And, just to say this, Laura Frantz's upcoming book is called Love's Fortune. The cover has yet to be revealed, but I'm sure that it will be as beautiful as the first two covers in this series. If you haven't read Love's Reckoning or Love's Awakening I recommend that you do. Laura has a way of writing that steals your breath away and makes you feel like you are walking through the pages of the book laughing, crying, hurting, and loving with the characters.
Just wanted to share the upcoming release of novels by some of my favorite authors! I was so excited to learn that Janette Oke and her daughter have a new novel coming out. I have read most all of Janette Oke's books. My favorite series was When Calls the Heart. Can't wait to read Where Courage Calls! This book is the first to be published by Rooglewood Press--which Anne Elisabeth Stengl has started. Jill Stengl is Anne Elisabeth Stengl's mother. This is Jill's first novel. She has written things before, but only novellas. She hasn't had anything new released in 7 years. I can't wait to read this book! I have to say, I'm a big Tamera Alexander fan. I've read all of her books. This one looks absolutely wonderful. However, after this one I'm hoping she will do something other than a Belmont Mansion novel. Her most recent books have been set in such similar settings that they are beginning to blur together. I was so excited to see this one! I adore Karen Witemeyer! So far, out of all of her books, To Win Her Heart has been my favorite. Isn't the cover adorable! This cover makes me breathless just looking at it! I have enjoyed this talented author's books immensely. I hope the story lives up to what the cover promises! I became a fan of Christian fantasy because of Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Each book is intricately interwoven with the other, though each can be understood even if read out of order. Except for Veiled Rose and Moonblood. Those are the only two that should be read together. If you don't like fantasy, reading one of Anne Elisabeth's books will definitely change your mind! I can't wait for Shadow Hand! This intriguing title snagged my attention immediately. I've never read anything this author has written before, but I would love to read this book. Who doesn't love Susan May Warren? Happily Ever After and My Foolish Heart are my absolute favorites out of all she has written. It Had to be You looks like a lovely read. And last, but certainly not least, Francine Rivers newest book, Bridge to Haven. Like all of her books, I'm sure that this one will be a heart and life changing book. I am dying to read all of these books!
And, just to say this, Laura Frantz's upcoming book is called Love's Fortune. The cover has yet to be revealed, but I'm sure that it will be as beautiful as the first two covers in this series. If you haven't read Love's Reckoning or Love's Awakening I recommend that you do. Laura has a way of writing that steals your breath away and makes you feel like you are walking through the pages of the book laughing, crying, hurting, and loving with the characters.
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All right, authors. Let’s admit it. Not everyone can be Francine Rivers or Janette Oke or CS Lewis. But we should strive for more. Much, much more. Most books I read are mediocre. There have been some rather obscure authors that I have read—wanting to support them because I understand how hard it is for a new author to find a solid platform. But those authors are not going to become famous or even moderately well-known because their books are just ordinary. Nothing above par. Nothing that would grasp the attention of a famous agent or publishing company. An author should write (I’m speaking to the Christians) for the glory of God. An author should write to touch hearts and to ultimately change them. If a writer does not write from the experience of his heart, then his writing will not touch others for the kingdom of God. And his writing will fade into the background. If an author does not cry while writing an emotional scene, then why would the reader cry? If the author does not laugh while writing something particularly funny, then why should the reader laugh? If the writer doesn't die a little when a character dies, then why should the reader feel anything?
