By the Light of the Silvery Moon

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer
Review by Mary A. Hake



This fictional account, set on the Titanic, draws on destiny and human nature as the dramatic story unfolds. Amelia Gladstone is traveling to America to meet a man with whom she’s been corresponding. In fact, Mr. Chapman funded the trip and hopes this will lead to their marriage. Accompanying Amelia is her aunt, Neda, who raised Amelia from age six after her mother went back to serving as a stewardess aboard ship and was never heard from again. Her cousin, Henry, ends up in jail, so Amelia bestows his ticket on an unfortunate man she meets while they’re waiting to board.

Quentin Walpole’s life parallels the parable of the prodigal son and the longing father. He’s ready to shake off his failures and seek a new future. Returning to the country of his birth also means returning to the land where he caused his mother’s death. How can he face the pain? And he continues to avoid his wealthy father since he knows he’s devastated him too. His brother, Damien, works to ensure Quentin won’t bring his father further pain.

Both brothers are attracted to innocent Amelia and she to them. But what about sensible Mr. Chapman? She feels compelled to remain loyal to her benefactor, yet her heart calls for a different conclusion. And then comes the unforgettable disaster, which submerges these romantic notions along with the sinking ship. Has she lost her true love?

Tricia Goyer takes readers on a fantastic voyage of history, romance, and suspense, throwing in some surprises before the Titanic disappears from sight. She truly brings the voyage and the passengers to life. I think this novel would make a great movie too.


BOOKS BY TRICIA GOYER AT AMAZON

Historical Romance: Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee
by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
Reviewed by Valerie Comer
http://valeriecomer.com/blog

On the heels of the Civil War, a dying man gave Doctor Travis Logan the deed to his Tennessee farm. The man’s brain must have been a bit addled, because he also offered Travis Heaven and Angel.

Life is tough in Tennessee as the war closes, and Heaven Wharton has her hands full keeping marauders off her land. Surely soon Pa will return to take Heaven and her sister off to Chicago. Too bad Heaven is a lousy shot. When she attempts to shoot over a man’s head, she accidentally grazes him instead. Horrified, she drags him into the house and tries to save his life.


Angel, her 12-year-old blind sister, has been trying to get a bit more freedom to do things on the farm, but Heaven has been protecting her. It’s been a stop-gap measure while they wait for Pa. But when the stranger regains consciousness, she finds that not only has Pa died and given away the family farm to this. . .this stranger, but he’s thrown in Heaven and Angel as well. Surely that can’t be right!

A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennesee is a wonderful glimpse of life in a difficult time. So many men didn’t return home from the Civil War and, of those who did, many were so changed they found it impossible to pick up their lives where they’d left off. This story showcases several characters with differing levels of war-induced trauma, making the issues feel very real.

Although I loved Heaven’s spunk and Travis’s determination, my favorite character was Angel. She has such conflicting emotions and no hesitation speaking up, from wondering if she is a suitable chaperone (being as she’s blind), to telling both Heaven and Travis things to make them think more kindly of the other. So many times I wanted to laugh and cry and cheer with Angel.

If you enjoy historical romance, or possibly even if you don’t, you’ll love A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennesee by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer. This is one of my favorite books so far this year.

Christian author Diana Lesire Brandmeyer lives in Southern Illinois where the corn grows at a rapid rate behind her home. She’s married and has three grown sons all on their own now, each of them bringing someone special to join the family. Yay! Daughter-in-laws!

Diana writes historical and contemporary romances. She’s also written We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families.


Available at AMAZON

Historical Romance: Lisa Norato

Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
Review by Kathleen Smith




Lorena Huntley has a huge dilemma, she has attracted the hearts of more than one man who is captured not only by her beauty but by her heart as well. However one of those men is fast becoming more than just a friend to her if she can keep her emotions in check.

One of those is her strong-willed protector. Being one of the only men in her life besides her father, he has grown to love her in a remarkable way. He is Andrew Benjamin Huntley, otherwise known as her adopted brother of just five, but with a heart of gold in keeping Lorena from any man who wishes her harm, even if he is truly a giant and a pirate.

This is where we meet Captain Brogan Talvis, who happens upon a chance meeting with Lorena mistaking her for a simply maid in the Huntley household, and when he gains the opportunity to flatter her not only with his charm and good looks, he falls flat on his face. The victim of a simple sling shot and a rock, thanks to Andrew who has finally slayed his giant and now runs away with Lorena to the safety of their house before he awakens.

When Captain Brogan is invited to the Huntley household for dinner and a possible business proposition, he has his eye on more than one prize. Andrew Benjamin is actually his long lost son that his late wife abandoned without telling him where to find him. Now that he has, he must find a way to gain the trust of not only Lorena but for Benjamin as well. But will he have what it takes to win her heart in order to steal back his son, or will his moral convictions of doing whats best for his son override his desire?

I received Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Here we find an interesting turn of events where we have a roguish sea captain bent on acquiring the one prize he hasn't been able to find, his son, until now. Thinking he would simply take the boy out for a boat ride and then sail off with him, he finds that trust is something he will have to earn in order to make his plan work. There seems to be no way to gain Benjamin's attention until he can win Lorena's trust first. This is truly a love story in the making as we see the rough outer exterior of Brogan blend with the warmth of love for his son. As tough as it is to want to race out and claim your son, he must realize it's not that simple and must be patient. Something that is going to be a challenge for him since he's been a privateer for most of his life. He simply has taken what he wants but that will not be the case now. This one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and will capture the heart of all sea loving romance fans.

