The Promise (The Restoration Series book 2) Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

Book Blurb:

For the last five months, Tom Anderson has been without a job, a fact he's been hiding from his wife Jean--and everyone else. He leaves each morning, pretending nothing has changed, and spends his disheartening day rotating through two coffee shops and the library, using their wi-fi to search for a job on the internet. The stress of keeping this secret is beginning to put serious strain on his marriage and it looks like the legacy that began with his father is still at work, slowly destroying the bond between Tom and Jean. Can their mutual trust--and love--be restored?
Combining the literary talents of Dan Walsh and the relationship expertise of Gary Smalley, The Restoration Series pulls back the curtain of a family that has laid their foundation on shifting sand, but is slowly rediscovering genuine love and the power of forgiveness.

About the authors:

 
Dan Walsh's debut novel, The Unfinished Gift, rec'd a 4.5 Stars/Top Pick rating from RT Book Reviews and won 2 Carol Awards. It continues to be an Amazon bestseller during the Christmas season 4 years later.

With the sequel, The Homecoming, book reviewers began to liken his writing to NY Times bestselling author, Nicholas Sparks. Dan's 3rd novel, The Deepest Waters, earned his 3rd Carol Award for Best Short Historical. His 4th novel, Remembering Christmas became his first bestseller.

Since then, Dan has written 4 more novels. The Discovery and The Reunion were both finalists for RT's Inspirational Book of the Year. The Reunion has also been optioned for a movie by a Hallmark producer.

The other 2 novels, The Dance and The Promise, are co-authored with Gary Smalley, part of a 4-book series. The Dance has already become a CBA and an ECPA Bestseller.

Dan lives in the Daytona Beach area with his wife, Cindi, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. They've been married for 36 years and have 2 grown children and 1 grandson.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the author and coauthor of 16 best-selling, award-winning books along with several popular films and videos. He has spent over 30 years learning, teaching, and counseling. Gary has personally interviewed hundreds of singles and couples and has surveyed thousands of people at his seminars, asking two questions: what is it that strengthens your relationships and what weakens them?
Gary's books combined have sold over 5 million copies. Many of them have even been translated into various languages. "The Blessing" and "The Two Sides of Love" have won the Gold Medallion Award for excellence in literature. "The Language of Love" won the Angel Award as the best contribution to family life. All other titles have been top-five finalists for the Gold Medallion Award.
In the last 30 years, Gary has spoken to over 2 million people in live conferences. He has been presenting his live two-day workshop, "Love Is a Decision," once a month for the last 20 years. Television audiences all over the world have viewed his award-winning infomercial, "Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships." Several versions of the infomercial--first with Dick Clark, then with John Tesh and Connie Sellecca, and also with Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford--have been aired. This 18-videotape series has sold over 4 million tapes.
Gary Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as "Oprah," "Larry King Live," "Extra," "The Today Show," and "Sally Jessy Raphael," as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary has been featured on hundreds of regional and local television and radio programs across the United States.
Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 40 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children, Kari, Greg, and Michael, and six grandchildren.

My Thoughts:

This second book in the Restoration Series, opens up two months after the first book The Dance ends.
Tom, Jim and Marilyn's son has lost his job and has been keeping it from his wife Jean for five months. He believes he is protecting her, yet in essence he is protecting himself from his father. His father, Jim was disciplined with an iron fist, and received no positive reinforcement as a child from his dad, so he did the same with his son, Tom. Until it is reviled to him through his Uncle Henry, Jim, had no idea what he had done to Tom.

There were so many times while reading this that I wanted to ring Tom, Jean, and Jim's necks.  Tom, for being stubborn, Jean for allowing Tom to walk all over her, and Jim for not listening to his wife Marilyn's nudging about their son.

I have seen Gary Smalley's Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships twice, and I could definitely see his writing all throughout.

The writing team of Walsh and Smalley is superb!! I highly recommend it!!!


While this is book 2 in a series it can be read as a stand alone. I would read book 1, The Dance first.

*Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*

Raw Edges by Sandra D. Bricker Link Along: Post 7

Hi, and welcome to the last stop on Raw Edges Link Along. We hope that you have learned about Ovarian cancer, the characters in the book, and the wonderful author, Sandra Bricker.  We all loved this book, we want you to read it, and we are giving 3 readers the chance to win an autographed copy of the book. All you have to do is click on the link below and answer the questions. Three winners will be drawn at random. Please enter by 12 am EST on Tuesday, September 10 at the Facebook Launch Party on September 10th.
Winners will be announced at the Facebook Launch Party on September 10th.

ROW 80 - Sunday Check in

Relaxing with my feet up on this holiday Sunday.  I am sleepy from being up at the crack of dawn to go and see the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic. It was a lot of fun, and very exciting.

Sadly not a lot of writing got done this week. My daughter and granddaughter were here and I was completely side - tracked. Hoping for a better week this week!

