In no particular order:
1. Mercy’s Fight by Tammy L. Gray
2. Sway by Amy Matayo
3. To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander
4. Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist
5. The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton (Oh how I hated the cliffhanger)
6. Best Forgotten by Paula Vince
7. Hidden by Vannetta Chapman
8. Fury by Steven James
9. These Sheltering Walls by Mary Jane Hathaway
10. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade
What are some of the best books you’ve read so far this year?
Thank you for being willing to be interviewed on my blog!
1. What got you interested in writing?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed writing. I was one of those strange kids that actually enjoyed doing book reports and research papers. In the late 1980s, my husband and I worked with Marriage Encounter, doing marriage enrichment weekends. We had to write out our talks ahead of time and send them to the lead team couple for approval. I really enjoyed writing those talks, and that’s what got me thinking about trying to write for publication. A couple of years later, I got my first article accepted, then followed up with several more for a variety of Christian and children’s publications. Eventually I decided to try writing a novel, and many more years passed. It was my third complete book that finally got picked up by Love Inspired Suspense in 2012.
2. If there is one thing that you want a reader to take away from your books, what would it be?
I write about hurting people who have been through some rough times. They are damaged and often have difficulty trusting and letting other people into their lives. I want my books to appeal to believers and nonbelievers alike, so rather than preaching at the reader, I try to show through my characters’ experiences the difference trusting God can make in our lives. The most important thing I want readers to take away from my books is that when we come to God for forgiveness, healing, strength and comfort, He accepts us with open arms. He is always there and will never leave us or forsake us. A relationship with God at its center can withstand anything the world throws at it.
3. Who or what would you consider to have the greatest influences on your writing?
The most obvious influence on my writing is, of course, the Lord. My relationship with Him is the reason that I write for the inspirational market. Another influence has been all the books I’ve read through the years. I think to be a good writer, you have to be a reader. Lastly, my husband has had a big influence on my writing, so much so, I patterned the hero in my debut book, Midnight Shadows, after him. I even gave him the same name! I wouldn’t have attempted this career if it weren’t for Chris’ encouragement and support.
4. Do you have any favorite authors that you recommend?
I would recommend any of my fellow Love Inspired Suspense authors. I’ve read books by Terri Reed, Lenora Worth, Jill Elizabeth Nelson and Roxanne Rustand, to name just a few, and they’re always very good. When I’m not reading suspense, I often read in the young adult genre, for something totally different from what I write. I enjoy Heather Burch’s books, both her young adult and her adult books, which though not necessarily inspirational, are always clean.
5. Can you tell us about what you’re working on now?
I am currently working on two series—one for Love Inspired Suspense set in Cedar Key, Florida, and another for Love Inspired set in Murphy, North Carolina. The Murphy series is brand new. I’m working on the first book. In the Cedar Key series, I’ve completed three books (Shattered Haven, Hidden Identity and Mistletoe Justice) and am starting on the fourth. I like setting books in places that I enjoy visiting. I have family in Murphy,
and Cedar Key is just a fun escape. The second oldest city in Florida (behind St. Augustine), it’s quaint and artsy with a real “Old Florida” feel. My husband and I just spent our anniversary there a couple of weeks ago.
Thank you, Embassie for having me on your blog. I’ve enjoyed the visit!
BIO
Carol J. Post writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line and lives in sunshiny Central Florida. Besides writing, she works alongside her music minister husband singing and playing the piano. She also enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund. You can find her at http://www.caroljpost.com. For news and fun contests, sign up for her newsletter. (The link is on her website.)
BOOK BLURB
After becoming trapped in a web of blackmail and murder, Meagan Berry escapes by faking her death. She finds anonymity on Florida’s Cedar Key until she is caught on camera rescuing a senator, and the nightmare begins anew. Something tells Cedar Key police officer Hunter Kingston that Meagan isn’t who she claims to be, but the fear in her eyes and the vulnerability beneath that aloof exterior reach out to him. When he learns the truth, he is determined to protect her, whatever the cost, because at least one person is dead set on making sure the next time Meagan “dies,” it’ll be for real.
Giveaway
If this book has captured your fancy (and I hope it does!), there’s an opportunity for you to win your own copy! The author has graciously decided to giveaway an autographed copy of Hidden Identity! All you need to do is leave a comment with your email address. The giveaway ends on July 24th! The winner will be randomly selected (and must be from the US or Canada). If you win, you have 48 hours to respond to the notification before I will choose another winner. Happy Reading!
Shannon Wilde is the middle sister–and the one who loves animals. She’s established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine…until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!
Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.
As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon’s land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn’t count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad–and trying to hurt the woman he’s falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.
Review
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. Here are my thoughts about the second:
What I liked:
The Wilde sisters. I love that they are these complex individuals who served in the Civil War, started their own homesteads, and yet still need help from time to time. Kyle was the more feminine one, but Shannon has a heart of gold. Though Connealy, often writes about tough women, these women don’t exactly put me in mind of her previous heroines.
Old day customs. Connealy doesn’t play when it comes to marriage and honestly, I think people married up quick in those days. And she not only follows the old days customs when it comes to marriage, but also when it comes to fleshing out the men in her novels, like Tucker in this instance. He’s very much a mountain man of his times.
Suspense. There is always suspense in a Connealy novel and I thought it was well done here. Initially, I didn’t think the bad guy was that bad, but the guy is sufficiently creepy by the end of the novel.
Humor. There is no Connealy novel without humor.
Spiritually, the novel talks about being able to trust God with your doubts and the ugliness of this world and knowing that He can and will listen and will help you through it.
What I didn’t like:
Silliness. Mary Connealy writes good books. Hence why I continually read them. But sometimes they border on silly. The first one in this series actually didn’t come across as silly to me, but this one had a few silly moments that I didn’t care for.
Romantic Scale: 7.9
Overall, a very satisfying read. It’s cute, it’s light, it’s fluffy, and I’m super excited about Bailey’s story!
** I received this copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**
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