The winner for my December Book Giveaway is: Kristi Herbrand of Gumee, Illinois
The winner for my giveaway of The Shack is: Barbara Sanders of Empire, Alabama
Also, if you got a minute, stop by my friend, Kat’s Blog. She’s doing a cool giveaway and you might want to check it out!
I’ll be posting another giveaway soon!
Isn’t this a beautiful cover? Linore will be giving away a copy of this novel as long as at least ten unique commenters comment on this blog. Please leave a comment on this blog post, and if enough people comment, you’ll be entered into her drawing. She’ll be choosing the winner soon. Please read the book description and the author interview! I’ll be reading this book sometime in the future! When I do, I’ll be posting my review!
Before The Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkand
Short description of Before the Season Ends
England, 1813: Romantic woes at home send Ariana Forsythe to her Aunt Bentley’s town house in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Under her aunt’s watchful eye, Ariana is soon steeped in high society–and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London’s current darling rogue.
Then, unexpectedly, rumour of a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her faith and her future are at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent’s attention.
Will Ariana’s faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it is Ariana’s heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to a man who cannot share her faith, how can it ever turn out right?
Interview with Linore Rose Burkand
Linore, what drew you to writing Regency Romance novels?
Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen books gave me a love for the period, and there weren’t any Christian regencies to be found. I wanted to change that.
Where did you find your inspiration for Ariana and Phillip?
I’m not sure. I think they’re both amalgamations of people I’ve read about and known.
England in the 1800s is a world away from the 21st century.
What do you think we could learn today from how society operated in the Regency period?
Times have changed, but people haven’t. Men and women of the time were concerned with their appearances, their finances, their futures, finding the right spouse, and so on, just as we are, today. How they went about pursuing these ends is where all the difference lies, however, and this is precisely where the interest and adventure opens up for writers. Bringing to life the means and methods of everyday life and timeless concerns from the regency. It is fun and enlightening as a glimpse into the past, but readers can also identify with the basic human need to be genuinely loved for onself, no matter the setting or time period, and to be certain of one’s convictions concerning life, eternity, and faith. Having said that, it is good to remind modern readers that valuing one’s purity can be mainstream, as it was then; or that the struggle to find a true love and a sense that one’s life has value, has always been a human issue.
What do you hope readers will take away from your books?
I hope my readers will feel as though they’ve been transported to the Regency for a good, satisfying visit; While they’re visiting, they’ll be reminded that God is involved in their life, and that happy endings are possible for everyone.
Any Regency romance is going to be compared to Jane Austen’s novels ~ how are your books similar / different?
I don’t think most regencies are written with this comparison in mind at all. However, other people say my book is “Austen-like.” That is a huge compliment, and one I would love to live up to.
The sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is releasing in 2009.
Do you have more Regency novels planned?
My editor and I are tossing around ideas right now. I do have a few more regencies in mind.
What are you working on at the moment? A sneak peek, please.
I’m exploring whether to do a third book in the Regency Series, which at present is comprised of Before the Season Ends, and The House in Grosvenor Square. Book three would begin about five years later (about 1818) and follow the lives of a number of people who were introduced in the first two books. I would also probably introduce one new couple.
Do you ever bang your head against the wall from the dreaded writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I do something else. If I can’t write a scene for a book, I can always write an article. I can update my blog. I can’t really force a scene when it isn’t coming; I find that getting busy and doing something else is the best thing I can do for the book and for me (rather than beat myself up). One thing about having an online presence today is that there is never a shortage of tasks to be done, including a great many writing tasks. Since I write historical (regency) romance, there are always tons of subjects I can research and write about, putting them into articles for my ezine, or out there on the web.
Novelists sometimes dig themselves into a hole over implausible plots, flat characters, or a host of other problems. What’s the most difficult part of writing for you (or was when you first started on your novel journey)?
I think for me the biggest challenge was to believe that I could write a novel in small increments. As a mom of five, four of whom are still home year-round (one is in college), having frequent interruptions is a fact of life. Writing takes a concentration so deep so that when I first started doing scenes, I would find myself getting woozy after standing up. I was shocked at the level of exertion it took to use my brain that hard, I guess!
