March Release Clash Results!

The Votes have come in, and we've got a winner!

DRESSED FOR DEATH

by Julianna Deering

Congratulations, Julianna!!

About the Author

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuted from Bethany House with Rules of Murder (2013) and is followed by Death by the Book and Murder at the Mikado (2014), Dressed for Death (2016) and Murder on the Moor (Coming 2017). Also, as DeAnna Julie Dodson, she has written a trilogy of medieval romances (In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered) and six contemporary mysteries for Annie�s Fiction. She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).

Find her On the web:
www.juliannadeering.com
www.deannajuliedodson.com

On Facebook:
https://business.facebook.com/AuthorJuliannaDeering/
https://www.facebook.com/julie.dodson.9659

On Twitter:
@DeAnnaJulDodson

On Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6565151.Julianna_Deering

Dressed for Death Back cover:

A Regency-Era Costume Party Should Have Been an Amusing Diversion, But it Seems Wherever Drew Farthering Goes, Mystery--and Murder--Are on the Guest List

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fianc�e, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she'd taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.

The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted and admired since his childhood--someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

Clash Comments:

• "Dressed for Death" is the best Drew Farthering mystery yet, and I'm really looking forward to the next one (and yes, even more after that)! Julianna Deering has a gift for storytelling that keeps me turning the pages long into the night, and her characters are always so vivid and lifelike! I love pulling out her books and re-reading them over and over again.

• Julianna Deering captured our hearts and attention with Drew Farthering mysteries....can't wait for more.

This sounds like such a FANTASTIC read! Ready to dive in? Want to peek at the sample? It's right here:

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
CBD

And don't Miss Drew's Upcoming Adventure:

Murder on the Moor

At the urgent request of Drew's old school friend, Hubert "Beaky" Bloodworth, Drew and Madeline Farthering come to Bloodworth Park Lodge in the midst of the Yorkshire moors, a place as moody and mysterious as a Bront� hero. According to Beaky, there have been several incidents of mischief making out on the moor, property destroyed, fires started, streams dammed up, sheep and cattle scattered and, if local gossip is to be believed, the sighting of the shadowy figure of a great black hound. Worst of all, the vicar has been found dead on the steps of the church, and no one can imagine who would want to kill him.

Beaky is obviously smitten with his wife of eight months, the gorgeous and vivacious Sabrina Bloodworth, though it's hard to imagine what she sees in a man as awkward and plain as he. Drew can't help wondering if Sabrina's affections lie more with Beaky's money than himself and, just perhaps, with the fiery Welsh gamekeeper, Rhys Delwyn. Delwyn says poachers are to blame for the recent trouble, Sabrina claims the moor is haunted, and Beaky suspects that Carter Gray, a neighboring landowner with a longstanding grudge against the Bloodworths, is behind the episodes. But when someone else is murdered and the troubling incidents grow more threatening, Drew begins to suspect local ne'er-do-well Jack Midgley of more than poaching. But just how does Midgley fit into the scheme and who is paying him? It's up to Drew to look past his own prejudices, determine what is really going on, and find the killer before it's too late.

>>Would you like to see the cover for Murder on the Moor? Sign up for Drew�s News at http://www.juliannadeering.com/newsletter.php for exclusive series information and giveaways.

Have a blessed week, everyone!

From your friends at Clash of the Titles!

Hearts Made Whole, Beacons of Hope,book 2 by Jody Hedlund

Paperback, 379 pages

Published June 2nd 2015 by Bethany House Publishers 

ISBN 0764212389 (ISBN13: 9780764212383) 

Series: Beacons of Hope #2

Characters: Ryan Chambers, Caroline Taylor, Tessa Taylor

About Book

After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper–even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s been given the post as lighthouse keeper, and the isolation where he can drown in drink and hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s none-too-pleased to be giving up her position. They both quickly realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but Ryan’s unwilling to let anyone close, ravaged by memories and guilt. Caroline’s drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope…and possibly love?

