ACFW August 2012 New Releases

/ Dora Hiers
I can’t wait to sink into my recliner with a few of these! What about you? See any books that you have to squeeze into your summer reading schedule?
Words in the Wind (Gateway to Gannah #2) by Yvonne Anderson — Marooned in a desolate canyon half a planet from home, a lone survivor struggles to separate reality from illusion. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy from Risen Books).
Her Good Name by Ruth Axtell — When a girl from the other side of the tracks does everything to get the attention of the town’s leading citizen, she finds out too late it means little if she doesn’t have his heart. (Historical Romance from River North (Moody).
Avenir Eclectia, Volume 1 by Grace Bridges, Pauline Creeden, Kat Heckenbach, Keven Newsome, H.A. Titus, Fred Warren and more — A human colony in the constellation of the Whale struggles to survive on an aging orbital station peopled with bureaucrats, wizards, beggars and cyborgs, and a violently unstable planet overrun with giant bugs and telepathic sea creatures. (Speculative Fiction from Splashdown Books).
Something Blue by Dianne Christner — Life is going well for Megan Weaver. She has the job of her dreams working with Chance Campbell, a charming and daring missionary pilot. Then Micah Zimmerman moves into her parents’ home as a pastoral candidate for the Big Darby Conservative Mennonite church. It wouldn’t be so bad, except Megan remembers her unkindness to Micah as a gawky young man who once had a crush on her in college. But even though Micah has improved, he’s nothing compared to Chance. Micah finds that his heart for Megan hasn’t changed, but he’s having to battle to keep the single… (Romance from Barbour).
Over the Edge by Mary Connealy — Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he’s never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he’s gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever. After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he’s got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn’t happy to find out Seth doesn’t remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she’s come to the Kincaid family’s ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband. (Historical Romance from Bethany House).
Living in Harmony by Mary Ellis — Amy King must reconcile her past relationship with a shunned aunt before she can become any man’s wife and take her place in a new and alien community. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House).
Hearts in the Mist by Elizabeth Goddard — While Artisan Sela Fox runs her gift shop, she creates rare and beautiful guitars from redwood burl just as her husband had until his death. When land developer Evan Black shows up on her doorstep, using his humor and good looks to try and persuade her to sell the small slice of heaven she owns, she refuses to give up the only reminder she has left of her husband. But Evan is even more stubborn than the lovely Sela, and he has plans of his own. When he shares his talent for classical guitar using one of Sela’s creations, he’d not intended to woo her, but she responds to his serenade. (Contemporary Romance from Heartsong Presents (Barbour). 
Walks Alone by Sandi G. Rog — A Cheyenne warrior bent on vengeance. A pioneer woman bent on fulfilling a dream. Until their paths collide. (Romance from White-Fire Publishing).
Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon — When Kelly Warren discovers a new piece of evidence that she believes proves her father’s “suicide” was really murder, she takes it to Detective Cole Taylor. He doesn’t put much credence in her claim, and nothing in his review of the case suggests foul play. Yet when he digs deeper, he discovers a startling secret that links her to a long-ago crime-and a deadly killer. Is history repeating itself? And if not, then who wants her silenced? (Romantic Suspense from Revell). 
Lakeside Family by Lisa Jordan — The one man she never wanted to see again is the only one who can save her daughter’s life. (Romance from Love Inspired). 
Central Park Rendevous by Dineen Miller, Ronie Kendig, MaryLu Tyndall and Kim Sawyer — Experience the beauty of Central Park where four heroes dare to risk their hearts once more for a timeless love. (A romance novella from Barbour).
Angel of the Cove by Sandra Robbins — In 1894 a young woman spends the summer apprenticing to a mountain midwife in Cades Cove, a remote valley deep in the Smoky Mountains. (Historical Romance from Harvest House).
Rodeo Ashes by Shannon Taylor Vanatter — A young rodeo widow must overcome grief for her husband and find new love. (Contemporary Romance from Heartsong Presents (Barbour).
You can find out more about these books here > ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Welcome Marianne Evans and DEVOTION!

/ Dora Hiers / 6 Comments

 

From This Day Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.
Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that’s what she thinks.
For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation?  How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?
‘Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.

Want to peak? But, I have to warn you…once you read these first few paragraphs, you’ll be DEVOTED!
The church space sang to Juliet in a holy silence that wrapped around her like a welcome embrace. She knelt to pray, heedless of the fact that there were no kneelers in the pews of Trinity Christian. The hard tile floor felt good beneath her knees, and somehow grounding.

