Serious Wednesday: Hunter's Rose is Coming! Win it!

 In case you don't remember...

I mentioned in a recent earlier post,

a bit about Hunter's Rose.

To clarify,

Hunter's Rose is the second book in the

Troubles in the Wes series.

(The first book is Caleb's Destiny).

Preorder for this book will be available beginning in July!!

Don't miss out on this opportunity

to read Hunter's Rose at a discounted price!

Answer this question for an opportunity

to win a free Kindle copy!

Question:

Rosita's past engagement with Carlos De Leon

went sour before she fled Mexico.

Now married to Hunter Carson,

she's still being followed by Carlos. 

Does he still love her?

Or is there something more sinister

he wants from her?

Hunter's Rose!

Serious Wednesday: Include Christmas in Your Next Novel

Whether you love or hate Christmas, for writers, it's an opportunity to share some joy, happiness and
perhaps write with a different perspective than where your usual writings take you. Here are some very good reasons to write with a Christmas theme or background or even as part of your plot: 

1.  It helps to increase your reader audience. Readers love Christmas-themed books. Christmas books look great on store shelves and attract attention. By writing a Christmas-themed book, you will possibly draw new readers who will follow you through the rest of the year, reading your other books. 

2.  There's a huge demand for holiday-themed books. The colorful festive books with their shiny snowflakes and fancy script titles are hard to miss. They line bookshelves over the holidays and scream for attention. There is a big demand for these types of books, and if you're trying to make a living at writing, then Christmas is the perfect time to release a holiday book. Shopkeepers are looking for these type of books to sell that fly off the shelves. Why not capitalize on this opportunity? 

3.  If you approach it right, writing a Christmas-themed book can put you in a holiday mood. Admit it, from Thanksgiving on, life is busy and can be stressful, but having a Christmas book release kind of gives you a sense of happiness and peace. Just knowing that you've fulfilled and shared some joy to readers should, in return, fill you with a sense of completion. 

There are a lot of good reasons to write a Christmas book, and these just touch the surface of the why. I would encourage you to give it a thought. You might just come up with the perfect plot! 

Serious Wednesday: Jennifer Allen Shares About Becoming a NEW Author!

A warm welcome to Jennifer Allen,

one of the authors of the 

Christian Fiction off the Beaten Path anthology.

What does it mean to be a newly published author?

Most people would say the only difference between a writer and an author is the money. An author is

paid for his or her writing. But since I’ve become an author in the last fourteen months, I’ve discovered being an author of Christian fiction means more than just a paycheck.

I’ve always thought of myself as a novelist. I wrote a YA Christian crime novel and spent years improving it because it was the kind of story I like to read. But I got nowhere seeking an agent for it. I had many agents ask to see sample chapters and my business plan only to have them to turn it down for various reasons, usually because the YA Christian fiction market is so tough to publish in.

Then I had the opportunity to write a short story for Mt. Zion Ridge Press. The only constraint was that it had to be set in Ohio. Although I am a huge fan of mystery short stories and have read hundreds of them, I’d never thought about writing one. My first crime short story, “Debt to Pay”, appeared in the anthology From the Lake to the River, last September. So I was now officially an author. But I didn’t grow into that role until three months later.

Last December, Mt. Zion Ridge Press was accepting submissions for Christmas short stories. I had two weeks to come up with a 5,000-word story that actually made sense. As slowly as I write, 5,000 words seemed as unconquerable as climbing a 5,000-foot peak in my bare feet. But I decided to go for it.

As I worked on my YA mystery, “A Rose from the Ashes”, I became more concerned with writing the story the way God wanted me to rather than taking it over and writing it to please myself. I didn’t think of it as my story. For some reason, God wanted to filter this story through me. I was very aware that it was finely balanced, and I didn’t want to wreck it.

And something funny happened. As I wrote and revised and sweated, the story became exactly the kind of story I’ve always wanted to write. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and some of my favorite mysteries are set at Christmas. Here I had the chance to write one. I’m a country girl at heart, and the story is set in a rural county in Ohio. The mystery hinges on mercy and forgiveness, two qualities I focus on as I grow as a Christian.

So being a newly published author does mean getting paid for my art. Having the owners of Mr. Zion Ridge Press accept my stories was a wonderful validation of my hard work. But the true payment for being an author means collaborating with my heavenly Father as a junior partner. I can’t wait to see what other projects He has in mind.

