GRACE'S PICTURES by CINDY THOMSON ~ A Tyndale Blog Network Tour

About Book

Grace McCaffery hopes that the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise that the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader. A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her, Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

View or download PDF Excerpt and Discussion Guide here.

• ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-6843-6
• ISBN: 978-1-4143-8394-1 (ebook)
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Publication date: 6/1/2013
• Series: Ellis Island Series
• Pages: 7895
• Paperback 8.10 (w) x 5.50 (h) x 0.80 (d)

About Cindy Cindy Thomson is a writer and an avid genealogy enthusiast. Her love of history and her Scots-Irish heritage have inspired much of her writing, including her new Ellis Island series. Cindy is also the author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom: Treasures from Ireland. She combined her love of history and baseball to co-author the biography Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story, which was a finalist for the Society for American Baseball Research's Larry Ritter Book Award. In addition to books, Cindy has written on a regular basis for numerous online and print publications and is a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Cindy and her husband have three grown sons and live in central Ohio.  Visit her online at www.cindyswriting.com, Facebook, Twitter. My Thoughts Grace McCaffrey leaves Ireland to start a new life in America.  When she arrives at Ellis Island a photographer asks permission to take her picture. Grace hesitantly agrees and she accepts a business card from the photographer in case she would like to have the photo once it is developed.  As she settles into her new life in New York she is inspired by the photographer and decides to buy her very own Brownie camera.  As Grace ventures out to the streets of New York she is eager to take photos of unsuspecting pedestrians.  This does not set to well when she may have taken a picture of a known gang and their leader.  The gangsters are determined to get the camera from her which puts her in danger.   When she lived in Ireland she abhorred the police.  She never trusted them in Ireland and refused to trust them in America because most of them were Irish.  It seemed one policeman had taken it upon himself to see to her safety and it did not hurt that her found her very attractive.  He convinced her to let him escort her to and from her nanny job as means of protection.   Will Grace ever trust men, especially the Irish policeman.  She was even afraid to trust God. The author has added an interesting element which was the Brownie camera along the presumption that a woman in 1900 would dare to venture into the field of photography.  Some of the characters the author has worked into the story are known historical figures.  I am always eager to learn something new about our American history. This story is full of suspense that will have you holding your breathe at times.  There is also the stirrings of romance.  But most important there is forgiveness and reconciliation.   God does not turn from this woman even when she turned from Him.  The author writes of how God reveals His path for these characters. I highly recommend this book. I rated this book a 5 out of 5. Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network/Tyndale House Publishers for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my own opinion. If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang

About Maureen

I was raised with the notion that time + work = a paycheck and sitting around having fun thinking up stories surely cannot be considered work. On some days I might actually agree with that statement. Writing really is fun, or I don’t think I’d have a passion for it. But on other days I realize it really is work, and that’s what this website is all about. This is a picture of the work of a novelist — well, of one novelist anyway. Me.


I grew up as one of the youngest in a six-kid, boisterously loud German-Irish family in the suburbs of Chicago. Eight of us in a house with only one bathroom! We didn’t really argue, although just to be heard over all the noise it might have seemed that way to an outsider.


So whom did I marry? A quiet, reserved son of a German brick layer. While our family gathering decibels would compare to the lift off of a jet from nearby O’Hare, his family gatherings would register more like the soft rustling of oak leaves.


I grew up loving to tell stories, and God has blessed me immeasurably to be able to tell them to a wider audience these days.


For the latest goings-on, check my blog! I’d love to connect on Facebook.

About Book

Book 1 in The Gilded Legacy series!

Ian Maguire is determined to stop Meg Davenport from following in her father’s footsteps. He was, after all, a thief. But considering Ian learned everything he knows from Meg’s father, he may not be able to convince her otherwise, not even when they both end up over their heads in the biggest heist of Ian’s unlawful career. In trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

Page Count: 432
Trim Size: 5 1/2 X 8 1/4
ISBN: 978-1-4143-6446-9
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: June 2012

| Buy at Amazon | Buy at CBD | Buy at Barnes & Noble

Read Excerpt on Tyndale

Raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest, Meg Davenport has all she’s ever needed . . . but none of the things she’s wanted most, like family, or dreams of a future that includes anything other than finding a suitable match. So when her distant father dies, she seizes the chance to throw etiquette aside and do as she pleases. Especially when she learns that John Davenport wasn’t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age’s most talented thieves. Poised to lead those loyal to Meg’s father, Ian Maguire knows the last thing his mentor would have wanted is for his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet Meg is determined, and her connections to one of New York’s wealthiest families could help Ian pull off his biggest heist yet. But are they both in over their heads? And in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

My Thoughts

Meg Davenport was very young when to started attending a prestigious boarding school for the daughters of high society. Her father, John Davenport wanted the best for his little girl or did he just want her out of his way. She felt he did not love her because he rarely came to visit her. She stayed at the boarding school year round even on holidays. She was rebellious at first not wanting to follow the rules but eventually she became the perfect role model to all the young girls at the boarding school. She has every intention on staying on after graduation to teach at the school.


Then her whole life changes when she receives a message that her father has died. Secrets, deception and lies reveal who and what her father really was. Now she feels as if she must take on a new role because she is unworthy of what she had learned and earned at the school.  As far as she was concerned not only had her father deserted her and so had God. Now she was on her own and had to prove she is worthy of her father's reputation. 


Why do we need to prove ourselves worthy to the world?  Instead we should be praying for God's will in our lives.


The author created a very head strong young woman in the character of Meg. The biggest surprise in the book was that the least likely characters were the ones God used to steer Meg in His direction onto the path He had planned for Meg all along.


