End of Summer Bash: Party with MaryLu Tyndall!

MaryLu Tyndall writes stories with excitement and drama and heart! And her latest historical romance (released July 2012) is no exception! You can read my review of Veil of Pearls HERE. And you can learn more about the book, as well as how you can have the chance to win a copy, by reading the following interview:

Amber: Welcome back to "Seasons of Humility," MaryLu! What’s one summer-themed song you would love to hear at an “end-of-summer” party?

MaryLu: Tough question!! I can’t think of a single summer-themed song that I’m familiar with. Hmm. Well I suppose anything by the Beach Boys would suffice. Their music always makes me think of lazy summer days playing in the surf and sand when I was a kid growing up in Florida.


Amber: Let's go with "Surfin' U.S.A."! Everybody can sing and dance along, if you'd like!

So, MaryLu, if the heroine of Veil of Pearls was planning an “end-of-summer” party, what might it look like?

MaryLu: Being a runaway slave who looks white and who has managed to slip into Charleston High society, I believe Adalia Winston would love to throw a huge party at her fiancé’s plantation house, complete with a full banquet of sweet tea, lemonade, fried fish, some of that famous Charleston rice, and fresh fruit and cake. There would also be a full orchestra playing and tables and chairs set up on the back lawn beneath huge umbrellas decorated with festoons of flowers. But the real surprise would be that she would invite all the slaves to attend the party, not the plantation owners or task masters!

Amber: Great idea - I love it! Adalia has a big heart. =)

Now for the hero of Veil of Pearls… What would he look forward to most about autumn? 

MaryLu: Morgan Rutledge detests being at his family’s Charleston plantation where he must endure his father’s constant chastisement and belittlement. Besides, what is there to do at the plantation when they have slaves for every little task? But during the hot summer months, Morgan, like most of the spoiled offspring of the landed gentry, head for the cooler temperatures of the plantation rather than endure the sweltering heat of downtown Charleston. So, when the heat lessens and the temperatures begin to dip, Morgan cannot leave home fast enough to dash into town where he can cavort with his friends and attend society’s functions. And see a certain lady who his father has forbidden him to see, but one who has stolen his heart. ;-)

Amber: Oh, yes - that sneaky, love-sick man!

Please share a little more about Veil of Pearls. We’d love a brief snippet if you’d care to share one!

MaryLu: Veil of Pearls is an adventurous, romantic story about a runaway slave from Barbados, who, because of her light skin, manages to blend into Charleston and start her life anew. She is always looking over her shoulder, worried that her prior owner will find her, and therefore shuns the attention of a wealthy plantation owner’s son who has taken a fancy to her. She hates slavery and detests everything he stands for, but Morgan feels alive when he is with Adalia and finally sweeps her off her feet into the opulence of Charleston high society. But Adalia's new life comes at a high price—that of denying her heritage and her zeal for God. How far is she willing to go to win the heart of the man she loves? And when her secret is revealed, will that love be enough, or will the truth ruin Morgan and send Adalia back into slavery?

This scene is found early in the book when Morgan is pursuing Adalia and she continues to snub him. =) Morgan has just displayed his intense affection for his little sister, Elizabeth...

 ~ Excerpt from Veil of Pearls ~

“I adore her. She’s the only bright spot in my otherwise dismal life.” He faced her and she saw emotion misting his eyes. 

But his statement had already shattered any possible effect. “Ah, yes, poor rich boy. All that wealth, all those parties.” Adalia turned to leave. 

He slipped beside her, keeping her pace. “I know you must think me some foppish primcock, but you know nothing of my life.” 

She wanted to respond curtly that of course she didn’t, how could she? But the sorrow in his tone stopped her. She turned to face him. The usual devilish twinkle in his eyes dissolved beneath a hollow melancholy. She shrugged off the sympathy it caused. No doubt it was but another one of his tricks to enslave an innocent woman’s heart. 

