Burning Hearts, Nike Chillemi

Murder Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Historical Suspense

Can a sheltered young seamstress, disillusioned by the horrors of WWII, escape an arsonist/murderer who has killed her employer and mentor, while trying to decide if she can trust the dashing war hero who’s ridden into town on his Harley—who some say is the murderer?

Erica Brogna’s parents doted on her and taught her to think for herself. Many boys she grew up with have fallen in the war, shaking her childhood faith. In rides a handsome stranger, at the hour of her most desperate need. A woman who is her best friend and mentor is trapped in a burning house. After making an unsuccessful rescue attempt, Erica stands by as this man rushes into the inferno and carries her friend’s lifeless body out.

Lorne Kincade can’t out run his past on his Harley Davidson WLA, the civilian model of the motorcycle he rode in the war. He’s tried. He’s been a vagabond biker in the year since the war ended. His Uncle Ivar bequeathed him a ramshackle cottage in Sanctuary Point, on the Great South Bay of Long Island, NY and now he’d like to hope for a future again, repair the miniscule place, and settle down. The only problem is, a young woman with hair the color of mink is starting to get under his skin and that’s the last thing he needs.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Long Island, New York

September 1946

 Erica Brogna hurried down Hill Street, eager to sketch her new design, a forest green taffeta dress with a swirling skirt for a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary -- her first significant assignment. She paused to inhale the salt scent on the ocean breeze, and her gaze lingered on a copse of red, rust, and gold maples near Ada's house and dress shop.

She smiled, pulling her cardigan tight around her, and dropped the newspaper Poppa asked her to bring to her mentor and employer. She retrieved the paper and saw Bess Truman smiling as she entered Walter Reed Army Hospital. With the war over, the First Lady visited broken soldiers in long-term care. Erica slapped the paper closed before rage and depression overtook her. So many boys had not come home.

Chin jutted out, she smoothed the pleats of her skirt and marched toward Ada's house. She'd think on pleasant things and hand the paper over without a fuss as she did every morning. Nothing would ruin this day.

She climbed Ada's wooden front steps and opened the door.

Smoke filled the living room Ada had turned into a fabric shop. Erica waved a hand in front of tearing eyes. Gray vapors, like swirling fog, partially obscured bolts of fabric stacked against the opposite wall.

"Ada! Ada, answer me please." Dropping the newspaper, Erica rushed toward the stairs, trampling Bess Truman's image. "Ada can you hear me?"

Coughing, she grabbed on to the cutting table in the middle of the room, steadied herself, and reached for the phone -- no dial tone. Perhaps the fire melted the line.

She yanked the collar of her blouse over her nose and mouth against the smoke. The stairs loomed before her, seeming as impossible to scale as Mount Everest. She lunged forward, gripping the baluster, and thrust herself up two steps. Since Ada wasn't outside, she had to be upstairs.

As Erica climbed, the smoke thickened and swirled around her. It was darker with each step.

One hand clasped the rail and pulled, and she advanced a few more steps. Heat blasted against her skin from above, and soft crackling sounds drew her gaze to the upstairs landing. Squinting into the smoke, she lost her grip on the banister, missed the next step, and fell backward tumbling to the bottom.

The back of her head smacked against the baluster, and wooziness followed sharp pain. She tried to stand but couldn't get her bearings.

Will triumphed over ability. She hoisted herself, ignoring the dull throb at the back of her skull. Her palms stung, the skin scraped off during her fall. She took a deep breath, and a coughing fit seized her. Shallow breaths were the better alternative.

Planting her penny loafer on the bottom step, Erica began her climb again, shaken but with new resolve. If she could reach the top of the stairs, she could also make it to Ada's bedroom.

Halfway up, the scratches on her palms pulsated as the temperature rose. So did her knees -- must've scraped those, too. The pungent smoke shrouding her darkened, and grit clung to her skin. She couldn't see the banister or the top of the stairs and each breath took effort.

Poppa's lectures on fire drills flashed into mind -- stay low in a fire to get fresh air. She dropped to her knees and crawled, ignoring her pain. A sickening smell made her stomach lurch.

Inch by inch she crept, now three quarters of the way up. Hot, putrid air assaulted her windpipe, and she doubled over, her insides trembling.

Heaving herself forward, she maneuvered up one more step, but the smoke pushed back, choking her. She sobbed, knowing she couldn't make it to Ada, and scrambled down, hoping she could find help.

Reviews/Notices: 

"Right from the start, BURNING HEARTS captured my imagination and tweaked my
curiosity. Nike Chillemi certainly knows how to set a scene and ignite
excitement."  ~ Athol Dickson, three time Christy Award winning author of LOST
MISSION and THE OPPOSITE OF ART.

