Dana R. Lynn, Jennifer Uhlarik, Dana Mentink | New Novel News

Presumed Guilty
by Dana R. Lynn

Published April 1, 2015
Love Inspired Suspense
Purchase: Presumed Guilty

“I’m innocent!” After four years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit, Melanie Swanson’s finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she’s guilty- including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace’s certainty cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie’s clearly innocent- and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiancé and her freedom when she was found guilty- but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life.

Get to know Dana...

What’s your favorite book? 
My favorite book ever is Pride and Prejudice. I have read it countless times, along with all the variation and spin off stories I could get my hands on. I have watched all the movies, too.

Cats or dogs? 
Cats. Definitely. They have so much personality. Plus, there’s something comforting about holding a purring cat in your arms.  

Would you rather go to the future or past? 
I would prefer the past. I will admit, however, that the idea of going without indoor plumbing terrifies me. And the lack of electricity…yeah, don’t much care for that idea either.

The Oregon Trail Romance Collection
with Jennifer Uhlarik

Published April 1, 2015
Barbour
Purchase: The Oregon Trail Romance Collection

Dreams Are Challenged and Romance Is Born on the Journey West. Risking all their hopes and dreams on promises of fertile land in the Northwest, thousands set off on the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. Despite the majestic landscape and daily opportunities for fireside chats, the trail was hardly the place these migrants expected to find romance. In these nine novellas, travelers on the wagon trains experience all the challenges and dangers of the trail. Travel along on romantic adventures in which faith is honed. Some will lose much, settled down along the trail, and even turn back home, while others endure to the end with a love by their side.

Get to know Jennifer...

What are the names of your pets? 
Gracie, Jake, Paisley, and Pippa. (The first two are dogs, the last two are cats).

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? 
Hawaii. My husband and I cruised around the islands for our honeymoon.

Favorite dessert? 
Cheesecake. Preferably one of the crazy flavors they serve at The Cheesecake Factory. (Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my chin…)

Secret Refuge
by Dana Mentink

Published April, 2015
Love Inspired Suspense
Purchase: Secret Refuge

Former parole officer Mick Hudson blames himself for the death of Keeley Stevens's sister. If he hadn't paroled a criminal, she might still be alive. When he hears that the suspected killer has been spotted in Keeley's hometown, he worries she might be the next victim. Keeley doesn't want to take help from the man who could have prevented her sister's death, but she has more than herself to worry about. She'll do anything it takes to protect her family. And Mick will risk his life to make sure that the past does not repeat itself.

Get to know Dana...

What are the names of your pets?
We've got a quirky German Shepard mix who answers to the name of Nala, and a geriatric box turtle named Boyd. My teen daughter also owns Indiana, a lovely yellow parakeet who resists my efforts to teach her to talk.

If you could live in a fantasy world, who’s would it be? 
I think I'd like to hang out in Narnia, or possibly Oz but only for a short time because there's no place like home, as they say!

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning? 
I have to have my quiet time with a Bible reading and devotional. It just reminds me about what's important before I dive into the day.
Thanks for having me and God bless!

Leave your comments below to enter to win!

WIN a copy of Motherless by Erin Healy and $10 Starbucks Gift Card

It's been a while since I've done a giveaway that included the best friend for all who write and read: COFFEE. Those of you who know me know my addiction

>insert guilty look here<

You may remember my review of Erin Healy's novel, Motherless back in January. Well, now you can etner for the chance to read it yourself!

To enter, check out the Rafflecopter giveaway options below. Share with your friends!

I'll announce the winner on April 13th. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

When I'm Most Inspired

There are times when I think I'll explode if I don't write about how I'm feeling. I realize that may be a very odd thing to admit to. I also realize that not everyone feels that way. But it happens. It sneaks up on me and then it's like BAM:

INSPIRATION

Sometimes it's a story I read. Or a photo. Or a memory. Or a song.

Right now it's a song: Hoppípolla by Sigur Rós. They are an Icelandic band and I have absolutely no idea what the song is about or what they are saying. There is something unbelievably moving about it though. (Follow me on Spotify!)

I often marvel at our human ability to be moved by the arts. I can watch a talented dancer giving it their all or hear a beautiful singer (hello Lady Gaga with her tribute to The Sound of Music) and feel completely overwhelmed. It's the same for me when I am in nature, surrounded by trees and everything is still. It whispers to my soul, brings tears to my eyes, and reminds me...

He is creator. 

I don't create because I'm talented. I created because He is. I wouldn't have the understanding, the inspiration, or the ability to do anything without this crazy thing called life. Where do ideas come from? The world around us (created by Him). Human nature (created by Him). Our own minds (created by Him).

If you lack inspiration, maybe you are lacking time with Him, enjoying His creation, and relishing the simple complexity that is life. I know that getting out into nature or taking time away from the busy nature of life helps me focus and remember who He is.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1

What do you think? What inspires you? Where do you go to be inspired? What music inspires you?

Stephanie Landsem {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Stephanie...

Stephanie Landsem, author of The Living Water Series, writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

How to connect with Stephanie...

