One Lovely Blog Award (#13)

Thank you to Melanie from Christian Bookshelf Reviews and Katie from Legacy of a Writer for the award!

There are 2 rules for accepting this award, and I confess that I'm going to "bend" the second one. But as per the first rule, here are 7 facts about me:

1. I'm an introvert. Give me a book, a movie, and my laptop on a quiet weekend anytime!
   
2. I love my family! This past summer we spent a lot of time together, which made me one happy camper. =)
   
3. This is my third year at college, but it's also my senior year, which means I'll be graduating in May!!
4. I'm a picky eater. (It's pretty much official.)
5. Spiders freak me out. (Just ask my mom!)
   
6. I'm going to the Women of Faith conference in October!
   
7. I'm (hopefully) going to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland in October and see Measure for Measure and Julius Caesar with my Shakespeare class!
   

Now, I'm going to cheat a little on the second rule and just list 5 very lovely blogs instead of 15. (There are so many lovely blogs out there, though, and this award is really making the rounds!)

• Bug's Beads

• Bluerose's Heart

• You Are More

• Hutt-Write Voice

• Beth's Thoughts

Let's show these lovely bloggers some love, shall we?

Monday for the Military: Meet Maureen Lang

Maureen Lang's latest book series, "The Great War," is not set in the United States, nor is it about the U.S. military. But Maureen has a big heart for our military, and her books give readers a greater appreciation for the hardships soldiers and other military members face. It is my great pleasure to welcome her here today! Read on to learn more about her story and discover a chance to win one of her books!

Amber: Thank you for joining us today! To start, could you share a little bit about yourself?

Maureen: Thanks for having me! I like to call myself an avid reader who’s found a way to write what I want to read. The best stories, to me, are ones filled not only with romance, challenge and adventure, but stories that touch my soul, make me think, or leave me breathless. That’s what I strive for in the stories I tell. I’ve been writing since I was a child, had my first three books published in the secular world way back in my twenties (we won’t count how many years that’s been!) and have been writing in the Christian market for about ten years. My upcoming book (spring 2012) is set in 1883 New York City, about a young woman who finds out her recently deceased father supported her year-round enrollment in an expensive debutante-grooming school by being a thief—so she decides to forget polite society and take up where he left off. Several of my previous titles have earned various writing distinctions (including a Christy nomination, a Holt Medallion, FHL’s Reader’s Choice award, four time finalist in the Carol Awards). I live in the Chicago area with my husband, two sons and our lovable Lab.

Amber: That new book sounds quite intriguing! I think it's wonderful that you can write what you love to read. =)

What made you decide to write a book series set during WWI? Even though your books don’t necessarily feature the U.S. military, do you have any military members in your family that inspired you?

Maureen: I’m the daughter of a Navy vet and the granddaughter of an Army vet. My grandfather left me two boxes of photographs from the First World War, and between that and my grandmother’s stories from the era, I was hooked.

I also grew up with all kinds of stories about my dad’s naval enlistment before WWII. My father grew up wanting to see the world, and at seventeen years old decided he wanted to join the Navy. He needed his mother’s permission to do so, and she gave it. After a brief stint on the USS Oklahoma, he served on a gunboat on the Yangtze River in China (if you’ve seen the Sand Pebbles, you have a good idea of what that was like). In late 1941 his boat, along with the other American boats in the area, were summoned to the Philippines. It wasn’t long after that he learned about the Oklahoma being sunk at Pearl Harbor. But being in the Philippines wasn’t much of a break. The area was overrun with Japanese, and they were instructed to scuttle their own boat. He fought the Japanese on land for about three months (for which he received a special Presidential citation), until captured and sent on a march that followed the initial Death March that had taken place a month or so before. He was shifted from one camp to another, until finally being shipped to Mukden, Manchuria where he spent the bulk of his three and a half years of captivity. When the war finally ended and he was liberated, he weighed under 100 pounds and the doctors told him he probably wouldn’t be able to offer children to any potential wife, because of the abuse, disease and malnutrition he’d suffered during those years. But my mom married him anyway, and it was within the first year that they proved those doctors wrong. I’m one of six kids who weren’t supposed to be here if those doctors had been believed. I think doctors know a lot more these days, but it’s probably in part thanks to what they learned from people like my dad who survived so much.