You can read more reviews by Kathleen Smith at her blog Reviews From The Heart.

Click HERE

Books by Lisa Norato at Amazon

Lyn Cote: Historical Romance

CFBR: Thanks for joining us Lyn. Tell us a little about "Her Healing Ways".


It's a Love Inspired Historical, the final in Gabriel Sisters series about three Quaker sisters who fight injustice and find true love in the wake of the Civil War.


ISBN-13: 978-0373828494
Back cover:
Unconventional. Unafraid. Unwelcome. A female physician with an adopted black daughter? The townsfolk of Idaho Bend will never accept Dr. Mercy Gabriel—even when faced with a deadly cholera epidemic. But all Mercy needs is one man willing to listen…and to trust.
Four years of war command turned Lon Mackey into a footloose gambler who can't abide attachments. Yet he can't help getting riled by the threats Mercy keeps receiving. Her trailblazing courage could reignite his faith and humanity. And his loyalty could make her dream—for the first time—of a family of her own….


CFBR: Do you use real people to model your characters?


Not really. Each character becomes a person in their own right. I might use a trait or quirk I've noticed in someone but just that not anything else from that person.


CFBR: How does your walk with Christ influence your writing?


I think the two are so intertwined that they are inseparable. Writing is my gift of service. I like the fact that my books go over the world. I'm a worldwide missionary from my desk!


CFBR: Does being published by Love Inspired help you in your promotional efforts?


Harlequin is THE NAME in romance and they promote our books worldwide. Also they have excellent distribution. Their books always get into Walmart. And that's important since nearly ½ of all paperbacks in the US are sold in Walmart!


CFBR: Aside from writing, what else are you passionate about?

My family. I love my husband and children. Oh, and our cats!

CFBR: What is coming up next, Lyn?

Right now I'm finishing up the final book in my "New Friends Street" series for Love Inspired romance. The series is set in my home state of Wisconsin and features three stories about three Habitat for Humanity houses being built on New Friends Street for three families in the making! The first in the series, Shelter of Hope, was released this September and the next two, Daddy in the Making and Building a Family will be released in 2011. Drop by my website http://www.LynCote.net for a printable book list and information about all my books.
I'm also going to be doing something special on my blog http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com in January. I'm going to be posting my very first manuscript, LaBelle Christiane, in serial form weekly in the new year. Drop by my blog this coming Tuesday December 7th to learn more about it!

DiAnn Mill: Historical Romance

CFBR: Thank you for giving us this opportunity to sit down with you. You have had such an exciting career. It is always a challenge for us to narrow our questions down to the "few" and the "poignant". For this interview, let's take a peek at A Woman Called Sage. What can you tell us about this remarkable novel?

DiAnn Mills: I write about strong women in unique and unlikely roles. These women are courageous and yet feminine. Sage, a part Ute bounty hunter, knew the pain of death and the bitterness of revenge. She had a great capacity for love and a need to help other women who'd met tragedy.

CFBR: What research went into writing it?

DiAnn Mills: My husband and I hiked the Rocky Mountains several times, took over 300 pictures, and drove through the area in order for me to have a feel for the area. I also read many books and researched the Ute Indians and the role they played during this time in history.

CFBR: What makes your heroine tick?

DiAnn Mills: Sage is motivated by a need for justice. She understands revenge is not a good trait, but she is driven by the need to not only find her husband's killers but to also aid women who had experienced a tragic loss by unscrupulous men.

CFBR: All your characters are so rich and engaging, what are your methods for developing them?

DiAnn Mills: Oh, my! I use a character sketch, a personality assessment, psychology books, counseling books, and I spend many hours "living" with them before I begin to write.

CFBR: What was your journey to publication?

DiAnn Mills: My journey began in 1996 when my husband challenged me to write a book. He suggested I quit my full-time job and write. I accepted the challenge and began learning the craft while writing and submitting. In 1998, my first novel was released. I've never stopped writing!

CFBR: What advice would you give an aspiring Christian writer?

1. Read the genre in which you seek to write.
2. Write everyday.
3. Attend writer's conferences and learn the craft.
4. Share what you learn about the craft with other writers.
5. Pray for direction.

CFBR: What is on the horizon for you?

DiAnn Mills: I'm writing and I'm the Craftsman Mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. I love both aspects of my writing ministry.Currently, I'm working on a romantic suspense in which my heroine and hero are Secret Service agents.

My October 1 release is Pursuit of Justice, the 3rd book in my Call of Duty series. http://www.diannmills.com/contemporaryfiction/49pursuitofjustice.shtml

January 1, 2011 will be the release of The Fire in Ember, a historical romance that includes some of the same characters in A Woman Called Sage.

CFBR: God bless you for your hard work and dedication. We wish you great success in all you do and write.

From DiAnne Mills (Christy Award winner) 
I had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but I didn't have the courage to take the first step. I wrote poetry and stories and even books, but as soon as they were completed, I tossed them in the trash. Looking back, I think some of them weren't so bad and maybe I should not have given up on them so soon. So if I can encourage you in whatever life holds for you, don't give up on your dreams.

Books by DiAnn Mills: