Book Giveaway Winners

Thank you, readers for the many comments on the posts for Alice Wisler's A Wedding Invitation and for my "thank you" giveaway for the choice of either of my books.

Ta-Da! The winner of A Wedding Invitation is Deb's Desk. Enjoy!

Cheryl Barker and Seashore Mary (love that name!) were the lucky winners of my post and have both chosen to receive Broken Wings.

Much appreciation to all of you for stopping by. If you didn't win, there's still time to get copies of all three books for Christmas giving. Click on title to take you to the spot where you can do that.

Chasing Lilacs

Broken Wings

A Wedding Invitation

In other news, this lovely review of Broken Wings from TheDabblingMum came to my attention last week. There are no words for the gratitude that comes when someone takes the time to express such poignant feelings about a book. Thank you, Alyice, for the review, and thank you readers for making what I do such a pleasure.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23

Day 23. The Letter W.

Today is a grab bag of things that I’m thankful for that begin with the letter “W”, and at the end of the post, a special surprise for you.

Words: No secret here – I’m in love with words. I’m in love with Writing words. I love it when I think about it for two days and find the exact perfect word for a scene that I’m working on. I know it’s a quirk, but it does give rise to another thing for which I’m thankful – the community of Writers. Thankfully, people in this weird tribe understand what I’m talking about.

One of my writing pals – who is a doll and not weird at all – is Alice Wisler, a two-time Christy award nominee. She writes tender love stories with fun, quirky characters who have a touch of southern sass AND Alice always includes recipes in her books. I love that about her, and I think you’ll like her latest release:

A Wedding Invitation.

After returning home from teaching English at a refugee camp in the Philippines, Samantha Bravencourt enjoys her quiet life working at her mother's clothing boutique in Falls Church, Virginia. When she receives an invitation to a wedding in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she looks forward to reconnecting with her college friend. Instead her life collides with Carson, a fellow teacher and the man who broke her heart, and a young Amerasian refugee named Lien who needs Samantha and Carson's help to find her mother before Lien's own wedding. When the search for Lien's mother reveals surprising secrets from the past, Samantha must reevaluate her own memories and decide whether to continue to play it safe or take a risk that could change her life.



If you would like to read the first chapter of A Wedding Invitation, go HERE.

Now, the fun for you. I’ll be giving away a copy of A Wedding Invitation on Saturday, Dec. 3. To get your name in the hat for the drawing, please leave a comment WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO on this post and tell me what you are most grateful for this Thanksgiving. I’ve done enough talking this month, it’s your turn!  

Disclosure: This book was provided by Bethany House. Contest void where prohibited. Chances of winning dependent on number of entries.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day Three

Day 3. The letter C. 

Have I got a surprise for you today! But first – a little thanksgiving dance for my favorite “C” word – coffee!

Anyone who has known me for more than five minutes knows I LOVE coffee, the nectar of heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for that little burst of caffeine that gets me going in the morning, that keeps me percolating through the day, and is the perfect benediction to a great dinner with family or friends. AND a highly recommended accompaniment to any of the recipes in the just-released, greatly anticipated, first annual Novel Morsels: Your Favorite Authors Bringing Recipes to Life.

Isn’t this a tempting cover? This e-book is the brainchild of Nicole O’Dell, writer, radio host, and teen advocate. And now Cook Book Editor! Sixty-three Christian Fiction authors contributed to this collection of more than 120 recipes. Some are found between the covers of our books and have our character’s fingerprints on them. Some are from authors who cope with the rigors of writing by escaping into the kitchen. I can’t wait to try some of them myself, and I know you’ll love it, too.

Novel Morsels is available on Nicole’s site now at the low price of $2.99 and will soon be available for the Kindle, Nook, and iPad. HOWEVER . . . as a thank you to the faithful readers of this blog, I will send a *coupon code* to anyone who leaves a comment on this post for the next two weeks and you will get the cook book FREE! Zero dollars. Please include your contact information so I can send the code to your inbox.

Read the complete list of contributing authors here. 

That's it. My surprise for you today. I’m thankful for writing friends who journey with me, love and support one another, and do fun things like putting together a cook book. A special thanks to Nicole O’Dell for the magic that pulled it all together. All the credit is hers. Enjoy!

So, what is it? Coffee, tea, or ??? Remember - comment for the coupon code!

Heiress by Susan May Warren - FABULOUS GIVEAWAY

About the book: Heiress

They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty.

But they can’t buy love.

The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress?

Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.

Read an excerpt here.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)


Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest historical book, Heiress!

Find out what the reviewers are saying here!


