The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

Book Description:

Tipper has been caring for her family's estate for years now, ever since her father disappeared, making a living by selling off his famous artwork. Then she learns that three statues she sold were carved from an ancient foundation stone, and the fabric of her reality is crumbling. She must free her father and save the world. But she can't do it alone.
Her ragtag band of adventurers includes Beccaroon, a giant parrot; Bealomondore, an aristocratic young artist; a handsome dragonkeeper prince; the Wizard Fenworth; and the tumanhofer librarian, Librettowit. Together they travel through valleys and kingdoms and consort with purveyors of good and agents of evil to find and reunite the missing statues. Will they learn to rely on Wulder's grace and guidance along the way?

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book. Tipper's father has been missing for many years. To take care of her family, she has been selling her father's work a bit along. When her father returns, with some interesting characters, she learns that she may have inadvertantly caused the world to start crumbling! Now she along with the little band have to find the sculptures.

The mixture of characters in this little band was great! You will instantly fall in love with the characters and the world that is created in this book. I loved the different races. Tipper was a strong character that I appreciated. A well written young adult novel that if you are an adult like me, will entertain you as well!

I rate this a 4/5. It was a really good read that was highly entertaining.

Thank you to WaterBrook for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Adrenaline by Jeff Abbott (Audio Book)

If you knew this was our final day together, what would you say to me?"
"Anything but good-bye. I can't ever say good-bye to you."

ADRENALINE

Sam Capra is living the life of his dreams.

He's a brilliant young CIA agent, stationed in London. His wife Lucy is seven months pregnant with their first child. They have a wonderful home, and are deeply in love.

They have everything they could hope for...until they lose it all in one horrifying moment.

On a bright, sunny day, Sam receives a call from Lucy while he's at work. She tells him to leave the building immediately. He does...just before it explodes, killing everyone inside. Lucy vanishes, and Sam wakes up in a prison cell. As the lone survivor of the attack, he is branded by the CIA as a murderer and a traitor.

Escaping from the agency, Sam launches into a desperate hunt to save his kidnapped wife and child, and to reveal the unknown enemy who has set him up and stolen his family. But the destruction of Sam's life was only step on in an extraordinary plot-and now Sam must become a new kind of hero.

My Thoughts:
This book was a ride! Sam's last day of 'normal' life involved a bombing and his pregnant wife being kidnapped. He is a member of the Company and his work, family and life are all stripped from him in one day. Believed to be the lone survivor, Sam is branded a traitor and is 'questioned' by the Company in their time and with their methods. No matter if his story never changes, he keeps focused on one goal...finding his missing wife and child.
Sam was a wonderfully complex and yet almost broken character. He had only one goal in mind and that was finding his wife and son....nothing else mattered to him and I LOVED that. Mia was an interesting character, I can't wait to learn more about her though we did get some interesting glimpses into her past. Lucy was twisted, Howell just mean, August loyal and the other players were also written to perfection.
I rate this a 4/5. It was a great ride but was 'rough' in some spots to where I wouldn't reccomend it for all people. But I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to Hachette for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin

Book Description:
In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?
When her husband becomes a casualty of the war in the Pacific, Helen Carlisle throws herself into volunteering for the war effort to conceal her feelings. But keeping up appearances as the grieving widow of a hometown hero is taking its toll. Soon something is going to give.
Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit. His stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life—and a convenient excuse to ignore his deepest fear. When the beautiful Helen catches his eye and captures his heart, he is determined to win her hand.
But when Ray and Helen are called upon to step out in faith and put their reputations and their lives on the line, can they meet the challenges that face them? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

My Thoughts:
This was a wonderful book. Helen the widow of the town's hero. She puts on a front for everyone, including her son. The one thing Helen can't deal with is the reality of her former situation. Ray is a pilot whose wings are taken from him when a teacher has to have combat experience to teach. He and Helen reunite after his many years away from home and the attraction is mutual. He has helped many people in his pastoral duties but can he help the woman he's grown to love?
I loved Ray. He and his father were my favorite characters in this book. Helen was difficult. I felt so sorry for her and at the same time I hated how broken she was. I completely disliked her father in law...and her mother in law for that matter. They were terrible and tried to make Helen and her son be the same way. Her son was precious, if needing in discipline. All in all, the book gave you a lot to ponder while being a good story.
I rate this a 5/5. There were some parts I didn't like, but that was only because of how realistic they were!

