Tuesday, July 30, 2013

WELCOME AUTHOR JOI COPELAND

A little about Joi
 
 
 
Joi Copeland is married to a wonderful man, Chris, and has three amazing boys, Garrison, Gage, and Gavin. She is living the dream in beautiful Denver, Colorado. Joi loves being a wife and mom! She enjoys spending time with her sister Steffanne, and loves to sit and have a cup of coffee or tea with friends! She's been a Christian for over twenty years. Following Jesus has been the best decision she has ever made. Joi's other books are Hope for Tomorrow, Hope for the Journey, Christmas Rayne, and Sheriff Bride Rob's Story.
 
LETTERS OF LOVE



Two men fighting for their country.

Two women dealing with tragedy alone.

Two different stories, two different eras, one common thread.

Sophia Philips, a wife and mom, finds herself missing the two most important people in her life. One ripped from her because of war, the other by death.

 Sophia's grandmother, Lucia Snell, gives her an early inheritance; letters written to her by her husband while stationed in China during World War II. Lucia believes these letters will help her granddaughter heal from the heart-wrenching tragedy she faces.

Will Sophia carry the anger, bitterness, and guilt within her or go to the only One who can heal her from the pain? Will she find the strength to carry on and the will to survive through her grandparents' Letters of Love?

Visit Joi's blog for list of others books she's written at, http://booksbyjoicopeland.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS: THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE COLLECTION


Title: A Bride for All Seasons: The Mail Order Bride Collection
Author: Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 18, 2013)
Pages: 400

A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS: THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE COLLECTION is an anthology of four stories by different authors. I love how each story is connected by the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride, yet stands alone.

AND THEN CAME SPRING, by MARGARET BROWNLEY

Having only read two other books by MARGARET BROWNLEY, I was excited to read AND THEN CAME SPRING. The story began with a strong beginning, drawing me right in, just as MS BROWNLY has done in previous books I’ve read by her.

MARY-JO PARKER crossed many miles to meet the man she was to marry; just to discover he was the subject of the town funeral. If it wasn’t bad enough that the man she was to marry passed away, she discovered someone had tampered with the letters they’d shared, deceiving both parties involved.

TOM GARRETT wasn’t sure what MS PARKER was up too, but he intended to find out. He not only took on the responsibility of his brothers kid when he passes away, he now had to figure out what to do with his mail order bride.

AN EVER AFTER SUMMER, by DEBRA CLOPTON

As a huge fan of DEBRA CLOPTON, I snatch up any book with her name on it. The fact that I had read and loved a couple of MARGARET BROWNLEY’S books, and I wanted to read a book by ROBIN LEE HATCHER and MARY CONNEALY, only added to my decision.

I admit I haven’t read many novellas, but what I’ve read, I’ve come to the conclusion that few can pull it off. If you’ve never attempted to write a short story, you can’t begin to understand the difficulties in producing a well written story in so few words. I have to say I was impressed with MS CLOPTON’S ability to do so.

AN EVER AFTER SUMMER, if I’m not mistaken, is MS CLOPTON’S first novella, as well as her first historical. MS CLOPTON delivered in both areas. It’s the best novella to date that I’ve read. Up until now, her stories have been contemporary. I wouldn’t mind seeing more historical from her in the future. As so typical of MS CLOPTON’S writing, AN EVER AFTER SUMMER captured me from the first to the last page. I can’t wait for her next story to be published.

The nerve of that man! ELLIE SMITH  had never considered herself a “Bible thumper”. Just because MR MCCONNELL was misinformed of her faith by someone who took it upon themselves to alter their letters, didn’t mean she tried to hide her faith from him.
 
MATTHEW MCCONNELL took one look at the woman holding a Bible in her hand and realized he’d been misinformed. As far as he’s concerned, she can turn her pretty self around and head back where she came from. 

AUTUM’S ANGEL by ROBIN LEE HATCHER

I was pleasantly surprised by WINTER WEDDING BELLS by ROBIN LEE HATCHER. It's well writing, with a wonderful plot. That novellas are harder to write then novels, leaves me to believe I’ll be in for a real treat in reading one of MS HATCHER’S full length novels.
 
I’ve been looking forward to reading one of MS HATCHER’S books for some time. I hadn’t expected to be introduced to her writing through a novella in a collection of stories that included one of my favorite authors, DEBRA CLOPTON. MS HATCHER now has a new fan.

LUVENA ABBOTT hadn’t traveled for days just to turn back around. No, just because CLAY BIRCH wasn’t expecting her arrival to included children, didn’t mean she had the means to head back where she’d just come from.

