Tuesday, December 30, 2014

The Life Intended - Review, Interview & Giveaway


Review by Marlene Engel

Kate’s world quickly gets turned upside down when her husband’s life is taken by a drunk driver.  Now, over ten years later, Kate has started a new life with her fiancĂ©, Dan.  Although he’s a great guy, there’s something missing.  And, the dreams she’s having, involving her late husband Patrick and their non-existent, deaf daughter, has her wondering if Patrick is trying to tell her something from beyond the grave. 

The recurring dreams have effected Kate so much that she enrolls in a sign language class in the hope of communicating better with her “dream daughter”.  As the classes progress, so does her friendship with the teacher.  And, when he learns that she is a music therapist, he wonders if her profession, along with her new-found signing ability, can be used to help some of the hard of hearing foster children that he works with open up and better express their feelings.  The more Kate works with them, the more she begins to think that her dreams were meant to lead her to this life.  A life where she can make a difference for others and a life where everyone just wants to find happiness. 

As a book blogger, I’m fortunate to be asked to read and review books.  But there are certain books that have such a huge impact on me.  Books that I know I’ll be thinking about well after I’ve finished reading the last page.  This book is definitely one of them.  Not only does it hit close to home with me knowing what it’s like to lose a family member, but I also was a foster parent who only took in special needs children.  As I read this book, I swear it could’ve been based on my life. 

The author writes with such passion and detail that you forget that you’re reading a book and not watching the scenes unfold before you.  The characters feel so real, their emotions so raw and the story was pure gold.  It’s books like this one that reminds me why I fell in love with reading in the first place.  I couldn’t think of a better book to close out 2014 and ring in 2015 with than The Life Intended.  

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Interview by Marlene Engel

I would like to welcome the incredibly talented Kristin Harmel to our blog!  Thank you for taking the time to come and chat with us!

You touched on some sensitive subjects such as death, infertility and special needs children in your new book. What made you choose these particular topics? 
It sounds crazy – I mean, it seriously sounds like I’ve flipped my lid – but I honestly
woke up one morning with about 85% of the plot of this novel in my head. That sounds particularly nutty, considering that the book is partially about dreams (the vivid dreams the main character, Kate, has of her deceased husband, Patrick), but it’s true! The elements of death (namely Patrick’s) and special needs children were already there when I woke up, and as I began to plot the novel in earnest, Kate’s infertility just seemed to fit. But experts say you dream about the things weighing on your mind, right? So for me, I suppose the dream I had was probably sparked by a few things: 1) My good friend Melixa works for Easter Seals, and through volunteering with her organization, I’ve had a lot of exposure to special needs kids (although not hard of hearing children specifically). 2) I’m 35, and I just got married in March, so one of my own fears is that I’ll have trouble getting pregnant when we’re ready to try, simply because fertility declines as we get older. 3) Also along the lines of having just gotten married, one of the worst things in the world I can imagine right now is losing my husband. That’s what happens to Kate very soon after her wedding, and frankly, that’s a thought that terrifies me. So perhaps all three of those elements went into making me dream as I did! 
As a former foster parent, who only took in special needs children, this book hit home. Why did you choose to incorporate not only foster children, but foster children with special needs into this story?
Thanks for saying that, Marlene! As I mentioned, at 35, I’ve just begun thinking about motherhood. I don’t think I was ready before, but now –especially now that I’ve found the absolute right person for me – it’s like everything in my brain has just shifted. And I’m scared. I’ve never tried to get pregnant before, and I have several friends who have struggled with fertility. So even before we’ve really begun to try, I’ve done a lot of thinking about the different ways to become a mother. An old friend of mine also recently adopted four children from Haiti, and I think he has an absolutely gorgeous, wonderful family. Fostering and adoption are such beautiful ways to build families, I think, and children with special needs are often the ones who have the most trouble finding homes. That’s something that matters to Andrew – Kate’s ASL instructor in the book – and it’s something that matters to me.

