Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 193
November 17, 2015
BOOK REVIEW – THE GOLDEN BRAID by MELANIE DICKERSON
The Golden Braid
There comes a time when a parent’s protective instinct crosses a line. A line between control and manipulation, and genuine concern for your child’s well-being.
In the year of 1413, a maiden of 19 was considered an old maid. And yet, Rapunzel remained in her mother’s home, with both of them devoted to the other.
Or so she thought. Even under her mother’s thumb, Rapunzel longed for a freedom she has never tasted. Moving from village to village has taught Rapunzel many skills, unusual skills for a fair maiden, but the one ability she longs for most— to read—she is denied.
On their journey as they move yet again—not to a village this time but to the city of Hagenheim—they are captured by vagabonds and then rescued by a handsome knight.
As Rapunzel and her mother begin their life in the city, and Rapunzel steals away to learn to read, her path and that of the knight continue to cross.
What mystery and lies does Rapunzel discover? How long do lies stay sleeping til they surface again? What is the secret Rapunzel learns about herself? The secret her mother will do anything—anything— to keep anyone else from finding out? Will Rapunzel meet her Prince Charming or will she remain captive in her tower?
Ms. Dickerson has once again crafted a story true to its origins while weaving a rich fabric of intrigue and treachery. Her characters come alive with real emotion and believable dialogue, the plot is believable and authentic, her details true to the Medieval era in which the story is set. I felt I was along for Rapunzel’s ride, tagging along as I was on her journey. I held my breath as the thieves appear again, I cried as Rapunzel’s mother quelled her time and again. I cheered as she learned to read, and when the truth was revealed, I reveled in Rapunzel’s victory.
I highly recommend this story, and will be reading more of Ms. Dickerson’s works.
#thegoldenbraid, #melaniedickerson, #thehealersapprentice, #themerchantsdaughter, #theprincessspy, #thehuntressofthornbeckforest
There comes a time when a parent’s protective instinct crosses a line. A line between control and manipulation, and genuine concern for your child’s well-being.
In the year of 1413, a maiden of 19 was considered an old maid. And yet, Rapunzel remained in her mother’s home, with both of them devoted to the other.
Or so she thought. Even under her mother’s thumb, Rapunzel longed for a freedom she has never tasted. Moving from village to village has taught Rapunzel many skills, unusual skills for a fair maiden, but the one ability she longs for most— to read—she is denied.
On their journey as they move yet again—not to a village this time but to the city of Hagenheim—they are captured by vagabonds and then rescued by a handsome knight.
As Rapunzel and her mother begin their life in the city, and Rapunzel steals away to learn to read, her path and that of the knight continue to cross.
What mystery and lies does Rapunzel discover? How long do lies stay sleeping til they surface again? What is the secret Rapunzel learns about herself? The secret her mother will do anything—anything— to keep anyone else from finding out? Will Rapunzel meet her Prince Charming or will she remain captive in her tower?
Ms. Dickerson has once again crafted a story true to its origins while weaving a rich fabric of intrigue and treachery. Her characters come alive with real emotion and believable dialogue, the plot is believable and authentic, her details true to the Medieval era in which the story is set. I felt I was along for Rapunzel’s ride, tagging along as I was on her journey. I held my breath as the thieves appear again, I cried as Rapunzel’s mother quelled her time and again. I cheered as she learned to read, and when the truth was revealed, I reveled in Rapunzel’s victory.
I highly recommend this story, and will be reading more of Ms. Dickerson’s works.
#thegoldenbraid, #melaniedickerson, #thehealersapprentice, #themerchantsdaughter, #theprincessspy, #thehuntressofthornbeckforest
November 10, 2015
BOOK REVIEW – PERIL by JORDYN REDWOOD
Peril
Ms. Redwood has outdone herself this time! This story teeters on the edge of ethics. And of humanity.
Dr. Thomas Reeves specializes in research medicine and experimental protocol. He has found the cure for PTSD. How far is he willing to go to prove his theory? What constitutes success?
Working with volunteer patients, Dr. Reeves creates autobiographical memory, far superior even to photographic memory. His select patients, former military, are prime candidates for Dr. Reeves’ surgically altered soldiers. When Dr. Tyler Adams, Reeves’ associate, discovers anomalies with the protocol, Reeves dismisses the reports.
Dr. Adams’ finding prove true, however, when three subjects take hostages, one of them pediatric ICU nurse, Morgan Adams—Dr. Reeves’ own daughter. Will Dr. Reeves concede his protocol and research failed? Or will he turn away—as he has done in the past—and let his daughter be killed?
Ms. Redwood has set current-day headlines against age-old moral questions into one chilling and unthinkable story. Emotions and tragedy play into the characters, molding them to the actions they take. Or don’t take. I held my breath as action unfolded, as Morgan walked a fine line between life and death. I felt my anger rise as Dr. Reeves repeated his past attitude. I cried as Morgan fought to save a gunshot victim inside the ICU. And I felt the burning frustration of Dr. Reeves’ subjects, fighting the nightmares of the surgical implants tormenting their minds.
A pinnacle conclusion to her Bloodline Trilogy, Ms. Redwood has wrought a story of fine tension and forceful action.
#peril, #jordynredwood, #proof, #poison, #bloodlinetrilogy #ERnurse
Ms. Redwood has outdone herself this time! This story teeters on the edge of ethics. And of humanity.
Dr. Thomas Reeves specializes in research medicine and experimental protocol. He has found the cure for PTSD. How far is he willing to go to prove his theory? What constitutes success?
Working with volunteer patients, Dr. Reeves creates autobiographical memory, far superior even to photographic memory. His select patients, former military, are prime candidates for Dr. Reeves’ surgically altered soldiers. When Dr. Tyler Adams, Reeves’ associate, discovers anomalies with the protocol, Reeves dismisses the reports.
Dr. Adams’ finding prove true, however, when three subjects take hostages, one of them pediatric ICU nurse, Morgan Adams—Dr. Reeves’ own daughter. Will Dr. Reeves concede his protocol and research failed? Or will he turn away—as he has done in the past—and let his daughter be killed?
Ms. Redwood has set current-day headlines against age-old moral questions into one chilling and unthinkable story. Emotions and tragedy play into the characters, molding them to the actions they take. Or don’t take. I held my breath as action unfolded, as Morgan walked a fine line between life and death. I felt my anger rise as Dr. Reeves repeated his past attitude. I cried as Morgan fought to save a gunshot victim inside the ICU. And I felt the burning frustration of Dr. Reeves’ subjects, fighting the nightmares of the surgical implants tormenting their minds.
A pinnacle conclusion to her Bloodline Trilogy, Ms. Redwood has wrought a story of fine tension and forceful action.
#peril, #jordynredwood, #proof, #poison, #bloodlinetrilogy #ERnurse
November 3, 2015
BOOK REVIEW – TRIAL BY TWELVE by HEATHER GILBERT
BOOK REVIEW – TRIAL BY TWELVE by HEATHER GILBERT
Intrepid Tess Spencer returns in this gruesome murder mystery.
Enjoying her life with her one-year-old daughter and her hunky lawyer husband, she has a job as receptionist at a new spa in town, Crystal Mountain Spa. The job is laid back and part time, and life couldn’t be better.
Until eight skeletons are unearthed on the spa property. And then another – fresh – body is dumped on the site. And another. Even as they realize it is the work of a serial killer – a killer who has returned to Buckneck - Tess can’t stay away from the investigation. With her extraordinary memory and her ability to piece together otherwise random nuggets of evidence, Tess aids the detective on the case. And puts her life at risk.
Ms. Gilbert has once again brought to life the people of Buckneck, West Virginia. In a familiar and easy style, Trial by Twelve reads like centuries-old folklore. Characters come to life with believable traits and foibles. I laughed with Tess, and panicked with her in her claustrophobia – and I’m not claustrophobic. I felt the frisson of fear build with each page, wondering who amongst them was the killer.
The ending held a surprise, an unexpected twist. I’ll be sure to return to Ms. Gilbert’s next installment in this series. Trial by Twelve is Book Two in A Murder in the Mountains series.
This novel is written from a Christian worldview.
