Camy Tang's Blog, page 156
March 22, 2011
Excerpt - Bound By Guilt by C.J. Darlington
Bound By Guiltby
C.J. Darlington
Roxi Gold has been shuttled from one foster home to another for most her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in even if it's against the law. Soon she's traveling the country in an RV, stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. She knows it's wrong, but if she refuses, she'll be put out on the streets. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society, and not just at work. Her ex-husband wrested her daughter away from her in a bitter custody battle. The job she once loved has become a chore, the world isn't any safer, and there's no joy in her life. One fateful night a man's innocent blood changes both Roxi's and Abby's lives forever. One searches for justice; the other finds herself on the run until a first edition of The Great Gatsby catches up with her. Will the power of forgiveness set them free, or will they both remain bound by guilt?
Excerpt of chapter one:
Chapter 1
"Don't you ever feel guilty?" Roxi Gold cracked open her icy can of Dr Pepper and took a long sip.
Diego fell into the seat across from her at the RV's dinette table, opening his own can. Fizz erupted over its side. He licked it away and took a big gulp. "Not like we're hurting anybody."
"No, we're just stealing thousand-dollar books."
Diego eyed her. "You getting cold feet?"
She bent the silver tab of her soda can back and forth until it broke off in her fingers. A warm breeze blew through the window screen and filled her nose with the scent of dry pine needles. Could that be it? She just didn't have the guts?
"Any idea how lucky you are?" Diego leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Nothing but the wind at our back, the open road before us . . ."
Roxi managed a smile. He was right. For the past three weeks she'd been traveling with her seventeen-year-old second cousin and his mom, Irene. The thirty-foot RV was like an apartment on wheels. She'd been to places other people only saw on the Internet, experiencing things she'd never forget. Not all of them were earth-shattering, Grand Canyon moments, either. In Flagstaff, Arizona, she'd seen her first bald eagle perched high in a rustic pine, majestic and totally unreal. She even rode in an Amish buggy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
"This is our life," Diego said, raking his hands through his black hair. "And it sure beats standing in line at a book sale for three days like we used to."
"Doesn't it ever bother you?"
He chugged down more soda, then belched. "Nope."
"What if we get caught?"
"Come on, Rox."
"They'd send me back to juvie."
Diego leaned forward, both hands holding his drink. "Listen, we're okay. We're not gonna be caught. Ma's careful."
She downed half of her Dr Pepper in one shot just to keep herself from blabbing. She didn't want Diego to know how she really felt.
"Why the change?" he asked. "I thought you were into this."
"I am; it's just . . . I don't know."
"Well, you better get a hold of yourself before Ma comes back."
Roxi blew air out of her mouth in frustration. Why couldn't she be more like Diego? Hungry for adventure. Strong under pressure. More than anything she didn't want to disappoint Irene. Because of her, Roxi had seen half the country this summer. How many sixteen-year-olds could say that?
"I've got a surprise for you," Diego said.
"You're making dinner?"
"Surprise, not shock." He pulled a slip of paper from the back pocket of his Levis, handing it to her with a grin. "I was gonna wait till your birthday, but I think you need it now."
"Wow. I've always wanted a piece of paper."
"Just read it."
Roxi unfolded the sheet. Marie Greeley. 1264 Poplar Lane. Amarillo, TX. She looked at Diego. "Is this supposed to mean something?"
He got serious. "Remember when we were talking about your mom? how you wished you knew where she was?"
Marie. That was Mom's name.
"I did some searching online, and I think I found her."
"But her last name . . . ?"
"Looks like she married a guy named Tom Greeley."
Roxi's mouth went dry. She hadn't heard from her mother in eight years, and she wasn't sure she wanted to now. Mom was married? Roxi didn't even know who her bio dad was, and now she had a stepfather?
She got up from the table and rested her back against the fridge a few feet away. The RV was designed to utilize every inch. Even the table where Diego still sat folded down to become her bed at night.
"She ditched me. Why would I care where she is?"
"Because she's your mom."
"Like that meant anything to her."
"Hey, people do dumb stuff." Diego crumpled his empty can with one hand and pitched it into the plastic trash bag they kept rubber-banded to a cabinet knob.
Roxi crossed her arms. "Not even a phone call?"
"You don't have to do anything with it now, Rox." He slid out from behind the table and opened the microwave, pulling out a bag of chips. With space at a premium, they used it more for storage than for cooking. And Irene never used it. She swore microwaves were bad for their health and mutated food.
Roxi stuffed the paper into her back pocket. Sometimes Diego could be annoyingly macho and cocky, but other times he surprised her. Like now. She'd tried to dig up this information herself a few years ago and found nothing.
"Thanks," Roxi said.
Ripping open the chips, Diego held them out to her, but she shook her head. She definitely wasn't hungry anymore. "I'm taking a walk."
"Ma should be back soon."
Which meant Irene would want to talk to both of them about tomorrow's plans, something Roxi didn't want to think about. She'd get some fresh air. Maybe things would look better after that.
She swung open the RV's door, bounded down the three metal stairs, and slammed the door behind her. This was one of the nicer campgrounds. No screaming kids or low-life slobs leering at her from their lounge chairs. The Fall River was within walking distance. Up here in Rocky Mountain National Park, late August was usually the height of tourist season, but for some reason, today there weren't many other campers. Just a few full-time RVers with satellite dishes mounted on $200,000 rigs. The place would probably be packed over the weekend.
She headed for the river and sat at the water's edge, knees to her chest. Living with Irene and Diego was better than any of the foster homes she'd been placed in over the years. The last one had two other guys her age living in the house. One afternoon she'd come home from school to find they were the only ones home, as usual, since both parents worked. The moment she walked into the kitchen and saw their faces, she knew what they planned to do to her. That split second of intuition saved her. She dropped her backpack right there and ran away. Never went back. Three days later the cops picked her up for shoplifting from a grocery store, and she'd spent a month in juvie. Finally her caseworker placed her in a group home. Only after she got beat up for the third time did they manage to find a relative willing to take her in. Irene Tonelli was her mom's cousin, and Roxi thought living with the Tonellis was the best thing that ever could've happened to her. Diego wasn't like those other guys, and she finally felt like she belonged somewhere.
