Romantic Reads: Mia's Gift (book)

Welcome Cindy Flores Martinez to the blog!

She's here today to share this story behind the story of her Christmas book, Mia's Gift.

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The Story Behind Mia’s Gift by Cindy Flores Martinez

My book, Mia’s Gift, is part of the Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series, which is a multi-author Christian/Inspirational Romance series about a group of secret angels. 

They became secret angels after their fellow friend, Charity Hart, left them a letter before she passed away with a check for $1,500 and a request to spend the money on something special for someone else in time for Christmas. I created the series after a lot of prayer and invited five other authors from Sweet Romance Reads to join me in writing a story.

In Mia’s Gift, my heroine Mia decides to become a secret angel for the handsome Jesse Quinn and his fifteen-year-old niece Kristi who need a miracle. Kristi’s mother has passed away, and the group home where Kristi lives is shutting down. She’ll be sent to a foster facility far away. Mia rushes to try and find a foster home for Kristi in the town she calls home.

All six stories take place in Snowflake, Colorado, a fictional small town that I made up. It’s an idyllic place with a picturesque Main Street that’s about an hour away from Denver. I’ve never visited Colorado, so I needed to research the area online, but my visits to the snowy mountain towns of Southern California where I live made me feel as if I knew what it was like to be there. We have the lovely towns of Big Bear, Wrightwood and Julian to name a few. We also have old Main Streets in the suburbs which have been preserved from the 1800s. My many visits to all these places and my fascination with them helped me bring Snowflake to life.

As in any romance, there’s someone in the story who captures Mia’s heart. Jesse Quinn is a wonderful uncle to his niece, Kristi. His sister named him as Kristi’s legal guardian in her will, and Jesse wants to provide a home for her, but he can’t because his job involves constant traveling. There’s so much Mia admires about Jesse, especially how caring he is, but although she’s attracted to him, they’re only friends. Their feelings for each other eventually turn into love.

I named Jesse after my real-life uncle who I never met. For many years, I didn’t know his name, but I found records through a genealogy website, and an ancestry DNA test connected me with his daughter. Unfortunately, my Uncle Jesse had passed away by then. Not only was I heartbroken because he was gone, but I was also devastated to learn that he had lived only ten miles away from me. I wrote about the fictional Jesse in memory of him.

Now that Christmas is almost here, it’s the perfect time to visit the town of Snowflake and get to know all the people who live there. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing about it.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author who writes Christian Romance. 

She has an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Screenwriting. 

Her debut novel, Mail-Order Groom, started as a screenplay and movie project, which she shopped around Hollywood, New York, and other parts of the world.

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Book Blurb for Mia's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 1):

Mia Rosa is thinking of leaving Snowflake, Colorado for good. 

Her cupcake shop on Main Street isn’t doing well, and seeing her ex-fiancé around town is awkward. When she receives a letter from her old high school friend, Charity Hart, asking her to be a secret angel, she’s convinced that she can’t go through with it. 

But Mia soon learns that handsome Jesse Quinn and his fifteen-year-old niece, Kristi, are in desperate need of a miracle. The group home where Kristi lives is shutting down, and no other foster homes are available in Snowflake. 

Will Mia be able to secretly grant Jesse and Kristi’s wish for Kristi to stay in the town she calls home? 

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Buy Mia's Gift on Amazon

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Connect with Cindy:
Website: www.cindyfloresmartinez.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindyfloresmartinezauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCindy

My Blog's 10th Year Birthday Bash: Trish Perry's book giveaway

Welcome to the 30th day of my blog's birthday bash!

Please welcome my author friend Trish Perry.

She's here to give away one of her books!

Enter the book giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget the end of this blog post. Only residents of the USA are eligible to receive a signed paperback copy of this author's books. International residents will only receive ebook copies due to costs of mailing books outside of the USA.

Let's learn a little bit more about Trish and her book ...

Author Bio:

Award-winning novelist Trish Perry has written 17 inspirational romances for Harvest House Publishers, Guideposts/Summerside Press, Barbour Publishing, Winged Publications, and Mountain Brook Ink. She has co-authored five devotionals for Guideposts/Summerside, Broadstreet Publishing, and Worthy Inspired. 

She has served as a columnist and as a newsletter editor over the years, as well as a 1980s stockbroker and a board member of the Capital Christian Writers organization in Washington, D.C. She holds a degree in Psychology. 

Since the 2006 release of her first novel, The Guy I’m Not Dating, Trish has woven romance, humor, friendship, and faith throughout her stories of people seeking fulfilling lives together, and in spite of one another. 

She loves to entertain readers while exploring how even the faultiest of characters can grow, especially when they get out of God’s way. That growth is sometimes frustrating, sometimes poignant, and often hilarious. This theme colors all of Trish’s books.

Trish’s latest romantic suspense, A Special Kind of Double, released May 2019.

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Back cover copy for Trish's book: 

When she attends a Washington, D.C. dinner party thrown by friends far wealthier than she, writer Maddie Travers is distracted by internal debates. 

Should she move back to D.C.? Should she seek work she might find more fulfilling? 

She meets the appealing “regular guy,” Dom Sebastiani, at the party and consequently wonders whether she’s ready to seek romance again. So many decisions! 

At the stroke of midnight, a shocking turn of events sets Maddie on a path that holds at least as many questions for her as it does answers.

~*~

Connect with Trish:

Website: www.trishperry.com

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/trishperry

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/TrishPerryAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrishPerryWrtr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trshprry/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/trish-perry

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Devotionals for the Heart: Surprise!

