Delia Latham's Blog, page 24

COTT: Three Books--One Winner!

GIVEAWAY!Winner announced at
Clash of the Titles Wednesday, June 25, 2014


By entering the contest, you understand that:The books may arrive in Kindle, Nook, or paperback format, according to each author's preference. Each author will send his/her book directly to the winner.COTT cannot be held responsible for prizes not received.Entry in this contest does NOT subscribe you to any feeds, newsletters, or other publications or networks
ENTER CONTEST HERE

Goldeneyes: An Amazon Bestseller!

I'm so excited to report that my novel, GOLDENEYES, released by Vinspire Publishing in 2008, reached #1 in one of Amazon's Kindle categories on June 18th - and Top 100 in two other Kindle categories! 

Ratings as of the morning of June 19th:


#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Inspirational >  Fiction
#3 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality >  Inspirational
#25 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance >  Inspirational

Back Cover Text:
A man’s eyes are the windows to his soul … if he has one.

Deep in the darkness of a Depression-era night, a man addicted to alcohol commits an unspeakable crime to obtain it. His vile action impacts the lives of two entire families, and decades will pass before the horrible wrong begins to be made right again.

Two young women – strangers to each other – unknowingly enmeshed in a Pandora’s Box of secrets that could prevent them from finding happiness with the men they love. Two adoring mothers who know more than they are willing to say. A newsman with a story he cannot tell.

What is their connection, and who is the golden-eyed stranger who moves in the shadows of their broken lives?

New Release: HARTE'S PEAK by Maria Michaels

Love finding great new authors? Meet MARIA MICHAELS. Maria's inspirational romance novel, HARTE'S PEAK, releases Friday (June 20th) through Pelican Book Group.



About Harte's Peak
Vera Carrington loves her newly renovated home and her cafe, The Bean, but with a balloon mortgage looming over head and a man from her past ready to bounce on her misfortune, she may have to face the agonizing decision of keeping one and selling the other.

Deputy Sheriff, Ryan Colton, is a new man in Christ. His days as a flamboyant pro-circuit skier are behind him, but to help Vera keep her home and her business, he agrees to coach her for an upcoming open ski tournament. He even agrees to hand over the purse if he should win.

Can Vera beat the odds and win the tournament? Will Ryan save the day, or will they both learn to trust God, no matter the outcome?


A deleted scene from Harte's Peak
Two feet of snow had fallen during the night, and even though the roads were clear Ryan noticed that several shop owners were going to have to shovel their way to the front door. Time to be the Good Samaritan. Thank you, Lord, for an opportunity to serve.     Ryan drove by The Bean, and there were three able bodied men hard at work shoveling snow from the entrance as Vera stood waiting.  Typical. He continued to drive and sure enough, the door to Katie’s bookstore was blocked and she struggled with a small shovel that looked like it was more toy than tool. He pulled over in front of her shop.     “Morning, Katie. Need a hand?”  He leaned out the window.     “I would love a hand.” Katie’s green eyes sparkled behind her rectangle shaped spectacles. “I guess I should have listened to the weather report.”      “I’m happy to help. The right tool makes all the difference.”  He took a large shovel out of the trunk of the cruiser and got to work.  Within minutes he was halfway done.     “What are you doing here so early?” Katie’s bookstore, like most shops other than the café, didn’t open until ten.     “I’m expecting a shipment and I need to re-arrange some displays first.” Katie rubbed her gloved hands together.     That sounded like good news, since Katie had already been forced to add used books and consignment clothing to the bookstore in order to stay afloat.  He hated to see the struggling shopkeepers in Harte’s Peak, but it was an unavoidable fact.      “How’s the book selling business these days?”  He slung the shovel over his shoulder.     He hoped better than the fabric store or the cigar shop. Those two had gone out of business, unable to weather the recession.     “It’s okay.” Katie avoided his eyes. “I think it might be picking up a little. I’m hopeful.”     Ryan nodded, but he wasn’t convinced.  The Chamber of Commerce did what it could for small businesses, going so far as to pool resources together with nearby towns for a ski tournament next month.  The event would draw vendors from all over the state and pump necessary sales tax dollars into their creeping economy.     He’d been too busy to find out much about it, but made a mental note to find out how else he could help.

About Maria
When early onset stage fright dashed dreams of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame status, Maria Michaels tackled her first book in 2010, and now the people and voices that occupy her head refuse to leave.

She no longer sings unless you count randomly bursting into song to annoy her children (and the dogs).

Maria lives in northern California with her family, including two beagles, one who can say ‘hello’ and the other who can feel a pea through several pillows.
Find Maria on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog, Romancing the Writer.

