Posted in Contemporary

Susan May Warren’s You Don’t Know Me

Posted on by remaininhislove

About
To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids’ sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on bail and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the grace to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?

Review
Boy was this a page-turner. Soon as I started it, I could hardly contain my excitement to know what would happen next. Ms. Warren, as always, does an excellent job on character development so that by the end of the novel you feel like you know these people so well. The premise behind the book is don’t keep secrets. I’m not usually a fan of deception, but these people had some good reasons to keep secrets so at no point did I feel annoyance towards them. Spiritually, the novel addresses secrets in marriage and the concept of God’s grace which so conflicts with what we deserve. Highly Recommended!

In honor of the release of this novel, I am holding a giveaway. Just answer the question “which Susan May Warren novel is your favorite?” and you will be entered into the contest to win a copy of My Foolish Heart!

*Contest Rules: In order to win the copy, you must leave a comment and the winner will be randomly selected. If you are interested in participating in the contest, your comment must include your email address. If you are notified as the winner, please respond within 48 hours. Winner will be announced on October 9th!

Posted in Personal

Monday Musings…The End of an Era

Posted on by remaininhislove

Does anyone else miss bookstores? I know I do. I was a freshman in high school when a Borders was built half a mile from my house. To say I was there all the time is an understatement. Dad often jokes that I’m the reason Borders closed; because I read so many book there without buying them (um…that may or may not be true). When Borders closed, in spite of my 20+ years, I did tear up. I don’t know about where you live, but where I live the next closest bookstore is about 30 to 40 min. away. So, what do I miss about bookstores?

1) Browsing the Shelves. Sometimes you just want to look and see what’s new. I bought a lot of books at my neighborhood Borders just trying new authors. With this new online business, I think reviews are the way (at least in my opinion) of getting me to check out a new author. Gone are the days where you flip through pages to see if its what you want.

2) Meeting new people. Yes, this is an odd one considering I’m not a people person, but I have met a lot of interesting people at bookstores. Not lifelong friends mind you, but others who just enjoy reading and being there.

3) The environment. I’m not a huge fan of reading at the library. Too many bad experiences. Now I just pick up my books and go. But there is always someting nice about sitting down with a book, with music playing in the background and the smell of coffee and new books wafting over the shelves.

4) It gives you something to do. I’m not a huge shopping fan, so more often than not I would run to the bookstore while my mom shopped. It’s not an option anymore, now I drag a book from store to store and pray I can find a seat.

Do I like Amazon? Uh…yes. And the Kindle was revolutionary. But I still miss the bookstore, talk about an end of an era.

Anyone else miss bookstores? Glad they’re gone?

Posted in Interview

Interview of Steven James

Posted on by remaininhislove

When writing a mystery/crime novel, for you, what comes first: the crime, the villain, or how it is solved?
I’d say probably the crime. Sometimes as I’m gathering ideas for a new book, I’ll think of a creepy scene and work on that for a little bit, fleshing it out, without knowing exactly who will be in it or what that villain will be like.
That said, since I’m writing a series, there are some villains that overlap from book to book, and in those cases I would have that person in mind when I shape the scenes. I kind of enjoy that since I already know what that villain might think or how he would act. I like brainstorming some of the most disturbing things I can think of and then bringing them into the books. This really is a weird life.
The last thing I come up with when writing a novel is how to solve a crime. I try to create impossible crimes and then eventually solve them in a way no one would expect, but will still be satisfied with. That’s hard and it takes me a long time, often as much as a year, to figure out how to solve them. It’s wild.

Opening Moves is your sixth novel with Patrick Bowers, does his character become easier or harder to write with each book?
Easier, yes. Imagine spending several hours a day with someone for six years. You’d be able to anticipate pretty well how that person would react to different situations. That’s the way it is with Bowers. I know him pretty well by now. However, the books don’t seem to get any easier because I keep learning more about writing and end up being more and more critical of myself and having to go through more drafts until I reach the final product, so there are challenges and payoffs from doing this over a number of years.

 Patrick Bowers brings a unique platform to the crime novel table, in the sense that he specializes in geographic profiling. What made you choose this area of expertise?
I was doing research on different investigative techniques, and I kept seeing information on the same thing—forensics, profiling, traditional investigative approaches. I didn’t want to do what everyone else was so when I stumbled across geospatial investigative techniques, it was a perfect fit.
Bowers doesn’t look for means, motive or opportunity, doesn’t have anything to do with DNA, and hates profiling. This all makes him unique, and I think that’s one of the things that attracts readers to the series.