Amber: Wow! I can't even imagine what your dad suffered on behalf of our country. What an amazing story of service, courage, and hope after extremely difficult times!

So, what is it you admire most about the U.S. military?

Maureen: So many things! I know enough of history to be grateful that we’re one nation, never having been conquered or split into bits by other nations who would likely enjoy our vast natural resources. I know our security today is because of our military. I so admire those who’ve given the best of their lives, their talents and energy to keep the United States what it is: a free republic that is the strongest representative in history of peace-keeping and goodwill. Our service men and women are the ultimate good guys!

Amber: Yes!!

What’s next in your writing career? Can readers expect any more books set during WWI, or do you have something else in the works?

Maureen: As I mentioned above, my next book is due out in the spring of 2012. I’ve had so much fun with this book! Although it doesn’t include a war, there is still plenty of angst when my heroine tries to connect with her father’s memory by following a path he never wanted her to take, as a thief. Her father’s young protégé (also a thief) does all he can to dissuade her at first, but eventually he has little choice except to work along with her. Before long she realizes she might not have the stomach for thievery, after all, and God is in hot pursuit of them both. Who will catch them first? God, or the law?

Amber: Oooh, sounds great!

How can we pray for you and other authors?

Maureen: This is so important to me. Before I was published in the Christian market, I asked several people to pray for my writing ministry. I prayed then and still do that God would continue to use storytelling as a way to touch the lives of others—inside the Kingdom to bring us closer to Him, with greater insight to His love and grace, and beyond the Kingdom to draw others to Him. Storytelling is such a powerful tool, one Christ Himself used to reveal the nature of God. Please join me in prayer that Christian authors everywhere will trust God to use us in a way that not only honors Him but represents to others the love and power and truth that God revealed of Himself in the Bible.

Thanks so much for having me, the discussion was a pleasure!

Amber: The pleasure is all ours! =) Thank you for being here and sharing with us!

~ ~ ~

Readers, Maureen has generously offered to give one lucky winner a copy of one of her books - winner's choice of any one of the three books in "The Great War" series (book covers pictured above throughout the interview)! Here are the rules:

• Leave a comment for Maureen along with your e-mail address!

• Please state which book you would like if you were to win - Look to the East (Book 1), Whisper on the Wind (Book 2), or Springtime of the Spirit (Book 3). (You can learn more about each of Maureen's books on her website.)
  

• You must have a U.S. mailing address in order to be entered in the drawing.

• The winner will be announced on the next "Monday for the Military" post.

~ ~ ~

Would you like to know the winner from last week's giveaway (Faith Deployed . . . Again)?

The winner from last week's giveaway is Danielle!

Thank you so much to Jocelyn (and publisher) for the wonderful interview/giveaway! And thank you to all of you who stopped by and/or became new "members" of my blog - it was a blessing to meet all of you military wives. You're welcome here anytime!

Fall Friday

To steal an idea from You've Got Mail, I'd love to send ya'll a bouquet of sharpened pencils to celebrate the beginning of autumn! As it is, I hope this post will still help you get into a celebratory mood, even without the pencils. ;)

Why are we celebrating? Well, besides it being a new season (not quite officially yet, but soon!), it's also time to "hit the books." For me and all you other students out there, that can refer to textbooks and the like. But for all of us who are Christian fiction fans, there are some great books releasing this fall!!!

I "dolled up" a bit (ie: put on my fancy hat and my nice green shirt!) to do a photo shoot with Emma (on the cover of Julie Lessman's A Heart Revealed). Don't we look spiffy? ;)

I'm definitely not fancy in this picture (and I missed the top part of my head...), but I just had to share my excited face with you - my copy of Torrent arrived on Wednesday from Amazon.com!!! (Can you tell that I'm super excited to read the conclusion to this fantastic series???)

So are you ready to "hit the books"? This fall I hope to do some book discussions (including discussions of the two books pictured above!) and share plenty of reviews with you! I say, "Bring it on!!!"

What books have been pouring into your mailbox lately? Or what books are you most looking forward to reading later this fall?