Where to Purchase:  Amazon, CBD, B&N

About Author

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances including books for adults and youth. She currently makes her home in central Michigan with her husband and their five busy children.

As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she's not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.

She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee. 

Jody Hedlund website:  http://jodyhedlund.com/

My Thoughts

Caroline feels it is her responsibility to care not only  for her younger siblings but for the lighthouse she helped her father care for until his death.  She refuses without a fight to relinquish the care of the lighthouse to a Civil War veteran Ryan Chambers.  Caroline is being replaced for the simple fact that  she is a woman.  In her mind she has all the other requirements to perform the job.  

Ryan is willing to have Caroline assist him with caring for the lighthouse mainly because, what we now call PTSD, makes him unable to perform as the soul light-keeper.  Besides he is becoming very fond of Caroline and her siblings but this is not enough to officially keep her as his assistant.  The only way for Caroline to stay at the lighthouse in any form would be if she married an approved light-keeper.  Yet it is the apparent threats on her family that conveniences her that someone does not want Caroline to remain at the lighthouse.

At first I did not have a lot of sympathy for Ryan and his addiction. But I learned compassion from Caroline and with her constant patience and forgiving of Ryan's constant failure to perform his job. She saw in Ryan what God also saw, that he was capable of doing the job.  Therefore giving him time to forgive himself for his past and present mistakes. A healing within himself.

The author kept me captivated!  Caroline was a very determined young woman and Ryan was so broken from the war.   There is romance, mystery, vengeance, trust, forgiveness and one of my favorites is the history. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5+ out of 5.

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

Going for Gold with "Red Gold"

Red Gold,

winner of Clash of the Titles's April Clash!

What COTT voters had to say about this month's winner:

"Reading Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau gave me a much needed 'vacation'! The faith story was heart-filling...and the adventure carried me to the mountains.

Thanks, Sandy, for sharing your talent with the rest of us!"

"Not only does Sandy Nadeau and Red Gold have a great cover, the story is realistic, inspiring and a fun thrill ride in Colorado."

Red Gold

by Sandy Nadeau

~COTT's April Champ~

"Sandy Nadeau's work was a very fun read with good moral value!"

"A shout-out to Sandy Nadeau, author of Red Gold! I have an autographed copy,

and couldn't be more delighted for your success!!"

"Red Gold sounds like a book that will keep readers turning the pages!"

"Keep writing, Sandy Nedeau! I'm in the middle of Red Gold now and love it! Blessings!"

About Red Gold:

Mandy Phillips loves life with her husband running an adventure ranch in the Colorado mountains, but when Mr. Shonee, their crotchety old neighbor, tries to stop them from building a kid-size old west town their dreams of expansion are crushed. Is Shonee just being a difficult neighbor, or is something more sinister going on? A discovery on the property of Colorado's state mineral leads to more mysteries for the ranch, and then a teenage guest finds herself thrust head first into danger. Mandy will have to rescue her, but who will rescue Mandy? Her faith in God is her only source to keep the guests safe, solve the mysteries surrounding her ranch, save her neighbor from himself, and discover the secrets of the Red Gold.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Pelican Book Group

Autographed Copy

About Sandy:

Sandy Nadeau loves to go on adventures, photograph them and equally loves to write about them. She and her husband do a lot of four-wheeling in the back country of Colorado and share those experiences with others by taking them up in the mountains. With a background in writing a column about her community for a

local newspaper, she also has had several magazine articles published. She loves to write novels about adventure, mystery, romance, but most importantly sharing God’s love. She is currently a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Vice President of the ACFW South Denver Chapter. Married for 37 years, she and her husband are loving life as grandparents to their nine month old grandson. Travel is their favorite thing to do and they don’t get to do it as often as they’d like. Adventure awaits around every corner, over every hill and mountain.