How did (or do) you climb out (overcome it)?
If I do get stuck at some point in the plot, I let it simmer in my mind. I also exercise–for some reason, when I am physically active, my brain gets going in a way that doesn’t always happen when I’m sitting with my laptop before me. Swimming and doing the treadmill (walking) almost always result in wonderful new ideas I just can ‘t wait to get on paper. Sometimes, I’ve even had to stop walking and run to the pc just to get the idea down so I don’t forget. By the way, I always pray for the right idea, too. There is no better writer than God.
The second “nifty” way to solve a plot (or other) problem in a book is to let it sit awhile without reading it. When you come back to it after a long enough interval (as long as you can give it) solutions just present themselves. I find the same thing happens to me with crossword puzzles–if I’m stuck, I put it down and when I come back to it–even an hour later–the word is there. So the key is, give yourself permission to take a break.
Some authors report writing 5-10 thousand words a day. Do scenes flow freely from your veins, or do you have to tweeze each word out?
In general, I write more than I need and later have to cut back. I don’t use a word count, but I may set a goal of one chapter a day or two chapters for a busy week. Other times, I don’t think in terms of chapters at all, just events. I may break an event down into four scenes, say, and so my goal for that day will be to get the whole event on paper. In other words, finish the four scenes. Life changes so rapidly with the children, that for me, a hard and fast writing goal just wouldn’t work. And, I focus on results, not time spent. Instead of, “Now I’ll write for three hours,” I say, “Now I’ll have this or that happen to a character, or, ‘I’ll show a different side to this person.” When I have accomplished that goal, no matter how long it took, I feel satisfied, and only then.
I’m glad to have had you on my blog today, Linore! Readers, remember to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for Linore’s novel!
I’m giving away the following books this month. Also, I’m changing things up a bit: I’m choosing ONE WINNER for ALL OF THE BOOKS. Also, the list includes 2 NON-FICTION titles.
If you are interested in winning these novels, simply leave a comment addressing the following topic: purses! I was in the Coach store with author Linda Leigh Hargrove a couple of months ago and was commenting on the fact that women will spend hundreds of dollars on a purse. Me? I buy a new Coach bag about every five years! Seriously! And I always purchase a basic color like brown or black that will go with everthing. I only use one purse and the reason I don’t have multiple purses is because I don’t have the time, energy or desire to switch purses. My life is already complicated enough as is, and I don’t want to complicate it more by switching purses. While Linda and I were browsing the store, I noticed that I didn’t like the new style of Coach purses. I don’t like that C-pattern on the front of my bag. Also, their solid-colored purses had a pebbled texture, which I hated. I didn’t see any purses in the store that I really liked.
So, women, do you usually spend a lot of money on purses? How many do you buy a year? Do you like expensive brands like Coach or Dooney (or some other brand name)?MEN: How do you feel about your wife, girlfriend, significant other, sister, etc., spending upwards of four or five hundred dollars on a purse? Do you think women are crazy for doing this? So, leave your comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in order to be entered into the drawing. If you don’t want to be entered into the drawing, but would still like to comment, then just say so when you place your comment on this blog entry.
