Matchmaker Matchmaker by Sherry Chamblee

Taking a short hiatus from writing, I decided to offer to do reviews, and one book I have read and reviewed is a book called Matchmaker Matchmaker written by Sherry Chamblee.

In this book, a new teacher arrives at a church located in Paradise California, but the new teacher isn't just any teacher. No, the teacher is a young and attractive single man with no woman attached to him! His name is Jack Adams and as soon a steh a couple of the church's older ladies notice him, the matchmaking begins!

Jack didn't come to Paradise to be matched to a woman--that was the furthest from his mind yet when the two women found that food was a way ti his stomach, they started cooking meals from him, not giving him a break!

Melissa found this all too amusing, especially when he saw him entering the church kitchen and hiding from the two  women trying to match him up with their daughters! Both definitely had something in common--they weren't looking for love. He was more interested in being a school teacher and she had no interest in dating school teachers. Yet they bonded as friends and soon discovered that God had set them up together, not mothers of young girls.

There is a lesson for us as all and that we should leave the matchmaking up to God. God knows whos is best for us, not eager mothers who wants their daughters to marry a good looking man. When people play matchmaking, trouble comes as you will find in Sherry Chamblee's book!

In my own life, God matched me up with a  wonderful man. Just like Melissa I wasn't looking and neither was Mark, but God was at work.

How to Write a Review

I am not saying this for myself. I have author friends who needs reviews for their books too. Book reviews are important for an author, just a review for any product-- it helps people decide if the product or book is worth paying for. Without them, no one knows how good or bad a product is.
Here is how you review a book:

1) First make sure the book you are going to read is something you read. If you are not a sci fi fan  then don't download or order one because chances are you will not give it a review.  I had bought a few books or downloaded them only to find out that it goes against my beliefs. I felt trapped. I couldn't lie and say "I love this book! I wish I could write like this..." because it would not be honest.

2) Read the book. I understand we don't have enough hours in a day to read. Some of us work and have families, but I think us authors don't expect the book to be read in one day. Just whenever you can, sit down and read.

3. There  are places where you can go to write a review: Goodreads, is a good place, but if you go there, you need to there when you begin to read the book because you will be adding it to your shelf and updating how far you have read (if you like) then  when you are done, you update it by clicking "I'm finished." That takes you to reviewing the book. Other places are where you download or purchase the book. When you go there, type in the name of the book in teh search box and it should take you to a page where you can review.

What is a review?
A review is writing what you thought about the book. At Amazon.com, after the review section, you can add a title of your review: "An enjoyable  read" or  "Unlike any other books", anything that would interest curious readers about your review. Also you can rate it from one star (Poorly written book, it shouldn't have been published) two stars ( Could have been written better) 3 stars (It's okay) 4 stars (I love this book!) 5 stars (This book is fantastic! I can't wait to read the next book!) It's like one of those on the scale from one to ten with ten being the greatest.

It is sad when an author who is looking for  a review promised a free copy in exchange for the review and they never get it.  The least the reader can do is let the author know, that they haven't finished the book, but they will as soon as they can.

I hope that no one thinks less of me by writing this. As I said, it is not just for me!

Black Friday Deals

Starting today until the Fourth of December, you  can save  a bundle of  money by downloading the ebook for .99 cents and the paperback for $9.90  (The ebook was originally 2.99) Here is the link:

Black Friday Deals

What is A Second Chance at Love about?

It is about a woman who because of past hurts in her life, had become unfriendly and cynical in her heart. However after unusual circumstances, she has found new love through the saving grace of Jesus and renewed love of her former lover.

About Marge from a Second Chance at Love.