With the holiday season upon us, what are you most looking forward to?
I love the holidays. I’m really looking forward to taking a few days off and spending time with my family and friends. Of course my husband is right here with me, and my mom lives nearby, but I don’t get to see my other family members often enough. I’m excited about the opportunity to spend more quality time than usual with the people I love. Oh, and I’m also looking forward to even more hot chocolate! I live in Florida where it’s been in the 60s and 70s most of December, so it’s not exactly hot chocolate weather. But the holidays provide the perfect excuse! I’ve been drinking it all month like it’s my job! (Also, I’m looking forward to the release of THE LIFE INTENDED… We’re having a party at a local indie bookstore on the actual launch date, Dec. 30. Come by if you’re in the Orlando area! Writer’s Block Bookstore on Welbourne Ave. in Winter Park from 6-8 p.m.!)

If you could get any gift for the holidays, no matter how extravagant, what would it be?
If anyone has figured out how to give the gift of more hours in the day, I will take that, please! I’m telling you, the older I’ve gotten, the more quickly the days seem to fly by. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done! Barring that, I’d love an around-the-world trip…. Or at least a trip to Paris, Munich and Milan, to visit some of my dear friends! Also, some Seda France Japanese Quince candles. They’re expensive, but they’re my favorite candles to burn while writing. Oh, and world peace. I would also like world peace. Can you make that happen?
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, do you know what 2015’s will be?
I generally intend to make New Year’s resolutions, and then I don’t get around to making them until February. Yeah, I procrastinate. But this year, I think I have a good one in mind. One of the messages of THE LIFE INTENDED is that we should all strive to choose happiness. We have the right – and the responsibility – to make choices to make our own lives happy. So in 2015, my biggest resolution will be to do my best to choose happiness – meaning I’ll try to make choices that come from a good, decent place and that involve following my heart.
What are you most looking forward to in the New Year?My first full year of marriage; settling into my new house (we closed on our new home the day before Thanksgiving!); trips to visit my sister and friends in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Paris and more; finishing my next novel; and hearing what people think of THE LIFE INTENDED!
Kristin, I had so much fun chatting with you.  Thank you for spending time with us.  I hope you have a wonderful New Year.  I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us with your next book!

About the Author:
Kristin Harmel is an internationally bestselling novelist whose books have been translated into numerous languages and are sold all over the world. After spending many years as a freelance writer (with a steady reporting gig for Peoplemagazine for more than a decade) Kristin now freelances only occasionally, focusing on book tours, book club visits and, of course, writing her next books!
Kristin graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. She has lived in Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Miami and now resides in Orlando, Fla., with her husband, Jason.

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Simon & Schuster is giving 1 lucky winner a print copy of
The Life Intended (US Only)

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Monday, December 29, 2014

Love Me If You Dare - Promo & Giveaway


Love Me if You Dare
Coral Cove # 2
By: Toni Blake
Releasing December 30th, 2014
Avon Romance


Blurb
USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Toni Blake continues her new, heartwarming series set in the beachside town of Coral Cove.

When the question is love, the answer is always yes…

Camille Thompson is the best at what she does-closing deals. That’s why real estate developer Vanderhook has sent her to Coral Cove, Florida, where the stubborn owner of the Happy Crab Motel is refusing to sell. Camille’s never had a problem turning a “no” into a “yes”, but then she’s never been so captivated by a man’s sexy smile before.

Laidback Reece Donovan likes life simple. No amount of money - or any other temptation Camille can offer - will convince him to give up the one link to his past. Of course, it would be easier without the powerful chemistry raging between them.

As a fragile romance begins to grow, can Reece trust Camille with his secrets? And when promises are broken, along with hearts, can the charm of Coral Cove help bring them back together?

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo

About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Toni Blake’s love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel - nineteen notebook pages long. Since then, Toni has become a RITA-nominated author of more than twenty contemporary romance novels, her books have received the National Readers Choice Award and the Bookseller’s Best Award, and her work has been excerpted in Cosmo. Toni lives in the Midwest and enjoys traveling, crafts, and spending time outdoors. Learn more about Toni and her books at www.toniblake.com.

