The Vigil, a novel

POSTS ABOUT BOOKS BY CHRISTIAN AUTHORS. BOOK GIVEAWAYS EACH WEEK

 


Leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 2014 to be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left sidebar “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I'll add your name a second time in the drawing. U.S. mailing address required to receive a paper book. Read book giveaway details at Disclaimers. Please leave your email address. Winner announced in next Thursday's blog post.


        THE VIGIL by Marian Pellegrin Merritt

Our guest blogger is Marian Pellegrin Merritt. Marian writes stories that blend her love of the mountains with her deep Southern roots. Her tagline, Where the Bayous Meets the Mountains, grew from both loves. She is the author of Deep Freeze Christmas, A Cajun Christmas Miracle, and Southern Fried Christmas and the newly released, The Vigil.

Marian is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Women's Fiction Writers Association. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy and an accounting certificate from the University of South Alabama. This Louisiana native writes from the Northwest Colorado home she shares with her husband and a very spoiled Labradoodle.

Welcome, Marian. If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus) who would it be?
Wow, just one? I would want to have a long dinner with the Apostle Peter. I can so relate to him in ALL aspects. It’s a bit scary. If Peter wasn’t available, I’d have to choose Leonardo Da Vinci – I’d get him to tell me all about Mona Lisa.

Please tell us a little about your novel, The Vigil.
It’s a story of coming home, confronting the demons of the past, and

how forgiveness can be freedom.

Here’s the book blurb:
Cheryl Broussard made two vows: She'd never fall for an abusive man, and she'd never return to her Louisiana hometown. But she's learned all too well the lesson of never-say-never. Now, back in Bijou Bayou after fleeing from an abusive boyfriend, Cheryl finds work as a Hospice nurse. While reading a dying patient's Korean War love letters, family secrets shatter Cheryl's beliefs about her family and herself and shed light on the reason she fled her hometown. When the Broussard family secrets are revealed, can Cheryl deal with the truth and accept the blessing of a second chance for relationships with her family, old friends, and with the God she never really knew?

What takeaway value do you want your readers to have?
First, I hope my readers are entertained. Second, I’d hope they would know that God’s forgiveness is enough.

Where can readers find you online?
Website
Blog
Facebook Reader’s Group
Twitter

Where can readers purchase The Vigil?
All the purchase links are on my website

To get a link to the first chapter of The Vigil, sign up for my quarterly newsletter to receive exclusive giveaways, Cajun recipes, and the latest updates.

Any parting comments?
Jo, thanks for letting me share your part of cyberspace today. I’ve enjoyed sharing with your readers!

Thank you, Marian, for spending time with my readers. One of the commenters will win a copy of The Vigil that you’ve offered.
 

The winner of last Thursday’s blog post for a copy of Triple Threat by H. L. Wegley is Janet E. I’ll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Till next time … keep on smiling.

Triple Threat novel

POSTS ABOUT BOOKS BY CHRISTIAN AUTHORS. BOOK GIVEAWAYS EACH WEEK

Leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Tuesday, February 24, 2015 to be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left sidebar “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I'll add your name a second time in the drawing. U.S. mailing address required to receive a paper book. Read book giveaway details at Disclaimers. To provide you security, please leave your email address like this: johnATyahooDOTcom. Winner announced in next Thursday's blog post.

TRIPLE THREAT by H. L. Wegley

Our guest today is H. L. Wegley. Harry has been an intelligence analyst (USAF), a Weather Officer, and a research scientist, where he published in the scientific literature. After earning an advanced Computer-Science degree, he developed computing systems for 20+ years then retired to write. He has a contracted 4-book, inspirational thriller series (with romance) with Pelican Book Group. The 4th book, Triple Threat, released in November 2014. He’s currently finishing his 8th novel, a political thriller.

 
Welcome, Harry! If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus) who would it be?
We've already gotten an invitation to a dinner with Jesus, the marriage supper of the Lamb. My choice would be someone near the other end of the religious spectrum, Charles Darwin. I would like to sit down with Mr. Darwin, let him tell me about using morphology to define species and using a tiny blob of his “stuff of life” to define a cell.  Then I would tell him about what he was terribly ignorant of in 1859, the universe that exists inside a cell's nucleus, about DNA, coded information that prescribes life by prescribing a particular organism within a species. Hopefully, he would realize that basing his theory on morphology had no merit. Perhaps the lights would come on and, after I told him what a shredder was, maybe he would feed On the Origin of Species to one.

