pastor of her close-knit church announces his plans to move the entire congregation to another state, Miranda jumps at the opportunity to dissolve ties with Mason Chandler and his controlling brand of “shepherding.” But then Mason threatens to unearth secrets only he knows, and Miranda feels trapped, terrified she’ll be unable to protect her children.

Professor Jack Hanford is more than surprised when he gets a call from his estranged sister-in-law’s oldest son, Timothy, informing him that Miranda has taken a serious fall and he has been named legal guardian of her children while she recovers. Quickly charmed by Miranda’s children, Jack brings some much-needed life into the sheltered household. But his constant challenging of the family’s conservative lifestyle makes the recovering mother uneasy and defensive—despite Jack’s unnerving appeal.

As Jack tries to make sense of the mysterious Miranda and the secrets she holds so tightly, Mason’s pressure on her increases. With her emotions stirring and freedom calling, can Miranda find a way to unshackle her family without losing everything?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Although I’ve lived more than half my life in other states, I grew up in California and am still a California girl at heart. I love vintage bungalows, twisted oaks on rolling hills, and the rocky beaches of the Central Coast.

A few blocks away from home stood the Lutheran church where I came to faith, first through Sunday School teachers whose kindness drew me to the kindness of God, and then through confirmation classes. The Bible verses that had been drilled into my head came to life in my heart.

After moving away from home as a teenager, I worked at a variety of jobs, from candlemaker in a tourist town to administrative assistant at a Christian college. I married a wonderful man from Michigan, and we lived north of Detroit for seventeen years. That’s where we started homeschooling our three children, a journey that we finished in Georgia when our youngest graduated from high school in 2009.

My husband and I live near Atlanta, close to the foothills of the Southern Appalachians. His motorcycle often carries us to the mountains of Georgia, Tennessee, or the Carolinas. Sitting on the back of the bike, I can pray, enjoy the beautiful views, and plot new stories. Fiction makes my world go ‘round, whether I’m writing it or reading it.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review