Here is a list of the books that I’m giving away:
1. Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy
2. John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
3. Golden Wisdom Timeless Inspirations
4. Prayers That Avail Much – First Blessings For Your Child by Germaine Copeland
5. The Flower Of Grass by James Robinson
6. Death On A Deadline – A Heartsong Presents Mystery by Christine Lynxwiler, Jan Reynolds, and Sandy Gaskin
7. In The Dead Of Winter – A Heartsong Presents Mystery by Nancy Mehl
8. Dog Gone – A Heartsong Presents Mystery by Eileen Key
9. Loving Ways – by Gail Gaymer Martin
10. Only Today – A Heartsong Presents Romance by Jeri Odell
11. The Dreams Of Hannah Williams – A Heartsong Presents Romace by Linda Ford
12. Loveswept – A Heartsong Presents Romance by Tamela Hancock Murray
13. Born For This Love – A Heartsong Presents Romance by Brenda Bancroft
14. Riding Through Shadows by Sharon Ewell Foster
15. Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins
I had several giveaways going on in November. So, here is a listing of the winners:
John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy: Lynnet Hardwick Van Buren, AR
Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy: Annette Taylor of Albion, IL
A Time To Dance by Karen Kingsbury: Doreen Hayes of Baltimore, MD
Diamond Duo: Mrs. Carole Jarvis of Jonesboro, GA
Diamond Duo: Mary Zander of Rochester, NY
The sweet romance set: Lauren Sorgaard of Goodhue, MN
Sharon K. Souza novel: Janna Ryan of North Platte, NE
Heartsong Presents Cozy Mysteries set: Kristi Coday of Oklahoma City, OK
Dance Into Destiny by Sherri Lewis: Cindi Hoppes Edwardsville, IL
Children’s books by Karen Kingsbury and Dandi Mackall: Carrie Turansky of Lawrenceville, NJ
I still need to choose a winner for The Shack giveaway, so if you haven’t entered, you still have time. I’ll probably be drawing a winner for that book soon.
I’ll also be posting the books for my December Book Giveaway within the next day or so!
The Shack by William P. Young
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Windblown Media; 1st edition (July 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0964729237
ISBN-13: 978-0964729230
From Amazon.com:
Product Description
Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant “The Shack” wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!
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WARNING: SPOILER
It’s hard for me to talk about this book without giving a spoiler. I had mixed feelings about this novel for several reasons. First off, it just seemed weird for the author to make God, the Father, an African American woman. William P. Young (the author) also portrayed the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman and Jesus as a Middle Eastern man. A few people commented on this blog post that they either didn’t want to read the book because of what they’d heard about it, or didn’t want to finish reading the book.
I felt strangest when reading the scenes with Mack and Papa (the African-American woman). I guess because when I think of God personified, I automatically think of Jesus. I just can’t imagine being in the kitchen with God, The Father, as an African-American woman, asking questions about suffering while she bakes a pie!
Reading about the Asian Holy Spirit felt a little bit “off” too. It’s hard to explain why, but it just felt a little strange. My being in the garden with the female Asian Holy Spirit, while helping to plant flowers while I ask her questions about mankind and suffering is just a little bit hard to imagine.
I believe that’s where some of the controversy arises with this novel. By having the African-American woman and the female Asian Holy Spirit, the author MAY be trying to explain the trinity in an understandable way to Mack and to the reader as well?
The scenes that felt more “normal” were the ones where Mack was interacting with Jesus. I guess it’s because we have somewhat of a mental image of Jesus since we know He was here on earth, personified. I’m not sure why the scenes felt more normal when reading about Jesus, but I’m assuming this is why. Also, Jesus was a carpenter on earth, and the author shows Jesus working with tools, making a coffin for Mack’s deceased daughter.
When Mackenzie’s (Mack’s) daughter is abducted and killed, he can’t seem to shake the Great Sadness that has descended upon him. He receives a letter from Papa, asking for a meeting at the shack (where his daughter was taken before she was killed). The letter and the visit from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together, are God’s way of reaching out to Mack, helping him to heal from the grief and bitterness he’s been harboring for the last four years.
He has thought-provoking conversations with all three of his “hosts” for the weekend, demanding answers as to why his innocent daughter was brutally murdered. Papa answers Mack’s question, and in the end, Mack is able to bury his pain, both emotionally and physically. He knows his daughter still lives and is now happy. Jesus allows Mack to get a glimpse of his deceased child, now happily enjoying her afterlife.
Although this book was strange, I do think it MAY help to minister to those who have lost a child. I have a 3 year old, and if something similar were to happen to him, I know I’d suffer from Great Sadness. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit explain why evil things happen to innocent people on this earth.
I also wanted to point out that if I were to write this book, or if I were an acquiring editor, I’d suggest that the author redo the story without the African-American woman Papa and the Asian Holy Spirit in the story. I’d just have Jesus to visit Mack, and have the two of them chat about what had happened with Missy (Mack’s murdered daughter). Of course, several scenes would have to be redone in a different way, but if the book were written the way I’ve suggested, I think it may have been more effective and less controversial.