Roxi heard the trill of a broad-tailed hummingbird's wings, then caught sight of the bird diving toward the rushing stream. All her life she'd prayed for a family. She used to imagine she'd wake up one morning and find everything had been a dream, and she really did have a mom and dad who loved her. Straightening her legs, she stared at the deep blue sky visible through the treetops. But no, this was her life. She shouldn't complain. Irene needed her to be a team player.
Swallowing back her emotions, she unbuttoned the cuff of her left sleeve and slowly rolled it up. With each flip of the fabric, more of her scar came into view. From wrist to elbow, a thick purple line wormed across her arm. She'd been eight when the glass had etched her with this eternal reminder of the night she lost Mom.
The night that changed her life forever.
Print book:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Christianbook.com
Books a Million
Ebook:
Nookbook
Kindle
March 21, 2011
Excerpt - Unforgettable by Trish Perry
Unforgettableby
Trish Perry
Rachel Stanhope tries to see the good in everyone. But even her good graces are challenged when she meets Josh Reegan outside her Arlington, Virginia dance studio on a brisk fall morning in 1951. Admittedly, he's attractive, but she finds his cynicism and cockiness hard to tolerate.
A hard-news journalist and former World War II Air Force pilot, Josh considers distractions like ballroom dancing frivolous wastes of time. He has yet to shed his wartime drive to defend good against evil whenever he can. Yes, Rachel's confident nature is a refreshing challenge, but he wouldn't tangle with her if his newspaper hadn't roped him into covering one of her studio's competitions in New York City.
Between Arlington and New York, between the melodrama of ballroom antics and the real drama of political corruption, between family involvement and romantic entanglement, Rachel and Josh have their hands full. The last thing either of them expects is mutual need and support. But once they stop dancing around the truth, the results are unforgettable.
Excerpt of chapter one:
test
Print book:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Christianbook.com
Books a Million
Street Team Book List excerpt - NO SAFE HAVEN by Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse
Camy here: Here's another book I added to my Street Team book giveaway list! You can win this book by joining my Street Team--Click here for more info!
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing No Safe Haven B&H Books (March 15, 2011) by Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
A devoted wife and mother, Kimberley Woodhouse is a third generation Liszt student, she has passed down her love of the arts to hundreds of students over the years.
About fifteen years ago, Kimberley began writing seriously. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters - you name it - she's written it. It wasn't until a dear friend challenged her to "do something with it", that she pursued publication.
Kimberley and her family's story have been on the front page of newspapers, in magazines, articles, medical journals, and most recently her family was chosen for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They were also asked to share their story on The Montel Williams Show and Discovery Health Channel's Mystery ER. She has recorded three albums, and has appeared at over 700 venues. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and their two children in a truly "Extreme" home.
Thirteen-year-old Kayla Woodhouse's zest for writing comes not only from her natural ability, but also from her love of the written word as witnessed by her voracious reading appetite. One of only a few dozen cases in the world, Kayla was born with HSAN, Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy, an extremely rare nerve disorder. Unable to sweat, or feel pain, she's also been through brain surgery. But even through a life of extreme hardships, her ever-present smile encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. In addition to being homeschooled and writing with her mom, she's an amazing swimmer, and spends up to thirty hours a week in training. No Safe Haven, her first release from B&H Publishers in 2011, written with mother, Kimberley, makes her the youngest author to have a full-length novel published by a royalty paying publisher.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jenna and Andi Tikaani-Gray are hoping for a fresh start. Though twelve year-old Andi has long struggled with a rare medical disorder, she and her mother have finally received good news from out-of-town specialists. It's news they desperately needed, especially after the recent death of Jenna's husband (Andi's dad) in a car accident.
But as they are flying home to Alaska, ready to begin again, the unthinkable happens. The pilot sabotages their small plane and crashes into Sultana, one of the most remote and dangerous mountains in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Even worse, a winter storm is headed their way along with someone who doesn't want to save them, but to kill them.
Only one man can keep them alive: Cole Maddox, the mysterious last-minute passenger who joined them on their flight. But trust doesn't come easy to Jenna or AndiÑand they both sense Cole is hiding something.
A relentless tale of survival and suspense unfolds, involving military technology designed by Jenna's late husband that some would do anything to possess.
Watch the Book Video:
Read an excerpt on Christianbook.com!
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing No Safe Haven B&H Books (March 15, 2011) by Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
A devoted wife and mother, Kimberley Woodhouse is a third generation Liszt student, she has passed down her love of the arts to hundreds of students over the years.
About fifteen years ago, Kimberley began writing seriously. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters - you name it - she's written it. It wasn't until a dear friend challenged her to "do something with it", that she pursued publication.
Kimberley and her family's story have been on the front page of newspapers, in magazines, articles, medical journals, and most recently her family was chosen for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They were also asked to share their story on The Montel Williams Show and Discovery Health Channel's Mystery ER. She has recorded three albums, and has appeared at over 700 venues. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and their two children in a truly "Extreme" home.
Thirteen-year-old Kayla Woodhouse's zest for writing comes not only from her natural ability, but also from her love of the written word as witnessed by her voracious reading appetite. One of only a few dozen cases in the world, Kayla was born with HSAN, Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy, an extremely rare nerve disorder. Unable to sweat, or feel pain, she's also been through brain surgery. But even through a life of extreme hardships, her ever-present smile encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. In addition to being homeschooled and writing with her mom, she's an amazing swimmer, and spends up to thirty hours a week in training. No Safe Haven, her first release from B&H Publishers in 2011, written with mother, Kimberley, makes her the youngest author to have a full-length novel published by a royalty paying publisher.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jenna and Andi Tikaani-Gray are hoping for a fresh start. Though twelve year-old Andi has long struggled with a rare medical disorder, she and her mother have finally received good news from out-of-town specialists. It's news they desperately needed, especially after the recent death of Jenna's husband (Andi's dad) in a car accident.But as they are flying home to Alaska, ready to begin again, the unthinkable happens. The pilot sabotages their small plane and crashes into Sultana, one of the most remote and dangerous mountains in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Even worse, a winter storm is headed their way along with someone who doesn't want to save them, but to kill them.
Only one man can keep them alive: Cole Maddox, the mysterious last-minute passenger who joined them on their flight. But trust doesn't come easy to Jenna or AndiÑand they both sense Cole is hiding something.
A relentless tale of survival and suspense unfolds, involving military technology designed by Jenna's late husband that some would do anything to possess.
Watch the Book Video:
Read an excerpt on Christianbook.com!
March 18, 2011
Street Team Book list excerpt - THE CAREGIVER by Shelley Shepard Gray
Camy here: Here's another book I added to my Street Team book giveaway list! You can win this book by joining my Street Team--Click here for more info!
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Caregiver Avon Inspire; Original edition (March 8, 2011) by Shelley Shepard Gray
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to cleveland
Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.
The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.
Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?
Excerpt of chapter one:
Prologue
Lucy shielded her face when the antique platter crashed to the floor. Though whether she was shielding it from shards of pottery or bracing herself for another sting from Paul's hand, she didn't really know.
Most likely both.
But all her husband did was pull open the screen door. "You are such a disappointment, Lucy," he bit out, each word seething with venom. "Such a disappointment. In every possible way."
Her lip bled as she fought to remain still under his glar¬ing eyes. Prepared herself for another diatribe. Then Paul simply shook his head in disgust and stormed out the kitchen door. It slammed behind him as he bolted down the stairs and strode along the worn path to their barn.
When his footsteps faded, Lucy leaned against the gleaming counters of her kitchen and willed herself to stop shaking.
Trembling and crying won't help, she sternly urged her¬self. When Paul came back, he would expect every trace of the bright blue dish cleaned up and the rest of the kitchen to be spotless. With a scant glance at the clock over the screen door, she saw it was a quarter after six.
She had fifteen minutes. Maybe eighteen.
After wiping the blood from her mouth with a dish¬cloth, she carefully picked up the pieces of pottery. Tried not to remember her grandmother's expression when she'd presented the serving piece to her and Paul. Her lip quivered. Oh, but her grandmother had been so proud to give her something that had been in their family for four generations.
And Lucy had been proud to receive it. After all, she was the eldest of six children and was marrying well. Paul Troyer was a pillar of their community and had promised that he would be able to help out her brothers and sisters financially.
And now the dish was shattered. Irreparable. Much like her marriage.
She glanced at the clock again. 6:22. Oh, but time is wasting! Quickly, Lucy picked up her pace. Putting both knees on the ground, she scanned the floor and snatched up every shard that she could find, only wincing slightly when one of the pieces tore at her thumb.
After hurriedly bandaging her finger so blood wouldn't stain anything, Lucy wiped the floor with a damp cloth. Then she attacked the dishes—the source of Paul's latest discontent. Dinner had been late. She'd been helping her mother with her littlest sister. Lizzie had the flu and was feverish, so Lucy had offered to watch her while her mother went to school to attend Jeremy and Karl's spell¬ing bee program.
But then her mother had run late. Making Lucy return late. And the chicken had gone into the oven at 5:30 in¬stead of 5:15. Paul had been very angry.
She darted a look out the window. Surmising that he was still in the barn, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. All she had to do was wash the dishes, scrub two pans, and put them all neatly away before he returned. If she did that, everything might still be all right.
She stole another glance at the clock. 6:26.
With the experience of almost two years of marriage, Lucy hurriedly wrapped up the remains of the dinner, then washed and dried each piece of pottery. Sweat ran down the middle of her back as she raced to put each dish away, then ran a cloth over the counters.
Finally, she straightened out the red-and-white tin can¬isters to the right of the oven. Made sure they were in perfect alignment, not a one out of place.
Only then did she allow herself to breathe a sigh of relief. The kitchen was clean. She darted yet another glance at the clock. 6:34. She had made it.
As she always did, Lucy braced herself to hear Paul's footsteps. Prepared to meet him with a smile . . . as if he hadn't thrown the dinner platter to the floor. As if he hadn't raised his hand to her.
But still the clock ticked . . . and he didn't arrive. Warily, Lucy peeked out the window. Glanced at the clock. 6:50.
A new set of worries settled in her stomach. To spend so long in the barn wasn't like him. Paul was nothing if not prompt; and she had learned the hard way about the folly of not adhering to his schedule.
Not knowing what else to do, she pulled out a chair. And waited. Another hour passed.
When the sun started to set, Lucy stood and paced. Common sense told her to walk to the barn to check on her husband. But self-preservation warned her. Paul didn't like her to disturb him. He didn't like her to spy on him.
And surely he would not be happy if she went to the barn without him telling her she could. Almost without thought, she rubbed the knot that now was a permanent fixture on her arm. She'd learned that lesson the hard way.
Thirty minutes later, Lucy felt sick to her stomach. It was now almost 8:30, the time Paul liked to read the Bible and discuss his plans for the next day. Surely something was wrong.
Worrying her bottom lip, she slowly opened the screen door and stepped outside. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Star, their shepherd mix, whining outside the barn door.
"Star?"
The dog barked, then whined some more. Pulled on the rope that hitched him to a post by the barn's entrance.
Lucy started forward. For Star to be still tied up, that was strange indeed. Usually Paul let him loose once he went into the barn to inspect the horses. "Star? Are you okay?" she asked as she freed the dog.
The dog answered by barking again and pawing at the barn's entrance.
Lucy gathered her courage. Prepared herself to meet Paul's barrage of abuse for disturbing him. Or for him to yank at her shoulder for spying.
But the daylight was waning. Lucy didn't know what Paul wanted her to do, but when Star pawed the door again, she opened it and stepped in. Her heart beat wildly. With a cautious, dry swallow, she whispered, "Paul?"
Only the nervous neigh of their horses replied.
She walked in farther, then stopped in shock.
Paul lay at the base of the ladder that led to the barn's loft. She rushed to his side and knelt, Star at her heels. "Paul!" she cried out. "Paul! Paul?"
That's when she noticed his neck was at an odd angle and his eyes were open. Lifeless.
Gingerly, she pressed two fingers to his neck, searching for a pulse. But there wasn't one. Her husband was dead.
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Caregiver Avon Inspire; Original edition (March 8, 2011) by Shelley Shepard Gray
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to cleveland Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.
The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.
Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?
Excerpt of chapter one:
Prologue
Lucy shielded her face when the antique platter crashed to the floor. Though whether she was shielding it from shards of pottery or bracing herself for another sting from Paul's hand, she didn't really know.
Most likely both.
But all her husband did was pull open the screen door. "You are such a disappointment, Lucy," he bit out, each word seething with venom. "Such a disappointment. In every possible way."
Her lip bled as she fought to remain still under his glar¬ing eyes. Prepared herself for another diatribe. Then Paul simply shook his head in disgust and stormed out the kitchen door. It slammed behind him as he bolted down the stairs and strode along the worn path to their barn.
When his footsteps faded, Lucy leaned against the gleaming counters of her kitchen and willed herself to stop shaking.
Trembling and crying won't help, she sternly urged her¬self. When Paul came back, he would expect every trace of the bright blue dish cleaned up and the rest of the kitchen to be spotless. With a scant glance at the clock over the screen door, she saw it was a quarter after six.
She had fifteen minutes. Maybe eighteen.
After wiping the blood from her mouth with a dish¬cloth, she carefully picked up the pieces of pottery. Tried not to remember her grandmother's expression when she'd presented the serving piece to her and Paul. Her lip quivered. Oh, but her grandmother had been so proud to give her something that had been in their family for four generations.
And Lucy had been proud to receive it. After all, she was the eldest of six children and was marrying well. Paul Troyer was a pillar of their community and had promised that he would be able to help out her brothers and sisters financially.
And now the dish was shattered. Irreparable. Much like her marriage.
She glanced at the clock again. 6:22. Oh, but time is wasting! Quickly, Lucy picked up her pace. Putting both knees on the ground, she scanned the floor and snatched up every shard that she could find, only wincing slightly when one of the pieces tore at her thumb.
After hurriedly bandaging her finger so blood wouldn't stain anything, Lucy wiped the floor with a damp cloth. Then she attacked the dishes—the source of Paul's latest discontent. Dinner had been late. She'd been helping her mother with her littlest sister. Lizzie had the flu and was feverish, so Lucy had offered to watch her while her mother went to school to attend Jeremy and Karl's spell¬ing bee program.
But then her mother had run late. Making Lucy return late. And the chicken had gone into the oven at 5:30 in¬stead of 5:15. Paul had been very angry.
She darted a look out the window. Surmising that he was still in the barn, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. All she had to do was wash the dishes, scrub two pans, and put them all neatly away before he returned. If she did that, everything might still be all right.
She stole another glance at the clock. 6:26.
With the experience of almost two years of marriage, Lucy hurriedly wrapped up the remains of the dinner, then washed and dried each piece of pottery. Sweat ran down the middle of her back as she raced to put each dish away, then ran a cloth over the counters.
Finally, she straightened out the red-and-white tin can¬isters to the right of the oven. Made sure they were in perfect alignment, not a one out of place.
Only then did she allow herself to breathe a sigh of relief. The kitchen was clean. She darted yet another glance at the clock. 6:34. She had made it.
As she always did, Lucy braced herself to hear Paul's footsteps. Prepared to meet him with a smile . . . as if he hadn't thrown the dinner platter to the floor. As if he hadn't raised his hand to her.
But still the clock ticked . . . and he didn't arrive. Warily, Lucy peeked out the window. Glanced at the clock. 6:50.
A new set of worries settled in her stomach. To spend so long in the barn wasn't like him. Paul was nothing if not prompt; and she had learned the hard way about the folly of not adhering to his schedule.
Not knowing what else to do, she pulled out a chair. And waited. Another hour passed.
When the sun started to set, Lucy stood and paced. Common sense told her to walk to the barn to check on her husband. But self-preservation warned her. Paul didn't like her to disturb him. He didn't like her to spy on him.
And surely he would not be happy if she went to the barn without him telling her she could. Almost without thought, she rubbed the knot that now was a permanent fixture on her arm. She'd learned that lesson the hard way.
Thirty minutes later, Lucy felt sick to her stomach. It was now almost 8:30, the time Paul liked to read the Bible and discuss his plans for the next day. Surely something was wrong.
Worrying her bottom lip, she slowly opened the screen door and stepped outside. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Star, their shepherd mix, whining outside the barn door.
"Star?"
The dog barked, then whined some more. Pulled on the rope that hitched him to a post by the barn's entrance.
Lucy started forward. For Star to be still tied up, that was strange indeed. Usually Paul let him loose once he went into the barn to inspect the horses. "Star? Are you okay?" she asked as she freed the dog.
The dog answered by barking again and pawing at the barn's entrance.
Lucy gathered her courage. Prepared herself to meet Paul's barrage of abuse for disturbing him. Or for him to yank at her shoulder for spying.
But the daylight was waning. Lucy didn't know what Paul wanted her to do, but when Star pawed the door again, she opened it and stepped in. Her heart beat wildly. With a cautious, dry swallow, she whispered, "Paul?"
Only the nervous neigh of their horses replied.
She walked in farther, then stopped in shock.
Paul lay at the base of the ladder that led to the barn's loft. She rushed to his side and knelt, Star at her heels. "Paul!" she cried out. "Paul! Paul?"
That's when she noticed his neck was at an odd angle and his eyes were open. Lifeless.
Gingerly, she pressed two fingers to his neck, searching for a pulse. But there wasn't one. Her husband was dead.
March 11, 2011
Street Team Book List excerpt - A HEART MOST WORTHY by Siri Mitchell
Camy here: Here's another book I added to my Street Team book giveaway list! You can win this book by joining my Street Team--Click here for more info!
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heart Most Worthy Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Siri Mitchell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they're listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they've just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they're probably thinking, "Yes. Right. That's exactly what my character needs to hear." When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry's than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.
Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."
ABOUT THE BOOK
The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times.
Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.
Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?
Excerpt of chapter one:
A Heart Most Worthy
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heart Most Worthy Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Siri Mitchell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.
But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they're listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they've just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they're probably thinking, "Yes. Right. That's exactly what my character needs to hear." When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry's than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.
Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."
ABOUT THE BOOK
The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times. Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.
Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?
Excerpt of chapter one:
A Heart Most Worthy
March 7, 2011
Street Team Book List excerpt - HEARTS AGLOW by Tracie Peterson
Camy here: Here's another book I added to my Street Team book giveaway list! You can win this book by joining my Street Team--Click here for more info!
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hearts Aglow Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.
She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.
Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books
ABOUT THE BOOK
The future should be bright for Deborah Vandermark, who is now pursuing her interest in medicine alongside Dr. Christopher Clayton, who is courting her. But the lumber town is resistant to the idea of a woman physician, and she feels thwarted at every turn.
A more devastating blow occurs, however, when Christopher breaks off their relationship to return home to his troubled family. Despite her own love life going awry, Deborah is still intent to be a matchmaker for both her widowed mother and her brother, who has caught the eye of the spit-fire daughter of the local pastor.