Having read Opening Moves, I was left with the desire to pray for the protection of my family as well as to pray for those people, who, as we speak may be at the mercy of some very sick and evil person. What is the message that you want people to leave with when they finish Opening Moves?
I don’t really start a book with a message in mind, but more of a dilemma or a question. In this case I wanted to explore the themes of sin and redemption in regard to some pretty violent crimes. Specifically I was asking myself “At what point do we become accountable for our choices?” I found that it wasn’t an easy question, and I’m still not sure I know what my answer to it is.

 So I was very excited to learn that there will be another Patrick Bowers book coming out next year called The King, but you have a new protagonist debuting in November in the novel Placebo. Is there anything you can share about that?
Jevin Banks is one of the world’s greatest illusionists and escape artists. In this first book in the series he uncovers a pharmaceutical firm conspiracy and has to use all of his skills to try and stop an assassination attempt. These books have a different feel than the gritty suspense of the Bowers books. The Jevin Banks novels are more science thrillers. It’s been fun to create another fictional world, one that I can move back and forth from. Who knows where this one will lead.

Thank you Mr. James! Check out my review of Opening Moves:https://remaininhislove.com/2012/09/11/steven-james-opening-moves/

Posted in Contemporary

Jennifer Rogers Spinola’s Southern Fried Sushi

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Ride the rollercoaster of Shiloh Jacobs’s life as her dreams derail, sending her on a downward spiral from the heights of an AP job in Tokyo to penniless in rural Virginia. Trapped in a world so foreign to her sensibilities and surrounded by a quirky group of friends, will she break through her hardened prejudices before she loses those who want to help her? Can she find the key to what changed her estranged mother’s life so powerfully before her death that she became a different woman—and can it help Shiloh too?

Review

I’m glad I picked up this book. I really enjoyed it. At first, it took a minute for me to get into it, but once it picked up, I didn’t want to put it down. I will say, however, that Shiloh’s lack of knowledge concerning anything in the south was slightly unrealistic. I kind of felt like if you watch tv, then the people shouldn’t be too surprising. But, that said, it’s the unique way that southerners relate that really sells this book, so I was able to look past that and even embrace that aspect of this book. Spiritually, I love how everyone is trying to witness to Shiloh and to do it differently (some plant, some water, etc.). You could really see how evangelism is supposed to work and when Shiloh comes to know Jesus (oops spoiler alert, but come on what do you expect?) it makes complete sense. Good book! I recommend it and look forward to new coming out!

Posted in Contemporary

Denise Hunter’s Trouble With Cowboys

Posted on by remaininhislove

About
Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Review

No one does chemistry quite like Ms. Hunter! And this book is filled with it. You can’t help but fall in love with Dylan who is a fun character. As an older sister myself, the way Annie takes care of her sister is completely relatable. However, when it came to Dylan, Annie was seeing impossibilities where I didn’t see them. I kind of felt like she was creating problems where there were none. But, the book was intriguing, and there was an interesting curve ball thrown in towards the middle. I kind of would have liked to know more of what made Annie so special to Dylan, but other than that this a good novel to spend time with. Spiritually, Annie has to learn to trust God with her sister and her relationship with Dylan. Good book. Recommended.

Posted in Young Adult

Jill Williamson’s The New Recruit

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Forced to choose between military school and a Christian spy organization, skeptic Spencer Garmond signs on with the Bible geeks. But before he even boards the plane for Moscow, Spencer realizes this is no Bible club.
These guys mean business.
Stumbling onto a case involving a gang of homeless boys, a chilling tattoo, and the always beautiful Anya Vseveloda, Spencer struggles to find the faith needed to save the Mission League from enemy infiltration.

Review

Oh my goodness, I so loved this book! I already think Jill Williamson is the bees knees, but if I ever doubted her, this book took care of that. The best part of this book? Spencer’s voice. I love a strong male in a novel, and is this ever one. I mean Spencer was a typical 15 year old boy, with all of their baggage. And the mystery? So intriguing, I can’t wait until the next one comes out. Spiritually, Spencer is not saved, but he hangs out with a lot of saved people and I love how diverse they are. Usually in Christian novels you get the cookie cutter how Christians should be (nothing wrong with that), but by having some of them strong in their faith, some pushy, some weak, you get way more depth in this novel. You can see Spencer’s attitude toward God change in such a way that is completely believable. I also liked the use of spiritual gifts. The book made me want to spend more time with God to see what He is trying to tell me. Now, that’s a sign of a great book. Don’t let the cover fool you, this is not just for kids. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Personal

Monday Musings…What Makes a Book Great?