Heiress, a richly complex historical romance, is the first in Susan's three book Daughters of Fortune series. In honor of Heiress’ debut, Susan is hosting a FABULOUS Gilded Age Giveaway and giving away an opulent prize pack fit for an heiress!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 gift certificate to ModCloth.com
• A sleek silver iPod™ Shuffle
• A beautiful strand of Pearls
• Titanic DVD
• Speakeasy Compilation Music CD from Starbucks™
• Heiress by Susan May Warren

Click one of the icons below to enter. But do so soon - this giveaway ends 10/5/11. The winner will be announced Thursday, October 6 on Susan’s blog.

BLUE SKIES TOMORROW by Sarah Sundin - PART 2

Welcome Back! This is Day 2 of the blog tour for Sarah Sundin, celebrating the release of the third installment of her Wings of Glory Series - BLUE SKIES TOMORROW. If you're just joining us, please visit yesterday's post for the special giveaway. Hurry, though, as the Grand Prize contest ends this Saturday!

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you will know how much I admire Sarah's work and am fortunate to have her as a friend. We met at Mount Hermon in California several years ago and had the distinction of being "debut" authors together last year. Enough about that. Please read to the end - I have a special surprise for one lucky reader.

MY REVIEW of BLUE SKIES TOMORROW: 

Blue Skies Tomorrow is a stunning conclusion to Sarah Sundin’s Wings of Glory Series. Lt. Raymond Novak steps to the forefront in this one, but unlike his hero brothers, he really wants only to be a pastor and feels his stateside job as a flight training officer doesn’t measure up to the sacrifice and courage of those who’ve gone into combat. A job change that he views as a demotion brings Ray back to his home area in California. There he reconnects with a childhood friend, Helen Carlisle, who is now widowed and has a small child. As a romance begins to kindle, Helen confesses a dark secret to Ray, and in a panic, tells him she never wants to see him again. Defeated even in love, Ray volunteers for flight duty in England.

What I love about Sarah’s books is that her characters are flawed or have great obstacles to overcome, but falling in love doesn’t erase those problems and often highlights them. She brings her characters through the fire of their shortcomings, and as the romance develops, so does trust, accountability, and even being willing to let go of the other person if it benefits him or her more. Ray and Helen’s story was, for me, the most heart wrenching in the Wings of Glory Series. Helen’s character as a childhood polio victim and then a victim of another kind as an adult had me hoping desperately she would find courage and happiness. The ending tied all the stories together beautifully. Please don’t miss out on this great series.

Now for the surprise. In the comments section, tell me your favorite genre and favorite setting for a book, past or present. Also, you'll need to leave your contact information so I can notify the winner. At noon on Sept 15, I will draw for the winner of Blue Skies Tomorrow. Chat away!

Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher for my honest review. Void where prohibited. Chances of winning dependent on number of entries.

BROKEN WINGS Giveaways - Sightings around the Blogosphere

I must say, I'm overwhelmed at all the support from the Twitter party and the blog tour last week. Such good times and a warm welcome for Broken Wings. If you missed it, there's still time to get in the action! I've done some fun interviews and there will be giveaways on blogs off and on this month. I'll post these once or twice a week so you'll know where to visit and leave a comment.

MONDAY, June 6: Trish Perry's blog: True Love, Real Laughs, Pure Fiction. This is a gorgeous blog and Trish had a lot of great questions! She's also taking comments for a giveaway of Broken Wings. 

Also on Monday - Janalyn Voigt invited me to write a letter to her readers. While you're there, read a bit about Janalyn - I love her wisdom and the easy writing style she has. Giveaway on Janalyn's site, too.

Finally, all this week, I'll be on Casey Herrignshaw's Encourage an Author site. She has fun things planned each day. Casey has such a heart for encouragement - I'm very blessed by her, and I think you will be too. Giveaway scheduled - not sure which day.

So, this week is off to a great start. There are two more VERY EXCITING things coming up later in the week - exciting as in - I think I might "faint" because . . . well, I'll just have to tell you later.

In the meantime, stay cool - S U M M E R has arrived!

It's All Good

Hello, lovely readers! I've been a little incog lately. Life has snowballed on me in the last few months. I wish I could blame it on something other than:
a) lack of organization
b) wasting too much time
c) overcommitment
d) laziness
e) being easily distracted
f) bad weather

It's actually a combination of all those things. I'm not a multi-tasker and yet it may be time to take some juggling lessons.

So, winter's behind us, the daffodils are blooming, and I'm back. Hopefully, you'll hear more from me.

Most immediate, I have a couple of things to share with you.

The WINNER of When All My Dreams Come True by Janelle Mowery is CARA PUTMAN!!!!