Why Nike Wrote BURNING HEARTS:

The 1940s era has always captured my imaginatin. It's a time in American history when ordinary citizens had a great deal of dignity and class. It was a time of "can doism" in America when most people believed if they simply applied themselves they could  use their natural talents and abilities to achieve something in their lives. I wanted to portray that noble American spirit. I wanted to show that the guy and gal next door could accomplish a great deal, could face evil and triumph. I wanted to portray in novel form the concept that evil cannot defeat love...love in all it's forms.

Purchase Links:

Desert Breeze Publishing. http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-167/Nike-Chillemi-Sanctuary-Point/Detail.bok

Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Point-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0050PJSTY/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Barnes & Nobel. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sanctuary-Point-Book-One/Nike-Chillemi/e/2940012411747/?itm=1&USRI=nike+chillemi

Author Bio:

Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning). She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category and a judge in the 2011 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes monthly book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. BURNING HEARTS is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series, published by Desert Breeze.

The Clouds Roll Away, Sibella Giorello

Suspense/Detective Series/Romantic Suspense

FBI agent and forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia in time for Christmas. But instead of goodness and light, the season takes a sudden dark turn. Somebody burns a cross on the lawn of a high-profile celebrity. When Raleigh starts hunting down the perpetrators, the case only grows murkier. And there's no peace at home, either. Her mother's fragile sanity is cracking and her old boyfriend DeMott wants to re-ignite their flame. As the threads of the case begin crossing and double-crossing, Raleigh is forced to rely on her forensic skills, her faith, and the fervent hope that the singular moment will come -- the tiny sliver of time when everything suddenly makes sense, and the clouds roll away.


Excerpt:

Winter rode into Richmond on the chattering breath of the Atlantic. Each year the season blew itself into existence. The ancient elms crystallized and frost crocheted the birches into lace doilies. On this particular December morning, with a bright sun overhead, I drove out New Market Road past fields that glistened like crushed diamonds. For this moment, my hometown looked cryogenically frozen, preserved for future generations to discover Richmond's wide river, verdant soils, and the plantation lifestyle forged through generations -- gone tragically, humanly awry.


Reviews:

Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, Giorello's mystery also features well-developed characters, such as a rapper who plays classical music on a cello to relax. The themes of redemption and faith rediscovered are subtly integrated into the story. This is the third title in journalist Giorello's excellent Raleigh Harmon series, following The Stones Cry Out (2007) and The Rivers Run Dry(2009). Libraries will want all three.
—Booklist, Starred Review

The clever plot twists will have readers riveted from the start. Tough, edgy Raleigh Harmon and the city of Richmond are beauties with endearing qualities that are hard to resist. Fans of Sue Grafton and Tim Downs should add Giorello to their favorites list.
—Romantic Times, 4.5 stars


Why Sibella Wrote The Clouds Roll Away:

There are many indelible impressions of Richmond in my mind, planted there during my fourteen years working as a reporter. Some of those images are beautiful -- the landscape, the storied colonial history, the graciousness of the South. But others parts are unsettling -- the repercussions of the only war fought on American soil, the continuing strife between races. The Clouds Roll Away was written as my Valentine to the wonderful city that opened its arms to me, revealing its glory and challenge and wonder.

Purchase Links:

http://sibellagiorello.com/clouds-roll-away.php

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Clouds-Roll-Away-Raleigh-Harmon/dp/B004J8I01K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301321277&sr=1-1


Author Bio:

Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons, and writes the Christy-award winning series about FBI agent Raleigh Harmon. For more information, go to http://www.sibellagiorello.com

Orphaned Hearts, Shawna K. Williams

Historical/Romance/ Christmas
Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer -- what it feels like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let that be Caleb’s fate.

When adoption plans fall through, David is desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression, most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled child.

Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees the answer to Caleb's needs. But Child Welfare doesn't agree, and demands other arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.

David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while searching, might they find a family instead.

Excerpt:
"How could they think Caleb's not normal? He's as normal as any other child." Sadie folded her arms in front of her. "Goodness gracious! You're telling me he can be adopted – just not by me -- but he can't be placed-out to anyone?"

"I'm afraid so."

"I've never heard anything more preposterous. I don't even know where to begin."

"I know, Sadie." David gently placed his hand on her arm. "It makes no sense to me either."

Sadie huffed and then looked down at his hand. Strong, warm... ringless. Caleb could be adopted, but only by a family with a mother and a father. A married couple.
She envisioned how a gold band would look circling the base of his finger and suddenly realized she'd unknowingly extended her own hand and was holding it outward, like she showcased her own imaginary matching ring.

Good heavens! Sadie curled her fingers into a fist and then extended them again, curled and extended. "Guess I spent too much time kneading dough today." She giggled like a silly girl and glanced at David to see if he believed the excuse.
His brow creased with a look of concern. "Does it hurt?" He took her hand and cradled it like a wounded puppy. His tenderness melted her to her core. Why couldn't she be young and beautiful, someone he'd want? How she'd love to share her home with him... her bed... her life. If he married her, they could be Caleb's parents. They could have more children. If she was able. If she wasn't too old.