The concept used in The Shack of Jesus, coming to us directly as a person today, reminded me of a book I read a long time ago called Eli. In Eli, Davis Conrad has an accident, and when he wakes up, it appears he’s in another time and he rushes to escape from the police who are trying to catch him. A man named Eli is born, and Davis is confused because Eli claims to be the Son of God. Also, when Davis looks at the Bible, the New Testament doesn’t exist. But then he flashes back to an alternate time and sees himself hooked up to machines in a hospital (resulting from his accident). This book has science fiction qualities as it tells of a parallel universe. However, it reminded me of The Shack since it uses this scenario: what would happen if Jesus were to come today instead of two thousand years ago?
This same concept was used in Dinner With A Perfect Stranger. In Dinner With A Perfect Stranger, the main character receives an invitation from Jesus, kind of like Mack did in The Shack. This workaholic character with a troubled marriage accepts the invite and dines with Jesus at an Italian restaurant. During this dinner, he asks God about why there is so much pain and suffering in the world, demanding answers, kind of like how Mack confronted God, The Father, and Jesus, and The Holy Spirit in The Shack. However, I felt the way it was done in Dinner With A Perfect Stranger was more realistic than The Shack.
These are the ONLY THINGS in The Shack that reminded me of these two other novels! I’m in no way saying that Eli and Dinner With A Perfect Stranger are as controversial and “strange” as The Shack.
I’d be interested in hearing readers’ thoughts about this book. Leave a comment along with your EMAIL ADDRESS in this post if you’d be interested in winning this novel! If you comment and you are NOT interested in winning, then just say that you DON’T want to be entered into the drawing. I’ve heard so many positive and negative things about this novel for a long time, so I had to read it myself to see what all the fuss was about!
We Believe In Christmas by Karen Kingsbury
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712122
ISBN-13: 978-0310712121
From the inside cover:
On Christmas we give and get presents, we sing songs, and we decorate our homes. But what is Christmas really about? Is our happy holiday a Holy Day?
Find out why we place the star on the Christmas tree. Imagine Christmas guests as travelers of long ago. And let the beautiful song “Silent Night” fill your mind with pictures of the night Jesus was born. Because Chrstmas is God’s gift to us – and we look around and remember, we’ll learn to see the real Christmas.
This endearing story by bestselling novelist Karen Kingsbury will capture the hearts of children, and parents and grandparents will appreciate the applications they can share.
This was a nice story which showed different aspects of the commercialism of Christmas, and then contrasted those aspects to the religious meaning of Christmas. It’s a nice, fun read to enjoy with your children over the holidays, especially as you discuss different Christmas traditions like placing the star on top of the Christmas tree.
The Gift Of The Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310713285
ISBN-13: 978-0310713289
From Amazon.com:
Review
It’s the Depression, and Jack and his mother struggle to get by in their small town. When Jack’s mother begins to bake cookies to give away to others, she explains the history behind the family’s wooden cookie molds and draws Jack into her baking. As they work together, she tells him the story of European woodcarvers and their families in the Middle Ages making cookies in shapes that could be used to tell the story of Christ’s birth. Jack’s only Christmas gift that year is a large angel cookie, which he then gives away to a stranger who arrives on Christmas morning. Jack offers the angel cookie to the man with a few concluding sentences that convey his beliefs, neatly echoing the Biblical concept that any stranger might be an angel and must be given hospitality. The tale is told in an understated way, complemented by Chabrian’s sensitive watercolor illustrations, which convey Jack’s range of emotions.
This was a good story which teaches kids not to be selfish during the holiday season, or any season for that matter. It’s the Depression, and Jack is ecstatic to return home to find his mother baking Christmas cookies. He’s saddened to find out that the cookies are for needy families. His mother then explains how the tradition of giving Christmas cookies started, using the example of Jack’s woodcarving ancestors.
