Breaking All The Rules by Rhonda McKnight!

Breaking All The Rules by Rhonda McKnight – Book 1 in the Second Chances Series

Wow! I loved this book! It was so sweet and delicious that I didn’t want it to end! I can honestly say that this is one of the best romances I’ve read in 2013!

Could you plan the wedding for your sibling – if your sibling was marrying your ex?

Wedding planner Deniece Malcolm returns to her hometown to plan her baby sister’s (Janette’s) wedding. This is a hard wedding for Deniece to plan because Janette is marrying Deniece’s ex-boyfriend (Terrance Wright), plus, Janette is pregnant with Terrance’s baby. Years ago, Deniece thought she’d marry Terrance, but, their wedding was not meant to be. Stunned and emotionally upset, Deniece tries to deal with her feelings as she plans the nuptials. Handsome international former soccer player, Ethan Wright (Terrance’s cousin) helps Deniece to deal with her feelings, and against her better judgement, Deniece finds herself drawn to Ethan. Ethan claims he’s always had a crush on Deniece.

But, Ethan is younger than Deniece, and she doesn’t want to break her rule of not dating a younger man. But, how can she resist, Deniece is hurting and Ethan is sexy and lovable. Both Deniece and Ethan have dealt with a lot of emotional pain in their past. This is a book of how they deal with their issues while they face their mutual attraction.

I was really drawn to both characters – I was especially drawn to Ethan. You really feel an emotional bond with these two people as they deal with their past issues. I also loved that this was a sweet, endearing romance. It was sweet but it was so good too!

You need to download this book and read it today! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! I also love the cover to this book! Isn’t it awesome?

So, could you plan the wedding for your sibling – if your sibling was marrying your ex?

Three Of My Novels – Only 99 cents each! :-)

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26525EB Bittersweet Memories

My novels, John’s Quest, Milk Money, and Bittersweet Memories are on sale for only 99 cents each!

John’s Quest:

John French, a science professor, is an agnostic–he’s unsure if God exists. When he’s hired to tutor a blind seven-year-old child, Scotty, he finds himself falling for the child’s beautiful aunt/guardian, Monica Crawford. Monica’s life changes drastically when her irresponsible younger sister abandons her handicapped son on her doorstep. As John helps Monica to educate her nephew, he falls in love with her. However, problems arise when Monica, a devout Christian, finds herself drawn to Scotty’s handsome and intelligent tutor. Monica finds herself in a bind because she knows it’s a sin to be unequally yoked with a non-believer. How in the world can these two lovebirds overcome the huge problems that stand in the way of their relationship?

Milk Money:

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 Franklin’s addiction to alcohol 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?

Bittersweet Memories:

Karen Brown is angry at God, and at herself, for falling in love with Lionel Adams, her ex-fiancé. When her beloved suddenly disappears, along with thousands of dollars stolen from their mega-church, she re-locates back to her hometown in Annapolis Maryland to live with her mother. She’s stunned to discover handsome plumber Keith Baxter living next door. Keith is smitten with Karen, but wonders if she’s still in love with Lionel. He wants Karen to accept him into her life, but he doesn’t know if he’d be a good match for her due to his troubled past. Can Karen forgive Lionel, and let the Lord back into her heart?

Read the prologue.

Christmas At Harmony Hill

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Christmas At Harmony Hill by Ann H. Gabhart

Have you ever gone through a pregnancy alone, without your spouse?

Heather is a washer woman for the Union. She took this job so that she could remain with her husband, Gideon, during the war. Heather is pregnant, and as she advances in her pregnancy, Gideon feels it’s no longer safe for her to remain with the troops. So he sends her father’s house – when she arrives, all sorts of calamaties await her arrival. As a result, she finds herself at the Shaker Village. Heather’s Aunt Sophronia is a Shaker, and she hopes the Shaker people will provide shelter for her while she awaits the birth of her baby.

Sophronia struggles with the feelings she has toward her niece. Shakers are not to have special feelings for worldly family. The Shakers are all brothers and sisters – living together – sadly trying to create heaven on earth as they shun marriage, pregnancy, sex, attraction – these things are sinful, and they can’t allow such worldly ways in their village. However, 50-year old Sophronia has romantic feelings toward the Shaker doctor. What can she do about her budding feelings toward the doctor, and the familial affection she has for her niece, such feelings are worldly and wrong.