This is a terrific book with so many twists and turns you have to be careful not to get whiplash. And cute cowboys, too!! Enjoy the book, Cara.

AND NOW, another bit of fantastic news. I've signed a new two-book contract with FaithWords (Hachette Book Group). And that, basically, is why I've been snowed under. While I was enjoying the thrill of being a debut author last year with book signings, interviews, and generally lapping up the attention, I let my writing slip a little. Yes, BROKEN WINGS is on schedule and will come out this June. It's available for pre-order now.

BUT, I didn't get nearly enough done on my next book so I've been in my writing closet for a couple of months, hammering away at the keyboard. If you are counting, that's three books that I'm either promoting, fixin' to promote (yay!), and writing. Plus brainstorming for new ideas in my spare time. This is the life I dreamed about, and I must say, it's both different and more wonderful than I ever imagined. You have all been so supportive, and that's been one of the cool things about being a writer - connecting with all of you.

Okay, off track a little there (see item "e" above). Now that I've signed the contract, I can share with you that the next book (Summer, 2012) is called STARDUST. Here's the short version of the story:
STARDUST is the story of an East Texas widow who sets her dreams on running the Stardust Tourist Court, but when her dead husband's mistress arrives with a child in tow and polio strikes, she finds her original dreams are crippled.

I've had so much fun researching for this book (THREE trips to East Texas) and trying to pull it all together. I'm still doing some fine tuning before I turn it into my editor ONE WEEK from today. Yikes! What a fun and glorious life I lead.

Tell me, how do you juggle the many facets of writing/marketing/home if you're a writer?
If you're not a writer, do you struggle with kids/hubby/work/home, and how do you give them all the proper attention they deserve?

Complete disclosure here: This is my breakfast table a couple of weeks ago. It's not much better today.

Hope to see more of you now!

A MEMORY BETWEEN US by Sarah Sundin - Book 2 in the Wings of Glory Series and a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY

 It's no secret to my blog followers that I'm a big fan of Sarah Sundin and her debut Wings of Glory series set in WW II. I'll be sharing my review below, but first, a bit about Sarah and the just-released second book in the series - A MEMORY BETWEEN US. Tomorrow, I'll feature Sarah again in an interview where she tells us more about her passion for writing and how she does research.

ABOUT THE BOOK:Can they overcome the past to find a brighter future together?

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.

As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

A Memory Between Us is the second book in the WINGS OF GLORY series, which follows the three Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Sarah Sundin is an on-call hospital pharmacist and holds a BS in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children. This is her second novel.  For more info please visit her website at www.sarahsundin.com!
 
MY REVIEW: 

As I anticipated the release of Book 2 of the Wings of Glory Series, I didn’t see how Sarah could possibly live up to her debut novel, A Distant Melody, but she did. She skillfully portrays Major Jack Novak as a man who is driven to succeed both in his military career as a WWII pilot and in his desire to win the heart of Lieutenant Ruth Doherty, the Army nurse who cares for him when his plane crashes. Ruth’s determination to forget her past and care for her orphaned siblings, though, is her top priority, and she is not swayed by the major’s relentless pursuit. The chemistry that sparks between them is authentic and tender, warm and witty.

There is an indefinable quality to Sarah’s story telling. She drew me in with her meticulous detail of the medical world Ruth inhabits, the British setting, historical context (the chapter on D-Day had me biting my nails), and Jack’s life as a decorated pilot. Novels that have this sort of magical “it” are hard to find, but this one is a treasure. I give it a high recommendation. 

 

LINK TO PURCHASE A MEMORY BETWEEN US:




And now, Sarah's gift to one very special reader - 


Sarah Sundin presents The Movies and Memories Giveaway in honor of book 2 in the Wings of Glory series. A Memory Between Us is available for purchase wherever fine books are sold. From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.




To celebrate Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Movie and Memory Prize Package! One grand prize winner will receive:

* Make-your-own-photo book from Mypublisher.com (Capture your own Memories)

* Netflix Subscription (New or Nostalgic Movies delivered right to your house)

* Starbucks gift card (To keep your engine revvin’)

*Gourmet chocolate (A favorite in the 1940’s and now)

* British specialty teas in carved wooden box (Timeless tradition)

* Miniature model of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber & C-47 cargo plane (Everyone needs a few toy planes)

*Big Band music CD (Break out your dancing shoes)

* WWII authentic poster playing cards (Cards – a perfect game for two)

* Keep Calm and Carry On (Uplifting sayings WWII, a boost for troubled times)

To enter simple click on the icons below (contest runs 9/27 - 10/17!)

And the winners are . . .

