inspiration

Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

/ Dora Hiers / 8 Comments

She harbors a deadly past that could destroy her future.
Scotland, 1477
Gavin MacKenzie is hired to protect and restore the Braigh Castle. He discovers a hidden village of outcasts that have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass who captures Gavin’s heart. The villagers have an intriguing secret, while Serena harbors a deadly past that could destroy her future. When a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. As Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God’s sacrificial love is more powerful than any human force on earth.
Wow! Can’t wait to get my hands on it, Jennifer. What a beautiful cover, too! Look for Highland Sanctuary in October 2011. Now that we’ve taken a sneak look at Highland Sanctuary, tell us a little about yourself.
Jennifer, what does a normal workday look like for you? My normal work days are quite boring. First thing, I check email, Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo news. My husband thinks I’m addicted to the Internet and he’s probably right. If I have time, I sneak in a blog post. If not, I get ready for work, drop my daughter off at school, and I go to my day job. I may squeeze in a bit of writing on my lunch hour or at the allergist lobby. They get to see me on a regular basis. I work all day in one of those thrilling gray cubicles. Then I go home and spend some time with my family. We have dinner, sometimes a Bible study, sometimes take walks, and I go to my room and write, research or work on promotional stuff. This means I must get a lot of writing done on the weekends, and I must be very disciplined about my time. I rarely watch TV.
What’s your favorite food? grilled chicken or salmon Caesar salads, sushi, chicken alfredo, anything at Olive Garden or Red Lobster

If you had a Friday night all to yourself, what would you do first? Sleep?
What are some of your dislikes and likes? I dislike allergies, public places that allow smoking, jet skiing on the ocean (thought I was going to die) and root beer. I like socks on my feet around the house at all times, parasailing over the ocean, and butter pecan ice cream.
 
Jennifer Hudson Taylor is an author of historical Christian fiction and a speaker on topics of faith, writing and publishing. Her fiction has won awards in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis Contest, and her work has appeared in national publications, such as Guideposts, Heritage Quest Magazine, Everton’s Genealogical Publishers, and The Military Trader. Jennifer graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Journalism. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, genealogy, and reading. http://jenniferswriting.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for stopping by Jennifer. Congrats on your upcoming release ~ Highland Sanctuary!

Rodeo Rescue by Teri Wilson

/ Dora Hiers
With the ink still dry on her new veterinary license, Rodeo Queen Ruth Davis returns to Angel Springs as the new town vet. It seems her plans to save the world as a veterinary missionary are on hold. But, when her first patient arrives in the arms of battered rodeo man, Dodge Atwell, she realizes God has bigger plans than she ever dreamed possible.

The last thing Dodge wants, or needs, in his life is Ruth. Her annoying habit of quoting Scripture only serves to remind him that she’s everything he’s not—Pure, innocent, good.

When Dodge returns to her clinic, with yet another rescued dog, Ruth cannot help but become fascinated with the man and his scars—the physical ones there for the world to see, as well as spiritual ones she senses lurking beneath the surface.

Could the reluctant animal savior be the hero she’s been waiting for all her life?

Available now through White Rose Publishing. http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Rodeo-Rescue

Teri’s son once wrote in a third-grade paper, “My Mom loves dogs and Jesus.” He may have gotten the order reversed, but the sentiment was right on target. Her romance stories are often filled with happy endings, splashes of humor and a loveable critter or two. After all, Cinderella never would have lived happily ever after without a little help from her animal friends!
Teri has been honored with numerous awards for her writing, including the Grand Prize in the 2009 San Antonio Romance Authors Merritt Contest, the 2008 Pet Sitters International Humor Writing Award and the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Angel on a Leash Writing Award.
To learn more about Teri and her writing, visit http://www.teriwilson.net. She loves hearing from readers!

Light the Fire by Mary Manners

/ Dora Hiers / 11 Comments

Rena–a choice, a tragedy, and life-altering consequences. Cody–a loss so devastating he questions, “Where is God?” Can the two overcome a past riddled with hurt and distrust to open their hearts to hope…and love?

