Snow On Tulips

About the book: A stranger's life hangs in the balance. But to save him is to risk everything.

The war is drawing to a close, but the Nazis still occupy part of the Netherlands. After the losses she's endured, war widow Cornelia is only a shadow of the woman she once was. She fights now to protect her younger brother, Johan, who lives in hiding.

When Johan brings Gerrit Laninga, a wounded Dutch Resistance member, to Cornelia's doorstep, their lives are forever altered. Although scared of the consequences of harboring a wanted man, Cornelia's faith won't let her turn him out.

As she nurses Gerrit back to health, she is drawn to his fierce passion and ideals, and notices a shift within herself. Gerrit's intensity challenges her, making her want to live fully, despite the fear that constrains her. When the opportunity to join him in the Resistance presents itself, Cornelia must summon every ounce of courage imaginable.

She is as terrified of loving Gerrit as she is of losing him. But as the winter landscape thaws, so too does her heart. Will she get a second chance at true love? She fears their story will end before it even begins.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/q92YR

 

 

 

 Meet the author: Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. Add a dog and a cat to that mix and there's always something going on at their house. She's spent time teaching second grade, writing advertising for a real estate company, and working as a church secretary, but she always dreamed of becoming an author.

She'd love to have you visit her at www.liztolsma.co

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Liz Tolsma is celebrating the release of her novel, Snow on the Tulips, by giving away an Amazon Reading Pack to one lucky winner. Find out what readers are saying about the book here.

 
One winner will receive:

• A $50 Amazon gift card


• Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 18th at Liz's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's blog on the 18th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox! Just enter your email address on the left sidebar of her blog.)

My Thoughts:

The book opens with a dozen freedom fighters being executed, in the Netherlands. Gerrit is one of those who’s executed, however, they grazed his shoulder and he lives. Johan finds him and takes him home where his sister, Cornelia is torn, she is afraid of what the Nazi’s will do if they find him there, yet she also wants to help.

This book depicts life in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation. I was taken right into the middle of life for Johan, Gerrit, and Cornelia, as they lived in war torn Netherlands. I was scared for them and I rooted for them to succeed. My breath caught several times as I read this story, which caused me to turn the pages faster.

My favorite quote from Gerrit “I am asking you to quit acting like a tulip covered in snow. Don’t hide in this house until the Allies free you. They may not come for awhile.”

Liz is a new author, and this won’t be the last we hear from her.  I highly recommend this book.

  

















Mid-Week Check in ROW 80

Between Sunday and today I have written 1,000 words. I planned to write today, but I got a really bad headache and I just couldn't write. My head hurt way to bad. I am not going to write much here as my head is killing me.

Hoping to feel better tomorrow so I can write.

Derailed

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Derailed Worthy Publishing (October 8, 2013) by Dave and Neta Jackson

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Forced to give up his hard-earned retirement, Harry Bentley goes back to work as a detective. Receiving a bizarre undercover assignment that sends him across the country by train. Things suddenly go awry when it appears one of his new neighbors may be part of a smuggling ring and suspicion rises about his own son’s involvement in a major drug cartel. The second in the Windy City Neighbors series, Derailed is a contemporary, and often humorous, tale in an urban setting, featuring ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. Intersecting with Grounded (book one), the Jacksons employ their innovative storytelling technique of “parallel novels.” Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters’ lives become intertwined and affect one another. Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Derailed, go HERE.

12 Days of Christmas . . . Celebrate Christmas early with Colleen Coble, Tricia Goyer, and Beth Wiseman!

 About the Book: Holy Night: One sinister phone call has derailed their wedding. Will they let it tear them apart forever?

A Christmas wedding on the beach---what could be more perfect? Poinsettias and fragrant pikake blossoms, soft sand and mistletoe, the gentle sound of the surf and the wedding march played on a ukulele. This wedding has been a long time coming, with Bane's trust issues and Leia's worries about her childlike sister, Eva.

Now they can hardly wait for the day to arrive. Thrilled to be a bridesmaid, Eva keeps trying on her ruffled dress. The tent is reserved, the caterers paid. Everything is going as planned---until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that Eva's been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation---and no police! If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But how can she ever handle this without his help? And how can he ever trust her if she lies to him now?

Silent Night: As Christmas day nears, Bree and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.

Bree Matthews is preparing for Christmas guests, but her heart is reeling from the recent and tender loss of her unborn child. Her sister-in-law, Lauri, suddenly turns up on the doorstep of the lighthouse home Bree shares with her husband, Kade, in Rock Harbor. Secretive and withdrawn, Lauri seems curiously intent on discovering what happened to a parachuter who disappeared in the North Woods along Lake Superior's icy shore.

As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she's admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.

Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree's prayer for a baby ever be answered?

Purchase a copy of Holy Night: http://ow.ly/qbrG0

Purchase a copy of Silent Night: http://ow.ly/qbrTE

About the Author: Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA's RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Find out more about Colleen at http://www.colleencoble.com.

About the Book: Inspired by a true story, A Christmas Gift for Rose is a heartwarming novella of sacrifice and deep love.

Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns the truth of her birth. She was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? And was her intended's gift of discovering her birth family given out of love or fear?

Don't miss award-winning author Tricia Goyer's first Christmas novella.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qbs31

 About the Author: USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.

