Category Archives: Fiction

Traces Of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

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Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

Has a nun ever impacted your life?

When a young, beautiful woman awakens in a doctor’s office, she’s stunned and confused. Suffering from amnesia, she can’t remember her name, where she’s from, or what she looks like. She spends time with the kind doctor until he finds a home for her with a group of nuns. The nuns grant her the name Mercy because of the Mercy medallion she wears around her neck.

Although Mercy stays with the nuns, she wonders about her background. When she meets Rand Prescott, her life changes. However, how can she move forward with her life when she knows nothing about her past?

Rand is smitten with beautiful Mercy. Since she suffers from amnesia, he wonders if she’s married, perhaps a family is around, searching for her.

Mercy gains knowledge of a deep, dark secret about herself. It’s hard to accept this knowledge about her life….what will Rand think when he finds out the truth about her past?

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a great historical novel and the unusual storyline really drew me in. I really wanted to see what happened to Mercy since she didn’t know about her past. She writes in a journal, hoping that by doing so, it may be a catalyst to help her to remember her past. This journal turns out to be a major catalyst in the novel.

I also enjoyed reading about Mercy’s time with the nuns. I’ve never known a nun personally. Everything I know about nuns is what’s portrayed in books and movies.

Many thanks to publisher David C. Cook and NetGalley for providing me with a free review copy.

So, has a nun ever impacted your life? If so, tell me more about it. How old were you when you when a nun played a part in your life?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Stand-In Wife by Debbie Macomber

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Stand-In Wife – book 2 of The Manning Brides Series by Debbie Macomber

If your sibling died, could you marry his/her spouse?

In Stand-In Wife, Leah Baker’s sister, Diane, dies. Diane leaves behind her husband, Paul, and three small children. Paul struggles to care for his family while working full-time. Leah steps in, helping whenever she can. Leah finally decides to quit her job and move in with Paul and his family. She wants to do this because she wants to care for her sister’s children. Since their mother is gone, they are struggling to adjust to their lives without their mom.

However, Leah and Paul are attracted to one another. Is it wrong for them to feel this way? After all, Paul was Diane’s husband, and Paul loved Diane. As a matter of fact, everybody loved Diane. Diane was a beautiful outgoing woman and Leah recalled that Diane was always favored by their mother. Plain, intelligent Leah always took a backseat to her beautiful, vivacious sister. Could Paul realistically love Leah, when he was also in love with Leah’s beautiful sister, Diane?

I really enjoyed this book. This story showed how people can struggle with romantic feelings which inadvertently result from the death of a spouse. Also, I really felt for Leah – it’s so sad for a woman to grow up, playing second fiddle to their sibling. Growing up like that would certainly create emotional scars, and Leah struggled with how Diane had been favored by their mom.

Like most of Macomber’s books, this is a clean, sweet romance and I found it to be highly appealing and realistic. I loved seeing the bond developing between Leah and the children.

So, if your brother or sister died, could you imagine yourself marrying his/her spouse? Would you feel guilty for having romantic feelings toward your deceased sibling’s husband/wife?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt

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Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt

Have you ever worked as a cleaner/housekeeper (either domestic or commercial)? If so, did anything unusual ever happen on the job?

Gabby St. Claire had to quit college during her senior year to take care of her alcoholic father. She’d been going to school to be a forensic psychologist. The closest job she can find for her dream career is being a crime scene cleaner. She cleans up crime scenes after the police are done collecting their evidence. When she’s cleaning the house of a high-powered politician – a politician who may have killed his wife – she finds evidence that the police missed. Can she prove that the politician killed his wife instead of the scapegoat they have in custody?

Somebody is trying to kill Gabby. Parker, a police detective, is trying to assist in the case. Gabby is convinced that the supposed-politician-wife-killer is after her life too. After all, she did uncover the evidence, and the police have not told the public about her findings.

Since the police are so lazy about finding the real killer, Gabby takes it upon herself to find the killer. When they arrest her co-worker for a related crime, Gabby is doubly interested in finding the killer/arsonist. After all, she needs to prove that her co-worker is innocent.