Thank you to Revell for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

“Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Descendants by R.Lynn

Book Description:

DESCENDANTS is book one of the Descendants Saga series. Mythologies such as Basque, Greek and urban legends find their origins in Descendants. It is a fresh, bold and contemporary look at popular folklore.
The only thing that mattered to Sollara was escaping the Deep Kingdom and exploring the world she had only ever dared to dream about. But when her dreams clash with her reality, she awakes in the arms of a handsome stranger, somewhere in an unknown and magical land. Not knowing who her enemies or allies are, she turns to those she was raised to despise for help.
All she had was her soul and she was determined to keep it.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book. Sollara is a captive in her own home. On her 18th birthday, she asks for the one thing she really wants, to see the surface world. She and her 'people' live in the Deep Kingdom as they have been banished from Atlanticus. When she meets Kai, everything she thinks she knows is called into question and she begins the journey that she was destined to have...or was she?

The author did a wonderful job of making these characters real to me. The book is full of 'magic' as most people would call it but its written quite well. Sollara is understandably confused by the turn of events her life has taken. Kai is confused as well but for different reasons. Mari is just evil. Asima is an amazing character in many ways. I fell in love with all the characters is this book and can't wait to read more from this author. Really this is a story that once you start, you won't be able to put down until its over....then you will want more!

I rate this a 5/5. I will say it isn't a 'clean' read but it is very enjoyable!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Island of Living Trees (A Reboot Mystery #2) by CL Ragsdale

Book Description:
An island infested with trees that walk around, capture unsuspecting visitors and turn them into trees? An absurd fable unworthy of being taken seriously, unless that is you are a member of Irene's Eerie Adventures then it is Good TV and that is your business. Once again Irene Waters finds herself in the unknown territory of the sensational as she and her cameraman, Troy Stenson, visit Isla de los Árboles Vivos, or The Island of Living Trees.
Supposedly the island is under the curse of a banished Indian shaman who turned himself into a tree and does the same to anyone unfortunate enough to wear out their welcome on the island. Sensational tales abound, but actual facts, thanks to Reboot's consistently unreliable research department, are scarce. However, such minor details have taken a back seat to the sensational storyline. As usual.
As if animated trees were not enough to contend with, Irene is also facing issues of the human persuasion inserting themselves into the story.
Yvonne Ruben is an overzealous political candidate determined to protect an up to now unheard of species of island fox whose existence Irene suspects may be more wishful thinking than concrete in nature. Steve Parker, the superstitious boat captain who has a past relationship with Yvonne, wants them off the island before they even arrive. Brian Wells, an enthusiastic real estate developer thinks the island would be a good investment, putting him in direct conflict with Yvonne. Worst of all, there is Pepper Fierce, an environmentalist who insists her sole concern is the aforementioned island fox but whose attention seems solely fixated on Troy.
Things go from bad to weird (what else is new?) once the Reboot Team, Yvonne, Pepper and Steve arrive on the island. Troy's mind is on the charms of Pepper not the mystery, and for some reason he is nervous of the trees. Pepper seems intent not on finding her precious fox, but in turning Troy against Irene. Steve won't leave his boat, and Yvonne is merely tolerating the others. Then a member of the party mysteriously disappears, and everyone, with the exception of Irene, is certain they have been kidnapped and turned into a tree. Outnumbered and on defense, Irene must rely on the long distance assistance of her station manager Bernie Youngman to cut the tree myth off at its roots and solve the mystery.

My Thoughts:
This was highly entertaining. Irene and Troy are at it again. Now, they are looking into the mystery of an island whose trees are legend to move around and if you stay on the island, you are likely to become one! Yvonne and Pepper don't intend on letting Troy and Irene get their story but the question is why? Why would a politician and an environmentalist care? When things go from bad to worse when they get to the island, Irene is left to ponder these questions on her own as her partner is too busy 'finding sites' and flirting with Pepper...
I was so very happy to have this duo back in this newest installment of the Reboot Files. In this story, we learn a bit more about Troy, though there are still a lot of questions I have. Irene continues to baffle him and most the people around her with her seemingly unwavering faith. The boat captain, Steve, really caught my attention and was a great character. I very much enjoyed the story line and it was a good, fast read.
I rate this a 5/5. Good read that will highly entertain you!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Book Description:
In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own—some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him?