COTT: New Blood at COTT!

Clash of the Titles is excited to announce that we're adding a brand new staff member to our leadership board. :-)
Everybody…we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Davidson Politano!
Welcome, Joanna!
Bio :
With a journalism degree from Trinity International University, Joanna served as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry before branching into freelance work. She then accepted a writing and editing position with a Christian publishing company in Chicago, and currently serves as the editor for their Junior High Sunday school publication. She lives with her daughter and husband in Indiana, where she writes novels based on true stories.

Joanna is a current Double Genesis Semi-Finalist in the Historical category! Asked about her writing journey, this is what Joanna had to say:

"I’ve been writing since I could read, but I can pinpoint the exact moment I began novel writing. It was when my grandma shocked me with the story of our family’s past. How could this have happened in our traditional, predictable, church-going family? At the time, I worked for a pharmaceutical company writing package insert material, but this family story drew me to my computer every night for a year, rattling around in my head until I’d written out the whole novel. I simply couldn’t stop thinking about it. I eventually moved to a job at a Christian nonfiction publisher, but I still spent hours absorbing the stories of the shut-in elderly, or nursing home residents who had lived through eras in our history I could only read about in books.

Fascinated by World War II love stories, family secrets, and amazing stories of God’s sovereignty, I kept returning for more. But I was not just interested in finding book ideas. Honestly, what drove me to write these novels was more than a simple love for story—it was a tenderness I felt for people overlooked by everyone else. These fascinating stories came from nursing home residents who had no visitors, or people confined to their home by age or illness. They’d been brushed aside by everyone—even the families they’d raised.

After introductions and polite small talk, I delved into the question that transformed these visits into unforgettable experiences—“what’s your story?” Their faces lit as they told me stories so rich in detail and real-life experiences it beat out any movie or book.

So yes, I write novels. But really, I hear people’s stories and then write them down to be remembered long after the story teller is gone. When God called me into this life of novel writing, He didn’t promise publication or to impact thousands with the words I wrote. He simply wanted me to see the forgotten people He loved, and to appreciate their lives."

Doesn’t that make you want to know their stories too? Joanna also talked to us about her sweet family and what’s going on in her writing life currently:

"My husband has been my biggest supporter in the whole process. Mainly because he’s blunt enough to tell me exactly what’s great and what’s not, and because he pushes me to finish what I start. We currently live in our house in the woods with our new baby daughter Elena and will be celebrating our two-year anniversary next month. I have no doubt he’s a blessing from God.

I’m currently working on a novel about a finishing school teacher who teaches her students about men rather than elocution. When she realizes her students are headed for the controlling, male-dominated marriages that characterized the times, Orla sets out to teach these girls the truth about how to understand men and how they think. Armed with knowledge, they have a chance at choosing the right man—although not always the wealthiest, as the school boasts—and surviving marriage happily as part of an equal team. But this local expert on men is hiding her own complicated, broken love life to keep her job.

I can’t wait to dive into COTT. With all the contests out there, I love the uniqueness of having readers judge the work. After all, they’re our real audience! I hope to help further the mission statement of glorifying God and to make COTT even more helpful to those who love Christian fiction—both the readers and the writers."

We are so blessed and excited to have you on board, Joanna!

You can leave a message welcoming Joanna in the comments below. And feel free to check out her website at  Joannadavidson.com 

Author Interview: Angie Brashear

A big welcome to Angie Brashear, who's promoting her new Young Adult Fantasy novel, Of the Persecuted.


Angie Brashear
Welcome, Angie! Tell us a bit about yourself.

My “normal” activities surround raising three amazing kids, as well as a career in public education with a focus on students with disabilities. I love to read and I love to run. I love to write books into the wee hours of the night, after my kids fall asleep. LOL!

Congratulations on your newest release! What is your story about?

Thanks! Of the Persecuted is a fantasy with a strong thread of romance geared toward young adult females. The story surrounds an insecure girl who believes she is no more than a burden to the people she loves. But in the midst of physical and spiritual war, and through the loss of loved ones, as well as the turmoil of unrequited love, she discovers her true worth lies in her faith.

Ultimately, my goal is to reach young adult females much like the lost, lonely girl I once was. As a nonbeliever for the majority of my life, I enjoyed reading speculative fiction and it was the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis which ultimately opened my eyes to Christ. My prayer is that my stories will do the same for others. I also hope believers will enjoy the Christian undertones of my work.

Where did you get the inspiration for your story?

