Blog Tour Seal Under Siege by Liz Johnson

Summary: SHE'S NOT SAFE YET 

When Staci Hayes is rescued from a Mideast prison by navy SEAL Tristan Sawyer, she thinks the ordeal is over. But back in San Diego, a new threat arises. Staci has information that could prevent a hit on U.S. soil, and the terrorist will stop at nothing to silence her. Tristan insists on being her bodyguard, but his constant presence makes her long for things beyond her reach. Protecting Staci is the second chance Tristan needs to put the past behind him. Yet with a spy on the naval base, anyone could be a threat. Can he offer her safety…and love? 

Cover Art:

About the Author:

By day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager for a Christian publisher. She finds time to write late at night and is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring local music, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings and blogs about her adventures in writing at www.LizJohnsonBooks.com. Follow her online at Facebook.com/LizJohnsonBooks or Twitter.com/LizJohnsonBooks.

Author Photo:

Links to retailers carrying the book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

ChristianBook.com

The Book Depository

Excerpt:

            “You said I was safe. You said you’d protect me.”

            “I did. You made it safely home, didn’t you?” His words were short but not unkind.

            “I made it home, anyway.”

            Those blue eyes sliced into hers.

            “What does that mean?”

            “Someone has been following me, and I think it’s the same man from Lybania.”

            His arms crossed over his broad chest, the sleeves of his t-shirt pulling snug around his biceps. He looked so intimidating.

            “Did you call the police? Tell them you’re being stalked, and they can look into it for you. They can handle things like that.”

            “They wouldn’t help me.” If she had any idea how to face down the man following her on her own, she would. But since she didn’t, she had to convince the lieutenant to help.

            Taking a first step toward him, she pointed her finger at his chest. “Listen to me. I’m in trouble, but it’s not just me. I don’t know the name of the man who’s after me, but I know what I heard. He’s plotting to blow something up . . . here in San Diego.”

CFBA Blog Tour Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Made to Last

Bethany House Publishers (September 15, 2013)

by

Melissa Tagg




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:



I’m a former reporter turned author who loves all things funny and romancey. My debut novel, a romantic comedy titled Made to Last, releases from Bethany House in September 2013. In addition to my nonprofit day job, I’m also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for novelists.



It all started when my dad, at the ripe old age of sixteen, picked up my mom up for their first date. She was thirteen. Thirteen!* Dad drove a cherry red car up the lane to my grandparents big ol’ green house and honked his horn…whereupon Mom jumped out of the apple tree she’d been waiting in and off they went…fishing. True story. (I’d give more details, but I’m saving it for a novella I plan to entitle Two Leaves. Mom, I really hope you read this.)




Four years of college, a few trips abroad and a stint as a reporter later, that dream is soon to be a reality. My debut novel, a romantic comedy titled Made to Last, is now out from Bethany House. Book two, Here to Stay, comes out on May 1, 2014.




In between writing and staring out the window brainstorming, I also work as a grant-writer at one of Iowa’s largest private nonprofits and serve as the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for novelists founded by Susan May Warren.




And I love, love, love talking about finding our purpose and identity in Christ. (And well, okay, food, old movies, boots and scarves, my awesome nephew Ollie, and, fine, Tim Tebow, too.)




ABOUT THE BOOK

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.




When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?


My Thoughts:

This is a debut book for Melissa Tagg. i would say it was pretty darn good. for some reason when i started it i wasn't too into it. then when i moved my reading to a different area of the house i totally got into the book and it was a quick read after that. i'm not sure i like the cover too much but thats a minor detail. the characters were pretty awesome. and i would say that it was a good length for a book. it could have stood to be shorter though. some parts kind of dragged on and on. but regardless i did like the book.

i was provided this book in exchange for my review. i was not compensated in anyway


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Made to Last, go HERE.

CFBA Tour Raw Edges by Sandra D. Bricker

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Raw Edge Abingdon Press (September 17, 2013) by Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The Big 5-OH! was released by Abingdon Press in the Spring of 2010, and the novel was very well-received, garnering a couple of nibbles from Hollywood.

Always the Baker, Never the Bride was released by Abingdon Press in September 2010. With its phenomenal reviews, the novel spawned a series of three more books based on the popular cast of characters at The Tanglewood Inn, a wedding destination hotel in historic Roswell, Georgia. The series cemented Sandie's spot in publishing as a flagship author of Laugh-Out-Loud romantic comedy for the inspirational market.

"Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with my writing dream," says Bricker, "well, that's the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

ABOUT THE BOOK

Grayson McDonough has no use for teal ribbons, 5k runs, or ovarian cancer support groups now that his beautiful wife Jenna is gone. But their nine-year-old daughter Sadie seems to need the connection. When Annabelle Curtis, the beautiful cancer survivor organizing the memory quilt project for the Ovacome support group, begins to bring out the silly and fun side of his precious daughter again, Gray must set aside his own grief to support the healing of Sadie’s young heart. But is there hope for Gray’s heart too along the way?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Raw Edge, go HERE.