Readers will be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness from reader favorite Laura Frantz. Her solid research and deft writing immerse readers in the world of the early frontier while her realistic characters become intimate friends.

My Thoughts:
I very much enjoyed this book. Roxanna is making her way to her father, a soldier at a Kentucky fort. She is running from her past and to her father, only to find that he has died. Cass, the commanding officer at her father's fort, took her father's dying wish that he take care of her very seriously. He feels guilt and remorse for the role he played in her father's death and knowing she has no where else to turn, offers her a job...replacing her father. As the two get closer, the knowledge Cass keeps to himself may just become a rift they can never get over.
The author was great at giving you exactly how the character was feeling. You could 'see' the changes in Cass and Roxie as the story progressed. Bella is a wonderful character and I absolutely adored Abby. The mix of characters is good and there is just a bit of suspense. All in all, a good 'by the fire' read!
I rate it a 4/5. It was a wonderful story line and I will look for more from this author.

Thank you to Revell for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

“Available August 2011 at your favorite book seller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate) by Gail Carriger Audio Book

Book Description
Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

My Thoughts:

I absolutely fell in love with this book. Honestly, in the beginning, I was skeptical, but by the end of the first chapter, I was hooked! A very pregnant Lady Alexia is waddling around, trying to avoid being murdered. It seems the baby she is carrying is an unknown possible danger and the vampires have taken it upon themselves to rid the world of that danger and at the moment, that requires killing Alexia as well. The cure for this is to let a vampire adopt her unborn child and fix a living situation where she, her husband (and his pack), and a vampire get along in close quarters. With a plot to kill the queen, ghosts, werewolves, vampires, an inventor, and a very strange sister, Alexia has her work cut out for her!

I was at first confused by Alexia but then it turned more into amusement the more I got to know her. She is a lady, and quite sure that manners can fix any situation. Lord Akeldama was a scheming, wonderful character. Collin was great as was his pack. I liked his tough 'I'm going to fix it all' attitude added to his completely in love with his wife! The whole cast of characters was marvelous and I can't wait to read more about each of them.

This is a 5/5. I am off to order the other books in this series now :)

Thank you to Hachette for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

My Stop on the Hot Summer Reads w/Edge Blog Tour!!!

Here are 4 Christian Fiction Edgy Reads you won't wanna miss! Three of them are by absolutely amazing authors and the last one is my shameless self promotion :) Hope you enjoy!!

A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason is a fast paced, action and drama filled book that will keep you completely engrossed throughout! Kit is a hostage negotiator and now has a new partner, Noah. He is a man she admires and she earns his respect as they investigate a murder that turns into much more. Kit's personal life is a bit of a mess as well, but it gets personal when the murderer they are tracking brings her new family into it. As the tension grows, so does the attraction between Kit and Noah.

False Witness by Randy Singer is amazing! It starts with a bang and just gets better from there. An algorithm that would negate the Internet security already in place is obviously worth killing for. Bail Bondsmen, lawyers, witness protection and many more are all intertwined to bring you to the edge of your seat.

Jake Taylor is a US Marshall who is worn out and exhausted but the best at his job. His current assignment has him wishing he were anywhere else. Protecting Judge Liz Michaels is the last thing he wants to do, but he will, no matter how much he dislikes his late best friends' wife. As the danger gets closer, so do Jake and Liz. Will he be able to keep her alive and trust God with the outcome?

Now time for the shameless self-promo :) Shadows of Suspicion is a book written by me that (I hope) keeps you on the edge of your seat. Kerry is the 'safe' one of her family being a second grade teacher but that doesn't stop the men who want revenge against her brother. She is kidnapped and her brothers' bring in the best man for the job to find her, Luke Reeding. When the two of them meet, sparks fly. Kerry and Luke have to stay one step ahead of the kidnappers and keep their hearts intact.

I hope you've enjoyed my views on these books and I hope I've given you some wonderful ideas for your TBR list!

