Book Talk

Enduring Dreams by Sandra Ardoin

/ Gail Johnson / 8 Comments

Loving her might be a blueprint for disaster.

Purchase Link

Claire Kingsley is a woman before her time. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to extricate herself from the past to become a trailblazer for others. Her fears and regrets, not to mention society’s prejudices, keep her from reaching for what she wants most. If the past has taught her anything, it is to not reach for things beyond the set boundaries. It doesn’t matter if you’re gifted by the Creator.

Mark Gregory is a visionary looking to the future. His mother lives in the past and refuses to let go of the old traditions. If she has her way, Mark will hold to the family customs and marry a good Polish girl. But Mark wants a new life, and this new life requires change. He has big dreams for his personal and professional life. With his plans in place, Mark expects his business to soar until a man approaches him with an idea surely to wreck his future.

I liked the way Claire kept reminding Mark that God is in control but refused to trust Him for her own future. Isn’t that the way things go? We can’t see what’s in front of us. The journey of loss and restoration is a reminder to never give up on the dreams God has placed in your heart and to remember He alone is in control.

There is a reason I am a fan of Ardoin’s writing. Her characters are always relatable and memorable. The humor between Mark and Claire was endearing, and the romance was clean and swoon-worthy. Once again, she has given her reader the perfect story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes. However, I enjoyed this story so much I pre-ordered an e-book copy to keep. Yes, it is that good.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I recommend Enduring Dreams Widow’s Might Series Book 1 to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Enduring Dreams by @SandraArdoin The humor between Mark and Claire was endearing, and the romance was clean and swoon-worthy. #bookreview @GailJohnson87

Summer Reading

/ Gail Johnson / 2 Comments

I dug through my TBR list this month and found some keepers. I also purchased a few new ones this summer. One of which is Lisa Carter’s Carolina Reckoning. I gobbled it up this past week. 🙂

Carolina Reckoning

Alison wanted her husband gone, not dead . . . When Alison Monaghan discovers proof of her husband’s infidelity, she plans to confront him. But she never gets that chance. Frank never makes it home. Soon his body is found on a lonely back-country road in antebellum Weathersby Historic Park where Frank served on the board of directors and where Alison is a volunteer garden docent. Homicide detective Mike Barefoot, a Cherokee native from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, immediately puts Alison at the top of his suspect list. He also finds himself drawn to her—and not just because she had motive for the crime. Mike usually keeps his emotional walls high, and as a detective, he knows not to get involved with murder suspects. So why is he so attracted to Alison? Can he fight his feelings for her—and find the killer before Alison becomes the next target? Purchase Here.

Fire

I’m currently reading an advanced copy of Linda Rodante’s new novella Fire.

When a violent gang re-organizes, an undercover cop could lose everything…including the woman he loves.

Following a gang war, the undercover cop known as Patriot is forced to flee his hometown and assume a new identity. When the gang re-organizes and threatens a friend, Patriot—now a firefighter—returns to face them.

Chloe Swearingen confines herself to the fast pace of the ER and away from interpersonal relationships—for a reason she keeps to herself. But when she helps save a gangster’s life, she’s thrown into a cauldron of relationships from which she can’t escape.

Then a series of fires target Chloe, her church and her friends, and she and Patriot must risk their lives to bring an end to the forces of darkness arraigned against them. Preorder Here.

Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking The Rules

I’ve also added Steven James’ nonfiction book to the pile.

All too often, following the “rules” of writing can constrict rather than inspire you. With Story Trumps Structure, you can shed those rules – about three-act structure, rising action, outlining, and more – to craft your most powerful, emotional, and gripping stories.

Award-winning novelist Steven James explains how to trust the narrative process to make your story believable, compelling, and engaging, and debunks the common myths that hold writers back from creating their best work.

   • Ditch your outline and learn to write organically.
   • Set up promises for readers – and deliver on them.
   • Discover how to craft a satisfying climax.
   • Master the subtleties of characterization.
   • Add mind-blowing twists to your fiction.

When you focus on what lies at the heart of story – tension, desire, crisis, escalation, struggle, discovery – rather than plot templates and formulas, you’ll begin to break out of the box and write fiction that resonates with your readers. Story Trumps Structure will transform the way you think about stories and the way you write them, forever. Purchase Here.