This book was a good little Christmas story that shows you how life was for the Shakers. Like I’ve mentioned in other blog posts, the Shakers leave me feeling a bit unsettled, but overall, the story was enjoyable. Gives a great message about forgiveness.

So, have you ever gone through a pregnancy alone, without your spouse? Have you had to birth your child without your husband because he was away in the military? Tell me about it – leave a comment.

Bittersweet Memories

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch – Noah’s Ark And The Book Of Jashar/Jasher/Yashar

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Can you tell me the story about Noah’s Ark in Genesis? What happened when God commanded Noah to build the ark?

When I found out about the Noah movie being released in March 2014, I pulled out my Bible to read the account of Noah and the building of the ark – Genesis 6-9. When I read those chapters, I was confused. Why? Because, for some reason, I remembered when Noah was building the ark, people were laughing at him, making fun of him. They mocked Noah because it had never rained before on the earth, and they didn’t believe that God would cause a flood to destroy all of the creatures on the earth? The people seemed to think Noah was a lunatic. I also recall that after God shut the ark’s door, the people outside the ark banged on the door, begging Noah to let them in.

Although the Nephilim, sons of God, and daughters of men, are mentioned in the beginning of the sixth chapter, the rest of the Flood passage doesn’t mention other people besides Noah and his family. I’m not sure why I vividly recall learning the account differently?

Curious, I did a Google search, just to see if others recalled the same details as I. Surprisingly, I found other people had questions about the Noah Biblical Flood text – I found references that people recalled similar details as I did.

I then found some state that the book of Jashar, referenced in 2 Samuel 1:18 and Joshua 10:13, may contain some of the details that I recall from the Noah story I’d heard as a child. But, from my internet research, there is little known about the Book of Jashar/Jasher/Yashar – there was a book published by the same name, in 1625 – but, it’s not the same book referenced in the Bible – the 1625 book is just using the same name as the book mentioned in the Biblical text. The 1625 version appears to have the details that I was looking for in the the Genesis account. Confusing? Right?

What’s the point of this blog post? I’m not really sure! I’m just wondering if other blog readers recall learning the details about other people, besides Noah’s family, in the Flood reference in Genesis.

What do you recall about the Biblical account of the flood? Read Genesis 6-9! Compare Genesis 6-9 with what you recall learning about the Flood.

Bittersweet Memories

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

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The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever had a long-term feud with your best friend?

If so, how long were you mad at each other? What was the feud about? Did the two of you ever make up?

When Sarah McDowell visits the exclusive women’s country club in town, she has a mission. She must reserve the club for her daughter, Kristin’s, wedding. She’s hoping she doesn’t run into her worst enemy for the last 20 years, Mary Sutton. Long ago, Sarah was a real estate agent. She borrowed her best friend’s, Mary’s, family heirloom tea set to supposedly display at a house she was showing. However, Sarah lies to Mary, the silver tea set was not used for Sarah’s showing, but, for a showing for one of Sarah’s co-workers. The tea set is stolen, and Mary has never forgiven Sarah for lying to her and mishandling her tea set.

Sarah has high hopes for her daughter’s wedding, but, when she’s told that she can’t use the country club, unless she does community service with Mary, making Christmas baskets for the needy, she gets highly upset!!

Sarah’s daughter, Noelle, was Mary’s son (Thom’s) high school sweetheart. Part of the reason Thom and Noelle broke up was because of the family feud between their mothers. Now, about ten years after that nasty breakup, Noelle is back in Rose (her hometown). It was too painful for her to return to Rose after Thom stood her up the night they were supposed to elope.

It’s Christmas, and Noelle is finally going to be spending the holiday with her family…the only problem is, the first person she runs into is Thom. Can they work through the past and heal from their pain? Thom was hurt, too, that awful night and he finds it hard to forgive Noelle for all that’s happened.

This story was extremely light Christmas reading. It was sort of pleasant, but, very predictable. I found it hard to read about the hostile animosity between Mary and Sarah. The two women were so immature that they acted like children. Acting like that for twenty years would wear me down…I’d think I’d get tired of it after awhile. I’d probably end up moving away (to avoid my enemy), or, risk having a heart attack!