Indemnity by Paula Wiseman

Book Description:
After years of believing Chuck's affair is behind them, Bobbi's marriage is tested again when Tracy Ravenna resurfaces. Tracy's not alone, though. Jackson Charles Ravenna is the newest student in Bobbi's first grade class and the spitting image of her husband. When Chuck decides to pursue joint custody, they discover Jack isn't the only secret Tracy's been hiding. As Tracy's past begins to threaten their future with Jack, Bobbi is forced to face the unsettling truth about God's grace. But this time, what will it cost to forgive the unforgivable?

My Thoughts:
This was a good book. Years after Chuck's affair and he and Bobbi have moved on, it all comes boiling back up. A child, Jack, shows up in Bobbi's first grade class that looks just like Chuck. Tracy is back and Chuck wants joint custody of the child she has hidden from him for the past seven years. Besides throwing the child in Bobbi's face, this tests her and Chuck's marriage. How many times must she forgive and what is the cost?
The author did an amazing job with these characters. You have to love Jack. He is an innocent child caught in the middle of this mess and doesn't understand. You feel Bobbi's pain and anger, and you sympathize with her. The strange thing is, you also feel for Tracy. That was unexpected for me and I was impressed with the author's ability there. The storyline really makes you think and examine your life as you read. Very touching book.
I rate this a 5/5. You don't have to but I would suggest reading her first book in the series, Contingency to understand all of the characters better.

Thank you to PumpUp for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson

Book Description:

With a head more suited to bookkeeping than a bridal veil, Ida’s dreams include big business- not beaus.
Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.
Under Mollie's tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man's world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family's reservations about Mollie O'Bryan's business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can't ignore the two men pursuing her affections—Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.
Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed “suggestions” that young ladies don’t belong in business. Will it take unexpected love—or unexpected danger—for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?

My Thoughts:

This book was pretty good. Ida is the oldest Sinclair sister (and this is the 2nd book in the series). She is determined to be a business woman though it seems everyone opposes it! She doesn't move to Colorado to find a husband but to find success! She has to deal with lots of matchmaking, but there are two good choices so who will it be? She also has some decisions to make about some business practices...

I like that Ida isn't easily intimidated and is determined to find her success. The secondary characters are entertaining and bring a lot to the story. I would have liked a little more character development for her two male choices, a lawyer and a preacher. I liked them but it felt something was missing.

This is a 4/5. A good, quick read that isn't too heavy!

Thank you to LibraryThing for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Interview with Author Rose McCauleys!

Good morning all! Please help me welcome author of Nick's Christmas Carol, Rose McCauleys!!!

AW: Tell us about yourself…
[Rose Mccauley] I am a farmer's wife, mother of three and grandmother to three. I taught elementary school for 27 years, then retired to write down the stories of all the characters who kept appearing in my mind!

AW: What genera do you write and why?
[Rose Mccauley] Although I have selections pubbed in seven non-fiction anthologies and devotions, Christmas Belles of Georgia is my first fiction publication, so I am very excited about it! My novella is contemporary romance, but I also write women's fiction and have written some historicals, too. I like to read almost all genres (except science fiction) so like to write in many genres, too.

AW: Tell us about your book….
[Rose Mccauley] My novella is entitled "Nick's Christmas Carol" and is one of four stories in the collection Christmas Belles of Georgia. Each of our stories centers on one of a set a quadruplets separated at birth and how God has and is working in their lives as they prepare to meet one another for the first time. It is a sweet Christmas-themed book.

AW: What was your inspiration for this book?
[Rose Mccauley] Jeanie Smith Cash, who has had several Barbour anthologies published, came up with the original idea of the four quads, then each of us came up with our own storyline. I decided to make my heroine a young rich girl who used to be not-so-nice, but since becoming a Christian has changed her ways. Now she wants to help others, and I was able to use a Christmas activity we did with our kids as something she and the hero do in the story for a poor family.

AW: Do you have a favorite character and why that one?
[Rose Mccauley] Both my hero, Nick, and my heroine, Carol, are favorites, plus Carol's grandmother who happens to be Nick's boss.

AW: Did you find anything particularly difficult in writing this book?
[Rose Mccauley] The synopsis was probably the hardest because I only had one chapter written before I wrote it, but the story was a breeze to write with the detailed synopsis, and I finished it (20,000 words) in less than a month.