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Giveaway for 5 print copies of
ALL I WANT IS YOU by Toni Blake

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Romancing the Holidays at Kensington - Promo & Giveaway

Romancing the Holidays at Kensington
Kensington Publishing

Promotional Blast for Lyrical/Kensington Contemporary Titles: NO CHRISTMAS LIKE THE PRESENT by Sierra Donovan, IF THE SHOE KILLS by Lynn Cahoon, CHRISTMAS IN COWBOY COUNTRY by Janet Dailey, HUCKLEBERRY CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Beckstrand, SANTA’S SECRET by Serenity Woods and ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS BY Lisa Plumley.


ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS BY Lisa Plumley
Kismet, Michigan # 4
Released Oct 7th, 2014 (Zebra)

In Kismet, Michigan, Christmas is special: big fluffy snowflakes, sleigh bells, carolers singing. It’s a picture-perfect holiday—you just have to choose who’s in the frame…
Jason Hamilton is on thin ice with the board of his toy company. The young CEO may be a kid at heart, but his party boy reputation requires damage control. So Jason’s off to Kismet to inspect a model store, stay on Santa’s Nice list, and stick to business—no goofing around. Which is too bad, because the store manager, Danielle Sharpe, is the definition of what makes Naughty fun…
Danielle is thrilled to show off her thriving little toy store—especially if it’s her ticket out of Kismet. The single mom is tired of manufacturing cheer solo while her ex-husband has all the fun. But if she’d known Jason was this hot, she wouldn’t have offered to host him. With Jason in her house, Danielle is getting warmer than spiked cider. She’s supposed to impress him with her expertise, not daydream about catching him under the mistletoe. Now whatever she does, she can’t get swept up in the magic…

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Author Info
When she sat down to write her first book, LISA PLUMLEY expected the process to be easy. Three tries and several years later, she realized it’s not easy—but it is the most fun to be had outside of shoe shopping. Now the bestselling author of more than a dozen books, Lisa lives in sunny Arizona with her husband and two children. She invites readers to visit her website, www.lisaplumley.com, for previews of upcoming books and more.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

NO CHRISTMAS LIKE THE PRESENT by Sierra Donovan
Lindsay Miller is knee-deep in Christmas cards and homemade fudge, but she’s never felt more like a Grinch. Why can’t Christmas be full of magic, like in her favorite movie, A Christmas Carol…?
…Enter Fred, a sexy and eccentric stranger who arrives at Lindsay’s door out of the blue. Dressed like he just stepped out of a Dickens novel, complete with British accent, Fred claims he’s a Messenger, sent from “Headquarters” to help her discover the joy of Christmas. But is Fred an angel from above—or just stone cold crazy? 
Fred’s used to dealing with skeptics. Telling a stranger you’ve been ordered to inspire holiday cheer is a tough sell. But there’s a further complication. Fred’s mission is to help Lindsay right the wrongs from her past that have been holding her back. But somehow along the way, they’ve become wildly attracted to each other—and falling in love is not part of the plan. Fred only has ‘til the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve to guide Lindsay to the magical future she deserves—even if it’s a future without him…

Buy Links  Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo

Author Info
Sierra Donovan lives with her husband and two children in Victorville, California. Readers can visit her website at www.sierradonovan.com.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

CHRISTMAS IN COWBOY COUNTRY by Janet Dailey

The greatest gift is love…
Ski instructor Annie Bennett doesn’t have time to miss the twinkling lights and holiday parties in Aspen and Vail. With her older brothers gone and winter just around the corner, her parents need help with their sprawling Colorado ranch. The most wonderful time of the year isn’t always easy for a lot of the folks in their town, but Annie does her best—until the tall, dark, and rugged surveyor on their neighbor’s land becomes a potent distraction…
Wyoming born and bred, Marshall Stone is a practical man. But there’s something about Annie that’s as wild and sweet as the mountain wind. He doesn’t want to tame her. Just love her. Annie Bennett is all he wants for Christmas. And for always. But she’s too wary to believe he means it. Until he takes her in his arms and explains without saying a single word…

Buy Links  Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo
Author Info
Janet Dailey’s first book was published in 1976. Since then she has written more than 100 novels and become one of the top-selling female authors in the world, with 300 million copies of her books sold in nineteen languages in ninety-eight countries. She is known for her strong, decisive characters, her extraordinary ability to recreate a time and a place, and her unerring courage to confront important, controversial issues in her stories.

