Joann Durgin: Romance

Awakening by Joann Durgin
Review by Judy Burgi


JoAnn Durgin's first published novel was a delight to read. This is a wonderful love story between TeamWork Missions director Sam Lewis and Lexa Clarke a TeamWork Missions volunteer. Lexa has signed up for 8 weeks of mission work in San Antonio, Texas. Little does she know what she is in for. Her desire is to put some meaning into her life by helping out others. She feels something is missing in her life but doesn't quite know what she is searching for. There are times when she wonders what she is doing in a place like this and feels out of place. Everyone on the team seems to be strong Christians. She hasn't been close to God in ages.

This book is full of twists and surprises. I loved the fact that the author's focus is centered on God and trust. Lexa manages to get herself in hot water many times throughout this book. As she learns to turn her life over to God she finds that she is truly a witness for Him and no longer feels she has nothing to contribute to TeamWork. God uses her in a mighty way.

Of course you can't help but want to see Sam and Lexa together. They butt heads a lot. Just maybe a relationship between the two of them isn't God's will in their life. Will they go their separate ways for good or will they end up together? My lips are sealed!

I must not forget the emotional ride of this book. There is of course the romance that is a great adventure in itself. I laughed, I worried, I cried, and I was cheering for Sam and Lexa right up to the end. It is one of those reads you can't put down.

This was a thought provoking book for me. Oh I loved the romance part but I loved how God shows His hand in the lives of the characters. I reflected on my own life. I asked myself several questions. Am I seeking God's will for my life or am I trying to be in control? Am I the person God intended for me to be? Would I be willing to go to a mission field if God was calling me to go?

I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read book two of The Lewis Legacy Series, "Second Time Around." Thanks to the author for a wonderful read.

Down Home Romance: Merrillee Whren

Montana Match by Merrillee Whren

Review by Heather Harden

It wasn’t love at first sight for me when I met Parker Watson, the hero of “Montana Match” byMerrillee Whren (Love Inspired, January 2012.) This cowboy’s heart is colder than a Montana winter. The only thing that can melt this glacier is his young twin daughters.

He has reason to be bitter. Six years ago unfounded accusations and malicious gossip cost Parker his career, his reputation, his friends, and the woman he loved. Taking refuge on his ranch, Parker’s lived the life of a recluse-staunchly avoiding the town of Stockton and the residents that shunned him.

He believes he’s protecting his daughters from Stockton’s scorn by keeping them in the nest.  But when the girls’ nanny and teacher moves away, the working dad is desperate to find a replacement.

After an unexpected meeting with recently unemployed Brittany Gorman, Parker makes her a generous offer. But Brittany has reservations, she’s a former financial planner and sometimes substitute teacher, who feels ill-equipped for the challenge of schooling two energetic girls. Despite her misgivings, Brittany feels God is pushing her outside of her comfort zone, so she reluctantly accepts the position.

After a rocky start, Brittany fits in with the family, bringing fun and a fresh perspective to the lives of Parker and his girls. Brittany’s rock-solid faith in the God that Parker hasn’t had any more use for than he does the folks of Stockton has him considering that it might be time to let go of the past. Slowly Parker begins to warm to Brittany’s optimistic spirit and hardworking ways.

But his inability to forgive and forget the past, causes strife between the pair. Brittany’s determination to expose the girls to the simple joys of town life angers Parker. His icy tongue will have you reaching for a parka.

Spring is slow in coming to Parker’s heart. But seeds of hope and change take root in his life. Parker’s journey from silent and sulking to a changed creature in Christ seems as natural as a winter snowfall. By the end, even this Carolina beach girl would be willing to be his Montana Match!

I don’t think it’s too soon to say that “Montana Match” is one of my favorite books of 2012!

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For more reviews by Heather Harden, visit her blog at Our Advocate

Books by Merrillee Whren at AMAZON

FEB GIVEAWAY

A MAN TO TRUST by Carrie Turansky

WIN A PAPERBACK COPY BY LEAVING A COMMENT FOR CARRIE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.


After years spent helping run her family's Christian bookstore, it's time for Adrie Chandler to give her own dream a chance. But can she really trust the beloved shop to new manager Ross Peterson? The man is too handsome, too charming…too much a reminder of another dream Adrie had to let go of—marriage.

Yet Ross surprises her by knowing a thing or two about making sacrifices. Suddenly, Adrie's questioning what she really wants. And whether the dreams she once thought unlikely are within reach after all.

Carrie Turansky: Inspirational Romance

CFBR: Hi, Carrie. Thanks for talking with us. Tell us about the two books you have coming out.

