Hearts Crossing

Today, a very special book has been released, Hearts Crossing by Marianne Evans. It is my honor and privilege to be able to share with you a bit about this title.

WRP said, "Last fall, White Rose Publishing editors became intrigued to find out how many different stories could be gleaned from one basic plot. The result was our Hearts Crossing contest. WOW! Provided with the same cover image and same plot outline, every entry we received was completely unique...just as we suspected. Today, we are pleased to release the winning entry, Hearts Crossing by Marianne Evans. New to White Rose, Marianne is not new to the publishing world, having several titles--and in multiple languages--Marianne is an accomplished author. We're pleased to welcome Marianne into the WRP family, and we think you're going to like what she's done to pull the heartstrings in Hearts Crossing."

BLURB:“How do you feel about God, Collin?” “I don’t.”Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church of Christ, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss. Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God and the community of Woodland. But lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm. A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists—but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better.Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

About the author: Marianne Evans loves to tell a good story. In fact, she’s been enthusiastic about writing ever since she could string sentences together. Joining White Rose Publishing gives her the opportunity to combine two of her greatest passions – love of the Lord and exploring the world of romance.
She’s seen a number of her books published. Kensington Publishing purchased her first book, Friends & Lovers. Her second contemporary romance, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim in The Oakland Press. Her fourth book, a novella entitled With This Kiss, is her first offering at The Wild Rose Press. Hearts Crossing is her first inspirational romance and marks her debut at White Rose Publishing.
A resident of suburban Detroit, she’s happily married with two kids and a family that never fails to support and encourage. An active member of Romance Writers of America, she’s a long-time member of Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter in a number of capacities, most notably as treasurer and two terms as president.

Special things happening: Hearts Crossing is up for an award in February at You Gotta Read Videos! Voting takes place later this month, so please stay tuned for details. Please feel free to view the trailer today @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0y46c3Mak&feature=player_embedded

Also, I know starting February 1st, Ms. Evans has some wonderful things planned for us on the White Rose Publishing reader's group with discussion questions, how she was inspired to write this story, and so much more. You won't want to miss it! You can take a peek inside the book and even download book group questions when you pick up your copy today for $3.50 @ Buy HeartsCrossing Right Here!

Still looking for even more? On Saturday, February 1 (10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Eastern Time Zone) Marianne will be at Long and Short Romance Reviews, where two copies of this book will be given away. In an invation she sent to the reader's loop she said, "(I'm going) to talk about the top ten questions asked of this romanc author. Yep, I'm spillin' the beans. I'm going to tell folks all about the oh so glamorous life of a writer (tee, hee!!) and share the things that inspire me to keep moving forward, even when those inevitable frustrations arise."

What's coming next to White Rose Publishing...

Prodigal by Robin Bayne

Release Date: 1-08-2010

Daniel Gardner is making a grand entrance at his brother’s wedding. The problem is, no one has seen him in years. Unsure of his welcome, this prodigal son needs the years and the hearts of his family to miraculously melt…but he may not be the only one needing to make amends.
Lane Taylor doesn’t realize how much she still loves Daniel until she’s standing face-to-face with him after so many years apart. Once upon a time, they’d dreamed of a life together. Now, when it seems they might get a second chance, she has to decide whether to divulge the secret she’s sure will shatter their happily-ever-after.

Please be sure to check out all the great things happening at White Rose Publishing today!

The Sister Pact

The Sister Pact is now in bookstores.

Savannah Compton is devastated when her sister and best friend, Allison, falls into a coma after a tragic accident. Or was it an accident? Even with a charming and handsome detective at her side, it seems Savannah may never discover the truth. But if she doesn’t her family could be in even more danger. And Savannah’s past holds its own secrets that could change everything.

Now she must prove her innocence to the one person who is beginning to matter most. Join Savannah as she struggles to summon faith and rely on hope, even in the darkest of circumstances, and learn how the bond between sisters can overcome anything.

The Sister Pact is a thrilling romantic mystery, full of unexpected twists. Cami Checketts delivers an exhilarating new novel that will keep you guessing to the very last page.