HEATHER DAY GILBERT writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Her debut novel, God’s Daughter, is an Amazon Norse bestseller. Miranda Warning and Trial by Twelve are bestselling contemporary mysteries in her A Murder in the Mountains series. Her Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher shares focused advice on four key steps in the indie publication process. You can find Heather at her website, heatherdaygilbert.com. She is also active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
#mirandawarning, #heathergilbert, #mirandawarning, #Godsdaughter, #indiepublishinghandbook
Intrepid Tess Spencer returns in this gruesome murder mystery.
Enjoying her life with her one-year-old daughter and her hunky lawyer husband, she has a job as receptionist at a new spa in town, Crystal Mountain Spa. The job is laid back and part time, and life couldn’t be better.
Until eight skeletons are unearthed on the spa property. And then another – fresh – body is dumped on the site. And another. Even as they realize it is the work of a serial killer – a killer who has returned to Buckneck - Tess can’t stay away from the investigation. With her extraordinary memory and her ability to piece together otherwise random nuggets of evidence, Tess aids the detective on the case. And puts her life at risk.
Ms. Gilbert has once again brought to life the people of Buckneck, West Virginia. In a familiar and easy style, Trial by Twelve reads like centuries-old folklore. Characters come to life with believable traits and foibles. I laughed with Tess, and panicked with her in her claustrophobia – and I’m not claustrophobic. I felt the frisson of fear build with each page, wondering who amongst them was the killer.
The ending held a surprise, an unexpected twist. I’ll be sure to return to Ms. Gilbert’s next installment in this series. Trial by Twelve is Book Two in A Murder in the Mountains series.
This novel is written from a Christian worldview.
HEATHER DAY GILBERT writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Her debut novel, God’s Daughter, is an Amazon Norse bestseller. Miranda Warning and Trial by Twelve are bestselling contemporary mysteries in her A Murder in the Mountains series. Her Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher shares focused advice on four key steps in the indie publication process. You can find Heather at her website, heatherdaygilbert.com. She is also active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
#mirandawarning, #heathergilbert, #mirandawarning, #Godsdaughter, #indiepublishinghandbook
October 31, 2015
Review Blitz – POISON
BOOK REVIEW – POISON by JORDYN REDWOOD
Poison
“The highly anticipated second installment of the Bloodline Trilogy explores the boundaries of faith and family and what happens when both are put to the test.” (taken from the back cover blurb.)
Keelyn Samuels thought the harrowing experience was behind her. Thought she could go on with her life, have a normal life, even. Until a man who called himself Lucent sits on the diner stool next to her. A man who knows too much about her. And about that day.
That day was the day her mother had died. The day her step-father had killed her mother. Only Keelyn and her half-sister, Raven, survived the hostage ordeal. Not only was their mother dead, but their siblings were too. Mentally ill, Keelyn’s stepfather, Raven’s father, was carrying out orders, orders from a hallucination he called Lucent.
Now, Keelyn and SWAT team member Lee Watson were engaged, anticipating their happy life together. But the evil that had stalked and tormented Keelyn’s stepfather has resurfaced, in the flesh, taking vengeance on all who were involved on that day.
As layer compounds upon layer, and twists turn and turn again, the story becomes more complex, the killer more mysterious. Every new clue and discovery leads to more layers of mystery. What is killing these victims who are dying at seeming random intervals? What poison is the killer using? Can Keelyn and Lee find Raven before she becomes a victim? Or is she the one poisoning the victims? Will Lucent get to Keelyn and Lee before they can get to him?
Ms. Redwood has once again spun an intricate tale, with threads crossing threads. Her characters are vivid and real, my heart pounding with theirs, as they find themselves in one dead-end trail after another. I puzzled as they did over clues that didn’t seem to add up. And when the truth is discovered, I breathed a sigh of relief as surely as they did.
Thoroughly engrossed in this story, I look forward to the third in this series.
Jordyn Redwood
JORDYN REDWOOD is a nurse by day, novelist by night. She has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. As a self-professed medical nerd, she reads medical textbooks for fun. This led to the creation of Redwood's Medical Edge-- a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn loves to weave medical mystery into her story lines and see how her characters navigate through the chaos she creates.
#poison, #jordynredwood, #proof, #peril, #bloodlinetrilogy #ERnurse
Poison
“The highly anticipated second installment of the Bloodline Trilogy explores the boundaries of faith and family and what happens when both are put to the test.” (taken from the back cover blurb.)
Keelyn Samuels thought the harrowing experience was behind her. Thought she could go on with her life, have a normal life, even. Until a man who called himself Lucent sits on the diner stool next to her. A man who knows too much about her. And about that day.
That day was the day her mother had died. The day her step-father had killed her mother. Only Keelyn and her half-sister, Raven, survived the hostage ordeal. Not only was their mother dead, but their siblings were too. Mentally ill, Keelyn’s stepfather, Raven’s father, was carrying out orders, orders from a hallucination he called Lucent.
Now, Keelyn and SWAT team member Lee Watson were engaged, anticipating their happy life together. But the evil that had stalked and tormented Keelyn’s stepfather has resurfaced, in the flesh, taking vengeance on all who were involved on that day.
As layer compounds upon layer, and twists turn and turn again, the story becomes more complex, the killer more mysterious. Every new clue and discovery leads to more layers of mystery. What is killing these victims who are dying at seeming random intervals? What poison is the killer using? Can Keelyn and Lee find Raven before she becomes a victim? Or is she the one poisoning the victims? Will Lucent get to Keelyn and Lee before they can get to him?
Ms. Redwood has once again spun an intricate tale, with threads crossing threads. Her characters are vivid and real, my heart pounding with theirs, as they find themselves in one dead-end trail after another. I puzzled as they did over clues that didn’t seem to add up. And when the truth is discovered, I breathed a sigh of relief as surely as they did.
Thoroughly engrossed in this story, I look forward to the third in this series.
Jordyn Redwood
JORDYN REDWOOD is a nurse by day, novelist by night. She has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. As a self-professed medical nerd, she reads medical textbooks for fun. This led to the creation of Redwood's Medical Edge-- a blog devoted to helping authors write medically accurate fiction. Jordyn loves to weave medical mystery into her story lines and see how her characters navigate through the chaos she creates.
#poison, #jordynredwood, #proof, #peril, #bloodlinetrilogy #ERnurse
October 29, 2015
Review Blitz – LINKED
BOOK REVIEW – LINKED by RACHEL TRAUTMILLER
Linked
A ten-year-old murder. Two FBI agents – old friends. And one of them the son of the murdered woman. Why has the crime resurfaced after a decade? With the wrong man convicted of the crime, the killer is running free. Biding time.
After his mother’s murder, Jordan Bening took off and disappeared. He knows it’s time to face his past, and make things right.
Jordan’s childhood friend, McKenna Moore hasn’t forgiven him for his disappearance. And she can’t forgive herself for her testimony at the trial; testimony that put her uncle in prison for the crime.
As mysterious clues mount, and Jordan and McKenna’s paths continue to criss-cross, their friendship begins to revive. And as they hunt for the truth, the killer is hunting for them.
Ms. Trautmiller tells a chilling story, building suspense with every page. With believable characters, emotions at full tilt and every which way – and denied – I felt their fear and terror as the killer teased and tormented, I felt the attraction between them, even as they fought against it. I chilled as the killer got closer and yet grew more elusive. And I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
**This book is part of a series. Reading the books in order will heighten your enjoyment of the characters within each story.**
Rachel Trautmiller
RACHEL TRAUTMILLER strives to write novels filled with murder, mayhem and romance that leave her readers wanting more incredible twists and turns. Side note: A nightlight may be required. Some bleary-eyed, early mornings have been known to occur.
When she's not riveting readers with the chaotic mess of her character's lives, she can be found poolside with her husband and extremely cute toddler, a dog and one fat cat. She enjoys football, reading, finger painting with her daughter and discussing the NFL draft with her husband. Loves anything to do with the FBI, law enforcement and the military, spending time with friends and family. And interacting with her readers
www.facebook.com/rachel.trautmiller
www.racheltrautmiller.com
www.pinterest.com/rtrautmiller
www.twitter.com/@rtrautmiller
Join my mailing list for cool giveaways and character news:
http://eepurl.com/bzNfCf
#linked, #thebeningfileseries, #disconnect, #aftermath
Linked
A ten-year-old murder. Two FBI agents – old friends. And one of them the son of the murdered woman. Why has the crime resurfaced after a decade? With the wrong man convicted of the crime, the killer is running free. Biding time.