Just recently a beta reader told me she couldn't finish reading my book. Why? She thought that I was putting women in a bad light! Well, let me tell you about Marge. Marge does not represent women in general. There are women who have been hurt so bad that they just as well not date anymore. Marge has been divorced for 7 years. Her husband had two affairs while she was married to him. At one time, he asked her to dress plainly because he didn't need her to be pretty for him. AS a result it made it easy for him to have another affair. Now I don't know about you, but Marge had it. She gave him no more chances and divorced him. Resolving not to be hurt anymore, she put up a wall called cynicism and dressed plainly in the hopes that no man would come near her. Maybe you would move on. maybe you can heal from hurts, but she had no hope. Her friend Sam is the only man besides her twin brother that she trusted, but he is a Christian and with a good heart. He wants to see Marge happy and trusting the Lord and not men. However she has a closed heart and will not allow anyone to get close to her. I wish readers would see that I am not degrading women because if I am, I would degrade myself. IN a way, Marge is me or maybe was me. Marge is about a woman who was in need of a transformation. Let me tell you something: Sometimes God will use circumstances to bring us to him. Haven't you heard about people who in their most dire circumstances calling out to God? As a result, they have given their hearts to God. Marge had to go through a series of unfavorable circumstances in order to become a better person. If Marge had gotten her way, if those men would have left her alone then she would always be cynical, always dress like she doesn't care and she may never know the Lord. Would she date again? It has been seven years. She was set in her ways. What do you think? So yes. It took some illegal persuasions to bring her to the estate. Yes, they had to resort to kidnapping, but in the end, Marge had a heart of forgiveness because she met the Lord through her circumstances. She not only received a physical transformation, but a spiritual one. Not only that, but she got reunited with her Carliano. One last thing, my beta reader complained that Marge was in her underwear. It could have been worse. She was originally in her birthday suit. But I have decided that as a Christian author, she needed something on. Perhaps the beta reader and people like her would much rather have her dressed in a lingerie. Well, if you can't stomach a woman dressed in her underwear then this book isn't for you. of all the people I know who have downloaded my book, none of them complained to me about Marge's lack of apparell. And they are all Christians. Marge is mainstream romance, but I think I will just make a secular because the beta reader find it hard it to see my book Christian. What is your definition of mainstream?

The Cowboy Hunter--Denise Hunter

Since I have decided to turn my second book into a series, I  needed to do some research. Therefore I checked out a book called "The Cowboy's Touch." by Denise Hunter.

The book is about an overworked and zealous magazine writer Abigail Jones. The setting of the book is first set in Chicago, but when her concerned mother sees that Abigail needs rest and relaxation, she sends her daughter to Montana to stay with her great aunt (who is a bit eccentric and calls her dolls "her girls") and keep an eye on her. Abigail meets a young girl named Maddy and it is through Maddy that she meets the girl's father Wade Ryan and becomes a nanny.

Both Abigail and Wade is not looking for a relationship, but there is an attraction between the two that none will admit. They are both afraid of hurting each other for different reason.

I enjoyed reading this book and it has increased my desire to  move to Montana and hopefully meet a rancher. In my series, Eric is a rancher. And even though most ranches are inherited, Eric takes over his father's ranch because of his father's health and it eventually becomes his. (Not told in the story, but might be later) I have never experience ranch life nor do I have much knowledge on the subject. I wanted to do my readers justice so I researched on the subject: The Cowboy's Touch. Although fiction, it gives me an idea of how it is written.

I do not want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read The Cowboy's Touch, so that is all I will say about the book.

Champions in the Wilderness--Bob Santos

Today I am featuring Bob Santos' devotional called Champions in the Wilderness.

Do you want to know and serve God but feel dry and isolated? Are you struggling with some type of injustice or transition in life? Champions in the Wilderness--a fifty-two reading devotional--is for you! Probably every person who seeks to serve God will endure a spiritual wilderness experience at one point or another. All too often, however, we have a difficult time seeing God's loving hand at work in the midst of our struggles.

The key to positive change is getting God's perspective and adjusting our lives accordingly. Those who honor God through the rigors of a spiritually dry season will eventually emerge as champions of the Christian faith, better prepared for meaningful and effective service to God.