My Thoughts:

Sandra D. Bricker has been one of my favorite authors for awhile. her writing is always good no matter what its about. i cannot love her enough. while reading this book (it didn't take long btw i couldn't put it down as is the case with most of her novels) i had thought it would be much more sad than it was. it was super cute and did show awareness to ovarian cancer. i enjoyed the book. my only complaint was it was much too short for my liking. please go check this out!


i was provided this book in exchange for my review. i wasn't compensated in any way.


Watch the book trailer:

its been awhile..

I'm going from my last post uh almost two months ago. To now and i'm not so excited. And quite honestly I just feel defeated in about pretty much everything.


Few weeks ago we went to portland/bend for my best friend colins wedding. While that was all great and nice. Honestly the trip sucked. Too much driving, not so much fun. It just wasn't what I thought it'd be. And then the memories of getting robbed loomed over me. Probably didn't help that I went on the street we were near when getting robbed and passed by the hotel I stayed at the night I got robbed. Uh awkward. Yeah too much driving, sucky goodwills, I hate gas getting pumped for me and other stuff. Meh


last week was a crappy week especially for injuries. I got my hand smashed by a cart at costco. It swelled up pretty bad and its severely bruised even now. I hurt a few other fingers after that on my other hand. I also hit my head on the car while bending over to adjust the seat. Totally got a huge goose egg on my head. Irritating it still hurts somewhat now.


Right now my knees hurt so bad.


I'm kinda blah cause I got off the wagon with working out and my eating low carb stuff. But honestly i'm just sad about multiple things.


The boy and I got hair cuts and the lady cut it uneven and its kinda shorter than I wanted. Which is kind of depressing. It looks good but blah.


I finally got a plan for my granny afghan but I had to stop crocheting cause I developed a spasm in my shoulder. Another irritating thing. I hope it stops soon. The thing is it makes me mad when its not all the same inches all the way around. But I did find this really great video that shows about steam blocking so i'm excited. I had to go find foam tiles and rust proof needles. Which I did get and as I was trying to find a super cheap used option I didn't find it so I got a cheap option at harbor freight which was awesome! Hopefully my spasm goes away soon so I can finish and block that afghan.


Another thing i'm super into right now is cross stitching and i've found a bunch of great kits on ebay. But I needed more scroll frames I bought some but they were crap. So we just made our own. I still have to find fabric to staple to them so I can baste the aida fabric on. Hopefully that happens soon.


I dunno what else to say so thats about all for now.

Win the All-New Paperwhite Kindle from Guideposts Books in the Home to Heather Creek Giveaway!

Today here are two books in a series called "home to heather creek"

About the books: When the world around you falls apart, could it be that God is giving you a second chance? This is just one of the questions on Charlotte Stevenson's mind as she brings her three grandchildren to live on the family farm in Guidepost Books' Home to Heather Creek series.

Before the Dawn begins just one week after the funeral of Charlotte's daughter, Denise. Denise's three children barely have time to process the death of their mother before they must move to the Heather Creek Farm they have never visited with grandparents they barely know. At age 16, Sam is fiercely protective of his younger siblings. Emily is 14 and desperately misses her friends. Young Christopher is only 8 and just wants to fit in. While Charlotte tries to help her grandchildren adjust to their new life, she also wrestles with her own grief and the enormous task of bringing her family together. Bob believes the fastest path to adjustment is a firm routine, with structure and chores, the same way they raised their own kids. However, that route led to Denise running away from home as a teenager and an estranged relationship with her family. Charlotte is worried about making the same mistakes she made with Denise. Is this her chance to make things right?

It is spring when the children arrive, and as Charlotte looks around the farm, she hopes the new life around them will signify hope and healing. The miracle of new life, along with God's healing touch, reminds all of them that it's always darkest just before the dawn.

Sweet September picks up at harvest time, as the children are settling into a new school year. While the harvest should be an exciting time, the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Trying to learn from what did and didn't work with her own kids, Charlotte is determined to get her grandchildren back on track.

As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can bond the family together. Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids unite to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.

The lives of the Stevensons and their grandchildren unfold in this captivating story of the remarkable change that comes from the love of family, the kindness of others, sheer persistence and unshakable faith. As readers follow the Stevensons' inspiring stories, it's almost impossible not feel a part of this friendly, loving community, where God's grace can be seen in every circumstance.

