The Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K Paul - Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

The Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K Paul
WaterBrook Press (June 2, 2009)

About the Book:
Donita K. Paul’s 250,000-plus-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles series has attracted a wide spectrum of dedicated fans–and they’re sure to fall in love with the new characters and adventures in her latest superbly-crafted novel for all ages. It’s a mind-boggling fantasy that inhabits the same world as the DragonKeeper Chronicles, but in a different country and an earlier time, where the people know little of Wulder and nothing of Paladin.

In The Vanishing Sculptor, readers will meet Tipper, a young emerlindian who’s responsible for the upkeep of her family’s estate during her sculptor father’s absence. Tipper soon discovers that her actions have unbalanced the whole foundation of her world, and she must act quickly to undo the calamitous threat. But how can she save her father and her world on her own? The task is too huge for one person, so she gathers the help of some unlikely companions–including the nearly five-foot tall parrot Beccaroon–and eventually witnesses the loving care and miraculous resources of Wulder. Through Tipper’s breathtaking story, readers will discover the beauty of knowing and serving God.

Codicil:
I am just finishing up this book. I wondered at first how it would flow for me reading it since I already attempted Dragonlight without having read the previous Dragonkeeper books. Having read Dragonlight I think helped despite the fact that it was difficult to acclimate to a new fantasy world to me coming in at the end of the story where readers were expected to already be familiar with the peoples and world. This book however clearly starts a new series and is presented to readers as if each one picking up the book is just being introduced to Amara and Chiril. Ms Paul does a highly commendable job of making this new series in an established world accessible to new readers without overwhelming her loyal fans who already understand the basics about the people and places with an avalanche of detail or bogging the story down with unnecessary ones or an initial scene setting trying to acclimate newbies in one fell swoop. Details appear as needed to clarify and explain things but are not just tossed in willy nilly. They are blended amongst the fabric of her plot so thoroughly that the reader doesn't realize they are being fed the explanations that keep those niggling little questions of why or how at bay as you read. You can search for other blogs featuring this book using an author or title key word search or check out the publisher's site for more info. I will post a full review when I have finished reading this delightful tale. Use the Title or Author name to read more about the book on the Publisher and author sites and to learn more about this author.

Multnomah/Waterbrook Father's Day Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

I apologize for getting this post up late but there will be regular reviews coming soon on these and several other books.

The Disappearance of God by Dr, Albert Mohler

About the Book:
More faulty information about God swirls around us today than ever before. No wonder so many followers of Christ are unsure of what they really believe in the face of the new spiritual openness attempting to alter unchanging truth.

For centuries the church has taught and guarded the core Christian beliefs that make up the essential foundations of the faith. But in our postmodern age, sloppy teaching and outright lies create rampant confusion, and many Christians are free-falling for “feel-good”
theology.

We need to know the truth to save ourselves from errors that will derail our faith.

As biblical scholar, author, and president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Albert Mohler, writes, “The entire structure of Christian truth is now under attack.” With wit and wisdom he tackles the most important aspects of these modern issues:
Is God changing His mind about sin?
Why is hell off limits for many pastors?
What’s good or bad about the “dangerous” emergent movement?
Have Christians stopped seeing God as God?
Is the social justice movement misguided?
Could the role of beauty be critical to our theology?
Is liberal faith any less destructive than atheism?
Are churches pandering to their members to survive?

In the age-old battle to preserve the foundations of faith, it's up to a new generation to confront and disarm the contemporary shams and fight for the truth. Dr. Mohler provides the scriptural answers to show you how.


Eyes Wide Open by Jud Wilhite

About the Book:
I had it all backwards. The main thing was not my love for God, but his love for me. And from that love I respond to God as one deeply flawed, yet loved. I’m not looking to prove my worth. I’m not searching for acceptance. I’m living out of the worth God already declares I have. I’m embracing his view of me and in the process discovering the person he created me to be.

In Eyes Wide Open, Jud Wilhite invites you to discover the real you. Not the you who pretends to be perfect to satisfy everyone’s expectations.
Not the you who always feels guilty before God. Not the you who secretly feels God forgives everyone else but only tolerates you. Not the you who looks in the mirror and sees a failure. The real you, loved and forgiven by God, living out of your identity in Christ.

A travel guide through real spirituality from one incomplete person to another, Eyes Wide Open is a book of stories about following God in the messes of life, about broken pasts and our lifelong need for grace. It is a book about seeing ourselves and God with new eyes–eyes wide open to a God of love.


Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart by Chuck Black

About the Book:
Sir Dalton, a knight in training, seems to have everything going for him. Young, well-liked, and a natural leader, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, and especially the beautiful Lady Brynn.

But something is amiss at the training camp. Their new trainer is popular but lacks the passion to inspire them to true service to the King and the Prince. Besides this, the knights are too busy enjoying a season of good times to be concerned with a disturbing report that many of their fellow Knights have mysteriously vanished.

When Sir Dalton is sent on a mission, he encounters strange attacks, especially when he is alone. As his commitment wanes, the attacks grow in intensity until he is captured by Lord Drox, a massive Shadow Warrior. Bruised and beaten, Dalton refuses to submit to evil and initiates a daring escape with only one of two outcomes–life or death.
But what will become of the hundreds of knights he’ll leave behind? In a kingdom of peril, Dalton thinks he is on his own, but two faithful friends have not abandoned him, and neither has a strange old hermit who seems to know much about the Prince. But can Dalton face the evil Shadow Warrior again and survive?

Codicil:
These are in my TBR and I will get reviews up soon. Search for other blogs featuring these titles using an author or title key word search online or check out the bookseller pages for more reviews. Use the Title or Author names to read more about the books on the Publisher and author sites and to learn more about these authors.

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn - Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn
Multnomah Books (May 5, 2009)

About the Author:
Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling and award-winning author of over seventy books, including the Glenbrooke, Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Katie Weldon, and Christy and Todd: The College Years teen series. The Sisterchicks® series has sold more than 300,000 units, bringing her total sales to more than 3.5 million books worldwide. A Christy Award winner, Robin is a popular speaker, both at home and abroad, and is frequently interviewed on radio and on television.

About the Book:
When a mammogram result comes back abnormal, midlife mama Summer Finley makes a snap decision to relegate fear to the back burner and fulfill a lifelong dream. Summer heads for Holland where she meets up with tulips, wooden shoes, and her best friend, Noelle.

