July 2009

In this month that we celebrate the freedom of our nation, remember the only true FREEDOM comes from God!

Announcements

The book winner for June is Deborah Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia. Click on the View My Complete Profile link in the side bar column to find a link to my email. Send me your mailing address.

Readers, if you want a chance to win one of my free books, please sign my Guest Book on my website - http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/ . The winners are chosen from those who do. But remember to check back in the next month’s newsletter to see if you won. You can sign up at the top of the sidebar column of this blog for Feedblitz. Then the newsletter will feed into your Inbox. I will only post a newsletter once a month.

Want more free books. We also give away a minimum of 16 free books a month on my blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/. Some months we give away more than that. This month I’ll be interviewing these authors:

Louise Gouge - Love Thine Enemy
Lisa Harris - Cranberry Hearts
Camy Tang - Deadly Intent
Allie Pleiter - Bluegrass Blessing
Betsy St Amant - Return to Love
Lena Nelson Dooley - Cranberry Hearts
Terry Burns - Beyond the Smoke
Mary Connealy - Montana Rose
Rachel Hauck - The Sweet By and By
Jill Williamson - By Darkness Hid
Shawn Grady - Through the Fire
Margaret McSweeney - Pearl Girls
Mary Hawkins - Outback From Baragula
Stuart Midgon - Jesus Take the Wheel
Jeff Rivera - Forever My Lady
Amy Clipson - Gift of Grace
Janice Hanna - Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas

You can find all kinds of information about my books and events on my Fan page on Facebook:
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts
I’d love for you to come over and become a fan.


Calendar of Events

July 2009 – Release of Cranberry Hearts

July 18, 2009 – Speaker for CenTex Chapter of ACFW, Austin, Texas

July 31, 2009 – Meet the Christian Author Authors Night, WoodsEdge Community Church, Spring, Texas – 6:30 – 9:00 pm

August 2009 – Release of The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner in Thorndike Press, Large Print, hardback edition

September 2009 – Release of Wild West Christmas
September 2009 – Release of Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe
September 2009 - Release of Can You Help Me? and Caught Redhanded in Thorndike Press, Large Print, hardback edition

September 11-12, 2009 – Speaker at North Texas Christian Writers Conference, Roanoke, Texas – Painting Historicals with Authenticity, and I will take one-on-one appointments.

September 17-20 - American Christian Fiction Writers National Conference - Denver, Colorado, paid critiques

April 3, 2010 – ACFW Tulsa – Taking Settings to the Next Level – a hands-on workshop

Summer 2010 – Release of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico


Book Reviews

Courting the Doctor’s Daughter
By Janet Dean
ISBN 978-0-373-82812-8
Love Inspired Historical

Back Cover Copy:

An Unexpected Match

A widow with three boys to raise, Mary Graves has no time for peddlers of phony medicine. She's a dedicated healer working alongside her doctor father. When a handsome stranger blows into town with his "elixir of health" and asks questions about her newly adopted son, Mary's determined to uncover the truth behind all his claims.

Once the reckless heir to a Boston fortune, Dr. Luke Jacobs tavels the country with his herbal medicine while searching for his long-lost son. After meeting the fiesty doctor's daughter and her youngest boy, Luke has found what he's been looking for at last. But can he convince her to let him into her home, her family--and her heart?

My Review:

Janet Dean writes books that pull you straight into the heart of the story. The situation tugs on your heartstrings as you delve into the real reasons for the conflict between the main characters. You won't be able to put the book down as it weaves its way through your mind. I believe you'll love this book as much as I do.

　
Bluegrass Courtship
By Allie Pleiter
ISBN 978-0-373-87518-4
Love Inspired
Contemporary Romance
Kentucky Corners, book 2 - With God's helping hand, three shopkeepers ring up sales, surprises, and love.

Back Cover Copy:

Someone Needs a Ministry Makeover

The celebrity host of TV's MISSIONNOVATION, Drew Downing is comfortable with his fame. He's become accustomed to the cheering, star-struck townfolk that usually welcome him as he renovates churches countrywide. Usually. Then he and his crew set up in tiny Middleburg, Kentucky, to rebuild the church's storm-damaged preschool. The very lovely, very no-nonsense hardware story owner Janet Bishop is suspicious of Drew's true motives. It looks like Janet Bishop's faith--in God, in herself, and in love--needs some serious rebuilding. And Drew Downing is just the man for the job.

My review:

I loved this book. The unique premise pulled me straight into the story. And as it unfolded, not one minute of downtime. The story moved along at a good pace, and I really cared about what would happen to the characters. I was tempted to shout, "Don't do it," a couple of times. Not just a good read, but a good experience.
　
Déjà vu Bride
By Debra Ullrick
ISBN 9780615252018
Spirit Light Publishing
Contemporary Romance

Back Cover Copy:

Furious with God, Olivia Roseman vows to never trust Him again. Why should she? Once again her prayers have gone unanswered, and once again another loved one has been ripped from her. With no job and only a few dollars, Olivia makes a choice to start over again. Without God and without love. However, her handsome new boss isn't going to make forgetting God or keeping her vow to never love again very easy.