MISS ABBOTT was every bit as pretty as her picture, but CLAY had made it perfectly clear he wanted no part of a widow with children.  He needed someone strong and courageous. One that could handle the land. The small mining town he called home, wasn’t suited for kids.

WINTER WEDDING BELLS, by MARY CONNEALY 

Some years ago I read a book by a popular author with a heroin that was from Ireland. Throughout the entire book, the character spoke with a heavy Irish dialect. To date it’s the most exhausting fiction I’ve read. What I appreciated about MARY CONNEALY’S, WINTER WEDDING BELLS, is the mention of the heroines Irish decent, giving the readers just a touch of the dialect. The right amount to let the reader know she has an accent, without bogging down the story.

DAVID LARAMIE has been told he doesn’t have long to live. He placed an ad for a wife who is strong enough to take care of his farm, as well as his children.

MEGAN MCBRIDE knew from MR LARAMIE’S letters that he was sick, but she never imagined he didn’t have long to live, as David professes. Megan plans to not only prove to David that she will be a good mother to his children, but that he’ll be around for many years to come.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

STEALING THE PREACHER STOLD MY HEART


Title: Stealing the Preacher
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 1 edition (June 1, 2013)
Pages: 352

UGH! Why did it have to end?
After reading SHORT-STAW BRIDE by KAREN WITEMEYER, I could hardly wait for the next in the series about another Archer brother in, STEALING THE PREACHER.  Having read every book MS WITEMEYER has written, I had no doubt I was going to love the next. She has been nothing short of consistent in delivering a masterpiece.
 
Crockett Archer is on his way to Texas to interview for a position at a church. One that he has his heart set on. There is no way he could have imagined what God has in store for him.
Joanna Robbins is mortified by her father’s actions. What was he thinking, stealing a Preacher right from a train? Even if he is easy on the eyes and an answer to her prayers.
With the main character a Preacher, the reference to faith was done brilliantly. It was natural, not forced or preachy. The spiritual growth throughout was believable and exciting.
MS WITEMEYER is high on my list of favorite authors. Every word is handled with perfection, with amazing lines that pack a punch, superb writing, a unique storyline, and well thought-out characters that come to life.
STEALING THE PREACHER includes drama, action, humor, romance, family relationships, and faith all wrapped into one amazing story. One that will have you captivated from the first to the last word.
So captivating, I read half of STEALING THE PREACHER while at an amusement park. Though there was much activity around me, I was lost in the story. Taken away to another place and time. The 1800’s to be exact.
MS WITEMEYER has a way of making you fall in love with both the hero and the heroine. Even the secondary characters are distinct, with memorable personalities. STEALING THE PREACHER is not your typical romance. Yeah, of course they get-together, but the path that leads them there and when, is different from your typical romance.
I cannot wait to read about the next Archer brother.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE WITHOUT GOD, IS JUST CRAZY


Title: Between A Rock And A Grace Place
Author: Carol Kent
Publisher: Zondervan (September 16, 2010)
Pages: 224

In reading STORIES OF FAITH AND COURAGE FROM PRISON by CONNIE CAMERON and JEFF PECK, I was lead to MS KENT’S book, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A GRACE PLACE. I hadn’t expected to get as much from it as I did. Not only are you given a glimpse into the life of the Kent’s, but stories from others that have gone through trials in their lives.

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A GRACE PLACE by CAROL KENT is not just for those with a loved one that’s incarcerated. It’s for those that volunteer in the ministry, work in the system, or have experienced some really tough times in their lives.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Grace in the Hardest of Places, Surprised by Faith

Chapter 2: Angels in Disguise, Surprised by Mercy

Chapter 3: Longing for a Better Life, Surprised by Contentment

Chapter 4: The Secret Power of Gratitude, Surprised by Thanksgiving
 
Chapter 5: Unexpected Kindness, Surprised by Favor

Chapter 6: Why Do You Weep? Surprised by Joy

Chapter 7: A Different Kind of Liberty, Surprised by Freedom

Chapter 8: Dwelling in the Grace Place, Surprised by Adventure

Epilogue: The Ultimate Surprise

I included the contents because it really speaks of what’s between the pages. Trust, compassion, faith, hope, joy, and love.

We all go through trials and tribulations at one time or another in our lives. But what separates us is how we handle them, along with what we take away from it. With God’s love and amazing grace, we can get through anything He places in our path.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

INTERVIEW WITH RANDALL ALLEN DUNN, AUTHOR OF THE RED RIDER

THE RED RIDER
 
The New Action-Adventure Fairy Tale Thriller
by Randall Allen Dunn
 
Come along for the ride.
 
