Monthly Archives: December 2010

A Few Things…

A reader left the following comment about my novel, Bittersweet Memories, here on my blog. I just wanted to share her comment with the rest of you:
Hi Cecelia,

My daughter, Angel, is from Uganda. She is learning English and absolutely does not like to read… That is, until I discovered your novel, Bittersweet Memories, at a book exchange during my church’s annual Ladies Retreat this year. I brought it home to her and her nose has been stuck in it every since! She just finished it the Friday after Thanksgiving. This is the FIRST book that she has enjoyed reading without my having to prompt her…I didn’t have to tell her once to pick it up, she did it all on her own! Thank you for writing such an inspiring story with wonderful Christian morals for her to read. We look forward to reading more of your books!

Blessings,
Erika and daughter, Angel, in Texas

I was interviewed on the Romance Slam Jam Blog recently. Stop by and check it out and leave a comment!

I’m enjoying the Christmas Season but I’m just a bit bummed that I’m not currently contracted for any novels. I do have a couple of things floating around out there, plus, I’m working on a submission to send to a literary agent within the next month or so.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Always Yesterday By Jeri Odell

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Always Yesterday – Book One In The Sierra Weddings Collection

As a female cop, Delanie Cooper is on her most difficult assignment yet. To stop a baby-selling ring, she goes undercover as an unmarried, pregnant teen. Her new partner, Eli Logan, plays the father. With his rugged good looks, Delanie doesn`t have to fake attraction, but Eli`s rough exterior and bitterness toward women make it hard even to be friends. Eli is outraged at having another female partner. His last one nearly got him killed, and she wasn`t the first woman to let him down. He`s sure he`ll never need another woman in his life or anyone else, not even God. His past has shown him he can only count on himself. Amidst danger and deceit can Eli forget the pain of yesterday to see something different in Delanie? And will he come to know God, the only One who will never let him down?

This book was a quick, pleasant read. Eli was abandoned by his mother, his father’s an alcoholic, and his brother died from a drug overdose. Plus, he’s had a negative experience with a female cop. When he meets beautiful Delanie, his new partner, it’s rough for him to ignore their shared attraction. However, Delanie and her family are strong Christians and Eli wants nothing to do with God. As Eli mentors teens, and is urged to hang out at the Christian teen center with his mentees, he finds himself seeking answers to questions he’s had about the Lord for several years.

Delanie also finds herself smitten with her new partner as they try to bust a baby-selling ring. Offended by Eli’s attitude against women cops, Delanie stands up for herself, proving her worth. As she falls for Eli, she knows that they can never be together since it’s a sin to be unequally yoked with a non-believer. I thought the author did a good job of showing how deeply Delanie and Eli were attracted to one another, but could not be together because of their non-shared religious beliefs. There’s also a side story involving one of Delaney’s best friends who’s struggling with marrying a non-believer. This thread proved intriguing, also.

This story moved pretty fast and you get caught up in the characters and their lives while they perform their jobs as cops. It was a light, sweet, enjoyable story with a small dose of suspense thrown into the mix.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Quick Christmas Reads! :-)

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I wanted to mention a set of Christmas short stories that I recently read entitled Christmas Grace by Robin Bayne and Laura Hamby.

Christmas Grace by Laura Hamby
Hannah Kelsey, now orphaned by the War Between the States, awaits patiently for news of her one, surviving brother. A life that has been anything but easy is made more complicated by the Yankee soldier she finds lying in front of her cabin a few days before the Christmas of 1864.

The Scent of Falling Snow by Robin Bayne
Aideen O’Conner felt a certain twinge when Rob Novak walked into her dance studio. Was it because she thought he didn’t take her seriously, or because she was afraid he would?

When Rob visits his daughter’s step-dancing teacher, he makes it clear he doesn’t consider the activitiy a challenge. The real challange comes when he learns the teacher’s secret.

Christmas Grace is a historical short story that takes place during the Civil War. Hannah is a tough woman who lives alone – her whole planation has been burned to the ground and she’s forced to fend for herself. When she finds a wounded enemy soldier on her property, what should she do? Does God want her to help the enemy? Being around this man unnerves her – in a good sort of way. She’s been alone for so long that she’s forgotten the feeling of love, companionship, and camaraderie with another person. As the story unfolds, you’ll discover that Hannah’s new cabin mate can cause lots of turmoil in her life.

The Scent of Falling Snow is a contemporary short story. Aideen runs a dance studio, and she’s lost custody of her daughter due to the mistake she’s made. Although she’s able to visit her daughter, she hasn’t forgiven herself for her rash, bitter actions against her ex-husband’s wife. When Rob discovers the truth behind Aideen’s actions, he’s devastated. Can Aideen learn to forgive herself and learn to love Rob?

Both of these stories were quick, enjoyable reads and you could easily read both of them in one or two evenings.

So, grab a cup of hot coffee and some Christmas cookies and enjoy these short holiday stories! These tales are nice little treats to savor during the Christmas rush! 🙂

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Photo courtesy of Paul – Free Digital Photos