How Red Gold came about:

"This story developed out of a dream my husband and I shared of wanting to run a guest ranch as depicted in the book. We love the mountains of Colorado so much and have spent many days exploring the deep reaches of the state. We get a lot of out-of-town guests so we take them out on adventures with us. Our favorite thing to do is four-wheeling into the back country. We have ended up in a few places we never should have gone, at least not with the vehicle we drove. I wanted to share some of the adventures we have had through my book, the beauty, and the excitement of Colorado. My hubby actually came up with the title. It was so perfect for it." ~Sandy Nadeau

Connect with Sandy:

Blog

Website

Scraps of Evidence, Quilts of Love #14, by Barbara Cameron

About Book

Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he's been trying to get to know her better and he'd like to be seeing her during those couple nights a week she spends with her quilting guild.

Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home and she acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan seems to be communicating a message to them about Tess's uncle. There's a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?

Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website.

 Purchase here

About Author

Barbara Cameron is a best-selling author who has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the author of more than 38 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara is a former newspaper reporter. Some of her non-fiction titles include the “Everything Weddings on a Budget Book” and “Her Restless Heart: A Woman’s Longing for Love and Acceptance.” Cameron currently resides in Edgewater, Florida.

Find out more about Barbara at http://barbaracameron.com.



My Thoughts 

Tess is ready for her first day as a detective.  The day starts with meeting a new detective by the name of Logan from Chicago.  He is very nice to look at and not nearly as full of himself as she had imagined.  The day started going downhill when it was announced that Logan was to be her partner.  Then before she could finish giving him a tour of the town they get a call about an apparent murder victim.  Tess updates Logan about the town's serial killer which has now taken the life of another woman.

Tess's Aunt Kathy owns a quilting shop and they spend a lot of time together quilting which is her way of relieving stress. Her Aunt Kathy is married the Chief's right hand man Gordon whom Tess find obnoxious at times especially in his treatment towards her Aunt.

Tess and Logan spend more time together even when they were off duty.  She began to worry that it would interfere with their time on the job.  They could not deny the attraction. What path has God set for Tess and Logan?

As Tess and Logan work at solving the case of the serial killer they find unexpected clues in an heirloom quilt. The killer feels the need to kill again in order to keep secrets hidden. 

The author kept me glued to this book guessing at the turn of every page who might be the killer only to keep me bound to the story until the end of the book to find the real killer.  I felt many emotions anger at spousal abuse, fear of the killer, tenderness for young love and happiness that good conquers evil.  Divine justice will prevail.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Abingdon Press for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman

About Book

Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love?

In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way?

Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again?

Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason.

Read Excerpt here. 

Purchase a copy here.

Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/bwiseman

About Beth 

Beth is a Carol Award Winner, Inspirational Readers Choice Winner, INSPY Winner, and the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. All of her books have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller list and the CBA (Christian Book Association) bestseller list. She grew up in Houston, Texas and now resides in a small town west of Houston with a population of around 300. She lives with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two pot bellied pigs, two chickens and a pygmy goat. Her two grown sons also live in Texas. Beth has been writing in some capacity for most of her life. She's a former award-winning journalist with eleven honors, including 'First Place News Writing' for The Texas Press Association. However, writing love stories with a spiritual message is where her heart is. When Beth isn't writing (which is seldom these days) she enjoys traveling, cooking, fishing, reading, or just settling in for a good movie. Her best times are spent with family and friends! 

Learn more about Beth at: BethWiseman.com . 

My Thoughts

Brooke Holloway would like give in to the desire to stay in bed and grieve the loss of husband but she has two active children  and a business to run.  Her mother helped for a while but she had become to dependent on her now it was time to face life head on.  Her daily routine keeps her focused on her job  but memories of her deceased husband still occupy most of her thoughts.  Just like now when her thoughts were interrupted by Owen Saunders the new man in town. He recently bought one of the biggest old mansions in town that was in need of much repair and since she owned a hardware store he would become a frequent customer. Her coworker keeps pushing her to find a new man even though she keeps telling her and everyone else that she is in no hurry to start a relationship.  But brother if she were looking, which she isn't, this handsome guy would fit the bill.