Jack is delighted to awaken and find the large angel cookie as a Christmas present from his mother. However, when a hungry stranger comes to their door, Jack learns the meaning of giving what he cherishes to others.
I enjoyed reading this story, and I’d recommend it as a nice read for youngsters.
I’m giving both of these books away. If you’d like these children’s books, please leave a comment, along with your email address. I will be drawing the names later this week. Also, I will mail out these books quickly so that the winner can enjoy these heartwarming stories with their child(ren) over the holiday season!
If you don’t win, then you can always find these titles at your local bookstore! I’m sure they’d make great early Christmas presents for your little ones!
I’ll be reviewing and giving away these ZONDERKIDZ children’s books later this month. I’ll let you know when you can post to enter the drawing.
We Believe In Christmas by Karen Kingsbury
The Gift of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall
I’m not sure which day I’ll be posting the review and drawing, but it will be soon. You can subscribe to this blog if you want to be sure you don’t miss entering the drawing. I’ll be sending the books out soon after the drawing just in case somebody wants to give the books to their children as Christmas gifts.
Lying On Sunday by Sharon K. Souza
AN INTERVIEW WITH SHARON K. SOUZA
Author of Lying on Sunday
1. In your previous novel, Every Good & Perfect Gift, you address the tough issues of infertility and catastrophic illness. Again, in Lying on Sunday, you’ve tackled a tough subject, that being infidelity. Why do you choose such tough topics?
I like to write stories that speak to women on deep and personal levels. None of us gets through this life without being affected in some form by sadness, loss, a sense of failure over one issue or another, and having been failed. I think when we know we’re not the only one going through these types of situation–and it’s so easy to feel that you are alone–it gives us hope that we really can come through, not necessarily unscathed, but certainly stronger and more equipped to help others.
2. Do heavy topics equal a heavy reading experience?
Definitely not. I firmly believe that pleasure reading should first and foremost be entertaining. Time is a precious commodity. I hope that readers who choose to spend some of their precious hours in the pages of my books will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
So even though I tackle tough subjects, I infuse enough humor to keep those subjects from becoming an albatross around the reader’s neck. Conversely, I love to read for pleasure, but I want to take something away from the experience.
3. What would you have readers take away from Lying on Sunday?
In one day, Abbie Torrington has the underpinnings of her world knocked out from under her. Everything she thinks she knows about her marriage turns out to be false. It leaves her reeling in the aftermath. Years ago, while dealing with health issues in my own life, a close friend gave me a Precious Moments figurine entitled “Light at the End of the Tunnel.” In Lying on Sunday I want to show that even with issues as devastating as betrayal there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and for me that Light, of course, is Jesus.
4. Lying on Sunday deals with the betrayal of infidelity, but are there other forms of betrayal that the book might speak to?
Types of betrayal obviously vary, but the end results can be equally devastating. Any time a trust is broken between people in relationship, someone is going to be hurt. We can either allow those hurts to hinder us, or we can allow the Lord to use them as lessons to make us better and stronger. That brings to mind the old adage “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.” Well, through her own devastating experience Abbie becomes a stronger, more independent person than she knew she could be.
5. Once again you’ve written a story with a strong and vital friendship that’s central to the story. Was that coincidence or by design?
Absolutely by design. I’m all about relationships and so are my characters. Having gone through a period in my early adulthood without a close friend, I know how important friends are in our lives. In fact, I’ve recently reconnected with two friends from high school, one I hadn’t seen in 25 years, and the other in over 30 years. But relationships between women, while vital, can be very complex. That’s certainly true for Abbie. Besides her close friendship with Shawlie Bryson, she has a close relationship with one daughter and a challenging relationship with the other, mostly because of the very different emotional place these girls are in while dealing with the death of their father. Not only that, but Abbie has a strained relationship with her own mother for reasons she eventually discovers. I’m certain that women of each one of these generations will relate to one or the other of these characters, especially the woman caught in the middle, where she’s both the daughter and the mother.
6. Truth is a theme you deal with extensively in Lying on Sunday. In a book that deals with betrayal, wouldn’t forgiveness be a more fitting theme?