About the Book: A Daughters of Promise book.

Anna's grandfather seems determined to ruin her Rumspringa . . . and any hopes she has of finding a husband.

Anna Byler should be enjoying her Rumspringa as allowed by her faith. But because of the strict rules enforced by her grandfather---the bishop---the available suitors in town are afraid to court her. Even Anna's grandmother is keeping a big secret from Anna's grandfather in an effort to keep the peace. Under her grandfather's oppressive watch, Anna begins to feel her faith slipping and wonders if God has forsaken her.
Jacob Hostetler and his family have relocated to Lancaster County following a family tragedy in Ohio. As his family struggles to rebuild their lives, Jacob is forced to act as head of the household when his father is unable to cope with recent events. It's been a long time since Jacob has felt any joy. Until he meets Anna Byler. But will Anna's grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? And can Jacob put the past behind him and open his heart?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qbsj7

About the Author: Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends!

Find out more about Beth at http://bethwiseman.com.

 

 

Blog Tour Schedule:   http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/12-days-of-christmas 

 

Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction are hosting the 12 Days of Christmas! They've teamed up with three of their authors for a Merry Facebook Party on November 12th {5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern}. Colleen, Tricia, and Beth will host an evening of book chat, Christmas traditions, and of course plenty of presents!



But wait! There's more! Each day between now and November 12th a different book (10 copies of each book) will be given away on the Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Facebook Page. Ring in the holiday season and warm your heart with some great reads from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan!

 

 

Click here to ENTER each day's giveaway here.

RSVP for the Christmas Party here!


Good luck and hope to see you on the evening of the 12th!

 

 

Three authors, and four books, each one will put you into the Christmas spirit. From the shores of Hawaii, to the Amish counties of Ohio, and Rock Harbor. 

Each of these books will be fan favorites, as Holy Night, and Silent Night by Colleen Coble visits her Rock Harbor series and the Aloha Reef series.

A Christmas Gift for Rose combines Tricia Goyer's most favored talents of history and Amish story telling.

Plain Peace is the final chapter in Beth Wiseman's Daughter of Promise series, which can be read as a stand alone.

While these are novella's they are rich in the true meaning of Christmas. Not only will they put you in the holiday spirit, they remind us all about what is important during this season.

ROW 80 . . . Sunday Checkin. . .

So thrilled with what I have accomplished this week!!! I had some really good writing days and made some good progress on Nano, along with getting book reviews posted and written before they are due.

Great week!!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

At Julie Lessman's blog Journal Jots she is having a contest go to her web site and enter to win.
http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/

Here is the contest information . . .

THREE CHANCES TO WIN!!

PRIZES:

1st Prize (person with the most points) -- gets a character named after them or a loved one in my next book, a signed copy of that book, and a $50 gift card.

2nd Prize (random drawing where every point  earned is an extra chance to win, but even one point can win) -- gets a character named after them or a loved one in my next book and a signed copy.

3rd Prize (random drawing based on 1 point per name entered) -- gets a signed copy of any of my books. 

CONTEST RULES:

To enter, scroll down to the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of today's post and click the box that confirms you have watched the video, then click on the next option to vote for your favorite rogue. That's ALL you have to do to enter for the two random drawings. But if you want to win the top prize by accruing extra points, then check out the other options listed in the Rafflecopter box and GO CRAZY!! The contest runs from November 11 through December 31st, with the winner announced in my January 3rd Journal Jot.

WANT TO ORDER THE E-BOOK OR PAPERBACK AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO ARRIVE BY CHRISTMAS (or the last mail day before Christmas for the paperback)?? Well now you can!! 

When you gift a Kindle or paperback book, you have the option to have the gift delivered immediately or to specify a future delivery date. To give a gift, please visit the AMAZON page of the book you wish to buy and click on the "Give as a Gift" button located under the "Buy" button on the product detail page for the book you wish to gift. 

By default delivery date is set to "now" and your gift notification will be delivered immediately to the recipient’s e-mail address. HOWEVER ... if you wish the gift sent at a future delivery date (i.e. Christmas morning for the e-book), the e-mail confirmation of your gift will be sent to your recipient between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. Pacific Time on the date you selected. You may also choose to instead send the gift notification to your own e-mail address upon ordering, which you can then forward, or print out and deliver, whenever you choose.

FOR PAPERBACK CHRISTMAS GIFTS -- WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE A SIGNED BOOKPLATE WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE RECIPIENT OF YOUR GIFT?? 

Simply purchase a paperback of ALITW or any of my other books as a Christmas gifts, and I will send you a signed bookplate with a special note to the person to whom you are giving the book as a gift. All you have to do is contact me directly through my website by at least ten days before Christmas to allow for mail delivery.

So, you ready to have some fun?? Click on the video link below, turn up your volume and click on full screen, then watch the video and indicate you have done so in the first Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post.  And don't forget to vote for your favorite rogue!!

 Have fun, and GOOD LUCK!!!!

Mid-Week Checkin

I am doing better than I thought after just moving. The house is basically unpacked and I have gotten some good writing in. From Sunday to today, I have written 1,000 words on my current WIP - Nano.
I have also been keeping up with book reviews. Very happy with what I've accomplished.