Category Archives: Book Talk

Pink by Marilynn Griffith

Pink (Shades of Style) (Paperback)
by Marilynn Griffith

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell (February 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800730402
ISBN-13: 978-0800730406

From Amazon.com
Book Description
Meet Raya Joseph, the creative head designer at an up-and-coming new fashion design firm. Like employees of any fledgling company, Raya and her fellow designers face a variety of challenges–especially when it comes to bringing in business. So when they are hired to design a million-dollar wedding gown, these talented and animated designers are thrilled. But there’s one catch. The new customer is the woman who stole Raya’s fianc. Meanwhile, Flex Dunham, an athletic trainer who coaches a charity basketball team, needs team uniforms and soon finds himself in Raya’s shop. Raya hasn’t looked at a man since her engagement fiasco, so when Flex walks into her office, things get a little complicated. The entertaining first novel in the Shades of Style series, Pink offers a perfect mix of likeable characters, sweet drama, humor, and a little bit of romance.

I enjoyed reading this book, and I also loved the way the author made the reader aware about how AIDS really affects our lives. AIDS/HIV is something that I don’t really read much about in Christian fiction.

Raya is hurting. She’s been jilted by her ex-fiancé and she’s also estranged from her wealthy parents. As she desperately tries to make a living as a fashion designer, her friend, Chenille, introduces her to Flex: a personal trainer and a Christian man. The sexual tension between this couple is very strong, and Flex has issues of his own that he’s dealing with. Also estranged from his wealthy parent, both Flex and Raya are trying to make a living on their own, without using the vast wealth of their fathers.

Raya and Flex’s love grows during her early morning training sessions at the gym, and while she assists Flex with coaching his boy’s basketball team. Raya joyously spends time with the young men and especially connects with Jay, an AIDS orphan. As the story unfolds, you’ll find that Flex and Raya are connected in a very unique, surprising, and God-filled way!

Here’s something I never do when I talk about a book. I’m going to quote a couple of sentences from the book that I loved! I guess I loved these sentences because I love sweets so much? I’m not sure, but I love the way the author described this sunset.

From page 254:
The sun dipped below the horizon like a lemon cookie in a bowl of rainbow sherbet. Hues of melon and pink spread across the sky as though God was painting by number.

Those sentences were amazingly tasty and picturesque! I wanted to eat the sun!

Also, if you recall, I blogged about Cami Tang’s book awhile back. I’d mentioned that was the only Christian fiction novel I’d read with Asian characters.

Well, book two in the Shades Of Style series, Jade, has Asian characters.

Which brings me to another topic, people of different nationalities writing about different races. Marilynn is African-American and her second Shades Of Style book has Asian characters. As a matter of fact, each book focuses on a person of a different race:

I remember Marilynn spoke briefly about this at the ACFW 2006 conference in Dallas. It was an interesting discussion. I think it would be hard for me to write an entire novel where the main characters are Asian. I’m not sure if I could portray him/her authentically. However, I’m pretty sure I could pen a novel with Caucasian characters fairly easily. If anybody has read any of the books in the Shades Of Style series, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts about them. I enjoyed the first one, and I’ll probably be reading the others sometime in the future.

Cecelia Dowdy

ZONDERVAN Series List — Serenade Sonata

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Here’s another extinct inspirational series romance line. The one I blogged about a few days ago, Serenade Saga, was historical. The Serenade Sonata series was contemporary. I recognize some of the authors on this list.

I just finished the novel, Pink, by Marilynn Griffith. I’ll be blogging about that soon.