Thanks to everyone who celebrated with me on my three year blogoversary and left such nice comments. I must admit, I let yesterday slip by without drawing for the winners as I'd told you I would. Today I remembered and have notified the winners. Ready?

Congrats to Carmen, Stina Rose, and CarolNWong! 

Hope that you enjoy the book and continue to be the faithful readers of my blog that you have been. Coming up, I'll be featuring more books I think you'll enjoy, interviews, and later this month a special addition to Carla's Writing Cafe. That's all I can tell you for now, but it's going to be wonderful! 

Many Blessings!  

A Blogoversary and A Giveaway

When I saw that another blogger on Twitter who also has a Cafe site was celebrating her blogoversary, I thought, "Hey, I've been doing this a couple of years. Maybe I should do that and have a party or something." I'm shocked! When I went back and checked, I found out that on September 12, 2007, I tapped out my first blog. So, I've been blogging for THREE years. Three! I could've sworn it was only two. Alas, here's what I wrote in that first post . . .

Today I'm releasing my first ever blog to orbit in cyberspace. Does the world need another blog? How many is too many? I've wrestled with this and a few million other questions for quite some time. What relevance can I offer? How can I enlighten writers, friends, family? And whatever made me think I should become a blogger?

The answer to that, of course, is the still, small voice upon which my life is anchored. The voice which whispered to me that I could become a writer. That urges me on when tough choices come my way. That comforts me when life throws me a curve. That takes my breath away when unexpected beauty crosses my path.

I am first a child of God. I'm also a wife, a mom, Mimi to a batch of extraordinary little people, daughter, sister, friend . . . and writer. So whether the world needs another blog or not, I can't honestly say. I only know that I am here. No fancy-schmancy stuff. Just a few laughs, sharing about books and writing. Always time for a good cup of coffee. I would be honored to have you along for the journey.

It's been a fun three years and I must say that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The world still does not need another blog. I still wrestle with what to write. I'm still a child of God (praise be!) and wear the same hats I did back then. Coffee?? Well, those of you who know me, know that I think coffee is the nectar of the gods, and my days are richer because of this heavenly brew.

What has changed since that first post?

Our immediate family has grown by two - our first granddaughter who came a few weeks after the launch of this blog and a new daughter-in-law who is lovely, witty, and wonderful!

I'm still on a writing journey, only now I've been blessed with my first published book and a second one on the way. If starting a blog sprinkles magic dust on the publishing fairies and you are waiting to be published, then by all means, start a blog. Results are not guaranteed, but I do promise you will encounter some terrific people and have a few laughs.

I do think this calls for a celebration, don't you? September will also mark the third month that my book has been on bookstore shelves. So, in keeping with "three" how about I give away three copies of Chasing Lilacs???

To enter, please leave a comment (with your contact info please) and tell me how you learned of my blog and if you are a reader, a writer or any other interesting facts about yourself that you'd like for my readers to know. Even if you already have a copy (and THANK YOU to all who've bought one) you can enter and give it away if you win.

I'll be drawing for three winners on the last day of the month - the 30th!

Thank you all for being faithful readers!

Disclaimer: Void where prohibited. Your chances of winning dependent on the number of entries.

Chasing Lilacs featured this week

Hello Friends,

Just wanted to let you know that Chasing Lilacs is being offered in a giveaway at my friend, Margaret Daley's, blog this week. Read about it and enter here.

Also, the folks at Novel Journey are hosting me today and asked some great questions. Find out which childhood book first made an impression on me, get the scoop on my journey to publication, and more. For those of you who don't know, Novel Journey has twice been named One of Writer's Digest 101 most valuable websites for writers. It's a great place to learn about some of today's best writers and their advice to other writers. Please stop in and say hi.

In the meantime, I'm perfecting my game on the Wii with Grandson # 1 who is visiting this week. Fun times.

HAPPY FRIDAY and a few more links of note

We're headed into what looks like is going to be the hottest weekend of the year so far. Sunshine is definitely better than tornadoes! And things are heating up in the pre-release days of Chasing Lilacs. Please don't think I'm pushing, pushing, pushing you to run out and buy my book. It might not be your cuppa at all. I surely understand that and get annoyed when people twist my arm to buy something I don't want. If that's you, I'm giving you permission to skip on over and play on YouTube or hang out on FaceBook with people who are infintely more interesting.

Here's the thing: Some really gracious people have invited me to be on their blogs, have interviewed me, reviewed Chasing Lilacs, or are offering giveaways of the book. I am honored to be part of a writing community that is so supportive. AND I want to introduce these writers and folks to you. By sharing where I am in the blogosphere, I am promoting their work as well. I love talking about other people's books and reading about their lives. I hope that you do too.

