Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by stories involving Native American characters. Unfortunately, good choices were few and far between. Rarely did any author feature American Indians as point-of-view characters. In today’s Book Pick, I want to introduce you to two of my favorite authors, Lori Benton and Rebecca DeMarino, who both featured Native … Read More
I’m curious . . . what makes a historical novel “great” in your eyes? What features draw you into the story? For some it may be the romantic thread, for others it could be a desire to experience a specific time period. Here are four characteristics of great historical fiction that never fail to hook me. … Read More
I don’t know about where you live, but here in Oregon, fall has definitely, um… fallen. And with our gloomy, rainy weather, nothing cheers me up like cracking open a good book. (Do books really crack?) This week, I’m recommending On Distant Shores by one of my all-time favorite authors, Sarah Sundin. I’ve devoured every … Read More
“…It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again.” The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Gatsby–a man of hope? I walked out of the theater feeling anything but hopeful. A verse of scripture … Read More
I love reading novels that feel like they reflect the seasons, and as summer begins, my thoughts always turns to the beach. I recently finished reading The Heart Stone by author Sherry Kyle, and this lovely California novel was as pleasant as a walk on the shore. Sherry Kyle is a friend of mine, so as … Read More
At the risk of sounding like a bad television commercial–this summer is going to be HOT. There are so many great Christian novels coming out this summer, my to-read stack is growing dangerously tall. I’ve warned my little dachshund not to get too close, or she might find herself caught in an avalanche. One novel … Read More
Are you getting bored with the typical romantic heroines who swoon at the slightest touch of the hero’s hand? Then it’s time you read Molly Lovelace’s story in Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings. Daughter of a wealthy sawmill owner, she’s been sneaking romantic moments with her beau for some time. When he decides … Read More
Sometimes the characters in a story bury themselves so deeply in your heart, it hurts to close the cover on them. Joanne Bischof, author of the Cadence of Grace series has accomplished that with her characters, Gideon and Lonnie O’Riley. Back in August of 2012, I recommended the first book of the series, Be Still … Read More
It is an honor and thrill to make this announcement… I have officially signed my first book contract! My 1920s era novel, MISTAKEN, will be published by Abingdon Press this coming July 2013. A few days before Christmas, I was doing some last minute shopping at Burst’s Chocolates in Corvallis, Oregon when my wonderful agent … Read More
If you follow me on Facebook, you already know I am a hopeless Downton Abbey fan (read why in this blog post from 2012). I was excited to crack open this new novel by Olivia Newport and discover a story that felt like an American version of Downton. The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow is set in Chicago, … Read More