Posted on by remaininhislove

What makes a good book great is very subjective, but I have a small list of what I think makes a book great.

1) Unforgettable. If, when you’re finished reading the novel, it stays with you, it’s usually a great book. I mean, if you can remember lines and you go throughout your day and you’re constantly thinking and re-thinking the plot, then it is a great book. I say this, even if you didn’t like it. If you find yourself telling a friend about this novel (and not because anyone asked), then you’ve got a great novel on your hands. Case in point, Liz Curtis Higgs has this Scottish series based on Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. Phenomenal writing, not too crazy about the storyline (no fault of hers!), and so intense. I talked about it to whomever would listen and let me tell you folks, I don’t usually talk about the books I’ve read unless someone asks me…most people… fail to understand the lure. Or, you watch the history channel with someone and try to explain history based off a novel you read. If you can remember it, probabaly a great book.

2) It evokes emotion. One of the best books I’ve ever read is the first book of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine River (called A Voice in the Wind). I’ll never forget, I finished that book and sat on my couch crying like a baby. A great book will change your emotions whether you end up being happy, sad, or scared. Any kind of change usually means it affected you. If an important person in the novel dies and it doesn’t affect you (I’m talking hero, heroine, child or even really good friend)? Bad book.

3) Your mind hums while reading it. Now this one is a little strange and I’m not sure if everyone experiences this or if this is just something that people who love to read and dabble in writing experince. But, this is when you’re reading a novel, and in the middle of the novel you set it down to go to the restroom or wash dishes or whatever, yet your mind is humming. You’re mentally writing the next scene in your head. You’re wondering how the author is going to come to a good conclusion in the end, etc. Your mind is humming because it is coming up with ways that you would create scenarios or have old friends meet and whatnot. I know if my mind is humming, its a great book.

4) Other peoples’ opinions. My younger sister is just as much as an avid reader as I am. However, she’s much more fond of nonfiction and NYTimes Bestsellers. Thus, when she comes home from college, she will often ask me for the best books I’ve read. I usually have a handy stack of 10 that I give her. And she usually tears them apart limb from limb with one reason or the other. If she can change my mind (and she usually does) it wasn’t a great novel. It was a good novel. However, if she agrees with me? It was a great novel.

5) Doesn’t care about other’s opinons. If by any chance, my sister tears a novel apart and I still love the book, it was a great novel (see what I mean about subjective). But, let me tell you, this is rare.  If reviews or people can’t change your mind, you have a great novel on your hands.

6) You reread it. On my bedstand, I have usually 5 books that I like to reread (this changes up from time to time). If I find myself rereading a novel, especially if I just finished it? Great Book. I recently read the novel Edenbrooke ( which is along the lines of Jane Austen) in one day. And reread it the next day. And a week later. And a month later. Now that’s a great book.

7) It’s not your typical book. In other words, you didn’t pick up this book to ‘feed your need’. You read something out of your comfort zone and love it. Case in point: I have some cousins who rarely read and if they read it has to be a contemporary romance. Well, I talked a few of them into reading A Voice in the Wind. They all loved it. I have a cousin to this day who only wants to borrow books from me now that change her life that one (like that’s an easy request).

Well, does anyone agree? Disagree? Got a few more to add or detract?

Posted in Interview

Interview of Laura Frantz

Posted on by remaininhislove

Thank you for willing to be interviewed! My pleasure, Em – you have a great blog!

1. I thought it was interesting that you choose to write the Ballantyne Legacy in Pennsylvania (as opposed to Kentucky), was there a specific reason for this location?
My editor came up with Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh specifically. I think there is always concern that an author might get too tied to a setting and need a fresh location. Little did I know how historically rich that state would prove to be! I love it almost as much as Kentucky and had a wonderful time researching the novel there last summer. It doesn’t hurt that my hero, Daniel Boone, was from Pennsylvania.

2. When you were writing Love’s Reckoning, did you know everything that would happen or were you as surprised as the readers?
I’m really a seat of the pants writer who just sits down and writes without any map or preconceived ideas. I just had the basic premise for this story – a blacksmith apprentice who has to honor tradition and choose between 2 sisters – but all the rest came to me chapter by chapter. In fact, the male villain in the story (there was only supposed to be a female vixen, lol) came onstage in chapter 2 and nearly took over the story. I was just as surprised by readers by all the twists and turns. Poor Eden really suffered at times though that wasn’t my original intent.