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?
[Rose Mccauley] I have several other anthology proposals out there and one more ready to send off soon and another ready to start on next month! Plus I have an idea for another women's fiction based on a true event that I plan to brainstorm next week with a couple fellow writers.

AW: Do you have any interesting writing quirks you want to tell us about?
[Rose Mccauley] I know a lot of people like to write to music, but it distracts me as I find myself humming along or even singing the words or harmonizing with it, so I have found that I write better in silence.

AW: Do you have any advice for writers out there?
[Rose Mccauley] Persevere, persevere, persevere! If you write fiction, I would encourage you to join American Christian Fiction Writers.

AW: Where can we find you? (facebook, twitter, blog, website, etc)
[Rose Mccauley] My website is www.rosemccauley.com and my blog is www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com

Since there are so many Rose McCauleys on FB, I would suggest going to my blogsite and clicking on the FB button there.

AW: And of course we have to know, where can we find your book?
[Rose Mccauley] Barbour is my publisher, so you could contact them, or find it on cbd.com, or there is a pre-order icon you can click on my website to order from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Plus all those who click to become a follower on my blog will be entered to win a copy of my hot-off-the-press book on Sept. 1st, so I hope you will visit my blog and become a follower.


And many thanks to Ashley for introducing us!

Cursed Blessings by JM LeDuc

Book Description:
Shrouded in secrecy, the Ark of the Endowment has remained hidden for millennia. Those fortunate enough to know of its location have but one task: to keep its contents from being stolen. Like Pandora's Box, the legend says that anyone who partakes of its sacred contents will invoke divine judgment upon the world. But who is to say that it cannot be used for good? Who could resist the temptation of its promise: eternal youth? Brent Venturi owns and operates a library in Palm Cove, Florida, that has been in his family for generations. But unknown to most, his simple life and dedication to structure have been engrained in him by a career of elite military service. As the retired captain of a group known only as the Phantom Squad, he has no history or records on file, and he remains the property of the United States Government. His rigidity and devotion have cost him dearly; his service has left psychological and physical scars, and he is emotionally distant. When the heirlooms of a man he hardly knew show up unannounced in his office, his everyday routine is shattered. Cursed Blessing is a rollercoaster thriller that will keep you guessing at every turn. Each revelation leads to more questions, cryptic warnings, secret maps, and shady allies. When the last guardian of the world's most important secret is dead, who can be trusted?

My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Brent is a librarian but also a lot more. His specialized training makes him a lethal weapon and no one knows about it! Chloe, his somewhat ex-girlfriend, wants him back but only with one condition. Maddie has her own agenda in everything. Ferric and his men are ruthless and everyone is after the secret formula! Some want it for safekeeping while others want it to use for themselves. There is a severe consequence to using the formula and being the new guardian, Brent must keep it safe at all costs.
I absolutely loved all the characters in this book. Brent is a God fearing man who wants to honor his grandfather's wishes but is completely in love with Chloe. Chloe knows exactly what she wants and won't settle for less...still she trusts Brent completely. Maddie is somewhat a mystery while Ferric and his men are evil. The history throughout the book is great. God is woven throughout the storyline without being 'in your face' about it. There is plenty of mystery and suspense along with betrayal, love and a wonderful ride!
I rate this a 5/5. I can't wait for the next in this series!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Author Interview of Lisa Lickel

Hi everyone! Please join me in welcoming Author Lisa Lickel to my blog today!

AW: Tell us about yourself…
I am a Wisconsin writer who lives with my high school teacher husband in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain which I’ve filled with books and dragons. I write inspiring fiction of mystery and romance, all with a twist of grace. I’ve also written dozens of feature newspaper stories, short stories, magazine articles and radio theater and am editor in chief of Creative Wisconsin Magazine.I am an avid book reviewer, a freelance editor, an editor at Port Yonder Press, a writing mentor, a hostess at Clash of the Titles.com, and enjoy blogging at theBarnDoor.net and ReflectionsinHindsight.wordpress.com, among others. I am a local historian and my husband and I have two sons and daughters-in-law.

AW: What genre do you write and why?
I’ve fallen into a couple of different genres, mostly by accident. I’d love to write literary novels to critical acclaim but they don’t tend to sell well, so my first books were cozy mysteries, then women’s fiction, and romance. The cozies were for a specific book club, and the others were specified by the publishers.

