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Character Spotlight ~ Angela Breidenbach’s Mara & Joel with giveaway

Meet a widow and a business man in

Angela Breidenbach’s

contemporary romance

A Healing Heart

Abingdon Press

The Story

Mara Keegan is an uber-successful mother and a widow of three years. She’s been chasing success and all the “good things in life” for her family to make up for the cruel whim God played on them by taking her husband. In an effort to be the perfect mom, she decides to make a photo memory quilt, a graduation present for her daughter, Cadence.

She’s not yet finished when she experiences a heart attack. While Mara recuperates, she revisits the choices she’s made that led to this physically and spiritually broken heart. The memory quilt must be finished in time for Cadence’s big day, but Mara struggles with her burgeoning feelings for the man who must keep Mara’s business going during her recovery, Joel Ryan. Can Joel find his way into …

Love in a Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews

Synopsis:~

Hosea has been charged by God with a difficult task–marry a prostitute in order to show God’s people the nature and depth of his love for Israel. When Hosea goes to Israel to proclaim God’s message, the prostitute God tells him to marry turns out to be his childhood friend Gomer. He finds her broken and abused, unwilling to trust Hosea or his God. But when marrying Hosea becomes her only choice, Gomer does what she’s good at–she survives.

Can Hosea’s love for God and God’s love for Israel heal Gomer’s broken spirit?

My take:~

Mesu Andrews tackles a complex Biblical story in her latest novel, and does so beautifully, laying bare the raw emotion, grief, and sacrifice both Hosea and Gomer experience as they express God’s heart for his people Israel through their difficult and fractured relationship. Meticulously researched, Mesu immerses readers in the cultural and religious mores …

Character Spotlight ~ Nancy Herriman’s Sarah & Daniel with giveaways

Meet an artist and an angry son in

Nancy Herriman’s

historical romance

Josiah’s Treasure

Worthy Publishing

The Story

In 1882 Sarah Whittier dreams of opening an art studio run by immigrant women. She plans to use the house left to her by family friend Josiah Cady as collateral for her studio. But will all be lost when the inheritance is challenged by an angry man claiming to be Josiah’s son and legal heir?

Rumor of gold nuggets hidden in the house place Sarah’s life in danger. Her future uncertain and her safety threatened, Sarah has nowhere to turn. That is, unless she can soften a vengeful man’s heart – and they both learn that love is finer than any gold.

Enjoy meeting Sarah & Daniel

Brief physical description

My heroine, Sarah Whittier, is in her early 20s and views herself as nondescript – not unattractive, just unspectacular. She has brown hair …

Pop Quiz ~ Lisa T. Bergren

Wife, mum, dreamer, editor, traveller

Historical romance author

Glamorous Illusions, Grave Consequences, Glittering Promises

& much more…

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What did you do on/for your 13th birthday?

My first boy-girl party. I remember a water balloon fight, my next door neighbor/crush being there, and lots of giggling.

What 3 adjectives would your friends/family use to describe your personality?

Strong, kind, driven.

Where did your penchant for writing romance begin?

I love women’s fiction–both the external forces that shape us, as well as the internal forces. Combining them together makes for a rich story with depth.

Describe Grave Consequences in 5 adjectives

Adventurous, inspiring, mind-expanding, romantic, evocative.

What creepy crawly or critter do you most fear?

Rats.

If you could bring one character to life from your own books, who would it be and why?

Luca from the River of Time Series. Because he’s so fun. I want him to hang out …

Coming in late 2013 from Tyndale House

Here’s a bit of a mixed bag of covers from Tyndale House!

I love the sound of each of the stories and particularly can’t wait to read Chris Fabry’s (ADORE his stories!), Rene’s (cover to come) and Jessica Dotta’s debut novel.

Unfortunately, I’m not quite as enthusaistic about the covers. Here’s what I like….the flowing hair on Jan’s cover, the style of Jessica’s, and the authenticity in Allison’s (the cigarette holder, without showing the cigarette, made me smile!). Lisa’s cover intrigues me.

Not so keen on the gender uncertainty of Janice’s cover – I was confused over whether it was the heroine or hero until I caught sight of the pearl earrings, and then the model reminded my a bit of Angelina Jolie – LOL! I’ve always loved Chris’ covers but this one is just too plain for to grab me and while my friend Amber (and purple devotee) might …

Character Spotlight ~ Tracie Peterson’s Merrill Krause

Meet an unconventional woman and a furniture maker in

Tracie Peterson’s

historical romance

The Icecutter’s Daughter

Bethany House

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The Story

Merrill Krause longs for a family of her own, but she’s bound by a promise to her dying mother to care for her father and older brothers until they no longer need her. She enjoys being part of the family business, harvesting ice during the brutal Minnesota winters. Merrill actively takes part, possessing a keen ability to work with the horses–despite the advice of her good friend, who disapproves of her unladylike behavior.

When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small town to join his uncle doing carpentry, he soon crosses paths with Merrill. But unlike other men, who are often frightened away by her older brothers, Rurik isn’t intimidated by them or by Merrill’s strength and lack of femininity. As he thrives under the mentorship of his uncle, Rurik …