Jennifer's holding a book giveaway on her site! 

Click here for details

BIO

JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with an homage to Scooby Doo. She’s been tracking down mysteries ever since. A former children’s librarian, she is a member of ACFW and has written mystery short stories for Mt. Zion Ridge Press. Online, she offers writing tips and prompts to beginning writers. She also leads writing workshops for tweens, teens, and adults, encouraging them to discover the adventure of writing. A lifelong Buckeye, she has deep roots in the Mountain State. Join the adventure on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.

Book Blurb

Christmas fiction off the beaten path

Not your Granny’s Christmas stories …

Step off the beaten path and enjoy six stories that look beyond the expected, the traditional, the tried-and-true.

Inspired by the song, “Mary Did You Know?” – a mother’s memories of events leading up to and following that one holy night. MARY DID YOU KNOW? by Patricia Meredith

A young woman seeking her own identity searches for the man who tried to kill her and her mother on Christmas Eve twenty years before. A ROSE FROM THE ASHES by JPC Allen

Princess, tower, sorceress, dragon, brave knight, clever peasant – combine these ingredients into a Christmas-time story that isn’t quite what you’d expect. RETURN TO CALLIDORA by Laurie Lucking

Anticipating tough financial times, the decision not to buy or exchanged presents leads to some painful and surprising revelations for a hardworking man and his family. NOT THIS YEAR by Sandra Merville Hart

Years ago, a gunman and a store full of hostages learned some important lessons about faith and pain and what really matters in life – and the echoes from that day continued to the present. THOSE WHO STAYED by Ronnell Kay Gibson

A community of refugees, a brutal winter, a doorway to another world – a touch of magic creating holiday joy for others leads to a Christmas wish fulfilled. CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS by Michelle L. Levigne

BUY LINKS

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, 24Symbols, Kobo

Serious Wednesdays:

Welcome, dear followers! Here's your chance to check out Sandra M. Hart's newest historical romance: A Musket in My Hands. Read on to find out a little about the Civil war era and the women who managed to serve as a soldier. 

Women as Civil War Soldiers

by Sandra Merville Hart

There are about four hundred known cases of women serving as Civil War soldiers on either side. Since most of them were discovered after serving at least two years, it’s likely that the real number is much higher.

The Civil War began with the first shots fired by the Confederates on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. It lasted until 1865—four long years of suffering and loss for the whole country.

Early on, there were women on both sides who wanted to fight in the war as soldiers. Girls who tried to muster into the army by going to recruiting stations were praised by war journalists for their courage.

Of course, neither the Confederates nor the Federals accepted women as soldiers at recruiting stations. Yet determined women figured out ways to disguise themselves as men and muster into the armies. Soldiers wrote home when discovering women soldiers during the war. Folks were aware of female soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

Reporters and editors praised the patriotism of women soldiers throughout the war. Newspaper articles were reprinted in other cities.

My third Civil War romance, A Musket in My Hands, follows two sisters as they disguise themselves as soldiers in the fall of 1864 and join the men they love in the Confederate army—just in time for the war to grow progressively difficult for Southern soldiers. Tough marches lead them to the Battle of Franklin. How can anyone survive?

Back Cover Blurb:

Can I count on you in times of great need?”

Callie Jennings reels from her pa’s decision that she must marry his friend, a man older than him. Her heart belongs to her soldier hero, Zach Pearson, but Pa won’t change his mind. Callie has no place to hide. Then her sister, Louisa, proposes a shocking alternative.

Zach still hears his pa’s scornful word—quitter. He’s determined to make something of himself as a soldier. He’ll serve the Confederacy until they win the war. If they win the war.

Callie and Louisa disguise themselves as soldiers and muster into the Confederate army in the fall of 1864. Times are tough and getting tougher for their Confederacy. For Callie, shooting anyone, especially former countrymen, is out of the question—until truth and love and honor come together on the battlefield.

Buy the book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Musket-My-Hands-Civil-Romance/dp/1946016675/

About Sandra:

Award-winning and Amazon bestselling author Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover fascinating historical facts for her stories. Her debut Civil War Romance, A Stranger on My Land, was IRCA Finalist 2015. A Rebel in My House, set during the historic Battle of Gettysburg, won the 2018 Silver Illumination Award and second place in 2018 FHL Readers’ Choice Award. A Musket in My Hands, is a story where two sisters join the Confederate army with the men they love. Her novella, Surprised by Love in “From the Lake to the River” released in September of 2018. Trail’s End, in “Smitten Novella Collection: The Cowboys” releases in August of 2019.

