CFBA: A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

Song Stuck on the Brain: Waiting on a Woman by Brad Paisley. Congrats to Brad, he did very well at the CMT awards last night.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
A Bride In The Bargain
by
Deeanne GistBethany House (June 1, 2009)

MY TAKE:

Yay! A new book from Deeanne Gist is like bonus vacation hours. Unexpected, but guaranteed to be amazing. Don't miss this one, she's an amazing writer. I recommend all her books.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Wedding Is All Planned...
Someone Just Needs to Tell the Bride
In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.

Joe Denton doesn't have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride--one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.

Anna Ivey's journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook--not a bride. When she's handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride In The Bargain, go HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.

Since the debut of those novels, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

CFBA: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Dayton/Vanderbilt

Song Stuck on the Brain: Breaking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka (Oh come on, you're surprised? How could you read the title of this book and not sing the song for a week straight?)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
by
Anne Dayton & May VanderbiltFaithWords (April 16, 2009)


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ana, Christine, Riley, and Zoe have grown closer than ever over the past few months, but summer is over and it's time to put their friendship to the test.
It's been a little over a year since Christine Lee's mom passed away in a tragic car accident. Now her dad is engaged to Candace--"The Bimbo"--and Christine couldn't be less thrilled. When her attitude starts to take a toll on her schoolwork, the administration forces her to attend counseling sessions. At least she gets to skip gym class!
But with her father's wedding inching closer, Christine is growing even more bitter. To make matters worse, the Miracle Girls are beginning to drift apart. Christine's anger and the pressures of high school threaten to break the girls up when they need each other the most. Will they find a way to join together to help Christine come to terms with her mother's death . . . and her father's remarriage?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

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

Quizz-tastic Thursday

Song Stuck on the Brain: 4 Minutes by Madonna and Justin Timberlake

A little fun to break up the monotony of your Thursday... A few quizzes I took that were quite a lot of fun.

Which Pushing Daisies Character Are You?

More on Pushing Daisies. Created by BuddyTV

Which Fringe Character Are You?

More on Fringe. Created by BuddyTV

Who is Your Summer Fling?

Created by BuddyTV

Which X-Men Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

CFBA: The Deliverer by Linda Rios Brook

Song Stuck on the Brain: Breaking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

The Deliverer

by

Linda Rios BrookRealms (May 5, 2009)




ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ancient language expert Samantha Yale returns to translate a new batch of scrolls written by the fallen angel from Lucifer's Flood.

Samantha Yale has taken on a daunting translation project. A set of scrolls, delivered by a man she knows nothing about, tells a fascinating and frightening tale of what went on behind the scenes of biblical history. What is even more incredible is who is telling the tale--a fallen angel who immediately regretted his decision to side with Lucifer.

With The Deliverer, Linda Rios Brook brings new depth of imagery into the spirit world. It is a story about rebellion and consequences. It is about demonic strategy to disrupt and destroy the people of God. But ultimately, it is a story about the unrelenting love, grace, mercy, and determination of a sovereign God in pursuit of His children.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Deliverer, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Linda Rios Brook, President of the RiosBrook Foundation, believes the answers to issues of social justice and righteousness lie in the proper alignment between the church, the marketplace and media and entertainment. She is a sought out speaker and teacher on matters relevant to cultural restoration. Linda worked as a media executive for over 20 years in the field of broadcasting serving as President and General Manager of television stations in Texas, Florida, and Minnesota and was President and part owner of KLGT-TV in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

Linda has served on several national boards and community organizations and is listed in Who's Who of American Women. She is an ordained minister and has a Doctorate of Practical Ministry from the Wagner Leadership Institute.

Linda is also the author of Lucifer's Flood.

Linda is also a teaching Pastor at Covenant Centre International in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Linda is married to Larry Brook, who is the Executive Director of the RiosBrook Foundation.

A fabulous Dog Eared day

Song Stuck on the Brain: Lie by David Cook (I've been listening to him a lot, if you hadn't noticed. Fantastic artist, can't wait for the next album.)

I had quite a fun weekend, and I'm just now getting a chance to blog about it. Darn work and all it's trappings, keeps me way too busy. :)

So, I found out through the e-grapevine that author Mary Connealy was doing a book signing in my hometown this last weekend. Mary, and her author pals, Cheryl St. John, Bobbi Smith and Julie Miller, held court at Dog Ear Books on Saturday.

I wasn't the only one excited, I brought my sister, Angel, as well as two more girlfriends, Julie and Karen, along with me. I'd got them all hooked on the Lassoed in Texas series, Julie even threatened to never give me back my books. She was just going to keep them forever. :) Instead she bought her own set and we picked up the latest, Nosy in Nebraska as well. After buying autographed books from all the authors, I had a chance to chat writer to writer with Mary, and I'm still feeling a little buzzed.

Have you ever wanted to talk business with someone you greatly admire, but figure you'll never have the chance? Welcome to my world. Lucky me, though, I got to do just that. It was very inspiring and insightful. Lately I've been thinking if I could write half as well as Mary Connealy, I'd be doing well. Hearing her share about her road to success made me feel like maybe I'm not so far off course myself. Which, of course, goes a long way toward motivating me on my next book project.

I've always thought of myself as being a very 'glass half full' kind of person. Optimistic, full of silver linings and always able to see the rainbow through the storm. But when it comes to my

personal success, I find my vision gets kind of cloudy. It's easy to see the success in others and encourage them forward, but I tend to forget that when it comes to my own work. Talking to Mary opened my eyes to see things a little differently.

I've entered my novels in four contests, finalling in three. Not too shabby really, but it's easy to lose sight of the big picture. I find that I focus on the things marked that need change, the comments that show where work still needs to be done, rather than the fact that I managed to squeeze past all the competition. Not that finalling in a contest should give anyone a big head. (Heaven forbid, mine's naturally big enough as it is. Who needs ego issues?)

One of the biggest benefits of a contest is the honest critiques we receive from the judges. But I have to remember that seeing the positive is helpful too. Now I know what I did RIGHT. I know that I'm one step closer to success and seeing a possible book contract. It shows that all my hard work hasn't been for nothing, there is a future in the book world for me.

Thanks, Mary, for reminding me that all successes, no matter how small they seem, have bearing on the big picture. I'll be keeping that in mind as I start my fourth novel. Maybe someday, it will see success as well.

Keep the faith,

A.