Owen Saunders admits to himself he may have, as the saying goes, "cut off his nose to spite his face", by purchasing a huge old house that is turning into a money pit.  This is the house his cheating ex wife had dreamed of owning, so he bought the house just to rub into her face.  He was determine to finish the house as close to the original as possible.  He must admit he will probably never get it to original since he knows nothing about renovating anything.   So here he is renovating this old house when his is heart probably in worse condition than this old house.  He has had to make many trips to the hardware store owned by a very attractive lady.  The more they see each other it is apparent they are building a friendship but they both made it clear they were looking for nothing more.  God tends to have a say in what is planned for our life's plan. Maybe He wants them to start anew letting go of the bitterness and pain from their past and to trust in love.

The author adds many other interesting characters to the mix like two precious children, two grandmothers, a missing grandfather, a rebellious teen, a couple of crack head parents, a stray cat and well intended friends.

I found this an endearing story of love lost, bitterness, revenge, trust issues, tribulations and reconciliation.  In the author's writing I could see God's plan in restoring the lives of His children.  The author also writes about how the characters let anger, abandonment and fear eat away at their lives until they slowly and sometime quickly turning from God yet proves He never turned from them.  

In one part of the book Owen advises Brooke on the importance of forgiveness and she points out," Isn't that kind of like the pot calling the kettle black".   It is like seeing the err of our ways through another person's eyes or better yet by reading a great book like this one.

I highly recommend this book. It would be a great book for a book club and/or reading group. There are some very enlightening discussion questions at the back of the book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from  Thomas Nelson/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

Join the Flock

Interview with DIANNE K. SALERNI Author of THE CAGED GRAVES

THE CAGED GRAVES

A Junior Library Guild Selection

In Catawissa, the dead don't always stay where you put them...

17-year-old Verity Boone expects a warm homecoming when she returns to Catawissa, Pennsylvania in 1867, pledged to marry a young man she's never met. Instead, she finds a father she barely knows and a future husband with whom she apparently has nothing in common. And a truly horrifying surprise awaits her: the graves of her mother and aunt are enclosed in iron cages outside the local cemetery. Nobody in town will explain why, but Verity hears rumors of buried treasure and witchcraft. Perhaps the cages were built to keep grave robbers out . . . or to keep the women in. Determined to understand, Verity finds  herself in a life-and-death struggle with people she thought she could trust.

 Inspired by a pair of real caged graves in present-day Catawissa, this historical YA novel weaves mystery, romance, and action into a suspenseful drama with human greed and passion at its core.

• ISBN-13: 9780547868530
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 5/14/2013
• Pages: 336
• Young Adult/Middle Grade

Where to buy:  Amazon, Barnes&Noble 

Interview with Dianne K. Salerni

Caged Graves and the Origin of a Story

I first saw the photograph in a random article on the internet: a lonely cemetery with worn and tilted tombstones – and one grave with an iron cage around it.

I couldn’t get the photo out of my mind, so my husband used the clues in the article and Google Earth to identify the graveyard as the Old Mt. Zion Cemetery outside Catawissa, Pennsylvania. It wasn’t that far from home, so we decided to take a drive to see it in person. I wasn’t even sure the grave would really be there, but we received a shock when we pulled the car up beside the abandoned graveyard and saw two caged graves! Two?!

The graves belonged to Asenath Thomas and Sarah Ann Boone. They were clearly related in some way, since Sarah was a Thomas by birth and Asenath was a Thomas by marriage. Both women died in 1852, within a few days of one another.

Why would anyone erect iron cages around their graves? The original article I read claimed Sarah Ann’s family believed she’d been bitten by a vampire – or maybe a werewolf. But legends of vampires and werewolves weren’t popular in the U.S. in the 1850’s, and besides, the writer of the article hadn’t even been to the cemetery or he would’ve mentioned the other grave.

I found a more respectable article written by the local historian who suggested the cages were erected to keep out grave robbers. In the mid-19^th century, fresh corpses were in demand by medical schools. This was a logical (although still creepy) explanation for the cages -- but why build something permanent when the danger of grave robbing would pass within a few weeks? And why were only these two graves protected? What made these women potential targets – who they were, or what they died from?