Here are the places where I've been the last couple of days:

My friend, the lovely Ane Mulligan, is one of the most encouraging people to writers I have ever known. She wrote this review on Novel Reviews (scroll down a bit to find the review).

Rel Mollet from Australia, who I introduced you to a couple of days ago, has a very fun feature on her site called CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT where authors tell what famous people most resemble the characters in their novels. I had so much fun with this. If you're curious, check out Relz Reviews. This link should get you there.

Last year when my publisher requested an author photo, I went to the phone book and checked out local photographers. One sort of jumped off the pages at me - Yellow Chair Photography. I loved the name and the work Sarah Adams had on her site so I gave her a call. I love this girl! And now, she has a blog for women in Tulsa that is just adorable and full of fun, chatty things and great giveaways. Today she's offering an autographed copy of Chasing Lilacs. You can find it here on Dandelion Lane where she tells how she chose the name of her blog. You might be surprised. I was!

I never knew one of the benefits of writing would be meeting so many interesting people. I hope you enjoy getting to know them too!

Review and Giveaway of CHASING LILACS

Just wanted to alert you, dear ones, that Relz Reviews has a heart-warming review and giveaway of Chasing Lilacs going on until June 13. Rel is an amazingly sweet reviewer from Australia who champions Christian fiction. I'm honored to be on her terrific site. Here's the link and while you're there, check out some of her other reviews and character spotlights. Very fun!

My Friend - Christina Berry - is a Christy Finalist . . .

so I'm giving away a copy of her book!!

I featured this book back in September when it first came out. Congrats to Christina for being a Christy Finalist in the Debut Book Category. You can find a list of the other finalists here. I know many of the authors and their work. What an esteemed list of authors. You are all an inspiration to me and deserving of this honor.

Contest info for winning The Familiar Stranger is at bottom of this post. But first, a little about Christina:

Single mother and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time to write from her busy schedule because she must tell the stories that haunt her every waking moment. (Such is the overly dramatic description of an author's life!) She holds a BA in Literature, yet loves a good Calculus problem, as well. Her debut novel, The Familiar Stranger, released from Moody in September and deals with lies, secrets, and themes of forgiveness in a troubled marriage. A moving speaker and dynamic teacher, Christina strives to Live Transparently--Forgive Extravagantly!

Her work has also appeared in The Secret Place, The Oregonian, and Daily Devotions for Writers.

About THE FAMILIAR STRANGER:
Craig Littleton's decision to end his marriage would shock his wife, Denise . . . if she knew what he was up to. When an accident lands Craig in the ICU, with fuzzy memories of his own life and plans, Denise rushes to his side, ready to care for him.
They embark on a quest to help Craig remember who he is and, in the process, discover dark secrets. What will she do when she realizes he's not the man she thought he was? Is this trauma a blessing in disguise, a chance for a fresh start? Or will his secrets destroy the life they built together?

GIVEAWAY:
As always, to be entered in the drawing for this book, please leave a comment WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO. A few entries are always disqualified because I have no contact info. I will draw for a winner next Wednesday, May 19.

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for Vickie McDonough's book THE ANONYMOUS BRIDE. The winner is Sherri. Congratulations!!! Enjoy this fun read.

Disclaimer: The Familiar Stranger was provided to me last fall for promotional purposes. The chances of winning contingent on number of winners.

THREE THINGS

A drumroll please. The winner of Sarah Sundin's fabulous WWII novel, A Distant Melody, is . . .

Koala Bear Writer!

Congratulations and thanks to those who entered.


A teaser: If you love late nineteenth century historicals, especially those set in Texas, I have a treat for you. Vickie McDonough, a seasoned author with many novellas and HeartSong Presents novels in print, now has her first trade length book - just out this month! I think you're going to love it, too. Interested? Please see my blog post tomorrow (CFBA Tour) for all the details and an opportunity to enter a drawing for THE ANONYMOUS BRIDE.

A review that made me cry: My hubby's newest hobby (after golf and woodworking) is trolling the Internet looking for mentions of Chasing Lilacs. He gets the prize for finding this great news before anyone else. Thanks, honey! I love you.

Publisher's Weekly Starred Review: Week of April 26, 2010

Chasing Lilacs Carla Stewart. FaithWords, $13.99 paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-446-55655-2
Stewart’s fiction debut is a classic coming-of-age story set in tiny Graham Camp, Tex., in 1958. Sammie Tucker, soon to be 13, has a mother with “nerve problems,” a desire for a typewriter since she wants to be a writer, and a sort-of boyfriend in Cly, an Elvis Presley–like teen just arrived from California with a stuffed bag of family issues. Subplots involving all the minor characters that revolve around the central constellation of Sammie and her family as Sammie’s life is upended by a tragedy pack a bit too much complexity . Stewart writes about powerful and basic emotions with a restraint that suggests depth and authenticity; the relationship between Sammie and her mother Rita, the engine that drives the plot, is beautifully and delicately rendered. . Coming-of-age stories are a fiction staple, but well-done ones much rarer. This emotionally acute novel is one of the rare ones. (June)

See you tomorrow with news about Vickie's book!