I enjoyed reading the story, and I also loved the nice, whimsical Christmas atmosphere.

Many thanks to Harlequin MIRA for providing me a free review copy through Net Galley.

So, have you ever had a long-term feud with your best friend?

If so, how long were you mad at each other? What was the feud about? Did the two of you ever make up?

I feel that lots of relationships – friendships and family relationships – are ruined because of money.

What kinds of things do you think ruins friendships and relationships?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Noah – Starring Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins

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You have GOT to look at the NOAH movie trailer! This movie looks awesome! I can’t wait for to be released!

NOAH Synopsis: After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise. Cast: Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson

Director: Darren Aronofsky

The Winner Of Plain Peace!

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The winner of Plain Peace is:

Ngozi Maduka – Hyattsville, MD

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Book Giveaway And Interview With Beth Wiseman – Plain Peace

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***This contest is closed!! Winner was announced here.

***U.S. Residents only, please! To enter the giveaway, you MUST READ Beth’s interview. Refer to something specific in the interview when you leave your comment! YOU MUST leave your EMAIL address in the comment, too! I need your email address to contact you if you win! If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be entered to win!!

I’m hosting Beth Wiseman on my blog today! I’m giving away a copy of her novel, Plain Peace! Beth has kindly answered these questions:

1. What influenced you to write Amish fiction? For example, were you raised near an Amish community, or, do you have Amish friends?

When I started on this journey, I didn’t know much about being Amish. But God didn’t just open a window, He flung open large doors…and in I went. I think that when you are on the right path, things happen effortlessly, and that’s the way it was when I began learning about the Plain People. I made friends easily, was invited into their homes, and six years later, I’m blessed to have some of the Amish folks on my team, helping me keep the books authentic.

2. How long were you seeking publication before you landed your first book contract?

I know that’s an easy question, but I have a complicated answer. I thought myself to be a pretty good storyteller twenty years ago. In between running a household, holding a full-time job, and raising children, I would jump on the “I want to be published” bandwagon and write. But, I kept making the same mistake. I wasn’t studying the craft of writing. Just like a piano player must practice and learn, so must a writer. I thought good stories would carry me on to publication. In 2006, I started to really get serious about publication and began to study the craft. Eventually, I snagged an agent. My big break came when Thomas Nelson bought a three-book series from this unpublished author. And I’ve been happily writing for Thomas Nelson (now under the umbrella of HarperCollins Christian Fiction) ever since. I’m starting my twentieth book.

3. Do you have any advice for other writers who would like to get their novels published?

It’s so incredibly cliché, but never give up. Those who stick it out and really learn the craft will get published. I really believe that.

4. Do you use critique partner(s)? If so, how long have you had the same critique partner(s)?

I have never had a critique partner. I tend to bounce ideas and brainstorm with a couple of non-writer friends, and that seems to work for me. I’m a seat of the pants writer. I don’t outline or even like to talk too much about my plots with anyone—until I get hung up on something. Then I have those ‘go to’ people whom I trust.

5. I notice your last two releases, plus your current project, are set in small Texas towns. Why did you decide to set your most recent works in Texas?

I live in a small town in Texas, and it’s quiet and peaceful—most of the time, lol. I have a sign in my kitchen that reads In a small town, there ain’t much to see, but what you hear sure makes up for it. Everyone knows everyone in a small town. And that often makes for a fun story.

6. What’s a typical writing day like for you?

I know most authors would say that there is not a ‘typical’ day in this business. But I’m structured enough that I like to think I have a typical day lined out, at least some of the time. I like to get out of bed around 6:30. Then I have to take care of all my animals. I have a diabetic cat who needs an insulin shot, a dog with Lupus and she needs a pill, another dog with arthritis and he needs two pills. Then there are the four goats and two pot-bellied pigs that have to be fed. I am terrified of birds, so the feeding of the roosters falls on Hubby’s list. I am keeping my son’s Boxer while he works in Singapore for a year, and Harley does not get along with my other dogs, so I have to move everyone around for her to go outside and potty. Eventually, I get around to coffee. Always two cups.

I have a lovely office that is my special space, and I usually check emails and try to take care of any administrative stuff before I dive into writing. I write until about 11 a.m., then tend to break for an early lunch. In the afternoons, I write from about 1 to 5 p.m. Then I start dinner. I try really hard not to work in the evenings but it happens.