Please tell us a little about your novel, Triple Threat.
This story stars an all-grown-up Katie Brandt. She was 15 in the

previous story, Moon over Maalaea Bay. Katie has an IQ of over 180, is very athletic, but now is a beautiful young woman who‘s about to turn 21. She’s is finishing her dissertation for a PhD in Computer Science. Back to the story—Triple Threat is the 4th book in my Pure Genius Series, a high-action, romantic suspense story about Katie and another early twenties PhD candidate. During their dissertation research, Katie discovers a planned terrorist attack that dwarfs 9-11. In one thread of the story, there’s a sweet, first-love romance that’s soured at times by opposing worldviews. Katie’s a Christian. Josh is agnostic. The other thread contains a three-pronged terrorist attack that could cripple our nation, indefinitely. The way I chose to intertwine the threads leads to an entertaining, action-filled, humorous, and often romantic story line that keeps readers on the edge of their seat without being graphic or scary. Katie’s actions may stretch the bounds of believability a bit, but that’s why Josh calls her Crazy Kate.

What takeaway value do you want your readers to have?
Over the course of the story, the reader gets to see Katie field Josh’s questions, answering nearly every major objection raised against Christianity. But, I hope the readers notice that the most convincing things to Josh are Katie’s life and the working of God in Josh’s heart. Answers are great and we’re commanded to have them (1 Peter 3:15). But the greatest apologetic we’ll ever have for our faith is our life. 

Where can readers find you online?
Googling “H L Wegley” will give them more than they want to know about me, scientific publications, fiction and much more. Here are some web links:
Web site
Facebook page
Goodreads

Where can readers purchase Triple Threat?
Triple Threat is available in print and all common eBook formats through online booksellers. Here are some good places to look:
Amazon
Pelican Book Group
Barnes & Noble
Christianbook

Any parting comment?
Readers can expect an important announcement from me later this year. If all goes according to plan, you’ll hear about it in 8 or 9 months. No, I’m not running for political office, and I’m certainly not having a baby.

Harry, thanks for visiting with my readers. One of the commenters will win a copy of Triple Threat, which you have offered.


The winner of last Thursday’s blog post for a copy of The Heiress by Mary Ellis is Charissa. I’ll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Till next time … keep on smiling.

Mary Ellis novel

 POSTS ABOUT BOOKS BY CHRISTIAN AUTHORS. BOOK GIVEAWAYS EACH WEEK

Leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Tuesday, February 17, 2015 to be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left sidebar “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I'll add your name a second time in the drawing. U.S. mailing address required to receive a paper book. Read book giveaway details at Disclaimers. To provide you security, please leave your email address like this: johnATyahooDOTcom. Winner announced in next Thursday's blog post.

THE LAST HEIRESS by Mary Ellis

Mary Ellis has written twelve bestselling novels set in the Amish community and recently completed several historical romances set during the Civil War. The Last Heiress is her latest release. She is currently working on a new mystery series, Secrets of the South, for Harvest House Publishers. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate. Her debut book was nominated for a 2010 Carol Award. Living in Harmony, won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction while Love Comes to Paradise won the 2013 Lime Award. 

Welcome, Mary. If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus) who would it be?
I would have loved to have dinner with Mrs. Billy Graham. What an interesting life of Christian service that woman lived! I would love to ask her how her faith changed and grew over the years, and what her influences had been.

Please tell us a little about your novel, The Last Heiress.
She crossed the sea to save a legacy…finding love wasn’t part of her

plan.

The Last Heiress is a stand-alone historical romance, also set during the American Civil War. My heroine, Amanda Dunn is heir to the largest textile mill in Manchester, England. When the blockade of southern ports curtails the supply of cotton, her father sends her to Wilmington to restore trade. Her estranged twin sister, Abigail, eloped at 17 with an American cotton factor, and also lives in Wilmington. When Amanda falls for a local shopkeeper, class distinction, political loyalties, and family obligations guarantee a turbulent romance.

