Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman - A Must Read!

The back of the book cover of Kathryn Cushman’s recent release, Another Dawn, asks, “What would you give for a second chance to make things right?”

What wouldn’t most of us give for that chance?

Grace Graham, a single mom, battles her worse fears by going home to Tennessee to help care for her widowed father as he recuperates from knee replacement surgery. The last thing she wants to do is spend two weeks with a cranky man she hasn’t gotten along with for years. Life in Ventura, California offers so much more. Or does it? She’s just broken up with her fiancé and her best friend and boss is about to learn some news that will devastate her.

Every time Grace runs into problems she’s tended to run away. But this trip home doesn’t offer that option. A decision she’d made long ago has put her son's and other children’s lives in danger, and there is no escaping the consequences.

I absolutely loved this book. As it begins on the California coast, I was taken back to when I lived there for a spell, and then the setting moved to Grace’s idyllic hometown, and I was equally charmed by that setting. Made strong through circumstances, she protects her son like a mother hen, but has she gone overboard and put him into danger? Arguments waiver from both sides of the questions until the final pages when she comes to the decision that is right for her.
 
Cushman has woven a tale that is about how a decision made selfishly or in haste can sometimes have a long reach in its effects. It’s also about families and long-held resentments and forgiveness. I couldn’t put this book down until I’d read the last page.

It's from Bethany House Publishers and can be obtained on line at Amazon.com or Chrisianbook.com. Or, head out to your favorite bookstore and ask for it!

Kathryn Cushman, was a practicing pharmacist, until she turned to writing full time. She’s authored three other novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, both of which were finalists for ACFW’s Carol Award in Women’s Fiction. She and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.

Although I received this book free for the purpose of review, all comments and opinions are my own and were not supplied by the publisher.

How Great Thou Art - Carrie Underwood & Vince Gill - Happy Easter!

I've heard from several people today that Carrie Underwood's performance last night of the beautiful, much loved song "How Great Thou Art" was awesome, amazing, and so worshipful. I just found it on You Tube and thought it deserved being shared here on this day before Easter.

 Thirty years ago. on another Good Friday afternoon, I sat in a church pew listening to the biblical account of the trial of Jesus and His going to the cross to be crucified. That was an "aha moment" for me as my spiritual eyes were opened, and I realized for the first time that Jesus did that for me. Until then, I knew in my head what He had done, and I always looked at it as a corporate thing. He did it for everyone. This is true, but He did it for me, and you, and you, and you. At that moment I felt so humbled. He didn't deserve what I deserved and yet, He took it for me. From that point on I became a Jesus follower. A Christian.

Yesterday was my spiritual birthday of when I became reborn in Jesus. As we prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, it is my prayer that you would make this weekend your spiritual birthday too, if you don't already have one.

Please enjoy How Great Thou Art.

ACFW Authors New Releases for April!

ACFW authors are celebrating Spring with a bouquet of new releases.

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

A Family for Faith by Missy Tippens -- A Romance from Love Inspired. Even though Faith Hagin thinks she’s content being just friends with Gabe Reynolds, spending time with him and his daughter Chelsea starts to feel like a fresh start at having a family. And their love may be the answer to everyone’s prayers.

A Place to Belong by Linda Goodnight -- Romance from Love Inspired. Faith and warm memories have helped widow Kitty Wainwright endure the loss of her husband. That's all she's ever needed…until she hires contractor Jace Carter to repair her motel.

Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis -- A Romance from Harvest House. As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, she's is faced with some hard choices.

At the Captain's Command by Louise M. Gouge -- A Historical from Love Inspired. A heroic British naval captain, son of an influential earl, dares to fall in love with a provincial American girl. Then he discovers her family's devastating secret.

Canyon Walls by Julie Jarnagin -- A Romance from Barbour Heartsong Presents. Sunset Camp changed Cassie’s life, and she is determined to keep it alive.

Chosen Ones by Eileen Rife -- General Fiction from Oak Tara. While Maggie and Gavin Munsfield adjust to a new baby, missionary friends, Dan and Yvonne Pratt, experience the heartbreak of infertility and miscarriage. Will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different than what they expected and hoped for?

Dare to be Different; From the Scenarios Series by Nicole O'Dell -- Young Adult from Barbour. Each book in the series follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Delivered With Love by Sherry Kyle -- General Fiction from Abingdon. An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman's inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California. There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.