After his mother’s murder, Jordan Bening took off and disappeared. He knows it’s time to face his past, and make things right.
Jordan’s childhood friend, McKenna Moore hasn’t forgiven him for his disappearance. And she can’t forgive herself for her testimony at the trial; testimony that put her uncle in prison for the crime.
As mysterious clues mount, and Jordan and McKenna’s paths continue to criss-cross, their friendship begins to revive. And as they hunt for the truth, the killer is hunting for them.
Ms. Trautmiller tells a chilling story, building suspense with every page. With believable characters, emotions at full tilt and every which way – and denied – I felt their fear and terror as the killer teased and tormented, I felt the attraction between them, even as they fought against it. I chilled as the killer got closer and yet grew more elusive. And I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
**This book is part of a series. Reading the books in order will heighten your enjoyment of the characters within each story.**
Rachel Trautmiller
RACHEL TRAUTMILLER strives to write novels filled with murder, mayhem and romance that leave her readers wanting more incredible twists and turns. Side note: A nightlight may be required. Some bleary-eyed, early mornings have been known to occur.
When she's not riveting readers with the chaotic mess of her character's lives, she can be found poolside with her husband and extremely cute toddler, a dog and one fat cat. She enjoys football, reading, finger painting with her daughter and discussing the NFL draft with her husband. Loves anything to do with the FBI, law enforcement and the military, spending time with friends and family. And interacting with her readers
www.facebook.com/rachel.trautmiller
www.racheltrautmiller.com
www.pinterest.com/rtrautmiller
www.twitter.com/@rtrautmiller
Join my mailing list for cool giveaways and character news:
http://eepurl.com/bzNfCf
#linked, #thebeningfileseries, #disconnect, #aftermath
October 28, 2015
Review Blitz - A HEART DECEIVED
BOOK REVIEW – A HEART DECEIVED by MICHELLE GRIEP
A Heart Deceived
Family secrets are swept under the rug, hushed. What goes on behind closed doors stays behind closed doors.
But Miri Brayden can no longer hide the secret in her house any more than she can escape the madness mounting in her guardian, her older brother Roland. As he descends further into his lunacy, his anger rises. And Miri is in danger.
But she can’t leave, it’s just not done. Not in the year 1795, no matter how she might wish her escape; it’s a man’s world.
A marriage would remove her from her brother’s care – and outbursts – but she is not at all interested in the match Roland has arranged for her. But if Miri could learn a trade, she could disentangle herself from Roland’s grip. And the unwelcome marriage proposal.
Then a vagabond turns up at the back door of the rectory and Miri takes it upon herself to minister to his needs - secretly. Starving and suffering a “severe cough, fever, and nausea,” Ethan Goodwin was a friend of Miri’s younger brother, Will. Ethan was also an “opium addict, philanderer, liar, cheater, and drunkard.”
Does Roland’s madness land him in the asylum? Will Miri end up there with him or in the poorhouse? What of Ethan? What of the crime he believes he committed? Or will they work their way through the web of lies and tangled deceit to the truth. And God’s love.
A Heart Deceived gripped me from the beginning, with twists and unexpected turns on every page. With her story set in the Georgian Era, Ms. Griep has created a well-woven gothic world, dark and ominous, Roland’s madness sinister even. Gritty and vivid, his outbursts are authentic and believable, Miri’s reactions – and helplessness - true to the era. I cringed with her as Roland lashed out, time and again. I longed for her escape as surely as did she. My heart thudded as Miri and Ethan’s attraction grew, my heart longing for the happy resolution as surely as theirs did.
As historical fiction is my favorite genre, I enjoyed Ms. Griep’s use of period accurate language, and detail.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading all of Ms. Griep’s books.
Michelle Griep
MICHELLE GRIEP is:
A Pen and Ink Fanatic
Dare I be so bold as to call myself an author? Being that I’m one of those freaks who attended poetry workshops instead of summer camp during my formative years, yes, I will. While other teens busied themselves throwing parties when their parents weren’t home, I was the nerd holed up in my room with pen and paper.
An Anti-Establishment Rabblerouser
I am one of those library-card wielding, mini-van driving, let’s-take-a-jaunt-to-the-grocery-store and call it a field trip kind of homeschoolers. But allow me this disclaimer: I don’t wear denim jumpers, and I farm out anything related to science or math. Bonus disclaimer: The last of my nestlings has flown the homeschooling nest, but I continue to tutor writing and history at a local high school homeschool co-op. You can read some of my views on homeschooling at:
A Princess
No, I’m not currently on medication for delusions of grandeur. I am a daughter of a King. Seriously. I take the Bible as inspired truth and that’s what it says (Romans 8:16, 17). If you’d like to find out more about this, click here.
A Boxer Lover
I’m not talking Fruit of the Loom vs. Hanes. I’m talking stubby-tailed, fuzzy muzzled, bundles of face-licking love. As the great philosopher Groucho Marx once said, “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
An Anglophile
What’s the deal with me and Great Britain? Beats me. I’m as passionate about anything English as I am about chocolate and java. Oddly enough, I prefer Bronte over Austen, and if you’d like to debate the qualities of Typhoo versus PG Tips, feel free to e-mail me.
#aheartdeceived, #michellegriep, #brentwoodsward, #historicalromance, #undercurrent, #gallimore
A Heart Deceived
Family secrets are swept under the rug, hushed. What goes on behind closed doors stays behind closed doors.
But Miri Brayden can no longer hide the secret in her house any more than she can escape the madness mounting in her guardian, her older brother Roland. As he descends further into his lunacy, his anger rises. And Miri is in danger.
But she can’t leave, it’s just not done. Not in the year 1795, no matter how she might wish her escape; it’s a man’s world.
A marriage would remove her from her brother’s care – and outbursts – but she is not at all interested in the match Roland has arranged for her. But if Miri could learn a trade, she could disentangle herself from Roland’s grip. And the unwelcome marriage proposal.
Then a vagabond turns up at the back door of the rectory and Miri takes it upon herself to minister to his needs - secretly. Starving and suffering a “severe cough, fever, and nausea,” Ethan Goodwin was a friend of Miri’s younger brother, Will. Ethan was also an “opium addict, philanderer, liar, cheater, and drunkard.”
Does Roland’s madness land him in the asylum? Will Miri end up there with him or in the poorhouse? What of Ethan? What of the crime he believes he committed? Or will they work their way through the web of lies and tangled deceit to the truth. And God’s love.
A Heart Deceived gripped me from the beginning, with twists and unexpected turns on every page. With her story set in the Georgian Era, Ms. Griep has created a well-woven gothic world, dark and ominous, Roland’s madness sinister even. Gritty and vivid, his outbursts are authentic and believable, Miri’s reactions – and helplessness - true to the era. I cringed with her as Roland lashed out, time and again. I longed for her escape as surely as did she. My heart thudded as Miri and Ethan’s attraction grew, my heart longing for the happy resolution as surely as theirs did.
As historical fiction is my favorite genre, I enjoyed Ms. Griep’s use of period accurate language, and detail.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading all of Ms. Griep’s books.
Michelle Griep
MICHELLE GRIEP is:
A Pen and Ink Fanatic
Dare I be so bold as to call myself an author? Being that I’m one of those freaks who attended poetry workshops instead of summer camp during my formative years, yes, I will. While other teens busied themselves throwing parties when their parents weren’t home, I was the nerd holed up in my room with pen and paper.
An Anti-Establishment Rabblerouser
I am one of those library-card wielding, mini-van driving, let’s-take-a-jaunt-to-the-grocery-store and call it a field trip kind of homeschoolers. But allow me this disclaimer: I don’t wear denim jumpers, and I farm out anything related to science or math. Bonus disclaimer: The last of my nestlings has flown the homeschooling nest, but I continue to tutor writing and history at a local high school homeschool co-op. You can read some of my views on homeschooling at:
A Princess
No, I’m not currently on medication for delusions of grandeur. I am a daughter of a King. Seriously. I take the Bible as inspired truth and that’s what it says (Romans 8:16, 17). If you’d like to find out more about this, click here.