My Review of To Have and To Hold (CFBA Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing To Have and to Hold Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson
and
Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels. She received her first book contract in November, 1992 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. In 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests. Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max.

Judith Miller's first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when she was commuting sixty miles to work each day. She wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. Through a co-worker, she was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from her. Having never met Tracie, Judith was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history. Since that first encounter many years ago, Judith has been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, she and Tracie had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, they have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When Audrey Cunningham's father proposes that they move to Bridal Veil Island, where he grew up, she agrees, thinking this will help keep him sober and close to God. But they arrive to find wealthy investors buying up land to build a grand resort on the secluded island--and they want the Cunninghams' acreage.

Contractor Marshall Graham can't imagine why the former drinking buddy of his deceased father would beckon him to Bridal Veil Island. And when Boyd Cunningham asks him to watch over Audrey, Marshall is even more confused. He has no desire to be saddled with caring for this fiery young woman who is openly hostile toward him. But when Audrey seems to be falling for another man--one who has two little girls Audrey adores--Marshall realizes she holds more of his heart than he realized. Which man will Audrey choose? And can she hold on to her ancestral property in the face of overwhelming odds?

If you would like to read the first chapter of To Have and to Hold, go HERE.

My Rating: Spring

My Review:

For those who enjoy a sweet historical story with a few tummy-tingling romantic moments and some added mystery, To Have and to Hold is a book you'll want to have on your shelf and hold in your hands. (The lovely cover is an added incentive!)

For Audrey, there doesn't seem much she can have and hold - not the island, not her father's health, and not trust in God or anyone else. But dear (and interesting) friends, a hard-working (and handsome) young man, and some suspicious characters challenge Audrey to open her heart again.

Those secondary characters really add a lot of fun and intrigue to the novel. The whole cast of characters is quite unique, as is the lovely setting, which fits in well with the whole bridal theme. And then there's Aunt Thora... (You'll have to read the book to know what I mean!)

With throwbacks to the Civil War, tension at the construction site, and romantic conflict, this book holds the reader's attention until the end. Peterson and Miller present a well-rounded and enjoyable story in To Have and to Hold.

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

Contentment Reading Challenge: September

Well, no re-reading for me since my last update! Right now I'm mostly occupied with reading books for review. Unfortunately I have this nasty inability to say "no" to book review options... ;) I guess sometimes I actually do decline/ignore requests, but there are just so many great new releases I'm having a hard time passing many books by! Anybody else in the same boat??

As many of you know, I contribute on Mondays to The Borrowed Book blog. This last Monday I posted a children's book review if you're interested in taking a look! And in the next few weeks I'll hopefully be posting a non-fiction book review and a YA book review over there, so come on by if you have the time! I'd love to chat books with you there, as well as here. =)

So how are you all doing for the Contentment Reading Challenge? We still have a few months left! (Doesn't it seem like 2011 just started, though??)

My Review of A Whisper of Peace (CFBA Tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Whisper of Peace Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Kim Vogel Sawyer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Ostracized by her tribe because of her white father, Lizzie Dawson lives alone in the mountains of Alaska, practicing the ways of her people even as she resides in the small cabin her father built for her mother. She dreams of reconciling with her grandparents to fulfill her mother's dying request, but she has not yet found a way to bridge the gap that separate her from her tribe.

Clay Selby has always wanted to be like his father, a missionary who holds a great love for the native people and has brought many to God. Clay and his stepsister, Vivian, arrive in Alaska to set up a church and school among the Athbascan people. Clay is totally focused on this goal...until he meets a young, independent Indian woman with the most striking blue eyes he's ever seen.

But Lizzie is clearly not part of the tribe, and befriending her might have dire consequences for his mission. Will Clay be forced to choose between his desire to minister to the natives and the quiet nudging of his heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Whisper of Peace, go HERE.

My Rating: Spring

My Review:

With the Alaskan wilds as the backdrop, Sawyer sets the stage for a struggle between heritage and an uncertain future, a desire for purpose and a desire for love, pain and peace. All three of the main characters have inner turmoil but long for "a whisper of peace" to blow across their hearts.

Lizzie Dawson is the epitome of independence as she survives living away from her village and away from human love. That is, until she meets two people on whom she might depend (and two children who come to depend on her). Her character is a unique one, and her longing for family and reconciliation for her mother's sake is admirable.