FOREVER ROMANCES

SER-1 Schulte, Elaine L. On Wings of Love
SER-2 Feldhake, Susan C. Love’s Sweet Promise
SER-3 Feldhake, Susan C. For Love Alone 1983
SER-4 Hermann, Lydia Love’s Late Spring 1983
SER-5 Hoover, Mab Graff In Comes Love Aug-1983
SER-6 Daniels, Velma S. Fountain of Love 1983
SER-7 Herring, Linda Morning Song 1984
SER-8 Darty, Peggy A Mountain to Stand Strong 1984
SER-9 Baer, Judy Love’s Perfect Image
SER-10 Lehman, Yvonne Smoky Mountain Sunrise
SER-11 Crow, Donna Fletcher Greengold Autumn
SER-12 Dengler, Sandy Winterspring Apr-1985
SER-13 McDaniel, Lurlene Eternal Flame 1985
SER-14 Herring, Linda Windsong 1985
SER-15 Bennett, Barbara Forever Eden 1985
SER-16 Harrah, Madge Call of the Dove 1985
SER-17 Crow, Donna Fletcher The Desires of Your Heart 1985
SER-18 Baer, Judy Tender Adversary 1985
SER-19 Johanson, Nancy Halfway to Heaven 1985
SER-20 McDaniel, Lurlene Hold Fast the Dream 1985
SER-21 Lapietra, Mary The Disguise of Love 1985
SER-22 Mitchell, Sara Through a Glass Darkly 1985
SER-23 Lehman, Yvonne More Than a Summer’s Love 1985
SER-24 Anders, Jeanne The Language of the Heart 1985
SER-25 Ellison, Suzanne One More River 1985
SER-26 Carr, Karyn Journey Toward Tomorrow 1985
SER-27 Clark, Amanda Flower of the Sea 1985
SER-27 Hoff, B.J. To Love and to Honor 1985
SER-28 Baer, Judy Shadows Along the Ice 1985
SER-29 Lenoir, Cathie Born to Be One 1985
SER-30 Kirby, Susan Heart Aflame Jan-1986
SER-31 Johanson, Nancy By Love Restored Jan-1986
SER-32 Reid, Mary Karaleen Mar-1986
SER-33 McDaniel, Lurlene Love’s Full Circle Oct-1986
SER-34 Hoover, Mab Graff A New Love Jun-1986
SER-35 Phillips, Susan (2) The Lessons of Love
SER-36 Bull, Molly For Always
SER-37 Mitchell, Sara A Song in the Night
SER-38 Crow, Donna Fletcher Love Unmerited
SER-39 Willoughby, Brenda Thetis Island Jun-1986
SER-40 Austin, Marilyn Love More Precious Jun-1986
SER-41 Schulte, Elaine L. Echoes of Love Aug-1986
SER-42 Mitchell, Sara With All Your Heart Oct-1986
SER-43 Baer, Judy Moonglow Oct-1987
SER-44 McDaniel, Jan A Gift of Love
SER-45 Seabaugh, Jan The Wings of Adrian
SER-46 Schulte, Elaine L. Song of Joy Jan-1987
SER-47 Hutton, Annetta Island Dawn Feb-1987
SER-48 Gerrond, Carol Blake Heartstorm Mar-1987
SER-49 Johnson, Margaret After the Storm Mar-1987
SER-50 Cook, Shirley Through the Valley

Cecelia Dowdy

ZONDERVAN SERENADE SAGA SERIES

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Here’s another extinct inspirational category romance series. Like Silhouette Inspirations, it started in 1984. Again, it’d be great to see all of the covers, but it’s too much of a long and daunting process to download all of those images to place on my blog! I did find the cover of the first book in the series, though!

I believe I read a few of the Jane Peart titles on this list! However, I didn’t read them when they were first released! I got them at a reduced price at a bookstore back in the nineties.

ZONDERVAN SERENADE SAGA SERIES
SERS-1 Dengler, Sandy Summer Snow Feb-1984
SERS-2 Gilge, Jeanette Call Her Blessed 1984
SERS-3 Kletzing, Karen Ina 1984
SERS-4 Graham, Brenda Knight Juliana of Clover Hill Feb-1984
SERS-5 Dengler, Sandy The Song of the Nereids 1984
SERS-6 Watson, Elaine Anna’s Rocking Chair Feb-1984
SERS-7 Feldhake, Susan C. In Love’s Own Time 1984
SERS-8 Peart, Jane Yankee Bride 1984
SERS-9 Karr, Kathleen Light of My Heart 1984
SERS-10 Feldhake, Susan C. Love Beyond Surrender 1984
SERS-11 Gilge, Jeanette All the Days After Sunday Dec-1984
SERS-12 McAvoy, Elaine Anne Irresistible Love Apr-1985
SERS-13 Sayler, Mary Harwell Hand Me Down the Dawn May-1985
SERS-14 Peart, Jane Rebel Bride Jun-1985
SERS-15 Yapp, Kathleen Speak Softly, Love Jul-1985
SERS-16 Karr, Kathleen From This Day Forward Jul-1985
SERS-17 Cook, Jacquelyn The River Between Oct-1985
SERS-18 Peart, Jane Valiant Bride 1985
SERS-19 Langer, Maryn Wait for the Sun Jul-1985
SERS-20 Darty, Peggy Kincaid of Cripple Creek Sep-1985
SERS-21 Cornelius, Kay Love’s Gentle Journey Oct-1985
SERS-22 Conrad, Jean Applegate Landing Nov-1985
SERS-23 Sayler, Mary Harwell Beyond the Smoky Curtains Nov-1985
SERS-24 Watson, Elaine To Dwell in the Land Nov-1985
SERS-25 Langer, Maryn Moon for a Candle Oct-1985
SERS-26 Cheyney, Jeanne The Conviction of Charlotte Grey Nov-1985
SERS-27 Dengler, Sandy Opal Fires Mar-1986
SERS-28 Langer, Maryn Divide the Joy Feb-1986
SERS-29 Darty, Peggy Cimarron Sunset Feb-1986
SERS-30 Dengler, Sandy This Rolling Land Jan-1986
SERS-31 Cook, Jacquelyn Wind Along the River Mar-1986
SERS-32 Ellison, Suzanne Sycamore Settlement Jun-1986
SERS-33 Brand, Irene Where Morning Dawns Jun-1986
SERS-34 Winters, Donna Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay Jul-1986
SERS-35 Schulte, Elaine L. Westward My Love
SERS-36 Peart, Jane Ransomed Bride
SERS-37 Schulte, Elaine L. Dreams of Gold Jul-1986
SERS-40 Cook, Jacquelyn Image in the Looking Glass Jun-1987
SERS-44 Brand, Irene Come Gentle Spring
SERS-45 Feldhake, Susan C. Seasons of the Heart Mar-1987
SERS-47 Conrad, Jean Golden Gates May-1987