A Boxer Lover
I’m not talking Fruit of the Loom vs. Hanes. I’m talking stubby-tailed, fuzzy muzzled, bundles of face-licking love. As the great philosopher Groucho Marx once said, “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”
An Anglophile
What’s the deal with me and Great Britain? Beats me. I’m as passionate about anything English as I am about chocolate and java. Oddly enough, I prefer Bronte over Austen, and if you’d like to debate the qualities of Typhoo versus PG Tips, feel free to e-mail me.
#aheartdeceived, #michellegriep, #brentwoodsward, #historicalromance, #undercurrent, #gallimore
October 26, 2015
BOOK REVIEW – MIRANDA WARNING by HEATHER GILBERT
Miranda Warning
“I chose the day I would die. My husband’s deep brown eyes glowed as he handed me the cocoa. “Maybe you’ll sleep better tonight, Rosey.”
I was tired of the charade between us. I never wanted to smile at his dinner parties again. Never wanted to beg him for the children he wouldn’t give me. I’d never again clean up his clothes, covered in moonshine vomit. I gulped the foaming, lukewarm liquid, a smile on my face. And that was the last time Paul Campbell would ever see me smile.” [excerpted from Miranda Warning.]
With a beginning like that, you know it’s going to be a gripping story. And Miranda Warning does not disappoint.
Tess Spencer is intrepid. And has an insatiable need to know. And a memory that recalls events and conversations like replay on the DVR; nothing gets past her. And, she has an independent streak that gets her in trouble.
When Tess’s elderly friend, Miranda, receives a threatening note, Tess knows she has to find out who sent it. Then Miranda tells her whose handwriting it is. Only problem is, the handwriting belongs to a woman who has been dead for forty years. Tess is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of the mysterious note.
But the more she digs, the more she unearths, more mystery and more pieces that don’t add up. And not only is her friend Miranda in danger, but Tess soon realizes, she is too.
Ms. Gilbert has woven such a tale of intrigue, with one loop overlapping another. Life is not simple and there are no easy answers; Ms. Gilbert’s story isn’t either. Her characters are complex and real, emotions raw and genuine, interactions believable and authentic. I could feel palpable tension as Tess’s husband grew more concerned with her snooping activity, felt the weight when he brought out his arsenal to protect his bride. I snickered at the banter between them, and amongst other characters. I felt the fear mounting as Tess grew closer and closer to the answer, and when it looked for sure she had gone too far.
This novel is written from a Christian worldview.
Heather Day Gilbert
HEATHER DAY GILBERT writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Her debut novel, God’s Daughter, is an Amazon Norse bestseller. Miranda Warning and Trial by Twelve are bestselling contemporary mysteries in her A Murder in the Mountains series. Her Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher shares focused advice on four key steps in the indie publication process. You can find Heather at her website, heatherdaygilbert.com. She is also active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
#mirandawarning, #heathergilbert, #trialbytwelve, #Godsdaughter, #indiepublishinghandbook
“I chose the day I would die. My husband’s deep brown eyes glowed as he handed me the cocoa. “Maybe you’ll sleep better tonight, Rosey.”
I was tired of the charade between us. I never wanted to smile at his dinner parties again. Never wanted to beg him for the children he wouldn’t give me. I’d never again clean up his clothes, covered in moonshine vomit. I gulped the foaming, lukewarm liquid, a smile on my face. And that was the last time Paul Campbell would ever see me smile.” [excerpted from Miranda Warning.]
With a beginning like that, you know it’s going to be a gripping story. And Miranda Warning does not disappoint.
Tess Spencer is intrepid. And has an insatiable need to know. And a memory that recalls events and conversations like replay on the DVR; nothing gets past her. And, she has an independent streak that gets her in trouble.
When Tess’s elderly friend, Miranda, receives a threatening note, Tess knows she has to find out who sent it. Then Miranda tells her whose handwriting it is. Only problem is, the handwriting belongs to a woman who has been dead for forty years. Tess is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of the mysterious note.
But the more she digs, the more she unearths, more mystery and more pieces that don’t add up. And not only is her friend Miranda in danger, but Tess soon realizes, she is too.
Ms. Gilbert has woven such a tale of intrigue, with one loop overlapping another. Life is not simple and there are no easy answers; Ms. Gilbert’s story isn’t either. Her characters are complex and real, emotions raw and genuine, interactions believable and authentic. I could feel palpable tension as Tess’s husband grew more concerned with her snooping activity, felt the weight when he brought out his arsenal to protect his bride. I snickered at the banter between them, and amongst other characters. I felt the fear mounting as Tess grew closer and closer to the answer, and when it looked for sure she had gone too far.
This novel is written from a Christian worldview.
Heather Day Gilbert
HEATHER DAY GILBERT writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Her debut novel, God’s Daughter, is an Amazon Norse bestseller. Miranda Warning and Trial by Twelve are bestselling contemporary mysteries in her A Murder in the Mountains series. Her Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher shares focused advice on four key steps in the indie publication process. You can find Heather at her website, heatherdaygilbert.com. She is also active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
#mirandawarning, #heathergilbert, #trialbytwelve, #Godsdaughter, #indiepublishinghandbook
October 15, 2015
Author Interview – CARLA GADE
Please give a big welcome to CARLA GADE.
rem: Thank you, Carla for being on my blog this week.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
CARLA: I was raised in the historic New England town of Wrentham, Massachusetts where we celebrated its tri-centennial when I was in grade school (this fostered my love for history). For the past 13 years, I’ve lived in central Maine with my husband, near my two adult sons and 2 yr. old grandson.
rem: I love history! Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read. Tell us three things about yourself.
CARLA: I’m creative, a deep thinker, and I adore classic movies.
rem: What was / were your favorite book(s) as a child?
CARLA: Harold and the Purple Crayon (I could always relate to his imagination), and the Tell Me Why children’s question and answer books (always inquisitive!).
rem: I can relate to both the imagination and inquisitiveness also. If you could chose to be a character in a book, who would it be and why?
CARLA: Galadriel from Lord of the Rings. She’s so magnificent, ethereal, and wise.
rem: Great choice, good reasons. What is your most treasured possession?
CARLA: Next to my laptop or iphone, lol, my Bible. Yet, since I read that in a variety of forms now, I would say my family photo album from my childhood.
rem: What is your greatest fear?
CARLA: Bats
rem: Oh, I like bats – they eat mosquitoes! What is your greatest regret?
CARLA: I don’t do regrets. I find it best not to dwell on mistakes because when I submit them to the Lord I find that He redeems and redirects my life.
rem: What a wise and lovely attitude to have. I admire that. What is your favorite quotation and why?
CARLA: “A true imagination is beholding a truth of God,” by 19th century Scottish storyteller George MacDonald. It reminds me that any worthy and creative idea I have only comes from the mind of God. He is the true Author and Creator.
rem: We do think a lot alike. What do you most value in a friend? What quality do you most admire in a man or woman?
CARLA: I admire men who respect women and women who respect themselves, and vice versa.
rem: Respect cannot be overlooked, both for self and for others. What do you do as a hobby?
CARLA: I enjoy drawing house plans. One of them will be built in the spring by a relative. I also enjoy photography and genealogy.
rem: House plans? Well this one surprised me! I’m an Interior Designer, so yeah, I love drawing house plans!
Dogs or Cats? Which do you prefer?
CARLA: Cats. I just lost my 15 year old calico kitty, Briar Rose, but we still have 3 year old orange tabby, Dasha.
rem: Sorry to hear about your sweet Briar Rose. I’m a cat person also. (some might say crazy cat lady) What would you do if you weren’t writing?
CARLA: I was formerly a webmaster and graphic designer and stopped when my writing responsibilities became my priority. So, I suppose I would still be busy with that.
rem: Tell us about your blog, Relatively Speaking. Who is your favorite ancestor you’ve discovered? The most interesting? The baddest? What prompted you to look up your ancestry?