Pen pals since fourth grade, Summer and Noelle have never met face-to-face. Through decades of heart-level correspondence, they have sustained a deep friendship. A week of adventure helps both women trade anxiety for a renewed and deeper trust in God. When Summer confides in Noelle about the abnormal medical report, Noelle finds the freedom to share a long-held heartache, and both women discover they needed each other more than they realized.

Women ages 35 and up, readers of Christian Boomer Lit, and fans of books such as The Yada Yada Prayer Group will enjoy Robin Jones Gunn’s humorous and uplifting style. True-to-life characters and moments of poignancy bring a deeper understanding of the value of life and the gift of true friends. Readers guide and bonus material included. (ISBN#9781601420091, 288pp, $13.99)

Codicil:
While I haven't read this particular SC novel I have read some of the previous installments and enjoyed them immensely, despite not having quite made it to the 35 and up demographic mentioned in the book info above, so am looking forward to this one finding its way to the top of my TBR in the near future. In the meantime search for other blogs featuring this title. I will post my own review as soon as I am able to do so. Use the Title or Author's name to read more about the book on the Bookseller and author sites and to learn more about this author or click on the book title and author name links at the top of this post. Don't forget to drop by the Sisterchicks site as well. FYI for my Oregon reader buddies (if any of you catch this post) I heard a rumor that Robin along with a few other authors will be featured at a group signing at the Cedar Hills Christian Supply Store in Beaverton, OR on June 20th.

Saints in Limbo by River Jordan / Stealing Home by Allison Pittman - Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Saints in Limbo by River Jordan

About the Author:

River Jordan is a critically acclaimed novelist and playwright whose unique mixture of southern and mystic writing has drawn comparisons to Sarah Addison Allen, Leif Enger, and Flannery O’Connor. Her previous works include The Messenger of Magnolia Street, lauded by Kirkus Reviews as “a beautifully written, atmospheric tale.” She speaks around the country and makes her home in Nashville.



About the Book:
Ever since her husband Joe died, Velma True’s world has been limited to what she can see while clinging to one of the multicolored threads tied to the porch railing of her home outside Echo, Florida.

When a mysterious stranger appears at her door on her birthday and presents Velma with a special gift, she is rattled by the object’s ability to take her into her memories–a place where Joe still lives, her son Rudy is still young, unaffected by the world’s hardness, and the beginning is closer than the end. As secrets old and new come to light, Velma wonders if it’s possible to be unmoored from the past’s deep roots and find a reason to hope again.


Stealing Home by Allison Pittman

About the Author:

Allison Pittman spent seventeen years as a high school English teacher, and then shunned the advice of “experts,” quit her day job and set out to write novels that bring glory to God. She relishes inspiring other writers and leading the theater arts group at her church. She and her husband and three sons live in Universal City, Texas.



About the Book:
It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke”
Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant. Only one thing stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract:
alcohol.

That’s when sportswriter David Voyant whisks Duke to the one-horse town of Picksville, Missouri, so he can sober up in anonymity. He bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, his unofficial chaperone, who would rather hide herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.

Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the Duke almost as much–until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm.

Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville. When Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.

Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion. Providence brings them together. Tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Will love be enough to bring them home?

Codicil:
I am just finishing Stealing Home and haven't yet read Saints in Limbo but it is in the TBR. Search for other blogs featuring these titles using an author or title key word search online or check out the bookseller pages for more reviews. I will post reviews when I get the books read and the reviews written. Use the Title or Author names to read more about the books on the Publisher and author sites and to learn more about these authors.

Deuteronomy Project by Richard Couser - Special Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Winepress Publishing (Oct 10, 2008)
I just received my copy of this book and haven't had the time to read it with the attention it demands. I have read a few chapters however and look forward to continuing. In the meantime, Be sure and check out the book cover link for more info and search the title for other bloggers posting about it. This is a very different approach to bible study but one I am excited to explore. The commentary is formatted as a novel with characters studying the text themselves and so presented as a narrative as opposed to textbookish style. (ISBN#:9781579219383, 555pp, 19.95)

Valentine's Blog Tour - 4 Books from Waterbrook and Multnomah

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Here's a quick blurb on each of these books in a Valentine's worthy package all from Waterbrook and Multnomah Publishers. I haven't yet read the first two and may not get to the third one but I'm including the summaries and author bios provided from the publisher along with links to the purchasing page where you'll find reviews and more info plus author websites when available so you can check these out yourselves. I loved the way the author included practical ways to implement his concepts in the original Love As A Way of Life so to now have the opportunity to revisit some of his writing on this topic in a devotional format is something I was excited to hear about.

Love As A Way Of Life Devotional by Gary Chapman

About the Book:
In his book Love As a Way of Life, best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship.

Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.

The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.

About the Author:
Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. His daily radio program, A Love Language Minute, is broadcast on more than 100 stations nationwide. Dr. Chapman, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Seminary, serves on a church staff in North Carolina.

For Couples Only Box Set by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

About the Books:
Since their debut, these revolutionary guides have sold well over a million copies, been translated into fifteen languages, and sparked much fascinating water-cooler conversation around the country. Now together in the For Couples Only boxed set, these books provide the perfect resource to help you understand what you never knew about the woman or man in your life.

Each volume is based on input from more than a thousand members of the opposite sex—including an unprecedented nationwide survey and hundreds of personal interviews. This innovative approach yields candid and surprising answers about everything you don’t “get” about your significant other—even what that person deeply wishes you knew. It also produces simple but groundbreaking awareness of how you can best love and support the one who is most important to you. [Part of me wanted to make this paragraph past tense—yielded and produced—because of the first paragraph, but that took away some of the immediacy of what the books offer. I’ll leave that up to you.]

So whether you are newly dating or have been married fifty years, get ready to know each other in a whole new way. The adventure is just beginning!

About the Authors:
Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn hold graduate degrees from Harvard University and are popular national speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs. They are also active church members and the parents of two young children, and they enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.

AND I Do Again by Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs

About the Book:
With their professional success and adorable twin daughters, Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs looked like the perfect couple. But their polished facade concealed a widening chasm between two people unable to connect on an intimate, soul-deep level.

After years of frustration, Cheryl’s desire for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, divorce. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s pain.