Author Links:  Website | Goodreads

HUCKLEBERRY CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Beckstrand
The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill # 3  
Now that they’ve happily married off two of their grandchildren, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking challenge. What better way to celebrate the most heartwarming of seasons—and make Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the place for unexpected love…
A difficult marriage has left the Helmuths’ widowed great-granddaughter, Beth, finished with wedlock. She’s content to live with them and make a life for herself and her toddler son. But once she turns down handsome Tyler Yoder’s proposal, it seems only fair to encourage him to find a suitable wife. Trouble is, his gentleness and generous ways are showing her how joyous a real meeting of hearts can be. . .
After a failed courtship, Tyler thought the best he could hope for in a wife was mere companionship. But spirited Beth is the one he longs to protect, and hold close. Earning her trust is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. And soon, both will discover that forgiveness and understanding are gifts that only rekindled faith—along with the happiest of holidays—can bring.

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo
Author Info
Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series and the Forever After in Apple Lake series, set in two Amish communities in beautiful Wisconsin. She has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and two adorable grandsons, whom she spoils rotten. Readers can visit her website at www.jenniferbeckstrand.com

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

SANTA’S SECRET by Serenity Woods
Will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning?
Having long since lost his Christmas spirit, Rudi comes to Santa’s Secret Village looking to sell the resort. His seven-year-old daughter already knows the truth about Santa, and neither of them is particularly in the mood for the festive season.
Practically a recluse since the death of her husband, Eva’s not looking for romance. Her trip to Santa’s Village is for the sole purpose of making Christmas more festive this year for her young son. But Eva brings an unexpected sparkle to Rudi and Isabel’s lives that renews their belief in the spirit of Christmas.
As the weather grows colder, things heat up between Rudi and Eva. But will the magic still be there when they wake on Christmas morning?

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo
Author Info
Serenity Woods lives in the sub-tropical Northland of New Zealand with her wonderful husband and gorgeous teenage son. She writes fun, flirty, sweet and sexy contemporary romances. She would much rather immerse herself in reading or writing romance than do the dusting and ironing, which is why it’s not a great idea to pop round if you have any allergies. 

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

IF THE SHOE KILLS by Lynn Cahoon
A Tourist Trap Mystery # 3
The tourist town of South Cove, California, is a lovely place to spend the holidays. But this year, shop owner Jill Gardner discovers there’s no place like home for homicide…
As owner of Coffee, Books, and More, Jill Gardner looks forward to the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers. But when the mayor ropes her into being liaison for a new work program, ‘tis the season to be wary. Local businesses are afraid the interns will be delinquents, punks, or worse. For Jill, nothing’s worse than Ted Hendricks—the jerk who runs the program. After a few run-ins, Jill’s ready to kill the guy. That, however, turns out to be unnecessary when she finds Ted in his car—dead as a doornail. Detective Greg King assumes it’s a suicide. Jill thinks it’s murder. And if the holidays weren’t stressful enough, a spoiled blonde wants to sue the city for breaking her heel. Jill has to act fast to solve this mess—before the other shoe drops…

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo

Author Info
Lynn Cahoon is a multi-published author. An Idaho native, her stories focus around the depth and experience of small town life and love. Currently she lives in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi where her imagination tends to wander. She lives with her husband and two fur babies. 

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


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Monday, December 22, 2014

Saving Grace - Review & Giveaway


Review by Marlene Engel

On the outside, it would appear that Grace and Ted have the perfect life.  Ted is a bestselling author and Grace is his beautiful bride of twenty years.  They have a fabulous home, beautiful daughter, and seem to be the epitome of the perfect power couple.  But, what the outside world doesn’t see is that Ted is the opposite of the persona he puts out to the public.  Behind closed doors he turns into a person full of anger and rage. 
                                                                  
It’s when Ted’s trusted assistant Elaine quits her job, because of personal issues and is replaced with Beth, that what originally seems like the best replacement for the job, turns into Grace’s worst nightmare.  And Grace is left fighting to keep not only her marriage intact, but also her sanity.

Powerful, emotional and intense, Saving Grace will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions as a family who seems to be on the top of the world quickly plummets to the bottom and fights to make their way back to the top. 