SARAH SUNDIN'S NETFLIX AND NOSTALGIA CONTEST

Please welcome my friend and debut author extraordinaire, Sarah Sundin. She's become something of a phenomenon in the blogosphere with five-star reviews popping up everywhere. Authentic. Detailed. Delightful. These are just some of the words used to describe A Distant Melody.

To celebrate, Sarah is hosting a social sharing promotion! Click the icon below to enter this fab-o contest. Tell your friends and earn extra entries!

A Distant Melody is book 1 in Sarah Sundin's exciting Wings of Glory series. Sarah has partnered with Litfuse Publicity Group for the Netflix® & Nostalgia Contest! Sarah's offering one Grand Prize winner the chance to get NOSTALGIC!

THE PRIZE:
The Winner of our ‘NETFLIX® & Nostalgia’ giveaway will receive a vintage prize package, including:

*A 6 month NETFLIX® subscription
*$25 Starbucks® gift card
*A box of See’s Famous Old Time Chocolates®
*A jar of homemade strawberry jam
*A Big Band music CD
*A Mini B-17 Model airplane
*Vintage stationery and pen
*British specialty tea
*WWII style playing cards

Historically Accurate High-Flying Adventure!
A Distant Melody

Debut Author, Sarah Sundin, earns rave reviews from BOOKLIST. "Sundin's debut Christian historical romance is an emotionally gripping, detail-rich but fast-paced trilogy set against the backdrop of WWII at home and abroad. Romance readers and military history buffs will find much of interest here."

Seattle, WA - 4/9/2010 - Rarely does a book come along from a debut author that is as well received as Sarah Sundin's A Distant Melody. The story grips you on page one and doesn't let up until the last page is turned. Critics and readers alike are impressed with both the accurate historical detail and complex cast of characters. From the fertile California orange groves to the soggy terrain of England, A Distant Melody, weaves an exciting and tender tale of love, courage and sacrifice. Not to be missed!

ABOUT THE BOOK: Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval--even marry a man she doesn't love. Lt. Walter Novak--fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women--takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt's muddy bomber base in England and Allie's mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together.

But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

Hop on over and enter to win this great prize. I have. And to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to read this book, I'm offering in a completely separate giveaway the copy that LitFuse Publicity Group sent me as part of the blog tour. To be entered in the drawing for this book, leave a comment with your contact information. I'll draw for a winner on Friday, April 23.

My Review of A Distant Melody:

Once in a while a book comes along that wraps its arms around you and so enchants you that you don’t want to the story to end. Sarah Sundin’s debut novel, A Distant Melody, is one of those books. At the height of WWII, a chance meeting brings Allie Miller and Walt Novak together, but Allie’s upcoming marriage, arranged by her wealthy parents, and Walt’s dispatch to pilot a B-17 bomber from an airbase in England, halts the romance before it has time to spark. Only the letters which cross the Atlantic keep the flames burning.

At times I felt I had a front row seat in a Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra/Betty Hutton movie. The story is warm and witty, with authentic characters and poignant situations. While Walt deals with the tragedy of war, Allie is consumed with wedding preparations to a man she doesn’t love and volunteers for the war effort stateside. Multi-layered with tender subplots, Sarah weaves this lovely story with finely drawn details and finesse.

Did I mention I didn’t want it to end? The good news is that this is the first book of three in the Wings of Glory series. I can’t wait until book two. Highly recommended.

VOID where prohibited. Chances of winning dependent on number of entrants. Book provided by Litfuse Publicity Group.

Valentine Winner and A Special Announcement

CONGRATULATIONS ! !

Erica Vetsch is the winner of Myra Johnson's new book, Romance by the Book, and . . . drumroll, please . . . a box of Godiva chocolates.
Thanks to all who left comments about your favorite romantic movie. I didn't chime in, but one of my favorites is HELLO DOLLY! Why, you ask? It's the movie Max and I saw on our very first date - Valentine's Day in 1970! Ah, the memories.