AW: Tell us about your book….
My newest book to release this October is from the publisher of my award-winning romance, Meander Scar. Yet to be titled, it’s a new love story of one unforgettable summer of renewed purpose, faith and strength in family. Set on a farm in a small Wisconsin community, a family rediscovers the meaning of trust, loyalty, and letting go. In the beautiful rolling hills of Oakville, a family is torn by the impending loss of their heritage. Told in layers by each of the four, TessaHasmer Murphy faces divorce when the man of her dreams walks back in her life and forces her to choose between what could have been and what is. Tessa’s daughter Lindsay finds a way to save the family farm, but it may cost her the only man that she has ever loved. Art Hasmer must face his ghosts and come home in time to be a parent to his son or risk losing the woman who has waited for him since high school. And when Andy, Art’s son, discovers the meaning of forgiveness, he must learn to accept it as well as give it in order to receive sweet Ella’s love. I’ve co-authored this book with Shellie Neumeier.

AW: What was your inspiration for this book?
My years reporting in my rural community while watching the demise of the small family farm was the foundation for the story. With Shellie’s expertise on the youthful side of writing, and my experience writing older characters, we experimented with telling this multi-generational story of family, faith, and hope from different angles. It’s not the same story told from different viewpoints, but intersecting viewpoints of family life. The publisher thought it was a unique idea and I’m excited about how it will be received.

AW: Do you have a favorite character and why that one?
In this book, I like both the brother and sister…I don’t know if either is a more favorite over the other. They both have unique conflicts, as Tessa has a secret she’s kept so long she buried how devastating the effects could be if it was ever revealed; and her brother Art has faced the loss of his twin brother and his wife, and made his work the focus of his life.

AW: Did you find anything particularly difficult in writing this book?
Since Shellie and I write very quickly, we had a lot to revisit to make sure the events of the four stories matched up. We had to make the timelines work together so that the characters in each of the stories were at the same place at the same time whenever their characters interacted. That was challenging.

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?
As of this interview, I will have completed a proposal for a romantic novella collection for Heartsong, a cross-generational family saga that begins in the eighteenth century in Nova Scotia and winds up in Cajun country, Louisiana. A contemporary young woman is contemplating marriage and asks her grandmother for advice. The grandmother tells the stories of family marriages in each century, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth. I’m writing the nineteenth and twentieth-century families. Hard to think of the twentieth century as history, but there it is.

AW: Do you have any interesting writing quirks you want to tell us about?
Besides typing in my…oh, never mind. Um…When I’m in full write mode, I tend to write a chapter or so a day, fairly quickly, to keep continuity.

AW: Do you have any advice for writers out there?
Take your time, learn the correct way to put a manuscript together and submit it. Collect rejections like rare coins.

AW: Where can we find you? (facebook, twitter, blog, website, etc)
My web site has all the connections to my networking sites – http://www.lisalickel.com

AW: And of course we have to know, where can we find your book? (your website, publisher, amazon, etc)
Ashley, pick what you need out of the following:
Healing Grace (through December 2011 only):
Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Grace-Lisa-J-Lickel/dp/1934841226/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244721331&sr=1-1
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Grace-ebook/dp/B002V8XYES/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286155380&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Healing+Grace+by+Lisa+Lickel&box=Healing%20Grace%20by%20Lisa%20Lickel&pos=-1
Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b91909/Healing-Grace/Lisa-J-Lickel/?id=13425

Meander Scar:
Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Meander-Scar-Lisa-J-Lickel/dp/1934912239/ref=sr_1_1_oe_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267452628&sr=1-1
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Meander-Scar-ebook/dp/B0037Z6YM8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Meander on BN: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Meander-Scar/Lisa-J-Lickel/e/9781934912232/?itm=1&USRI=Lisa+Lickel
Trailer link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvD7mE_HQF0
Trailer imbed code:



The Gold Standard, while copies last:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Standard-HEARTSONG-PRESENTS-MYSTERIES/dp/1597895253/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237984174&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble:http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Gold-Standard/Lisa-Lickel/e/9781597895255/?itm=1

Watch for the sequel, The Map Quilt, from MuseItUp in April, 2012.