CARLA: Relatively Speaking is my family history blog. It’s a place to share and record my adventures in genealogy. Mostly I post about my New England family heritage (a great deal of my ancestors were first settlers in 17th century Massachusetts) and my husband’s similar history. I also post what I can regarding our Scandinavian roots (I am half Swedish and my husband half Norwegian). I’ve been fascinated with my ancestors since childhood. My grandmother told me we were “Yankee” so I wanted to find out just what that meant. Basically, we are a European blend on that side: English, Welsh, and Scottish with some Mayflower connections and even several royal lines.
My 10x great-grandfather, John Howland, is one of my favorite ancestors. He actually fell off the Mayflower during the crossing and was rescued. Had he not been, I would have not been. ;) Mary Towne Estey, my 10x great-grandmother, was executed as a witch in Salem, MA in 1692.
Tried alongside other ancestors, and condemned also by ancestors in the hysteria. Rev. Nicholas Noyes was the officiating clergy during the Salem Witch Trials. He later regretted and apologized for his involvement, though not before sending many to their grave. Such a tragedy. Great-great-grandchildren of Howland and Estey married some years later, thus my maternal line on my great-grandmother’s side. Imagine the stories they had to tell to their children!
rem: I, too, am fascinated by ancestry and genealogy.
Tell us a little about your writing journey. What is your Writing Routine? Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
CARLA: A life-long writer, I began writing fiction with a goal of publication about 15 years ago. I got my first publishing contract in 2010 and now have 8 books which have released. I don’t have much of a writing routine, except when I have a project such as a proposal or contract I’m working on. Then I’m basically “on.” I spend a great deal of time researching, planning, plotting, and characterizing. I write fairly methodically, intuitively, for hours on end, a chapter at a time. I send each chapter to my “first editor” (Mom), and as she is busy with her red pen, I continue writing. She returns her edits, we discuss, I make revisions, rinse, and repeat until “the end.” The only time I really “draft” is when I get a brainstorm and I either write in a notebook or on my laptop whatever the story is telling me and then I try to make sense of it later. I write in my nest, which is empty most of the time, except for on occasion when I have caregiving responsibilities.
rem: I love that you say “… write … whatever the story is telling me…” I’m totally a pantser and totally get what you mean by that. What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
CARLA: Over the past few years I have had to write through significant grief on several occasions. When you are numb inside it is hard to locate the muse. I always pray as I write for inspiration, but I never prayed so hard as when I have a writing commitment feeling like a dry well. God is faithful and as long as I plant myself down, he gets my fingers dancing again.
rem: He really is faithful. I’m amazed how much more productive I am when I take 20 or 30 minutes or more and sit with Him before I start writing. Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
CARLA: Creating. I find the publisher’s line edits very tedious. It’s hard work to write a book well.
rem: You’ve got that right! I had a friend comment that exact thing recently, just watching me in my process. What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
CARLA: I love being able to have the flexibility to work at home and other places. I also immensely enjoy the research involved for my projects.
rem: I love my research! And I’ve said for years, in half jest, that I can literally sit on a beach and read a book and call it work… wink wink What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
CARLA: The hardest thing may be conforming to the publisher’s specifications and editorial recommendations for “your” story. Once you sign the contract you really must let go of your precious creation and trust others with it. The easiest? I’d say enjoying interaction with readers.
rem: Ouch to letting go. I had a hard enough time letting go of my concept for my cover, remember, artist here. And I love interacting with readers, as well as other authors. What are your recommendations for a new writer?
CARLA: You must believe you are a writer! Network with experienced writers online and off. Learn the craft of writing well, but don’t get so bogged down with all the “rules” that it zaps your creativity – apply a principle at a time and build on it. Join a critique group (with higher skilled writers) and welcome the process of creative growth. Don’t be prideful and take things personally – your writing is a product, not a person. Do not disregard industry standards and recommendations for craft and professionalism.
rem: I joke that my first rule is to know the rules and then ignore them! LOL I think you’ve displaced that: new first rule, believe you are a writer. I love that. Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?
CARLA: Oftentimes from historical places and museums and antique books. I try to image “what if” or find a hidden nugget of a real historical person or event and build around it.
rem: And thus, historical fiction is alive and well. Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read?
CARLA: I read mostly inspirational historical fiction. A few of my favorite authors are MaryLu Tyndall, Laura Frantz, Julie Klassen, Ruth Axtell, and many more.
rem: Tell us a little about your latest book?
CARLA: My new release, The American Dream Romance Collection, actually includes a previously published book, Colonial Courtships with my novella, “Carving a Future”, along with five other novellas (nine in all). I tell the story of a ship's figurehead carver who is working as a journeyman and on his way to become a master carver. He is commissioned to carve the image of the story’s heroine, an indentured servant who works at his family’s inn in 18th century Connecticut.
rem: Intriguing premise. And now, of course, I must read it! What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
CARLA: My hero and heroine both have to labor in difficult circumstances. I hope my readers can be encouraged to work in service to Christ, above all, in whatever we do, and seek our reward from him, not others who may disappoint.
rem: That’s a powerful message in that answer you just gave. What is your current project?
CARLA: I’m working on a novel about Swedish immigrants, as my paternal grandparents were. In fact, one of my primary research resources in an antique tome about Swedes that belonged to them. I made the author of that book a character in my story.
rem: Where can we find you online?
CARLA:
Media Links:
Website – www.carlagade.com
Blog – https://familyhistory.wordpress.com
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Carla-Olson-Gad...
Facebook – http://tinyurl.com/facebookcogauthor
Twitter – @ carlagade
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/prov33
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/carlaolsongade
rem: Thanks for joining us today, Carla. It’s been a pleasure having on my blog!
#carlaolsongade, #authorinterview, #theamericandream, #colonialcourtship, #mistletoememories, #patternforromance, #theshadowcatchersdaughter
rem: Thank you, Carla for being on my blog this week.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
CARLA: I was raised in the historic New England town of Wrentham, Massachusetts where we celebrated its tri-centennial when I was in grade school (this fostered my love for history). For the past 13 years, I’ve lived in central Maine with my husband, near my two adult sons and 2 yr. old grandson.
rem: I love history! Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read. Tell us three things about yourself.
CARLA: I’m creative, a deep thinker, and I adore classic movies.
rem: What was / were your favorite book(s) as a child?
CARLA: Harold and the Purple Crayon (I could always relate to his imagination), and the Tell Me Why children’s question and answer books (always inquisitive!).
rem: I can relate to both the imagination and inquisitiveness also. If you could chose to be a character in a book, who would it be and why?
CARLA: Galadriel from Lord of the Rings. She’s so magnificent, ethereal, and wise.
rem: Great choice, good reasons. What is your most treasured possession?
CARLA: Next to my laptop or iphone, lol, my Bible. Yet, since I read that in a variety of forms now, I would say my family photo album from my childhood.
rem: What is your greatest fear?
CARLA: Bats
rem: Oh, I like bats – they eat mosquitoes! What is your greatest regret?
CARLA: I don’t do regrets. I find it best not to dwell on mistakes because when I submit them to the Lord I find that He redeems and redirects my life.
rem: What a wise and lovely attitude to have. I admire that. What is your favorite quotation and why?
CARLA: “A true imagination is beholding a truth of God,” by 19th century Scottish storyteller George MacDonald. It reminds me that any worthy and creative idea I have only comes from the mind of God. He is the true Author and Creator.
rem: We do think a lot alike. What do you most value in a friend? What quality do you most admire in a man or woman?
CARLA: I admire men who respect women and women who respect themselves, and vice versa.
rem: Respect cannot be overlooked, both for self and for others. What do you do as a hobby?
CARLA: I enjoy drawing house plans. One of them will be built in the spring by a relative. I also enjoy photography and genealogy.
rem: House plans? Well this one surprised me! I’m an Interior Designer, so yeah, I love drawing house plans!
Dogs or Cats? Which do you prefer?
CARLA: Cats. I just lost my 15 year old calico kitty, Briar Rose, but we still have 3 year old orange tabby, Dasha.
rem: Sorry to hear about your sweet Briar Rose. I’m a cat person also. (some might say crazy cat lady) What would you do if you weren’t writing?