Sadie watched his beautiful face as he tended to her hand, gently massaging her palm. He might marry her, for Cale--

What was she thinking!

"It's fine," Sadie said, pulling her hand from his. It was a farce. She wasn't hurt; she was just taking advantage of his kindness. Just like she'd be doing if she suggested he marry her for Caleb's sake. He might very well do it. It would be for Caleb's well-being, but her own selfish motivation would be hidden in there as well. David didn't feel that way about her, and she wouldn't use Caleb's misfortune to trap him. What sort of person would that make her?

She side-glanced to find that he stared at her, with something strange dancing in his eyes.

"Sadie, did you know that you're lovely?"

She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "You spend too much time in your office."

"But I haven't. I've been spending it with you."

She knit her brow, her heart pounding like thunder. What on earth was he saying?

"There is no one like you, Sadie Miller," he said. The depth in his hazel eyes held an unspoken draw, beckoning her to him. She felt herself leaning, and she tried to resist, but some invisible force seemed to be pulling her closer... and closer... Her eyes started to close.

"You'll make some man very happy someday," David blurted, averting his gaze as he stood. "I should go. I have to be on the road early." He tightened his necktie and straightened his collar, then nodded courteously without looking directly at her. "We will find Caleb a home."

Before she could respond he'd trotted down the steps of her front porch and off into the dark without even saying goodbye.

Sadie sat alone on the swing, heat radiating within her. Her hand went to her mouth. Had she almost kissed him?

Have Mercy! No wonder he'd suddenly run off. How would she face him tomorrow? She looked into the blackness where David had disappeared, the humiliating moment replaying in her mind.

Wait a minute. He was leaning too. Had he -- had he almost kissed her back?

Reviews:
5 stars
It is the season of giving. I received a most delightful gift in reading "Orphaned Hearts" by Shawna Williams.
This novella, only eighty-seven pages long, is full of gifts. There is the gift of the setting: the holiday season of the early 1930's, in the small town of Brady Hill.

The main characters, David and Sadie, are gifts as they show us the things that matter: love, faith, compassion and kindness. They will rise above their own issues to help others, especially the children of the orphanage in nearby Fort Smith.

There is the gift of Caleb, the orphan who will steal your heart the moment you meet him. Only six, he has experienced more tragedy than any child ever should. But the little boy, who loves to run and climb trees and play ball, is still inside and with the love of David, Sadie and the entire town of Brady Hill, Caleb becomes the six year old child he was meant to be.

Lessons learned or those we are reminded of is another gift of "Orphaned Hearts." This book shows us that no matter the issue, no matter the "damage," physical or emotional, all people are created equal and should be treated as such. It shows us that we need to reach out to others who need our help - we cannot ignore those who are in need. And it shows us that faith in God and obedience to Him will bring us through everything we face.

On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the best, I rank "Orphaned Hearts" as a twenty. Buy this book and in the midst of the Christmas rush, take an afternoon, sit in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot tea or cocoa and enjoy this book. It will be the best Christmas gift you can give yourself.--Edwina Cowgill


5 stars
I love Christmas novels and this one was a great one! Set during the Great Depression, it tells of the love story Pastor David Langley with the orphaned children he helps. An orphan himself, David understands that Caleb will have it harder than other orphans. He knows the odds are Caleb, with his disability, will not be adopted. Horribly disfigured in the fire that killed his family, David guards himself from further hurt by shutting others out. He doesn't let anyone see his scars because he is sure they will reject him. He is very familiar with rejection from his years in the orphanage. Sadie Miller is the wealthy town spinster and takes in Caleb temporarily. She loves Caleb and longs to be his mother. Unfortunately the authorities do not think hers is a good placement. David and Sadie must find another home for Caleb. AS they work together it seems like David, Sadie and Caleb form a little family. Will Caleb find a home? Will David and Sadie find what they are longing for? A great romance with a little mystery thrown in and a dramatic conclusion makes for an exciting Christmas story!-- K. Thorne

Why Shawna Wrote Orphane Hearts:
Orphaned Hearts is a story inspired by my granddad. He grew up in an orphanage during the Great Depression. My grandmother's father worked at the orphanage's dairy and this was how my grandmother and grandfather met. The empathy created through his own experiences led my grandparents to serve as foster parents for many years, affecting a great many lives.

The main message of this story is that true love conquers pain, but sometimes the biggest obstacle to accepting it is ourself.

Purchase Links.
Desert Breeze Bookstore
Amazon

Author Bio:
Shawna K. Williams is an Inspirational Romance writer who loves telling a story through flawed characters – the only kind she can relate to. She also likes a good dose of nostalgia, which is why many of her stories are set in rural America during the first half of the 20th Century.

