Mary Manners

Fall in Love…

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

releases today!

BE SWEPT AWAY IN FIVE HEARTWARMING ROMANCES WITH AN AUTUMN FLAIR…

CAPTIVE AT SEA
Claire Mulvaney’s benevolent spirit has her biting off more than she can chew when she spearheads a charity fishing event to raise funds for Winding Ridge’s overcrowded animal shelter and is forced to call on fishing expert Sean Maguire.

Sean blames himself for his brother’s death. He spends his days in mourning and when Claire turns to him for help, he chases her off with gruff words meant to fortify his distance from the pain that has taken hold of his soul. But the enchanting woman with emerald eyes captivates, and Sean soon finds himself drawn to her warm-hearted enthusiasm.

NEVER THE TWAIN
Hollywood agent Cass Townsend makes a more-than-satisfactory living helping talented “wannabe” actors become stars.
Thanks to a twin brother who made it big in Hollywood and then estranged himself from his family, rugged Texas horse rancher Ryder Hayes sports oversized chips on both very broad shoulders toward celebrities. He’s not convinced any good at all can come out of Hollywood.

She’s prim and proper to a fault. He’s fun-loving, with a streak of pure mischief. Ryder’s a good man, but not a Christian—not by a Texas mile. Cass can’t remember missing a single Sunday service since childhood. They’re the epitome of polar opposites and never the twain shall meet…or so the saying goes.

FULLY COMMITTED
Receiving a Dear Rand email while serving his country didn’t douse the fire in Rand Tenneson’s heart for his high school sweetheart. Fully committed, nothing quenched that love, not even news that Bryanna married. Back home now, Rand enjoys a busy life, firefighting and clowning around with patients at the children’s hospital. But a chance run-in with his ex-girlfriend, now a widow, rekindles that spark. God put her back in his life for a reason, and he vows to be there for her.

Ten years ago, Bryanna Fenwick shattered two hearts, hers and Rand’s. But the Navy SEAL, deployed across the world, couldn’t rescue her from the real fear she faced at home. She made a choice and lived the lie for a decade. When Rand discovers the truth, she fears she’s hurt the handsome firefighter yet again and destroyed her relationship with her daughter. Can God’s grace overcome such a ginormous lie? Has He brought them back together for a second chance at love or only to reveal the truth?

WITHOUT A SONG
Still reeling from the loss of her husband, young widow Roni Marsden resolves to be strong for her precocious daughter. Invited to stay on the cleansing hills of her friend’s Nebraska ranch, she tries to figure out the next step. Should she leave Norfolk? Could she find work?

Songwriter Dawson Bennett returns home to his brother’s ranch when the production company for his first album goes bust. He searches his heart for new songs he’s unable to write. Even as he seeks direction for his career, he attempts to mend the past with his elderly father. Back in high school, Dawson had crushed on the lovely Roni when she dated his brother. Those emotions are reawakened when he discovers Roni and her daughter at the ranch. Protective feelings for the child, as well as for a stray pup that arrives on the scene, work together to soften his bitterness. Will these connections enable him to write lyrics that honor God?

AUTUMN LOVES
Two years after her husband’s tragic death, middle-aged widow Rylie Thornton struggles to raise her three sons while keeping the family business in the black. As the lush colors of her favorite season display, she finds herself struggling.

Heart surgeon Micah Haden, on a rare break from his demanding profession, finds his sister’s friend a lovely mystery. He’s happy to help Rylie and her boys prepare for an upcoming autumn event. Why can’t she accept his offer with a little more grace? Is there a chance he could become one of Rylie’s treasured Autumn Loves?

Buy Now!

 

PURE Amore…Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

/ Dora Hiers

PURE…the new sexy! 

So far we’ve sampled some wonderful books by Wendy Davy, Marianne Evans, and Delia Latham, all offerings from Pelican Book Group‘s newest line, Pure Amore, sweet, hope-filled romances that will leave you “satisfied and smiling.” Featuring heroes and heroines between the ages of 21-33, never married and one or both a virgin, the stories center around two flawed individuals seeking to honor God in all areas of their lives, especially in ways society doesn’t often understand or value. They top out at 45k words, petite little gems bursting with emotional and romantic depth. 