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About the Author:
Jane Green’s sixteenth novel, Saving Grace, was just released in the UK and will be released in the US in late December. She is the author of fifteen previous New York Times Bestselling novels, including most recently Tempting Fate which came out in paperback in November.

A former feature writer for the Daily Express in the UK, Green took a leap in faith when she left, in 1996, to freelance and work on a novel. Seven months later, there was a bidding war for her first book, Straight Talking, the saga of a single career girl looking for the right man. The novel was an immediate top-ten bestseller in England, and Green was an overnight success.

Initially known for writing about single thirty-somethings with her trademark wisdom, wit and warmth, but Green has graduated to more complex, character-driven novels that explore the concerns and conflicts of real women’s lives, from marriage (The Other Woman) to motherhood (Another Piece of My Heart) to divorce, stepchildren, affairs, and most recently, midlife crises (Family Pictures and Tempting Fate).

Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self, has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking.

Most weekends see her cooking for a minimum of twenty people in her home in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.

Connect with the author at:

Tandem Literary is giving one lucky winner a print copy of
Saving Grace & Tempting Fate along with 8 fun wine charms
US Only



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Friday, December 19, 2014

Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake - Review

Review by Marlene Engel

On the outside, Tamsin’s life seems to be perfect.  She has an amazing husband, two great kids, a home in a prestigious neighborhood and more money than even she knows what to do with.  But it doesn’t stop her from trying to spend as much as she can, as she upholds her social image, with the best of the best that only money can buy.  But as she’s putting together her all-white Christmas extravaganza, in hopes of topping last year’s and out-doing her neighbors, some unexpected visitors stop by and her world gets turned upside down.  Expecting it to be her husband walking through the door, Tamsin gets the surprise of her life when she comes face-to-face with bailiffs that have come to repossess the house.  And, with her husband nowhere to be found, Tamsin is left to pick up the pieces by herself.  Thank goodness for Tamsin’s sister, Sam, who steps up to help her out and be her rock throughout this whole ordeal. 
                                                                                                                        
Snow Angels, Secrets & Christmas Cake is a touching, laugh out loud story that shows the bond of two sisters, the important things in life and who’s really there for you when the chips are down.  With a fun story, witty characters and lots of holiday cheer, this is the perfect book to get you in the holiday spirit. 

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About the Author: 
I was a journalist on women’s magazines and national newspapers before leaving it all behind for a career in TV. As a producer with the BBC I worked on garden makeovers, kitchen takeovers and daytime sofas – all the time making copious notes so that one day I might escape to the country and turn it all into a book.  After much deliberation and copious consumption of cake, I left my life in TV to write.

Originally from Manchester, Sue now lives with her husband and teenage daughter in Worcestershire. When she's not toiling over her latest novel, Sue can be found enjoying large bags of chicken crisps, large tubs of Caramel Chew Chew ice cream and 'The Biggest Loser USA' on series link.

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Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Christmas Light - Review & Giveaway

Review by Deb Czajkowski
The road of life is often filled with potholes, some deeper than others, and curves that are sometimes sharper than anticipated. Both threaten to derail us.  In The Christmas Light, four families are journeying life’s difficult stretch of road.  What would happen if the roads they are traveling lead them to the same place?

Sixteen-year-old Kaylee is a sophomore who is facing a life-changing decision.  Her dad has accepted a new job in a city far from their current home.  They’ve decided to delay their move until Kaylee’s situation is resolved.  Is staying the best solution?

The past year in particular has been a great struggle for six-year-old Avery.  Christmas is approaching, but Avery has more demons than sugarplums dancing in her head.  While she lost her father three years ago, the reality of not having her father in her life anymore has never been more tangible nor more frightening than it is right now.  Her mother, Jennifer, shares her daughter’s heartache. Can they find a way to face their new normal?

Coming home late one Sunday night from a weekend trip, Ryan finds his wife, Julie, waiting up for him, waiting to tell him good-bye.  Soon thereafter, Julie remarries and moves with her new family to another state, leaving their daughter, Sofia, with Ryan. Sofia has adjusted to day-to-day life with her dad and occasional visits with her mom, but Ryan is stuck. What will it take for him to stop dwelling on what went wrong and see what is going right?