It wouldn’t work with her. She thrust out her chin, glancing over the massive columns of St. Michael’s, desperately wanting to change the topic to something. . .anything that would bring the priggishness back to his eyes and the shield back around her heart. “I haven’t seen you at church before.” 

“I don’t normally attend St. Michael’s, though now that I know where to find you, I’m sensing a call to deeper spirituality.” He grinned and acknowledged the greeting of a passing gentleman. 

She narrowed her eyes. “The only thing you are sensing is your own carnal nature.” 

“Ouch. Milady wounds me deeply.” He pressed a hand over his heart. 

“Is everything a joke to you?” 

“No.” He sobered. “I find no humor in receiving no response to my many calls to your home.” 

“No doubt you expect me to dash to your side every time you drop off your calling card?” 

His green eyes flashed. A breeze loosened a strand of hair from his queue, leaving it dangling over his impervious jaw. She noted the way the sunlight glinted specks of gold in the dark whiskers on his chin. “Yes, now that you mention it, I do,” he said with a grin. 

She’d wager that most women did precisely that. Frowning, she eyed the parishioners exiting the church. Still no sign of Doctor Willaby. Surely it would be safe enough to walk home alone in the daylight. Anything to rid herself of this rogue and the odd feelings he invoked. 

The clip-clop of horses’ hooves and the grate of wheels grew louder as a landau passed. “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Rutledge.” Turning, she started to leave. 

He leapt beside her and offered her his arm. “May I escort you home?” 

“You may not.” She forged ahead. 

“Why do you hate me so?” A pinch of sorrow spiced the shock in his voice. 

She must remind herself that it was only the sound of his injured pride, not any true feelings he held for her. “I don’t hate you, Sir. I merely know your kind.” 

“And what kind is that?” 

She stopped and eyed him. The social season had begun in Charleston, and much like the season in London, it was a time when the affluent and powerful forsook their plantations to converge on the city for balls, plays, concerts, and general frivolous amusements. That was all she was to him—an amusement. 

“The kind who have more wealth than they can ever spend, who fritter away their time in idle and often immoral amusements, and who think they are better than everyone else simply by nature of their birth and fortune.” 

~ End of Excerpt ~  

Book Trailer:

Amber: Thank you for chatting with us today, MaryLu! I look forward to your next release, Forsaken Dreams!

Readers, MaryLu is giving away a copy of Veil of Pearls to one of you! For a chance to win, just leave a comment for MaryLu, including your name and e-mail address. All "End of Summer Bash" winners will be announced on Saturday, September 8th.

*This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.*

Tomorrow's guest is a super-talented fantasy author. Her books are amazing, and they move me to tears! I can't wait to share more with you - including a chance to win one of her books!

(Music video found on YouTube.)

End of Summer Bash: Party with Sarah Sundin!

Welcome, dear readers, to the "End of Summer Bash 2012"!

Looking for some grand WWII stories with characters that will be your new best friends? Sarah Sundin's books are fabulous historical romances! You can read my reviews of A Memory Between Us and Blue Skies Tomorrow HERE and HERE. And be on the lookout for my review of With Every Letter - coming soon!

Would you like to learn more about With Every Letter (released a couple of days ago!) and how you can have the chance to win a copy? Then help me welcome Sarah Sundin to the blog!

Amber: Welcome, Sarah! What’s one summer-themed song you would love to hear at an “end-of-summer” party?

Sarah: I’d love to hear Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade.” Although it’s instrumental, there are lyrics referring to June nights, so I think of it as a summer song. Besides, it’s so beautiful and romantic. Some of the chords in that song just resonate.


Amber: It's quite lovely! And love the people dancing in this video - reminds me of your books!

If the heroine of With Every Letter was planning an “end-of-summer” party, what might it look like?

Sarah: This is fun because With Every Letter ends with an August beach party. Sadly, Mellie Blake isn’t the party-planning type, but that’s all right, because her friend Georgie Taylor lives to plan parties. This particular party serves an important role in Mellie’s love story, plus it celebrates the Allied victory in Sicily in August 1943. It takes place on a Sicilian beach near the airfield where Mellie is stationed. Activities include volleyball, football, swimming, and dancing under the stars. Barbecue is served, and for airmen and nurses used to Army chow, this is a huge treat.