Diagnosis Death by Richard Mabry M.D. -- A Thriller/Suspense from Abingdon. When Dr. Elena Gardner's comatose husband dies in the ICU while on life support, the whispers begin. More deaths turn the whispers into a shout: "Mercy killing." What is the dark secret that keeps Elena's lips sealed when she should be defending herself?

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott -- A Romance from Thomas Nelson. A young woman and man haunted by the past seek love and freedom as they assist fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough -- A Romance from Barbour. Will reporter Jacqueline Davis uncover his secrets before Noah Jeffers can capture her heart?

From Darkness Won; Blood of Kings Book 3 by Jill Williamson -- A Fantasy from Marcher Lord Press. Achan and Vrell seek out their place in the coming war to push back Darkness for good.

Griselda Takes Flight by Joyce Magnin -- General Fiction from Abingdon. Now that her sister, Agnes Sparrow, is comfortably dieting at the Greenbrier Nursing home, Griselda has time to fly—literally.

Kaydie by Penny Zeller -- A Romance from Whitaker House. Kaydie Worthington builds a protective wall around herself that won't be easy to tear down. There's something about Kaydie that draws Jonah Dickenson to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.

Love Finds You on Prince Edward Island by Susan Page Davis -- A Romance from Summerside Press. Molly Orlund is honored to serve as a maid where the Prince of Wales will be a guest. Peter Stark, an understeward in the royal party, is attracted to Molly, but an uncovered secret could change everything.

Oregon Weddings by Kathleen Kovach -- A Romance from Barbour. An alpaca, a lost family treasure, and an ornithophobic actress all take center stage in these three stories of love and faith that are as eclectic as the state of Oregon itself.

Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton -- Romance from Whitaker House.Becky Troyer has committed the ultimate sin, and finds herself on the edge of her Amish community; Jacob Miller believes he was sent to the Old Order Community in Missouri to help out a distant cousin--instead, he discovers he was part of an arranged swap.

People of the Book; Book 4 in the Extreme Devotion Series by Kathi Machias -- General Fiction from New Hope. Farah lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, and wants nothing more than to develop a deeper devotion to her Muslim faith. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself.

Risky Business; From the Scenarios Series by Nicole O'Dell -- Young Adult from Barbour. Each book in the series follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Swept Away; From the Scenarios Series by Nicole O'Dell -- Young Adult from Barbour. Each book in the series follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Tea for Two, Book 2 of the Tea With Millicent Series by Trish Perry -- Romance from Harvest House. Zack Cooper tries his best to raise his children, but he's losing his grip on them. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel has the perfect woman in mind to help Zack.

The Daughter's Walk by Jane Ann Kirkpatrick -- General Fiction from Waterbrook/Multnomah. Based on a true story of a mother and daughter who walk across the country in 1896 and the consequences of the journey to both of their lives.

The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey -- General Fiction from Revell. She’s embarking on a new life—but can the past truly be left behind?

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh -- General Fiction from Revell. Inspired by a true story, The story weaves a tale full of action and suspense, and yet it is also an amazing love story that could only happen if miracles do come true.

The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble -- Olivia Stewart’s sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, one of the nation’s wealthiest men, who has since died. Now the pressure is on Olivia to take her place, despite her suspicions about Eleanor’s fiancé.

The Sheriff's Sweetheart by Laurie Kingery -- A Romance from Love Inspired. A down-on-his-luck gambler on the run from a dangerous enemy meets the richest girl in a small Texas town and turns his life around to become worthy of her.

The Unforgivable; Wounds of South America, Book 1 by Tessa Stockton -- A Thriller/Suspense from Risen Books. Accused of the worst war crimes in the history of Argentina, Carlos Cornella is despised by a wounded nation…

Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot -- Romance from Revell. Can Harriet Kirk and Lawrence Wood ever truly put the past behind them in order to find happiness?

Trail of Lies by Margaret Daley -- A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired. As the mother of a beautiful daughter and the wife of a wealthy entrepreneur, Melora Hudson seemed happy. No one knew about the secrets hidden behind closed doors—secrets Melora was forced to keep.

Yukon Wedding; Book 1, Alaskan Bride Series by Allie Pleiter -- A Romance from Love Inspired.  Widow Lana Bristow won’t abandon the only home her son has ever known, even if it means wedding Mack Tanner, the man she blames for her husband’s death.

CFBA Blog Tour - Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Vicious Cycle Zondervan (February 22, 2011) by Terri Blackstock

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over six million copies sold worldwide. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.

