Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
If you haven't guessed by now, the books I write are set in the country. I believe my most dedicated readers will be those who live in the country, those who have moved from the country and still hold it in their hearts, or those who have never lived there but long for the simple life it offers. Because of this, I've chosen Country at Heart as my writing brand, which is also the title of my Blog.
On Writing: http://deborahvogts.blogspot.com/
I began my first book when I was in high school. In college I studied English literature and journalism. Then came marriage, kids . . . life. During that time, I piddled with my writing but didn't take it seriously until 2002 when I joined a local writer's group and American Christian Fiction Writers. I also joined a critique group, took online writing workshops, read writing book how-to's and attended writer's conferences. Now I have an agent, Rachelle Gardner, at WordServe Literary and have been contracted with Zondervan for a three-book contemporary romance series.
The Seasons of the Tallgrass series captures the spirit and dreams of ordinary people living in the Flint Hills of Kansas--one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world.
The first book, Snow Melts in Spring, is available in stores now. Seeds of Summer released May 2010.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Upon the death of her father, Natalie returns to the Flint Hills to raise her two half-siblings and run the family ranch, giving up her dreams for the future. She soon realizes her time in college and as Miss Rodeo Kansas is not enough to break the bonds that held her as a girl.
Jared Logan, a new pastor in Diamond Falls, is set on making a good impression to his first congregation, but finds that change doesn't come easy for some people. In fact, most in his congregation are set against it. Natalie and her troubled family provide an outlet for his energy and soon become his personal mission project.
Having raised her stepbrother and sister from an early youth, Natalie's self-sufficient nature isn't inclined to accept help, especially from a city-boy do-gooder like Jared Logen. Though attracted to him, there's no way she'd ever consider being a pastor's wife. Bible studies and bake sales just aren't her thing.
Jared repeatedly comes to Natalie's rescue, forcing her to see him with new eyes. At the same time, Jared's plan to plant Christ's word in Natalie's heart backfires when he loses his own heart to this wayward family. When problems arise in his congregation, he must face his greatest fears---of letting down God, his congregation, or those he loves. His time with Natalie has shown him the importance of standing by those you love, a lesson he chose to ignore in order to please his father years ago.
This is put to the test when Natalie faces a battle of custody of her half-siblings against the mother who abandoned them twelve years ago. Natalie's fight for the children turns into a fight for custody of her heart as she learns the true meaning of unconditional love. In turn, Jared must decide which dreams are his own---and whether Natalie is part of those dreams.
If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of Seeds of Summer, go HERE.
Kay's Comments: Followers of Karen Kingsbury and Janette Oke will enjoy this book.This book is appropriate for youth adults as well as adults.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann
A Feast for Book Club Discussions!
The intrigue begins with the title, asking the question, “What/Who is indivisible?”
Police Chef Jonah Westfall, a recovering alcoholic, has a past. So does Tia Manning who runs the local family business… although the family is strangely absent. But today their small town is plagued by a maniac who finds sick pleasure in hurting animals. Jonah fears the acts will escalate to humans. Is this the threat of a cult, a stranger or someone who has been hiding in their midst?
Set in a small town in Colorado, this contemporary mystery and romance will keep you searching for answers until the last page… and then some. I found myself pondering the many facets of this multi-layered novel for quite some time. This is the sign of a great parable, a story that parallels and reveals the nature of our lives.
This book is a keeper. As an instructor of psychology at the university level, I can see using this as a text not only for book clubs but also for psychology or English classes.
Highly recommended!
Catch the trailer at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1-RWoce750
P.S. The trailer is scarier than the book!
Hear an interview with the author and read an except of Indivisible at:
http://www.christianbook.com/indivisible-kristen-heitzmann/9781400073092/pd/073092?show_all_cr=1&event=ESRCN
Note: For many of my reviews, the book is provided free by the pulishing company in exchange for an honest and open review. This book was NOT provided by the publisher but was purchased; however the review is still honest and open. ;-)
The intrigue begins with the title, asking the question, “What/Who is indivisible?”
Police Chef Jonah Westfall, a recovering alcoholic, has a past. So does Tia Manning who runs the local family business… although the family is strangely absent. But today their small town is plagued by a maniac who finds sick pleasure in hurting animals. Jonah fears the acts will escalate to humans. Is this the threat of a cult, a stranger or someone who has been hiding in their midst?
Set in a small town in Colorado, this contemporary mystery and romance will keep you searching for answers until the last page… and then some. I found myself pondering the many facets of this multi-layered novel for quite some time. This is the sign of a great parable, a story that parallels and reveals the nature of our lives.