When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis aloud to my class. In doing so, she opened my eyes to adventure and possibilities, all the while helping me escape a world of darkness for a short time. At its conclusion, I wondered, Is God real? He couldn’t be, right? For if He existed, innocent young girls wouldn’t suffer the wrath of drunken addicts, or the torment of abandonment. I continued to speculate. Each time God placed believers in my path—a high school teacher, a college friend, and a college coach—my fascination with the possibility grew stronger until the truth stunned me like a slap to the face. God indeed lives in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He rescues. He saves. And He waited for me. Then He embraced me. It all started with a little seed, planted in the empty heart of the girl I once was. A love for reading expanded to a love for writing. A desire to know God became a desire to serve Him, to reach nonbelievers. So I write, in hopes of reaching at least one lost girl.

 What do you plan to work on next?

In the midst of activities surrounding the release of Of the Persecuted, I’m also working on the sequel, Legends of the Woodlands: Book Two, which is currently untitled. While Book One focuses on persecution, Book Two will focus on forgiveness. I’m only about one-third of the way finished, so I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

My cross country teammates and I lived by Philippians 4:13 in college. We usually began and ended each day with intense and exhausting distance training. Because we aimed to glorify God with our efforts and attitudes, we focused on allowing Him to work through us. I pray my endeavors as a writer do nothing less. In Him, we can do all things to His glory. The verse remains my favorite to date, without a doubt.

The Lord promises to never forsake us. So even when
we think we’ve been abandoned in our endeavors,
He’s with us. What can you share with the readers to
encourage them?

Laminin. A strange word, right? Especially if you’re not into science, which I’m not. But, in my opinion, all Christians should take the time to Google an image of Laminin. It’s a protein molecule that holds the body together, a “glue” of sorts. And…it’s shaped like a cross. Eeek! The protein is reflective of God’s design. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” So you see, Christ sustains us in so many ways. He never abandons us. How can we not be encouraged by such truth? I’m grateful to my friend and fellow author Ginny Hamlin for sharing the link to Louie Giglio’s exceptional description of God's greatness.
 
Where can readers connect with you? Where can readers buy your book?

Readers can connect with me on my website (http://angiebrashear.com), on Facebook (http://facebook.com/AngieBrashearAuthor), and on Twitter (https://twitter.com/AngieBrashear). Thus far, I’ve received the most support on Facebook, so it’s easier for readers to connect with me there. Readers can buy my book on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692214712).

 
Back Cover Blurb:

Laila Pennedy awaits death by hanging. For the Rendow Clan rules the Woodlands Region, aiming to slaughter the Faithful. And she deserves to die. But Lars Landre, the man destined to lead the Faithful out of persecution, has other plans hidden behind his rare and mysterious blue eyes. Rescue.

Following the daring escape, Laila seeks the path of a warrior and vows revenge against the Rendow Clan. She embarks on a dangerous journey with Lars, one in which they endeavor to reach the promised safety of a magical village, to train for battle, and to ultimately assure freedom for those with faith in the Maker.

Clashes of weapons and souls. Brutal loss of lives. Unrequited love. How in all the Woodlands will Laila survive?


Author Bio:

When Angie Brashear isn’t working or taking care of her family, she writes. Usually at night after her kids fall asleep. She’s a fan of speculative fiction and an avid runner, both of which perplex her nonfiction-reading, football-loving husband. Saved in her early twenties, Angie is grateful for the Lord’s presence in all aspects of her life. She is originally from Rockland, Maine and currently resides in Cameron, Texas with her husband and three children.

COTT's April New Releases Clash

Summer's on the way. We have five great books to add to your beach bags. To take readers back in time, there's a historical novel set in ancient Rome. Or relax with a southern romance with mystery and suspense. Then check out a medical suspense, a contemporary novel and contemporary romance--all fantastic stories. Let us know by voting below which  of these you'll put on the top of your list.

Thanks to all of our contributors!



Betrayal made him a slave, and love made him a gladiator. Faith would give him the courage to rescue an empire.Purchase on Amazon






A frightened runaway with a checkered past co-inherits her grandfather's farm with the man responsible for the scars on her heart.Can Chance and Dakota lay aside old hurts and grudges to build...A BRIDGE UNBROKEN?
Purchase on Amazon





A celebratory dinner party becomes a nightmare for The nightmare begins for Dr. Shannon Frasier when a man is shot dead on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar incident a decade ago. The rough voice on the phone asks, "What did he say before he died?" and won't give up until Shannon tells him--even if she doesn't know.
Purchase on Amazon




Pam's divorce broke her heart, the cruelty of her ex husband broke her spirit, a bottle of skeeping pills almost took her life. Now, with Alan's return to Garfiekd, OK, Pam must learn that buied secrets and carfully cultivated indifference do not equal forgiveness.
Purchase on Amazon






Nobody cares about Ivy Clark's broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on, even move to Greenbriar, South Carolina to model wedding dresses for her stepmother. Here Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer, sees through the facade and challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth.
Purchase on Amazon




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COTT: Laurel Award, Coming Soon!