Find her on her blog, 

https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

Excited? I am. Sandra is developing into a real knowledgeable Civil War novelist. Don't miss out on a chance to buy her book!

Historical Novelist is Here: Sandra M. Hart!

It's with great pleasure that I introduce you to my friend's (Sandra M. Hart) newest book. I hope this piques your interest and you'll check out her book ASAP! 

First a YouTube video to raise that interest :): 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j3JI-wECyY&feature=youtu.be

My novel is set during the famous Battle of Gettysburg. I snapped lots of photos at research trips to Gettysburg. I thought readers might enjoy seeing a few.

This is Willoughby Run, the creek near Sarah Hubbard’s solitary home outside Gettysburg. Confederate soldier, Jesse Mitchell, fights here the morning of July 1, 1863, as part of the 7^th Tennessee Infantry, Archer’s Brigade, Heth’s Division, Hill’s Corps.

On the third day of battle, Jesse waited here for orders to form a line that was part of Pickett’s Charge. A deluge of cannon fire that preceded the charge would soon soar over his head as he lay in a field. But for now, the Southerners eat breakfast, write letters to loved ones, talk in groups, and pray.

The field where so many died at Pickett’s Charge. Though peaceful now, the land has a story to tell.

I invite you to read the story that came to me

 at Gettysburg in my newest novel: 

A Rebel in My House.

Book Blurb:

When the cannons roar beside Sarah Hubbard’s home outside of Gettysburg, she despairs of escaping the war that’s come to Pennsylvania. A wounded Confederate soldier on her doorstep leaves her with a heart-wrenching decision.

Separated from his unit and with a bullet in his back, Jesse Mitchell needs help. He seeks refuge at a house beside Willoughby Run. His future lies in the hands of a woman whose sympathies lay with the North.

Jesse has promised his sister-in-law he’d bring his brother home from the war. Sarah has promised her sister that she’d stay clear of the enemy. Can the two keep their promises amid a war bent on tearing their country apart?

Excerpt:

Friday, June 26, 1863

Two miles outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

      Running feet on the dirt road outside quickened Sarah Hubbard’s heartbeat. Her fingers stiffened on her sewing machine and her back straightened.

Were they coming? Every conversation these days centered on the Confederate soldiers crossing into southern Pennsylvania.

“Miz Hubbard. Miz Hubbard, please let us in!”

Not soldiers but friends. Sarah’s body sagged at Elsie Craig’s voice, but why did she yell? Sarah dropped the gingham dress she’d been sewing and ran to throw open the front door. Alarmed at the fear lining Elsie’s dark face and eyes as she clutched the hand of her four-year-old daughter, Mae, Sarah scanned the horizon for Confederate soldiers. “Hurry inside.”

Elsie needed no second bidding. She guided Mae over the threshold and closed the door. “Miz Hubbard, you gotta hide us.” Her tall, thin body leaned against the door. “The Rebs are in town gathering up all the colored folks they can find. Someone said they’ll be taking them south as slaves and that they’re warning folks not to hide us.”

Sarah gasped. “Why do such a terrible thing?”

“Don’t make sense, does it? Some of us have lived in Gettysburg for years. Others like me have always been free, but it don’t seem to matter to the Southern army.” A long loaf of bread peeked out among jars and clothing in a well-laden basket Elsie set on the rug. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around her trembling child. “I had to leave my house and most of my possessions, but I’ve got the most important thing right here.” She looked up at Sarah as she patted Mae’s shoulder. “Last week my Sam left for Pine Hill, the settlement up near Biglerville. With it being two miles off the main road to Carlisle, the Rebs won’t find him there. Sam never expected the army to come after women and children or he’d never have left us. I miss him something fierce. We’ll go to him when the soldiers get out of town.”

Tears etched tracks in a smudge on Mae’s cheek, tugging at Sarah’s heart as much as Elsie’s wide eyes and trembling hands. Sarah rushed to an open window and pushed aside the curtain a few inches. The Pennsylvania governor, Andrew Curtin, had declared a state of emergency two weeks earlier and called for local militia. Where was their help?