Available by subscription, Pure Amore will release one delicious romance per month in e-book, paperback, or a paperback/e-book combination for one year beginning October 1, 2014. Today, top your hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream and settle back to enjoy Simple Blessings and Blackberry Ridge by the awesome Mary Manners. 

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Simple Blessings
Charlene Cammon is an inspirational romance author who has lost her muse. In fact, following the failure of her own real-life romance, her muse is not just missing—it’s on life-support. Fearing she’ll never complete another book, Charlene heeds the advice of her best friend, Brynn. She leaves the city for a summer sabbatical to a remote cabin in Crestview. There, she’ll be removed from civilization and meet the book’s deadline…or so she thinks.

Gage Kenner’s life as an air-ambulance pilot is put on hold following the death of his brother. Raising his eight-year-old niece, Jenna, is more than Gage bargained for. A summer break at his cabin in Crestview might be just the ticket Gage needs to forge a bond with heartbroken Jenna. What Gage doesn’t bargain for is impetuous Charlene, who has taken up residence just over the knoll.

Jenna’s needs bring Gage and Charlie together, and Charlie learns that sometimes, it’s as fun to write a real-life romance as it is to pen one for the pages.

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Blackberry Ridge
After her parents’ deaths, Chloe Chastain leaves Blackberry Ridge to pursue a life in the city. When she’s called back to her childhood home to care for her niece as well as to oversee renovations on the century-old family home, she realizes that memories still lurk among the polished wood and sawdust.

Connor Lawson has made a successful life for himself, despite a few bumps in the road. Ensconced in the house-flipping business with a lifelong friend, he’s come upon the biggest project yet—renovating the Blackberry Ridge farmhouse where he spent long, leisurely days with Chloe Chastain.

When Connor and Chloe realize they’re tossed into the same renovations, will they manage to put past hurts behind and work together, or will the project—and their love—fail?

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Oh. My. Stars! What’s not to love about a story featuring a romance author? Love it!! And I just adore renovation stories where the heart changes along with the house, don’t you? Here’s the link to subscribe. Pop in next week when we’ll showcase Battle of the Flowers and Keepsake by suspense heavy hitter, Clare Revell. 

Sharing My Review of WISDOM TREE by Mary Manners

/ Dora Hiers / 4 Comments
A few days ago I had the pleasure of hosting Mary Manners and Wisdom Tree as a stop on her Book & Trailer Showcase Tour. Today, I’m thrilled to share my review of Wisdom Tree.

The Blurb:

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.

My review:
Mary Manners creates strong characters I can really relate to, guys and gals I’d like to hang out with on a Friday evening. Like Jake and Carin in Wisdom Tree.

I immediately connected with Jake, understood his frustration and foul mood. After all, he’s raising his teen brother. It’s hot outside, and he’s mowing the church yard because somebody has to do it. He’s running late to pick up Corey from football practice. Toss in a new slasher, er…teacher, who shows up unexpectedly and assumes the worst of him, and Jake hits the overload button. He acts out a little himself, not unlike his brother, which I enjoyed. He showed a little weakness, which endeared him to me.

I love the conflict between Jake and Carin, and it’s not the arguing kind. No, Ms. Manners creates plenty of internal/external conflict as the characters head towards their happily-ever-after, and she’ll tickle every one of your senses along the way.

This story involves a teenager, dealing with grief. Ms. Manners wrote teen angst in a realistic way without making me, as a reader and a parent, want to fling my e-reader at something…or someone. I think parents will appreciate some of the wisdom on dealing with teens imparted in this book.

Wisdom Tree is a fast read. Find a comfy spot and plan to read it all in one sitting! My only wish is that Wisdom Tree were a little longer, so I could spread out my enjoyment over more evenings. I did appreciate the surprise tucked in at the end! Congratulations, Ms. Manners, on a great read!
Wisdom Tree is scheduled to release on 10/8/12 with White Rose Publishing, but you can pre-order it here.

Disclosure: I received this book from BTS for a fair and honest review.