A Surprise that was Meant to Be
A devotional by Heather Martin

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” 

–Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Before having our third baby, my husband and I decided this would be the last child. There were many reasons why we came to this conclusion, one being that I had already delivered our first two children via C-section and in a few weeks we were scheduled to deliver baby number three via another C-section. Needless to say, this was no fun way to deliver, but I guess there is no fun way to deliver!

They say you have this feeling when you should stop having children, and I just wasn’t sure if I felt like we were really done. We went over and over all of the reasons why it wasn’t a good idea to have another child but for some reason I had this tiny feeling that we weren’t done. But after many conversations with my husband, we decided that going to the urologist to have a vasectomy was the best idea for our family.

My husband has a wonderful friend who is an urologist and performs hundreds of vasectomies a year. We were living in Nashville, and his office was about an hour and a half away so we would drive to have it done there. I was 9 months pregnant and was not very excited about the idea of getting in a car to ride more than ten minutes, but my husband reassured me that this was the right time to do it.

Taking the trip wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined. We had a chance to talk more about it and by the time we got to the doctor’s office we both felt ready to do this and just like that, we closed an era of our lives together, I would only give birth to three children. We would be a family of five, or so we thought.

Our third baby arrived and he was BIG, 9 lbs. 3 oz.! He was beautiful, mild mannered, happy, and sweet! When he was 8 months old, we packed up and moved to Birmingham, Alabama. My husband had finally finished all of his medical training and had accepted his very first job as a certified pediatric surgeon. Our kids were growing, we were happy and settling in, and then…I started feeling kind of weird.

I never once considered that I could possibly be pregnant again! The signs were so clear but I ignored them because I had put all of my trust in that vasectomy. But I should have known something was up when I couldn’t stand to smell the scent of my sister’s mild perfume. For some reason I absolutely hated the smell of it and I couldn’t stomach it!

I felt extra tired all the time, but that seemed normal because I had a baby, and two other little ones. Then, I should really have known something was different for me because I was breastfeeding my 8-month-old baby and my hair started falling out. That was strange! After a few weeks of feeling “weird” I reluctantly decided to get a pregnancy test, just to be sure. But I was completely positive that this couldn’t possibly be the cause of all these weird symptoms I was experiencing, I just wanted to mark it off the list. So I took the test and to our complete SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, it immediately read positive!

We could not believe it! How could this be? It was certainly a miracle! A miracle that only happens less than 1 percent of the time. We had made our plans, but God had other plans for our lives. He knew that our family would not be complete without Charlie. And now we can’t imagine our lives without this little boy who is funny, sweet, cuddly, smart, and loves to preach. We joke that this kid better be the next Barack Obama, or Moses!

But one thing we know for sure is that he is a very special surprise gift to us from God. He was meant to be. We make our plans but truly, God’s plans are the best!

~*~
Author Bio:

Heather Martin was born the last of six siblings in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised by an amazing single mother (Rebecca Trotter) and was taught at an early age to love God and how to sing! 

She graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelors Degree in Language Arts Education and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Kaplan University. 

Shortly after graduating she followed God’s call to minister. She joined the Stellar, Dove, and Grammy-nominated gospel group Virtue, which was founded by her two older sisters Ebony Holland and Karima Kibble several years prior. Virtue has used their talents to spread the love of God across the world! They have recorded 7 studio albums and have been the recipients of numerous awards.

God has not only blessed Heather professionally, but personally. She met her husband, Dr. Colin Martin, and they have been married for 14 years. They have four children: Colin Jr. 11, Harper 10, Clark, 7, and Charleston 5. In 2016 Heather started an online blog and vegan and allergen-friendly cooking channel called “Chef Mommy.” Heather (Chef Mommy) has cooked with numerous celebrities and top chefs to spread the news of healthy cooking and lifestyle.

In addition to this busy schedule, Heather enjoys, running, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

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Connect with Heather:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTMartin
Instagram for Heather: https://www.instagram.com/thechefmommy/
Instagram for Virtue (Heather’s singing group): https://www.instagram.com/virtuegirls
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chefmommyhm

Fall into Love: Vanessa Riley's story

Metals, My Marine and Fire
A Fall into Love story by Vanessa Riley

Never joke about improbable circumstances. They just might come true.

I was working on my doctorate at Stanford. My field was the sexy world of martensitic transformation of metals. Yes, hard stuff (that was a joke for all the scientific nerds out there as Martensite is the hardest state of metal on the Brinell scale—I digress). I had dreams of using this laser driven technology to revitalize the metal die cast industry. I was not thinking of marriage. I wasn’t worried or bothered by it. My aunts differed on this opinion. Mama too.

So, my ever-meaning friends or family would try to set me up with a good catch. The last time that happened, I met a stalker who was convinced God said I was the one. I politely told him that I missed that dispensation from on High. I developed a clever motto to stop repeat occurrences, a personal motto. If God showed Moses a burning bush, surely, he could give one to me. That seemed to cool off most suitors and friends. Who could come up with a burning bush and not set off California wild fires?

God.

Then, what had happened was…I met a Marine reservist—tall, handsome, perfectly grounded in the Word (of God) who worked on metal planes for United Airlines—catnip. We went out on a date. He’d chosen a restaurant that had a fire pit. He sat on one side, I on the other. As he’s telling me about his job working on big triple seven aircrafts, I see a burning bush. The flames of the pit reflected upon his glasses and the irises of his chestnut-brown eyes. Red and gold flames seemed to leap across his face, as how a bush would burn but remained uncharred.

But God.