I'd also like to direct you to a new blog that my friend, Elizabeth Ludwig, has just started. Here's what she has to say:

Looking for just the right book but not sure where to look? Check out The Borrowed Book, a website designed specifically for readers and writers of fine books and devotionals! On Mondays, meet the finest debut authors Christian fiction has to offer. Wednesdays and Thursdays, read interviews with your favorite authors or browse excerpts from many of the latest books. Not into fiction? Then stop by on Tuesdays when writers of non-fiction and devotionals will be the featured guests.

Created by award-winning author and speaker, Elizabeth Ludwig, The Borrowed Book offers readers the chance to meet some of their favorite authors, catch up on the latest books, and sign up for weekly drawings and prizes. Rest assured, this isn’t your average writer’s blog. The Borrowed Book was designed with the book-lover in mind…you.

Sounds fun, doesn't it? She has debut author, Christa Allan, on today talking about her book, Walking on Broken Glass. Hope you'll check it out.

Happy President's Day!

ROMANCE, A NEW BOOK, and A SWEET GIVEAWAY

Some great news today. I've invited my friend, critique partner, and romance aficionado, Myra Johnson, to visit the cafe and tell us about her new book. Hint: It's very timely and if you read all the way to the end, we also have a very sweet deal for you.

Welcome, Myra.

Hi, Carla! Thanks for inviting me to join you today and talk a little about my latest release, Romance by the Book (Heartsong Presents, February 2010).

What woman doesn’t long to feel beautiful, cherished, special? I’m sure that’s a big reason romances are so popular, and it doesn’t seem to matter whether we’re single, married, young, or . . . not-so-young. Imagining for a few sweet hours that we are the object of the handsome hero’s desires carries us away from the tedium of everyday life and into a world where the dishes are always done, our jeans always make us look skinny, and there is always a happy ending.

In Romance by the Book, my heroine, Sailor Kern, is so quiet, shy, and plain that she can’t believe anyone would ever be interested in her. Instead, she has centered her romantic yearnings on her favorite romance author, Chandler Michaels. Anyone who writes such heart-tugging love stories, she reasons, must certainly be the most romantic man alive.

But then Sailor has the chance to meet Chandler in person, and he surprises her in more ways than one. By the end of the story she discovers her true hero has been right there all along, and that real life is so much more wonderful than anything she imagined.

The thing about fantasies is that they usually disappoint. The grass only looks greener on the other side of the fence, but that’s only because of all the manure—excuse me, fertilizer—it’s been laced with!

So, while I both read and write romances, I always prefer little doses of realism. A heroine who’d never be a cover girl. A hero who doesn’t quite fit the macho mold. Real-life problems that don’t have easy answers. In the end, it’s always about keeping the faith that somehow, someday, love will conquer all.

About Romance by the Book: In reality, Sailor Kern is a swimming instructor at her local YMCA in Birkenstock, Missouri. But in her dreams, she shares a life with famous romance writer Chandler Michaels. And now she's about to meet him in person! And not only meet him, she gets to be his assistant the whole time he's visiting Birkenstock. But romance and reality don't always mix, and Sailor is in for some big surprises. Will Sailor follow her dream man, or will she see the true hero God has placed before her, right in her own hometown?

About Myra: Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but she’s proud to be a new Oklahoman. Empty-nesters now, she and her husband share their home with two loveable dogs and a snobby parakeet. Her debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, released in September 2009 from Abingdon Press. She also writes for Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line. Autumn Rains, winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript, was a November 2009 Heartsong Presents book club release. Romance by the Book is part of Heartsong’s February 2010 collection, and Where the Dogwoods Bloom is expected later this spring. Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. The Johnsons, married since 1972, have two gorgeous daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and five amazing grandchildren.

Thanks bunches, Myra. I'm anxious to meet Sailor and Chandler. NOW, for you readers. You, too, can be romanced by Myra's new book. She's offered to give one reader here a signed copy of Romance by the Book. And to sweeten the deal, I'm throwing in a box of chocolates. Not sure which brand they'll be yet, but they'll be good ones. Creamy and yummy. Maybe nutty. So here's what you need to do. Leave a comment. Tell us your all-time favorite romantic movie AND (this is important), leave your contact information. Don't delay. I'll be drawing for a winner on Valentine's Day either right before or twenty minutes after my hubby and I exchange our Valentines.

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. US and Canadian residents only (unless prohibited in your area). Book provided by the author.

'TIS THE SEASON

Christmas always seems to sneak up on me. It's not like I haven't seen the decorations out in the store since Halloween or noticed how fat our daily newspaper has become with ads for the best bargains of the year. I have noticed and have chosen to shut myself off from the world. Hid behind my computer screen and surfed the net for the latest marketing tips for writers and gone over my new manuscript for the umpteenth time. In my self-imposed isolation, I've also not served my readers here at the Cafe very well. So, with my humblest apologies, I have a couple of things to tell you today.