Amber: It's a great ending to a great book! Love how that all worked out! =)

Now for the hero of With Every Letter… What would he look forward to most about autumn?

Sarah: Tom MacGilliver was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so of course, he’s looking forward to the Steelers’ next season, although in 1943, the draft caused a serious shortage of players. The Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles joined forces that year and played as the Phil-Pitt Steagles! (Go figure.) He’ll also root for his college team, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers.

Amber: That's an...interesting...name, LOL! Thanks for sharing the historical tidbits!

Could you share some more about With Every Letter? We’d love a brief snippet if you’d care to share one!

Sarah: With Every Letter is the first book in the "Wings of the Nightingale" series, which follows three flight nurses in the Mediterranean. As part of a morale-building program, World War II flight nurse Lt. Mellie Blake begins an anonymous correspondence with Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, they develop a deep friendship. But when they're both transferred to Algeria, will their future be held hostage by the past—or will they reveal their identities?

The summer scenes are all at the end of the book, so they’d be major spoilers, but the novel starts in October 1942. Here’s the first page…

~ Excerpt from With Every Letter ~ 

Lt. Philomela Blake believed mornings should start gently, with the nighttime melting into golden sunshine and birdsong luring to wakefulness. 

Most nurses on the morning shift assaulted the patients with electric light and harsh voices, but not Mellie. 

She pulled the cord of the blackout curtain and sang “At Last,” and the volume of her tune built with the intensity of light. Hurting and healing men deserved a soft hand. 

On the nearest bed, Corporal Sloan shifted under the blankets. He’d undergone an appendectomy late last night. “Any dame . . .” He cleared his throat, his voice raspy from the ether. “Any dame with the voice of an angel must have a face to match.” 

Mellie’s song and her hands stilled. How many soldiers dreamed of a beautiful nurse who might fall in love with him? 

He rubbed his eyes, looked at her, and his smile flickered. 

Papa called Mellie his exotic orchid, but American men seemed to prefer roses.

~ End of Excerpt ~ 

Amber: Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Sarah! It's always a pleasure to host you!

Readers, Sarah is offering a copy of With Every Letter to one of you! For a chance to win, just leave a comment for Sarah, including your name and e-mail address. All "End of Summer Bash" winners will be announced on Saturday, September 8th.

*This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.*

Tomorrow's guest is someone who has been regularly featured here - and her exciting historical romances are ones you don't want to miss! Her latest book came out in July, and you can have a chance to win a copy if you stop by!

(Music video found on YouTube.)

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: The Haven

Here's a description of the book:

"When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision–one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation–and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons–courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie’s heart.

Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

Read an excerpt!"

My Rating

Spring

My Review

Another visit with the Lapp family = another enjoyable experience. Because of events concluded in the first book of the series, The Keeper, the Lapp-family dynamic has changed, and new events and feelings bring about even more change at the beginning of The Haven. One thing is for sure - Fisher's Amish novels are full of surprises and rather unique situations!

This is one of those sequels that was pleasant for me to read because the characters, as well as the author's writing style, have become familiar to me. Not surprisingly for an Amish story, the pace is gentle and steady, and the pleasure comes in seeing how this quirky family and their friends (both old and new) deal with growing up, falling in love, and trying to do the right thing. M.K.'s antics get her into trouble (no surprise there!); Sadie's surprise is a challenging one; Gideon's attempts at reconciliation are met with misunderstanding at every turn; the new boy on the farm has a past to face... And basically it takes a while for all the craziness to get sorted!

As an interesting addition to a collection of great Amish stories from Fisher's pen, The Haven fits the bill. There are some moments - both hilarious and sweet - that stand out in this installment. However, the ending leaves a bit to be desired... Sometimes a conclusion that doesn't answer every question works, but this is one of those times where I felt like some more resolution would have been better. One of Fisher's previous novels, The Search, had a wonderful ending, in my opinion - even if it wasn't exactly the standard happily-ever-after. With this particular ending, though, it just didn't resonate in a similar way with me. But all in all, this return visit to Stoney Ridge was a sweet one.