I remember thinking to myself, half-praying silent prayers in my head, so this is the one. Not bad. You got me, God.

My metal-loving military husband celebrated our twenty-first anniversary this year in August and I still melt a little in front of a roaring fire.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Vanessa Riley worked as an engineer before allowing her passion for historical romance to shine. A Regency era (early 1800s) and Jane Austen enthusiast, she brings the flavor of diverse peoples to her stories. 

Since she was seventeen, Vanessa has won awards for her writing and is currently working on two series. 

She lives in Atlanta with her military man hubby and precocious child. 

You can catch her writing from the comfort of her southern porch with a cup of Earl Grey tea. 

~*~

Book blurb for No Hiding For The Guilty (Heart of a Hero) (Volume 5): 

What if superheroes were mortals who lived and loved during the Regency? The Heart of a Hero Series tells all. The military leaders of the fraught Almeida Siege are dying, but not fast enough for a chef with a grudge to bear and axes to sharpen. 

Using her position as cook to the famed inventor, Lord Hartland, Isadel Armijo learns that one of the butchers responsible for slaughtering her family will sup at Hartland Abbey at month's end. The chef is determined to serve the guilty man his last meal, one with a cake possessing a controlled detonation so she can watch him die. Only one person can teach her how to whip eggs with black powder, Wellington's hulking explosives expert, Hugh Bannerman. Can she persuade the recluse to return to society to help avenge her family with a dessert to-die-for? 

With his soul in torture for the lives his actions have decimated, the hulking Hugh Bannerman is convinced his sins have manifested into leprosy. As the surviving member of his family, how can he take his place in society knowing his uncontrollable anger increases the spots discoloring his skin and puts others at risk? No, he’ll remain in hiding until the Almeida Killer finds him or the incorrigible chef Isadel causes too much trouble, concocting a deadlier course, one part hope, a sprinkle of crazy, and a maddening sauce of desire.

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Buy Vanessa’s book on Amazon 

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Connect with Vanessa:
Website - www.vanessariley.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRileyAuthor
www.facebook.com/ChristianRegency
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/VanessaRiley
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/regencymaid
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/govanessariley

Sign up for Vanessa’s newsletter:
http://christianregency.com/subscribe.html

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Thoughts on turkeys, life and God

Turkeys and Surprises from God
A guest post by Voni Harris

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” 

~Job 5:9 (NIV)

There we were in HellHole Canyon—it’s a real place, a county preserve outside San Diego. You should go, and you should definitely take water. I mean, it is called HellHole for a reason.

If you walk down the canyon and back up the other side, you can see Mexico and Catalina and San Diego County. Rich and I weren’t prepared to go that long and decided to turn back once we reached the creek at the bottom.

But just after we got to the bottom, we heard a strange noise.

A rustling in the bushes.

“Uh, is that a turkey?” Rich ventured.

“A turkey? Here?” Why would there be a turkey in HellHole, right?

Another rustle. It was a turkey! Cool.

“Let’s follow it!” I wanted a cool picture. So we did follow it on the trail up the other side of the canyon for a few more minutes.

Never could get a good picture because it’s a wild turkey, duh. It knows how to hide.

It was sure fun trying.

...

Isn’t that just like God, though?

You set your limits. You decide how far to go.

And God sends a wild turkey—a spurt of joy, of curiosity—that tickles you to move just outside your comfort zone. You’re just doing life as usual when *poof* God reveals a bit of Himself to you, draws you closer to Him.

Like He did when he split the Red Sea in half in front of the entire nation of Israel.

Or how about His bit of humor about a camel and the eye of the needle?

Or when He raised Lazarus from the dead? Surprise! Joy!

I admit that a wild turkey isn’t always a “good” surprise. A “turkey” can be all-out painful: A rebellious teen, a bad diagnosis, a divorce. A Cross.

But these surprises also come from God. They also do God’s work in drawing us outside of our self-imposed comfort zones and closer to Him … if we let them.

It’s so easy to just go through life without being open to those wild turkeys God sends in your path.

Singing worship songs.

Listening to a sermon.

Sitting down with your Bible.

Raising a child.

In a doctor’s office.

Out and about in nature.

What wild turkeys has God sent lately? What wonders is He working in your life?

~*~

Author bio:  

Voni Harris writes from her family’s home on the beautiful Alaskan island of Kodiak, with a husband, a golden retriever and a wheaten terrier to keep her from sitting at the computer too long at a time. 

She holds a radio-TV degree from Drake University, and her short story “The Wedding” was published in Heart-Stirring Stories of Romance (edited by Linda Evans Shephard). 

Her Christian suspense manuscript Nothing Hidden won the 2015 Daphne du Maurier unpublished inspirational category. It was titled “Next of Kin” when it won ACFW’s 2013 First Impressions contest. Tutoring is the second love of her life (after writing). 

Connect with Voni by visiting her blog at, http://vonildawrites.wordpress.com.

Join Denise Hunter for ‘The Convenient Groom’ Pre-Premiere Facebook Party

 

Exciting news for fans of Denise Hunter's stories: Her book The Convenient Groom is making its silver screen premiere as a Hallmark Channel Original Movie! Join Denise and other readers on Facebook on June 16th for a fun author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that's 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)! Denise will be chatting about the book, answering your questions about the book-to-movie process, and of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways too: a $100 Amazon gift card and 25 signed copies of Denise's newest book, The Goodbye Bride!

The movie releases two days after the author chat party on Saturday, June 18th, 9 EDT/8 CDT. Click here for details and to find out more about the movie.

