A very special story...

This is an amazing story, you guys - with a very important cause behind it. It deserves your support! And guess what? Susan is donating 15% of the books royalties to the International Justice Mission (http://www.ijm.org/)! So...let’s help spread the word about the IJM and their work, and get this worthy cause some funding.

A note from Susan:
Did you know that there are 27 million people around the globe held as slaves today – more thank 80% of them women and children, and up to 50% minors. In fact, there are MORE slaves today than were in the time of William Wilberforce. That leaves me horrified, and it was those stats that compelled me to write a story with a human trafficking plotline.

Wiser than Serpents is a continuation of the Mission : Russia series, a thriller about Yanna, whose sister is snatched through a Russian dating service, and disappears. Yanna enlists the help of Delta Force Captain, David Curtiss to find and rescue her. Readers who’ve read, In Sheep’s Clothing and Sands of Time will recognize Yanna as the tech expert, and David as the solid Christian of the group. (Read the 5-Rose Review here!)

The book is written from the point of views of the rescuers, not the victims, and offers hope and empowerment, instead of feelings of helplessness. It raises awareness without lowering the standards of Christian fiction.

However, the world is real, and the need to get involved is great. I so greatly admire people who take their beliefs and put action to them –hence why a portion of the proceeds of Wiser than Serpents is going to help the International Justice Mission, (http://www.ijm.org/), an organization dedicated to rescuing victims and fighting the scourge of slavery.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia , was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia , Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota .

About Wiser Than Serpents: When her sister vanishes into a human slave ring, FSB agent Yanna Andrevka is determined to rescue her. Unfortunately, she's in over her head, with no way out, especially after destroying the undercover operation of Delta Force Operative David Curtiss, who is deep undercover in the Twin Serpents crime syndicate. David has his hands full trying to save Yana, and his operation -- one that could rescue hundreds of women from the Serpent, or cost he and Yana their lives. The thrilling next chapter of the Mission : Russia series!

Book Link: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1028342&item_no=786206

Susan’s Website: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Susan’s Blog: http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/

With joy and honor...

I'm thrilled to present to you this debut novel by Georgiana Daniels!

Table For One

is a really fun read. As one of Georgiana's critique buds and dear friends, I can vouch for this story!! It's got everything - romance, hilarious quick wit, and those perfectly horrible, perfectly relatable mother-in-law moments =)

Trust me, after this novel, you be rushing to hug your own and thank her!

It was my pleasure to critique this novel for Georgiana - I remember sending her emails saying "hurry up, I want the next chapter!" After you finish, I bet you'll email her and say "hurry up, I want your next book!"

BACK COVER:

Successful stockbroker Lucy Brocklehurst hasn't had a date in four years. In a town where the ratio of single women to men is 7:1, she's determined to wait on God for the perfect mate--as long as it's the hot new youth pastor at her church.

Lucy will do anything to get his attention, including volunteering for the youth group. Through a series of misadventures on the teen outings, Lucy finds herself falling in love with a kindhearted chaperone named Edgar Flowers. But when their relationship grows serious, Lucy discovers the lengths his recently widowed mother will go to in order to keep them apart. What starts out as harmless interference turns into an all out tug of war, with Edgar as the prize!

Will Lucy crumble under the scrutiny of her would-be mother-in-law? Or can Lucy and Edgar's budding romance survive the schemes of his meddling mom?

AUTHOR BIO:

Georgiana Daniels is the wife of a super-generous husband, and the mother of a teen and two tots. After graduating with a degree in public relations, she spent several years in the business world, but now has the privilege of staying home and working on the stories she loves. Table for One is her first book. When not writing, she spends her time burning up miles on the treadmill, blogging, and participating in ACFW and RWA.

You can order your copy of this fun read here or here!

And don't forget to visit Georgiana's blog here!

One of my new favorites....