THE 2014 LAUREL
Hear ye, hear ye! 
Clash of the Titles's 2014 Laurel Award will soon be open for submissions.
Novels participating in the Laurel are judged by their audience—readers who are well-versed in Christian fiction
yet not a part of the CBA industry. This contest judges the first two chapters (or 3,500 words) of published novels.


READERSAre you a fan of Christian fiction, yet not associated with the publishing industry? Then we want you! If you enjoy reading and giving your opinion, Clash of the Titles invites you to join our reader-judge team. Each judge reads 5 to 7 two-chapter excerpts of recently published Christian novels, then completes a simple point system score sheet. If you're interested, please contact us at contactcott@gmail.com.
AUTHORS
Eligibility for the Laurel: Christian novels (30,000+ words) of any genre published between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.
Self-published novels accepted.
Submissions Open: June 02, 2014 Submissions Close: July 18, 2014, or when submission max is reached.
2013 Laurel Winner
Veil of Pearls
by MaryLu TyndallLimited Submissions: In order to not overburden our volunteer judges, we are limited in the number of submissions we can accept for the Laurel. Act soon!
One entry per author. Co-authored entries accepted.

Fee: $10 payable via Paypal Please visit our website for submission guidelines.
Prizes: One first-place winner will be chosen. He/she will receive a special feature on Clash of the Titles' blog. A tour through COTT’s Blog Alliance. A dedicated page on COTT’s site for a full year. An on-line radio interview with author and CAG board member, Cynthia L. Simmons. A digital winner’s badge. A beautiful plaque.
Stay tuned for updates by  subscribing to COTT's blog  and  “liking” our Facebook page .

COTT's 2014 Olympia WINNER

We've all been waiting. It's been six months since submissions opened for the Olympia. A panel of readers narrowed down the top three entries and then a distinguished *industry professionals assessed and scored those excerpts to bring us to this moment.

The time has come and I am so very excited to announce to you that the winner of the 2014 Olympia is...


*****

JENNIFER RODEWALD For her story titled Reclaimed
About ReclaimedSuzanna Wilton has had a hefty share of heartache in her twenty-seven years. Left heartbroken by a marriage cut short, she leaves city life to take up residency in a tiny Nebraska town. Her introduction to her neighbor Paul Rustin is a disaster. Assuming he’s as undermining as the other local cowboys she’s already met, Suzanna greets him with a heavy dose of hostility.
Though Paul is offended by Suzanna’s unfriendliness, she often invades his thoughts. Intrigued by the woman who lives down the road, and propelled by a sense that she carries a painful burden, he frequently drops by to offer help as she adjusts to rural living.


Just as Paul’s kindness begins to melt Suzanna’s frozen heart, a conflict regarding her land escalates in town. Even in the warmth of Paul’s love, resentment continues to strangle her fragile soul. Will Suzanna ever find peace?
Author Bio:

Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.

Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit and excellence. Blessed with a robust curiosity, she loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new.

Jen lives in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, plays with her horses, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life.You can find her at thefreeslavesdevotion.com 


Congratulations, Jennifer! We are honored to be a part of your journey and look forward to watching what God has in store for your writing career.
In addition to a tour through COTT's Blog Alliance, Jennifer will be receiving a beautiful plaque to commemorate her win and an internet radio interview with Cynthia Simmons!
*Final round judges:AMANDA LUEDEKE--Agent, Macgregor Literary AgencyMARCY DYER--Editor, Prism Book Group
ROSSLYN ELLIOTT--Author and 2011 COTT Laurel Award Winner

Devotion by Susan Lyttek: Wisdom Leads to Grief...and Beyond

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 1:18

Reading Suggestion: Ecclesiastes 1

In the 21st century, we know more about the workings of the human body and what heals it than any previous era. We have vaccines to prevent diseases and antibiotics to stop them in their tracks. We know that cleanliness eliminates many threats and good health and nutrition help the body have the strength to fight off the ‘baddies.’ Especially in the Western World, we have all the tools at our disposal to give each human form the best possible chance for the longest possible survival.

But with our information and research, we also know more about what kills. Doctors still can't prevent death in every case where the data would suggest that they could.

Imagine the mixture of satisfaction and frustration a doctor experiences when faced with a patient dying of an incurable disease. "I know exactly what the culprit is. I can see it. My data can pinpoint it. But I can do absolutely nothing to fix what is wrong and make my patient whole again."