Get your copy of The Convenient Groom so you're ready for a fun book discussion. You can order your copy and find out more about the book here.

Hope to see you on June 16 for Denise's The Convenient Groom Pre-Premiere Facebook Party!

Love is in the Air: Author interview with Deborah M. Piccurelli

It's an honor to host Deborah M. Piccurelli, author of Love Comes Calling, on my blog today.

If you love stories about forgiveness, second chances and romance then you will truly enjoy this book by Deborah. Here's the best news--Deborah is giving away not one, not two but three copies of Love Comes Calling! So that means a total of three people can each win a book in this particular book giveaway contest! 

So read on, enjoy the author interview of Deborah and remember to follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget (found at the end of the interview) for your chance to WIN a book! :)

*Please note: Interview questions by Alexis are in bold, answers from Deborah are not in bold.

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Alexis: I loved your book, Love Comes Calling! It’s such a delightful read. What can you tell my readers about your book? Speak to those who have not read it yet.

Deborah: Thank you for the compliment, Alexis! What I want to tell your readers about my novella is that they will enjoy the story if they are fans of tender, sweet love stories. They will also like it if they enjoy reading stories of forgiveness and redemption. Also, this book has what I hoped is a unique story line. How could a woman forgive a man who almost killed her two years before, let alone fall in love with him?

What did you love the most about writing Love Comes Calling?

It was just a fun book to write. The characters were fun and took over the story almost from the beginning.

Share your favorite memory from writing and publishing Love Comes Calling.

The publishing of this book was sort of a surprise. I heard that Prism Book Group was holding a contest. I didn’t have anything currently completed, but the first thing that came to my mind was this novella, Love Comes Calling I had written years before, so I checked it out to see if it was ready to submit the portion the publisher requested. I found that it needed a good bit of editing, so did a first edit myself. Then a friend, who is a professional editor, also critiqued it. I was one of three authors to win and get to send the complete manuscript in. After a few suggestions to revise, the editor then offered me a contract. I was so excited to see that a little novella I never thought would go anywhere would be published!

The first character we meet in Love Comes Calling is Derek Spencer. Tell my readers about Mr. Spencer. What do you hope readers will respect about him? Is there anything to not like about him? What is his purpose in your story?

I hope that readers will respect the fact that Derek is caring, kind and dashing. And that he wants to make things right, once he has become a Christian. I don’t know if there is really anything to not like about him. Maybe that he deceived Charlie from the beginning? Or that he almost caused her death two years before they met? But he was changed, so he sought forgiveness from the Lord and Charlie, too. But then he lies . . . Derek’s purpose is to be the love interest for Charlie, and an example of the redeemed.

Charlotte "Charlie" is your leading lady. She’s been through trauma but survived. What makes her so strong? What are her hopes, dreams and desires?

Charlie’s strength comes from the Lord, first and foremost. Then she has a strong and loving support system in her family. Her dream was to be a ballet dancer for most of her career life, but that dream has been crushed by Derek. Now, her hope is that, if she can’t dance herself, she’ll teach children to dance. 

Charlotte’s character in Love Comes Calling addresses an issue many women deal with—acceptance. Charlotte does not believe a man will love her just the way she is—scars, flaws and all. Why did you choose to allow this to be Charlotte’s journey? What are you hoping female readers will learn as they read Charlotte’s story?

For people who feel inferior because of looks, lack of talent or social skills can learn that, first, God loves them. They are his workmanship. Next, I would hope the story will encourage them and show that there are people in the world who don’t care what the outside looks like, but will look inside a person to find the beauty there. Lastly, I would hope this story will give them confidence in themselves, and help them to be exactly who God created them to be.

What would you say is the main theme of your novel, Love Comes Calling?

Forgiveness. Forgiveness of self, and forgiveness of one who has offended.

Let’s pretend your book is being made into a movie. What would be a few songs on the soundtrack to Love Comes Calling?

Ah, the first song that comes to mind is from the 70's, I think, and I don’t remember who performed it, but it’s "I Love You Just the Way You Are."

If you book really were made into a movie, who would you want to play Charlotte and Derek? Explain why.

Goodness, I’m not up on the young stars, since I don’t watch a lot of current TV shows and movies. The best I can do is Channing Tatum for Derek, even though Derek has blonde hair and Channing doesn’t. Maybe Rachel McAdams for Charlotte. These two have worked together before, so I know there’s an on-screen chemistry there.

Complete this sentence: As a writer, I love to _______________because

_________________.

As a writer, I love to read because it’s like my own personal, little vacation, and helps me to keep my skills up to par.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Deborah! If you’d like to give away a copy of Love Comes Calling, please leave a question for my readers.

Deborah: Thank you so much for hosting me, Alexis! Great questions. 

Deborah's question for the book giveaway contest is: What would you do if the man who almost killed you and ruined your life showed up on your doorstep two years later?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Author bio: 

After years of reading books and watching movies with an element of romance, Deborah M. Piccurelli’s desire to write romance novels came naturally. She is active in her church and is an advocate for sanctity of life. 

Deborah is the author of two novels, a novella and several cause-related newspaper articles. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and the New Jersey Society of Christian Writers. 

As one of the winners in a contest by The Christian Authors Show, details of Deborah’s writing journey can be found in the 2013-2014 edition of the book, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading. Deborah lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two sons. 

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Blurb for Love Comes Calling:

The day new Christian, Derek Spencer, shows up on Charlie Parkes’s doorstep to make up for what he’d done, is the very day he falls in love with her. But Charlie’s sister mistakes him for a home improvement contractor, and he decides to play along until he finds a way to tell her who he really is.

