Writer at Random

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CFBA Book of the Week: FIRED UP, by Mary Connealy

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Fired Up (Bethany House March 1, byMary Connealy

Mary is a great friend and one of my favorite authors! Just got my copy of her latest book and can't wait to dive in. If you enjoy inspirational romance with cowboys and a huge helping of comedy, pick up one of Mary's books.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.

The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rollicking Wild West Adventure and Romance from Bestselling Author Mary Connealy

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fired Up, go HERE.

We interrupt this neglected blog . .

To announce that my novel

A Horseman's Hope

is a finalist for the

2013 ACFW Carol Awards!

CFBA Review: WINGS OF GLASS, by Gina Holmes

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing

Wings of Glass

Tyndale House Publishers (March 1, 2013)

by Gina Holmes

 

MYRA'S NOTE: I only recently obtained Gina's new book and haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I well remember how much I loved her debut novel, Crossing Oceans. Gina has a gift for creating endearing characters and evoking rich layers of emotion, and I can't wait to delve into her next story!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey now called Novel Rocket and she is also the founder of Inspire The Fire.

Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will releases this month. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.



ABOUT THE BOOK :

From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet uplifting story of friendship and redemption. On the cusp of womanhood, Penny is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time. It isn’t the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of all.

When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to grow her own.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wings of Glass, go HERE.

CFBA Review: MEMORY OF MURDER, by Ramona Richards

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Memory of Murder

Love-Inspired Suspense by Ramona Richards

MYRA'S REVIEW: Since Ramona is my new editor at Abingdon Press, I was excited to have a chance to read her latest release. She's a skilled writer and storyteller, and definitely has a flair for suspense! The romance develops with sweet subtlety as Deputy Jeff Gage does everything in his power to protect petite cafe owner Lindsey Presley from the man from her past who wants her dead. But Lindsey is no wimpy heroine, and the solution to this mystery/suspense does not disappoint. An enjoyable read from a fine author (and a really nice editor, too!).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from Ramona:

The hardest biographical sketch to write is always your own, whether or not you’re a writer by profession. You can’t decide what to throw in, what to leave out, and whether or not you should list strengths and flaws, or just strengths.

I like writing and telling stories so much that I once tried to live out a few. After getting a master’s in English, I went on to be the seneschale of my local Society for Creative Anachronism. I had a rocky start, but I did get better. (Robin Hood, eat your heart out.)

People often ask members of the SCA, “Are you in a play?” so I thought it would be fun to do that, too. For seven years, I produced and performed in shows staged by Nashville’s Circle Players.

Although I’m single now, I married in 1982 and in 1987 had Rachel. She’s a cutie. Severely disabled, she’s the heroine of many an article for Special Ed Today magazine. Rachel's nurse, Phyllis, is the real life heroine of “An Act of Desperation,” which I sold to Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul.

I’m not really a complex person, and my dreams are fairly straightforward: sell books, have enough money to pay the bills and travel a bit, and settle into a cottage. In early 2006, I bought the cottage, which is now more or less swamped by books and DVDs. I write at night (I’m a lifelong night owl), and I occasionally escape by scuba diving, hiking, dancing, and going to movies and bookstores.

I’ve gone to the same church since 1993, and I even sing in the choir. It’s a small but awesome church. I’m no angel, although occasionally I play one in the backyard.

I like staying busy. Life is too short not to follow your dreams.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE SECRETS OF HER PAST COULD IMPERIL HER FUTURE 

Lindsey Presley certainly can't imagine why anyone would want her dead-though she knows she wouldn't be alive today if not for the local cop who saved her from two murder attempts. Deputy Jeff Gage has worked difficult cases, but with only Lindsey's fractured memories of a broken past to guide him, this is by far his most challenging.

For Lindsey, fleeing the town she has come to call home is unthinkable. Separately, they are vulnerable, but together, Jeff and Lindsey just may stand a chance of catching a ruthless killer.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Memory of Murder, go HERE.

Watch the book video trailer:

CFBA Book Review: SWEPT AWAY, by Mary Connealy

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Swept Away from Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013) by Mary Connealy

MYRA'S REVIEW: Another wild and entertaining Western romance from one of my favorite authors! If you enjoy a charming cowboy love story with lots of shoot-'em-up excitement and the perfect blend of humor, thoughtful character development, and spiritual truths woven in, this book is for you. Readers of Mary Connealy's Kincaid Brides series will recognize a few names, as the hero is the brother of Callie from Over the Edge. Fun to learn what's happening with Luke and friends back in Texas!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.

The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When a cowboy focused on revenge encounters a woman determined to distract him, there's going to be trouble in Texas!

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won't let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and since he can't just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she's going to have to go with him.

But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Swept Away, go HERE.

Mouse Callus???

For some time now, I've noticed a small callus at the base of my right ring finger. The cause has really puzzled me since:

1. I don't wear a ring on that finger.

2. I don't spend enough time behind the steering wheel to have gotten it from driving.

3. I'm not athletic and don't lift weights.

4. I don't grip a pen or pencil in such a way to cause a callus on that part of my hand.

So, through process of elimination, here's what I have deteremined: The only other repetitious activity that could possibly make a callus there is . . .

 

MY COMPUTER MOUSE!

 

Haven't figured out yet what to do about this phenomenon. But I guess it says a lot about how much time I spend at my computer.

Doin' Speedbo!

It's Speedbo Month in Seekerville!


My personal goal for the month is to add at least 20K to my work-in-progress. So far, I'm staying on track!

If you're a writer who needs a little challenge and motivation, it's not too late to sign up. Come on over to Seekerville and join the fun!

Blame Anne Hathaway

I did it again--went a little crazy at my hair appointment.

Every few years I get the bug for short-short hair, even though I come home from the stylist, look in the mirror, and want to run screaming into the abyss.

See, it looks so cute on Anne Hathaway! I mean, did you see her Oscar photos? Très chic!

The problem is I am twice her age. Plus she is just naturally gorgeous. And has better hair.

Someday . . . when I'm finally comfortable with the "new me," I might post a photo. Until then, you'll have to settle for a picture of Anne.

Yes, I've noticed . . .

Not offering any excuses this time, but, yes, I realize this blog is currently a dead zone. How does that saying go  . . .

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

That's a quote from Robert Burns's "To a Mouse." Might as well title it "To an Absent Blogger."

I would promise to do better, but I wouldn't want to raise false hopes.