I believe forgiveness is the key to getting beyond the kind of hurt Abbie experiences – which doesn’t necessarily equate to restored relationship. (In Abbie’s case, of course, that’s impossible anyway.) But the discovery of truth is a huge first step in the process. In any difficult situation we can choose to ignore the facts and try to keep life on an even keel. But there inevitably comes a day of reckoning. For Abbie to arrive at the desired destination, there are some unpleasant truths she must acknowledge and deal with. She’s dogged by a scripture from John 8:32 that says the truth will set you free. Only she can decide whether or not she’ll let it.
7. What is the most satisfying thing that comes out of your writing?
I love hearing from readers, especially those I don’t know, who say my stories have touched them in one way or another, and most importantly, have helped them see more clearly how good and loving our Lord is.
8. What are you working on now, and does it continue in the style of Lying on Sunday and Every Good & Perfect Gift?
My work in progress, Unraveled, is another contemporary novel about a young woman who gives a year of her life to help teach children in Moldova, a small country in eastern Europe. While there she experiences a crisis of faith (the story ultimately deals with human trafficking). And yes, it continues in the style of my previous novels.
9. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Naturally I love to hear from readers. You can email me through my website: http://www.sharonksouza.com. If you’re in a book club and choose to read any of my books I’ll send a complimentary book to the person who contacts me on behalf of their group. Then, after you read the book I’d love to participate in your group discussion, either by phone or in person if you’re close enough for me to drive to.
It was great having you here, Sharon! If you are interested in being entered into the drawing for Lying On Sunday, simply leave a comment on this blog post! Don’t forget to leave your email address when you comment so that I’ll have a way to contact you if you win!
If you want, you can read another interview with Sharon that I posted earlier this year.
I received my author copies of Milk Money today! To celebrate, I’m giving away one copy on this blog! Leave a comment on this blog post to be entered into the drawing! THIS DRAWING IS SEPARATE FROM MY NOVEMBER BOOK GIVEAWAY DRAWING. If you want to win this book, you’ll need to leave a comment on this post, along with your email address!
Coming in January 2009 – Milk Money – A Barbour Heartsong Presents Title!
ISBN: 978-1-60260-255-7
From the back cover:
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?
For my monthly book giveaway, I thought I’d give commenters a question to answer.
I attended the ACFW conference last September, and I spoke with two editors regarding African American (AA) fiction. A few years ago, I blogged about how AA books are shelved here and about people reading AA authors here.
It appears that a lot of African Americans will only read books by AA authors. However, while I was growing up, there were practically no AA authors out there, so I read whatever I could get my hands on! I was joyous when the publishing scene exploded with lots of AA books (I was an adult by this time.)
My question to all of you is, if you are NOT African-American, do you mind reading African-American fiction? Do you feel that AA books are only written for other African Americans? If you go to a bookstore, and see the AA section, would you go to that section and browse, or do you feel that those books are only for AA readers?
And if you are AA, do you ONLY read books by AA authors, or do you read books by people of all races?
I’ll start by responding to my own question. If you visit my blog enough, and see the books I give away, you’ll probably already know my answer. I’ll read a novel as long as it’s well-written and enjoyable. I don’t care if the author or characters are AA or not, I’m gonna read the book regardless. If I don’t like it, I won’t finish reading it!
If you are NOT AA and enter a bookstore, and you usually skip the AA section, I’m letting you know it’s OKAY to go to that section and browse a bit! Pick up some of those fiction titles and give them a try! You might find that you enjoy them! However, the whole shelving issue comes into play here. Depending on the bookstore, the AA Christian fiction MIGHT NOT be shelved in the AA section. It might be in the Christian fiction section. So if you’re looking for Christian fiction titles and the author is AA, it’s a toss up about where you might find it.
When my Love Inspired novel First Mates came out, I visited some bookstores in my area and moved a few copies FROM the romance section TO the AA section, knowing that some would only purchase my novel if they found it in the AA section.