Lily is the directory of ministry services for Grandon Community Church.  At age thirty-five, Lily and her husband, Stephen, put their loving marriage at the top of their “Counting our Blessings” list.  One blessing they have not been able to add to this list is the gift of a child.  Does Lily believe in miracles? Is Lily’s heart’s desire in her future?

If you believe that God does indeed work in mysterious ways, you will feel his hands-on presence in Donna VanLiere’s delightful book, The Christmas Light.  If you are perhaps feeling like his presence is mysteriously absent from your life right now, read this book for comfort, patience, and hope; comfort because you are not alone on life’s bumpy road, patience because there just might be a rest area around the next bend in the road, and hope because it keeps us focusing on the positive over the negative while we wait.

Author Donna VanLiere skillfully presents four separate stories, four roads if you will, that she beautifully brings to the same corner of the world, uniting them all in ways that are plausible and satisfying.  If you believe in every day miracles and Christmas magic, you’ll love this holiday readIf you veer more toward the skeptical, The Christmas Light just might change your mind!

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About the Author: 
..a mom, a wife, an animal lover, and a closet comedian at home. She's passionate about cooking (...and eating), reading, movies and teaching, inspiring, challenging and encouraging dreamers! She doesn’t like watching sports on TV but is a huge fan of athletes under five feet tall who call her Mom. Donna also loves to write books.

Donna has won a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, has been a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn. She also serves on the board of directors for National House of Hope, a residency program that is offered in several states for abused and at-risk teens.

One of Donna’s great loves is teaching and speaking. She has appeared at countless events around the country including keynote addresses at the prestigious Patricia Adams Lecture Series at Heidelberg University, Women of Faith, Among Friends Conferences and Extraordinary Women.

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St. Martin’s Press is giving one lucky winner a print copy of
The Christmas Light
(US Only)


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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Stillwater Rising - Review & Giveaway


Review by Marlene Engel

A month after a deadly shooting rang through the Stillwater Bay School, Jenn is still feeling the aftermath.  Her son was one of several people who were killed during that horrific event.  She has a hard time accepting that the school, where her son and many other children (and teachers) were killed, is still being used.  It causes a bone of contention between herself and her best friend, Charlotte, who is the mayor of the town.  To make the situation even more difficult, Charlotte’s husband is not only the principal at the school, but is being marked as a hero for stopping the gunman’s rampage.  He’s having a hard time accepting that title, which leads a reporter to believe that he may be hiding a secret.   

Another woman who is having a hard time and grieving a loss of her own is Julia.  She is the mother of the gunman who eventually turned the gun on himself and took his own life.  She’s been getting shunned and harassed because of her son’s actions and has become a prisoner in her own home.  She doesn’t even feel comfortable visiting her son’s grave, for fear that she may come in contact with the parents who are mourning the loss of their own children … children whom her son killed.

This book is a very emotional and powerful story.  It hits on a very delicate subject and shows you how people handle grief in different ways.  Many times society and the media only portray the suffering of the victims and their families.  The author takes it a step further by showing the grieving process of the gunman’s family.  We tend to forget that many times they are victims themselves. 

Steena Holmes does a superb job with this story.  You can feel the emotions seeping off the pages.  It’s a very sad and emotional novel, but one that is so well written that you can’t help but want to read. 

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About the Author:
Growing up as a small town Canadian girl, there wasn't much to do but ride your bike, hang out with friends on the beach and daydream. I always wanted to write but never dreamed it was something I could do as a career. I love to travel and fell in love with the sheep covered hillside, old castles and romantic history of Scotland and England. I dream about waking up in Tuscany and touring small town shops in the south of France with my husband, of placing my toes in the ocean and experiencing history first hand. As a mother with three daughters, I'm learning that teaching them to pursue their dreams is a lasting legacy. I love to wake up to the Rocky Mountains, will forever enjoy the taste of coffee and chocolate and can't imagine the day when a story doesn't unfold in my heart. Living a life with passion and pursuing dreams is a life well lived.

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BookSparks is giving 1 lucky winner a print copy of
Stillwater Rising

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