Winter in Full Bloom - Anita Higman

About Winter in Full Bloom: Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her---a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades---Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.

Without looking back, Lily---with her fear of flying---boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Ausie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again.

Purchase the Book: http://ow.ly/nIIcx

Tour Schedule: 

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/ahigman

Meet Anita: Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Connect with Anita at: www.anitahigman.com 








Anita Higman's latest novel, Winter in Full Bloom, has just released. She's teamed up with her publisher, River North Fiction, for a fun giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on August 29th.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire HD

Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th.Winner will be announced August 29th at the Winter in Full Bloom Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Anita will be hosting a book chat, talking about family, announcing the winner of the Kindle Fire, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at her next book.



So grab your copy of Winter in Full Bloom and join Anita on the evening of August 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 29th!

My Thoughts:

Adoption, secrets, Australia, empty-nest, new love, Anita Higman brings all of this to life in her latest book Winter in Full Bloom. You will truly fall in love with Lily, her daughter Julie, her twin sister Camille, and Marcus. These characters and story will stick with you long after you close the last page.

After Lily Winter's mother tells her about a letter she received from her twin sister who she put up for adoption, Lily embarks on a trip to Australia to find Camille. Lily doesn't like to fly, and while sitting on the tarmac she asks God for back up, across the aisle is a little girl who realizes Lily is scared to death to fly, and begins to talk to her. Jenny is super cute, and is able to help Lily relax.

Once Lily arrives in Australia, she is on the hunt to find her twin sister. With no luck at the church that is close to her hotel, she walks around the botanical garden that is close to her hotel. When she sits on a park bench and Marcus, who looks like a bum, sits down next to her, she is curious, but not alarmed. Something about being away from home, and being hurt by her mother, Lily opens up to him, and he not only becomes her tour guide, he is going to help her find her sister.

I am not going to say any more, because I do not want to ruin the story.
This is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, and healing. I loved this story from beginning to end. I hope this is just the beginning and we will see more of these endearing characters.

I highly recommend! 




Sworn Sword

Book Blurb:

At only 27, James Aitcheson has received international praise for his Conquest series, set in one of the most famous years in history: 1066, the Battle of Hastings.

Rarely represented in historical fiction, what happened after the battle is less well known. Threats to Norman victory loomed, as English rebels plotted for the throne. In this series, Tancred, a handsome young Norman knight, gets caught up in secret dealings between a powerful Norman magnate and a shadow from the past, uncovering a dangerous plot that could change the fate of the famous battle—and determine the future rulers of England.

My Thoughts:

This book was definitely out of my alley of reading. I really enjoy reading new authors and this was not only new and different it was a great read.

I have not seen Game of Thrones, I have heard about it, and this book is definitely in the same boat with knights, ladies, and a secret plot.

Preview: Pattern For Romance

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Pattern for Romance Abingdon Press (August 20, 2013) by Carla Gade

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carla Olson Gade has been imaging stories most of her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing Inspirational Historical Romance. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Writers, and the Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.

Her publishing credits also include a variety of newspaper articles, newsletters, and web content. She also enjoys developing discipleship materials for women. She has been a book judge for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest (RWA), and ACFW's Genesis Contest.

In addition to writing, Carla is a freelance website designer and webhost and an advocate for adult literacy. An experienced event and program planner/promoter, Carla designs marketing materials for her writing group, women's ministry, and other functions. Carla has also spoken at several women's events and facilitated many workshops and classes through the years.

An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy, web design, and photography. A native New Englander, she lives in beautiful rural Maine with her "hero" husband and two young adult sons, and a new grandson.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston Mantua-maker for whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own. When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton comes to her aid. As he risks his relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence, the two discover a grander plan—a design for love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Pattern for Romance, go HERE.

Welcome to Last Chance

Book Blurb:

The red warning light on her car dashboard drove Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico. But as she encounters the people who make Last Chance their home, it’s her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life for Lainie’s comfort-especially since she’s on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.
Yet in spite of herself, Lainie finds that she is increasingly drawn in to the dramas of small town life. An old church lady who always has room for a stranger. A handsome bartender with a secret life. A single mom running her diner and worrying over her teenage son. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little hick town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

 About the author:



Cathleen Armstrong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Ed, and their corgi. Though she has been in California for many years now, her roots remain deep in New Mexico where she grew up and where much of her family still lives. After she and Ed...

Continue reading about Cathleen Armstrong 

My Thoughts:

This is a great debut novel. Lainie is leaving her boyfriend Nick, who is nothing but trouble. She notices the red light on her dashboard flashing, but ignores it. Her car breaks down in hick town, Last Chance, New Mexico. She soon begins meeting people in this small town and is surprised at how warm and friendly they are. From the lady who always has an extra room for someone, to the waitress who very kind to her. It seems Lainie has found a place to call home, and rebuild her life.

This is also the first book in the A Place To Call Home series, and I think the name of the series is perfect!

Can't wait for the next in the series!

* Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*