I Do Again details the fascinating real-life story of a couple whose relationship seemed shattered beyond all hope until a spiritual awakening led them to reconsider their definitions of “happily ever after.” A riveting account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages—and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.

About the Authors:
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs are the founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries, and for the past several years they have shared their incredible story of a marriage restored with audiences across the nation. Jeff is an account manager with OshKosh B’Gosh, and Cheryl has served as director of the Frisco, Texas, office of the Center for Christian Counseling. They live in Dallas, Texas with their two college-age daughters.

Christian Writer's Market Guide 2009 by Sally Stuart - Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

WaterBrook Press (January 13, 2009)
This is a wonderful resource for authors who are looking for publishers for a WIP or finished project without a home or writers who are still working on getting that first piece published. The resources are not limited to a single type of work or subject matter. Publications and publishers are listed by category for non-fiction and by genre for fiction. Both the book and periodical sections begin with a topical listing of publishers that gives them an idea which entries to seek out for more information based on their type of writing. Stuart even lists poetry markets both books and periodicals as well as periodicals that publsih book reviews, both of which I personally find helpful as I read tons of fiction but haven't pursued writing anything that lengthy.

The topical listings are followed by the alphabetized detailed information for each publisher as well as a market analysis section. While this makes up over 3/4 of the book the remaining 100+ pages also provide a number of other resources and materials useful to writers and authors alike including conferences and workshops, writing groups, editorial services, agents and contests. The book culminates with a listing of publishers sorted by denomination where applicable and a listing sorted by corporate groups also where applicable. In addition to all of this the book includes a "bonus" section after the periodical publishers that lists specialty markets such as greeting cards and gift products. As with the 2008 edition this year includes a CD ROM with the contacts for the majority of markets listed in the book. While this is the only resource of its type I am aware of for Christian writers in the US I also suspect if any competition does exist this would qualify as the most comprehensive resource hands down. This copy will join its companion from last year on my reference shelf and be well used by the time the next edition rolls around. These books are well worth the cover price especially as they come bundled with the CD ROM for quicker access to the details for a given publisher. (ISBN#9780307446435, 560pp, $34.99)

Codicil:
Purchase a copy of Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009 or click the bookcover. Drop by Sally's Blog for updates and industry news. Visit the website for more about the book and details on how to lock in this years price for future editions by ordering direct from the author and subscribing to get each annual edition as they release.

Firestorm of Dragons - Revised Review/Repost

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Watch the Trailer

Reposted Review w/ Revisions:
Dragon Moon Press (May 15, 2008)
While I usually find myself unsatisfied by short story endings, the authors included in this anthology somehow fit their plot resolutions into the limited pages and words available to short story writers. These authors are also able to bring their characters to life for the reader in that limited span. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing and storytelling compiled into this anthology. Several of the authors also have a knack for comic relief and suspense in their writing which always tends to make a story more appealing to me. As a reader I find predictability becomes annoying quickly - if I can guess what will happen or jump ahead and be expecting that particular resolution there is no point in wasting my time reading the rest of the book or story. However the authors that either keep me guessing till the end or throw a few curves into the plot that I would never imagine are the ones I end up wanting to read more from.

A good example of both comic relief and a story that keeps the reader on their toes is Karina Fabian's Dragon Eye, P.I. I look forward to meeting Vern again as Karina expands his repertoire of adventures and maybe even gives him his own novel.

Vern is keeping company with a variety of other dragon types in this anthology including those who are hunted for the value of their blood and meat as well as dragons who become the object of thrill seekers' newest pastime (Dragon Scaling). BTW the word Scaling in this title has duplicate meanings read the story to find out what they are.

Sandra Ulbrich shares a story of discovering the true meaning of friendship and who true friends are in "A Reptile at the Reunion".

Kim Richards regales the reader with a fantastical story of sacrifice and a mysterious infant left behind when the Dragon retrieves his "prize" at a once-a-decade selection ceremony of the eligible virgins. We also hear one version of what might really happen when the dragon returns to the lair with his prizes every ten years.

There are many more and such a wide variety I can't begin to describe them all here but check out this anthology especially if you're into Dragons and Fantasy - these editors have managed to snag themselves quite a pile of delightful stories by talented authors.
(ISBN#9781896944807, 256pp, $19.95)

Codicil:
You can check out more info on the book by clicking the bookcover and also at the Firestorm of Dragons site. Be sure to get a copy for your Dragon fix using the bookcover link or links at the book site.

Help Provide Animals and Water for Women and Children in Africa

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

~Give the gift of life this Christmas~

Hands of Hope, a charity of Women Helping Women A World Away, is announcing that their Holiday Gift Cards are available for purchase. These cards provide food, income and water for impoverished women and children in Zambia, Uganda, and Southern Sudan. They can be purchased on the Hands of Hope website for $15.00, $30.00 and $50.00. Purchasing these cards will provide goats, chickens or wells to help change lives. What could be a more meaningful gift for holiday giving for family, friends, and customer appreciation?

Hands of Hope helps mobilize communities to respond to the needs of women and children around the world. With an ever-expanding support base in the Chicago area, Hands of Hope works to raise community awareness regarding poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa and its relevance globally. We are confident in the integrity of the channels we have established so that contributions provide the highest possible impact for the most critical needs.

These lovely cards each represent a gift of twelve chicks to an impoverished family. $15.00 each











The inside of the card reads:
A gift of twelve chicks has been purchased and given to an impoverished family in Africa in your honor by:___________ As the flock multiplies, a struggling family will be given the hope to survive. Your gift will help those in need for generations to come.


These lovely cards each represent an actual goat being purchased for a needy family. Beyond providing much needed milk, a few goats can quickly become a herd, providing sustenance and additional income that can make the difference between whether a child goes to school or not. $30.00 each











The inside of the card reads:
A gift of a goat has been purchased and given to an impoverished family in Africa in your honor by: _____________ Offspring from your goat will be passed along to other needy families in villages where people are struggling to survive. This gift will bring hope and survival to many a continent away.


These cards each represent funding toward building a well in the Western Province of Zambia. $50.00 each











The inside of the card reads:
A donation has been given towards funding a well in the Western Province of Zambia in your honor by: ______________ Statistics show that nearly half of all people in developing countries suffer from health related problems caused by unsafe water. In addition, African women and children spend several hours every day collecting water which is often miles away and may or may not be contaminated. This well will provide clean and safe drinking water and will go a long way to ease a heavy burden for hundreds of village people who struggle daily with basic physical needs.

