CFBA: A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Song Stuck on the Brain: I Did It For You by David Cook

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

A Most Unsuitable Match
Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011)

by

Stephanie Grace Whitson

MY TAKE:

A Most Unsuitable Match is actually a perfect match. Everyone knows that opposites attract, and there's a good reason for that. It's one way that God balances relationships and fills the voids. Of course more often than not, those opposites aren't quite as opposite or as unsuitable as first pictured. Sometimes it takes a little while to find the commonalities and that is where the fun lies. Fannie and Samuel have a great deal of fun and I loved every moment of their journey.
Funny, warm and entertaining.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An unlikely attraction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana...

She is a self-centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic. He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world. She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death. He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana. Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are opposites in every way... except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Most Unsuitable Match, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.

Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.

CFBA: An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser

Song Stuck on the Brain: The Last Goodbye by David Cook

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:



An Unlikely Suitor
Bethany House (May 1, 2011)




by



Nancy Moser

MY TAKE:

Nancy Moser gave us three great love stories all for the price of one fantastic read. The main story begins with the devoted and practical Lucy and her self-sacrificing ways. She walks away from a chance at a life of her own to take care of her widowed mother and selfish little sister. You can't help but both root for Lucy to break free and find love, and feel a little frustrated by her stubbornness to take the opportunities she's given. But it's a good kind of frustration, the kind that has you flipping pages as fast as you can and talking out loud to the characters in the book. Lucy's story is compelling and intriguing all on it's own. Then...

You have the rich and heroic, but disabled Rowena. A true sister in spirit to Lucy. Friends despite their social barriers. Rowena isn't just a nice secondary character that helps to propagate the story, she has a whole complex story of love and sacrifice of her own to pull you in.

And of course there's baby sister, Sofia, the selfish young girl struggling to move from childhood to womanhood. I saw my own teenage niece in her so many times, that I empathized with Lucy and their mother, Lea, over Sofia's frustrating behavior. But Sofia does grow, and in a lovely story line of her own, you see her mature and become the caring woman that changes those around her for the better.

A nice touch, was the snippets of wisdom that Lucy's father Dante spoke when he was still alive. Throughout the story, his proverbs were repeated with love and fond memories, always giving needed help. A wise and loving father speaking softly through memory and beyond time. A lovely illustration for our own Heavenly Father that speaks through the voice of the Holy Spirit to encourage us and bring us wisdom when needed.

The setting is beautiful and I loved the great details, such as the famous home of the Astor's, the gossipy tid-bits of the rich and famous of the time, and the beauty of the costumes that were daily life. If you enjoy the genre even a little, you'll love this book.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.

One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?

Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?

And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class--but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?

As the lives of three young woman--and their unlikely suitors--become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?

If you would like to read the first chapter of An Unlikely Suitor, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty inspirational novels. Her genres include contemporary stories including John 3:16 and Time Lottery a Christy Award winner, and historical novels of real women-of-history including Just Jane (Jane Austen) and Washington's Lady (Martha Washington). Her newest historical novels are Masquerade and An Unlikely Suitor. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the

Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Sister Circle Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at http://www.nancymoser.com/ and http://www.sistercircles.com/ and her historical blog: http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/

CFBA: Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley

Song Stuck on the Brain: Always Be My Baby by David Cook

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:



Love Finds You In Golden, New MexicoSummerside Press (May 1, 2010)



by



Lena Nelson Dooley



MY TAKE:

Lena has another hit on her hands. Maddy's story as a mail order bride had a unique twist, one that made this book stand out from the crowd. The relationships that developed both romantic and otherwise were so enjoyable, that I had a hard time putting the book down. There's a nice balance between humor and drama and spiritual message making the book one I would recommend to fans of this genre.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

All that glitters is not gold. It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah.

Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her character beyond redemption.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You In Golden, New Mexico, go HERE.

"Love Finds You In Golden, New Mexico is a well-researched novel brimming With emotive conflict. Lena Nelson Dooley has crafted a historical romance that demonstrates that courage comes in many forms, but the courage to love is the most difficult of all.”

─DiAnn Mills, author of Sworn to Protect and A Woman Called Sage

“Two strangers are presented with a ‘golden’ opportunity for love in this quintessential East meets West tale by well-loved author Lena Nelson Dooley. I found myself swept away by the beautiful writing and enmeshed in the lives of the players, who face many twists and turns in their journey toward the ultimate happily-ever-after. Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico is truly one of the loveliest historical romances I’ve read in ages. Highly recommended.”

─Janice Hanna Thompson, author of Love Me Tender and Swinging on a Star

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For several years, Lena worked on the support staff of a church, but in November of 2002, God changed things so that she could stay home and write full-time. It has been the desire of her heart for a long time. In Proverbs 37:4, it says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” She believes that this blessing is a result of her delighting herself in Him, and she praises Him for the opportunity.