A choice, a tragedy, and life-altering consequences…
When Rena Dunigan flees New York City and her dream of becoming a Broadway performer, she returns to her hometown of Knoxville harboring a life-altering secret and the shame of a shattered past. When her friend, Kelsie, talks her into helping build a house through the local Shelter the Homeless program, she meets Cody and his mischievous Saint Bernard, Sammy. Cody is dealing with a devastating loss of his own, yet his gentleness and patience melt Rena’s resolve to never trust–or love–again. But what will Cody think when he learns the consequences of Rena’s past?  And can Cody begin to hope–and to trust–that love can bind and heal their hurting hearts?
Here’s a sneak peek into Light the Fire:
“Where’s the party?” Rena asked. “This place looks like a war zone with no survivors.” Empty concrete bags and torn nail boxes littered the muddy ground.
“Kyle’s working with the others over there.”
At the far side of the concrete-block foundation, Kyle lifted a two-by-four into place, but it was the guy hammering beside him that caused Rena’s breath to catch. Dark, unruly hair kissed broad shoulders. The thin fabric of his navy T-shirt strained over a terrain of muscles as he struck each nail neatly into place with a single, confident blow.
Rena tore her gaze away. She’d seen enough guys like him in New York City—handsome guys convinced they were a gift to every woman within a five-hundred mile radius—when all they really excelled at was breaking hearts.
Rena tightened the tool belt around her hips and strode toward the two-by-four frame, ready to drive a nail. Suddenly the thunderous crash of a stampede filled the air, and she was tackled by what felt like a runaway freight train. She flew airborne, then slammed to the ground. A finale of fireworks exploded in her head.
“Sammy, no. Bad dog. Sit!” Footsteps pounded as someone sprinted over gravel and leaped pallets of brick.
Stunned, Rena shook her head to clear the fireworks and came face to face with a massive, drooling dog. Jowls drew to expose spiked teeth; he loomed as if he intended to devour her for breakfast.
Her cries ripped the air. “Help! Kelsie!”
“It’s OK.” A husky voice slid over her like warm molasses as the guy who’d been helping Kyle dropped to his knees beside her. She breathed the clean, woodsy scent of his aftershave.  “It’s just Sammy. He’s harmless.”
“Yeah, right.” Rena dipped her head and shielded her face with the collar of her windbreaker as the dog nudged his meaty snout in her tangled hair. “Just get him away from me.”
 “Sammy, no.” He gave the dog’s collar a yank. “Bad dog. Sit. Stay.”
“That’s not a dog. It’s a bear.” Rena scooted through damp grass to put distance between them. As if to mock her, Sammy followed. He sniffed her hair, and then lazily licked her face, leaving a trail of warm, sloppy saliva across one cheek.
“Yuck, I’ve been slimed.” She swiped a forearm across the gooey moisture and tilted her head to stare into the most soulful pair of doggy eyes she’d ever seen. “What’s your name, big boy?”
“My name’s Cody.”
A giggle erupted, and she covered her mouth. “I meant the dog.”
“Oh, right. Meet Sammy.” Cody offered a hand. Calluses mingled with the warmth that brushed her palm. She sat up cross-legged, brushing hair from her eyes while she waited for the dizziness to pass. “He’s a Saint Bernard who thinks he’s a toy poodle. He forgets he weighs as much as a truck.”
She let go of Cody’s hand. “Haven’t you heard of obedience school?”
“For me or the dog?”
“Maybe you should check into a buy-one-get-one-free program.”
Light the Fire by Mary Manners is available through White Rose Publishing. http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Light-The-Fire-Softcover-Edition
About Mary Manners:
I live in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with my husband, Tim, our daughter, Danni, and the cherished cats we’ve rescued from local animal shelters…Lucky and Gus.
I enjoy the outdoors, and am looking forward to warm spring weather.  I love cultivating flowers, taking long walks with my wonderful husband, and reading romance novels while lying in our hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

http://www.marymannersromance.com/