Charlie is attracted to Derek, but knows the attention he pays her is only flattery. How could such a great-looking guy fall for someone with a face like hers? Nevertheless, the two form a relationship that brings a joy to Charlie that’s way beyond her wildest dreams.

But what will happen when Derek’s true identity is revealed?

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Buy Deborah’s book:
Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1FIENAj

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1ErjNsC

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Connect with Deborah:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/deborah.piccurelli
Pinterest - Pinterest.com/DebPiccurelli

Twitter -@DebPiccurelli

Website - www.deborahmpiccurelli.com

Love is in the Air: Book review for Chance of Loving You

Today, I'd like to share a book I loved from beginning to end. Chance of Loving You is a wonderful book and I appreciated almost everything about it. Read on for my review of this delightful novel and be encouraged to buy a copy and read it too!

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Captivating characters take a chance on love
A book review written by Alexis A. Goring

Bestselling romance authors Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert and Susan May Warren joined creative forces to produce a novel-length anthology containing three short stories, each story penned by one of the authors. The book is called Chance of Loving You.

The first feature about Chance of Loving You that immediately caught my eye and garnered my interest was the cover! It is so beautiful, mesmerizing and whimsical all at once! I love how a lovely couple stands in the center of a city street lined by buildings and illuminated by night lights. The lady is wearing a flowing dress and high heels that look like they went dancing for their date. She looks up at her man adoringly with her arms looped around his neck while he, dressed casually, stares deep into her eyes.

The cover, I admit, is what made me want to read and review this book and I am SO glad I did! Here’s a breakdown of what I thought of each of the three stories that compose Chance of Loving You:

“For the Love of Money” by Terri Blackstock

I give this story an A+ for humor and creativity! It is the most vivid of the three stories in Chance of Loving You. The story starts late at night inside a café with a scene between a man is who is totally devastated and a waitress with a caring heart and listening ear. The author Terri Blackstock did a wonderful job of making the reader care about her two main characters conversing in the café from the moment they start talking.

“For the Love of Money” is about Julie, a waitress who dreams of launching her own design firm and a man who is mourning the death of his dream. Julie meets this man during her shift at the café and is immediately drawn into a conversation with him, wanting to know more about this man whose story—and his good looks—had her at hello.

The author did a delightful job of using something as simple as a lottery ticket within a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates to start the action and take the characters on a whirlwind journey that leads to millionaire status, romance, heartbreak and restoration.

The story is so good! I loved every page of it though at first, I wondered how the author was going to pull such a random storyline off but to my relief, Terri did not disappoint. She is a master storyteller.

“The Recipe” by Candace Calvert

I loved this story! It was one of my favorites because it incorporated my love for food, family and romance. Candace Calvert weaves a beautiful tale full of surprises and heartwarming moments.

“The Recipe” is about hospital dietary assistant Aimee who believes baking is her calling and is hoping to win the Vegan Valentine Bake-Off . But as she cares for one of her patients who happens to be the elderly grandma of a very handsome crime scene photographer, Aimee starts to question if her passion for baking and determination to win that contest, is all she wants in life.

Perhaps Aimee learns that there’s more to life than working your dream job. Maybe she learns that you need to make time for finding and keeping true love. You’ll have to read the story to find out what Aimee determines!

Candace Calvert tells the story in such creative and sweet style that leaves you wanting to read more books by this author. I believe “The Recipe” is the first of what will be many of my favorite books by Calvert!

“Hook, Line & Sinker” by Susan May Warren

My least favorite story because it moved too fast and there wasn’t much room for backstory or character development. I would love to read more books by Susan May Warren because I heard she’s one of the best storytellers. But “Hook, Line & Sinker” was not very impressive.

The story is about graduate student Abigail who decides to enter a fishing contest. She’s competing against a handsome young man who is connected to a sad part of her past. Abigail is very defensive to this gentleman and first but you can tell he cares about her and wants her forgiveness. Susan does a good job of bringing about understanding, restoration and hope for these two characters but it’s not enough to make me love the story.

The author knows how to write a story but it was disappointing because I thought “Hook, Line & Sinker” would be one of my favorite stories ever because of the caliber and reputation of the author. But for me, it wasn’t.

However, I do plan on reading more books by Susan May Warren because given her reputation, I know she must have many wonderful books on the market, ones I will love and write glowing reviews about but this particular story was not one of her best—just my honest opinion. I’m sure there are other readers who disagree and would love this story.

Overall, I would give Chance of Loving You a solid “A” or “four stars” out of five (stars) for a fantastic fictional story world filled with captivating characters and intriguing plots that draw you in from the first page of the book and keep you reading until you reach “The end.”

Bravo!

*Tyndale PR sent a complimentary copy of Chance of Loving You to Alexis in exchange for an honest review.

Love is in the Air: Book review of "Love Comes Calling"

Deborah M. Piccurelli’s book, Love Comes Calling, is a delightful read! I loved reading every line and plot twist of this story. The characters are endearing, the plot captivating and the story not only well-written but unique!

The author’s opening scenes of Love Comes Calling drops the reader into the action, immediately introducing main character Derek Spencer. The reader first meets Derek while he is driving in his SUV, searching for an address. He wants to meet a lady named Charlotte Parkes and reveal his role in ruining her life and career dreams of working as a professional ballerina.

Charlotte's face was injured in an accident and this line from the book says it all, “As long as her face remained in this condition, she would put aside any notions of looking or praying for a soul mate. No matter. She had the Lord to complete her. She didn’t need a man for that.” It sets the stage for what the author plans to do with the main characters in term of their faith in God and how the author shows how God restores the brokenhearted–face and all—not only in the author's fictional story world, but in real life. 