BUY her book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-House-Sandra-Merville-Hart/dp/1941103383/

About Sandra Merville Hart:

Sandra Merville Hart, Assistant Editor for DevoKids.com, loves to find unusual or little-known facts inMy n her historical research to use in her stories. Her debut Civil War romance, A Stranger On My Land, was an IRCA Finalist 2015. Her second Civil War romance novel, A Rebel in My House, is set during the Battle of Gettysburg. It released on July 15, 2017. Visit Sandra on her blog at https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/.

Connect with Sandy here:

Sandra’s Blog, Historical Nibbles: https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7/

Sandra's Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100329215443000389705/posts

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Thanks for joining me here today, Sandy. 

Readers, do check out Sandy's newest book! 

Blessings!

From Amish Author to Suspense, Mary Ellis woos the reader into her scenarios and coaxes the enjoyment from them. Talented and dedicated to producing authentic and great books, Mary is an award winning author. Enjoy this sample of one of her suspenses I'm recommending this month!

What Happened on Beale Street by Mary Ellis

Blurb:                                                                                                                                                         What Happened on Beale Street is an exciting addition to the Secrets of the South Mysteries from bestselling author Mary Ellis. These standalone, complex crime dramas follow a private investigator’s quest to make the world a better place…solving one case at a time.                                                                                                                                                                                   A cryptic plea for help from a childhood friend sends cousins Nate and Nicki Price from New Orleans to Memphis, the home of scrumptious barbecue and soulful blues music. When they arrive at Danny Andre’s last known address, they discover signs of a struggle and a lifestyle not in keeping with the former choirboy they fondly remember.                           
                                                                                                                Danny’s sister, Isabelle, reluctantly accepts their help. She and Nate aren’t on the best of terms due to a complicated past, yet they will have to get beyond that if they want to save Danny.                                                                                                                                                             
On top of Danny’s alarming disappearance and his troubled relationship with Isabelle, Nate also has to rein in his favorite cousin’s overzealousness as a new and eager PI. Confronted with a possible murder, mystery, and mayhem in the land of the Delta blues, Nate must rely on his faith and investigative experience to keep one or more of them from getting killed.amas follow a 

My Review:                                                                                                                                                As usual, Ellis delivers well developed characters and a carefully crafted plot. The tension between Nikki and her boss is believable and real. the setting in a historic hotel in Memphis, alive and rich with musical blues and delicious southern cooking, the reader will sense the placing of the story and will firmly feel themselves a part of the story. With two ongoing mysteries--the death of friend Danny and the stolen jewels, the novel is sure to keep the attention of any lover of mysteries. Well done again, Mrs Ellis.

About Mary:

Mary Ellis has written twelve award-winning novels set in the Amish community and several historical romances set during the Civil War. Her latest, Midnight on the Mississippi, first of a new mystery series, Secrets of the South, is set in New Orleans. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate, a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. Mary enjoys traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming, and lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. 

Connect with Mary here:

http://maryellis.net/
www.goodreads.com/author/show/6176202

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Happy Reading!

Announcement! Finalist . . . Again!

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman

http://amzn.to/17gf97c

is a

* Genesis semi-finalist,

* a Selah Award finalist for debut novels

and now . . . 

* a Laurel Award Finalist

from the Clash of the Titles Contest!

About the book:

How far would YOU go to avenge the murder of a daughter?

Caralynne Hayman is angry and bitter over the abuse and death of her eleven-year-old daughter from the hands of her religious group, The Children of Righteous Cain. When her husband suffers a sudden heart attack, she does nothing to help him. In her eyes someone needs to pay, and if that means all of the men in the group, then so be it. 

Dayne MacFarland is sent away to college by the senior elder of the group to learn ministry. When he returns after finding salvation, determined to bring the truth to the people he’s known all his life, he rediscovers Cara and realizes the love he once felt for her is still deeply embedded within his heart. 

Dayne faces men unwilling to turn their backs on the cult training he despises. Cara faces men who follow their leader in abuse toward their wives and the young girls of the group. Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings.

Can Cara overcome the feelings that have governed her most of her life? Can she learn to trust Dayne, and most of all a God whom she sees as uncaring—if he’s really there at all? Only Dayne’s prayers and love can reach Cara and show her the way to redemption, and Cara must recognize and accept God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far.

