inspirational romance

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 Mary Manners and WISDOM TREE

/ Dora Hiers / 23 Comments
Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned

After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with.

Carin O’Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love…especially with a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake.

But when Corey’s antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan.

 
This is a Tour Wide Giveaway-
Please enter by Rafflecopter BELOW THIS POST. Each commentator from each stop will be entered into a grand giveaway for a chance to win one of the two prizes up for grabs – a $50 Gift Card (Amazon/BN – winners choice) and a print set of (5) books (Wisdom Tree when it debuts in October). Winners will be chosen August 14th.
I’m so excited to welcome Mary Manners back to Heart racing, God-gracing Romance with her fall release, Wisdom Tree. 

Welcome, Mary, and congratulations!! Thank you so much for joining us today.

Mary Manners is an award-winning author of inspirational romance who lives in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband and daughter. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Smoky Mountain Romance Writers.
In her free time, she likes to garden, take long walks with her husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century-old shade trees.  http://www.marymannersromance.com/

Mary invites us to get into the holiday spirit with her post, Christmas Lights. So, light your pine scented candles, flick your fave tunes on, and kick back and relax with this sweet devotional.

Christmas Lights
You are my lamp, oh Lord, the Lord that turns my darkness into light. ~2 Samuel 22:29(NIV)
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. ~Psalm 43:3(NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~Psalm 119:105(NIV)
When the subject of Christmas gifts comes up, most people think of packages wrapped in colorful paper and shimmery bows, sitting under the Christmas tree, just waiting to be opened.
When I think of Christmas gifts, I think of my dad, who passed away ten years ago this holiday season. He was a man of many gifts, including the joy he shared for the traditions of Christmas.
Dad loved light—especially the light that brightened a fresh-cut pine tree in honor of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each December first, like clockwork, Dad piled his family—all seven of us—into our Chevy station wagon and drove us to the tree lot where, shivering in the Chicago-winter cold, we oohed and aahed over each and every tree until we found the perfect one.
Once home, with the tree safely arranged in a metal stand and watered, Dad climbed the ladder to our attic (a mysterious place, indeed) where the Christmas lights were stored. He’d lower the battered cardboard box (re-used, season after season) to the floor below and dust it off.
Then my brother and sisters—five of us—gathered ’round him in the living room and waited, eyes huge with wonder, as he carefully unraveled the strands of lights and tested each one. No matter how stubborn the bulbs, dad always managed to get them working.
Beautiful, vibrant colors turned the room to a kaleidoscope, dancing over walls and windows with the feel of winter magic. One by one, my siblings and I each took the place of honor beside Dad, helping him to adorn the tree with light. Pine sap clung to our tiny fingers, but we didn’t care. All the while, our hearts soared with happiness and child-like wonder.
Finally, Dad gently gathered the Christmas star from the box. Hushed with awe, we waited while Dad chose one of us to hoist to his shoulders for the greatest thrill—placing the treasured beacon of light—the Baby Jesus Star—atop the highest limb. Somehow, Dad always sensed who needed that extra touch of attention, and there was never any argument.
With the lights in place (just in time for nightfall—always) we circled the tree and held hands to sing Silent Night. In the earliest years, the tune didn’t always carry and the words were sometimes off, but Dad didn’t mind. He knew we understood what the tree—and especially the lights—symbolized…the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The most wonderful gift of all!
REFLECT & PRAY:
It’s sometimes easy to get lost in the tangle of this world—the troubles and stresses that everyday life presents. Sometimes we feel as if the darkness will consume us. During these most trying times, we must move toward the light, and the Father who loves and guides us. He will remove the darkness and fill us with His holy light.
Heavenly Father,
I pray you take the darkness and fill me with light. I ask to be a beacon to others, that they may know Your goodness and the hope You bring. Please guide and keep me. Amen

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Sharing my Review of TAPESTRY OF TRUST by Mary Annslee Urban

/ Dora Hiers / 3 Comments

The Blurb:
Isabelle had always envisioned Charlie Hamilton as the hero depicted in the romantic tapestry hanging in the Hamilton home. Then Charlie abandoned her to make decisions no one should make alone. Now, six years later, Charlie’s back, and despite Isabelle’s best efforts, she can’t ignore the longing his presence reignites. Charlie wants a second chance, but can Isabelle trust the man he’s become? Can she surrender her threadbare heart long enough for God to weave Isabelle’s own happily-ever-after tapestry?

My Review:
What a powerful debut story by Mary Annslee Urban. Here’s an author who shares a story rich with emotions, specifically the pain, grief and destruction caused by deception. Make sure you have a tissue handy!
A deaf cat reintroduces the main characters, Charlie and Isabelle, after six years. Immediately, you knew this would be a story of forgiveness and healing, of second chances and extending grace. Without giving away any spoilers, I really enjoyed how the author threw in different twists, taking you in a different direction than what you expected. Ms. Urban created strong secondary characters as well, like Mrs. Hamilton, Charlie’s mother, and Brenda, Charlie’s secretary, who played a major role, especially toward the end.
If you prefer more sensuality in your reading, more sexual tension, this story probably isn’t for you. But, if you like stories with a powerful tug to your heart, definitely go for this one! Overall, this is a great read, and I absolutely love how Ms. Urban correlates the title, Tapestry of Trust, into the story. Well-done!