Gabby attempts to solve the crime while an assortment of zany characters assist her. There’s Sierra, her animal-loving/animal-rights neighbor, Riley, a handsome mysterious man who lives across the hall. Why is Riley so secretive about his life? There’s also Parker (a Brad Pitt look alike) who is the detective on the case. Why does he continue to ignore Gabby’s evidence findings?

I thought this book was a humorous, delightful read. The story moves quickly and the chapters are written in a way that’ll make you want to keep reading. Overall, it was a good mystery.

So, have you ever worked as a cleaner/housekeeper (either domestic or commercial)? Did anything unusual ever happen on the job?

Bittersweet Memories

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

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Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Which toy did you want the most for Christmas? Did you ever receive your most-desired toy?

This is a classic Christmas story that’ll warm your heart during the holiday season. Holly Larson has temporary custody of her nephew, Gabe, since Gabe’s father is stationed overseas. She’s financially strapped since she has extra expenses from caring for her nephew. She’s also not used to being a mother. On top of her new motherly duties, she has to work for a strict, Scrooge-like boss. Her boss is a famous designer named Lindy Lee.

When Holly doesn’t have the money to pay for her coffee at the coffee shop, Jake Finley saves the day, paying for her cup of brew. Afterwards, Holly runs into Jake frequently. Jake and his father have not celebrated Christmas since his mother and sister were killed in a freak accident more than 2 decades ago. Jake manages the toy section for Finley’s (his father’s department store). A strange, elderly seasonal employee is hired to work with Jake – Mrs. Miracle.

Gabe wants an expensive toy robot from Jake’s store for Christmas. Holly doesn’t know if she can afford to buy the robot for Gabe. Is she a bad mother if she can’t purchase the toy for her nephew?

I really felt for Holly, temporarily raising her nephew. Being single, and then suddenly having a child to care for, is not easy. Also, I really felt for Jake and his dad.

A toy robot, Mrs. Miracle, Gabe, Holly and Jake are important players in this loving Christmas tale. I loved this heartwarming story because the characters were so vivid and realistic. I could imagine people reading this book every year during the holiday season.

Many thanks to Harlequin MIRA for providing me with a free review copy.

Tell me, which toy did you want the most for Christmas? Did you ever receive your most-desired toy?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

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Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
Have you ever done something aggressive/out-of-the-ordinary to get ahead in the corporate world? If so, what did you do?

Carrie Slayton is a society page columnist for a major newspaper. Although she’s grateful to have a job at this prestigious newspaper, she finds her work unfulfilling and boring. Dressing up to cover stories about the rich and famous, wining and dining at social and charitable events, is not what she wants to do with her life.

Carrie approaches her boss. Can’t he allow her to write more meaningful stories? Her boss gives her an impossible task – do an exclusive interview with author Finn Dalton – if she’s successful writing this story, then she can write more meaningful stories for the newspaper.

Carrie is floored. Finn Dalton is a world-famous novelist – his book, Alone, has been on the best-seller list for months. However, nobody has been able to find the elusive Finn Dalton. Nobody has even seen a picture of him! Reporters trying to find Finn always reach a dead end. Carrie is determined to find him – this story could make or break her career.

Finn enjoys his hermit-like life in the Alaskan wild. The only companionship he needs is from his big pet dog, Hennessey. He loves living alone, surviving in his secluded log cabin. Besides, he doesn’t trust women – all women are out to manipulate men to get what they want. His mother abandoned him when he was a child, and he’s never gotten over that heartache.

This book was great! It’s a sweet, heartwarming, emotional read. Like most of Debbie Macomber’s books, it’s a novel that most Christians can read and not get offended. I especially loved the characters. Finn is so stubborn, not willing to admit his feelings for Carrie. Carrie loved her career, but, her feelings for Finn are totally unexpected. There’s just something about a big, strong, rugged, handsome man living alone in the wilderness…living off the land…the whole concept is intriguing and sexy!