3. Elspeth somehow managed to come off as more than a little creepy, what was your inspiration for her?
Eight years of social work in the mental health field. I knew quite a few Elspeths. Clinically- speaking, Elspeths is a very disturbed individual but you’ve read the book so I don’t have to tell you that. In book 2 I try to give a little more insight into her character and why she acted as she did. But in book 1, Love’s Reckoning, she’s just pretty creepy like you said.

4. I have had the pleasure to read about Lael, Morrow, Roxanna, and now Eden, and each of them has a unique personality. Is there any one heroine who is more like you than the others? Is there any heroine that you wish you were more like?
Lael Click is most like me except she’s a bit more fearless. She’s the character I grew up wanting to be so I finally took her out of my head and heart and put her into a book. Eden Lee is the one I wish I was most like. She has that gentle and quiet spirit which may make her seem meek at first but is in fact her greatest strength.

5. Silas was a great hero which a rich history, did you have to do a lot of research to develop his back story?
My favorite heroes have always been Scotsmen. There’s just something about their rich history and the country itself. I’m headed to Scotland in December to visit the very castle I write about in Love’s Reckoning and am thrilled. Over the years I’ve collected quite a few books on Scotland and its history and customs and traditions. Silas is sort of a composite of all that. I hope he springs to life in an authentic way.

6. It will be a year before book 2 comes out, but it already sounds exciting. Is there anything you can share with us about that novel?
I’m getting ready to turn book 2 in this week! It’s 408 pages long and involves the second generation of Ballantynes, specifically Ellie and her siblings, Ansel, Peyton, and Andra. I’m afraid Elspeth reappears which always shakes things up. This book makes the leap from the 18th-century to 1822. There are quite a few twists and turns. But no spoilers!

Ms. Frantz has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of Love’s Reckoning! And so, in keeping with my Monday Musings post, what makes a Laura Frantz novel good? Is it the characters? the research? the background? the storyline? the romance?something else?
I’ll give you my answer: originality. The Kentucky setting was what drew me in to the first Laura Frantz novel and I love the fact that I can never predict what will happen in the end. Keeps me on my toes!

Contest Rules: In order to win the copy, you must leave a comment and the winner will be randomly selected. If you are interested in participating in the contest, your comment must include your email address. If you are notified as the winner, please respond within 48 hours. Winner will be announced on 9/28!

Posted in Contemporary

Kim Cash Tate’s Faithful

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Cydney Sanders thought she knew God’s plan for her life. She’d marry, have kids, and then snap her body back into shape by doing Tae Bo. But she’s celebrating her fortieth birthday as the maid of honor at her little sister’s wedding…and still single. Now her life is suddenly complicated by the best man. He’s the opposite of what she wants in a husband…and yet, he keeps defying her expectations. Starting with a lavendar rose–symbolizing enchantment–each rose he sends her reflects his growing love for her.

Cydney’s best friend Dana appears to have the perfect marriage–until she discovers her husband’s affair and her world goes into a tailspin. Then there is Phyllis–who is out of hope and out of prayers after asking God for six long years to help her husband find faith. When she runs into an old friend who is the Christian man she longs for, she’s faced with an overwhelming choice.

Life-long friends with life-altering struggles. Will they trust God’s faithfulness…and find strength to be faithful to Him?

Review

This was an interesting book! I had hesitated to read it because Cydney is 40 and single…and I found that a bit frightening (I’m just keeping it real here). But now that I’ve let go of that fear and am trusting God with my future (duh), I went out and picked up this book. This book had me laughing out loud at times and fussing at the characters at other times. It truly was an enjoyable read. I think the only problems I had with it, is that of the three friends, I found two more interesting than the third, so I was always rushing that one along and then, I felt that everything got wrapped up too quickly. There were some heavy issues here. Spiritually, this novel dealt with trusting God to be faithful to his word, even when it seems like he isn’t, as well as the importance of living holy sexually. Overall, good book. Recommended!

Posted in Historical

Jody Hedlund’s Unending Devotion

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer’s assistant, Lily can’t understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father’s lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he’s interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that’s dominated Harrison for so long.

Review

No one can take a historical event and bring it to life quite like Ms. Hedlund. This novel is just another example of her fine abilities as a writer. Though this novel took me a few chapters before I was completely pulled in, once I got pulled in, I didn’t want to put it down. I enjoyed the character of Connell, especially his love of math, I thought that made him a unique kind of hero. Lily, however, was a bit annoying to me. I could understand her reasons and her passions, but the way she went about doing things often seemed a bit selfish. That said, overall, it was an enjoyable read. Spiritually, Connell has to realize that as a servant of God, you can’t ignore evil. It only grows bigger. You must face it. How timely. Recommend it!