Carrie: Thanks for inviting me to be a guest on your blog, and thanks for asking about my two new books. 

Christmas Mail-Order Brides, is a historical inspirational romance collection of four novellas about young women who travel west in the 1880s on the new transcontinental railroad to marry men they have never met. Each bride heads for a different state on rail line, adding variety to the stories. 

My novella, A Trusting Heart, features Swedish immigrant, Annika Bergstrom, who takes the train from Chicago to Wyoming to meet a young widowed rancher with a seven-year-old daughter, but when she arrives her groom has disappeared. While she waits for his return, she finds herself falling in love with his brother, and she must decide if she will follow her heart or wait for the man she promised to marry. My co-authors are Vickie McDonough, Susan Page Davis, and Therese Stenzel. It's published by Barbour Publishing and available in stores September 1.

The second book, Seeking His Love, is a contemporary inspirational romance. It tells the story of Rachel Clark, a young teacher who moves to Fairhaven, Washington, after being falsely accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one of her students. She takes a job as director of a youth theater program and must find a new location for her group. The Fairhaven Arts Center has the ideal space, but Cameron McKenna, who oversees the center, is not eager to include her or her kids. Cam lost his wife and young son in a tragic accident five years earlier, and being around children reminds him of the guilt he still carries. When a family crisis occurs, he must temporarily care for his fourteen-year-old niece, and he needs Rachel’s help and advice. She comes along side and not only teaches him how to relate to his niece, she also shows him how to overcome his past hurts and open his heart to love again. Seeking His Love is published by Steeple Hill and available on September 28th.

CFBR: How do you use Fiction to connect people to God?

Carrie: I believe Christian fiction not only offers people a great way to relax and escape, it provides hope, encouragement, and inspiration as readers identify with the experiences of the characters, and then see how their faith is lived out. Fiction has a way of touching the heart just like the parables of Jesus did. If God's truth is skillfully woven into the story, then it can have a lasting impact on readers.

CFBR: What is your writing process? 

Carrie: I use a combination of pre-writing tools including Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake program and Susie Warren's My Book Therapy ideas. I get to know my characters, their dreams, fears, goals, desires, the lies they believe and the truths that will set them free, and then I outline the story. Each day when I sit down to write I reread a bit from the day before, lightly editing, then I continue on and work toward my word count goal. I try to turn off the internal editor and just write, knowing it is a bit stinky, but that I will be able to go back and revise. That is tough. I want it to come out perfect the first time I write, but that doesn't usually happen, and that's okay. It's better to be creative and get it down, then go back later and revise. 

CFBR: What authors do you draw inspiration from?

Carrie: I love to read! Some of my favorites are Cathy Gohlke, Trish Perry, Jan Karron, Siri Mitchell, Denise Hunter, Robin Lee Hatcher, and many others. 

CFBR: How do you market and promote your books?

Carrie: I believe the best marketing tool is to write a great book that makes readers want to buy that next book. I also believe in building relationships with readers by responding to their emails, connecting on facebook, and offering them information on my website and through newsletters to keep them informed about my books. I do a lot of online promotion through blog interviews. I give away free books all the time. This summer I took speakers training through Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference so I can improve in that area. I attend conferences and learn all I can. I promote other authors and am involved in American Christian Fiction Writers. That's a great organization for training and networking.

CFBR: Do you have any advice for aspiring Christian Fiction authors?

Carrie: I encourage aspiring authors to join ACFW. You can learn so much about the business of publishing and the skills you need to improve your writing. They have an informative e-loop, monthly classes, a great website with tons of info archived, critique groups, and a fantastic annual national conference. It's in Indianapolis this year, September 17 - 20. Visit their website for info.

After you write that first book, write a second. You learn how to write by writing and reading, so don't stop after that first book. You never know how successful you could be if you quit. I wrote 5 complete books before the first one was accepted by a publisher. That took me about 5 years. It was a huge investment, but I consider those books like going to college to study writing. And now when I look back at my first book I cringe a little, and I am glad I kept learning and growing as a writer. 

CFBR: Thank you so much for sharing with us.

CFBR: You're welcome, John. I want to invite your blog readers to come by my website for more tips for writers, info on my books, recipes, articles, a list of books I'm reading and recommend, photos, and more. Blessings and happy reading and writing!

Carrie Turansky
http://www.facebook.com/l/f9fcbi6WCU-6Ans7gyT2UxNWn0Q;www.carrieturansky.com


Available at Amazon
Seeking His Love
Christmas Mail-Order Brides