CARLA: I was formerly a webmaster and graphic designer and stopped when my writing responsibilities became my priority. So, I suppose I would still be busy with that.
rem: Tell us about your blog, Relatively Speaking. Who is your favorite ancestor you’ve discovered? The most interesting? The baddest? What prompted you to look up your ancestry?
CARLA: Relatively Speaking is my family history blog. It’s a place to share and record my adventures in genealogy. Mostly I post about my New England family heritage (a great deal of my ancestors were first settlers in 17th century Massachusetts) and my husband’s similar history. I also post what I can regarding our Scandinavian roots (I am half Swedish and my husband half Norwegian). I’ve been fascinated with my ancestors since childhood. My grandmother told me we were “Yankee” so I wanted to find out just what that meant. Basically, we are a European blend on that side: English, Welsh, and Scottish with some Mayflower connections and even several royal lines.
My 10x great-grandfather, John Howland, is one of my favorite ancestors. He actually fell off the Mayflower during the crossing and was rescued. Had he not been, I would have not been. ;) Mary Towne Estey, my 10x great-grandmother, was executed as a witch in Salem, MA in 1692.
Tried alongside other ancestors, and condemned also by ancestors in the hysteria. Rev. Nicholas Noyes was the officiating clergy during the Salem Witch Trials. He later regretted and apologized for his involvement, though not before sending many to their grave. Such a tragedy. Great-great-grandchildren of Howland and Estey married some years later, thus my maternal line on my great-grandmother’s side. Imagine the stories they had to tell to their children!
rem: I, too, am fascinated by ancestry and genealogy.
Tell us a little about your writing journey. What is your Writing Routine? Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
CARLA: A life-long writer, I began writing fiction with a goal of publication about 15 years ago. I got my first publishing contract in 2010 and now have 8 books which have released. I don’t have much of a writing routine, except when I have a project such as a proposal or contract I’m working on. Then I’m basically “on.” I spend a great deal of time researching, planning, plotting, and characterizing. I write fairly methodically, intuitively, for hours on end, a chapter at a time. I send each chapter to my “first editor” (Mom), and as she is busy with her red pen, I continue writing. She returns her edits, we discuss, I make revisions, rinse, and repeat until “the end.” The only time I really “draft” is when I get a brainstorm and I either write in a notebook or on my laptop whatever the story is telling me and then I try to make sense of it later. I write in my nest, which is empty most of the time, except for on occasion when I have caregiving responsibilities.
rem: I love that you say “… write … whatever the story is telling me…” I’m totally a pantser and totally get what you mean by that. What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
CARLA: Over the past few years I have had to write through significant grief on several occasions. When you are numb inside it is hard to locate the muse. I always pray as I write for inspiration, but I never prayed so hard as when I have a writing commitment feeling like a dry well. God is faithful and as long as I plant myself down, he gets my fingers dancing again.
rem: He really is faithful. I’m amazed how much more productive I am when I take 20 or 30 minutes or more and sit with Him before I start writing. Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
CARLA: Creating. I find the publisher’s line edits very tedious. It’s hard work to write a book well.
rem: You’ve got that right! I had a friend comment that exact thing recently, just watching me in my process. What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
CARLA: I love being able to have the flexibility to work at home and other places. I also immensely enjoy the research involved for my projects.
rem: I love my research! And I’ve said for years, in half jest, that I can literally sit on a beach and read a book and call it work… wink wink What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
CARLA: The hardest thing may be conforming to the publisher’s specifications and editorial recommendations for “your” story. Once you sign the contract you really must let go of your precious creation and trust others with it. The easiest? I’d say enjoying interaction with readers.
rem: Ouch to letting go. I had a hard enough time letting go of my concept for my cover, remember, artist here. And I love interacting with readers, as well as other authors. What are your recommendations for a new writer?
CARLA: You must believe you are a writer! Network with experienced writers online and off. Learn the craft of writing well, but don’t get so bogged down with all the “rules” that it zaps your creativity – apply a principle at a time and build on it. Join a critique group (with higher skilled writers) and welcome the process of creative growth. Don’t be prideful and take things personally – your writing is a product, not a person. Do not disregard industry standards and recommendations for craft and professionalism.
rem: I joke that my first rule is to know the rules and then ignore them! LOL I think you’ve displaced that: new first rule, believe you are a writer. I love that. Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?
CARLA: Oftentimes from historical places and museums and antique books. I try to image “what if” or find a hidden nugget of a real historical person or event and build around it.
rem: And thus, historical fiction is alive and well. Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read?
CARLA: I read mostly inspirational historical fiction. A few of my favorite authors are MaryLu Tyndall, Laura Frantz, Julie Klassen, Ruth Axtell, and many more.
rem: Tell us a little about your latest book?
CARLA: My new release, The American Dream Romance Collection, actually includes a previously published book, Colonial Courtships with my novella, “Carving a Future”, along with five other novellas (nine in all). I tell the story of a ship's figurehead carver who is working as a journeyman and on his way to become a master carver. He is commissioned to carve the image of the story’s heroine, an indentured servant who works at his family’s inn in 18th century Connecticut.
rem: Intriguing premise. And now, of course, I must read it! What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
CARLA: My hero and heroine both have to labor in difficult circumstances. I hope my readers can be encouraged to work in service to Christ, above all, in whatever we do, and seek our reward from him, not others who may disappoint.
rem: That’s a powerful message in that answer you just gave. What is your current project?
CARLA: I’m working on a novel about Swedish immigrants, as my paternal grandparents were. In fact, one of my primary research resources in an antique tome about Swedes that belonged to them. I made the author of that book a character in my story.
rem: Where can we find you online?
CARLA:
Media Links:
Website – www.carlagade.com
Blog – https://familyhistory.wordpress.com
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Carla-Olson-Gad...
Facebook – http://tinyurl.com/facebookcogauthor
Twitter – @ carlagade
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/prov33
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/carlaolsongade
rem: Thanks for joining us today, Carla. It’s been a pleasure having on my blog!
#carlaolsongade, #authorinterview, #theamericandream, #colonialcourtship, #mistletoememories, #patternforromance, #theshadowcatchersdaughter
August 20, 2015
Author Interview – ANDREA GRIGG
I’d like to give a big welcome to ANDREA GRIGG to my blog.
rem: Thank you for joining us today, ANDREA.
ANDREA: First of all Robin, I’d like to say a big thank you for having me as a guest. I really appreciate your support.
rem: Happy to have you here! Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
ANDREA: I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, but moved to Australia when I was twenty-five. It was a good move, because I met my husband-to-be almost immediately; we married fifteen months later. We have three adult children (two daughters and a son) and one granddaughter.
rem: Yeah, I’d say that was a great move! wink wink How does life differ from Australia and other locales? How is it the same?
ANDREA: I suppose the only country I know well enough to do that with is New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand are beautiful countries and I’m very grateful to have lived in both.
I love NZ for its green-ness (it even smells different; sweet as opposed to Australia’s herbal scent) but it rains an awful lot to keep it that way! I live on Queensland’s Gold Coast and in our part of Australia we have lots of sunshine and white sandy beaches. Awesome!
There’s a lot of friendly rivalry, particularly on the sporting field, between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand is such a small country, both in size and population (4 million people compared to 23 million Aussies) but it has an amazing sporting record. The All Blacks are the number one team in the world for rugby. There’s a lot of NZ pride right there!
The Aussies do very well in the sporting arena too. As I write this, Jason Day, a Queenslander, has just won the U.S. PGA tournament, held in Wisconsin.
I think Australians in general are quite relaxed or ‘laid back’ as we like to put it. Perhaps it’s to do with our outdoor lifestyle. We tend to shorten everyone’s name and/or give them a nickname, as a sign of affection and acceptance. For example, with our kids, Melissa is known as Mel, Hayley gets called Hayls, and Jackson is Jacko. At high school, teachers would call them ‘Griggsy’. Funny lot, aren’t we?
I think I’ll stop there – I’m rambling on a bit!
rem: Ramble on, good woman! Love it!! Tell us three things about yourself.