First: We have a winner for Patti Lacy's What The Bayou Saw. Congratulations to Dina Sleiman! And thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment.

Next: A friend and fellow writer has started a new blog that I recommend you check out at once if you're a writer. Many instructors warn writers to avoid flat lifeless characters (a.k.a. cardboard characters) but writer/dramatist Lynne Gentry actually shows us HOW. Even seasoned novelists will appreciate the tools she provides to make characters leap off the page. Hint: what does dressing someone in the color “cream” convey to readers?

You can find out the answer on Lynne's new blog: Stage Write

Last: As 2009 winds down, I will be bringing you the "Best of 2009" - Books, Blogs, Writing Sites, and even a few recipes to get you through the holidays.

It truly is the season: May you find joy each day as we approach the day of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Immanuel. God is with us. Today and always.

WHAT THE BAYOU SAW by Patti Lacy up on CFBA Along with Review and Giveaway

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing What The Bayou SawKregel Publications (March 24, 2009)byPatti LacyABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Though Patti's only been writing since 2005, she thinks her latest profession of capturing stories on paper (or computer files) will stick awhile.

The Still, Small Voice encouraged Patti to write after a brave Irish friend shared memories of betrayal and her decision to forgive. In 2008, An Irishwoman’s Tale was published by Kregel Publications. Patti’s second novel, What the Bayou Saw, draws on the memories of two young girls who refused to let segregation, a chain link fence, and a brutal rape come between them.

The secrets women keep and why they keep them continue to enliven Patti's gray matter. A third book, My Name is Sheba, has been completed. Patti's WIP, Recapturing Lily, documents a tug-of-war between a Harvard-educated doctor and an American pastor and his wife for a precious child and explores adoption issues, China's "One Child" policy, and both Christian and secular views of sacrifice.

Patti also facilitates writing seminars in schools, libraries, and at conferences and has been called to present her testimony, "All the Broken Pieces," at women's retreats. She also leads a Beth Moore Bible study at her beloved Grace Church.

Patti and her husband Alan, an Illinois State faculty member, live in Normal with their handsome son Thomas, who attends Heartland Community College. On sunny evenings, you can catch the three strolling the streets of Normal with their dog Laura, whom they've dubbed a "Worchestershire Terrier" for her "little dab of this breed, a little dab of that breed.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Segregation and a chain link fence separated twelve-year-old Sally Flowers from her best friend, Ella Ward. Yet a brutal assault bound them together. Forever. Thirty-eight years later, Sally, a middle-aged Midwestern instructor, dredges up childhood secrets long buried beneath the waters of a Louisiana bayou in order to help her student, who has also been raped. Fragments of spirituals, gospel songs, and images of a Katrina-ravaged New Orleans are woven into the story.

The past can't stay buried forever. Rising author Patti Lacy's second novel exposes the life of Sally, set amid the shadows of prejudice in Louisiana.

Since leaving her home in the South, Sally Stevens has held the secrets of her past at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband, has heard the truth about her childhood.

But when one of her students is violently raped, Sally's memories quickly bubble to the surface unbidden, like a dead body in a bayou. As Sally's story comes to light, the lies she's told begin to catch up with her. And as her web of deceit unravels, she resolves to face the truth at last, whatever the consequences.

If you would like to read the first chapter of What The Bayou Saw, go HERE

Watch the Book Trailer:



MY REVIEW: Patti Lacy writes with abandon—exuberant prose with a magnetism aimed straight at the reader. Her second novel is another compelling, page-turning read that recalls a tumultuous past, this time for Sally Stevens, a college professor. When one of her students, a gifted African-American girl, is brutally beaten, old memories that Sally has kept hidden for thirty years are stirred. As the layers are peeled back, Sally discovers not only the misdeeds of others, but also a blackness in her own soul that stemmed from an incident with her childhood friend, Ella.

Deeply honest, the prose sometimes stings with gritty reality about the prejudices of the South—from the swamps of Sally’s childhood to Katrina-ravaged New Orleans. Ultimately, it’s a story of faith, the sometimes twisty road to forgiveness, and God’s grace. The cost is great, but it is the sacrifice Sally must make if she is to preserve her marriage and her own integrity. I think you’ll be delighted with the detours in the scenery, as Sally and Ella wrap themselves around your heart.

Patti Lacy is a gifted storyteller, with a knack for drawing rich settings that linger long after the last page.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment with your contact info to be entered in the giveaway for What the Bayou Saw. Deadline: Monday, November 23 (noonish).

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher to me for promotional purposes and to write an honest review. Your chances of winning are dependent on the number of entries. US residents only.