By now, I knew I had a novel-worthy premise. I started digging around in the history of that region and discovered a little known battle of the Revolutionary War had taken place nearby – about 75 years prior. When the Americans lost, captured Continental soldiers were brutally massacred by British and Indian forces. Then the countryside was razed by the victors, driving settlers to flee into a vast marsh. Most of them died of exposure in what would eventually become known as the Shades of Death swamp, but a few stragglers made it out and took refuge in Catawissa -- the town with the mysterious cemetery.

Tying these elements together became the heart of my story and a three-pronged mystery. How did Sarah Ann and Asenath die? Why were their graves caged? And how are they connected to events in the Shades of Death 75 years earlier?

My novel The Caged Graves is fictional, of course. The real story behind these graves remains a mystery.

About Author

Author Dianne K. Salerni of WE HEAR THE DEAD (Sourcebooks 2010), THE CAGED GRAVES (Clarion 2013), and THE EIGHTH DAY (a forthcoming series from HarperCollins). She is represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Inc.

Visit Dianne's website: http://diannesalerni.blogspot.com/p/the-caged-graves.html

My Thoughts

Verity Boone at age two years, was taken from her father, shortly after her mothers  unforeseen death, in order to have the chance to have a normal life while being raised with her cousins in her Aunt's home.  Now Verity is 17 years old and has promised to marry a respectable young man from her home town of Catawissa, Pennsylvania.  When she arrives at her father's home nothing is familiar to her. She did not receive a very warm welcome from anyone including her father. Something was not right, maybe she was being ill treated because people were jealous that she was to marry the most sought after bachelor in Catawissa.  But then as time goes by it is apparent it was more of the fact she was her mother's daughter. Stories of witchcraft was whisper behind her back.  There are many secrets leading up to her mother's death and even at this time in her life when she should be enjoying the preparations for her wedding she is forced to face a life and death situation with no one to turn to for help. 

If this had been a movie, which I think it should be, you would be sitting on the edge of your seat and would not dare to go to the restroom or to get popcorn. Yep, it is that good.  I did not want to put the book down I took it everywhere with me. Yes even to the restroom.  

The author has done a bang up job on this book. You will find high anxiety, greed, action, mystery, romance and redemption all through this book. What a creative imagination this author has put to work in her writing.  I hope to be reading more of her books soon.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Netgalley for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here. 

"The Q Manifesto" --A Christian Thriller You Don't Want to Miss!

Clash of the Titles presents...

The Q Manifesto by Alan Schleimer

A new Dead Sea Scroll stuns the world. Is it a forgery or the end of Christianity? 

Not long ago, experts announced that an ancient papyrus referred to Jesus Christ as having a wife. It caused quite a stir before being quickly discredited. But what if an even more explosive papyrus was found that showed the gospels were faked and that document passed every modern test for legitimacy? That is the premise for The Q Manifesto.

The story centers on Jay Hunt, who quit a lucrative Wall Street career to become a backcountry tour guide. Soon after, an ancient manuscript is uncovered that reveals the Gospels were an orchestrated fiction. Though its revelation stuns the world, Jay ignores it until his father, a retired Dead Sea Scrolls expert, gets in over his head investigating the scroll. Chased by assassins, Jay soon learns that the world’s only chance to survive Armageddon depends on him deciphering a cryptic trail of clues in his quest for the truth.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

An Unlikely Prospect as an Author

Alan Schleimer wasn’t always a writer. In fact, he says that he was the least likely candidate to become a published author. About ten years ago, he was enjoying a career in the corporate world. The former energy trader and business development professional with a finance MBA claims he struggled writing a two-paragraph business letter. “I kept getting these cool ideas for a book. I thought some day, if I ever retired, I would write it. Well, I noticed that these ideas came more frequently while I was spending my quiet time meditating. Eventually,I became convinced it was a calling from God, and I began writing full-time. The story that started it all was a Christian fiction fantasy. It was a great learning process filled with numerous rookie mistakes. I took writing classes and attended writing conferences until deciding to write the kind of fiction I liked to read—mystery/ suspense/ thrillers.”

