Thursday, August 12, 2010

No Greater Loss, Diane Craver

Romance/Contemporary
Can a new love heal a wounded heart?

Dr. Jennifer Hunter is so stunned by her past she’s unable to move on with her life. After losing her young husband and baby son fifteen years ago she determined never to marry again. Losing loved ones is too painful.

A friend introduces Jennifer to Luke Brunsman and suggests she hire him to renovate her antique farmhouse. Instantly attracted to Luke, she refuses the widowed contractor’s help. But after she gets injured working on a fireplace, she gives in.

Luke clearly wants more than a business relationship, but Jennifer guards her heart. His kisses make her yearn for a future once denied her. Luke falls in love with her but finds tearing down the walls in Jennifer’s house is easier than breaking through her protective shell.

When Dr. Hunter’s radio talk show catches the attention of a vengeful arsonist, Luke and Jennifer must overcome the shadows of the past and find the courage to love again.

Excerpt:
She felt light and wonderful. She floated all the way to the ceiling of the surgical room. From there she looked down at the doctor making an incision running from the middle of her forehead to her right ear.

Wait a minute, why were the nurses and doctors still operating on her dead body? They must not know she was dead. And why didn’t she have any sad feelings about dying?

She was lifted up to a brilliant light and her spirit completely left her body. She basked in the soothing light with its tremendous beauty. The brightness of the light didn’t hurt her eyes.

She flew through a tunnel and realized she was in different surroundings, but the same pure light existed in this place, too. She smelled a familiar scent but couldn’t think what it was. She breathed deeply. The sweet, rich fragrance had to be lilacs. Her mother’s perfume always had the same wonderful fragrance. She remembered being a small girl, watching her mother dab perfume behind her ears.

She knew what all this meant. Her mother was near to welcome her to heaven.

Then she saw them. Her parents looked joyous with big smiles for her. And she experienced the most profound love, radiating from them.

She heard her mother saying, “We love you, but you need to go back. We want you to live.”

She smiled at all of her loved ones. An incredible gladness bubbled up inside her.

And when she didn’t think it could get any better, it did. For a complete moment, she existed in the divine presence of God. She felt His strong love surrounding her. When an extraordinary feeling of peace came over her, her soul struggled to stay in the spirit world. In her entire life, she’d never experienced anything like this.

She didn’t have the will to leave.

Reviews:
"The author addressed some very tough issues in this book, including the loss of a child, eating disorders and post-abortion syndrome. Diane Craver discusses these topics with detailed professionalism. In a beautiful and sensitive way, she crafts advice, help and caring
for the wounded souls. A job well done!"

4 books ~ Lily, reviewer for “The Long and Short Of It” blog site

The Romance Studio

“Ms. Diane Craver presents a fascinating story about a couple who have secrets needing to be revealed, a passion that needs to be explored, and an incredible ending that is not expected. The end result may be anticipated, but the myriad of circumstances which the couple encounter, together and alone, just adds to the incredibility of this couple finding each other. I heartedly recommend this book to anyone. Don’t allow the “inspirational” category to mark this off your list; there is plenty of loving interaction to hold your interest! This is definitely a keeper!”
Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual
Reviewer: Brenda Talley

Why Diane Wrote this Book:
Before writing No Greater Loss, I wrote nonfiction. I wanted to share my faith in an inspirational romance. I decided it would be a fictional story, but I’d draw on my experience as a genetic carrier of Down syndrome. As first novels go, I had several revisions. An agent didn’t like that the heroine was a genetic carrier of Down syndrome, so I changed that part of the story after careful consideration. I enjoyed writing No Greater Loss and it has a little bit of everything. LOL Romance, drama, suspense, and a near death experience. However, I do have a character with Down syndrome in my sweet novel, A Fiery Secret. She was inspired by our daughter, Amanda.
Purchase:

Author Bio:
Diane graduated with a degree in English and Speech Education from The Ohio State University. Before writing her books, she was a schoolteacher and play director. She met her husband, the love of her life, while teaching at an orphanage.

She is the mother of six children and lives in southwestern Ohio. Her dream vacation is going to the beach. Her husband is supportive of her writing career as well as her awesome children. Diane writes contemporary and inspirational romance, chick-lit mystery, and women's fiction. Learn more about Diane and her books at:


Leave a comment for a chance to win No Greater Loss, and other books featured this week.:)


Happy Reading!



16 comments:

  1. My husband had a brother with Down Syndrome. He was the sweetest man. If you needed lovin', he'd give you the biggest hug and 'I love you.' He's been gone three years now. Loved him dearly.
    Would love to win your book. Please enter me. I'll have to check out A Fiery Secret as well.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  2. What a lovely highlight you've presented us with. I like this site. I like that you bring forth inspirational stories to light. With everything going on in the world this day, we need inspiration.

    Wonderful work from Diane. I'm sorry the publishers didn't like the character being a carrier of Down's. The world operates in many ways. Reality is reality. Don't know why some people want to cover it up. Just saying.

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  3. I agree EA. I know that reading is a form of escapism, but when it grounded in reality, the escape feels more real.

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  4. DIANE-This sounds like a wonderful story. The excerpt was intriguing with a powerful Christian message. Congratulations on a wonderful novel! Celia

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  5. Hi Carmen,
    I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's brother. I'm sure he's missed greatly. I'm glad you'd like to win No Greater Loss and happy you're interested in A Fiery Secret, too. Thanks so much!

    When our first daughter was born with DS, people told me how blessed she was to have us but it was the other way around - WE were blessed.

    Have a terrific weekend, Carmen!

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  6. I love to read books that have real problems. This sounds like that sorts of book.

    lorettaC
    lbcanton@verizon.net

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  7. Hi Evie,
    I agree - Shawna has a great site here for inspirational reads. I still plan on having a romance with the main character as a carrier of DS - I think the message is important. Now I just need to find time to write this story.

    Thanks, Evie, for stopping by!

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  8. Hi Celia,
    I'm so happy you stopped by. I'm glad you liked my excerpt. I loved writing that scene with the character experiencing a near death experience. I got tears in my eyes.

    Take care.

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  9. Thanks so much, Loretta! I appreciate you stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. Shawna,

    Thank you for posting about my inspirational romance, NO GREATER LOSS!

    I know you're busy writing so it's greatly appreciated for you to take time daily to post all these incredible inspirational reads!

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  11. Hi Diane,
    This is a beautiful story and the excerpt gave me chills. I can't wait to read the whole book. What a gift of love to the world. Thank you over and over for having the courage and grace to write this book. Shawna, as always, this blog is fantastic and thank you for finding these great talented writers like Diane. Wish I could have spent all day with both of you!
    Hugs,
    Regina

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  12. Hi Regina,
    Thank you for your lovely comments! You are so kind. I know a day needs to be longer - so many wonderful blogs to visit and so little time.

    Take care.

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  13. Hi Diane, The excerpt won me over to this great book. I would love to read as the different emotions that the heroine experiences can be felt by all.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  14. wow this sounds like an awesome book, I have so added this to my list of TBR... I love stories that imitate real life. Makes me feel like I am a part of the story.

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  15. this sounds/looks like a really good book!
    cant wait to read it!
    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

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  16. Miss Kallie, Christy, and Leah,

    Thank you all so much! I enjoyed reading your comments. I'm happy for the interest shown in my inspirational romance, NO GREATER LOSS!

    Have a great week!

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