Erik Cole questions the sanity of moving from Swamper City, Alabama, to Charity, West Virginia. That is, until he hires airbrush designer Olivia Roseman to paint his monster truck. When he senses that she's a gal who is down on her luck, he vows to do whatever he can to help her. Only problem is, the little beauty creates more challenges than one. As his feelings toward her deepen, all Erik can do is hope and pray that one day Olivia will open up her heart to Christ--and to him.

My Review:

I don't review many books that are both ebooks and print. So often they're riddled with typos, bad grammar, and other problems, even though they may contain a very good story. That is not the case with Déjà vu Bride. I found it well-written.

There's something for everyone here. A very tender romance, a strong spiritual theme, beautiful setting, and Mud Bog and Monster Truck races. It's a world I've never been a part of, and I found it interesting to learn more about those kind of things. Oh, and there's an element of mystery in the story.

I recommend this book for a summer weekend read.

　
Family of the Heart
By Dorothy Clark
ISBN 978-0-373-82795-4
Love Inspired Historical

Back Cover Copy:

"Should you stay, Miss Randolph, the child will be fully in your charge."

In her silk finery, Sarah Randolph knew she was no more a nanny than the haughty widower before her. She'd made a profound error in judgment. How long would it be before Clayton Bainbridge cast her out? She vowed to pack up her trunks and return to Philadelphia at once. But that city held memories of her lost fiance, and sweet little Nora Bainbridge desperately needed some mothering. Sarah might not be an expert in child rearing, but she knew a few things about grief. The pain in Clayton's stormy blue eyes told her that her journey here must be part of God's larger plan for them all. . .

My Review:

I've loved every one of Dorothy Clark's books. And Family of the Heart may just be her finest. Well-crafted, lush with essential details, deep emotions, and characters the reader can really get into.

Add this wonderful book to your summer reading list.

　
When the Soul Mends
By Cindy Woodsmall
ISBN 978-1-4000-7294-1
Waterbrook Press
Contemporary
Sisters of the Quilt - Book 3

Back Cover Copy:

Returning to the home she left in disgrace, will Hannah find healing for wounds of the past?
After receiving a desperate and confusing call from her sister, Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community of her Pennsylvanie childhood.

Having left Owl's Perch more than two years earlier, she finally has settled into a satisfying role in the Englischer world. Hnnah has found love and a new family with the wealthy Martin Palmer and the children she is helping him raise; and her life-long dream of being part of the medical community is being realized. Bur almost immediately after her arrival, the disapproval of those who ostracized her, including her headstrong father, reopens old wounds.

As Hannah is thrown together with former fiance Paul Waddell to work for her sister Sarah's mental health, hidden truths surface about events during Hannah's absence, and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she heed the call to return to the Plain life--and perhaps to her first love?

My Review:

Cindy Woodsmall writes about hard things in this series,which helps the reader understand the difference between the Plain people and Englischers. She delves into painful emotions in a way that is healing to the characters and to readers.

This wonderful story is a fitting conclusion to her series. Giving us access to all the cleverly developed characters and a plot that moves along with great strength.

Another good choice for your summer reading.

　
The Shape of Mercy
By Susan Meissner
ISBN 978-1-4000-7456-3
Waterbrook Press
Contemporary Fiction

Back Cover Copy:

"We Understand What We Want to Understand."

Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with her family's expectations by taking a part-time job from eighty-three-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles. The mysterious employer asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.

Immediately, Lauren finds her self drawn to this girl who lived and died three centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped, unable to fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstitions. Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy's story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.

The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to the truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge?

Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?

My review:

No wonder this book was ECPA's fiction Book of the Year in 2008. The story unfolds in a marvelous way, revealing the deep wounds and insights of the main characters. The message is a powerful one that every one of us should apply to our lives.

A real page-turner, I had a hard time putting the book down. I grew to really care about each of the hurting people, wanting to see a breakthrough in each life. At the same time, I examined my own heart to see if I, too, judged people the same way as depicted in the story.

This should go to the top of your summer reading list.

　
Shepherd’s Fall
By W. L. Dyson
ISBN 978-14-4000-7473-0
Waterbrook Press
Contemporary Suspense
Prodigal Recovery Agency - Bounty Hunters - Book One

Back Cover Copy:

He'll face the hunt of his life.

On the growing outskirts of Baltimore, bounty hunter Nick Shepherd is relentless when it comes to chasing down criminals, collaring them, and bringing them to justice. Lately, it's his difficult ex-wife, angry teenage daughter, his unreliable brother and long AWOL sister that keep him awake at night. In charge of the family business, the Prodigal Recovery Agency, Nick's well-ordered universe is on the brink of chaos as financial threats and the vindictive Carver crime family threaten to pull his agency apart.