What takeaway value do you want your readers to have?
I would like readers to take away two ideas: First, that there are no easy answers to complex political issues. It wasn’t the case in 1865 and it isn’t the case in 2015. And secondly, I would like them to remember the bonds of family and the ties which bind us together in love are forever.

Where can readers find you online?
Website
Facebook

Where can readers purchase The Last Heiress?
CBD
Amazon
Barnes and Noble


Any parting comment?
I love to connect with readers on Facebook. I hope they’ll like my author page and/or send me a friend request.

Thank you, Mary, for visiting with my readers. One of the commenters to this post will win a copy of The Last Heiress, which you have offered.

 
The winner of last Thursday’s blog post for a copy of Redemption in Big  Fork Lake by Mary L. Ball is Ann K. I’ll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Have you visited my inspirational blog, Lifelines? I welcome all comments whether you agree or disagree with me. In the right sidebar on that blog you can sign up to follow the blog and never miss when a new post goes up. While there, you can also sign up to receive my newsletter and be eligible for book giveaways. I post on Lifelines on Mondays and hope you’ll visit me there.
 

Till next time … keep on smiling.

Redemption in Big Fork Lake novel

POSTS ABOUT BOOKS BY CHRISTIAN AUTHORS. BOOK GIVEAWAYS EACH WEEK

Leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Tuesday, February 10, 2015 to be entered in the DRAWING for a copy of the book below. If you mention in your comment that you’re a follower (see in the left sidebar “Join This Site” and “Follow by Email”), I'll add your name a second time in the drawing. U.S. mailing address required to receive a paper book. Read book giveaway details at Disclaimers. Please leave your email address. Winner announced in next Thursday's blog post.

REDEMPTION IN BIG FORK LAKE by Mary L. Ball

Mary L. Ball is an inspirational fiction author and lives in North Carolina between the wondrous mountains and beautiful beaches. She writes about real-life problems, suspense, or mystery blended with romance.

Mary hopes her books encourage people to see the wonder of love and a divine guidance that awaits everyone.

Her novels include, Escape to Big Fork Lake, Stone of Destiny, Postmarked Ever After, Christmas at Angel Ranch, and Redemption in Big Fork Lake.  She is also a contributing author of 21 Stories of Faith. 
 
When Mary is not working on her latest story, she enjoys fishing, reading, and singing with her husband at church functions.

Welcome, Mary. If you could have dinner with one person from today or history (except Jesus) who would it be?
Nicholas Sparks, I’d love to talk with him about the unique way he has of weaving a story together.  

Please tell us a little about your novel, Redemption in Big Fork Lake.
Redemption in Big Fork Lake follows Escape to Big Fork Lake. 

Many readers asked what happen to Robert.  This is Robert’s story.

Can he be forgiven?

Only after Robert Turner hurts a woman does he realize how much of a hold alcohol has on his life.   

For Robert, a chance meeting with an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor offers hope. A new devotion to the Lord and a relationship with Belle McBride gives him expectations for a better future.

His life appears to be on the right track, until he comes full circle with his past and faces the one mistake that haunts him daily. Can forgiveness free Robert or will heartache drive him to return to the life he once had?

What takeaway value do you want your readers to have?
Redemption in Big Fork Lake has two values I wanted to highlight.

I hope readers gain faith in the fact that addictions can be overcome by walking with the Lord, and that forgiveness is, not only something we should extend to others, but it’s important to forgive ourselves of past mistakes as well. 
 
Where can readers find you online?
My Face Book author page
Website
Twitter

Where can readers purchase Redemption in Big Fork Lake?
Amazon
All Romance
Barnes and Noble
My Publisher

Any parting comment? 
Jo, I want to thank you for having me on your blog again. It’s a lovely place to stop and find wonderful books to read.  

Thank you, Mary, for visiting with my readers. One of the commenters will win a copy of Redemption in Big Fork Lake, which you have offered.


The winner of last Thursday’s blog post for a copy of Worth the Time by Laura Jackson is Maxie. I’ll email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.

Have you visited my inspirational blog, Lifelines? I welcome all comments whether you agree or disagree with me. In the right sidebar on that blog you can sign up to follow the blog and never miss when a new post goes up. While there, you can also sign up to receive my newsletter and be eligible for book giveaways. I post on Lifelines on Mondays and hope you’ll visit me there.

 
Till next time … keep on smiling.