Police Academy
Besides studying writing, Alan is a graduate of Sugar Land’s Citizen Police Academy. He describes it as "A great program for anyone, but it was an ideal introduction for me to police procedures. You can read about police work, but the Academy brings to life the daily risks and snap judgments police officers must make to keep us safe.” Besides his Academy participation he has studied martial arts, finance, and what he calls the divine source of all truth—the Bible.

Evidence that the Police Academy and other studies have enriched Alan’s writing is reflected in one reader’s review, which praised it as a “magnificent debut whose stunning depths, pivotal settings and tangible descriptions manifested themselves in imagery akin to an HDTV movie.” His storyline was cited as a “masterfully crafted, full immersion thriller written with intelligence, heart and virtue, brilliantly plotted, and played out at machine gun pace.” Pleased that his book is categorized as Christian fiction, Alan prefers to think of it as a family-friendly wild ride with a message of hope and a challenge to anyone’s faith.

Awards
The Q Manifesto was named the top inspirational/ religious novel of 2012 by the national website Daily Cheap Reads. Previously the story garnered the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award in the mystery/suspense/ thriller genre. Schleimer’s debut novel is a suspense thriller and has been compared favorably to Dan Brown’s "Da Vinci Code" for its masterfully- executed twists and turns.

Connect with Alan
The Q Manifesto is available as an eBook at Amazon and by month’s end at most online booksellers in a print edition. You can connect with Alan through his website www.alanschleimer.com and “Like” him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlanSchleimer.Author.

-- 
April W Gardner, award-winning author
www.aprilwgardner.com

Clash of the Titles
http://www.clashoft hetitles. com

Goodbye to Yesterday ~ The Discovery, Part 1 ~ by Wanda E. Brunstetter

About Book

Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds?  

Book 1 of the 6-part serial novel--The Discovery-A Lancaster County Saga.

Visit The Discovery Saga Facebook page here for more information.

Where to buy: Barnes&Noble, CBD

• ISBN-13: 9781616260859
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
• Publication date: 2/5/2013
• Series: The Discovery
• Pages: 128

About Author


Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 60 books with more than 6 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today. Wanda’s books have been translated into four foreign languages.

Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.
All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too.

Wanda's official website:  http://www.wandabrunstetter.com/


My Thoughts

Luke Stoltzfus has lost his job, with no offers of another on the horizon in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  He has become depressed, distant and on more than one occasion a little snappy at his wife Meredith.  What will they do they do not want to ask their parents for assistance. Their parents need what money they have coming in to support there families. Then when things look hopeless Luke gets an offer from his uncle  to learn a new trade and take over his uncle's business. But that means leaving his wife and going to Indiana for a few weeks.  Meredith does not feel comfortable about him leaving because there is a bad winter storm moving in and she does not want him traveling by bus until the storm passes.  Luke makes the final decision to make the trip anyway.  Meredith will have to pray and put her faith and trust in God to protect Luke.

This is a good story but I felt it was written for middle grade rather than adult.  If that were the case it would then be a good read for that age level.  I do not like that is only 128 pages and part one of six.  In my opinion if it had been in one book not six it would have meet with better reviews and an older readers.  Like I said before the story seemed to be a good read but was very frustrating to get to a climax in the book and then you have to wait for the next book and the next.  Sorry this was a bad idea splitting it in parts!  

Buying each of the six parts make an expensive book to read.  I don't see to many people unless they are just die hard fans spending that kind of money. 

This was difficult for me to give my honest opinion because I very rarely give negative reviews.  Put it all in one book then I will more that likely to have a good review.

I do not recommend this book the way it is presented in parts 1-6.

With a heavy heart I rated this book a 3 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Barbour Publishers/Handlebar Central for review.  This is my honest opinion.

I would have asked you to vote on whether you liked my review or not but Amazon is not taking reviews on this book.  Not sure what's the problem! I did post reviews on Barnes&Noble and CBD.