FYI - 100% of the money raised through the purchase of the cards goes directly toward the cost of providing the chickens, goats and building wells. NO administrative costs are deducted.

Important Links:
HOH Main Page, The Cards, Purchase Cards, How HOH Got Their Start, Current Projects

Contact at Hands of Hope:
Vicky Wauterlek VWAU@aol.com (847)381-7367

Title Trakk Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

One of my favorite sites is hosting a great fall Giveaway including books, music and movies. Besides the grand prize there will be daily prizes throughout the tour this week. Read on for details of the contest and what all is up for grabs.

Welcome to the 1st ever
TitleTrakk.com Blog Tour!
This week we're chatting about:

The Fantastic Fall Giveaway Contest!

Just in time for the holidays, you could win over $335 worth of books, cds and dvds!

Sponsored by our friends at:

The Grand Prize Winner will receive:

BOOKS:
Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark
Rachel's Secret by BJ Hoff
Beach Dreams by Trish Perry
Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond
White Soul by Brandt Dodson
The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka
Finding Marie by Susan Paige Davis
The Power of Praying Through the Bible by Stormie Omartian
A Man After God's Own Heart by Jim George
Evidence for Faith 101 by Bruce Bickel & Stan Jantz

CDS:
Wake Up! Wake Up! by Everyday Sunday
Rock What You Got by Superchick
Sunday by Tree63
Houston We Are Go by Newsboys (Live CD/DVD)
Nothing Left To Lose by Mat Kearney
I Am Free Worship Collection
Salvation Station by Newworldson
Not Without Love by Jimmy Needham
Pages by Shane & Shane
Colors and Sounds by Article One

MOVIES:
Love's Unfolding Dream
The Ten Commandments Animated
Between the Walls

But that's not all!
We're giving away even more!

During this blog tour (November 10th - 16th) we'll be drawing 2 winners daily from the contest entries to win an additional free book or cd!

Visit the TitleTrakk.com Contest page today to enter the contest and place yourself in the running to receive the Grand Prize, plus all the daily prizes! Deadline to enter is November 17th.

About TitleTrakk.com:
Founded in 2006 by Tracy & C.J. Darlington, TitleTrakk.com is an interactive website spotlighting Christian books, music & movies. Updated weekly, we feature author and musician interviews, album and book reviews, music videos, movie reviews and interviews, book excerpts, surveys, polls, and fun contests. Learn more: http://www.titletrakk.com/about.htm

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner - Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

This book has been calling to me from the TBR for awhile now especially since I discovered it involves the Salem Witch Trials. I was entranced by Elizabeth George Speare's Witch of Blackbird Pond in my younger days and look forward to reading this novel looking back on that period with a modern Christian viewpoint. There will be a review coming soon.

About the Author:
From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego.

About the Book:
Women of all ages will appreciate this highly-readable, layered, and fast-paced story about self-discovery at all stages of life. With rich undertones of intrigue and romance, this contemporary novel with a historical twist explores personal blinders and how upbringing and conditioning can shape people to judge others in ways that can lead to unhappy consequences.

Lauren Durough is a college student who finds herself on the road to self-discovery as she is hired by octogenarian Abigail Boyles to transcribe the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to the truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?

Readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to break away from society’s expectations and her attempt to strike out on her own while figuring out what parts of her own story to hold on to.

Codicil:
Visit Susan's site by clicking her photo. Read more about the book or purchase a copy by clicking the bookcover. Also be sure to check out what other bloggers are saying this week and check back for my review coming soon.

Welcome to Suzanne Woods Fisher and her novel Copper Fire

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Today a new friend is visiting us here at Bibliophile's Retreat (or should I say 3 friends). Author Suzanne Woods Fisher is sharing with us about herself, writing and her book Copper Fire. Read my reviews of Copper Star and Copper Fire. For Suzanne's tour schedule with the featured book as well as several other links to explore check out this post.

Now On With the Interview:

1. Who do you want to meet and why?
If I could pluck one person out of history (aside from the Lord Jesus, of course), it would be Simon Peter. He's someone we can all relate to (so VERY human), and we see a before-and-after picture of him in Scripture. A little unusual! This fall, I'm going to be speaking at a women's church retreat on Peter. The entire weekend will be about Peter! So he's on my mind a lot lately. A lot.

2. What’s your favorite comfort food?
Just one?!

3. What would be your dream vacation?
An Indian Summer Fall on Nantucket Island, when all of the summer people have gone home and it's quiet. Oh, I need my computer with me. It's an inspiring place to be!

4. Is there anyone who has influenced / encouraged you to write other than God who ultimately gives us any talents including creativity? Who and how / why?
My niece, Hilary. She gave me a book by Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write (published in 1938) that has this quote in it: "Everyone is talent, original, and has something important to say." Reading that became that "moment" when I took the plunge to write a novel. Kept it a secret, though, even from my family, for five months!

5. Can you give a brief synopsis of your journey to publication with your first book?
As I said, I wrote the novel secretly, in a cramped laundry room on an antediluvian computer. When I finished, I told my family that I had written a book, and my teenaged son said, "So that's why there's no food in this house!"

From that point, came first readers, and queries, proposals, rejections, more proposals, and finally, an offer from a little publishing house, Vintage Inspirations. It was 2 1/2 years, from start to finish. I remember that afternoon when the UPS guy delivered the pre-publication copies. I was just about five feet away from that laundry room...but what a journey!

6. What else have you written / are you currently writing (including unpublished works)?
Grit for the Oyster is a devotion for aspiring writers that will be out in late August. It was written with three other wonderful writers and I think will be very well received. For the Love of Dogs is a novel, set in 1969, about a woman going blind, learning to have faith in things unseen. It will be released in February 2009. In Spring 2010, Amish Peace in an English Life (non-fiction) will be published by Revell/Baker.

7. What first gave you the idea for the Copper Springs books?
I had an interest in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and an interest in the John Tracy Clinic...their histories collided in 1943, so that's where the story began.

8. What else would you like to share with readers about yourself or Copper Fire?
I have been a non-fiction writer for twenty years, and always thought I couldn't write fiction, that a writer was on one side or the other. Not true! All of my research skills made my fiction writing more credible. And writing fiction has helped me "jazz" up my non-fiction writing.