But what will Deborah do when faced with the truth about Christopher's family? Is there hope for the two of them...or will Jake Wyeth's attentions finally catch Deborah's eye instead?
Excerpt of Chapter One:
Hearts Aglow
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hearts Aglow Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.
She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.
Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books
ABOUT THE BOOK
The future should be bright for Deborah Vandermark, who is now pursuing her interest in medicine alongside Dr. Christopher Clayton, who is courting her. But the lumber town is resistant to the idea of a woman physician, and she feels thwarted at every turn. A more devastating blow occurs, however, when Christopher breaks off their relationship to return home to his troubled family. Despite her own love life going awry, Deborah is still intent to be a matchmaker for both her widowed mother and her brother, who has caught the eye of the spit-fire daughter of the local pastor.
But what will Deborah do when faced with the truth about Christopher's family? Is there hope for the two of them...or will Jake Wyeth's attentions finally catch Deborah's eye instead?
Excerpt of Chapter One:
Hearts Aglow
March 4, 2011
Excerpt - A BOND NEVER BROKEN by Judith Miller
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Bond Never Broken Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Judith Miller
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Word from Judith:
Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history...
With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults.
Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won't be allowed to speak German in public--and that Garon, the childhood friend she's long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family's doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She's even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.
Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.
But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?
Excerpt of chapter one:
A Bond Never Broken
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Word from Judith:
Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history...
With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults. Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won't be allowed to speak German in public--and that Garon, the childhood friend she's long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family's doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She's even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.
Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.
But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?
Excerpt of chapter one:
A Bond Never Broken
March 2, 2011
Street Team Book List excerpt - IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL by Robin Caroll
Camy here: This is another great page-turner by Robin Caroll. And I have to admit, MADDOX IS HOT!!!! HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!! Okay, I've embarrassed myself enough, I think. :)
I've also added this to my Street Team book giveaway list! You can win this book by joining my Street Team--Click here for more info!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Robin Caroll
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is a leading Christian suspense novelist. She gives back to the writing community as conference director for the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A proud southerner through and through, Robin lives with her husband and three daughters in Arkansas.
Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy and devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil tells a modern day story involving the exposure of a building rebound scam. Amidst the layers of unethical practices, supply shortages, and excess murders, a top Louisiana homicide detective loses his heart to a charitable contractor while uncovering a secret about his tragic past.
Product Details:
List Price: $14.98
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805449795
ISBN-13: 978-0805449792
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
Eighteen Years Earlier
What a night!
Maddox turned his car into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the dash—12:28. Great, late for curfew. He smiled. Being late was worth it when he'd had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
Besides, he was seventeen. Curfews were for kids! A senior in high school, and he had to be home by midnight? All his Pop's doing.
Tyson Bishop…Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Mom understood better, wasn't quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing, too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She'd just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.
Maddox whipped into the driveway and pressed the garage door opener. The light from the kitchen door spilled into the garage. Mom would be up…waiting. He should've called.
But being around Julie was like being caught in a time warp. Even the car's interior held her smell. Light, flowery…teasing and tempting.
He killed the engine and jogged up the steps, slipping his charming smile into place. His mom had never been able to stay mad or disappointed when he flashed his dimples at her. He'd promise to mow the grass tomorrow before Pop got home, and she'd forget all about his tardiness.
He shut the garage door behind him and entered the kitchen. "Mom? I'm home." The hint of roast lingered in the air.
The house was as silent as a tomb.
Odd. She would normally be on her feet to meet him.
He passed the kitchen's butcher-block island and continued into the living room. A soft light filled the space beside her reading chair, but no sign of her.
"Mom?"
Maddox backtracked to the kitchen. Maybe she was in the downstairs bathroom.
"Hello?" His voice rose an octave as his pulse hammered. The bathroom door was wide open, the room dark.
Where was she?
His steps faltered as he pressed into the kitchen again. The backdoor stood open, the glass pane closest to the knob—shattered. His heart jumped into his throat.
"Mom!"
Using the agility that had garnered him the wide receiver place on the varsity football team, Maddox flew down the hall toward his parents' bedroom. He pushed open the door with shaking hands.
His mother lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of blood staining the carpet around her. Her face pale against the dark red spilling from her chest. A metallic odor permeated the room.
What? He blinked repeatedly, his mind not processing what his eyes saw. Then…he did. And nearly vomited.
He raced to her side, lifting her head into his lap. "Mom." Tears backed up in his eyes as he smoothed her hair.
"Mad-dy," she croaked.
He grabbed the phone from the nightstand, the base landing on the floor with a resounding thud. He grabbed the receiver and punched in 9-1-1.
"Hang on, Mom. I'm calling for help." Every nerve in his body stood at high alert.
"Too. Late." She grimaced. A gurgling seeped from between her lips. Her body went slack in his arms.
"911, what is the nature of your emergency?"
He closed his eyes. Fought back scalding tears. "My mother. She's been murdered."
It is time for a
FIRST Wild Card Tour
book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
I've also added this to my Street Team book giveaway list! You can win this book by joining my Street Team--Click here for more info!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Robin Caroll
and the book:
B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is a leading Christian suspense novelist. She gives back to the writing community as conference director for the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A proud southerner through and through, Robin lives with her husband and three daughters in Arkansas.
Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy and devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil tells a modern day story involving the exposure of a building rebound scam. Amidst the layers of unethical practices, supply shortages, and excess murders, a top Louisiana homicide detective loses his heart to a charitable contractor while uncovering a secret about his tragic past.Product Details:
List Price: $14.98
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805449795
ISBN-13: 978-0805449792
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
Eighteen Years Earlier
What a night!
Maddox turned his car into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the dash—12:28. Great, late for curfew. He smiled. Being late was worth it when he'd had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
Besides, he was seventeen. Curfews were for kids! A senior in high school, and he had to be home by midnight? All his Pop's doing.
Tyson Bishop…Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Mom understood better, wasn't quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing, too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She'd just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.
Maddox whipped into the driveway and pressed the garage door opener. The light from the kitchen door spilled into the garage. Mom would be up…waiting. He should've called.
But being around Julie was like being caught in a time warp. Even the car's interior held her smell. Light, flowery…teasing and tempting.
He killed the engine and jogged up the steps, slipping his charming smile into place. His mom had never been able to stay mad or disappointed when he flashed his dimples at her. He'd promise to mow the grass tomorrow before Pop got home, and she'd forget all about his tardiness.