When not writing, Shawna spends time with her husband and three children enjoying life on their ranch. She's also an avid reader, book reviewer, blogger, and jewelry designer.

Read more about Shawna K. Williams at http://www.ShawnaKWilliams.com

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Where Love Once Lived, Sidney W. Frost

Contemporary/Romance

Where Love Once Lived by Sidney W. Frost follows a man at a crossroads as he seeks to regain the love of his former college sweetheart.

Forced to leave Karen by circumstances beyond his control, Brian returns to his hometown after 30 years to find Karen doesn't want to deal with the memories of his painful and unexplained departure. She has worked hard to put her love for Brian behind her and rebuffs his advances. Brian can see that winning her over again isn't going to be as easy as he had hoped, but he's willing to do whatever it takes.

"The story of Brian and Karen shows that, with God's help, it's never too late to find happiness," says Frost. "My hope is that their story makes readers laugh, cry and learn a little more about God's love."

Frost was inspired by his faith to create Where Love Once Lived. The importance of a relationship with God is a major theme in the book. In the novel, Karen's faith in God grew stronger after Brian left, leading to fulfilling work as a lay minister. As she becomes reacquainted with Brian, Karen begins to share with him the strength that can come from faith. Brian, who had turned away from God, eventually comes to realize that the void in his life was not just the loss of Karen but also the loss of God.

Excerpt:
As she wondered about the mystery, Karen peered out the window at the florist’s delivery van in the school parking lot in time to see it leaving. As it disappeared behind the administration building, another vehicle came into view, one that looked like a bus with no windows. On its side in large letters was Austin Public Library Bookmobile.

She’d once loved a bookmobile driver. Memories of that time with him poured in so rapidly she caught her breath. It’d been long ago, but her heart remembered. At first she thought of the love she’d felt back then, but the good memories didn’t last long. She’d gone to the bookmobile as usual that last day, but nothing was to be the same again. She went to Brian with love and exciting news. She left alone. Not just without him, but alone in the world and apart from God.

This couldn’t be the same bookmobile. Nevertheless, she had to see it. She had to walk into it and face her fears. She grabbed her jacket to shield her from the damp November day and rounded up her class.
“Get your coats on, kids. We’re going to the library.”

The children grumbled at the notion, but when they saw what kind of library it was, they stepped livelier. Karen walked inside the bookmobile after making sure Miss Rush had control of the children. She inhaled the familiar odor of used books. She traveled back thirty years with a single whiff. The librarian just inside the front door welcomed her with a smile. A man sat at a desk near the back of the vehicle. Karen pulled a book off the shelf and held it next to her chest, not caring what the title was. With her eyes closed, she could feel Brian standing next to her, loving her, and it was so real, she felt her eyes moisten.

Reviews:
WOW! Where Love Once Loved is a winner
This is a Christian novel and more. Some of that more is a romance and more of the more is an unusual form of a coming of age story. Romance gone wrong due to incomplete communications and immature or irresponsible judgments lead to lives prematurely separated in young adulthood. Those separate lives are not all that bad but leave the principles feeling unfulfilled and incomplete in mid-life. Tensions in the novel stem from efforts and events that work toward reuniting the protagonists. But this is not easy and

requires sometimes painful change for the two main characters. This is not the adolescent discovery of self and sex coming of age. Instead here we have two seasoned and basically successful adults who must mature spiritually. A number of things contribute to that spiritual maturation including painful discoveries of what went so very wrong years ago, forgiveness for those and subsequent events, understanding of the consequences and new empathy that comes from prayer and God's grace.

The setting is a mid-sized Southern city in the mid to late 20th century (Austin, Texas) and exceptionally apt descriptions of real recognizable places and accurate references to the "times" lend authenticity to the novel.

Much of the action takes place on a bookmobile including librarian-patron interactions and a believable chase scene. I think we all make inappropriate use of the word unique at times. But in reviewing Frost's Where Love Once Lived, I can honestly say his use of the bookmobile is unique to the point where it might be considered a supporting character.

In addition to the bookmobile peripheral characters are well developed, interesting in their own right and serve as impediments or more often facilitators of the action. Secondary characters enrich the story and contribute to the growth of the main characters by modeling and interpreting Christian principals.

In support of the main story line there are several minor themes including an interesting view on changing race relations. A related minor and equally interesting minor theme explores how older adults react to the developing loves, marriages and career aspirations of their children. Not blatant at any one point in the novel but clearly one key to the developing relationships and to resolutions to conflicts is a core group composed of several no longer young men that formed in their college age years. Such a core group is rarely found in the real world or in novels either.

This book is a page turner and early on you will begin pulling (praying?) for those folks to work it out.

A great first novel!