9. Share with us one of the craziest things you've done or that's happened to you?
Hmmm...sometimes, I can't believe I'm writing books! Especially fiction. Just amazed.

10. What five books would you take with you to a desert island?
NIV Study Bible, and four books about surviving on a desert island.

11. What concept or scripture is God revealing more deeply to you in this season of your life? And how is that revelation influencing your life?
"Do not despise small beginnings" (Zechariah). I love that thought...starting small.

12. Why did you start writing and when?
As a child. Loved to read and write! But I was never, ever identified as a good writer!

13. How do you choose names and get to know your characters?
When writing historical fiction, I look for popular names of that time. Developing the characters takes a while...but soon, they really come to life in my mind.

14. What’s your favorite character / scene from the Copper Springs books (so far)?
I really like Louisa's flawed character, and her sense of humor about herself. She inspires me not to take myself too seriously.

15. Do you have any teasers you can share for the next Copper Springs book (if there is one planned) or your next project?
I was at a book club the other day and the women encouraged me to write another book because they wanted to see what happens to Elisabeth and Danny, Aunt Martha and the judge. I finished up Copper Fire so that the reader feels "satisfied." (I hate books that just set you up for the sequel.) But...in the back of my mind, I do think about fast forwarding the family a few years, placing Danny in Israel in its infancy.

16. Are there any closing remarks you’d like to share?
Thanks so much for hosting me today! Love your questions, Melissa, and I appreciate how thorough you are.

You're welcome and Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers.

Readers use the link in the post with her tour schedule (see link above) to check out and enter Suzanne's book a day giveaway, click on her picture to visit her website and use the bookcovers to purchase a copy and read more about the books. Don't forget to check out the links for the book excerpts on the post with the tour schedule as well.

Presenting Copper Fire by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher’s just-released historical novel Copper Fire, is the sequel to the three-time award-winning Copper Star, a World War II love story inspired by true events. Fisher was a contributing editor to Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her work has appeared in Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, and Marriage Partnership. She has contributed to ten non-fiction books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs. A wife and mother, Fisher lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The best thing about being a writer, she feels, is that all of life becomes material for writing. It’s all grit for the oyster.

Other Links and Information for Your Perusal:
During the month of June, Suzanne is running a book-a-day-giveaway contest. To enter, scoot on over to her blog to leave a comment or pop her an email

Purchase your own copies of Copper Star (ISBN: 0-9793327-4-5) and Copper Fire (ISBN: 978-0-981-5592-0-9) using these title links or click on the bookcovers. They are also available on Suzanne’s website (visit by clicking her picture), or can be ordered through your favorite bookstore. Read excerpts from Copper Fire and the prequel Copper Star. Check out my reviews of Copper Star and Copper Fire.

You'll also find Suzanne and her book featured at these online venues:
June 2 at On Being a Writer, June 3 at So Many Books and Toni V. Lee's Blog, June 4 at Actual Unretouched Photo, June 5 at Cecelia Dowdy's Blog, June 9 at RelzReviewz, June 10 at Surviving the Chaos, June 11 at Mumblings of a Mommy “Monk”, June 12 at Delia Latham's Site, June 16 (Today) Here at Bibliophile's Retreat - Check out Suzanne's interview , June 18 at Coming Home—A Christ Centered Blog by Christian Writer Miralee Ferrell, June 19 at Dena Dyer's Site, June 20 at Amber Miller Writer & Author, June 23 at Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted and Theresa Slack's Site, June 24 at Diane Wylie's Blog, June 25 at Christy’s Book Blog, June 27 at Tricia Goyer's Blog, July 8 at 2nd Cup of Coffee, August 3 at Trish Berg's Site and Dec 8 at Lena Dooley's Blog.

Coming in June: Tuesday Night at The Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Readers please welcome Debbie Fuller Thomas sharing about her June release Tuesday Night at The Blue Moon

1) Your story is about a mother whose daughter was switched at birth. How does Marty find out that her child was switched?
Marty's daughter, Ginger, is the victim of a fatal genetic disease, Neimann Pick Type C, which often strikes every sibling in a family. Marty is concerned for her other 2 daughters, and when it's determined that she and her ex-husband are not carriers of the disease they know something's not right.

2) Where did you get the idea for your story?
My inspiration for the book came straight out of real life from a news story I heard about two families fighting over switched-at-birth babies when one child is orphaned. Of course, the circumstances and setting in my story are different, and the characters are completely fictitious. But I knew it would be a heartbreaking dilemma for any parent, especially for one who had suffered through the death of a child she thought was hers.

3) Do you have a favorite character?
I would have to say Andie, because even at 13-years-old, she doesn't become a victim. She's a little quirky, and she's had to mature quickly. Even though she's developed an attitude toward God and her situation in general, she keeps it to herself most of the time, and we understand her need to vent occasionally.

4) On what level do you think women will identify with Marty, her biological mom?
I think most moms would understand the panic of discovering they had the wrong child, and the guilt at not realizing instinctively that something was wrong all along. On another level, Marty is a caregiver who sets aside her own dreams to nurture her family. As women, we often set aside our dreams out of necessity, guilt or lack of support from our families, but like Marty, we don't have to abandon our dreams completely.

5) The story is set at a drive-in movie theater. What led you to choose that setting?
I think there's a nostalgic winsomeness about drive-in theaters and I want to encourage families to take advantage of the few drive-ins that are still in operation. I remember the smell of hot coffee when my mother poured cups from the thermos, and falling asleep in the backseat with my pillow and blanket. There's a sense of intimacy and togetherness that comes from being alone with your family, even though hundreds of other people are watching the same movie. I also used the run-down condition of the Blue Moon Drive-in as a reflection of the relationship between Marty and Andie and of the condition of their spiritual lives when they first meet.

6) What is the meaning behind the title: Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon?
Tuesday night is family night at the Blue Moon Drive-in. Andie needs a family, and the desire of Marty's heart is for her dysfunctional family to be a whole again.

7) Who are some of the other interesting characters in your story?
Andie is sandwiched in the birth order between Winnie, the needy younger sister, and Deja, an older teen who is bitter about the situation. Some interesting dynamics that take place when the three of them interact, especially when mom has to work long hours and there's too much unsupervised together-time.