 

 
 

 
Little Red Riding Hood is heading back into the woods to meet the big bad wolves …
 
But she’s not little anymore.
 
When she was seven years old, Helena Basque was attacked by a savage wolf that killed her Grand’Mere. Helena survived with triple scars that disfigured her face, and strange tales of a wolf that stood upright and spoke to her.
 
Now at age sixteen, she knows it was no wolf. And it was not alone. A pack of similar animals banded together to kill Francois, the woodcutter who saved her from the first wolf. These creatures now threaten Helena’s family and everyone in the French province of La Rue Sauvage. To stop them, Helena must do things she never planned to do, and become something she never planned to become. Donning a red hood and cloak like the one she was forbidden to wear after the first attack, she arms herself with a repeating crossbow and other assorted weapons. She then wages a private war against the wolves, refusing to stop or slow down until she wipes them out. She only hopes she can somehow defeat the monsters when she confronts them … whatever they actually are.

 
 

 

Randall Allen Dunn was raised on a steady diet of James Bond, Batman, Star Trek and Indiana Jones. His study of stage acting in high school and college helped him learn how to create vivid, compelling characters. He now shares his love of action, adventure and infinite possibilities through novels and short stories, writing instruction, and his website, Character Entertainment, dedicated to Building Character Through Fiction, at www.CharacterEnt.com.

You can find Randall Allen Dunn’s ebooks at Amazon, Smashwords and wherever online books are sold. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads.
 
 
Time for some Q&A
 
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
 
A: THE RED RIDER was originally an idea for a comic book mini-series, about Little Red Riding Hood as a teenager, discovering that wolves were attacking her village. One of them left her face scarred when she was a child.
 
I was intrigued by the “Red Riding Hood” movie, about Little Red Riding Hood confronting a werewolf. I loved that twist, mashing up a fairy tale and a mythical monster. The TV series, “Once Upon a Time”, furthered the idea, showing Snow White as a skilled hunter and bandit making war against the Queen.
 
I first imagined having a group of heroes called “The Red Riders”, who banded together to fight wolves, to avenge the death of an innocent child. But when I made Little Red Riding Hood survive to fight the wolves herself – the victim becoming the hero – the idea really took off and kept steaming ahead.
 
Q: How do you hope this story will impact readers?
 
A: I hope it will encourage people to have courage and believe in themselves, and to learn how to find friends they can trust. I hope it helps people find inner strength and conviction, and also strength to lean on others and lean on God. Little Red Riding Hood is literature’s most famous victim. So it’s inspiring to have her recover from her wounds and escape the danger she placed herself in, then overcome the bullies threatening her.
 
Q: What response have you gotten from the book so far?
 
A: So far I have only made one sale. But I’ve had excellent response and feedback from my beta readers, who reviewed the book as I was finishing revisions on it.
 
Q: Why did you choose to self-publish?
 
A: Most of my connections in publishing are in the Christian publishing market. This story doesn’t fit the mold of the majority of Christian market publications, and might bother some readers if it was presented under a Christian label. When readers choose a book from a Christian publisher, they have certain expectations of the content, so a teenage girl killing werewolves would draw all the focus. However, the same story presented to a wide audience would be better received, and people would focus less on the werewolves and focus more on the aspects I want them to notice.
 
Q: Do you have a sequel in the works?
 
A: Yes. I started the first few pages of it, to get into the flow. Now it needs to sit on the shelf until I finish other projects.
 
Q: What projects are you working on now?
 
A: I’m writing an instructional book for writers, on how to add humor into their fiction. After that, I plan to finish a young adult fantasy book, targeted to pre-teens.
 
Q: How do you come up with story ideas?
 
A: An unusual thought strikes me, and if it really intrigues me, I keep thinking of it and creating characters around that idea, making notes for scenes and character details, until I have enough material that I want to start writing the story from the beginning. I wrote a short story, “Clockwork”, when I started taking early morning walks, and noticed firefighters washing a fire engine down. It was around 6am, as the neighborhood was just starting to wake up. I realized that if I walked the same route at the same time every morning, I would know exactly how the neighborhood functions on a daily basis. That made me realize that with that expert knowledge, I would instantly notice any interruption to that routine. And that conflict gave me a great idea for my mystery story. I kept thinking of it on subsequent walks, and had the idea worked out in my head after a week or two, then later started making notes of specific characters that would pull the whole story together.
 