I am proud to say I bought Sid's very first book and loved reading it. Rollo has covered the overview so well, but I want to comment on the theme and characters. I thought it was so very creative to use the bookmobile as a center of so much action and activity, and much to my surprise it kept popping up throughout the book. It was so well described I could picture myself being there. I "got into" the characters quite early in my reading, and my interest kept growing. I especially appreciated the comfortable but truthful way the Christian message was presented. I know lives will be touched when reading this book. A Great first novel! Excited to read your next one.

Why Sidney Wrote Where Love Once Lived:
The idea for writing a bookmobile story came to me while driving one back in the 1960's. I was a college student at the University of Texas assigned to drive for a feisty librarian who got us into trouble with the head librarian several times because of helping our patrons in ways unrelated to books. I wanted to write a humorous novel about her, but quickly learned I didn't know much about writing.

The nudge to write the bookmobile story came again in 2004, and this time I said no because I knew it would be too hard. The very next Sunday, my pastor, Dr. Jeanie Stanley, said this: "Trust the Lord God with your dreams and He will help you achieve them." This gave me the idea to turn the whole project over to God.

To remind myself I wasn't alone, I wrote a prayer which I printed and taped next to my computer.

Dear Lord, be my source of inspiration. Give me the words you want the world to hear. Help me create the story and the characters to convey your message in such a way as to be desirable to the business world of publishers. Guide my hands and stay in my mind and my heart while I write and while I edit. Amen

By then I was smart enough to know I needed practical help as well so I started taking online basic fiction writing classes. At the time I was in the Austin Lyric Opera Chorus and rehearsing three times a week for eight or nine months out of the year, and didn't want to take on a large writing project. But, God wouldn't let me use that as an excuse. I retired from the chorus, continued to study and started writing Where Love Once Lived.

I don't want this to come across sounding like I believe my book is the word of God. Far from it. All I'm trying to say is that I had a strong urge to write and publish Where Love Once Lived. I hope it makes the reader laugh and cry, and if just one person should happen to move closer to God because of it, then the effort was worthwhile.

Purchase Links

Amazon Kindle

Lulu.com for other eReader formats

Apple

Or, go to http://sidneywfrost.com/wlol_buy.htm to see all purchase options.

Author Bio:
Sidney W. Frost is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He's also a Stephen Leader, a Stephen Minister, and a member of his church choir. He is an Adjunct Professor at Austin Community College where he teaches computer courses. He has a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Long Beach.

He is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Writers League of Texas, and the San Gabriel Writers' League.

Awards for Where Love Once Lived include First Place -- 2007 SouthWest Writers Contest in the Inspirational/Spiritual Category, First Place -- 2007 Writers' League of Texas Novel Manuscript Contest, Romance Category, Third Place -- Fourteenth Annual Lone Star Writing Competition, Northwest Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America, Inspirational Romance Category and Finalist -- 2006 Yosemite Writers Contest Novel Category.

Website
http://sidneywfrost.com/

Blog
http://christianbookmobile.blogspot.com/

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First Love, Michelle Sutton

Romance/Contemporary/Series

Josiah and Tara had enjoyed acting in their high school plays. They had also been each other's first lover... in fact; most of the time they'd spent together had been in Tara's bed. When Josiah became a Christian, he left Tara to go to college and didn't look back.

Four years later, Josiah is back in town when his father has a near-fatal heart attack. When they meet up again they realize how much their separation had hurt each of them. But now Tara is a Christian and is trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Josiah wants Tara back, but neither knows how to relate to each other without the physical intimacy they once shared. They are determined to do things right this time, but find it more challenging than they'd anticipated.

Excerpt:
She hated to spell it out for him, but it seemed necessary to prevent him from getting the wrong idea. "You're here for a haircut. Don't expect more."

Raising his hands in mock surrender, Josiah chuckled, "Whoa, there. I didn't mean anything by it, I swear."

"Good." Grabbing the black cloth to drape over his shirt, she flipped it open and then pointed to the chair. He sat and she tied it around his neck, a stress headache creeping into her head. Irritation shredded her nerves. Rather than sitting, he peered at her with an incredulous look in his eyes.

"Come on," she winced and touched her forehead. "I don't have much time."

"Aren't you gonna..." Josiah pointed at his hair and nodded toward the sink.

"No." She snapped the cloth again. "Just sit."

"But, that's the best part." Ruffling his hair with both hands, he sighed. "All right, but my hair is sweaty and dusty. I think it'll be easier to cut if it's clean first. I'll even pay you extra."

Did he think he could buy her forgiveness?

But he did have a point. Taking in the faint cloud of dust forming beside his head as he ruffled his hair, Tara sighed. She rolled her eyes and pointed at the sink with her elbow. "All right, all right. Just hurry up. I need to get home."

Josiah crept in slow steps and glanced over his shoulder. Tempted to push him along, she refrained, deciding the less hands-on contact she had with him the better. Maybe that was what he wanted. To get her riled. Well, it was working.