In truth, no matter how much studies advance and how many diseases we prevent through knowledge, one truth remains. Everyone alive will, at some point, die.

Nearly 3,000 years ago, Solomon saw his society in the same manner. As the wisest man ever, He knew what was ailing it, he even knew the cure, but he could do nothing about it. Life ‘under the sun’ is living in a dying world. In fact, as a pastor mentioned on one Easter Sunday, we begin dying at birth. The wisdom of Solomon in this chapter reminds us that any life that focuses on the here and now is vanity, a breath, a vapor.

Before that leads you to despair, think about the cross of Christ. Through Jesus, death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15, my paraphrase). Thankfully, this flower that fades away isn’t all that God planned for us. From the beginning of time, He intended death to act as the starting gate to life eternal with Him. If you know Jesus and follow him in love and truth, as death closes the door to the temporary, it will open to glorious life forever.

When despair threatens, hold onto the promise. One day you will open your eyes to the heavenly dawn, where all the joys and thrills you’ve known here will be but echoes and shadows. He promised an amazing forever life!


Thought: Thank God that you know the true meaning of life and share that hope and promise with someone else.


About Susan:

Susan A. J. Lyttek, author of newly released kids’ comedy, Guzzy Goofball and the Homeschool Play from Outer Space from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and the cozy mystery Homeschooling Can Be Murder by Harbourlight Books, enjoys training up the next generation of writers through Write At Home by coaching middle and high school students. Find out about upcoming books and more at sajlyttek.com.  


Guzzy blurb:  
 

Just when I thought my summer was safe, Mom got a bright idea. Me, Guzzy, on stage as Prince Charming armed with a plastic sword. If that's not a recipe for disaster, I don't know what is.

COTT: Going for Gold with "Red Gold"

Red Gold, winner of Clash of the Titles's April Clash!
What COTT voters had to say about this month's winner:

"Reading Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau gave me a much needed 'vacation'! The faith story was heart-filling...and the adventure carried me to the mountains. 

Thanks, Sandy, for sharing your talent with the rest of us!"

"Not only does Sandy Nadeau and Red Gold have a great cover, the story is realistic, inspiring and a fun thrill ride in Colorado."

Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau~COTT's April Champ~
"Sandy Nadeau's work was a very fun read with good moral value!"

"A shout-out to Sandy Nadeau, author of Red Gold! I have an autographed copy, and couldn't be more delighted for your success!!"

"Red Gold sounds like a book that will keep readers turning the pages!"

"Keep writing, Sandy Nadeau! I'm in the middle of Red Gold now and love it! Blessings!"
About Red Gold:Mandy Phillips loves life with her husband running an adventure ranch in the Colorado mountains, but when Mr. Shonee, their crotchety old neighbor, tries to stop them from building a kid-size old west town their dreams of expansion are crushed. Is Shonee just being a difficult neighbor, or is something more sinister going on? A discovery on the property of Colorado's state mineral leads to more mysteries for the ranch, and then a teenage guest finds herself thrust head first into danger. Mandy will have to rescue her, but who will rescue Mandy? Her faith in God is her only source to keep the guests safe, solve the mysteries surrounding her ranch, save her neighbor from himself, and discover the secrets of the Red Gold.

PURCHASEAmazonBarnes and NoblePelican Book GroupAutographed Copy
About Sandy:Sandy Nadeau loves to go on adventures, photograph them and equally loves to write about them. She and her husband do a lot of four-wheeling in the back country of Colorado and share those experiences with others by taking them up in the mountains. With a background in writing a column about her community for a
local newspaper, she also has had several magazine articles published. She loves to write novels about adventure, mystery, romance, but most importantly sharing God’s love. She is currently a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Vice President of the ACFW South Denver Chapter. Married for 37 years, she and her husband are loving life as grandparents to their nine month old grandson. Travel is their favorite thing to do and they don’t get to do it as often as they’d like. Adventure awaits around every corner, over every hill and mountain.

How Red Gold came about:"This story developed out of a dream my husband and I shared of wanting to run a guest ranch as depicted in the book. We love the mountains of Colorado so much and have spent many days exploring the deep reaches of the state. We get a lot of out-of-town guests so we take them out on adventures with us. Our favorite thing to do is four-wheeling into the back country. We have ended up in a few places we never should have gone, at least not with the vehicle we drove. I wanted to share some of the adventures we have had through my book, the beauty, and the excitement of Colorado. My hubby actually came up with the title. It was so perfect for it."  ~Sandy Nadeau 
Connect with Sandy:BlogWebsite