But first, the author reveals the ins and outs of the inner thoughts of Charlotte and Derek. She also shows the reader in conversation between the sisters (Charlotte and Jessica) that society’s norms for what is beautiful and what is not need to be challenged. Charlotte thinks no man will ever love her with a face as damaged as hers. But Jessica assures her sister that there are many men in the world who would look right past those superficial “flaws” and embrace her inner—and outward—beauty. But of course, Charlotte does not believe her and as the story progresses, the reader sees how the author works with that situation to bring about change.

The author does a brilliant job in plotting, characterization and pacing throughout the story. But the most surprising is the first plot twist within the first few paragraphs of chapter one, when Derek arrives at Charlotte’s house and her sister Jessica mistakes him for the contractor they were expecting. The characters are very memorable and each their own person. Charlotte goes by “Charlie” and her sister Jessica is a riot, a very vivacious and aggressive personality compared to Charlie.

The author knows how to captivate the reader from the very first few sentences of Love Comes Calling and keep their attention all the way to the end of the story. It’s a book that you will want to read from start to finish with no interruptions or distractions! Love Comes Calling is worth every bit of my five-star rating! 

I look forward to reading more wholesome, captivating, creative and insightful fiction from this author.

*Book review written by Alexis A. Goring. The author sent an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of her book Love Comes Calling to Alexis in exchange for an honest review.

True Love Stories: The Cutest Nurse in the Navy

God knew when Laura would marry the man of her dreams and so did her Mom!

But who knew God would inspire Laura to speak four little yet oh so major words to her boyfriend Steve during a water gun fight in her apartment? Four words that changed their story forever.

What were those four words and what was Steve's reaction? You'll have to read today's featured true love story to discover the answer! :)

~*~
The Cutest Nurse in the Navy
Laura Hilton’s true love story

My story begins before Steve and I met. Two years before I traveled with my then-boyfriend to his parents’ house for the weekend. As we left Springfield, Missouri, I knew—God speak?—that the man I was with wasn’t the man I would marry. I could “see” my wedding and the man waiting for me. I couldn’t see his face. But I knew it wasn’t the man I was with. Sure enough, we eventually broke up.

In April of 1987, Mom told me, “You’re getting married this year. I feel it.” And she started preparing. I humored her, but thought she was being kind of silly. After all, while I dated, it was different guys and no one I wanted to spend forever with. In fact, I figured I’d remain single forever. I didn’t think I’d ever love anyone like I had the guy I’d dated for four years.

In August, I went home to visit Mom. I went back to Springfield on Monday afternoon, and a guy I was friends with, but not dating, called me up and invited me to a Backyard Bible Study. I was the one who’d started Greg’s involvement with Backyard Bible Studies, when he went with me to a few I attended. Greg didn’t fit in with the particular group that I mostly attended, since he thought more outside the box. So he started his own with other kids that didn’t fit inside that particular box. I didn’t really like Greg’s choice of people he invited to his, but I went to both—one for the fellowship and the study, the other to support Greg.

Anyway, that afternoon when Greg called, I was tired and didn’t really want to go out. I wanted to curl up with a book, but to be polite I asked Greg who would be there. I intended to refuse, begging off with exhaustion. Greg started rattling off names. And then he said “Steve.” I knew a Steve. I knew several men named Steve. But something made me ask, “Steve, who?” And Greg told me. “He just got out of the military, he was back in Springfield, and he attended church Sunday.” So I decided to go to check out the new guy.

Steve and Greg were playing Bible-opoly when I arrived at Greg’s. They put the game up and we went outside. To this day, I don’t remember who else was there, but when I saw Steve—another God speak?—I knew this was the guy I was going to marry.

I am, by nature, a very quiet, shy person. But with Steve I was rather forward. I remember Greg staring at me in shock. I asked Steve about who he was and what he did in the Navy. He told me he was a Navy “doc” stationed with the Marines. A “doc” is kind of the equivalent of a RN. I think I surprised everyone there when I told Steve he was probably the cutest nurse in the Navy. But it piqued his interest.

After the Bible study, Steve and I went to McDonalds and continued talking and getting to know each other. And from that moment on, we were a couple.

One Sunday night after church our single’s group went to McDonalds for our usual outing. It was pouring down rain, and Steve wanted to be a hero and drive my car up to the entrance so I wouldn’t get wet. I drove a 1969 VW bug named Twinkie. I told him “She won’t let you in.” Steve laughed at me. “It’s a car.” So I gave him the keys. He went to Twinkie and tried ten minutes before I went out and opened the door. He claims I didn’t tell him there was a particular trick to opening the car door. I never thought there was. I just knew that no one else could unlock Twinkie. I figured she knew me and wouldn’t let anyone else in.

In October, Steve and I had a water gun fight in my apartment, and I opened my mouth and said words that I still don’t remember saying. It must have been God again.

Steve stopped shooting water and froze. “Yes.”

“Wait. What did I say?” I look at him. Stared, probably.

He said, “You asked me to marry you. I accepted.”

“No, I didn’t mean to say that!” I don’t even remember thinking it!

Steve shook his head. “Too late. I already accepted.”

We married December 19, four months after we met. 

I was right. I don’t love Steve the way I loved the other guy… I probably didn’t even know what love was back then. But Steve and I have been married twenty-eight years now. I am glad God knew, better than I did, who I would marry.