And EVERYTHING I’ve mentioned above is subject to change because of a deadline, editor request, the publicist needs something, Agent calls, and so on… But most days are great days no matter how they are laid out. I’m super blessed.

Thanks so much for being on my blog, Beth!

Please leave a comment for the giveaway – and remember the rules – refer to something specific in the interview so that I’ll know you’ve read it!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber

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The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever dated somebody you met on the internet? If so, what happened?

Jenna is a nice practical gal. She’s works hard for her boss as a secretary – she’s also in love with her boss. However, her boss doesn’t share the same feelings for her. He only thinks of Jenna as his faithful, reliable, conscientious secretary. Jenna takes matters into her hands – she meets Dalton Gray on the internet in a poetry chat room. She ends up quitting her job, traveling to Alaska to meet Dalton, but, when he doesn’t show up at their appointed time, she panics, and ends up traveling elsewhere with a man named Reid.

I didn’t like this book as much as Macomber’s other books. It may be because it was written ten years ago, and perhaps Macomber’s stories changed drastically over the last decade. I kinda felt that it was a watered down version of her recent release, Starry Night. I loved Starry Night! The Snow Bride had the following similarities to Starry Night:

The hero’s name in Starry Night was Finn Dalton. The guy whom Jenna meets from the internet in The Snow Bride is Dalton Gray.

The setting of Alaska was used.

Bush pilot was used.

The hero in the Snow Bride, Reid, has trouble trusting women since he was abandoned by his mom when he was little. Finn in Starry Night has a similar hang-up.

Reid and Jenna were stranded in his cabin because of a snowstorm, just like Finn and Carrie were stranded in Starry Night.

Jenna and Reid pass the time away by playing cribbage and talking about their hang-ups – just like Carrie and Finn.

Those are just a few of the similarities, but I’m sure I noticed others. One thing I thought was kinda weird – the town where Reid lives, Snowbound, only has a population of six people?? There’s only one woman in the town, Reid’s sister, Lucy. Lucy is pregnant and she flies to Fairbanks each month to do womanly things. I just couldn’t imagine a town like that existing in modern times? It sounded more like a historical setting? This six-person town had a diner and a general store. I just wondered if such towns really existed in Alaska? I’ll need to Google it and see!

So, have you ever dated somebody you met on the internet? If so, what happened?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Ted Dekker’s Outlaw Tour

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Have you ever met and had your picture taken with a famous author? If so, who?

I attended Ted Dekker’s Outlaw Tour last night in Washington D.C. It kinda reminded me of a church service – a church service where you have a guest speaker giving the sermon. He talked about growing up in Indonesia among cannibals when he was a child. He also talked about the violent games he played with other children. He then mentioned going to boarding school, being separated from the rest of his family. He then mentioned how your physical appearance is not the real you. Our bodies are nothing more than costumes and we’re all spiritual beings and Christ lives in all of us. It’s something that we seem to forget because we’re blinded by…stuff.

We seem to measure our worth by how much money we make, what others think about our clothes, how many pounds we lose/how much we weigh, etc. Nothing wrong with doing this, but, we need to remember that Christ is a part of all of us.

He quoted some scriptures, one was John 17:20-26

²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

²⁴“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

As he gave the message, he showed a few videos.

Afterwards, he signed books and you could take pictures with Ted. His assistant, Kevin Kaiser, took the pictures. I hesitated about taking the pic – I’m not much of a picture taker. But, minutes before my turn, I decided to have my pic taken with him and I had my copy of Outlaw signed.

I saw others chatting with Ted when they got their books signed, but, I honestly didn’t have anything to say. I was hungry, ready to leave and get my dinner and go home. The line was kinda long so I had to wait some time to get my book signed. When I came forward, I handed Ted my book to sign, he said. “Cecelia.” Pause. I guess since I remained silent, he said, “Is this the first book of mine that you’ve gotten?”

I said with a smile, “No, I’ve read several of your books.”

He signed it, and then his assistant said, “Let’s take the picture. Get real close.” We posed, I got my picture taken, and that was it! 🙂

So, have you ever met and had your picture taken with a famous author? If so, who?

~Cecelia Dowdy~