“God, what did I do wrong? We didn’t argue, we didn’t fight, we moved forward together in our marriage. Why did he leave it behind? How was that even possible for him? How did I fail him? And You?”

She sobbed openly, speaking the words aloud, heedless of being overheard. The space was empty anyhow. She laid her head on her folded hands trying desperately to bring herself to a new understanding of her life.

My promises are unchanging truth, and life. Your faith will save you. Go forward in peace, and be cured of your affliction.

The words, the glimpse of sacred Scripture, resounded through the entirety of her being. The decree swept through her with such power she went straight, tears drying on her cheeks as she blinked, and assimilated. Had she not already been on her knees, the summons would have knocked her there like the weakened heap of humanity she had become. She pondered. Go forward? In peace? How was she supposed to accomplish that? In prompt, near supernatural response, she received the answer.

Know that I am God, Juliet. Know that I am God.

She bowed her head, drained and empty, submitting herself as best she could. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the main aisle.

“Juliet?”

The call jarred her. She whipped her head around and gasped at what she saw. Kellen.

Kellen?

Did she simply think his name, or had she spoken it aloud? Stunned and overwrought, Juliet scrambled to her feet. In an untidy spin, she faced her husband. Just as quickly, she went weak, sinking onto the pew just a second or two after standing. She didn’t need a mirror to tell her that her makeup was smeared and her hair was a mess. She knew by the heat in her cheeks that her face was flushed; her eyes were probably red from crying. Kellen’s alarmed expression confirmed every one of her suspicions.

“Juliet, are you OK? Please talk to me. This is driving me crazy. What’s happened to you, love?”

Love. The use of that endearment caused her stomach to churn. Anger rose and obliterated everything else. “Don’t.” Kellen’s confusion intensified. “I mean it, Kellen. Do not call me that again. Not ever again!” She bit off the words; their bitter taste filled her mouth.

He reared back. Although he hesitated for a moment, he eased into the pew next to her. A mask of sorts, protective and inscrutable, now shaded his eyes. He didn’t speak. He waited on her, keeping to his corner of the pew. Juliet simmered and seethed. Just as quickly, though, the anger fled, washed away by a wave of sadness that stretched clear through to every cell in her body.

“This moment is killing me, Kellen, on so many levels. I’ve dreamed about it since the day we married, imagining it to be bursting with joy and anticipation. Instead, it’s breaking my heart.”

“What moment? What happened?” Generally fearless and confident, Kellen regarded her now in open trepidation. “I have no idea what to do to hel—”

“I’ll never have another chance to say this to you for the first time,” Juliet interjected, “or share this moment with you the way I had always envisioned. I’m pregnant, Kellen. I’m pregnant.”

A mix of emotions swept across his face. Disbelief came first, erased quickly by joy, then the most crushing visual of all: his love, intimate and rich. It had once made her feel so precious. Despite her vocal firestorm, his reaction was everything she had prayed for. This moment should have made her heart soar. Instead, she was shattered.

“You seem shocked.” The words came out sounding waspish. Juliet hated that fact, but couldn’t escape the rage and heartbreak. The venom inside her needed release.

“I’m very happily shocked.” His response came fast, but sincere. “We’ve wanted this for so long, I’m thrilled—no wonder you’ve been feeling—”

“I’m sure you’ll remember the night it happened.” Juliet cut him off once more. “It was spontaneous and heated and wonderful. Remember? There were no thoughts of anything else but each other. Or so I had believed. But if you do the math, you’ll realize we conceived the night you met Chloe Havermill.”

Kellen went pale. 
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Did you hit the pre-order link yet?

Let’s find out more about Marianne Evans, shall we?


What is your workday like, Marianne?  
I’m the Department Administrator for the Valuation and Advisory Services of a commercial real estate firm in Michigan. I like to think my ‘work day’ satisfies the left side of my brain—the part of my nature that loves organization and alignment of “the numbers” my linear self. I track and process incentives and new jobs that flow in to our department as well as revenue accounting/reporting. Thing is? I’ve always hated math. Always. Go figure…

Do you have any interesting/strange writing quirks?  
I’m the ‘tangible’ type. For example, I recently completed a Christmas story, FINDING HOME, releasing in December with White Rose Publishing (Pelican Book Group). The story is set in London, so, as I wrote, I lit a bayberry candle, I drank English breakfast tea, I kept a few mementos of my own trip to England nearby like a pound coin, a charm bracelet. Such things make me feel a part of the story, and help me dive into the characters and setting. For Devotion, we took a couple trips to Nashville. We toured the Opry, we visited the restaurants I mention, walked the streets I describe. It was awesome, and Nashville, simply put, is fantastic!