Website: www.stephanielandsem.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6509583.Stephanie_Landsem
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanielandsem  
Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/stephlandsem
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/slandsem/
Purchase: The Tomb: A Novel of Martha (The Living Water Series)

Author Interview | Stephanie Landsem

You and Writing

What is one book or resource you would recommend to other writers? Why?
...I love using maps in my research. I’m very visual and maps—whether a modern arial view of the Jordan river or an ancient hand-drawn map of Jerusalem—give me a firm grounding in my setting. I couldn’t visualize my story without them. 

...I just found a great map website that I could explore for hours, The David Rumsey Historic Map collection can be found here http://www.davidrumsey.com/home. Another fun map website is Old Maps Online: http://project.oldmapsonline.org/ I’d highly recommend spending some time with them as you plot and write.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book.
...I like to describe the Tomb, A Novel of Martha, as a surprising story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. As I say in an introductory letter at the front of the book:

The Tomb: A Novel of Martha is not an attempt to recount the historical events that took place in Bethany two thousand years ago. Instead, it is a re-imagining of how Martha, a woman who was “anxious and worried about many things,” might have been transformed into the faith-filled woman of John 11:22, who said to Jesus—as her brother lay in his tomb—“Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

We’ll never know Martha’s true story. Instead, I hope to bring to you her message: no matter what sins and doubts haunt our pasts, we can lay our worries and anxieties at Jesus’ feet, and he will, in return, give us “the better part.”

Who is your favorite character and why?
...Like many women, I’ve always identified with Martha—the worrier, the worker—and as I suspected, she was my favorite character to write about in The Tomb. I loved exploring what made her so anxious because many women have some of the same hurts and worries in their lives that they try to alleviate with busyness. We find it hard to ‘sit at the feet of Jesus’ and truly accept the better part from him.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I hope that my readers can see themselves in Martha. Martha was like many women: full of doubt, worried, and haunted by her past. Jesus met her where she was—in her doubt and pain and anxiety. Through him, she was able to grow in strength and faith and finally profess her firm belief in Jesus even in the face of her brother’s death.

You

Favorite writing snack: 
...Peanut Butter M&Ms

Book you’re reading right now: 
...The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

If you could go anywhere in the world for one month (for free) where would it be and why?
...My dream trip is a month-long tour of New Zealand with my family. We are huge LOTR nerds!

Leave a comment below to enter to win a copy of The Tomb, A Novel of Martha! 

(US entrants only, winner announced April 6)

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Thank you so much for being on the blog today Stephanie! I love your advice about maps. I've found myself working on a little side project working on what I'd call a "light" historical and I'm searching for maps all over the place! I'll need to take a look at those links. I also love your take on Mary and Martha's story (and let's not forget Lazrus). It's the beauty of fiction to take something that was and write what could have been! And, I am 100% with you on the New Zealand choice! I myself am a huge LOTR fan so I identify there ;)

JoAnn Durgin | New Novel News

Heart's Design
by JoAnn Durgin

Published March 27, 2015
Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Purchase: Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance

Caroline wants to grab hold of the future. Seth can’t let go of the past.

Recent Wellesley College graduate Caroline Prescott’s future is set in stone. After Harvard Law School, she’ll step into place beside her two brothers in their father’s legendary Boston law firm. Caroline secretly longs for the quiet, peaceful life and a career designing jewelry with precious gemstones instead of life as a hotshot Boston attorney.

On a hiking trip with her two best friends weeks before entering law school, Caroline meets Seth Barnes in charming Evergreen, Maine. A mineralogist and part-time college professor, Seth drives a truck sporting an I Dig Rocks license plate, lives in hiking clothes, flannel shirts and jeans, and loves Jesus.

Two years later, when they meet again, Caroline and Seth confront both the promise of possibility and the pain of past heartaches. What’s a girl to do when the man she secretly loves has a serious girlfriend and seems determined to hold her at arm’s length? And what’s a guy to do when he can’t stay away from a certain irresistible woman no matter how hard he tries? Does the Lord have His own design for their hearts?

Heart’s Design, a love story filled with love, friendship, family, and the power of forgiveness.

Get to know JoAnn...

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie?
Reese Witherspoon because she’s blonde, spirited and has lots of spunk!

What are you reading right now?
Paper Hearts, a contemporary Christian romance with yes—heart—by Courtney Walsh. I’m enjoying the book; it has all the elements I look for in a good book: poignancy, depth of characters and yes, a love story. You knew I had to say that, right?

Which of your characters do you secretly have a crush on?
Come on now, is that really a fair question? My crush is my current hero. Okay, I might get in trouble if I don’t answer by saying Sam Lewis since his character is loosely based on my husband, Jim. However, I’ll admit to adoring each hero for his own unique qualities. I adore Seth Barnes, the mineralogist in Heart’s Design. He gives Caroline Prescott a gift from his heart after he first meets her, not knowing if they’ll ever meet again. And that definitely makes him a crush-worthy, sigh-inducing man!