Purchase the books here: http://ow.ly/oQGxr

My Thoughts:
 i was a little worried since i go by the look of the books sometimes and i can't get into it if its not visually appealing. the covers on these books aren't totally appealing in general. but the words on the inside sure are. i was instantly  drawn into these novels and they were amazing. i had no idea that this was a pen name for a team of writers until i read that in the back of the book. both of them are equally awesome. i can't wait to see what the thrid is gonna be like.  its a familiar story sort of but that doesn't make it any less great. check it out for sure!





thank you to litfuse and guideposts for the copies of the books for review. i wasn't compensated in anyway
 
About the Author: Kathleen Bauer is the pen name for a team of writers who have come together to create the Home to Heather Creek series.
Guideposts Books is thrilled to announce their brand new series, Home to Heather Creek, by Kathleen Bauer. The first two books, Before the Dawn and Sweet September, launch this month and Guideposts Books is celebrating with a Paperwhite Kindle Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A Paperwhite Kindle

• Before the Dawn and Sweet September by Kathleen Bauer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th HERE.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won! (Or better yet, subscribe to their blog [enter your email in the blog sidebar] and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Shades of Mercy River North; New Edition edition (September 1, 2013) by Anita Lustrea
and
Caryn Rivendara

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Authentic. That’s the word heard over and over when women describe Anita Lustrea. She is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, and an amazing communicator as co-host of the award winning Midday Connection radio broadcast. Her deep desire is to communicate freedom to women and help them nurture and care for their soul. Anita is the co-author of “Come to Our Table: A Midday Connection Cookbook” and “Daily Seeds from Women Who Walk in Faith”, a Devotional for women. Her first solo venture as an author releases in November, 2010, “What Women Tell Me: finding freedom from the secrets we keep.” Anita and her husband, Mike Murphy, a pastor, along with her teenage son John live in the Chicago suburbs. When she’s not traveling or speaking, you can find her reading and drinking a venti hot tea at her local Starbucks.

*******

Caryn is a sought-after writer and speaker. She’s the author of four books—Shades of Mercy: A Maine Chronicle (River North, September 2013), Known & Loved: 52 Devotions from the Psalms (Revell, April 2013), Grumble Hallelujah (Tyndale House, September 2011), and Mama’s Got a Fake I.D. (WaterBrook Press, March 2009)–and a regular contributor to Christianity Today’s Her.Meneutics as well as columnist for Re:Frame Media’s ThinkChristian blog. She has written dozens of magazine article. Her work has appeared in such publications as Christianity Today, Relevant, FamilyLife, and Engineering and Mining Journal (you read that right). Caryn leads workshops and speaks at conferences and church groups across the country. She’s also a regular guest on Moody Radio’s Midday Connection with Anita Lustrea and Melinda Schmidt and has been featured on such radio shows as The John and Kathy Show, Changing Worldviews/WOMANTalk with Sharon Hughes, I Thought She Said with Faith Daly, The Paul Edwards Program with Paul Edwards, and Talk from the Heart with Rich Buhler, among many others. Caryn also appeared on The Harvest Show. Caryn earned a B.A. in English from Calvin College and attended the University of Chicago’s publishing program. She lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband, Rafael, her three kids, a rescued pit bull terrier, two hermit crabs, and several tank fulls of who-knows-what-kind-of fish. Caryn and her family are members of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, Illinois, where Caryn recently joined the worship staff.
ABOUT THE BOOK

It's 1954 and the world-even the far Northwoods of Maine-is about to change. But that change can't happen soon enough for fourteen-year-old Mercy Millar. Long tired of being the "son" her father never had, Mercy's ready for the world to embrace her as the young woman she is-as well as embrace the forbidden love she feels. When childhood playmates grow up and fall in love, the whole community celebrates. But in the case of Mercy and Mick, there would be no celebration. Instead their relationship must stay hidden. Good girls do not date young men from the Maliseet tribe. At least, not in Watsonville, Maine. When racial tensions escalate and Mick is thrown in jail under suspicion of murder, Mercy nearly loses all hope-in love, in her father, and in God himself.

My Thoughts:

I was trying really hard to get into this one but it just wasn't happening for me. maybe i'll try to read it again some other time. but it just didn't catch my interest at all.

i was provided this book free of charge in exchange for my review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Shades of Mercy, go HERE.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Unforeseeable Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2013) by Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mystery, Romance, and Suspense Seamlessly Combined in a Mennonite Small-Town Setting Callie Hoffman knows she has a good life in Kingdom, Kansas. She's thrilled to be engaged to Levi Housler, the new pastor of Kingdom Mennonite Church, and she spends her days working with her friend and soon-to-be sister-in-law, Lizzie Housler, at Cora's Cafe. However, Callie's idyllic life is interrupted when a body is discovered on the road outside Kingdom and the deceased turns out to be a victim of a serial killer. As Washington County's new sheriff begins questioning Kingdom residents, Callie and the rest of the town are appalled at the prospect of a killer among them. The very reason Kingdom exists is to protect the people from the temptations and dangers of the outside world, but all the town founders' attempts to plan ahead couldn't prevent a threat like this. Unsettled at this unforeseen danger, Callie is concerned when it appears Levi knows more than he's telling. Desperate to find answers for herself, Callie never expected that she'd have to face some of her own past's skeletons. As Callie and the residents of Kingdom fear this danger for which they never planned, they must learn anew that only God knows the future and their trust must always lie in Him.

My Thoughts:
unfortunately i don't have many thoughts. i got the book somewhat late less than a week before the tour. and i felt awkward reading it out of order. but i did read a bit of it and it was good. though i will have a much better review after i have read all the books in order.

i was provided this book free of charge. these thoughts are my own.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Unforeseeable, go HERE.