What did you learn from your hero or heroine?  In the pages of my upcoming release, Devotion, I took a deep and heart-felt look at the idea of covenant marriage. I learned there’s such beauty to ‘sticking it out’ and turning back to one another if things become turbulent in your relationship.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there? Ah….that would be my self-appointed muse and diva, my kitty Darko. Darko prods me along as I write by alternatively sleeping and staring at me…

Lol. My golden prods me on, too, but with snores and sighs. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not writing? I bake my mom’s classic:  Onion Bread. It’s outstanding, and bread, to me, is such a mind-reliever to make. Plus, there’s something very satisfying about realizing you’ve created a quartet of tasty, nourishing loaves!

Onion bread? Hmmm…sounds delicious. What about your least favorite? Hands down. ANY kind of lawn work/landscaping. Don’t get me wrong, I love gorgeous, colorful flowerbeds and verdant green grass and well-sculpted bushes…I just hate the process of making it that way. 
I’m with you, Marianne! Hubby and I have a deal. I mow, more like breeze along on a riding lawn mower, and he does all the trim work. Yuck!

Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Marianne. Congrats on your upcoming release, Devotion! 

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.


Evans’s novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a finalist twice, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence.


A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of Aneruca chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Carolina Christian Writers participate in the Hope Tour 2012

/ Dora Hiers

Hope…

Believing and trusting in a positive outcome. Anticipation for something great. 


Hope means something different to each individual. To a football player, hope is scoring a winning touchdown. To a small child, it may mean garnering the praise of a parent. To a young mother, hope means that her child will grow healthy and strong. To a newly married couple, it may represent a long life together. To a cancer patient, hope takes wings for healing. To a person who has just lost their job, hope means finding another one before their savings runs out.

But, what about a battered woman, a victim of an endless cycle of spousal abuse? Sometimes the abuse is physical, but it could also be psychological, financial, or even sexual. What hope does she have? For her, hope seems forever lost, unattainable, always just out of reach.

Did you know: 

  • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States – greater than car accidents and muggings combined. 
  • A woman is battered every 15 seconds in the United States. 
  • Between 85%-95% of domestic violence victims are women. 
  • The health related costs of domestic violence exceed $5.8 billion each year. 
  • Approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse in a dating relationship 
  • On average 3 to 4 women are killed every day by their husbands or partners.                    

              (Stats taken from: http://cvan.org/WhatIsDV.aspx)

Abused women can find refuge, a place of hope. Cabarrus Victims Assistance Networks (CVAN) provides a safe shelter for battered women. In 2011, CVAN provided safety, shelter and support to almost 1,400 battered women and their children.


To a resident of CVAN, hope means a safe and comfortable environment for a mother and her children, one where she doesn’t continually have to look over her shoulder, where she can get her first good night’s sleep, without worry or fear. It’s a place to release the guilt and break free from the pattern of coercive control. It’s a place where the sound of yelling or the impact of a fist fades over time. Hope is finding confidence, empowerment, and a renewal of identity. It’s a place where she’ll find support, encouragement, and legal advocacy. Where she’ll hear the sound of her children’s laughter again.

On Saturday, July 14, the Carolina Christian Writers (CCW), a local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers, came together at the K-Mart in Concord to provide a glimmer of hope for the residents of CVAN. Seven authors sold and signed books, but CCW’s primary purpose was to bring awareness and inform people about CVAN. A list of CVAN’s needs, simple everyday items like paper towels and cleaning products, was distributed. Shoppers purchased enough items to fill the back of an SUV, and others donated funds to supplement CVAN’s needs.

Abuse is not limited to racial, social or economic borders. What if one of these battered women was your sister, your daughter’s best friend, or even your neighbor? What could you do to offer hope? 


“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” ~Psalm 31:24 NIV

For more information on CVAN, click here. 24-Hour Hotline • 704.788.2826
For more information on Carolina Christian Writers, click here.