He shut the garage door behind him and entered the kitchen. "Mom? I'm home." The hint of roast lingered in the air.
The house was as silent as a tomb.
Odd. She would normally be on her feet to meet him.
He passed the kitchen's butcher-block island and continued into the living room. A soft light filled the space beside her reading chair, but no sign of her.
"Mom?"
Maddox backtracked to the kitchen. Maybe she was in the downstairs bathroom.
"Hello?" His voice rose an octave as his pulse hammered. The bathroom door was wide open, the room dark.
Where was she?
His steps faltered as he pressed into the kitchen again. The backdoor stood open, the glass pane closest to the knob—shattered. His heart jumped into his throat.
"Mom!"
Using the agility that had garnered him the wide receiver place on the varsity football team, Maddox flew down the hall toward his parents' bedroom. He pushed open the door with shaking hands.
His mother lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of blood staining the carpet around her. Her face pale against the dark red spilling from her chest. A metallic odor permeated the room.
What? He blinked repeatedly, his mind not processing what his eyes saw. Then…he did. And nearly vomited.
He raced to her side, lifting her head into his lap. "Mom." Tears backed up in his eyes as he smoothed her hair.
"Mad-dy," she croaked.
He grabbed the phone from the nightstand, the base landing on the floor with a resounding thud. He grabbed the receiver and punched in 9-1-1.
"Hang on, Mom. I'm calling for help." Every nerve in his body stood at high alert.
"Too. Late." She grimaced. A gurgling seeped from between her lips. Her body went slack in his arms.
"911, what is the nature of your emergency?"
He closed his eyes. Fought back scalding tears. "My mother. She's been murdered."
It is time for a
FIRST Wild Card Tour
book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Excerpt - IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL by Robin Caroll
Camy here: This is another great page-turner by Robin Caroll. And I have to admit, MADDOX IS HOT!!!! HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!! Okay, I've embarrassed myself enough, I think. :) Buy this book! It's an exciting read!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Robin Caroll
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is a leading Christian suspense novelist. She gives back to the writing community as conference director for the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A proud southerner through and through, Robin lives with her husband and three daughters in Arkansas.
Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy and devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil tells a modern day story involving the exposure of a building rebound scam. Amidst the layers of unethical practices, supply shortages, and excess murders, a top Louisiana homicide detective loses his heart to a charitable contractor while uncovering a secret about his tragic past.
Product Details:
List Price: $14.98
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805449795
ISBN-13: 978-0805449792
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
Eighteen Years Earlier
What a night!
Maddox turned his car into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the dash—12:28. Great, late for curfew. He smiled. Being late was worth it when he'd had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
Besides, he was seventeen. Curfews were for kids! A senior in high school, and he had to be home by midnight? All his Pop's doing.
Tyson Bishop…Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Mom understood better, wasn't quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing, too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She'd just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.
Maddox whipped into the driveway and pressed the garage door opener. The light from the kitchen door spilled into the garage. Mom would be up…waiting. He should've called.
But being around Julie was like being caught in a time warp. Even the car's interior held her smell. Light, flowery…teasing and tempting.
He killed the engine and jogged up the steps, slipping his charming smile into place. His mom had never been able to stay mad or disappointed when he flashed his dimples at her. He'd promise to mow the grass tomorrow before Pop got home, and she'd forget all about his tardiness.
He shut the garage door behind him and entered the kitchen. "Mom? I'm home." The hint of roast lingered in the air.
The house was as silent as a tomb.
Odd. She would normally be on her feet to meet him.
He passed the kitchen's butcher-block island and continued into the living room. A soft light filled the space beside her reading chair, but no sign of her.
"Mom?"
Maddox backtracked to the kitchen. Maybe she was in the downstairs bathroom.
"Hello?" His voice rose an octave as his pulse hammered. The bathroom door was wide open, the room dark.
Where was she?
His steps faltered as he pressed into the kitchen again. The backdoor stood open, the glass pane closest to the knob—shattered. His heart jumped into his throat.
"Mom!"
Using the agility that had garnered him the wide receiver place on the varsity football team, Maddox flew down the hall toward his parents' bedroom. He pushed open the door with shaking hands.
His mother lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of blood staining the carpet around her. Her face pale against the dark red spilling from her chest. A metallic odor permeated the room.
What? He blinked repeatedly, his mind not processing what his eyes saw. Then…he did. And nearly vomited.
He raced to her side, lifting her head into his lap. "Mom." Tears backed up in his eyes as he smoothed her hair.
"Mad-dy," she croaked.
He grabbed the phone from the nightstand, the base landing on the floor with a resounding thud. He grabbed the receiver and punched in 9-1-1.
"Hang on, Mom. I'm calling for help." Every nerve in his body stood at high alert.
"Too. Late." She grimaced. A gurgling seeped from between her lips. Her body went slack in his arms.
"911, what is the nature of your emergency?"
He closed his eyes. Fought back scalding tears. "My mother. She's been murdered."
It is time for a
FIRST Wild Card Tour
book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Robin Caroll
and the book:
B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is a leading Christian suspense novelist. She gives back to the writing community as conference director for the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A proud southerner through and through, Robin lives with her husband and three daughters in Arkansas.
Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy and devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil tells a modern day story involving the exposure of a building rebound scam. Amidst the layers of unethical practices, supply shortages, and excess murders, a top Louisiana homicide detective loses his heart to a charitable contractor while uncovering a secret about his tragic past.Product Details:
List Price: $14.98
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805449795
ISBN-13: 978-0805449792
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
Eighteen Years Earlier
What a night!
Maddox turned his car into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the dash—12:28. Great, late for curfew. He smiled. Being late was worth it when he'd had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
Besides, he was seventeen. Curfews were for kids! A senior in high school, and he had to be home by midnight? All his Pop's doing.
Tyson Bishop…Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Mom understood better, wasn't quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing, too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She'd just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.
Maddox whipped into the driveway and pressed the garage door opener. The light from the kitchen door spilled into the garage. Mom would be up…waiting. He should've called.
But being around Julie was like being caught in a time warp. Even the car's interior held her smell. Light, flowery…teasing and tempting.
He killed the engine and jogged up the steps, slipping his charming smile into place. His mom had never been able to stay mad or disappointed when he flashed his dimples at her. He'd promise to mow the grass tomorrow before Pop got home, and she'd forget all about his tardiness.