ANDREA:
1. I’m adopted (which I’ve known all my life) and found 6 out of 7 of my full blood siblings nearly 21 years ago. It’s an amazing but complicated story!
2. I love Turkish Delight chocolate
3. I am a voracious reader of romance and women’s fiction.
rem: That’s fantastic to be in touch with your siblings! What is your most treasured possession?
ANDREA: My USB. It has all my writing stuff on it. And yes, I back it up. Most days.
rem: Yeah, gotta say mine’s up there in the ranking! ALLLLL my stuff is on it. Now I just need to back up regularly…..
What is your favourite quotation and why?
ANDREA: I love Psalm 139, especially verse 13: ‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.’ I know my birth wasn’t a mistake.
rem: Can’t go wrong with Scripture! And that’s a great one! What do you most value in a friend?
ANDREA: Acceptance.
rem: What quality do you most admire in a man or woman?
ANDREA: Kindness. I think we underestimate the power of kindness these days.
rem: I think you’re right. What do you do as a hobby?
ANDREA: Read, listen to music, read, have coffee with friends, read.
rem: I think we’re twins! Dogs or Cats? Which do you prefer?
ANDREA: I like both but my husband doesn’t so we have a dog. Micky is a border collie, with one blue eye and the other is half-brown half-blue. He’s still very lively, even though he’s eleven.
rem: What is your Writing Routine?
ANDREA: Get jobs done in the morning, write in the afternoon
rem: Okay, maybe not twins – I am so not a morning person! What are your Top Writing Tips?
ANDREA:
1. Read loads of books in the genre you wish to write in
2. Just write. You can’t edit a blank page.
rem: Tell us a little about your writing journey.
ANDREA: I started writing in 2008. I finished my first draft 16 months later (I was teaching full time at that stage). I ended up joining a writing group in Brisbane where I was told I should apply to attend a sponsored mentorship week. I did, met a publisher there who liked my story and offered me a contract. A Simple Mistake was released in April 2012.
rem: Love when stories come together like that! What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
ANDREA: I struggle with writers’ block from time to time. I handle it by having a few books on the go and switching to whichever one appeals to me at the time. Keeps the creative juices flowing.
rem: Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
ANDREA: I write in my lounge room using my laptop while sitting in my recliner. Bliss!
rem: Lounge room! Love it! Not so dissimilar to mine! Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
ANDREA: I enjoy both aspects but I think editing might have the edge. I love making my story better and better. I would go over the whole manuscript around thirty times, maybe even more.
rem: What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer? What 3 things would recommend not doing?
ANDREA: I would recommend a new writer:
1. Join a writers’ group for support and learning
2. Know their main character(s) inside out and back to front
3. Get that first draft written no matter how inadequate you feel – you can tweak it later.
My only don’t is: Don’t submit or self-publish until you’ve had your manuscript professionally edited.
rem: Wish I had known that [editing] sooner… What do you enjoy most about being a writer? What is the hardest aspect of being a writer?
ANDREA: I love making up characters and watching them march in and take over the story. The hardest aspect is getting that first draft down.
rem: They do take over, don’t they! My MC didn’t want to talk to me there for a while! What would you do if you didn't write?
ANDREA: I’m not really sure, except my house would be a lot cleaner!
rem: I think that’s true of most writers! LOL Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
ANDREA: I guess it can’t be one of mine so I’d have to say Caleb from Amy Matayo’s ‘Sway’. He’s a compassionate, kind and honest man who has shown grit and determination to become the godly man Kate falls in love with.
rem: At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
ANDREA: I’ve loved books ever since I can remember. I wrote a little during my primary school years, but music was my real passion … for the next four decades! I guess the indicators were there though – after reading Little Women (when I was eleven), I rewrote the ending because I was so upset when Beth died.
rem: We really are twins! I was supposed to be a vocal music major in college! If you could choose to be a character in a book, who would it be and why?
ANDREA: I don’t read a lot of historical fiction and I know it’s clichéd but I really admire Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. She’s honest and loyal and not strictly conventional yet still gets her man. I like her spirit.
rem: Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read?
ANDREA: My favourite genre is romance. My favourite authors are Amy Matayo, Carla Laureano, and Varina Denman. I love the realism in their writing.
rem: Tell us a little about your book? What sparked the story for this novel?
ANDREA: Too Pretty is about Ellie, a stunning beautiful Christian girl, who makes a promise to God to not date for six months, and get to know Him better instead. Of course, as soon as she makes the promise, she meets the darkly handsome Nathaniel, equally determined not to have a relationship, despite the instant chemistry between them.
The idea for Too Pretty came to me as I was cleaning the bathroom. No idea why! I just remember thinking, ‘I wonder what how hard life would be for a stunningly beautiful Christian girl.’ And off I went. The concept interested me as I hadn’t read anything with that premise. I’ve used several real-life examples in the book, as told to my daughter by two Christian girls in the modelling industry.
rem: What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
ANDREA: That God loves us no matter what. Amazing.
rem: I think that Truth escapes so many people!
Thank you, Andrea for being on my blog this week. How can we connect with you online?
ANDREA: At the moment, my website is under construction but you find me in several places.
My facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/author.andre...
Or twitter: https://twitter.com/andreagrigg
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Grigg/e/...
Or simply email me: andreagrigg@live.com
I would love to hear from you
#andreagrigg, #authorinterview, #toopretty, #asimplemistake
rem: Thank you for joining us today, ANDREA.
ANDREA: First of all Robin, I’d like to say a big thank you for having me as a guest. I really appreciate your support.
rem: Happy to have you here! Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
ANDREA: I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, but moved to Australia when I was twenty-five. It was a good move, because I met my husband-to-be almost immediately; we married fifteen months later. We have three adult children (two daughters and a son) and one granddaughter.
rem: Yeah, I’d say that was a great move! wink wink How does life differ from Australia and other locales? How is it the same?
ANDREA: I suppose the only country I know well enough to do that with is New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand are beautiful countries and I’m very grateful to have lived in both.
I love NZ for its green-ness (it even smells different; sweet as opposed to Australia’s herbal scent) but it rains an awful lot to keep it that way! I live on Queensland’s Gold Coast and in our part of Australia we have lots of sunshine and white sandy beaches. Awesome!
There’s a lot of friendly rivalry, particularly on the sporting field, between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand is such a small country, both in size and population (4 million people compared to 23 million Aussies) but it has an amazing sporting record. The All Blacks are the number one team in the world for rugby. There’s a lot of NZ pride right there!
The Aussies do very well in the sporting arena too. As I write this, Jason Day, a Queenslander, has just won the U.S. PGA tournament, held in Wisconsin.
I think Australians in general are quite relaxed or ‘laid back’ as we like to put it. Perhaps it’s to do with our outdoor lifestyle. We tend to shorten everyone’s name and/or give them a nickname, as a sign of affection and acceptance. For example, with our kids, Melissa is known as Mel, Hayley gets called Hayls, and Jackson is Jacko. At high school, teachers would call them ‘Griggsy’. Funny lot, aren’t we?
I think I’ll stop there – I’m rambling on a bit!
rem: Ramble on, good woman! Love it!! Tell us three things about yourself.
ANDREA:
1. I’m adopted (which I’ve known all my life) and found 6 out of 7 of my full blood siblings nearly 21 years ago. It’s an amazing but complicated story!
2. I love Turkish Delight chocolate
3. I am a voracious reader of romance and women’s fiction.
rem: That’s fantastic to be in touch with your siblings! What is your most treasured possession?
ANDREA: My USB. It has all my writing stuff on it. And yes, I back it up. Most days.
rem: Yeah, gotta say mine’s up there in the ranking! ALLLLL my stuff is on it. Now I just need to back up regularly…..
What is your favourite quotation and why?
ANDREA: I love Psalm 139, especially verse 13: ‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.’ I know my birth wasn’t a mistake.
rem: Can’t go wrong with Scripture! And that’s a great one! What do you most value in a friend?
ANDREA: Acceptance.
rem: What quality do you most admire in a man or woman?
ANDREA: Kindness. I think we underestimate the power of kindness these days.
rem: I think you’re right. What do you do as a hobby?
ANDREA: Read, listen to music, read, have coffee with friends, read.
rem: I think we’re twins! Dogs or Cats? Which do you prefer?