~*~
Author bio: Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards), Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard in April 2015, and The Bird House in September 2015. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. 

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.

~*~

Read Laura's book blurb for The Snow Globe:  

Victor Petersheim has left the Amish and works on a river boat on the Mississippi River, spending three months on the river then having three months off. During his off-work months he returns home to his Amish community and helps out on his grandparents’ farm. When he returns home after his most recent absence, he discovers his grossmammi has developed health problems and they’ve hired Esther Beachy to be a “mother’s helper.” Victor is unsettled by this woman living in their home, but has to accept it. Esther loves listening to Victor’s grandmother’s stories and while puttering around in a store while the grossmammi’s in the hospital, she discovers a snow globe that depicts an area where the Petersheims used to live. She buys it as a gift for the grossmammi to cheer her up during her hospitalization. Victor is touched by Esther’s gift and her care for his grossmammi, and strives to be friendlier. Will Esther’s gentle heart draw him back to the community? Or will he return to the river once again? 

~*~
Buy Laura's books:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1FMZOe1

Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1AzJIQh

Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1Gji63U

Deeper Shopping - http://bit.ly/1zZuYGI 

~*~
Connect with Laura: 
Amazon Author page - http://amzn.to/1FMZOe1
Blogs - http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ 

http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/ 
Twitter - @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

True Love Stories: East Meets West…in the South

"From This Moment On" by Shania Twain is the song that comes to mind when I think of today's featured love story.

It's the story of a lovely lady who fell in love with a man who broke her heart. But that's not where the story ends. After going through a painful divorce and feeling like she hit rock bottom, God surprised Erica. 

Yes, the Almighty God is full of surprises! :) The Bible says He wants to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). God believes in you and He's got the best in store for your life! *Jeremiah 29:11*

So what exactly happened to Erica after her divorce? How did she survive heartbreak? And what kind of surprise did God bring into Erica's life?

Read on to discover the answers to ALL your questions and more! :)

~*~
East Meets West…in the South
Erica’s true love story

Like any girl I believed in fairy tales and true love. I married thinking that everything would work itself out so long as we were both committed and in love. My world was crushed however after I soon found myself in divorce court. I couldn’t believe I had become part of the 50 percent statistic that I had sworn to never be a part of. Heartbroken and completely mystified, I decided that maybe I needed to work on myself first before I gave love another chance. I explored new hobbies and routines, but mostly worked on my relationship with God. My mother claims that God was sick of hearing me cry and sob that he finally said: “Okay enough already! I have something lined up for you.” That’s kind of what happened actually. One lonely afternoon as I was sitting by myself in the home my ex and I had built up together, my roommate asked for me to come meet someone.

He wasn’t in her room or anything; in fact he wasn’t even on the phone. She showed me his Facebook page and asked: “Would you mind if he came to visit us during Thanksgiving?” There he was, this adorable Marine Corp pilot all suited up and dashingly handsome. My goodness I thought “I’m in trouble.” David was a childhood friend of my roommates; they had gone to academy and the same church growing up. Their families were good friends too. He liked to come down to the southern tropics of Florida where we lived and visit my roommate from time to time. My roommate wanted to make sure we knew each other first before he made an official visit to our home. I figured since he was a good friend of hers, he could be my friend too. Besides it’s not like he would be interested in a train wreck like me—divorced, broke, and exhausted from life.

David didn’t care though, and I truly believe God had other plans. From the moment I started to talking to him, I knew he was different. I was of course skeptical because I remembered having those exact same butterflies when I had fallen in love before and it had resulted in total heart break. I introduced myself and told him that my roommate and I were happy to host him for Thanksgiving so long as he respected my house and my rules. Not only did he understand, he was comforting. He wanted to be my boyfriend right away, but I insisted on taking it slow and becoming friends first—he agreed, sort of. After hours and hours of telephone conversations, skype chats, and text messages David flew down and spent the holidays with us. He was everything and more. A true southern gentleman that swept me off my feet with his opening line of “Hello sweetness,” coated in a southern accent. I melted right away. Lord have mercy…I needed to stay strong.

It wasn’t easy but I managed. David was persistent and patient. He called me daily and even purchased me an iPad so that I could communicate easier with him. I was constantly showered with gifts and flowers from afar. He was finishing up instructor pilot training in Texas and I needed to fulfill my teaching contract in Florida. Long distance wasn’t easy, but we made it work. I think we both knew deep down this would end up in marriage, but I didn’t want to jump the gun. I wasn’t used to all this attention and was skeptical of his intentions and his legitimacy. Looking back I’m amazed he kept at me because I would constantly throw him lines like: “Why do you even like me? Don’t you realize I’m damaged goods? Stop calling me pretty, I have 10lbs to lose!?” Maybe it was his military training, but he persevered at winning my heart. A few months later with a custom made ring in his hand, he asked me: “Would you do me the honor of being Mrs. ***for the rest of your life?” Tears in my eyes I hugged him and said: “YES!”

As “Nicholas Sparks” as this story may sound, it really did happen. David not only won me over, he won over my family too. He met my parents; he conversed with them and asked how he could make me happy. When he asked my father for permission to ask for my hand, he agreed on the condition that we attend pre-marital counseling. Within 24 hours he had made an appointment with the base chaplain. When I met his family there was an instant connection. I was so nervous initially because I grew up in the suburbs of Portland, OR and here I was in the deep woods of South Carolina meeting my future family. That nervousness was quickly squashed as their true Christian character was revealed. I quickly realized that he had a wonderful family and his two loving parents had demonstrated to him day in and day out how to love.