Bob Santos has written Champions in the Wilderness based on his own experience of finding God near during seasons when He felt so distant. Each devotion contains an inspirational quote, a Scriptural passage, the main body, three probing questions, an action step, a closing prayer, and three or four additional Scriptures for further reading. This design makes it an excellent resource for either personal or small group use.

Champions in the Wilderness is also a great gift for a friend or loved one who is seeking after God in the midst of personal difficulty.

Pick up a copy today or download a copy today at:

 Amazon

Web Store

Book Spotlight for God's Peace Pact by Wanda Nelson

GOD'S PEACE PACT

By Wanda Nelson

An inspirational journey through Life, and learning to trust God more. Finding an often overlooked promise from God: His peace pact with His children. Discover more about this promise! Learn more about the heart of God ! Study His Everlasting Covenant with all of His children. Discover His peace pact for your life!

You can purchase or download this book at:

Amazon

To learn more about Wanda Nelson, Visit her Amazon Author Page:
Wanda Nelson

Love Me If You Must

I just got done reading a book by Nicole Young. I normally don't look at reviews because I wanted to find out for myself. The book was free so I downloaded it.

If I have more than one book yet to be finish reading, I go through a process of taking turns. (Most read one whole book before they read another). Of all the books I have read during tat time, hers I couldn't wait to finish. I was unaware of the one star reviews she had received. I pretty much read the book based on the description. I am glad I downloaded it.

Today after I read those horrible reviews, my spirit was lifted. I knew  that authors would received them. How many times have my author friends told me that? Yet, hearing that, did not lift my spirit. It only put me further into the pit.

I worked hard at my manuscripts. maybe I am not as good with words as some authors are, but my stories are great! So is hers! I have only read one and knowing that she is a Christian, I will probably read the other two later.

Someday, hope to thank her. She is my inspiration that no matter what people think of your books, you can't  stop there. She wrote something that is very true and it is almost my thought:  It is important to have something to support yourself.

After my first YA fiction is published, I am taking a hiatus (Unless I get a job before then). People have been kind to offer editing or whatever for free, but I have a feeling it will only be short lived. As  I heard people say to why they won't do it for free: "It is my livelihood." Well, I can't put food on their tables. I am really hoping for a miracle. Who knows maybe sales will pick up for The Past Hunter and I will start getting royalty checks, but until then, I will write but not published. Perhaps when  things begin to change for me, my friends will see that I overcome the odds.

Book Spotlight--World At War

If you like reading about the apocalypse and just want to get a glimpse of what is going on in the world, or perhaps, you are familiar with Tim Lahaye's "Left Behind Series", you may like
Pamela Funke's book  The World at War (See picture below) which is her second book in the apocalypse series.

Here is a blurb from her book:
The second book in the exciting The Apocalypse series.

Join General Alexander Ludlow as he continues on his mission to save the world. At least that is what he thinks that Operation Dark Angel is all about. He is however starting to suspect that this mission is not all that it's cracked up to be. The world is in complete chaos as major nations wage war on each other and the world is on the brink of World War III.

The Group is secretly continuing Operation Dark Angel with much success. Unknown to the rest of the world they are the ones who are behind the strange and devastating attacks on Israel and around the world. What is it that they are really after when they are supposed to be bringing peace to an out of control world?

Italian President Nicolaitanes Balac is steadily gaining political power and recognition. The entire world is watching this one man and wondering if he will be the one to save them from the chaotic spiral that the world is headed towards. Is he really who he appears to be or is he something more sinister? Can he save the world? Do we even want him to? Is this who mankind should rely on for help or will this be the worst mistake that mankind has ever made?

