Books that are COMING SOON!

I am so excited about some books that are on the horizon and due out in the coming months! I've had the pleasure of "meeting" several of the authors and like them and enjoy their blogs so much that I'm chomping at the bit to read their debut books!

Cowboy Up! A New Book Review

Back Story on this Review: I have to admit, it was the third “indie” book that I picked up to read.  Most of the time, I’ll push through and read a book if it is remotely interesting, but I couldn't bear to waste my time with the others. The first one didn't interest me. The second one seemed to make all of the “first-time author mistakes” that I’ve read about on blogs. After wading through pages of back story and unimportant details, I was beyond bored and couldn’t force myself to continue.  I won’t review those books. First, I hate to be negative. I know the authors have poured their very soul into their literary babies and I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. Second, I couldn’t do a review justice since I didn’t finish the books.  Pet Peeve Alert: I’ve read several reviews in Amazon and Barnes & Noble where the writers admit that they never finished the books but gave them horrible ratings and ranted through their reviews. I just don’t think that’s fair. If I don’t read a whole book, how do I review it? Simple answer is – I don’t.  So when I picked up Cowboy, my opinion was already a negative color. Another “indie” book set my standard pretty low since I had few positive experiences with them. I needn’t have worried. :)

Staci Stallings has two books out in her Harmony series. I read the first of them, Cowboy, and was so delighted with it. 

Ms. Stallings drew together an emotional romance and a moving story of new found faith. I enjoyed getting a peek into the world of country music. Her lyrics and song tVitles seemed so natural, I could easily believe the Ashton Raines was a real person.

The author used a unique voice in sharing the story. The characters shifted back and forth between their points of view very quickly. At first it distracted me, but I found I enjoyed seeing the same event through different eyes. She wrote in an unconstrained style that, though it broke "rules," displayed great writing ability. 

The middle of the story existed in short phone calls exchanged with a perfect stranger, but I didn't find them tedious. In fact, I waited for the phone to ring with the same anticipation that Beth, the main character, displayed. And when the stranger's identity became known to her, I struggled with the hero and his frustrating position. This wonderful story transports Cinderella to the modern era, graced with lime-lights and a two-stepping rhythm. I couldn’t put the darn book down!

And no, I didn’t read the last page early, like I can usually be accused of doing. If I had, maybe I would have put it down before 6:15 AM after reading it all night long. (I have to start reading my books earlier in the day!)

I would bet that Country Music lovers would especially flock to Cowboy. While I’m not a C/W fan, I am a fan of Ms. Stalling's book!


On Friday, I asked about your most recent book. So today, I thought I'd ask you about your favorite music stylings. I like to listen to worship music or 80s disco when I'm not writing. But when I am writing, I prefer movie soundtracks and classical. NEVER prefer C&W. I promise I AM from Texas!


Blessings!

Christian Fiction Book Opinions

What to do? What to do?

I love doing book reviews. I’ve learned so much this summer about writing and publishing! It has given me a deep respect for the authors who pour their time, energy, and almost their own blood into the books that I’ve read. But right now, I’m in a quandary.

I try to do my reviews on just released books or those about to be released in order to help the authors as much as possible. At this point though, the only books I have in my e-reader are a little older, so I’m in need of some assistance.

Which of the books below have you read and would you recommend it, OR which of these books are you most interested in learning about? I’ve given a little blurb about each of them from their back covers.

Woohoo! FREE!

You can get the four new e-reader books from Tyndale House at Amazon for FREE!

Reinventing Leona 
Cash Burn 
Delivery
Stealing Jake

Download Kindle for your PC for free!

Focusing on the Purpose

I was asked last week about my writing. What type of writing am I doing and why am I doing it? Thankfully, I've given some in-depth thought to this very question.

I've read some amazing bios from current Christian authors, how the Lord brought them through terrible situations. Not only did they survive, but they thrived and now share, in the midst of their pain, their stories. Women with similar situations of abuse or misuse can identify with the characters in their books. As they read the fictional success stories, they can grow closer in their relationships with the Lord, right along with the lady in the book they are reading.

I don't have a story like that. Oh, I'm not complaining, but it's a fact. I've been blessed through my life. Even though my parents were divorced when I was really young and I technically qualified as a latchkey kid, the Spirit protected my brother and me.

My lack of a dramatic history led me to wonder about my own audience. Who could I be writing for?

Book review - My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

I don't read romance very often. See I have this terrible problem with Christian romances - they make me cry. I know, I know! A tenderhearted story is one of the draws to Christian romance, but I could do without it! Seriously!

I wrote a song several years ago that starts out "I long for heaven and no more tears." This crying thing isn't just a little issue with me.  I'm not joking when I tell people that a good McDonald's commercial can leave me teary-eyed. I never saw Titanic, or the Notebook, and don't plan to.