This all took place when I least expected. I was in probably the lowest point of my life, and not even contemplating another relationship. I didn’t know it at the time, but my heart was getting ready for the love it deserved. God had a plan for both of us and we were both fortunate enough to benefit from it. Our wedding was nothing short of magical and one for the record books. 

Marriage is never easy, it takes work. A LOT OF HARD WORK. “But what God brings together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6). Never have those words meant more to me than now. I know that as we grow together and begin a family we will face trials and tribulations and triumph every time. Not just because of the love we have for each other, but because that our Creator (God) is the center of it.

~*~
Author bio: Erica and David have been happily married for three years now. They currently reside in California as her husband finishes his assignment. Every few years they pick up and move whatever the needs of the Marine Corp may be.

Erica has taught in the classroom for five years. She received her bachelors from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y. and is pursuing her masters in Spanish Education online from Nova Southeastern University.

After California they will be heading to Georgia where Erica hopes to put her new education to use in a high school classroom.

They hope to be parents in the next year or so and ask for God's blessing as they embark on the journey.

True Love Stories: How I Met Antonio

"Through the Eyes of Love" as performed by Britt Nicole for the movie Ice Castles (2010) could be the theme song to the true love story featured today.

"How I Met Antonio" is the story of how Nikki Arana, a successful real estate broker from a wealthy family, met and married the man of her dreams. But it wasn't as easy as you may think nor was how they met predictable. Obstacles were along the route to Nikki's dreams but she and Antonio managed to survive.

You'll have to read the story for all the lovely details. So here it is...

~*~
How I Met Antonio
Nikki Arana’s true love story

1975

There was nothing unusual about this sunny, spring day on a Northern California Arabian horse ranch. Except that it would change two lives — forever . . .

“Come, Antonio.” The young, successful business woman hurriedly motioned the Mexican laborer to follow her. He spoke no English and her Spanish was minimal. Hand signals almost always bridged the gap.

He quickly fell into step behind her.

Hoping the rocks in the pasture wouldn’t scratch her Italian leather boots, she picked her way across a field to a fenced pasture. She was already late to a listing appointment but this pasture had to be made ready for an expensive mare, recently bred, that had just arrived.

As they approached the gate, Antonio rushed in front of her to open it. She smiled. He had only been hired the day before. The ranch manager had told her he’d come from Sacramento. Like most of the men who cleaned the stalls, he didn’t speak English or read or write. He was just a laborer. Still, even at that first meeting she’d sensed something different about him. Not just that he was tall, and, well, handsome, but there was something else. The way he held himself, the dark, intelligent eyes, a strength that didn’t threaten.

He waited for her to walk through the gate, then closed it.

A few more steps and they arrived at a slimy, filthy water trough.

“This isn’t fit for that mare to drink from,” she said out loud, then flushed, realizing he couldn’t understand a word she said.

She pointed to the trough. “You clean.” She made a scrubbing motion with her hand. Suddenly, she realized she hadn’t brought anything with her so he could clean it—no rags, Ajax, or steel wool.

She was about to signal him to sit down so she could run back up to the house and get something when he began looking around in the field. He picked up a rock with a flat side and studied it. Then he returned to the trough, kneeled down, let the water out, and began to scrub. Amazingly, the filth fell away and the metal shone through. She watched, curious and fascinated. He’d solved the problem with a rock!

Then she noticed his smile. It lit his face as he worked, patiently keeping at the task, whistling softly. He did his work with a kind of quiescent joy. His quiet, simple way touched her.

She stood silent, watching him. The minutes passed. The beautiful spirit revealed before her, there in the field at the dirty water trough, sparked an inner longing. A silent, unexpected indictment of her moneyed family and privileged lifestyle. How could this delight for life have survived the poverty and nothingness, the years of hunger and want that drove so many from his homeland? She lowered her eyes. His humble act, done with such willing care, drew her.

She wanted to know more about him.

. . . And that is how I met the man of my dreams. The beautiful, kind and gentle person that I met first met has never changed. That day that he first touched my heart was May 15, 1975. I got to know him over that summer and in November we decided to get married the following March. Needless to say, my parents were shocked and not happy that their successful, top-producing real estate broker daughter had made this choice! But as time passed and their grandchildren arrived, they came to love him. Next year will be our 40th wedding anniversary.

This is truly a love story. Our years together have had many challenges. A learning disabled son, the housing market meltdowns of 1980 and 2008, illnesses and even deaths have tried to rob us of our joy. But the love that brought us together not only sustained us but grew stronger. This Valentines Day won’t be “special.” It will be like every other day I have been married to him. I will be showered with kindness, understanding and the constant, living example of the scriptural directive, “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church . . .”

~*~
Author bio: 

Nikki Arana is an award-winning author of suspense, women’s fiction, essays, poetry, and magazine articles whose work has been published in the United States, Canada and Indonesia. She has won several national awards, including The Carol Award - twice, and the Beacon Award. Her book, The Winds of Sonoma was named One of the Top 20 Books of the Year by Christianbook.com. 

Nikki is also the recipient of the Excellence in Media Silver Angel Award. All of her books deal with social, political, and spiritual issues that confront society today. She is an experienced speaker and has presented numerous, highly successful workshops on the craft of writing.

Nikki also serves persecuted Christians who are under the threat of death through her ministry, A Voice for the Persecuted. Her newest release, The Next Target, was inspired by her ministry and recently won the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s 2013 Christian Book Award for Fiction. You can visit her website here, www.NikkiArana.com or connect with her at Nikki Arana, Author on Facebook.