To win a free copy, please visit my blog - http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com.

www.camichecketts.com

Author Spotlight - Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren is the award-winning, best-selling novelist of over twenty-four novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, and been Christy and Rita finalists. Her compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, she returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children and her husband are active in their local church. You can find her online at: www.susanmaywarren.com

Tell us about your current release and where you got the inspiration for it.

I’m really excited about my new book, Nothing but Trouble – it’s a fun, romantic, light suspense series about a wanna-be PI who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. I’ve been working on it for about three years. (or, maybe doing the research all my life, hmmm) Here’s the blurb:

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her hometown, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder--who also happens to be PJ's former flame--is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend's husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right.

It hit the stands just in time for a summer beach read and is available now at your local bookstore. Go to: http://gotsugar.susanmaywarren.com for sneak peeks and to sign up for free stuff and updates!

Is there a particular event that helped you become an author?

I’ve always been amazed at the journey God has taken me on. I always loved to write, but being a missionary in Russia, I never dreamed about being an author. I just tried to do the best with what God had entrusted to me, and for me that meant writing missionary newsletters. I honed my skills through my newsletter, and then, after a number of years, began to write devotionals and magazine articles. Although I tried my hand at writing novels (I wrote 4 before I ever had one published), I never thought I would get anything published. But I diligently studied craft and analyzed books, even though I was hidden away in Siberia. I’ll always be grateful that Tyndale and later Barbour and Steeple Hill took a chance on me! I’m still learning, and still trying to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?

Read – figure out why you like the book, Read more, Write, get feedback, implement feedback, Read, Write more, and eventually go to a writer’s conference and pitch your story. Most of all, spend time in the Word, filling up, so you can pour out.

What is your next project?

I wrote a Christmas book! I’m so excited for my Christmas novella – the Great Christmas Bowl, a story that I wrote two years ago when my family took sick over the holiday season. For eight days over Christmas, I made soup and handed out Vicks…and conjured up a book about the crazy things mothers do, the looming threat (and joy) of empty nests and the universal desire to create memories for our children. I live in a small town, so of course, I had to write about the crazy, wonderful small town Minnesota life. (Go Big Lake Trouts!) Yes, it’s a mother book. (But did I mention it also has FOOTBALL in it?) It’s also a book about reclaiming romance after the kids are grown, and discovering that all your years of investing in your children do bear fruit.

I am overjoyed at this story; this holiday tale of my heart. It comes out in October!

Do you have a quote that motivates you?

This is the quote I had above my computer as I started to write novels…J "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Excerpt - The Great Christmas Bowl:

There are some Christmases that slink by, their significance lost amid the flurry of parties, holiday card mailings, and the endless lists of stocking stuffers. They end well, perhaps, with a sigh of relief and a warm curl of happiness that signifies, once again, a successful season had by all.

There are other years, however, that stand out in stark relief. Moments where the trudge of time, however briefly, hiccups. Years when we remember exactly why we gather with family to celebrate a day of peace, of grace.

For me, such a stumble in time came in my forty-eighth year. The year I turned into a fish.[1]

It happened by accident, as all monumental occurrences do. In fact, it wasn’t until afterward that I realized the depth of what had transpired. My youngest son claims that I entered into my state fully cognizant of the ramifications. My perspective suggests I was tricked, baited by the hope that my youngest son might find inspiration and purpose in my humble transformation and sacrifice.

Perhaps he did. But that year, the year I became a fish, also turned out to be the Christmas that would remind me, in years hence, that children do remember. They hold the memories we create as nourishment, filling in the nooks and crannies of their lives to make them stronger.

And eventually, they pass them on.

Thank you, Susan. I can't wait to pick up your new books. I'm sure they're as wonderful as your other novels,

Cami

Cami Checketts is a wife, mother, author, and exercise scientist. For exercise routines, please refer to her blog – fitmommas.blogster.com. Her latest novel, The Sister Pact, will be released August 1, 2009.

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