She have been a professional writer with a free-lance writing and editing business since 1984. In that time, she has written curriculum for public schools, private schools, and three different denominations. For one company, I managed a writing team that produced a two-year American History course for at-risk students. One of her clients was a Christian comedian for whom she wrote several routines. An airline training company had her edit and design International business reports for them.

Her first novel was published by Heartsong Presents in 1992. Since then Lena Nelson Dooley has written more than 25 works of fiction and nonfiction.

Lena has been married to her husband James since 1964. Theirs was one of those love-at-first-sight relationships. They were married three months and three days after they met. He truly was God’s gift to her. They are absolute opposites, but that means that his strengths are her weaknesses, and her strengths are his weaknesses. Together they make a more perfect whole. She believe that is what God intends for all of us.

They have two daughters. Marilyn Van Zant is married to Roger, and they have a son named Timothy. Tim is now in Tennessee at Ft. Campbell. His son Sebastian is almost 2 years old. Jennifer Waldron is married to Eric, and they have three children—Austin, Marissa, and Amanda. James and Lena love to spend time with their family, and they are blessed that both families live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, so they see them often.

CFBA: On the Road Home by Terry Burns

Song Stuck on the Brain: Permanent by David Cook. I love this song, I can't wait for his next album.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:


On The Road Home
Port Yonder Press; 1st edition (March 3, 2010)


by


Terry Burns



ABOUT THE BOOK:

In our sound-byte society, short stories and poems will always have a place, especially when they've been penned by the likes of Terry Burns. This, the first of four in The Sagebrush Collection, is a compilation of fictional, autobiographical, and fiction-based-on-fact shorts and poems.

Through fluent cowboy-speak, author Terry Burns shares his heart with these sometimes somber, often humorous, always engaging glimpses of life. From short stories about time machines and troubled marriages to poems of roses and hauntingly cold winds, you’ll find much to savor on the pages within.

A born storyteller, Burns style is natural, conversational, and above all real. He’s a fifth generation Irish tale-weaver and a fourth generation Texas Teller of Tall Tales. Storytelling comes as natural to him as breathing.

Come along with Terry as he journeys “On the Road Home”. You’ll be glad you did.

If you would like to read the first chapter of On The Road Home, go HERE.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terry has over 30 books in print, including work in a dozen short story collections and four non-fiction books plus numerous articles and short stories.

His last book Beyond the Smoke is a 2009 winner of the Will Rogers Medallion for best youth fiction and a nominee for the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. He has a three book Mysterious Ways series out from David C Cook, and Trails of the Dime Novel from Echelon Press.

A graduate of West Texas State he did post graduate work at Southern Methodist University. Terry plans to continue writing inspirational fiction as well as working as an agent for Hartline Literary Agency. Terry is a native Texan Living in Amarillo, Texas with his lovely wife Saundra.

CFBA: Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller

Song Stuck on the Brain: U and I by David Cook. Check out the preview on the David Cook official web site.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Somewhere to Belong
Bethany House (March 1, 2010)

by

Judith Miller





ABOUT THE BOOK:

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages settled by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she’s always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in Amana. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered. Is this truly where she belongs?

Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, so when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, her rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Somewhere to Belong , go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me.

With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.

Note: Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, two of which have placed in the CBA top ten lists. In addition to her writing, Judy is a certified legal assistant. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

Happy Christmas by David Cook

I'd be remiss in missing our hometown hero, David Cook. The man has a fantastic voice. And he's not bad to look at either. :)

CFBA: A Little Help From My Friends

Song Stuck on the Brain: Little Sparrow by David Cook
I always loved Dolly's version, never imagined I'd love a guy's version even more. David's voice is amazing. Love this song.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

A Little Help from My Friends

by

Anne Dayton & May VanderbiltFaithWords (October 15, 2009)


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Zoe is used to being overlooked. As the youngest and shyest Miracle Girl, she was happy to fade into the background last year. But when she sheds her baby fat and shoots up four inches the summer before her junior year, everything changes. Now she's turning heads at school, and this new attention is beginning to strain her relationship with her sweet, serious boyfriend, Marcus.

Pressure builds when Zoe's assigned partner for history class is Dean Marchese--a handsome New York transplant who isn't afraid to show her how he feels.
Just when she needs her three best friends the most, the Miracle Girls are suffering from boy troubles of their own.

Even Zoe's rock-solid home life begins to shake underneath her when her parents' relationship frays in the face of serious financial burdens. As this uncertain year of growing pains comes to a frenetic head, the quietest Miracle Girl must find her voice at long last and take control of her own destiny . . . with more than a little help from her friends.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Little Help from My Friends, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ANNE DAYTON graduated from Princeton University and is earning her master's degree in English literature at New York University. She works for a New York publishing company and lives in Brooklyn.

MAY VANDERBILT graduated from Baylor University and went on to earn a master's degree in fiction from Johns Hopkins University. She lives in San Francisco, where she writes about food, fashion, and nightlife in the Bay Area.

Together, the two women are the authors of Miracle Girls series