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity Blog tour.*

About the Author

"Suzanne Woods Fisher’s interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to 'go Amish' to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.

When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com."

To Buy the Book: click HERE

Blog Tour Schedule: Check out all of the other reviews scheduled by clicking HERE.

End of Summer Bash Reminder! (with End of Summer Push Review)

 

End of Summer Bash!

In a few short days the third annual "End of Summer Bash" will be here! I'll be hosting five wonderful authors, and the interviews will be summer and fall-themed in order to celebrate the change of seasons. There will be music, sneak peeks, insights into characters, and giveaways! I'm really excited to get this party started!!

I do hope you'll plan to attend! The bash starts on September 3rd, with winners announced on September 8th. =)

P.S. I'm not offering extra entries this year (just one entry per person, per giveaway - keeping it simple!), but if you wanted to take the button in the sidebar and help spread the word about the bash, that would be awesome! Thank you!

End of Summer Push - Review

Remember that list of 11 books I wanted to get through for the End of Summer Push? Well, I read and reviewed 7 of them! I'm pleased to have caught up on a lot of books that I'd put off too long. Here are the books on the list that I read (with links to the reviews):

• High Desert Haven by Lynnette Bonner (for the author)
• Prophet by R.J. Larson (for CFBA)
• The Dunn Deal by Catherine Leggitt (for Ellechor Publishing House)
• My Prince Will Come by Sheri Rose Shepherd (for Waterbrook Multnomah)
• The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey (for the author)
• Angel of the Cove by Sandra Robbins (for the author and Harvest House)
• The Face of Heaven by Murray Pura (for CFBA)

I also read several books for fun (I know, right??), including Entwined by Heather Dixon, which ended up being an absolute favorite of mine!! Amazing book!!

On top of that, I reviewed Over the Edge by Mary Connealy (which I read earlier, but need to review), I read With Every Letter for an upcoming blog tour, and I read and blogged about three Narnia books! Here are those post links (from "The Borrowed Book" blog) if you're interested (they include writing tips for my fellow writers):

• Prince Caspian
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• The Last Battle

So, this was a pretty productive reading month! ;) I didn't actually end up watching any Christy episodes...but I did watch some other movies, so it's all good! Plus, I got to go to Disneyland with my family, which was a really big treat!!

Hope you all had a great August, no matter what you read or did - and I'll hope you'll come celebrate with me next week! Oh, and be on the lookout for a couple more reviews at least one review this weekend. =)

My Review of The Face of Heaven

Click HERE to read the book description and learn more about the author!

My Rating

Fall/Spring

My Review

The Face of Heaven is a book that is grand in scope and appeals to the intellect. I found the history of the American Civil War presented within the pages to be detailed and well-researched (as is also shown by the acknowledgements page). Numerous instances in the story give rise to little tidbits about the era or varying perspectives on why things happened the way they did or clashing beliefs that caused so much turmoil. So as far as the setting and the context goes, this book is thorough.

I wish I could say the same for the characterization. This could very well just be a personal thing, but I had a difficult time truly caring about the characters. At times the omniscient narrator seemed to be holding me back, helping me to remain an observer rather than a "participant" in the events. There were some really sentimental things that happened in the book, but for some reason I just never completely got into the minds of the characters, and it made it more of a struggle to push through the pages. Plus, I wish the interactions between the hero and the heroine could be more authentic. It's not that I want people to fight more, but I just don't think that relationships are generally so "perfect" - especially during a time when emotions and tension would have been running terribly high.