The sooner she cut his hair and sent him on his way, the sooner she'd have time to think about what his return to town might mean. While tempted to quit the acting group to avoid seeing him, she refused to run away. Besides, playacting the part of a socialite at special events in town was the only fun hobby she allowed herself. She refused to give up her only link to acting.

No, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of quitting. She'd keep playing the part and enjoy every minute of it. No man would take the fun out of her life ever again. Not even someone as devastatingly handsome and as important to her as Josiah had once been.

Reviews:
5 stars
First Love, the second in the Tombstone Treasures series, is a wonderfully, edgy romance. I liked this one even better than the first one. If the trend continues, the third one should be a blockbuster! Michelle has written an edgy, Christian, romantic story that has a little bit of suspense thrown in.

Tara Hinkson has had a tough time since graduating from high school. Her mother was involved in a horrible car wreck that has left her with the mind of a 5 year old and severely disabled. Tara and her mother share a small house just down the street from the beauty shop where Tara works. Since her mother can not be left along, she has had to hire someone to be able to sit with her mom while she works. Can you imagine having to be the "parent" to your mom or dad? Wanting to be able to sit down and share your thoughts and feelings with them or even just to sit and hold each other and not being able to. That would be a very hard adjustment to make.

Josiah Reardon was Tara's long time boyfriend in high school. Things got very heated in their relationship and they spent most of their time in bed. He broke off the relationship when he was getting ready to go off to college. Tara had not heard from him since then, several years, when he walks into her hair salon for a haircut. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. She didn't really like the way she felt when she saw him. The old flame was still there, at least on her part. How did he feel?

The story takes us on Tara & Josiah's journey of trying to build on the past relationship to make a future. But can that be? Every time they get near each other the old feelings take over. The ones that led to the bedroom. Since high school both of them have become Christians. They both know what they are doing is not right in God's eyes but the flesh is weak and they don't seem to be trying too awfully hard to be strong.

I really loved this book! I loved the characters! Michelle did an awesome job of developing them so that the reader can feel their emotions and know what they are going through. I could picture every place that Josiah and Tara were. I felt so bad for Tara's mom and for Tara having to put her own life on hold all these years to take care of her mother. Michelle has written several good bible truths into her story without being "preachy". Way to go, Michelle! You've done it again! -- J. Thompson "Janet's Treasures~~book reviews"

Michelle's books just keep getting better and better! While Never Without Hope and In Plain Sight are still my favorites (5+ stars) First Love gives them a good run. I give it a 4.75. I appreciate that Michelle writes about topics we often don't find in Christian Fiction, and I REALLY appreciate that while her characters are Christians, they don't always do the right thing. It's pleasant to read about what's ideal, but it's inspiring and hopeful to read about God's Grace. Without mistakes, there's no opportunity to write about it. Since I don't know anyone who hasn't made a mistake, Michelle's stories should have a very wide appeal.

First Love is an entertaining and honest story about the difficulties of abstaining from premarital sex when there has been a previous relationship. Michelle explores the issue far beyond just the physical aspect. She gives a heavy dose of emotional side-effects, including confusion, heartache and guilt. As a soon-to-be 40 year old, I enjoyed this book very much, but I strongly recommend it for teens and young adults. One should never underestimate the impact of passing on wisdom through words. Thanks, Michelle! -- Shawna K. Williams - Grace-Inspired Fiction.

Why Michelle Wrote First Love:
The inspiration behind First Love came from a novella project I was working on with three other Barbour authors and I had to draft a first chapter and synopsis for it. Come to find out Barbour didn't think Tombstone would be very romantic so the project went nowhere even with best-selling authors also in on the project. So I just used what I had prepared. I wanted to show how hard it might be to date someone you used to sleep with on a daily basis and who broke your heart when they found God and left. So what happens if you are both Christians in the future and you find out you still have feelings for the other person and decide to give it another try? How do you keep from falling back into bed? How hard would that be? Of course, anyone who knows me knows that my characters usually mess up more than once before they get it together. That's the part I like best. I like writing emotional conflict when it clashes with spiritual values.

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Also available at Amazon Kindle, B&N, Kobo, iBookstore, Sony, Books on Board, Allromance Ebooks and coming soon to Christianbooks.com.

Author Bio:
Michelle is the author of over a dozen inspirational novels, a book reviewer, an avid blogger, the mother of two young college students, a wife of over two decades, and follower of Jesus Christ.
http://www.michellesutton.net/


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Conception, Jennifer Hartz

Fantasy/Romance/Series
"I do not think it is a question of where, but when." were the words that Charis left my mother with thirty years ago when I disappeared from Meric…before I was born.