Vivian Selby hides a lot of heartache deep within as she outwardly puts on a brave front. Her journey is an intriguing one to follow. And then there's her brother...

Clay Selby has some noble ideas. But his lack of understanding, as well as his complete single-mindedness made it hard for me to really like him at first (or understand what made him attractive besides his curly hair). He wants to succeed, but he has a lot to learn. And learn he does! Rest assured, his character became more attractive as time wears on (and with a little humility).

A Whisper of Peace is a story about missions, misunderstandings, and mistakes. It comes complete with a neat and tidy happy ending, but also with a good message about the importance of true, abiding peace that can only come through the Lord. Another sweet read from Sawyer!

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

Monday for the Military: Faith Deployed . . . Again!

Back in November of 2010 I had the privilege of hosting Jocelyn Green - author of the devotional for military wives entitled Faith Deployed - here on the blog. (Click HERE to read her previous interview.) Now it is my great pleasure to welcome her back to talk about her latest release, Faith Deployed . . . Again. Read on to learn more about Jocelyn and how you can win a copy of her book!

Amber: Jocelyn, I'm so happy to host you again! Last time you were here, we discussed your devotional book Faith Deployed. Now you have a new release – the sequel to Faith Deployed. Could you share with us the inspiration behind the sequel and what readers can expect from it?

Jocelyn: The inspiration for the sequel, Faith Deployed . . . Again, was the same as the inspiration for the first book. In a word, military wives need encouragement, and the best source is God’s Word.

As a former Coast Guard wife, I was so desperate for biblical encouragement that spoke directly to me. To have an opportunity to collect this type of encouragement and have it published by Moody is an incredible gift. I never once lacked motivation to work on this project. Encouraging military wives is my heart’s passion. Plumbing the depths of God’s Word and finding new gems in it to share with other women was a deeply spiritual and satisfying experience for me.

Amber: That's wonderful! Your passion is quite inspiring. =)

The title of your sequel (as you mentioned) is Faith Deployed . . . Again. What is the significance behind the phrase “Faith Deployed,” and can the phrase (and the book itself) have meaning for those who aren’t military wives, as well?

Jocelyn: I think of “faith deployed” as a faith called into action. Whether your military family experiences deployments or not, military life requires that we all deploy our faith in order to respond biblically to each trial we face. While this book was written by and for military wives, using illustrations from the military lifestyle, anyone who reads the book will come away with a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to trials we face. Military wives will be likely to get the most out of it, since it speaks directly to their unique lifestyle, but I have heard from many, many civilians, and men, who have also benefitted from reading it.

Amber: I agree with that! It was a blessing to read Faith Deployed, and I'm enjoying Faith Deployed . . . Again (which I'm partway through).

So, as a military wife, what do you admire most about the military?

Jocelyn: I admire the military family’s commitment to honor, duty, service and sacrifice. In this “me-first” society we live in as Americans, military families give so much of themselves to a cause that is bigger than themselves—we can all learn from that, and from them.

Amber: Yes!!

Do you have any plans for future books?

Jocelyn: Yes! I’m getting ready to turn in my first novel to Moody Publishers. Narrow Passages, to be released in the spring, is the first in a series of four historical fiction books set in the Civil War. The inspiration for the series came from research I did when working on Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front of American Wars (AMG Publishers, March 2012). I may not be done writing devotionals yet, but I am branching out into other things—still military-themed, at least for now! I have no plans to stop writing any time soon. =)

Amber: Which is great news for us! (Since I'm taking a class on the Civil War Era, I must admit I'm even more excited about your upcoming fiction series!) Thank you so much for sharing with us, Jocelyn!

~ ~ ~

Readers, thanks to Jocelyn Green, Natalie Myers, and Moody Publishers, I have an extra copy of Faith Deployed . . . Again to give away to one of you! Here are the rules for the giveaway:

• Leave a comment for Jocelyn along with your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win! (And if you have a chance, feel free to check out Jocelyn's website, then come back and share your thoughts on her work/ministry!)

• You must have a U.S. mailing address in order to enter the drawing.
  

• A winner will be announced on the next "Monday for the Military" post.