Book information:
The World at War by Pam Funke
ISBN: 978-1475102260 
Publisher: CreateSpace
Softcover (528 pages)

Where to order her book:
Amazon  Createspace  Amazon.UK

Her websites:
Blog  Facebook  Twitter

Book Review: Eternal Eden

Some time ago I downloaded a  book called Eternal Eden. I wanted to read something that was  paranormal romance but not about vampires, ghosts or shapeshifters.  I searched Amazon.com and came across Eternal Eden by Nicole Williams. It looked interesting and there was no mention of the above entities.  I knew it was a secular book because I never came across any books written by Christians , but I wanted ideas.

As I read, the book,  I got more intrigued, but questioned if I should continue because as it turned out the paranormal element was immortality.  As a Christian, I  knew that only God was and is immortal and all those who were raised to new life after death. (Interesting the  main character was raised to new life but not to live with God.)  Those who died are raised immortal and live with God. However, I put that aside and continued to read this interesting book.

 I love the love between the two characters who seemed to have about everything on earth trying to keep them apart, including the evil council and John Townsend, but I thought for sure, the two will find their way to  be together forever.  I was disappointed and this is why I gave it 4 stars and not 5 stars on Goodreads. I should have given it 3 stars, but I thought the author had a very good imagination or did research on what immortals do and live by, etc.  I was disappointed because twice, they were kept from being United-- first by John's evil counsel and then later by the hero's (William's) father's council. 

Knowing this book  was the first of the trilogy, I decided to read the synopsis of  the other two books, hoping maybe there was a silver lining in the clouds-- hopes were dashed again. I just will not read the other two books she has written.

One of my WIP is a Christian Paranormal Romance and that my friends and followers will have a good ending!

My Interview with Carmen DeSousa.

If you are like me, you like happily ever after stories and the author I interviewed writes such stories. I had the wonderful privilege of reading two of her books: She Belongs to Me and The Land of the Noonday . She is also the author Entangled Dreams and When Noonday Ends. Her genre specialty is Romantic Suspense.  Before I began with the Interview, here is what she says about herself:

About me:

I characterize my stories as modern-day fairytales, as they overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a fairytale be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic and will make you love, laugh, cry, gasp, and hope.

Both of my published novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun, have reached bestseller status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and other great authors.

Carmen also wrote a couple of short stories with an edge of paranormal to them:  The Depot  and The Pit Stop.

1. Hi, Carmen! Can you tell us a little about your first book She Belongs To Me?

‘She Belongs to Me’ is a true romantic-suspense, meaning it is a fifty-fifty mix of romance and mystery with a line of suspense running equally through both genres. In other words, the mystery and the romance will always have you on your toes, wondering what happens next, whether it’s the “Will their relationship make it?” or “How did she really end up shot in the head?”

2 What is your inspiration for writing She Belongs To Me?

Honestly, I just had a lot to say, and I was tired of not being able to find books that gave me a great romance and mystery without resorting to graphic and erotic scenes. Yes, I want to be swept off my feet and chew on my nails in anticipation, but I don’t want to have nightmares or get accused of reading ‘mommy porn’. So I thought, if they can make Rated R books into great PG13 movies, why not just start with a PG13 book to begin with. Of course, I think my books are appropriate for ages sixteen and up, but that was my goal.

3 Is there anyone in your book who is based on someone you know?

Yes, but that’s all I can say about that. :)

4. In your bio, you said you were on your own at 17. Can you give us a little information about your life?

Well, that would be a horror story, and I try to keep my writing non-graphic. But yes, I am an only child, and I have barely one parent left. I was tossed around from house to house as a child, and I’ve been through almost everything imaginable, but I’ve always had my reading, writing, and an angel who went by the name of “Gram”, who made my life turn out pretty good, so I’ll never complain.

5 Who is your favorite Romantic Suspense Author?

Sidney Sheldon. Even though he is gone, he was my first love and will always be the reason I started writing.

6 You wrote some short stories “The Pit Stop”, and “The Depot”. What makes those books paranormal?

‘The Pit Stop’ and ‘The Depot’ are part of a mini-mystery series with a paranormal edge. Unlike some stories that paranormal is the primary focus, I try to give just a hint of paranormal, so that it is believable. The Depot’s Ghost Story is actually based on a real story. 