I also loved reading about Alaska. It’s a place I’d like to visit one day and by reading this book, you’ll get a good taste of what life in Alaska is like. This is a romance that you need to read. It’ll be sure to light up your holiday season!

Thanks so much to Ballantine Books/Random House LLC for providing me with a free review copy!

Have you ever done something aggressive to get ahead in the corporate world? If so, what did you do?

– See more at: http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/category/debbie-macomber

Uncertain Alliance by Mary Davis

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Uncertain Alliance by Mary Davis

Have you ever been swindled by an ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend or former-husband/former- wife?

Alice Dempsey is struggling to survive after her husband gambles away their family farm. Her husband was killed while cheating at a card game, and, he’s left their family in dire straits. Alice must work to provide food and shelter for her crippled grandfather, her toddler son, and her juvenile-delinquent brother, Burl.

When she loses her seamstress job, Ian Macgregor, an older man who owns a pharmacy, offers to give her a job. Alice refuses – she can never trust another man since her deceased husband manipulated her so badly. Since she refuses Ian’s kindness, how can she provide food for her hungry family? Her independence proves strong, almost too strong, when it interferes with her ability to support her loved ones. When Burl gets into trouble with the law, Alice finds it even harder to survive each day.

Ian Macgregor has had a secret crush on Alice for a while. He speaks to her each day as she goes rushing to her seamstress job. However, like Alice, Ian has been hurt in the past by his former love interest.

I thought this book was good. The characters were rich and very well-developed. Alice is a caring, stubborn, Christian woman who is extremely determined to care for her family by herself.

Have you ever been swindled by a husband/wife, or former boyfriend/girlfriend? If so, what happened? Was it hard to forgive him/her for their transgressions?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Congrats To The Carol Award Winners!

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The Carol Awards were given at last weekend’s ACFW Conference. You can find a list of the finalists on my Carol-Award Blog Post.

The following are the Carol Award Winners – leave a comment – let me know if you’ve read any of these titles:

Category
Lost Legacy by Dana Mentink (Love Inspired)

Contemporary
Heart Echoes by Sally John (Tyndale House)

Debut Novel
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert (Waterbrook/Multnomah)

Historical
Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick (Waterbrook/Multnomah)

Historical Romance
A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller (Revell)

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller (Barbour Publishing)

Novella
A Recipe for Hope by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

Romance
Saving Gideon by Amy Lillard (B&H Publishing)

Romantic Suspense
When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason (Revell)

Speculative
Daystar by Kathy Tyers (Marcher Lord Press)

Young Adult
Like Moonlight at Low Tide by Nicole Quigley (Zondervan)

Please join me in congratulating these wonderful authors! Have you read any of these titles?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Category
Lost Legacy by Dana Mentink (Love Inspired)

Contemporary
Heart Echoes by Sally John (Tyndale House)

Debut Novel
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert (Waterbrook/Multnomah)

Historical
Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick (Waterbrook/Multnomah)

Historical Romance
A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller (Revell)

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller (Barbour Publishing)

Novella
A Recipe for Hope by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

Romance
Saving Gideon by Amy Lillard (B&H Publishing)

Romantic Suspense
When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason (Revell)

Speculative
Daystar by Kathy Tyers (Marcher Lord Press)

Young Adult
Like Moonlight at Low Tide by Nicole Quigley (Zondervan)

– See more at: http://www.acfw.com/carol/2013_carol_award_winners#sthash.SFnEeydJ.dpuf

Fall Into Love Contest!

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Announcing the FALL INTO LOVE ultimate giveaway!

Join us as award-winning authors Tracie Peterson, Jody Hedlund, Nancy Mehl, Melissa Tagg, and Jen Turano take us on a journey for love in their upcoming novels. To celebrate the September/October book releases, we’re hosting FIVE incredible giveaways with ONE fantastic grand prize drawing. Enter all five contests and receive FIVE entries into the grand prize drawing with additional chances to enter the FALL INTO LOVE ultimate giveaway throughout the month of September!