8) What is the message that you would like your readers to take away from Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon?
I believe that God is our Father and that we were created to commune with Him on a deep level, but sin orphans us. When we're open to it, God is ready and willing to re-claim and restore us as his children.

9) How did you begin your writing career?
I operated a home day care for 6 preschoolers when my children were young, and I was in desperate need of a distraction to keep my sanity. So I began to write a novel during their naptimes. I finished it in about 2 years. It was my 'practice novel' which gave me confidence and helped me plot the blueprint for Tuesday Night.

10) What advice would you give to someone starting out as a writer?
Don't quit. I sold the first article I ever sent to a publisher and didn't sell another thing for 19 years. It's not going to happen overnight. It's an apprenticeship - a craft to be honed. When you're tempted to give up, remember the encouraging things other writers, agents or editors have said about your writing. If God has given you some talent, what acceptable excuse can you give Him for not using it?

My Musings:Read my review. Click on Debbie's picture to check out her website and click the bookcover to preorder your own copy at Barnes and Noble.

Whisper of Freedom Blog Tour Meme & Contest

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Readers let's give Tricia and her latest historical novel a warm welcome back to Bibliophile's Retreat.

About The Author:
Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

Related Links:
Check out other bloggers posts for this tour with the links listed on Tricia’s blog tour post

Read my review of A Shadow of Treason (Book 2) and A Whisper of Freedom (Book 3)

Read chapter 1 of A Whisper of Freedom here

Click on the bookcover for it's Amazon page and Tricia's picture for her website.

Don't forget the series trailer and Tricia's Blogs

Tour Contest and Book Giveaway:
During the tour, you can enter to win one of FIVE signed copies of A Whisper of Freedom by signing up for Tricia's newsletter here!

The Tour MEME and Another Contest:
1. List three things you would do with a chest full of gold (assuming you got to keep it!)?
Give 10% or more to my church, help fund expenses for my friends who are going on overseas mission trips and invest the remaining money to provide residual income for living expenses and giving to causes and organizations I feel led to support.

2. List three charities/missions/organizations you support (and why)?
The church I attend, Geralyn Beauchamp whose first novel was written to promote purity and share some of what she's learned about relationships because the writing is great and the purity message is desperately needed, Christian Fiction Review Blog (CFRB) because they are providing a service to authors as well as ministering to one another as a group of readers and writers.

3. List three ways you have volunteered your time/services?
My volunteer time is devoted to organizations and causes that I believe in when and where my talents and abilities are in need. See answer to #2 for some of these organizations and causes. Right now time and talent is my available resource to offer in support to those organizations and causes and it seems people are always in need of a detail oriented and organized person. I just wish I had more time to volunteer my talents to help my friends and others I'd like to assist.

4. List three things you keep "hidden" when company comes over?
My piles of filing and paperwork to attend to, the unmade bed, dirty dishes.

5. List the last three things you've lost?
Keys, Cell Phone, Whatever piece of paper or mail I need this minute.

6. List the last three things you've found?
Car Keys, Cell Phone, Random papers or mail I don't need or should have thrown out.

Three brave "players" will be selected at random to win their own lost gold (Gourmet chocolate coins and all three books in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series). To enter all you have to do is answer the MEME on your blog and then leave a comment on Tricia’s blog tour post that you’ve posted your MEME. Easy.

NOW for the Tagging:
I tag Jen, Geralyn and any readers that want a chance at the books. Readers please leave a link to your MEME post in the comments here as well as on Tricia's post linked above so other readers can find your answers too.

Interview with Virginia Smith - Author of Sincerely Mayla

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Readers today please welcome Virginia Smith to Bibliophile's Retreat. We enjoyed a visit via email that I am now sharing with you readers. There's some fun trivia as well as more topical information about her writing and the Mayla Books in particular.

1. Who do you want to meet and why?
I’d like to meet Billy Graham. I’ve never actually heard the man speak, and I really didn’t know much about him until recently I heard Jerry Jenkins, who assisted Dr. Graham in writing his autobiography. That Dr. Graham made a profound impact on Mr. Jenkins was obvious. He was speaking to a group of Christian writers, so you’d think he might mention the books he’s most famous for, the Left Behind series. If he mentioned them at all, it was in passing. No, he spent most of his time talking about his experience talking to this amazingly humble man of God. It made me want to sit down with him and get to know him.

2. What’s your favorite comfort food?
Ah, chicken and dumplings the way my mama cooks them. The broth thick and savory, chunks of fresh chicken, dumplings bite-sized and chewy and flavored with a blend of seasonings I can’t duplicate no matter how hard I try. Mom has showed me how she does it, and even let me help, but they don’t taste the same when I attempt them on my own. When I was a girl, we had chicken and dumplings rarely, only on special occasions, so I associate them with happy family times.

3. What would be your dream vacation?
My husband and I are avid scuba divers, so our dream vacation includes tropical beaches, warm, crystal clear waters, mature coral reefs with lots of large, colorful wildlife. But no sharks. I’m not into sharks. The few encounters I’ve had with them have turned out okay, but I don’t want to take chances.

4. Is there anyone who has influenced / encouraged you to write other than God who ultimately gives us any talents including creativity? Who and how / why?
You’re so right – God is the giver of all gifts and talents worth having. And He also gives us encouragement, and places people in our lives to encourage us. He used my mom to influence me. She has been a writer, so she modeled that for me when I was younger. I remember her stories were always wonderful and inventive. When I wrote the first scene of Just As I Am, I let her read it. Then I got busy at work and I put it down and didn’t work on it again for a long time. She not only encouraged me, she practically badgered me to “finish that book!” Well, when I did, that turned out to be my debut novel. I owe her a lot.

5. Can you give a brief synopsis of your journey to publication with your first book?
Well, it took over twenty years of painful rejection, so it wasn’t a brief journey. But I believe the Lord held onto the story that would be my first novel until He knew I was ready. I couldn’t have written Just As I Am back when I started, even though I thought I was ready to be published.

I knew deep inside that Just As I Am was going to be the book that broke the publication barrier for me. For one thing, it was the first thing I’d written solely and completely for God. Prior to that, all my writing was done for selfish reasons. This was my first book of true obedience.