I read, on average, about 208 books a year—give or take. Only about three of those books ever find their way into my heart and resonate in my soul. The other 205 books may have been good, but they won't be classics. They were ordinary. And I don’t know about everybody else but I want more than ordinary. I want extraordinary. Fantastical. Something I can remember forever. Most every author I have read has not striven for enough. But amazing fiction—saturated in Biblical principles—takes an amazing author saturated in Christ. Most Christian authors I know are good writers, but not amazing. And to be saturated in Christ means to give up things that most people are not willing to give up. That can be a painful—though cleansing—process. Like every voracious reader who writes a review after reading the book, I compare each book I've read to all the ones I've read before. What stands out? What is different? What makes this book unique and separate from all the books I've ever read and am ever going to read? In essence, to be a good writer I need to know how a reader thinks and how he will feel when reading my work. That is why so many famous writers are such great readers. It is the best way to learn how their readers will think and feel. Why was C.S. Lewis such an effective writer? He read literally thousands of books in his youth. Also, as a boy, he and his brother had a world all their own. This world was the place where the seeds of Narnia were planted, though he didn't know it yet. Imagination as a child is important--though not in all cases essential--to the future of an author. C.S. Lewis said, "You can make anything by writing." And he's right. You can. It's just that most people don't have talking lions, or fauns or hobbits, and orcs running around in their heads. And if they do, they aren't brave enough to write about it. Did you know J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were friends? Just something to think about. So...do you have a story in your head that you are simply burning to write but are afraid to because it's so...different? Then write it! I dare you. I know there is more to most authors then what I am reading. If C.S. Lewis can have talking lions and J.R.R. Tolkien can have hobbits, then so can you! I have seen Five Days in Skye on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter before and since it came out. I have really been wanting to read it and was excited when I finally got the opportunity to do so. I was expecting a lot from this book because of all the good I've seen and read of it. In some ways the book met my expectations. In other ways it did not.
I loved the dialogue between James and Andrea. It was flirty, skillful, and intelligent. I could almost hear the sparks between them when they were talking. However, the novel had a somewhat worldly feel to it. This surprised me because I knew that it was supposed to be Christian. God wasn't even mentioned until about halfway through the novel. And there was a lot of alcohol, which shocked me more than anything. God calls us to be “in the world but not of the world”. Andrea and James might as well have been non-believers because they surely didn’t act as Christ followers. Though they did move closer to the Lord by the end of the novel, it didn’t really change anything in their behavior. Also, James and Andrea kissed a few days after they met. After that, they kissed a lot though they had made no commitment to one another. This bothered me because they were not acting like Christians. But then, James and Andrea weren't very close to God to begin with. However, the setting was beautiful and obviously well-researched. The dialogue and unique personalities of the characters was an utter delight to read about and discover. One more thing that I found was somewhat disturbing was the way church was represented. Andrea was judged in her church so she never went back--which I understand completely. And James never went to church because his father never did. Apparently, James's father had had a falling out with his church. But God calls all Christians to serve in some form or fashion in the church. It's in the Bible to do so. The author did an amazing job in creating situations that were sure to get to the reader's heart. I sighed with delight more times while reading this book than the last five books I've read put together. It certainly was a lovely novel, despite the flaws I have mentioned. I give Five Days in Skye 31/2 stars out of 5. *I received an e-book copy of this book from the publishers through Netgalley for my honest opinion. I am so excited to be hosting Sandra Leesmith on my blog today! Be sure to read about her newly released book Love's Refuge and enter the contest below! And also, if you like my blog, be sure to subscribe to it! I blog three to four times a week. I blog mostly about books but I publish a poem every now and then as well. Enjoy! Skye Larsen loves her peaceful life on Leeza Island in Puget Sound – the tranquility, the friendly neighbors, and especially the safety from big-city dangers. So when cruel pranks start to escalate and changes threaten to overtake the island, Skye is determined to fight for her haven. The presence of a handsome vacationer and the unexpected feelings he awakens can’t distract her from her goal. Danny Fraser doesn’t realize how desperately he needs a rest until he meets Skye. By allowing him to glimpse her simple way of life, she helps him reorient his priorities – and steals his heart in the process. But his work and home in Seattle keep Skye at bay. An isolated island girl with painful memories. A dedicated city boy with a wild past. What will it cost for them both to find a refuge from their storms? Sandra Leesmith loves to travel in her RV and explore all of nature’s beauty, discover America’s history, and fellowship with the wonderful people she meets while on the road. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking, swimming, and pickleball. Learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com. You can connect with Sandra on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. You can also find her and her talented writing buddies at the Seekerville blog If you want to buy Sandra's book buy Love's Refuge for Kindle here.
Or if you want to enter the contest to win a basic Kindle loaded with Sandra's books, just enter below! Be sure to follow Sandra! |
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AuthorI love Jesus, taking long walks, reading, writing, (did I mention reading?) and eating chocolate. Archives
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