Announcing a New WWII novel: With Music in Their Hearts

With Music in Their Hearts

Book One of 

The Spies of WWII

A historical WWII romantic suspense

Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved. 

He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up. 

While Tyrell searches for the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very different but just as strong willed as she is.

As Tyrell works to keep his double life a secret and locate the traitor, he refuses to believe that Emma Jaine could be involved even when he sees a red-haired woman in the arms of another man. Could the handsome and svelte banker who’s also determined to win Emma Jaine’s hand for marriage, be the dangerous man he’s looking for? Is the trouble-making renter who hassles Emma Jaine serving as a flunky? Worse, is Papa Rayner so worried about his finances and keeping his girls in the style they’re used to, that he’ll stoop to espionage?

Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?

COMING SOON!

Look for it on Amazon and other places:

November 1, 2014!

Next week:

A sampling of chapter one!

Drum Roll for The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman!

Presenting . . .

My debut novel: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman!

 

 

 

Isn't it just right?

I love everything about it!

 

 

What makes you love a book cover?

 

Blessings!



HEALING EMOTIONAL TRAUMA by Arteria Stevens

I caught this post from reading another friend's mention of it. Checked it out, and it was so poignant I thought it would be perfect to share with you. I look forward to more posts from my new friend, Artemia Stevens.

Since my novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, deals with abuse (along with other things), it goes right along with it. Now on to the post:

 


HEALING EMOTIONAL TRAUMA BEGINS WHEN YOU DECIDE TO FACE IT!

By Arteria Stevens

After all of the emotional disturbance and traumatic events of my childhood, when I got married, my intention was to put it all behind me and live the life of a good girl by being a good wife and mother and never complicating matters by talking about my child sexual abuse. What I didn’t realize was that because I didn’t acknowledge the pain and instead tried to bury those painful memories, the memories would act out in different ways in unhealthy forms. I became dominating and controlling, I lacked trust, and I had a determination to be strong and never show pain, so when I was hurt, I showed anger instead of pain. I didn’t allow the process of healing emotional trauma from those instances of emotional disturbance to begin. I wasn’t dedicated to healing emotional wounds.

Now I understand that the root source of anger is pain but during those times of trying to run from my pain, I didn’t have a clue. I went through many years trying to find myself. What I realize now that I didn’t know then is that when you find yourself stuck in patterns, it’s because there is something you need to learn and something you need to change in order to break those reoccurring problems. When I took that closer look in the mirror, I saw myself running from all of my pain and fears and at that moment, I decided I was not going to run anymore. I faced all of the painful moments in my life. I didn’t run from the tears anymore. I didn’t run from the fear of confrontation anymore. I was no longer afraid of the pain.

I realized that the pain was a necessary part of the process for me to heal. That put me on my Healing Roads and I am finally moving ahead in my life with a passion to be joined on that Road by all those people who may be holding on to pain of the past or present in search of personal healing as well as spiritual healing. We are more alike than we are different. The Healing Roads website is dedicated to helping you as you travel your own healing road by connecting you with people who understand your emotional state as well as to supply you with healing books to help you on your road. You are not alone! Get ready to come to your own place of discovery, healing, and stress relief!

Let’s talk. Let’s share. Let’s find help. Let’s love. Let’s heal. Let’s change the world. Let’s grow. Let’s have peace.

To connect with Artemia, go to www.thehealingroads.com


Thank you, Artemia, for allowing me to post this.

Blessings!

Last Day to . . .

enter my Fabulous February Contest!

I'm celebrating the upcoming release of my novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, with a giveaway of SIX gifts.

* a $15 gift certificate from your choice: Walmart or Amazon

* a beautiful heart covered 3-d journal






* chocolate!

* Kathi Macias' book: The Moses Quilt

 

* a beautiful lacy variegated pink scarf












AND a surprise gift!

Don't miss out!

What to do?

Let me know the most creative and romantic way you'd love to spend with your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife. That's it.

I'll pick a winner tomorrow and let you know on here and/or Facebook. Keep watching to see if YOU won (and oh, how I'd love to pick ALL of you!). 

Best of all, there's a contest running EVERY month until my book comes out. March's contest will be announced SOON!

Blessings

This and That and a Call to Arms . . .

Good morning, folks.

Didn't know I was going with a "This and That" post this morning, but at the last minute went with it.