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Edge Of Recall
(Bethany House July 1, 2008)
by
Kristen Heitzmann

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Of her three main interests, art, music and writing, she chose to study English at the University of Colorado and thrived on Creative Writing and Literature classes. She married her husband Jim, and turned her energy to building a family. They have four children whom they have home schooled for all or most of their education. Kristen is a music minister with the ecumenical covenant community People of Praise.Once she realized the stories in her head were truly a calling from the Lord, she made writing not just a passion, but a ministry. She has written seven historical fiction novels as part of the The Rocky Mountain Legacy series, the Diamond of the Rockies series, and the Christy Award winner Secrets. Most recently, she has written several contemporary fiction novels, including Echoes, Freefall and Unforgotten.

Kristen and her husband, Jim, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she serves as worship leader in their church.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Tessa Young, an up-and-coming landscape architect who specializes in the design and creation of labyrinths, has immersed herself in the mythological, spiritual, and healing aspects of the elaborate structures. She also is searching for God and hoping to make sense of the nightmares that have plagued her since childhood.

When Smith Chandler, an estranged colleague--with whom she'd half fallen in love a dozen times before catching herself every time--calls to propose a project he claims is the opportunity of a lifetime, she reluctantly agrees to check it out. Smith is reconstructing a pre-Revolutionary War abbey for wealthy clients. Among its remarkable features is an overgrown labyrinth. Unable to resist, Tessa accepts his offer to work with him. Soon she is immersed in the project of a lifetime.

But one evening, after weeks of work in the labyrinth, Tessa and Smith are attacked. While protecting Tessa, Smith is stabbed, and the nightmare begins...again.

My Review:

Wow, this book was amazing. Warning to all chickens - it holds a definite creep-out factor!!! =)

I started reading this novel one afternoon, got to about Chapter 8 or so, and unfortunately had to stop to do other things. Then the next morning I woke at 6:30, heated up some breakfast, and laid in my comfy bed with a sausage biscuit and this novel and read until 10:45 straight. I finished the book in that sitting - I had to! Putting it down again wasn't an option!! It was that good.

I've always enjoyed Kristen's books, her character insight is study-worthy and one I aspire to reach as an author myself. But this book outshines her others in regards to not only characterization and depth but also intrigue, suspense, creative setting, and just plain ol' involvement. You will be immersed.

Please don't miss this story. It's FANTASTIC - and will have you googling more about labyrinths before you're done. =)

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE!

To buy this amazing novel for yourself, go HERE!

Love Starts With Elle - Rachel Hauck

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's, who roller skated through the '70's into the '80's with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism. After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. But, she's traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine. Rachel met Tony, her husband, in '87, at church, of all places. They married in '92. They don't have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat. With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel.

My current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!


MY REVIEW: I haven't finished reading this one yet...for the sole reason of taking my time because I can't stand the thought of it being over! I'm not kidding! I loved Sweet Caroline but I think I like this one even more. Elle is so relatable, so real, and Heath and Jeremiah so.....just....yeah. You gotta see for yourself!! This is a moving, inspiring novel that does wonders for the soul, wonders for the romantic in us all, and wonders for our viewpoint on prayer. I love Rachel's books because of the inspirational thread woven throughout - like a beautiful, subtle golden string in an intricate tapetsry - its noticeable, it stands out, but it only makes the overall picture more perfect.

ABOUT THE BOOK:



Elle's living the dream-but is it her dream or his? Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she's found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She's never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.

But Jeremiah's just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she's serious about their relationship, Elle will take "the call," too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle's friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.

Is love transferrable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE!

To buy the book for yourself, click HERE!

Have to brag...!!!

Last night, my status changed!

I am now officially the super-proud wifey of a Louisiana Fireman! Hard to believe...

Here are some pics of my hubby's graduation ceremony.

The graduates marching into the banquet hall...

Me, pinning the badge on his uniform. I was SO nervous =)

And then almost started crying when the Fire Chief told me "it's a pride and honor".

(the next two pics of me pinning are courtesy of the Shreveport Times website photographer)

The Fire Chief, next to the mayor and his wife, leading the recruits in their Oath

The Mayor of the city speaking words of encouragement and pride.

Me & my Fireman!!

The Whole Family =)

Hubby admiring the watch I got him as a gift

Our celebration dinner with friends and family afterward!

I'm still grinning - I'm just sooooo proud of him!

He's wanted this a long time and worked hard to get it. (and hey, think of all the awesome research connections I have now for future books! haha)

Celebrate with me, huh? =)