He shut the garage door behind him and entered the kitchen. "Mom? I'm home." The hint of roast lingered in the air.
The house was as silent as a tomb.
Odd. She would normally be on her feet to meet him.
He passed the kitchen's butcher-block island and continued into the living room. A soft light filled the space beside her reading chair, but no sign of her.
"Mom?"
Maddox backtracked to the kitchen. Maybe she was in the downstairs bathroom.
"Hello?" His voice rose an octave as his pulse hammered. The bathroom door was wide open, the room dark.
Where was she?
His steps faltered as he pressed into the kitchen again. The backdoor stood open, the glass pane closest to the knob—shattered. His heart jumped into his throat.
"Mom!"
Using the agility that had garnered him the wide receiver place on the varsity football team, Maddox flew down the hall toward his parents' bedroom. He pushed open the door with shaking hands.
His mother lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of blood staining the carpet around her. Her face pale against the dark red spilling from her chest. A metallic odor permeated the room.
What? He blinked repeatedly, his mind not processing what his eyes saw. Then…he did. And nearly vomited.
He raced to her side, lifting her head into his lap. "Mom." Tears backed up in his eyes as he smoothed her hair.
"Mad-dy," she croaked.
He grabbed the phone from the nightstand, the base landing on the floor with a resounding thud. He grabbed the receiver and punched in 9-1-1.
"Hang on, Mom. I'm calling for help." Every nerve in his body stood at high alert.
"Too. Late." She grimaced. A gurgling seeped from between her lips. Her body went slack in his arms.
"911, what is the nature of your emergency?"
He closed his eyes. Fought back scalding tears. "My mother. She's been murdered."
It is time for a
FIRST Wild Card Tour
book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
March 1, 2011
Excerpt - Springtime of the Spirit by Maureen Lang
Springtime of the Spiritby
Maureen Lang
By the fall of 1918, the Great War has ended and the world is at peace, but there is little to celebrate in Germany. After four years of fighting for his homeland, Christophe Brecht returns to find there is little left of what he once called home. So when family friends ask him to travel to Munich to bring back their runaway daughter, Christophe agrees.
When he finally locates Annaliese Duray, he discovers she is far different from the girl he once knew. Headstrong, idealistic, and beautiful, she is on the front lines of the city's political scene, fighting to give women and working-class citizens a voice in Germany's new government.
As the political upheaval ignites in Munich, so does the attraction between Annaliese and Christophe. With an army from Berlin threatening to squash everything Annaliese has worked for, both she and Christophe are forced to choose between love and loyalty.
Excerpt of chapter one:
Once there was a country that wanted a turn being a great and mighty empire. They
thought their freedom was at stake when the countries around them matched their race
for armaments. To protect that freedom and to make a try for their mighty empire, they
ordered their army—an army with a glorious history of excellence—to fight.
Despite all assurances that they would surely win, this country was defeated after all.
And its people, shocked over losing a war they'd been told would be won, ripened for
revolt against the leadership that had brought them not only the loss of so many men, but
the scorn of the world.
Some were willing to allow more sacrifice, but no longer from the workers and
soldiers who had already given so much.
Some wanted a better nation through finding a better part of themselves.
This is the story of two such people.
Part I
November 1918
Chapter One
One step, then another. He'd started out with his eyes forward, chin up, but all he could
see now were the tips of his boots.
Christophe Brecht was inside German territory, the train having taken them back
over the border, away from the trenches that had marred France for the past four years.
The ground his boots pounded now belonged to the fatherland.
Home.
The only sound was that of his men marching beside him—not that their tread could
be called marching. Most looked as tired and worn as he, barely able to take the next step.
They were still covered in the mud of no man's land, thick from boots to knee and in
varying layers up to the helmet.
Did any of them remember how it had been when they marched—yes, really
marched—in the other direction? Songs and praise echoed from every avenue, and
flowers showered them from smiling women, with proud pats on the back from fathers
and old men.
The city that had sent them so gloriously off to battle was still beyond sight. Those
not wishing to go all the way to Munich had been made to get off the train already, close
to but not at their requested destinations. The train lines were in disarray after handing
over half of their locomotives to the Allies, too much disarray to answer individual needs.
But Christophe wasn't far from Braedon, his small hometown some distance west of
Munich. He shoved away old thoughts of how this day was supposed to be. No victory
parades to greet them, no flowers. No woman to kiss him now that he was home. Just
silence.
He stared ahead under the autumn sunlight. His vision was clear, something the
army had taken advantage of when they'd trained him to be a sniper in the last chaotic
weeks of the war. Despite his earlier promotion from Hauptmann to Major, they'd stuck
him where he was needed most, no consideration of his rank. Not that he hadn't been a
successful sniper, but what he'd counted success only days ago now seemed something
else altogether.
Very likely many of the men beside him couldn't see the details he could—signs on
the series of poles before them: splashes of red, in flags, in backdrop. Signs he hadn't
seen the likes of since before the war. Back when people still talked about politics, when
the German voice wasn't the single one it had turned into during the war.
Then he saw it. An older poster, a bit tattered by the wind. The Kaiser's face, easily
recognizable with his mustache and uniform. A call to arms.
Christophe tore his gaze away, to the sky, back to his boots. He'd answered that call;
so had each of those who trod at his side. A call that had ended this way.
Rumor had it the Kaiser had fled Germany in disgrace. Good riddance. If what they
said about the armistice were true—that Germany was to be given sole blame for the
war—then the world hated them. Hated all of them for how the Kaiser and his cronies,
both aristocratic and military, had pushed them into this war.
Hated them almost as much as Christophe hated himself for all he'd done while in it.
His pace picked up before he knew it; blood pumped as wildly as it had during any
fight with the British or French, in offense or defense. He reached for a rock and hurled it
at the Kaiser's image. It landed with a thud directly between the eyes.
Another rock, then suddenly more than just his own, along with a grunt here and
there, a muffled cry. Were they his? No. A few men broke ranks and hurled themselves at
what was left of the poster.
All his life Christophe had needed something to cling to. His parents, a schoolmaster,
the church, his commanding officer. In the trenches, other soldiers. And Christ.
Hate filled him now—something he didn't want but couldn't rid himself of. He clung
to that
Christophe kept hold of the rock in his hand. No need to throw it—the poster had
disappeared.