Besides entertaining her readers, Terri tackles issues that she hopes will change lives. Her recent book, Predator, was inspired by her experiences on Facebook and Twitter, and her concern that people posted too much personal information about themselves. The book deals with an online predator who uses social networks as his playground. She hopes the book will change readers’ online habits. Her New York Times best-seller, Intervention, was inspired by her own personal struggles with a daughter on drugs. In the book, a mother hires an interventionist for her drug-addicted daughter. But on the way to treatment, the interventionist is murdered, and the daughter disappears. Barbara, the mother, sets out to search for her daughter. Terri modeled Barbara after herself, and poured many of her own emotions and experiences into that character. As a result, many families experiencing drug addiction have written to thank her for telling their story and giving them hope. Vicious Cycle, Book Two of the Intervention Series, releases February 22, 2011. She’s currently working on Book Three.

Other recent books include a stand-alone novel called Double Minds, as well as Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light (from her acclaimed Restoration Series). She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 Series and Cape Refuge Series. Terri makes her home in Mississippi, where she and her husband Ken are enjoying their empty nest after raising three children.

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as “The 700 Club” and “Home Life,” and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Terri Blackstock is always an auto-buy for me. Her suspense stories are riveting, fast-paced, relevant and definite page-turners. Whenever I start one of her books, I know I'll have the entire book read within a day or two. Vicious Cycle is no exception!

The plot picks up where Blackstock's recent novel, Intervention, left off. But if you haven't read Intervention, you will have no problem following the storyline of Vicious Cycle. Mostly suspense with a romantic subplot between Barbara Covington, Lance's mom, and Kent Harlan, the Atlanta detective who figures strongly in Intervention, the story kept me turning pages as fast as I could read them.

When fifteen-year-old Lance Covington finds an abandoned baby in the backseat of a car, he knows she's the newborn daughter of a meth addict he's been trying to help. But when police arrest him for kidnapping, Lance is thrust into a criminal world of baby trafficking and drug abuse.

His mother, Barbara, looks for help from Kent Harlan---the man whom she secretly, reluctantly loves and who once helped rescue her daughter from a mess of her own. Kent flies to her aid and begins the impossible work of getting Lance out of trouble, protecting a baby who has no home, and finding help for a teenage mother hiding behind her lies.

In this latest novel of suspense and family loyalty, bestselling author Terri Blackstock offers a harrowing look at drug addiction, human trafficking, and the devastating choices that can change lives forever.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Vicious Cycle, go HERE.

Watch the Book Video:

Blog Tour - Love Amid The Ashes by Mesu Andrews

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews is a fictional account of the life of Job just prior to and during the time he experienced great suffering.

The biblical account begins with a dialogue between God and the devil. Satan challenges God that Job, a very wealthy, righteous and devout man, will rebel against God if he suffers enough. Thus begins the sufferings of Job. Of course, Job never knew that he was the object of a challenge between the devil and God.

In her debut novel, Mesu Andrews, has coupled her deep research through rabbinical and ancient Jewish writings with her creative fictional imaginings as to what went on in Job’s life prior to the suffering and during it.

Mesu Andrews

Dinah, the daughter of the patriarch, Jacob, is commanded by her dying grandfather Isaac to travel with Job and his caravan to Job's home, to marry his son. But before she can meet her intended, all of Job’s adult children are wiped out in a horrible accident which is one of the first incidents of suffering for him. As his world falls apart, Dinah is drawn more and more to the integrity of Job, especially in the days of grief, illness, and confusion, and she finds herself in a position to help him physically and emotionally get through the ordeal.

I do not read a lot of biblical fiction, but was intrigued to see how Andrews treats this captivating story of Job. She does an admirable job by weaving fictional characters and actual people mentioned in the Bible together. However, even with a family tree diagram at the beginning of the story, I sometimes became confused over who was who, especially at the beginning of the story when so many characters were introduced all at once.

I recommend this book to anyone, but caution those who have not read the Old Testament to be careful not to confuse what is fictional and what is true. It would be very easy to do that unless you are well familiar with the book of Job and the patriarchal period of time.

As a student of the Bible, I thoroughly enjoyed the way Andrews wove his words as recorded in the Bible into the dialogue, displaying his incredible faith in God, questioning but never faltering.

Love Amid the Ashes is a tension-packed story including intrigue, jealousy, romance that will be enjoyed by any fan of biblical fiction. You can purchase it on line or at your favorite brick and motor store.

About the author: Mesu Andrews is an active speaker who has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture. Harnessing her deep understanding and love for God's Word, Andrews brings the biblical world alive for her readers in this debut novel. She lives in Washington.