Shelter in God, Your Refuge in Times of Trouble

I’m currently reading Shelter in God. Dr. Jeremiah offers an in-depth look at Psalms and how we can apply David’s prayers to our current circumstances. Recommended reading.

Shelter-in-place orders around the world have people questioning, “Does God see us? Can he help us through this nerve-racking time? Dr. David Jeremiah shares through psalms that God is always walking beside us. Now is the time to Shelter in God.

Renowned pastor and teacher Dr. David Jeremiah believes comfort can be found in the Psalms, both now during the coronavirus pandemic and during all of life’s greatest challenges. This newly collected volume will show how finding refuge in God is always our safest place. Shelter in God offers hope in a time of uncertainty and relief to people who are experiencing real troubles and fear.

  • Find ways to worship in times of trouble,
  • experience prayer in pressure,
  • show grace when you are at your wits’ end, and
  • with God’s help, triumph over trouble. 

Shelter in God is an invaluable source of help and encouragement for people facing major obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 

Portions of Shelter in God were previously included in Dr. Jeremiah’s classic When Your World Falls Apart. Purchase Link

There you have it. What are you reading? Do you read more than one book at a time?

Women of Faith and Fiction ~ Trisha Robertson

/ Gail Johnson / 18 Comments

I love reading a book review because I enjoy hearing the reader’s ideas. Every reader will bring something different to the table. So this year for Women of Faith and Fiction, I wanted to give a shout-out to the book reviewers. They do a marvelous job! Let’s begin.

Personal

Who is Trisha Robertson?

Hi, my name is Trisha Robertson. I am a book reviewer/blogger. I have always loved stories. My love of reading began around age 8 and I’ve had my nose in a book ever since. I started writing stories of my own in elementary school. Stories that have never seen the light of day, and many that are lost to the dust of time. I especially enjoy reading and learning about History. Be sure to stop by my blog and say “Hello!” You can find me at www.joyofreadingweb.wordpress.com

You can also follow me at these locations:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JoyOfReading7

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoyOfReadingBlog

Instagram: www.instagram.com/trishrobertson

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/trishrobertson1

Professional

Your love of reading shows, Trisha. Tell me, who is your all-time favorite character?

Honestly, I enjoy all the characters I meet in books. My favorite character changes with each book I read! 😊

I hear ya! What is your latest read about?

As I write this, I’m currently reading The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietz. The story is part of the Daughters of the Mayflower collection from Barbour. Each story stands on its own and can be read in any order, but it is fun to read the stories down through history from the Mayflower! This story takes place during the Blizzard of 1888 in Nebraska. It is quite a page-turning story!

I will definitely have to check it out. Please, tell us about your reading process.

I don’t really have a reading process. I just pick up a book and read it!  I do have little sticky flags to mark favorite quotes or things I want to remember. Or in my digital books, I use the highlight feature.

Where would we be without our highlight feature? I like marking my favorite quotes. Moving on… What is your best marketing tip?

Give signed bookplates to members of your influence team. I’m always more inclined to buy a print copy over a digital copy if I have a signed bookplate to add to my book!
Share your book on various social media platforms. The more people see your book, the more likely they are to buy it.

I like both ideas, especially the signed bookplate idea. Do you choose a word or scripture for each year?

No, I don’t really choose a word or scripture for each year.  I know it’s a rather popular thing to do. For me, I feel that just one word or one verse doesn’t fit the entire year.

Inspirational

I believe it’s important to encourage each other in our daily walk. Would you share a word of encouragement with our readers?

Keep your focus on God. It is so very important to have a daily relationship with God! I have found that when I lose my focus on Him, I start to fall. But as long as I’m keeping my focus on Jesus, even when bad things happen, even when I don’t understand, that He gives me the will to keep going. On my own, I’m not enough. But He is enough! Always!

Thank you, Gail, for inviting me to participate in this interview and visit with your readers today!

I agree, Trisha! Thank you for visiting and sharing. You are a gift to your readers and to authors. Keep up the good work, dear friend.

“Give signed bookplates to members of your influence team. I’m always more inclined to buy a print copy over a digital copy if I have a signed bookplate to add to my book!” ~ @JoyOfReading7 via Women of Faith and Fiction @GailJohnson87 #interviews #reviews