I recognize some of the authors. Do any of you see any familiar names on the list?

Cecelia Dowdy

Silhouette Inspirations

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One thing I learned at the ACFW conference last month is that there were several inspirational category romance lines started in the eighties. However, these lines folded, because, perhaps, the timing was not right for the inspirational category romance market.

One of these lines was through Silhouette. Their line was entitled Silhouette Inspirations. It started back in 1984 and the launch author was Debbie Macomber with her novel entitled Heartsong.

After years of trying to get published, Macomber finally found an editor who believed in her work, and in 1984 Heartsong launched Silhouette’s new Inspiration line. I believe someone mentioned that Heartsong was the first romance novel reviewed in Publishers Weekly.

Back in 1984, I was heavily reading secular romances because I thought that was all that was offered! I never knew about these books! I was still in high school at the time, in a small town, so, perhaps, I just wasn’t at the right place and time to discover these stories!

Below, you’ll find the cover for Heartsong, as well as a listing of all of the titles published under Silhouette Inspirations. I’d love to place all of the covers on this blog entry, however, I don’t know if I could find all of the covers, and even if I could, it would take too much time and effort to upload them onto blogger!

Silhouette Inspirations:
SI-1 Macomber, Debbie Heartsong Feb-1984
SI-2 James, Arlene Proud Spirit Feb-1984
SI-3 Halldorson, Phyllis Bright Honor Feb-1984
SI-4 Bartholomew, Barbara Something Special Feb-1984
SI-5 Currie, Katy Blind Promises Mar-1984
SI-6 Yapp, Kathleen Fire in My Heart Mar-1984
SI-7 Springer, Lacey A Wealth of Love Apr-1984
SI-8 Beckman, Patti With the Dawn Apr-1984
SI-9 Macomber, Debbie Undercover Dreamer May-1984
SI-10 Alexander, Bea Inlet of the Heart May-1984
SI-11 James, Arlene A Wish for Always Jun-1984
SI-12 Wahlstrom, Carolyn Sara’s Story Jun-1984
SI-13 Halldorson, Phyllis The Homecoming Jul-1984
SI-14 Shook, Sheila A Question of Trust Jul-1984
SI-15 Macomber, Debbie A Girl Like Janet Aug-1984
SI-16 James, Arlene Partners for Life Aug-1984
SI-17 Coffer, Helen Lewis Turn, My Beloved Sep-1984
SI-18 Nichols, Charlotte For the Love of Mike Sep-1984
SI-19 Yapp, Kathleen To Love and Cherish Oct-1984
SI-20 Bartholomew, Barbara A Promise Once Made Oct-1984
SI-21 Macomber, Debbie Thanksgiving Prayer Nov-1984
SI-22 Halldorson, Phyllis None So Blind Nov-1984
SI-23 Macomber, Debbie The Gift of Christmas Dec-1984
SI-24 Kirby, Susan One Whispering Voice Dec-1984
SI-25 Springer, Lacey Winter Rose Jan-1985
SI-26 Hawkins, Laura Precious Moments Jan-1985
SI-27 James, Arlene No Stranger to Love Feb-1985
SI-28 Bartholomew, Barbara For Every Season Feb-1985
SI-29 Macomber, Debbie Love Thy Neighbor Mar-1985
SI-30 Springer, Lacey Fair Lady Mar-1985
SI-31 McKay, Rena Top of the Moon Apr-1985
SI-32 Bonner, Rachel The Impatient Blossom Apr-1985
SI-33 Pryor, Natalie A Gift of Love May-1985
SI-34 Macomber, Debbie Laughter in the Rain May-1985
SI-35 Bartholomew, Barbara Everyday Miracles Jun-1985
SI-36 Johnson, Martha Call of the Mountains Jun-1985