As usual, when you comment, please leave your email address so that I’ll have a way to contact you if you win! I’m giving away the following new/slightly used novels for the month of November:
John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Here is the book summary from Heartsong Presents website:
It’s amazing how quickly life can change. Overnight, Monica Crawford finds her neatly organized world turned upside down. Her sister abandons her blind son, Scotty, leaving him on Monica’s doorstep. Caring for a handicapped child brings unexpected conflict-but unexpected joy as well. When John French volunteers to tutor Scotty, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Monica. But John and Monica are very different. She is a strong believer, determined to live her life for Christ. John is an agnostic who wants nothing to do with God.Will John see the light? Will Monica realize that sometimes letting go of a dream is the way to achieve it? Only in full surrender will either of them be happy- whether they end up together or alone.
A Time To Dance by Karen Kingsbury
Diamond Duo by Marcia Gruver – I have 2 copies of this novel to give away.
Dance Into Destiny by Sherri L. Lewis
The following cozy mysteries, published by Barbour Publishing, will be given away as a set:
1. The Wedding Caper by Janice A. Thompson
2. 
Murder In The Milk Case by Candice Speare – When mommy and wife Trish Cunningham find the body of Jim Bob Jenkins behind the two-percent mil, she knows she’s having a bad day. Worse, she’s a suspect in the murder. Sleuthing to exonerate herself from criminal charges, she shakes up a murderer who has nothing to lose by killing anyone in the way–including Trish.
3. 
Band Room Bash by Candice Speare – When Trish Cunningham and her oldest stepson, Tommy, find Georgia Winters, the English teacher at Four Oaks High School, dead in the band room, the suspect list is lengthy. The teacher had a number of enemies–including Tommy Cunningham.
Once again Trish pulls out her notebook to collect clues. Detective Eric Scott, suffering from unrequited love for Trish’s best friend, Abbie, pointedly asks Trish to butt out. But despite the detective’s warnings, she jumps in as usual and finds herself embroiled in a mystery that has its roots in thwarted love and revenge. The finale could be Trish’s swan song.
4. Baker’s Fatal Dozen by Lisa Harris
5. Drop Dead Diva by Christine Lynxwiler, Jan Reynolds, and Sandy Gaskin
I’m giving away these three Heartsong Presents romance titles as a set:
1. 
Sandhill Dreams by Cara C. Putman – from Heartsong Presents website:
Lainie has no dreams left. Lainie Gardner dreamed of becoming a nurse. Of serving her country. Of doing something important in the war. But rheumatic fever changed all that, and instead of running home, Lainie is determined to find a job at Fort Robinson in Nebraska’s sandhills. Tom Hamilton had dreams, too. Dreams of preparing the horses at Fort Robinson for duty on the warfront. Instead, he is assigned to train war dogs and their handlers, meaning that each day he must face the fear he’s had of dogs since he was bitten as a child. Lainie and Tom wonder why God seems to have denied them their dreams. But is it possible new dreams will bring them more joy than they ever imagined?
2. Better Than Gold by Laurie Alice Eakes
3. 
Reckless Rogue by Mary Davis – from Heartsong Presents website:
Lizzie Carter is no ordinary doll. Lieutenant Pete Garfield loves to flirt with the ladies-“dolls” as he calls them-in every town where he lands his Curtiss JN-4D biplane. There are always plenty in the crowds who gather to gape at his amazing aeroplane and pay him for a ride. But one special girl in Cashmere, Washington, captures his interest with her extraordinary knowledge of aeroplanes and her insistence on flying his! No one but Pete flies the Jenny, but he sure doesn’t mind giving pretty Lizzie some free rides. Lizzie Carter has always dreamed of flying, but she won’t be satisfied until she pilots an aeroplane herself. She sees Pete’s arrival in Cashmere as the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true. But she didn’t expect this carefree aviator to capture her heart. Will Pete settle in one town long enough to fall in love with one special girl? Or will the past he’s been fleeing finally catch up with him?
I’m giving away these two sweet romances as a set – please note that these two books are NOT inspirational titles, but they are sweet.
1. For Her Child by Linda Goodnight
2. Rough Around The Edges by Marie Ferrarella