This book is a keeper. As an instructor of psychology at the university level, I can see using this as a text not only for book clubs but also for psychology or English classes.
Highly recommended!
Catch the trailer at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1-RWoce750
P.S. The trailer is scarier than the book!
Hear an interview with the author and read an except of Indivisible at:
http://www.christianbook.com/indivisible-kristen-heitzmann/9781400073092/pd/073092?show_all_cr=1&event=ESRCN
Note: For many of my reviews, the book is provided free by the pulishing company in exchange for an honest and open review. This book was NOT provided by the publisher but was purchased; however the review is still honest and open. ;-)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon
ABOUT THE BOOK
A series of dime novels loosely based on local lore and featuring a nefarious villain known as Rawhide Rick has enjoyed modest popularity among readers. Nobody in Bethlehem Springs knows the man behind the stories ... except Daphne.
When newspaperman Joshua Crawford comes to town searching for the man who sullied the good name of his grandfather, Daphne finds herself at a crossroads, reassessing the power of her words, re-thinking how best to honor her gifts, and reconsidering what she wants out of life.
If you would like to read the Prologue and first Chapter of A Matter Of Character, go HERE.
Kay's Comments: This is a delightful, enjoyable read. Robin Lee Hatcher always presents engaging characters with humor. Check out the contest above for a chance to win a free Kindle!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann
A Feast for Book Club Discussions!
The intrigue begins with the title, asking the question, “What/Who is indivisible?”
Police Chef Jonah Westfall, a recovering alcoholic, has a past. So does Tia Manning who runs the local family business… although the family is strangely absent. But today their small town is plagued by a maniac who finds sick pleasure in hurting animals. Jonah fears the acts will escalate to humans. Is this the threat of a cult, a stranger or someone who has been hiding in their midst?
Set in a small town in Colorado, this contemporary mystery and romance will keep you searching for answers until the last page… and then some. I found myself pondering the many facets of this multi-layered novel for quite some time. This is the sign of a great parable, a story that parallels and reveals the nature of our lives.
This book is a keeper. As an instructor of psychology at the university level, I can see using this as a text not only for book clubs but also for psychology or English classes.
Highly recommended!
Catch the trailer at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1-RWoce750
P.S. The trailer is scarier than the book!
Hear an interview with the author and read an except of Indivisible at
http://www.christianbook.com/indivisible-kristen-heitzmann/9781400073092/pd/073092?show_all_cr=1&event=ESRCN
Note: For many of my reviews, the book is provided free by the pulishing company in exchange for an honest and open review. This book was NOT provided by the publisher but was purchased; however the review is still honest and open. ;-)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ABOUT THE BOOK
Kay's Comments: Bittersweet and Beautiful
I'm not sure I knew what I was getting into when I requested to review this book. Reading of a woman who is dying is not one I would have typically chosen, but I'm so glad I did.The emotions, conflict, sacrifice and love come through as complicated as reality. The dialog makes one wonder if the author has spoken and heard the words. Honest and touching. A mixture of all feelings in one book.
In an interview with the author, she says, "I wanted to write novels addressing tough issues in a fresh way." She did. Well done. Highly recommend.
Read the interview from Christian Fiction Online Magazine at:
http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/best_interview.html
If you would like to read the first chapter of Crossing Oceans, go HERE.
Watch the Video Book Trailer:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies. DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.
Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.
She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sage Morrow had it all: life on a beautiful Colorado ranch, a husband who adored her, and a baby on the way. Until five ruthless gunmen rode up to their ranch and changed her life forever. Now Sage is a bounty hunter bent on retribution.
Accompanied only by her majestic hawk, she travels throughout the Rocky Mountains in search of injustice, determined to stamp it out wherever it’s found. The stakes are raised when two young boys are kidnapped and Sage is forced to work with Marshall Parker Timmons to rescue them. But Sage may ultimately get more than she bargained for.
In this exciting historical romance set in the late 1800s, murder, intrigue, kidnapping, and questions of faith will keep you in suspense until the final pages.
Kay's comments: DiAnn Mills, as usual, does not disappoint. While containing some elements typical of historical fiction such as revenge, lost love and a tenacious woman, A Woman Called Sage is much more. Some of the unique elements include a hawk as a protector and guide as well as the question of whether the murdered husband was what he said or a deceptive hoodlum.
I read many books of this genre. This one is among the best!
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Woman Called Sage, go HERE.
Watch the Video Book Trailer:
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