Shortly after being sent back I've been attacked by man-eating Vaipes. I've learned that my father was a power wielding Guardian. I've discovered that the silvery-blue eyes intriguing me my entire life belong to my Watcher, Shaw who is without a doubt the most handsome man I have ever seen. And somehow I need to stop a war mongering tyrant who can manipulate people's thoughts.

So my question isn't where or when. It is how? How can I help the people of Meric when I can't stop myself from falling in love?

Excerpt:
Apparently he didn't need my help.

He pounced with alarming speed. The spin move he performed was so quick, so strong, so devastating that when he completed the one-hundred and eighty degree turn that took less than a matter of seconds he had killed seven of the Vaipes.

He faced me now and the fierce, deep concentration in his face astounded me. He attacked Vaipe after Vaipe, and the beasts continued to fall before him. I couldn't believe how swiftly and fluidly Shaw moved. He had pulled out his smaller sword now and assailed the creatures two at a time.

Shaw truly had to be the greatest warrior in all of Meric. None of the Vaipes even came close to him. He just spun, ducked, thrashed, lunged, turned and twisted so effortlessly that it barely appeared he exerted any energy at all.

When the last Vaipe lay dead, he walked toward me, wiping the blood and gore off his face. I stared, amazed by what he just accomplished.

He looked me over, drawing the back of his hand across his cheek. "Are you alright?"

It was a loaded question. Was I physically injured? Was I mentally scarred for life?

I replayed the last few minutes in my head. I witnessed a man being eaten and Shaw slaying more than twenty Vaipes. The stuff of nightmares.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Even though I wanted my statement to sound brave, I couldn't control the shakiness of my voice.

"You should go inside one of the houses," Shaw reiterated.

I was about remind him of my last answer to that suggestion when a Vaipe leapt at us from on top of the fence. I dropped my sword and tried to shove Shaw out of the way, but he was just out of my arms reach. My telekinetic powers kicked in again and I brushed Shaw off to the side with my left hand as easily as sweeping dust from a shelf. With my right hand, I held the Vaipe in midair. It looked at me with such hatred and rage that I couldn't help but scoff ever so slightly. Then I thrust my right arm as hard as I could, throwing the Vaipe into the fence knocking the wind out of it. Grabbing my sword again, I ran to the dazed monster. I hesitated for just one second, wondering if it was right to kill something that was knocked unconscious, when its eyes snapped open and it snarled at me, bracing for attack. The instinct to protect myself outweighed my moral debate, and I slashed it straight through heart.

I turned back to Shaw, breathing hard. He stared at me with raised eyebrows and a slightly open mouth.

I smiled. "How can I go inside a house when clearly you need my help."

Shaw snorted a laugh. "Clearly." He gathered up his bow and nodded for me to follow.

Review:
Five Stars!
Christina's ordinary life as a single thirty-year-old school teacher takes a twist when she is unexplainably transported from current day Pittsburgh to a mysterious place called Meric. There, she discovers great wonders; from the beauty of the land, to the secret of her birth and the magical powers she unknowingly possesses. She also learns why a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes has followed her throughout her life.

However, not all is glorious in the land of Meric. A dark evil threatens its people, an evil that thirty years earlier killed Christina's father and drove her into hiding before she was even born. Now that she has returned, Christina must fulfill her destiny or Meric will be doomed under evil's rule.

I can't believe this book was Jennifer Hartz's debut novel. It was pure adventure from start to finish. Jennifer masterfully weaves humor, mystery, action, and romance into a fantastic tale. The pacing is just perfect, dropping hints here and there as deep mysteries are unveiled. At the same time we get to know a host of delightful, well-rounded characters, who I grew to love. The tension builds and builds and I was literally holding my breath at the end.

This book is the first in a series, and I will definitely get the next on the first day it releases. If you enjoy fantasy with Inspirational elements (Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Arnhem) then you'll love this. -- Shawna K. williams, Grace-Inspired Fiction.

Why Jennifer Wrote Conception:
While having a conversation with one of my students, I said something that would make my already busy life a heck of lot busier! We were discussing The Twilight Saga. As you know, most teenage girls love Twilight, I really enjoyed the books too, but we were talking about how we were slightly disappointed with the forth book in the series. I eventually said, "I certainly can't judge Stephanie Myers because I haven't written a book let alone a bestselling mega smash series." This got me to thinking. I have always wanted to write a novel – it has been a lifelong dream – why not give it a shot. That day, while driving home from work, I started thinking about all of the books, movies, and TV shows I loved. I pulled out elements from all of these things that really captured my attention and slowly they morphed into my own fantasy realm.

For three months my daydreams continued as I drove back and forth from work. I have an hour and a half commute – three hours a day in the car – so my fantasy story really grew, and grew quickly. The story lines became more and more intricate and the personalities of my characters really started to take on lives of their own. Finally, summer rolled around and my fingers finally met the keys. Writing was the easy part since I had such a structured skeleton to work with. In the two and a half months of summer break I was able to write the entire 78,000 word novel that is now Future Savior Book One: Conception. I have the other four novels of the series completely mapped out in my head.