ANDREA: I like both but my husband doesn’t so we have a dog. Micky is a border collie, with one blue eye and the other is half-brown half-blue. He’s still very lively, even though he’s eleven.
rem: What is your Writing Routine?
ANDREA: Get jobs done in the morning, write in the afternoon
rem: Okay, maybe not twins – I am so not a morning person! What are your Top Writing Tips?
ANDREA:
1. Read loads of books in the genre you wish to write in
2. Just write. You can’t edit a blank page.
rem: Tell us a little about your writing journey.
ANDREA: I started writing in 2008. I finished my first draft 16 months later (I was teaching full time at that stage). I ended up joining a writing group in Brisbane where I was told I should apply to attend a sponsored mentorship week. I did, met a publisher there who liked my story and offered me a contract. A Simple Mistake was released in April 2012.
rem: Love when stories come together like that! What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
ANDREA: I struggle with writers’ block from time to time. I handle it by having a few books on the go and switching to whichever one appeals to me at the time. Keeps the creative juices flowing.
rem: Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
ANDREA: I write in my lounge room using my laptop while sitting in my recliner. Bliss!
rem: Lounge room! Love it! Not so dissimilar to mine! Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
ANDREA: I enjoy both aspects but I think editing might have the edge. I love making my story better and better. I would go over the whole manuscript around thirty times, maybe even more.
rem: What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer? What 3 things would recommend not doing?
ANDREA: I would recommend a new writer:
1. Join a writers’ group for support and learning
2. Know their main character(s) inside out and back to front
3. Get that first draft written no matter how inadequate you feel – you can tweak it later.
My only don’t is: Don’t submit or self-publish until you’ve had your manuscript professionally edited.
rem: Wish I had known that [editing] sooner… What do you enjoy most about being a writer? What is the hardest aspect of being a writer?
ANDREA: I love making up characters and watching them march in and take over the story. The hardest aspect is getting that first draft down.
rem: They do take over, don’t they! My MC didn’t want to talk to me there for a while! What would you do if you didn't write?
ANDREA: I’m not really sure, except my house would be a lot cleaner!
rem: I think that’s true of most writers! LOL Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
ANDREA: I guess it can’t be one of mine so I’d have to say Caleb from Amy Matayo’s ‘Sway’. He’s a compassionate, kind and honest man who has shown grit and determination to become the godly man Kate falls in love with.
rem: At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
ANDREA: I’ve loved books ever since I can remember. I wrote a little during my primary school years, but music was my real passion … for the next four decades! I guess the indicators were there though – after reading Little Women (when I was eleven), I rewrote the ending because I was so upset when Beth died.
rem: We really are twins! I was supposed to be a vocal music major in college! If you could choose to be a character in a book, who would it be and why?
ANDREA: I don’t read a lot of historical fiction and I know it’s clichéd but I really admire Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. She’s honest and loyal and not strictly conventional yet still gets her man. I like her spirit.
rem: Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read?
ANDREA: My favourite genre is romance. My favourite authors are Amy Matayo, Carla Laureano, and Varina Denman. I love the realism in their writing.
rem: Tell us a little about your book? What sparked the story for this novel?
ANDREA: Too Pretty is about Ellie, a stunning beautiful Christian girl, who makes a promise to God to not date for six months, and get to know Him better instead. Of course, as soon as she makes the promise, she meets the darkly handsome Nathaniel, equally determined not to have a relationship, despite the instant chemistry between them.
The idea for Too Pretty came to me as I was cleaning the bathroom. No idea why! I just remember thinking, ‘I wonder what how hard life would be for a stunningly beautiful Christian girl.’ And off I went. The concept interested me as I hadn’t read anything with that premise. I’ve used several real-life examples in the book, as told to my daughter by two Christian girls in the modelling industry.
rem: What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
ANDREA: That God loves us no matter what. Amazing.
rem: I think that Truth escapes so many people!
Thank you, Andrea for being on my blog this week. How can we connect with you online?
ANDREA: At the moment, my website is under construction but you find me in several places.
My facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/author.andre...
Or twitter: https://twitter.com/andreagrigg
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Grigg/e/...
Or simply email me: andreagrigg@live.com
I would love to hear from you
#andreagrigg, #authorinterview, #toopretty, #asimplemistake
August 7, 2015
Book Review – FARM FRESH ROMANCE REVIEW BLITZ
BOOK REVIEW – PLUM UPSIDE DOWN by VALERIE COMER
Pretty and pink and polished. That was Chelsea Riehl. She’s at Green Acres as event coordinator – definitely not to pit plums.
Hippie Keanan Welsh has surprised himself by putting down roots, such as they are, at Green Acres. With the proviso that he will leave for the mission field as he feels led.
They are about as mismatched as plums and parakeets.
And yet, Keanan feels drawn to her. Chelsea, however, is not drawn to him at all. Then again, he is charming. And they do end up side by side a lot.
But her shallow faith and his depth of faith clash more than their lifestyles. When she volunteers to coordinate meals for the Alpha Class he teaches at the church, though, he rethinks his original assessment: shallow and self-absorbed. And as she observes him teaching with such passion for the Gospel, not only does she rethink her original assessment of him – undependable and unreliable hippie – she comes face to face with her own faith.
Can she overcome her anxieties to embrace the possibility of love? Can rambling Keanan really put down roots and settle in one place? Can love grow between them when their worlds are upside down from each other?
Ms. Comer has written a delightful series with very real characters and situations that echo life all too well. Her style is witty and enchanting, enticing me back for more. I did not read these stories in order, but was not lost without that established sequence; each story stands well on its own, and yet, weaves beautifully with each of the others. Each subsequent book adds layers to the story Ms. Comer has established, and I look forward to reading many more from this author.
I was given a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Connect with Valerie at:
http://valeriecomer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer...
https://twitter.com/valeriecomer
https://www.pinterest.com/valeriecomer/
https://www.youtube.com/user/valerierco
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their creation-care-centric church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie writes Farm Lit where food meets faith, injecting experience laced with humor into her award-winning Farm Fresh Romance stories.
#valeriecomer, #farmfreshromance, #raspberriesandvinegar, #wildminttea, #sweetenedwithhoney, #dandelionsfordinner, #plumupsidedown
Pretty and pink and polished. That was Chelsea Riehl. She’s at Green Acres as event coordinator – definitely not to pit plums.
Hippie Keanan Welsh has surprised himself by putting down roots, such as they are, at Green Acres. With the proviso that he will leave for the mission field as he feels led.
They are about as mismatched as plums and parakeets.
And yet, Keanan feels drawn to her. Chelsea, however, is not drawn to him at all. Then again, he is charming. And they do end up side by side a lot.
But her shallow faith and his depth of faith clash more than their lifestyles. When she volunteers to coordinate meals for the Alpha Class he teaches at the church, though, he rethinks his original assessment: shallow and self-absorbed. And as she observes him teaching with such passion for the Gospel, not only does she rethink her original assessment of him – undependable and unreliable hippie – she comes face to face with her own faith.
Can she overcome her anxieties to embrace the possibility of love? Can rambling Keanan really put down roots and settle in one place? Can love grow between them when their worlds are upside down from each other?
Ms. Comer has written a delightful series with very real characters and situations that echo life all too well. Her style is witty and enchanting, enticing me back for more. I did not read these stories in order, but was not lost without that established sequence; each story stands well on its own, and yet, weaves beautifully with each of the others. Each subsequent book adds layers to the story Ms. Comer has established, and I look forward to reading many more from this author.
I was given a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Connect with Valerie at:
http://valeriecomer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer...
https://twitter.com/valeriecomer
https://www.pinterest.com/valeriecomer/
https://www.youtube.com/user/valerierco
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their creation-care-centric church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Valerie writes Farm Lit where food meets faith, injecting experience laced with humor into her award-winning Farm Fresh Romance stories.
#valeriecomer, #farmfreshromance, #raspberriesandvinegar, #wildminttea, #sweetenedwithhoney, #dandelionsfordinner, #plumupsidedown
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The people I meet, the worlds I get lost in and long to return to. And the authors who create these worlds and the people who inhabit them.
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