Tomorrow, or maybe later than that, I’ll be blogging about another extinct inspirational romance line!

Cecelia Dowdy

Sushi for One?

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Sushi For One?
by Camy Tang
Book One Of The Sushi Series
Publisher: Zondervan
Pub. Date: September 2007
ISBN-13: 9780310273981
352pp

From the back cover:
Lex Sakai’s family is big, nosy and marriage-minded. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the oldest single female cousin in the clan.

Lex has used her Bible study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the perfect man. But the one man she keeps running into doesn’t seem to have a single quality on her list. It’s only when the always-in-control Lex starts to let God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.

===========================
I purchased this novel at last month’s ACFW conference in Dallas. This is the first time I’ve ever read a Christian fiction title with Asian characters, so I was eager to see how the story played out. I’m always anxious to see Christian novels portraying characters with different ethnic backgrounds.

This book is definitely chick-lit! Camy’s voice reminds me a lot of Kristin Billerbeck’s. The story is full of humor and Tang has created a strong character that will remain in your mind for a long time. Lex is a sports fanatic, and she loves volleyball. She’s in a dead-end job and when she quits on a whim, she soon finds herself landing the job of her dreams, working in the field she loves…sports!

She also wants to play pro-volleyball, and when her dream is about to come true, a serious incident occurs, causing her faith in God to waver even more. To top it all off, her grandmother is threatening to pull funding for the girls volleyball team that Lex coaches, if Lex doesn’t find a boyfriend soon.

Due to a traumatic event in her past, Lex finds it hard to get close to men. The one man whom she can be comfortable with, Aiden, is agnostic, definitely not one of the traits on Lex’s Ephesian’s list! However, once all of the obstacles are overcome, the book has a romantically satisfying ending.

I’d recommend this book to those looking for a light, funny, chick-lit read. A lot of the qualities in Lex’s crazy family are familiar to us all!

Cecelia Dowdy

From The Blog Archives…

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I couldn’t find an entry for Truth Be Told from my blog archives, but I did find this
from 2005-05-27:

I thought I’d spend this entry talking about the recent books I’ve been reading and about all I’ve been doing in my life. Since it’s spring, I’ve been out in my garden planting more flowers. I’ve planted lots of marigolds and dahlias. I’ve also got an assortment of perennials that I planted last year that bloomed about a month ago. I’ve got a few other flowers that I’ve planted, but can’t recall the names of them right now. If you have a particular type of flower that you enjoy planting in your garden, feel free to send me an email at ceceliadowdy@ceceliadowdy.com and let me know what it is. I might add it to my collection of blooms next year.

I’ve been reading my Bible, as usual. Lately, I’ve found myself going through the Old Testament. I recently read through the books of Esther and Joshua. One of the things that’s so unusual about the book of Esther is that it reads like a secular book, not like a book in the Bible. God is not mentioned in any of the chapters, but you do see evidence of His influence throughout the verses.

Joshua was full of wars, but Joshua was doing what God told him to do. He needed to conquer those lands just as God commanded.

As far as books are concerned, the two recent ones I’ve read are A Love So Strong by Kendra Norman-Ballamy and Testimony by Felicia Mason. I met both of these authors at writers conferences and both books were really good!

A Love So Strong is about Nicole and Bryan Walker. Nicole is unable to conceive, and she prays for a baby. This couple is deeply in love, but when Bryan’s “love child” from his college days is introduced into their life, their marriage goes through a great deal of torment and trouble. They rely on their faith to get them through this, and there’s an interesting twist at the end that makes the story work out with a happy ending. I met Ms. Bellamy at the 2004 Faith Based Fiction Lovers Weekend in Durham. We sat on a panel together during the conference.