First of all:

* My blog. You all have noticed the change in looks on my blog. Yeah, I've been trying to upgrade it. Give it more of a look with what I write: suspense and sometimes strong topics (with a little romance thrown in). Smile. Bear with me as I work through the problems of getting it the way I want. I know sometimes the words have been hard to read. I'm hoping to get my friend and computer guru to sort through the problems. Thanks for your patience!

* Interviews and giveaways. I know I haven't had many, if any, lately. I'm trying to decide how I want to proceed with my blog. Now that I'm contracted for a book release in the near future, how can I use my time the best possible way. I want to provide entertainment and knowledge for you, yet I must allow for the time it takes, too. I love my blog, but when it becomes a drag on my emotional and strength, then I feel I have to move on to newer and different ways to use it. This is not saying I will never have another interview; I'm praying and thinking about the way I should go . . . for now.

* My book, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, will hopefully be out toward the end of this year (no release date yet; I'll let you know as soon as I know) when. I'm over the moon happy about it, BUT I'm also working hard learning as much about marketing as I can. I'm trying to pick and choose what I believe will be the best and most effective ways to get the word out about my book.

In light of that, I believe one of the best ways is word of mouth. So-o-o, I'm going to be looking for men and women who want to join me in a close relationship to promote my book. It's a call, of sorts, for help.

What you do:
* spread the word through all media areas you're connected with
* share any material (bookmarks, etc) I send you
* be on the lookout for places and events where I could/can promote my book.
* share reviews, recommendations, etc.
This is a partial list which will probably be amended as I learn more.

NOW, what do you get out of working with me?
* Special gifts throughout the year (possibly gift cards, books, etc.)

* Promotion on my blog for YOUR blog, work, etc.
* Special contests ONLY for my helpers.
Maybe more.

Interested? Email me at browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com

I love you all and appreciate your faithfulness throughout the years. Email me, or comment, if you have questions or suggestions.

Wonderful blessings!

Review of Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig    

Back Cover:
In Venezuela, Danielle Roark and her Army Corps of Engineers team is captured. After six months of captivity, Dani escapes, only to end up charged with espionage and forced to return to the jungle to prove that a nuclear facility exists. On the mission, she is abandoned by God and country. Will she live long enough to make those responsible pay?



Haunted by memories of a mission gone bad, former Green Beret Canyon Metcalfe wrestles with his developing feelings for the feisty senator’s daughter. Setting aside his misgivings, he and Nightshade take the mission to help Dani unravel her lethal secrets. Separated from the team leaves Dani and Canyon vulnerable—and captured. After he is rescued, Canyon discovers Dani has been left behind. Livid, he sacrifices everything to save Dani—including his role with Nightshade.

My Take:
By far one of the best books I've read this year! Action, fear, real-life issues, and healing fill the pages of this novel.

The novel opens with:

Captain Canyon Metcalf forced to endure imposed silence, military accusations and taking the blame about a gone wrong overseas, is angry and ripe for the proposition General Lambert puts to him.

 Dani in an unendurable situation of rape, capture, physical and mental torture in the depths of Venezuela by the leader of El Valor de Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivvarian, a fictitious rebel army, General Bruzon, after she and her army corp of Engineers are destroyed/captured. Waiting till he's in the deepest part of sleep, she steals the stick drive, and naked, bleeding, and desperate she flees, diving into the ocean, willing to die rather than be recaptured.

Fortunately she's rescued, and recovered, faces those able to do something about the nuclear plans of Captain Bruzon. Instead of belief, she's accused of treachery. Instead of quick-moving plans to destroy the facility, she's forced once again to return to Venezuela to prove, not only her innocence, but the existence of such a plant.

When she and Canyon are separated from their special ops team, they are recaptured. But when Caynon realizes after he is rescued that Dani was left behind, he takes matters into his own hands. Thrown off the team, he coaxes his brother to help him leave the states--but his brother takes advantage by manipulating a promise from Canyon--step back and leave the field open for him to win Dani's love.

Does Canyon love Dani enough to give up his love for Dani to save her life? And will Dani even be alive by the time he arrives? Can these two bruised, bitter individuals find their way to freedom--enough to open their hearts to love--and God?

Set in the jungles of Venezuela and in the political regions of D.C., Kendig pulls the reader into the action of the book and forces them to be a part of the scene, the lives, the horror and good within the pages.