7 On your website, CarmenDeSousa.com, you explained why you write Happily Ever After Stories. Do you have one of your own? Did you grow up in an unhappy situation and got whisked away by your hero?

Yes, boy, you’re digging deep. LOL! I had a very traumatic life up until meeting my ‘knight in smoky armor’, as he too needed a little polishing before he was ‘shining’. But we do have a ‘love at first sight’ story. I called my grandmother after our first date and told her I’d met the man I was going to marry. Thirteen days later, he asked me to marry him. Thirty days later, we eloped, but then remarried in front of our family. We’ve been married twenty-three years and have two boys ages sixteen and twenty-one. Yes, I’m definitely living my happily ever after.  

8 If someone would offer you a movie contract for She Belongs to Me and you could chose anyone you wanted to play Jaynee and Jordan, who would they be and why?

I actually haven’t looked into current day actors, but Hugh Jackman if he were younger would play Jordan. I did see someone the other day who could be my Jaynee, but I forgot her name. Oops. But, on a side note, next month’s contest will be a ‘pick the character’ contest. So, please join me, and we’ll decide together.

9 What is your secret to becoming Best Seller?

Sadly, I’d like to say that it’s because I wrote a great novel, but that’s simply not the case. While my first novel does have 100+ reviews in the US and UK averaging 4.3 stars, which is comparable to most mainstream authors, that’s not how I became a bestseller. After all, no one knew me, so there was no way for them to know my book was any good. I’ve landed on the bestseller list about ten times now, because I socialize with my readers and they tell their friends. I am always on Twitter and Facebook, answering as many questions as I can, and I have a lot of book clubs that pick up and promote my books to their readers.

10. Do you have any advice to anyone interested in becoming an author?

Please don’t think it’s easy. It has to be your dream, as you will end up working fifteen-hour days. But if it’s your dream, never give up! Because nothing feels better to a writer—other than the family stuff, of course—than hearing that someone loved your book. It’s the greatest. :)

Carmen with loves  to connect with her readers and fans. She loves to talk all things books.  You can find her at these websites:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

I encourage  you that if you haven't downloaded any of her ebooks or  ordered a paperback, to do so. You will not be disappointed.  I have to tell you to start with She Belongs to Me. (You will see why when you get into her second book)

You can order her books at

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Thank you Carmen for allowing me to interview you.

The Land of the Noonday Sun

I just finished a book that was given to me by my dear author friend Carmen DeSousa.  The Book? The Land of the Noonday Sun. Carmen  writes what is called  Happily Ever After stories so you know her books have a good ending. And who doesn't like Happily Ever Afters? Personally,  I hate books that don't end well like Jane Eyre. Her book is also classified Romantic Suspense.
The Land of the Noonday Sun is about two young people who had dreams and plans  that did not come to pass but what did happen was much better than they hoped.  Chad is a Whitewater guide who had a troubled past and he is part owner of an outdoor store called the ROCK.  Cassandra is a daughter of a  wealthy  attorney who had dreams of becoming an attorney, but after the death of her father, those dreams never came to pass. Her connection to Chad is her mother.  When Cassandra  was very young, her mother left her father and her and later married a doctor who is Chad's father.  Her mother was very much involved in Chad's life and in helping him become a better person.
Her mother, Jasmine died before Jasmine could ever see her again, but  left a  will for her and chad.  This will brings them together and romance begins to bloom.
 I was disappointed that I did not fine any Suspense in it until towards the end. I guess I compared it to She Belongs To Me.   Cassandra is kidnapped and the author leaves you wondering who did it.  She  weaves in characters who could be possible suspects and makes you think one of them did it. I know I was wrong.
There is one little surprise in middle of her book that you will miss if you have not read her first book.

I still say She Belongs To Me is better than this one, but this one is good too.