John Davenport's protege, Ian Maguire, was a preacher's son. Ian had lost his whole family and John took him in and trained him well. His life also took on an unexpected turn when his mentor died. The Lord was becoming very persistent in wanting Ian to return to Him. The more Ian tried to protect Meg the closer he drew nearer to God.


What does God have planned for the many characters in this story? God has a plan for everyone.


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a 5 out of 5

Disclosure
I won a free copy of this book from the author. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge, John Ward - Review of Book, Movie's Contest

About Book

Faith and Luke Carraway have it all. Faith is a beautiful singer turned socialite while Luke is an up-and-coming successful businessman. After taking his inheritance from his father’s stable, lucrative business to invest in a successful hedge fund with the Michov Brothers, he’s on the fast track as a rising young executive, and Faith is settling comfortably into her role as his wife.

When rumors of the Michovs’ involvement in a Ponzi scheme reach Faith, she turns to Luke for confirmation, and he assures her that all is well. But when Luke is arrested, Faith can’t understand why he would lie to her, and she runs home to the farm and the family she turned her back on years ago. Meanwhile, Luke is forced to turn to his own family for help as he desperately tries to untangle himself from his mistakes. Can two prodigals return to families they abandoned, and will those families find the grace to forgive and forget? Will a marriage survive betrayal when there is nowhere else to run but home?


ebook
Published February 10th 2012 by Tyndale House Publishers
ISBN 13 9781414367712


eBook is available for $2.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, $2.39 Christianbook.com, iBooks

Heart of the Country book trailer

Heart of the Country - Be a Star for a Day Contest
from Bay Ridge Films on Vimeo.


Movie   2013

Genre   Family Drama

Studio   Bayridge Films and TBA

About

Heart of the Country is writer/director/actor John Ward's follow-up to the highly successful, I AM, which was released by 20th Century Fox in October 2010.

Description

A modern re-telling of "The Prodigal" story, in the form of "Wall Street" meets "Sweet Home Alabama" meets Nicholas Sparks.

Plot Outline

A love story between a father and his daughter paralleling the famous parable, The Prodigal Son, enhanced by a portrait of the challenges of modern marriage and family.

Starring

Jana Kramer, Gerald McRaney and other cast TBD

Directed By   John Ward

Written By     John Ward

Produced By Wayne Thompson & Anne Hawthorne

Website http://www.heartofthecountrymovie.com

About Rene

Rene Gutteridge is the author of eighteen novels, including Listen, the Storm series (Tyndale House Publishers) and Never the Bride, the Boo series, and the Occupational Hazards series from WaterBrook Press. She also released My Life as a Doormat and The Ultimate Gift: The Novelization with Thomas Nelson. Rene is also known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting while earning a mass communications degree, graduating magna cum laude from Oklahoma City University and earning the Excellence in Mass Communication Award. She served as the full-time director of drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writers conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City.

 Visit her Web site at www.renegutteridge.com


My Thoughts


Faith Carraway is a country girl turned socialite.  She is married  to Luke Carraway and madly in love. She wants for nothing.  Before she married Luke she lived to sing but no longer has time for her passion of song or for her family back home.  Luke's brother is not to accepting of Faith in the Carraway family and does not think this little country girl fits into the Carraway's social circles.  


Faith and Luke live the fairy tale relationship until Luke decides to leave the family business and invest in a hedge fund with the Michov Brothers.  Then the fairy tale turns into a nightmare when the Michov's alleged  Ponzi scheme threatens Luke's livelihood and his marriage. 


Faith feels betrayed by his lies and possible involvement in this scheme. Without even a backwards glance she leaves her socialite life behind and heads back to her country life to stay with her father and get her life back on track. Her sister is not too happy to have Faith return home like the Prodigal daughter.  But her father is ecstatic to have his little girl back home.


There is so many facets to Faith's story.  The pending lose of her marriage, her estranged relationship with her sister  and the nurturing relationship with her father.  She finds her roots to be healing and it draws her into a renewal of her spirit. She struggles to accept God's will in her life and can't seem to figure out where she belongs or where she is headed in life.  


So many people go through these same trials in their life.  God has a plan and we don't always agree with that plan. But if we just let go and let God do his job His plan will be fulfilled.


I highly recommend this book.


I rate this book a 5 out of 5.


Disclosure


I purchased a copy of this book from Barnes and Noble and reviewed book  for Tyndale House Publishing .  I was in no way compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

Review: The Shadow of Your Smile (Deep Haven #6) by Susan May Warren

About this author:

I can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.

I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.

Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.

Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.

Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.

I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.

I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.

God Bless and Happy Reading!

In His Grip,

Susan May Warren

About Book:

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future?

Paperback, 384 pages

Published January 1st 2012 by Tyndale House Publishers

ISBN 1414334834 (ISBN13: 9781414334837)
Website:  http://www.susanmaywarren.com
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literature & Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

                                                        

My Review:

This is one of those books that I wanted to neglect everything and just read the book.  

Noelle  losing her memory and not remembering her husband, Eli and two sons was horrific. I can't image how she must have felt leaving the hospital to go home with people she thought of as strangers.  There is so much I want to say about this book but am afraid of spoiling it for the readers.  The author brought out so many different feelings in this book.  It was like Noelle was putting a puzzle back together with so many small pieces that did not seem to fit.  I feel as if the youngest son was the glue to this puzzle.  He was so needy to have his mother back.  The oldest son seemed to want to hide from the reality of his life. Then there was secrets that Eli wanted to hide from Noelle.  Too many secrets so much pain for this family. 

I should have paid closer attention when I chose this book because I wasn't aware it was a series. The book was alright as a stand alone book.   Now I want to get busy and read the others in the Deep Haven series.

I highly recommend you read this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

  

Disclosure:
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review it is my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful yes or no permalink

******