So while the story is interesting, the characters' struggles real, and the history intriguing, there was just a missing ingredient for me. I also think that the last two chapters of the book were too much; I think a lot of the content could have been summed up in the epilogue to keep the story from dragging. (I know that they brought a sense of completeness in showing what happened during the rest of the war, but it didn't feel necessary to me in terms of the characters. In fact, I ended up being especially frustrated with the hero and the heroine because of their attitudes and choices in those two chapters.)

As far as being a "snapshot in history," as this series claims, The Face of Heaven portrays debates and details well. But as far as being a love story, I was left disappointed.

*With thanks to Harvest House through CFBA for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

"Galaxies" - Trusting God in Every Step

"Dear God, I was terribly lost,

When the galaxies crossed,

And the sun went dark."

  ~ from "Galaxies" by Owl City ~ 

The song "Galaxies" by Owl City is full of emotion - both pain and joy, questions and yet determination.

Right now I'm at a place where I want and need that sort of attitude. I'm full of confusion as to what I need to do next in life. I feel "terribly lost." I was tempted to write a sad, hurting post earlier this morning about my uncertainty when it comes to finding that one next step God wants me to take...

But where is the joy and the determination? God has provided for me thus far. I'm blessed beyond measure! Do I think He's not going to guide me? Do I fear that He's leaving me in the dark?

Author MaryLu Tyndall wrote a beautiful post today about "Eternity and Provision in Every Step." In it she reminds us that God truly cares about us, and we should have deep peace knowing that God is with us at every step and that He has prepared things for us - a path, a purpose, and grace for the journey.

I can't help but wonder - when I feel neglected and uninformed and lost, is it because I'm looking at a fork in the road way up ahead? Maybe I'm expecting my next step to be one that takes me over there, when I should be focusing on what God wants me to do right here, right now.

And a few verses in the book of Hosea remind me that we don't always understand or appreciate what God is doing in our lives...

"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.... 

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them." 

~ Hosea 11:1, 3-4 ~

I don't think any of us can know during our lives on earth just how much God does for us. Just think...

"...they knew not that I healed them."

God cradled the people of Israel, protecting them and providing for them. But they didn't recognize that God healed them, or that He acted out of love for them. 

I'm sure I'm too often guilty of the same, and how it must break God's heart. 

I still have so much to learn about trusting in the Lord, about seeking His guidance but also living for Him where I am, and recognizing His goodness to me, and resting in His plan and His timing. 

So I sing with Adam Young - 

"Oh, telescope, keep an eye on my only hope,

Lest I blink and get swept off the narrow road."

 
    "Dear God, You're the only North Star I would follow this far."   

(Music video from YouTube. Learn more about Owl City at the Owl City website.)

My Review of Angel of the Cove

Here's a description of the book from the author's website:

"Before Anna Prentiss can start nursing school in New York, her brother sends her to Cades Cove, deep in the Smoky Mountains, to spend a summer apprenticing to the local midwife. Anna is determined to prove herself and then head to the big city. But nothing could have prepared Anna for the beauty of the Cove, the community and friendships she finds there, or the feelings Simon Martin, the handsome young minister, arouses in her. Has God’s plan for Anna changed? Or is she just starting to hear Him clearly?"

My Rating

Spring

My Review

For a sweet summer setting, Cades Cove is the place to visit! Tucked away into the Smoky Mountains (a setting reminiscent of Christy by Catherine Marshall), Cades Cove is a delightful retreat with a dear community and lovely, rustic scenery.

Anna Prentiss' experiences as an apprentice to the well-beloved midwife of the Cove, Granny, are informative, suspenseful, and uplifting. The "summer-lovin'" drama feels a bit over-exaggerated at times, but overall the romance is enjoyable to read about. And the tidbits of wisdom from the kind and generous Granny, as well as the lessons on friendship and understanding, round out the story in a meaningful way.

While perhaps not extremely original (after all, Christy fans will find the setting, the pastor-love-interest, the attitudes of the Cove residents, and the strong female mentor to be nothing new), Robbins' story has its own charm. The details regarding midwifery are interesting, and Anna's challenges as a newcomer to the Cove are unique.

*With thanks to the author and Harvest House for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Book Trailer