6. What else have you written / are you currently writing (including unpublished works)?
I write in two genres – contemporary and mystery/suspense. In the mystery area, I’ve got a couple of books out (Murder by Mushroom and Bluegrass Peril), and three more coming. The upcoming series is about a classical music trio who play at weddings. Everywhere these girls go, somebody dies and they get sucked into the situation. The series tagline is “When Murder Comes to Town.” The first, A Taste of Murder, comes out in October. Then Murder at Eagle Summit is April 2009 and Scent of Murder will be released in June 2009.

I am really excited about my new Sister-to-Sister Series. The idea for this series came straight from my own life – my relationship with my sisters. They are amazing women, fun and energetic and creative and lively. I wanted to write a story that relays the depth of our feelings for each other, and that lets readers get a peek of just how much fun we have together Book one, Stuck in the Middle, came out in February, and the second book, Age before Beauty, comes out February 2009. That book is finished, and I’m working on the third, Last but Not Least.

7. What first gave you the idea for the books about Mayla?
A visiting singer who came to my church. She wore a labret stud (that’s a stud mid-way between her lower lip and her chin.) I was fascinated. I’d never seen an outspoken Christian wear facial jewelry. Had she gotten the piercing before or after she became a Christian? How did her friends and family and home church react to her looks? The more I thought about her, I realized that she was about as contemporary as I could imagine! So I decided to create a character modeled after her. And if I was going to write a contemporary book, I wanted to make it as contemporary as I could – I gave my character purple hair, and a roommate who was a bartender, and a couple of gay friends. I wanted my character to be real, and to face issues that young people really do face in today’s society. As I started writing, the Lord just took over. He really did guide me through every word in Just As I Am.

So naturally I was eager to write a second Mayla book. For one thing, I wanted to see if the Lord would repeat the process. (He did!) And also, I wanted to find out what happened next.

8. What else would you like to share with readers about yourself or Sincerely Mayla?
Sincerely, Mayla is a book straight from my heart because in it Mayla encounters a few issues that have affected me personally. (SPOILER WARNING!) Pregnancy Resource Centers have always held a special place in my heart, and I wanted to show what a life-changing impact they can have in the lives of women who often are at a low point in their lives. And I firmly believe that God loves each of us no matter what. His love is immense and without boundaries because of who He is, not because of who we are. I hope that comes through in Sincerely, Mayla.

9. Share with us one of the craziest things you've done or that's happened to you?
My life is remarkably un-crazy. I guess the craziest thing I’ve ever done (at least some people think I’m nuts) is put on a life support device and venture into an alien environment. That’s how my scuba diving instructor described it. You’re wearing a bunch of equipment—some of it made out of cheap plastic—and carrying your own air on your back. You dive down to depths in which humans were not meant to survive. I went down 120 feet once. And loved every minute of it.

10. What five books would you take with you to a desert island?
The Bible.
The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis. Can I take the whole set? If not, I’d have to pick Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
The Restorer’s Son, by Sharon Hinck.
The Dragonriders of Pern, by Anne McCaffrey.
Survive on a Desert Island, by Claire Llewellyn. (No, I’ve never read it, but it seems like a good one to have in that situation!)

11. What concept or scripture is God revealing more deeply to you in this season of your life? And how is that revelation influencing your life?
I’m doing a Bible study right now by Beth Moore called “To Live is Christ” about the life and ministry of Paul. I’m learning how God can take even the worst of us – or the worst in us – and redeem it to glorify Himself. It’s making me look inside myself and identify the areas that I need to ask Him to transform.

12. Why did you start writing and when?
I started writing back in my early twenties, and it wasn’t for a very noble reason. I’d read a short story in a magazine that had a major plot hole and wasn’t very well written. I thought, “I could do better than that!” so I set out to prove it. I was about to learn a very painful lesson, that writing well is harder than it looks.

13. How do you choose names and get to know your characters?
I choose names from a Baby Name book, and from various online sites that list popular baby names by year of birth. And I occasionally choose names from my past, only I scramble them. For instance, I have a couple of former singing partners named Audrey Roberts and Faye Coates. There’s a character in Murder by Mushroom named Audrey Coates.

I get to know my main characters by interviewing them. I formulate a list of interview questions, very much like you’ve done with this interview, and then I answer them from the viewpoint of the character. I learn a lot of really interesting stuff about them, and only a fraction of it ever shows up in book.

14. What’s your favorite character / scene from the Mayla Books (so far)?
In Just As I Am, I love the scene toward the end where we discover why Sylvia is so bitter about Christians. And in Sincerely, Mayla I love the scene where Mayla and Lindsey tour the Pregnancy Resource Center. Both of those scenes have very personal meaning to me, and I can’t read them without tearing up.

15.Do you have any teasers you can share for your next book about Mayla if one is planned or your next project if this is the last Mayla Book?
Oh, I have lots of plans! But let me share the teaser for my next release. A Taste of Murder will hit bookstore shelves in October.

Jasmine Delaney and her classical music trio travel to a small Kentucky town during a weekend Bar-B-Q Festival in order to get a peek at a handsome musician she met online. When she arrives, Jazzy is in for a few unpleasant surprises. Her hotel is overflowing with pint-sized beauty pageant contestants and their fanatical mothers. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she discovers that Derrick Rogers is tone deaf. But those discoveries pale to insignificance when she unlocks her room and finds a dead body in the bathtub--and it’s covered in barbeque sauce. Not even the soothing strains of Haydn can still her jangled nerves--especially when the killer seems intent on making her the next victim.

16. Are there any closing remarks you’d like to share?
If you read Sincerely, Mayla, I hope you’ll let me know what you think. I love to hear from readers. You can send me a comment through my website. And be sure to check out the “Fun Stuff” page, because I’m constantly giving away books and other fun stuff.

Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers.

Thank you for having me! I enjoyed the chat.

Don't forget to check out the other bloggers on this tour there are links here. My review is here. You can read reviews at Amazon by clicking the book cover and don't forget the author's website use the link in her closing comments or click her picture.