***
"And so, fellow Germans! The calendar may say autumn, but in fact we are in the
springtime of Germany. The winter of an unjust war is behind us. New life buds for all
of us. Are there storms in spring? Yes, but the squalls bring us the energy we need for
change. We can build our country anew, and model for all—for ourselves and for our
neighbors, with the world's eye on us—that we speak as one voice, a voice of men, of
women, all of us together as one people without differences."
Annaliese barely paused, although the crowd was already beginning to cheer. She
read the same fervor on every face; it was like a wave passing over those gathered,
binding them together, uniting them.
"They'll hear us speak of protecting and not exploiting our fellow citizens. They'll
hear of our compassion for those in need, feel it in the plans to protect even the least in
Germany. They'll hear our demands for the equal distribution of food!"
Cries of affirmation forced a pause.
"We'll no longer be burdened by the yoke of a monarchy or kept under the thumb of
warmongers but we will be free—yes, really free—to live in the peace for which our men
fought. Peace! Freedom! Fairness! And bread!"
Annaliese Düray reveled in the jubilation, in the immediate approval of her call.
They outmatched her voice, which was a considerable thing because her voice was bigger
than she was—especially on this platform. Hands raised, she lifted her cry even louder,
proud of the timbre she'd inherited from her one-time schoolmarm mother. Not the
strident screech of some women but mid-toned, boisterous, easy on the ear even at this
pitch. "Peace is ours! And so is the future! If we rally behind the Party!"
"Anya . . . Anya, come along now."
Leo Beckenbauer's arm went around her waist and he ushered her from the crowd.
Two others carved a path between the brick wall of the Apotheke behind them and the
crowd before them, and off they went, the exuberance still echoing in her ears.
"Did you see them, Leo?" she called, breathless. "And more were coming! We
should stay—"
But he pressed forward and there was little she could do except follow, with Leo
next to her, bodyguards in front and behind them. Each one was a brother to her, united
not by blood but by something deeper, a passion ardent enough to stir all Germany
toward a better future. One that would bond them with others throughout the world.
They evaded the few people who followed by turning into a narrow gangway
between the back of the Apotheke and the shop next door. Only four blocks to the back of
the butcher shop Leo's father once ran, the temporary headquarters for those whose ideals
about the future matched their own.
Not a block away, Annaliese heard the echoes and cries of another rally, led by a
voice she recognized as belonging to another party. The communists—a party not likely
to support the recently appointed Bavarian Prime Minister Eisner the way she did. Eisner
had been appointed by revolution, with a quick and systematic takeover—and not a single
shot fired. Such a takeover would have been far different had the red communists been
in charge, even if they did want some of the same things Annaliese's own party wanted.
Eisner had agreed to a quick election just weeks from now, proving his confidence that he
had the will of the people behind him, even though a half dozen other parties demanded
their voices be heard, too.
But in this neighborhood only one voice was the loudest, and that was Jurgen's. A
socialist one.
She saw the exchange of glances between the men around her, starting with Leo
who looked at Ivo and Ivo who looked at Huey. Huey was an ironworker and Ivo a
woodworker—or Ivo had been, until the war had claimed most of his fingers. Despite
any hint of a disability, he was as tall as he was stalwart, just like Huey. It would take
little more than a word from either one of them to disperse a competing crowd in their
territory.
"I could have stayed this time, Leo," Annaliese said once they entered the back of
the darkened shop. Though the kitchen hadn't boasted a single slab of meat or even the
stingiest of sausages in well over a year, the slight residue of blood and spices still tickled
her nose when Leo closed the door behind them.
Leo went to the table where a stack of papers awaited him. "You know how Eisner
likes it; you and Jurgen are to keep their thoughts on Eisner's Council so the vote will be
won. You'll spend time more freely with the people once Jurgen is back beside you. He is
Eisner's Council around here, or at least the best known of the Council members."
Of all the voices struggling to be heard these days, other than Eisner himself, it was
Jurgen who attracted the biggest response from nearly all corners of their broken society.
His promises to meet everyday needs did not fall on deaf ears, because his was the voice
of the workers and the peasants themselves—of all those who'd never had a voice before.
Jurgen liked to tell Annaliese she brought the women's voice to him, but Annaliese
knew better. People came because they wanted to see Jurgen, to hear him, to witness
the spark in his eye as he promised them what they wanted most of all. Each came with
one need or another, but Jurgen promised that the Council had the answer no matter the
question.
And Leo had access to bread, when he could find it. Bread few could afford in the
quantities their office provided through donations and collections at street rallies. They
could afford collectively what individually they must do without. Starve alone or unite
and eat. Practical evidence of the effectiveness of the Council's goals.
"Oh! It must have been delivered while we were gone." Annaliese scooped up the
package left on the wide butcher's table beside the stack of notes Leo tended. "And just
in time for tomorrow's Council meeting."
Ripping away the string and paper, she held up the jacket for Leo to see. It was
exactly as she'd told the tailor to make it: broad across the shoulders, with a touch of
padding to make those shoulders appear fully capable of holding the world's woes, just
as he needed them to. And not black, but blue—dark, though, because anything too bright
would be out of place in their tattered world. Yet blue would cast his elegant eyes in the
best of light.
But Leo was shaking his head. "He'll look like a capitalist."
"No jacket will hide Jurgen's working class background. It's in the width of his
shoulders, the strength and size of his hands. In this, he'll look the way every man wants
to look. Strong. Fatherly yet handsome; a leader. And the color will reveal the poet in
him."
Leo aimed a skeptical brow her way. "Fatherly? I wasn't aware that's how you
viewed him."
She ignored the comment; it wasn't the first time Leo had tried coaxing free her
infatuation with Jurgen. "It's important that he not look like a military man, even if we
do want the military behind us. We've seen enough leaders in uniform. And he won't
wear the top hat of a capitalist, either, or the shoes of a monarch. He'll wear trousers
like anyone else, only this jacket will show he can take on another's burden without the
excesses of an exploiter."
"Yes, well, he's doing that, isn't he?" Leo fingered the sleeve—durable fabric, plain
but for the dark blue color. "Well chosen, Anya. You're young but smart, I've said so
right along."
Annaliese smiled at the praise, especially coming from Leo. Jurgen might be the one
to receive public praise in the name of Eisner's Council—or the blame from those who
disagreed—but anyone who worked beside them knew whatever Jurgen believed, Leo
had believed first.
Print book:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Christianbook.com
Books a Million