Q: You write action-adventure stories. How do you work in so much action?
 
A: I follow what I call the Indiana Jones principle. If I get stuck while I’m developing a scene, I ask myself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen to the characters right now?” Then I make that horrible thing happen, and try to figure out afterward how they can escape it.
 
Q: You also use music for your writing. Tell me about that.
 
A: I create my own personal movie soundtracks for my stories, putting together parts of other albums. Sometimes I play it to inspire myself about the story I’m writing. Other times I just listen to the CD in my car, and can often put together a scene in my head as I listen to the music.
 
Q: Who inspires you most?
 
A: As a writer, I’ve been in love with Ian Fleming for a long time. People don’t grasp that if they only know James Bond from the movies. Fleming was more literary than most people give him credit for, and he was a master at creating villains and developing suspense.
 
Q: How do you schedule your writing time?
 
A friend of mine, Thom Reese, told me he has to wake up at 4am to write. That was too much for me, but I felt God was telling me a year ago to start getting up at 5am. So I aim for that, to wake up, read my Bible, then take about an hour to write before starting my day job, where I spend another half hour writing on my lunch break.
 
Q: How do you measure success in your writing?
 
A: Someday I hope to measure it in sales, but for now, I have to measure it by how close I come to meeting my personal deadlines. I hoped to release THE RED RIDER two weeks before I actually published. But I feel I did pretty good for my first published novel.
 
Q: What’s the best writing advice you ever received?
 
A: Author Travis Thrasher told us at a seminar, “The best advice I can give you is, whatever you’re working on right now, finish it. That will help you more than anything else you do as a writer.” He also said that when he’s writing a story, he focuses fully on that idea, rather than let himself get distracted by too much notes or research for his other stories. I listened to that advice, started writing THE RED RIDER in July 2012 and finished my book after a full year.
 
 
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
 
A: Don’t give up. Study your own genre, whether other people turn their nose up at it or not. If you write romance, you should study modern authors and classic authors in that genre, to find out what works. The same for science fiction, action-adventure and so on. I love reading H.G. Wells and Jules Verne and other classic authors to see how high fantasy and adventure ideas were first presented, because I know something about those stories made them endure for a century. I want to put the same quality and story structure into what I write so that my stories can outlast me and still speak to future generations.
 
*****
I would like to thank Mr. Dunn for allowing me to interview him.
I look forward to reading the next adventure he writes.
 
I loved THE RED RIDER, as you guess from my review, http://kymmcnabney.blogspot.com/2013/07/get-ready-for-most-amazing-ride.html

Monday, July 1, 2013

GET READY FOR THE MOST AMAZING RIDE!


Title: The Red Rider
Author: Randall Allen Dunn
Publisher: Character Entertainment (June 29, 2013)
Pages: 340 

When I began to read THE RED RIDER by RANDALL ALLEN DUNN, I had no idea the ride I was embarking upon. Typically a romance reader of books involving a guy with a cowboy hat, I had my doubts. To my surprise, MR DUNN captured my attention, taking me on an amazing adventure.

“Red”/Helena Basque, is not your typical female. Scarred for life from an early age, the nearby villagers did little to make her feel loved, much less accepted, with the exception of one person. The blacksmith’s son, Pierre Leone. He seemed to be the only one who can look past the ugly scars that marred her face. A true friend. But a friend is all he could remain, for Helena knew that it would be nothing less than unfair to allow their friendship to grow into more than what it was.

Helena is soon tossed into a situation that she has no choice but to step-up and take control. Even if that means risking her own life. The Lycanthru’s are determined to take over the province, and they aren’t about to lose to a girl who dresses like a boy, with the audacity to hunt wolves on her own.  

THE RED RIDER is packed full of adventure and drama, with a hint of faith, and a subtle amount of romance. A wonderful combination that is sure to please readers of many genres. As an aspiring writer, I’m in awe of the amazing lines MR DUNN, delivers.

I’m always fascinated when I read a debut novel that captivates me from start to finish. Where a novel is so well written, that I’m in awe of the authors writing, as well as their ability to tell an amazing story. And that’s exactly what I experienced while reading THE RED RIDER by RANDALL ALLEN DUNN.

There are stories with great writing styles. Those that have amazing plots. Those that sustain your attention with every word. Ones that exceed your expectations of great lines, with a satisfying ending. MR DUNN accomplished all of these aspects.

I can only hope that the right person will come across THE RED RIDER, and turn it into a movie that is sure to be a box-office hit.

I look forward to reading other novels by MR DUNN’S in the future.