CFBA: The Passion of Mary Margaret by Lisa Samson

Song Stuck on the Brain: Amazing Grace

I'm so sad. Von Smith didn't make it into American Idol's top 12. I thought he did a great job, but the judges chose differently. I know if the choices were mine, I would have picked differently, but I'm sure there are plenty of others thinking the same thing. I know Von would have done great on the show, but he still has plenty of opportunities awaiting him. Keep your eyes open, he'll make it one of these days. Good luck, Von!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
The Passion of Mary Margaret
by
Lisa SamsonThomas Nelson (March 10, 2009)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Mary-Margaret accepts a calling that surpasses her wildest dreams . . . and challenges her deep faith.

When Mary-Margaret Danaher met Jude Keller, the lightkeeper's son, she was studying at convent school on a small island in the Chesapeake Bay. Destined for a life as a religious sister, she nevertheless felt a pull toward Jude-rough and tumble, promiscuous Jude.

After sojourning as a medical missions sister in Swaziland, Mary-Margaret returns to the island to prepare for her final vows. Jude, too, returns to the island, dissolute and hardened. Mary-Margaret can hardly believe it when the Spirit tells her she must marry the troubled boy who befriended her all those years ago, forsaking the only life she ever wanted for a man she knows she'll never love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Passion of Mary Margaret , go HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Samson is a Christy Award-winning author of 19 books, including the Women of the Faith Novel of the Year, Quaker Summer. Lisa has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as "a talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks."

Her novel Embrace Me has been named as one of Library Journal's books of the year.

She lives in Lexinton, Kentucky, with her husband and three kids.

She stays busy by writing, volunteering at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, raising children and trying to be supportive of a husband in seminary. (Trying...some days she's downright awful. It's a good thing he's such a fabulous cook!) She can tell you one thing, it's never dull around there.

Von Smith's A.I. performance

Did you watch American Idol last night?

Von Smith was up first and did an incredible job. Better than I remember him a few years back. He's really growing as an artist. I don't see the Clay Aiken similarity that Simon proclaimed, but we'll see what the rest of America thinks.

Angel and I spent the entire 2 hour time slot voting for him. Watch tonight to see if he makes the top 12.

View a video of last nights performance

or

Purchase Von's Performance from iTunes.

CFBA: Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter

Song Stuck on the Brain: I Will Not Be Moved by Natalie Grant

Just a quick note, be sure to watch American Idol tonight. It's the Kansas City auditions and Von Smith is auditioning, and I'm pretty sure he makes it to Hollywood week. If you'll remember, I've talked about Von and his amazing voice before. I even have a video of his posted in the sidebar. If you want to see more about him, visit his site HERE.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:


Sweetwater Gap

by

Denise HunterThomas Nelson (December 16, 2008)



ABOUT THE BOOK:

A story of new beginnings from best-selling Romance for Good™ author Denise Hunter.
When Josephine's family insists she come home to help with the harvest, the timing works. But her return isn't simple benevolence-she plans to persuade the family to sell the failing orchard.

The new manager's presence is making it difficult. Grady MacKenzie takes an immediate disliking to Josephine and becomes outright cantankerous when she tries talking her family into selling. As she and Grady work side by side in the orchard, she begins to appreciate his devotion and quiet faith. She senses a vulnerability in him that makes her want to delve deeper, but there's no point letting her heart have its way-he's tied to the orchard, and she could never stay there.

A brush with death tears down Josephine's defenses and for the first time in her life, she feels freedom-freedom from the heavy burden of guilt, freedom to live her life the way it was intended, with a heart full of love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sweetwater Gap, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!