Monthly Archives: April 2008

Christy Award Nominees!

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I’d like to congratulate the following 2008 Christy Award Nominees:

CONTEMPORARY (STAND ALONE)

♦

Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson)

♦

In High Places by Tom Morrisey (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing

Group)

♦

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)

CONTEMPORARY (SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS)

♦

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon (Viking Penguin)

♦

A Time to Mend by Sally John and Gary Smalley (Thomas Nelson)

♦

What Lies Within by Karen Ball (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL

♦

Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of
Baker

Publishing Group)

♦

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing

Group)

♦

Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing

Group)

LITS (four nominees due to a tie)

♦

Doesn’t She Look Natural by Angela Elwell Hunt (Tyndale House
Publishers)

♦

Hallie’s Heart by Shelly Beach (Kregel Publications)

♦

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Group)

♦

Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck (Avon Inspire, a division of
HarperCollins

Publishers)

ROMANCE

♦

Lightning and Lace by DiAnn Mills (Barbour Publishing)

♦

Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney (Howard Books, a division of Simon
and

Schuster)

♦

Remembered by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing

Group)

SUSPENSE

♦

The Cure by Athol Dickson (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing Group)

♦

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (Moody Publishers)

♦

The Pawn by Steven James (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

VISIONARY

♦

Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Group)

♦

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson)

FIRST NOVEL

♦

Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Group)

♦

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (Revell, a division of Baker
Publishing Group)

YOUNG ADULT

♦

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

In Between by Jenny B.Jones (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

Maggie Come Lately by Michelle Buckman (NavPress Publishing Group)

Book Giveaway! Angels!

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I’m doing another book giveaway. I have not posted the reviews for all of the books listed below, however, I’ll probably post reviews for some of them within the next few days.

Also, I’ll be giving away copies of my own novel periodically to those who comment on this blog. You can comment on any blog post to be entered to win a copy of my novel, John’s Quest.

Also, if you win one of the titles listed below, when I send the title to you, I MIGHT include a copy of my own novel for you to enjoy!

Reading Michael Landon Jr’s and Tracie Peterson’s novel, One More Sunrise, has gotten me to thinking about angels! So…

If you’re interested in winning one of the novels listed below then I’d like for you to leave a comment about the following subject matter: Angels. I know that’s a broad topic, but I’ve heard some who say they thought they’ve seen an angel. Have you ever felt as if you “seen” or “felt/sensed” an angel’s presence? Or have you known somebody who’s had an angelic experience? Or, you can simply leave your thoughts about angels in general.

I’ll start by giving my thoughts on the subject. Angels have always fascinated me. Since angels are in the Bible, I can only assume that they are around us, helping us, protecting us, although, I don’t ever actually “feel” or “see” their presence. Also, from my Bible reading, I’ve noticed that the angels mentioned are usually male (like Gabriel and Michael).

Feel free to leave your comments abouts angels. It doensn’t have to be anything deep or earth-shattering! You can even mention your favorite angel story from the Bible, if you’d like, or whatever angelic subject you’d like to comment on!

Here are the books I’m giving away. When you comment, be sure to leave an email address so that I may contact you if you win! Also, be sure to let me know which novel(s) you’re interested in winning!

One More Sunrise by Michael Landon Jr. and Tracie Peterson
Treasures Of The North by Tracie Peterson
The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher
Listening To Her Heart by Joyce Livingston – A Heartsong Presents Title
What’s Cooking by Gail Sattler – An old Heartsong Presents Title
Margaret’s Quest by Muncy G. Chapman – An old Heartsong Presents Title
Murder On The Old Bunions by S. Dionne Moore – A recent Hearstong Presents Mystery
My Soul Cries Out by Sherri L. Lewis
Mercy, Mercy Me by Ronn Elmore – an old Walk Worthy Press title (this title kind of reminds me of an ABA title more so than CBA)

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Treasures Of The North by Tracie Peterson

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Treasures Of The North by Tracie Peterson (Yukon Quest #1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 076422378X
ISBN-13: 978-0764223785
From Barnes And Noble.com:
In the rugged, untamed Alaskan frontier, Grace, Bill(change mine), and Karen hope to start anew. Torn between her desire to obey her parents and her terror of the man they’ve arranged for her to marry, young Grace decides to escape to Alaska and thus forever alter her future. Bill(change mine), a widower, must choose between parenting his son and young daughter and following his dream. Karen chooses to strike out on her own in search of a missing family member.

With “gold fever” and the call of the wild drawing a host of characters to the frozen north, they believe they can build a future in the growing opportunities Alaska offers. But despite the hope of a new life, their pasts continue to threaten each of them….
=========================
I made a couple of changes to the review I copied and pasted from Barnes And Noble. They had Peter listed as the widower and it was actually a character named Bill Barringer who was a widower who struggled with the decision to stay and raise his children or strike out to make his fortune! I didn’t want to confuse anybody who felt inclined to read this novel!