Annie McNamara is facing a terminal diagnosis and only her prostitute twin Zeena can help, but the sisters haven't spoken in years. When Nick goes after Zeena on a bail skip, he finds Annie instead and the two team up. They are shocked to discover that Zeena has deadly ties to the drug traffickers who are gunning for Nick. Has Annie lost her sister--and all hope? And when the Carvers make good on their vow to hurt the bounty hunter where it matters the most, can he find a way to recover his most valuable prize? Or will this Shepherd lose it all?

My review:

I've read all of Wanda Dyson's suspense novels and loved them. There was a long wait between the last one and this one. And the wait was worth every minute. This book is awesome, and I don't use the word lightly.

The plot has lots of twists and turns. I'm pretty good at figuring things out before they happen, but a couple of these twists blind-sided me. I like an author who can do that.

The characters are everyday people who face extraordinary events. I loved the way they were developed. I'll be thinking about them for days to come.

I highly recommend this as one of your summer reads.


July Book Releases

Here are your July New Releases! We have a long list of outstanding titles from ACFW members this month. I know you'll enjoy reading them. God Bless!

1. A Promise Kept, Heartsong Presents Historical Ohio book one by Cara Putman http://www.caraputman.com/ from Heartsong Presents. Newlyweds Josie & Art must choose whether to honor the promises they've made when their relationship experiences the fire of pain.

2. Blackmail by Robin Carroll, 6th and Final book in the Bayou series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. The sixth and final book in Robin Carroll's romantic suspense bayou series.

3. Cranberry Hearts by Lena Nelson Dooley, Beth Goddard, and Lisa Harris from Barbour Publishing. What will happen when three Massachusetts women find their journeys home lead them down dangerous paths?

4. Deadly Intent by Camy Tang from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Massage therapist Naomi Grant must prove her innocence when her client is murdered in her family's Sonoma day spa.

5. Gripped by Fear, The Chicago Warriors Series by John M. Wills from TotalRecall. Two Chicago Detectives struggle to capture a serial rapist.

6. Hometown Courtship by Diann Hunt from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. A carpenter and a hair stylist work to build a house together--but are they building much more?

7. Lonestar Secrets, Lonestar Series Book #2 by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson. A young veterinarian returns to her childhood home and finds the man who humiliated her may be in custody of a daughter she thought had died.

8. Love's Rescue, The Sierra Chronicles Book One by Tammy Barley from Whitaker House. A headstrong Southern woman falls for her kidnapper, a Western cattleman she blames for the loss of her family.

9. Maggie Rose, Second in The Daughters of Jacob Kane series, by Sharlene MacLaren from Whitaker House. Mission-minded Maggie Rose takes a job at an orphanage in New York City, never expecting to fall in love with a hardnosed newspaper reporter.

10. Menu for Romance, Brides of Bonneterre Series Book #2, by Kaye Dacus from Barbour Publishing. The Chef and the Party Planner Each Seek the Kind of Love that Requires No Reservations.

11. Montana Rose by Mary Connealy from Barbour Publishing. Love Comes Softy, with mayhem, comedy and gunfire.

12. Ransome's Honor, Book 1 The Ransome Trilogy, by Kaye Dacus from Harvest House Publishers. Once Youthful Sweethearts—Can Their Love Be Renewed?

13. Rose of the Adriatic, Sequel to Jewel of the Adriatic, by K.M. Daughters from The Wild Rose Press. Messages of hope and peace for the world from Our Lady of Medjugorje woven into a prayerful, fictional love story.

14. Second Chance Family, Fostered by Love Series Book 4, by Margaret Daley from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Whitney and Shane, two wounded people, come together to try and help each other heal from their past through the appeal of a little boy who is autistic.

15. The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn, by Liz Johnson from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Kenzie Thorn is surprised when she's kidnapped from the prison where she teaches a GED course, and even more shocking is that someone wants her dead.

16. The Last Resort, The Wanderlust Mysteries Book 2, by April Star from Five Star Gale I Cengage Learning. One woman's murder and a bottle washed ashore on the St. Anastasia beach open a Pandora's box and unleash secrets pursued by an entire camping resort . . . and the truth proves as elusive as the killer in their midst.

17. The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan from Kregel Publications. An ancient, secret scroll could trigger nuclear war or world peace, four Americans are caught in the crossfire, and opposing radicals will stop at nothing to silence The Sacred Cipher.

Happy Reading!


Musings

Remember this is the year of the unexpected. And God keeps bringing unexpected things into my life. A couple of them I can’t talk about right now, but I may have a special announcement in the next newsletter.
It’s an exciting life serving the almighty, living God who loves us and wants to work out the best in our lives.