Goldeneyes Blog Tour

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

Here's the most recent Tour Schedule:
Feb. 1 Cecelia Dowdy, Feb. 2 Diane Wylie, Feb. 4 Tyora Moody, Feb. 5 Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Feb. 7 Toni V. Lee, Feb. 11 Joe Prentis, Feb. 13 Grace Bridges, Feb. 14 Teresa Slack, Feb. 15 Angela Wilson, Feb. 18 Suzanne Woods Fisher, Feb. 20, 21 and 26(Guest Blog) Cindy Bauer, Feb. 24 Shelagh Watkins and Shelagh's Yahoo360 Blog, Feb. 25 Rhonda Clark, Rhonda's Windows Live Blog, Rhonda's Shoutlife Blog and Rhonda's Yahoo360 Blog, Feb. 28 Julie Kornhausl, Mar. 2 Mary Connealy, Mar. 4 Dee Owen, Mar. 5 Tabitha Robin, Mar. 7 Tori Close, Mar. 10 Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Mar. 12 Debra Ullrick, Mar. 17 Miralee Ferrell, Mar. 19 Bonnie Winters, Mar. 20 Cynthia Hickey, Mar. 24 Pamela James, Mar. 24–28 Tracy Ruckman, Mar. 25 Christa Allen, Mar 27 My Review, Mar. 31 Gina Conroy, All of Feb & March Featured at David G. Boggs' Website and Blog, April 20 Marian Merritt, April 27 Margaret Daley.

Check this page on Delia's Website for updates to this schedule.

More About the Author:
Delia Latham is a former newspaper Staff Writer and a frequent contributor to her hometown’s regional publication, Bakersfield Magazine. She also writes greeting card verse, short stories, articles, and songs. Her editing and proofing skills have been utilized by numerous authors, including Dr. Chuck Wall, founder of the Random Acts of Kindness movement.

Her debut novel, Almost Like a Song, was released in June 2006; Goldeneyes will be released in March 2008 by Vintage Romance Publishing. Delia’s work is included in an upcoming short story anthology, The Shortstack: 20 Stories to Fill You Up.
The author lives in Bakersfield, California with her husband, Johnny, a Pentecostal minister. Her four adult children and four “beautiful, absolutely perfect” grandchildren daily light up her life. She loves to hear from her readers. Contact her through her website (click on her picture) or her blog.

My Thoughts:
Use the link in the schedule above for my review.

Note from Delia:
I’ll be giving away a Goldeneyes T-shirt and an electronic copy of the book to one lucky reader. I’ll choose from all who leave comments on the blog posts for my book on the days it and myself are featured.

Meet Sharon K. Souza, author of Every Good and Perfect Gift

Originally Posted at Bibliophile's Retreat by Melissa Meeks

About the Author:
"I'm an avid fan of Christian fiction, both as a writer and a reader. I am pleased that it has grown to include titles that are topping the most prestigious best seller lists in America. As a Christian and lover of fiction, I believe it's time this genre came into its own, and have a strong desire to contribute to it." ~SHARON SOUZA

Sharon and her husband Rick have been married 36 years. They live in northern California, and have three children and 6 grandchildren. Rick travels the world building churches, Bible schools and orphanages. Sharon travels with him on occasion, but while Rick lives the adventure, Sharon is more than happy to create her own through fiction.

When Sharon's friends ask her, "why write fiction at all, why not write 'the truth?'" Sharon says two answers come to mind. First, that "burning fire shut up in her bones" (Jer. 20:9) finds its release in fiction. Second, when Jesus wanted to get a heavenly truth across, He didn't deliver a three-point sermon. He told stories. Her desire in writing inspirational fiction is that women who read these books will find them easy to share with other women who haven't yet come into relationship with Jesus, and that those women will be directed to the One who loves them with an everlasting love.

Sharon chose the themes and especially the portrayal of the friendship in this book because she spent several years in her early adulthood without a close friend. When she experienced having one for the first time, she realized what had been missing and truly saw this as a gift from the Lord. But beyond that, she's also experienced the truth of Proverbs 18:24: ". . . there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." In the book, Gabby learns through her darkest moments that the Lord reaches out to us in compassion, spanning the gap between our need and His provision. That's also been the case in Sharon's life over and over.

About the Book:
In an interview Souza has stated, "The theme of Gift is extraordinary friendship." The foundation for this friendship is laid during the characters' childhood, tested through the issue of infertility, and exemplified through catastrophic illness. The infertility was the catalyst which allowed them to get to the level of friendship expressed as a result of the illness. One character's growth was accomplished because of infertility, while the other's came through dealing with the repercussions of Alzheimer's. Because these issues are so serious Souza tells us she chose humor to tell the story. Life experiences are heavy enough without adding to them as we read for pleasure. That's not to say there aren't serious moments in the book but her goal is for the reader to be buoyed by the lighter sections as opposed to overloaded by the weightier ones.

What other authors are saying about Every Good & Perfect Gift:
"Sharon Souza's beautiful novel will sweep you into the embrace of an extraordinary friendship, with all the giddy laughter of new adventure, the sparkle of young love, the joy of motherhood, the anguish of unexpected sorrow, and the hard-won wisdom of faith and gratitude. When you have turned the last page and wiped your tears, the story will enchant you for days and weeks and maybe even years to come." ~KATHLEEN POPA, author of To Dance in the Desert

"In a crisp, upbeat style, Sharon Souza weaves an emotional tale of friendship and faith. She offers an insightful journey through complex issues. I came away touched." ~SALLY JOHN, author of The Beach House

"What an absolutely wonderful book, vibrating with rich characters and brimming with life. I loved it! A debut novel of the highest quality. Don't miss this good and perfect gift!" ~GAYLE ROPER, author of Fatal Deductions

"Sharon Souza's debut is chock-full of motherhood and grace, humor and friendship, wonderfully weaved with the strong cords of faith. Bravo!" ~RAY BLACKSTON, author of Flabbergasted

"Every Good and Perfect Gift captured my imagination from the first line, causing me to contemplate the bonds of such an extraordinary relationship. What would the world be like if more friendships were like Gabby and DeeDee's? Sharon Souza's debut novel is achingly beautiful and tender, often richly funny, and hauntingly memorable." ~JULIE CAROBINI, author of Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea

"Every Good and Perfect Gift swept me down memory lane to the joys and trials of starting a family. Sharon Souza uses her skilled hand to wipe away the fine line between friends and family and shows us that God has a loving plan, even when our faith is tested. A touching debut." ~NICOLE SEITZ, author of Trouble the Water and The Spirit of Sweetgrass

(All information to this point in the post has been excerpted and paraphrased from a press release and interview provided by the author's publicist at Books & Such Literary Agency)

My Musings:
Read My Review. Check out the Amazon reviews by clicking the book cover and the authors website by clicking her picture.