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Also available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Sony, Allromance Ebooks, Books on Board
, iPad iBookstore, and soon, Christianbooks.com

Author Bio:
Jennifer Hartz wrote and illustrated her first novel, an epic tale featuring winged fairies losing their magic wands to evil trolls, back when she was six years old. She has been a fan of fantasy and science fiction ever since. From the land of Mordor to a galaxy far, far away, Jennifer loves it all.

Born in Pittsburgh, but currently living in northeast North Carolina with her amazing husband and beautiful son, Jennifer spends her days teaching at a small private school in Norfolk, Virgina. Other than reading the Bible, Jennifer loves to read (and now write) Speculative Christian Ficion that has wonderful romantic storylines and exciting twists and turns.

The Future Savior series is Jennifer's first crack at a novel since the early days of fairy wand heists and she couldn't be more thrilled with its quick success.

http://jenniferhartz.com/

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Masquerade Marriage, Anne Greene

Historical/Romance

A SECRET LIST
To protect his loved ones and escape the dark fate of his brothers, a noted warrior abandons his identity. Hiding from relentless soldiers who want him dead, Brody MacCaulay vows to protect the woman he loves more than life, more than freedom, more than Scotland. But his presence throws her into danger.

A VOW HONORED
To escape an arranged marriage to an abusive noble, a Lowland Lady weds a stranger to save his life. But vows spoken do not make a marriage, especially when Megan MacMurry holds a different love inside her heart.

A SACRIFICE MADE
Outlawed, and with a price on his head, Brody condemns himself to a life of heartbreak without Megan. Wanting her desperately, knowing he can't have her, he heads alone to certain death..

Excerpt:
Like a determined hero, the fugitive warrior strode through the door at the far end of the tiny stone kirk.

Megan’s eyes widened. Her clenched jaw relaxed. Some of her dread dissolved.

“Impressive.” Molly, Megan’s Irish maid, whispered from where they stood together in the vestibule.

He stopped in front of the hand-carved altar and half-turned toward her. Megan pulled in an uneven breath. This Highlander, wearing formal kilts, was no scrawny lad grown older, nor was he a big, hairy Scot with a bushy beard. The tall, strapping soldier stood with legs braced as if about to do battle.

Her heart skipped. Though she’d known Brody when she wore short skirts, this blond warrior was far more than she expected. Her pulse throbbed in her temples. Doubt niggled her brain. Brody was too tall, too obviously a Highlander. How could she hope to pass him off as a Lowland Laird? He appeared to have too big a chip on his shoulder to let her command him.

Brody’s thick sandy hair swept the collar of his linen shirt. Lace-trimmed cuffs matched the white jabot at his muscular throat. A silver broach clapsed his crimson and black tartan to his wide right shoulder. His Claymore, dirk, and thick sword belt startled her.

Megan suppressed a shudder. The English outlawed kilts. With his dress, Brody spat in the face of the English and further imperiled his life. Why?

His intense sapphire stare blazed a trail across the empty wooden pews toward her. His eyes made her feel dizzy as if she just danced a fast reel with a lively partner.

Molly grinned and handed Megan the bridal flowers.

What had she gotten herself into?

Review:
5 Cups
Megan, a lowland lady marries Brody a Highlander on the run from the English to save his life. Filled with rich Scottish language and descriptive passages, this book literally tosses you back in time to a land where men fought to be free from the tyranny of the English. (Honestly feel ashamed to be English having read this.)

I literally sat and read all day, pausing only to feed the kids, so compelling is the story. I laughed and even cried. The emotions run deep as Megan and Brody slowly see past the pretence of their marriage and fall for each other, only for fate to step in.

Definitely one to read, this will have you riveted to your comp/e-reader/book and one you’ll want to read again. -- Clare, Coffee Times Romance

Why Anne Wrote Marriage Masquerade:
I was motivated to write this book after visiting Scotland. The final battle between the English and the Scottish Highlanders changed the Highlands forever. A way of life ended. The drama in this story appealed to me, and so I wrote Masquerade Marriage. I love this time in history and so enjoyed living it as I wrote the book. I hope the reader finds a new world to love as he reads my book.

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Author Bio:
Anne Greene writes historical and suspense novels. She’s of Scotch ancestry of Clan Gunn. When she’s not deployed with her military husband, she makes her home in McKinney, Texas. She has four children. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one, and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. In 1989 Anne graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Literary Studies from the University of Texas Dallas. Anne loves to travel and has visited twenty-four countries. See her web site http://www.annegreeneauthor.com/ for pictures. At present Anne is in Seoul, South Korea, serving her country with her hero husband, Larry, an active-duty Colonel in the Army Special Forces. Her highest hope is that her stories transport you to a different world and touch your heart.

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