I purchased this book a long time ago from Crossings Book Club. Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite authors and this book will not disappoint! Grace Hawkins must escape from her father’s arranged marriage. Her father’s bad habits have placed Grace’s future in jeopardy, so an arrangement is made for her to escape to Alaska. En route on the ship, she meets Peter Colton. They are smitten with one another, but Peter is an non-believer. His family “worships” him and he feels that he should be the one to make all big decisions for his immediate family. Grace tries to kindly tell him that he can’t be a god to his family because Peter is human, and he must accept that he is not perfect. Grace tries to get Peter to accept God as the head of his family instead of himself. Their different views about God and religion places a damper on their relationship as Peter arranges for Grace and her companions to work in a store catering to those arriving for the Alaskan Gold Rush.

I loved the setting! Peterson did a great job of making me feel as if I were in Alaska during historical times as the Gold Rush occurred.
~Cecelia Dowdy~

Garrett’s Popcorn!

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Okay, this is the best caramel popcorn I’ve ever had in my entire life! Really! It’s not like eating store-bought popcorn, like Cracker Jack, Fiddle Faddle, or Poppycock! This popcorn is homemade and when you eat this caramel corn, you can just taste the butter and sugar as it dances on your tongue. Yum! The first time I had this popcorn was when I was in Chicago several years ago! When I returned recently for my sister’s wedding, I tried it again and was hugely satisfied with my treat. Warning: the largest bag you can buy is kind of pricey, but since I hardly ever go to Chicago, the extra money you spend on it is well worth it!

So, the next time you’re in Chicago, you should give Garrett’s Popcorn a try!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Better Than Gold

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Better Than Gold by Laurie Alice Eakes

Publisher: Heartsong Presents

ISBN: 9781602600485

Binding: Mass Market

Lily is tired of her one-horse town. Lily Reese can’t wait to escape Browning City, Iowa. She’s sure she’ll be happier in the big city, if only she can save enough money to get there. But then Ben Purcell rides into town, threatening not only Lily’s place of residence and growing sense of family, but her safety and peace of mind, as well. And Ben has every intention of sticking around and becoming a small-town guy. How can Lily even consider the feelings he evokes in her? Rumors of a long-lost cache of gold bring danger swirling around them, but Lily and Ben find themselves on a quest for something more. Will releasing their plans and desires bring heartache or a reward they had never imagined?

===========
This was a charming book. I think the reason I liked it so much is because I could kind of relate to Lily’s dilemma. The story reminded me of when I was eighteen, about to graduate from high school, and I was eager to see the world! The reason I felt this way was because I had never traveled much, and I felt that my small town was boring and if only I could move away to someplace exciting I would find a world of happiness and adventure! As I finished this novel, the words from the movie, The Wizard of Oz came to mind: There’s no place like home!

The attraction between Lily and Ben is strong, and Ben is determined to court Lily, in spite of her vow to move away from their small town. However, since Ben has arrived to Browning, a strange series of events occur, placing his life, as well as Lily’s, in danger. When Lily gets a job offer that’ll take her away from the small town, she hesitates, wondering if she should accept the position. Lily’s faith in God is strengthened as she struggles to make her final decision about Ben, and about her future plans.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Milk Money

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I received the edits needed from the content reviewer yesterday for my novel, Milk Money, so I have another deadline looming on the horizon: May 19, 2008.

Here is the tentative back cover copy for the novel. The tentative release date is January 2009…

BACK COVER COPY:

Running a dairy farm is a big job, but doing it alone is almost impossible.

When her dad dies, Emily must work hard to save the family farm, but she manages. Until the day the CPA pulls in her drive and announces he’s there to do an audit on the place.

Franklin Reese is appalled at the lack of interest the Cooper women have in the financial end of their livelihood, but he dives in, determined to help them learn. The further he looks into Mr. Cooper’s dealings, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes.

Can he uncover the truth of the situation and still earn the love of the amazing Emily Cooper? Will issues in Franklin’s own life keep them apart, even after the farm is taken care of? Only God can heal hurting hearts and repair broken lives. Will these two let Him in?

Currently, I’m in the Windy City (Chicago)! Later, I’m gonna blog about a great place that serves AWESOME caramel popcorn here. I also have three novels that I finished recently and I’ll review the following titles within the next week or so:

Better Than Gold by Laurie Alice Eakes (A recent Heartsong Presents title)
Treasures of the North (Yukon Quest #1) by Tracie Peterson
What’s Cooking by Gail Sattler (An old Heartsong Presents title)

I also need to post the rest of the winners of my shopping blog book giveaway! I’d meant to choose winners for my novel, John’s Quest, yesterday, but I was too busy spending time with old friends and family members. I will be choosing the five winners for that soon. We’re preparing for my younger sister’s nuptials which take place today! I’m sure it will be a beautiful, joyous occasion!

~Cecelia Dowdy~