**Leave a comment below sharing what actor/actress would be cast to play you if your life was a movie and you'll be entered to win a copy of Heart's Design!**

Winners will be announced April 6th

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris | RE:View

In this last novel to Lisa Harris's Southern Crimes series, Michael Hunt, undercover detective, is found alive, but that may not be for long. His fate rests in the hands of Olivia Hamilton, the daughter of the man who is hunting Michael down.

As we race through the pages with Michael and Olivia, Lisa weaves in twists and turns that will have you wondering how they will make it out alive when it seems as if the world is stacked against them.

I found Michael and Olivia to be well rounded, though Olivia's brother didn't get much in the way of "filling out". I often wondered, what is he doing? I enjoyed the conflict and suspense, though at times felt some scenes were to abrupt to actually feel the danger. I also would have loved to see more of the blossoming of romance between Michael and Olivia, which I understand is hard to do in a fast paced story like this.

Overall, a great read that mostly kept me interested. I feel as if it was a fitting end to the series as well, seeing how characters from the other novels were drawn in for Hidden Agenda. I would recommend this to fans of romantic suspense, especially those who have read the other novels in this series.

Rating: 3.8*
Purchase: Hidden Agenda: A Novel (Southern Crimes) (Volume 3)
Start off with: Dangerous Passage: A Novel (Southern Crimes) (Volume 1) then Fatal Exchange: A Novel (Southern Crimes) (Volume 2)


Book Description
(from Amazon)

His cover is blown. Now his enemies are on his heels and closing in.

Michael Hunt is alive--and on the run. Presumed dead by friends and family, the undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. His only hope is Olivia Hamilton--the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

This nonstop chase from Christy Award-winning Lisa Harris will leave you breathless.

_________________________

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Varina Denman {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Varina...

Varina Denman writes stories about the unique struggles women face. She has five children, teaches creative writing and literature, volunteers in her local homeschool cooperative, and boasts sixteen years as a home educator. She resides with her family in North Texas. Her first novel, Jaded, won the 2013 ACFW Genesis Award.

How to connect with Varina...

Blog: varinadenman.com
Goodreads: goodreads.com/varinadenman
Facebook: facebook.com/varina.denman
Twitter: @varinadenman 
Pinterest: pinterest.com/varinadenman
Purchase:  Jaded: A Novel (Mended Hearts Series)

Author Interview | Varina Denman

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing? ...I’m not one of those people who knew from childhood that she wanted to be a writer. In fact, I can’t even imagine that. In school, writing was nothing more than a boring assignment to me. Then again, in fourteen years of schooling, I only recall one creative writing assignment, so that might have something to do with it. But I really enjoyed that one short story!

...I started writing “for real” six years ago. I had been a stay-at-home mom for almost twenty years, and I’d read a lot of books during that time. I decided I might give it a try, and it has been more fun than I ever dreamed possible.

Your Writing

What motivates you to write?
...When I first started writing, I knew I wanted to write inspirational romance, but I didn’t set out to write a topic as deep as that of Jaded. The plot just sort of evolved from a light romance into a story that continues to tear at my heart. I guess that’s what was in my soul at the time.

Do you have a favorite character in Jaded?
...My favorite character is Ansel Pickett. He’s not the hunky preacher, or the likeable cousin, or the convicted rapist, or even the church leader gone bad...he’s only a minor character I stuck into a few scenes. He’s the heroine’s seventy-year-old uncle, and he’s precious. He talks softly if he talks at all. He moves slowly and works on his ranch harder than any thirty-year-old. But most of all, he loves my heroine, Ruthie, like a daughter.


Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your characters and stories?
...My characters are a jumbled mix of real life and imagination. Usually the crux of a character—her motives and goals—come from something that I saw in real life. But when I develop the character’s unique personality, I let my imagination run.

...My stories are typically based on a painful event, and because of that, my overall intention is to encourage people. Everyone hurts at one time or other and my prayer is that through my stories, readers can draw hope. Especially if they’ve been through a similar situation.

You

Have you been to a writers conference? If so, which one(s)?
...I love writer conferences! I’ve attended through the North Texas Christian Writers and the American Christian Fiction Writers, and every time I absolutely soaked up information like a sponge. The classes and sessions were remarkably helpful, both as a newby writer and as an intermediate when I began to progress.

...However, the best thing by far about conferences is meeting other writers. I felt like I was finally surrounded by people who speak my same language. I’ve made friends, mentors, and critique partners. In fact, I met Emilie Hendryx at the 2013 ACFW Conference. :)

In light of St. Patrick's Day, what's your favorite green food?
..My favorite green food would have to be mint chocolate chip ice cream, for obvious reasons. And in honor of Emilie, and her Thinking Thoughts blog, I will sacrifice my diet and buy a half gallon. 

...Thank you for inviting me, Emilie!

Leave a comment to enter to win a copy of Varina's novel, Jaded.

 (US entrants only, please. Winner will be announced April 1st - no foolin'!)

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Thank you so much for being my guest Varina! Hum...I think I may need to honor your visit by a half gallon as well ;) Why didn't I think of that before? Thank you for this wonderful interview and I'm so happy to introduce you to my readers! I'm also very excited for you with the release of Jaded and can't wait to see what's up next for you.