The Prizes:

ONE GRAND PRIZE winner will receive the FALL INTO LOVE prize package – a $500 value!

– containing everything you need to snuggle up with a great book…

• A 16GB Kindle Fire HD for all the books you want, right at your fingertips

• Fall into love as you fall into this beautiful free-standing wooden hammock

• A Sherpa & Micromink cream throw to keep you warm as the weather turns chilly

• A selection of gourmet caramel apples

• A copy of each novel represented Unforeseeable by Nancy Mehl, Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund, A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano, The Miner’s Lady by Tracie Peterson, and Made to Last by Melissa Tagg.

FIVE INDIVIDUAL PRIZE PACKAGES! Fall into love with these beautiful stories from 5 amazing authors, and enter each contest for your chance to take home a meaningful part of their story. To learn more about each novel and to enter visit www.FallIntoLoveContest.com.

1) The Miner’s Lady: From award winning author Tracie Peterson, comes a beautiful story rich with the comfort of good food, the love of family, and the struggle for faith and forgiveness. Have a seat in Nonni’s Italian kitchen with a basket of cultural delicacies and experience both the flavor and heart of Italian America with The Miner’s Lady Giveaway! ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!

2) Unforeseeable: Settle into your favorite reading chair with author Nancy Mehl’s delicious story of intrigue, danger, and suspense, all set against the serene setting of the small Mennonite town of Kingdom. Enter the Unforeseeable Giveaway to bring the delicious tastes of Mennonite life right into your home… ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!

3) Made To Last: From author Melissa Tag comes the story of Miranda Woodruff, star of a home-building television show who apparently has it all, until it all threatens to fall apart. Read, laugh, and enjoy the hilarious misadventures of a heroine with a tremendous amount of skill, a lot to lose, and even more to discover about her own heart. As part of the Made to Last Giveaway, experience the joy of having the right tools, the right guides, and something beautiful to reward yourself with on a job well done. ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 15th!

4) Rebellious Heart: From Best selling author Jody Hedlund, Rebellious Heart brings the history of 1763 Massachusetts to life with the story of socialite Susanna Smith and poor country lawyer Ben Ross. When Susanna’s decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben’s growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a very dangerous fight for justice. Bring the fight for justice and liberty to your home with this meaningful prize package. ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 15th!

5) A Talent for Trouble: Set in the early 1900’s, Jen Turano’s spirited new book, A Talent for Trouble, will leave you feeling like you have lived in the Victorian era of New York City, strolled through Central Park with your best hat on, and had a hilarious and unpredictable adventure with a new friend. With the prize package for A Talent for Trouble you can continue the adventure and bring some of Felicia’s journey home with you. ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1st!

How to Enter:

Click on one of the banners or visit www.FallIntoLoveContest.com to submit your information. Each week during the five-week contest, we will reveal a new method of entering and increasing your chances for the grand prize.

Week 1: Enter one or all of the individual novel giveaways. For every individual giveaway you enter, you gain one entry into the grand prize drawing. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

Week 2: Like one or all authors on Facebook. Every author liked gains you one entry into the grand prize. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

Week 3: Refer a friend. One grand prize entry awarded per friend, per contest. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

Week 4: Submit a review of any book by one (or all) of the five featured authors. 3 entries awarded per review per author (limit one per author). (Possible grand prize entries: 15) **

Week 5: Pin a picture of you with one of the 5 featured novels. One grand prize entry awarded per picture per novel. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

To enter via the methods available week 2-5, visit each individual giveaway and submit your information through the entry form. Follow the prompts for completing your bonus entries.

**Reviews can be submitted to Amazon, Goodreads, or your own blog. To enter the contest via this method, paste a URL to the review in the entry form where indicated. Entries will be verified before final grand prize drawing.

More Information:

For details about the contest, prize packages, entry methods, or contest rules, visit www.FallIntoLoveContest.com.