Testimony is about a gospel group who go on tour. All of the members have troubles and circumstances to overcome and most of them do this, as they learn to lean on God during their troublesome times. I really enjoyed this book and it was released back in 2002. I met Ms. Mason at a Romance Writers Of America conference and purchased it there and she signed it for me.

Like most writers, I purchase books like it’s an addiction, so I have so many of them that it’s hard for me to read all of them as I buy them. This explains why I’m just now getting around to reading Felicia’s hardcover novel.

Well, signing off for now. Hope everybody has a good day!

Cecelia Dowdy

Illegitimate Children In Christian Fiction

The Other Daughter

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Other Daughter, The: A Novel (Paperback)
by Miralee Ferrell
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (October 31, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825426596
ISBN-13: 978-0825426599

From Amazon:
Book Description
Susanne Carson’s well-ordered family life is thrown into devastating chaos when Brianna, a young teen, appears on her doorstep, claiming to be the daughter of Susanne’s husband, David. The revelation of David’s apparent betrayal adds strain to an already fragile marriage. Will this shocking discovery drive the family apart, or will it draw them closer to God? Guaranteed fiction!

I enjoyed reading this book. I think what I loved most about it was that the author took some tough issues, issues that I’m sure a lot of families are dealing with, and shows us how we need to lean on God during troubled times.

The obvious conflict, David fathering another child, wreaks havoc on their home. Also, Susanne’s faith in God is practically non-existent. Susanne’s and David’s marriage is already in trouble due to their spiritual differences, and having an illegitimate daughter to show up in the midst of a faltering marriage offers the reader a conflict that takes some time to resolve.

Also, Brianna’s sudden appearance affects Meagan and Josh, David and Susanne’s children. They now have a new sister, and although they bond quicker with Brianna than Susanne and David do, it’s still tough-going for them when a serious accident occurs, harming Meagan. Brianna is stricken with guilt and wonders if she’ll ever be a real part of the family.

Susanne has a tough time accepting David’s other daughter, and she drowns her sorrows with alcohol, and her views are swayed further when her worldly friend, Gina, tries to create more havoc in the Carson household by doling out bad advice.

The characters seem so real in this book. When you see Brianna struggling, you just want to hug her, hold her, help her, and pray for her! I loved the way Brianna’s paternal grandfather had an immediate affection for his newly-found grandchild.

I recommend this book for those who like a good Christian read dealing with some tough issues.

Cecelia Dowdy

The Nancy Drew Files

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I know, classic Nancy Drew is not Christian fiction, but it is wholesome reading. I found one of the Nancy Drew novels on my bulging shelf of books. I believe I purchased this book back in the days when I toyed with the idea of writing a young adult book, and I even thought about writing a Nancy Drew novel. Needless to say, I never wrote the Nancy Drew title. Last I checked, years ago, the publisher paid for Nancy Drew novels as work-for-hire. I’m not sure if that’s still the case, though.

As I read the book, I found it unbelievable. Does Nancy have nine lives?!! How can somebody almost kill you three times in the book, and it barely rattles her demeanor?? Whenever her life was threatened, it just encouraged her to dig deeper to find the truth so that she could solve the mystery!

I recalled that these were traits that Ms. Drew has always had. I used to read the Nancy Drew novels when I was ten or eleven, maybe? I loved them. The element of danger throughout the story, and then Nancy always managed to solve a mystery to save the day! I even read the Nancy Drew Scrapbook by the late Karen Plunkett-Powell a few years ago. The history of Nancy Drew was certainly interesting. The sleuth is over seventy-five years old, and as far as I can tell, they’re still publishing Nancy Drew titles.

As far as Christian fiction goes with regards to young, female sleuths, the only young adult Christian series I’m familiar with is the Juli Scott series by Colleen Reece. This series was published by Barbour Publishing and when I checked on Amazon.com, I noticed a lot of the Juli Scott titles had been re-released as hardcover Thorndike Press titles. I read a number of these years ago when I was into the whole YA genre. I’d still like to publish a YA series, someday, but right now, I don’t have the time to devote to developing one since I’m busy at work with my Christian romances!

Cecelia Dowdy

Amy Grant And Frank Peretti

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I’m still thinking about tidbits of information I learned at the conference last week. One thing I learned in a workshop given by Steve Laube was that Frank Peretti’s first book, This Present Darkness, did not sell very well….until Amy Grant stepped to the plate.

When she went on tour, she ended her concerts by holding up Frank’s book, telling people how great it was and that people should buy it and read it.

People bought it and read it and his sales increased tremendously!

The rest is history!

Cecelia Dowdy