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I’m Nobody

By Alex Marestaing

Read the EPIC Award-nominated novel that critics are saying is “fresh,” “powerful,” and “unlike anything” they’ve read. In a world full of anxiety, Alex Marestaing’s I’m Nobody: The Lost Pages is a triumphant tale of faith over fear and one that kids and grown-ups of all ages will love. It’s also a London Book Festival Honorable Mention Winner and Epic’s eBook Award finalist.

We’re all broken on this side of heaven, but we can make beautiful things from the pieces.

Agoraphobic Caleb Reed is about to step outside for the first time in seven years, meet indie filmmaker Iris Elliott . . . and definitely not fall in love. It’s all because of the notes, the weird and wonderful notes he keeps finding on his front porch, notes signed by someone claiming to be long dead poet Emily Dickinson. Caleb’s parents think he’s losing his mind, as always, but he knows they’re wrong. Something’s going on outside — something strange, something terrifying . . . something beautiful.

ISLAND BREEZES

This is one incredible book. It’s not like anything I’ve read before. I’m afraid I can’t really say much about it without giving away the plot.

All I can say is it’s a must read book that will touch you to your soul. It might be a good idea to have that box of tissues handy while you’re reading this book.

This initiation into the writings of Alex Marestaing was one that has me wanting more and more books from him.

***A speciat thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

Author Alex Marestaing loves to create. He’s written for media outlets such as The Walt Disney Company, Lego, Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins,and The Los Angeles Times and has authored three YA novels. His latest, I’m Nobody: The Lost Pages, recently won an honorable mention at the London Book Festival and was nominated for a 2014 Epic Award. Though he spends most of his time imagining ideas for the youth market, he’s also written for faith-based publications and has covered his favorite sport, soccer, in Europe and the U.S. for Sports Spectrum Magazine and Yanks Abroad. When Alex isn’t writing or speaking at conferences, you’ll most likely find him hanging out in California with his wife, three kids, and Milou, his dog.

Meant to Be Mine

By Becky Wade

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school—irresistible. When their paths cross again after college—still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia’s ready to be Ty’s wife, but Ty’s not ready to be her husband. He’s a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he’s long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he’s known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia’s buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty’s achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn’t forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia’s trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

ISLAND BREEZES

Ty and Celia seem to be meant to be together. At least Celia thought so when they got married in a Vegas wedding chapet.

The day after Ty lets Celia know he’s neither interested in quitting his life on the road, nor being married to her. He wants to marry a girl back in his home town who,k by the way, is dating someone else.

Crushed, Celia goes back to her home and raises the beautiful daughter that she and Ty created on her wedding night. Things go well until five and a half years later. Ty shows up and sees their child that Celia has tried to keep hidden from him.

So now Ty wants Celia and their child in his life. Celia wants nothing to do with him. Ty does everything except standing on his head to win Celia over. It appears that nothing’s going to work. Has he lost his chance for forever love?

Thank you, Ms Wade. I’m certainly enjoying your books, and look forward to the next one.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

Becky makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband, three children, and one adoring (and adored) cavalier spaniel. Her CBA debut, My Stubborn Heart, was a finalist in both the RITA and INSPY awards. Undeniably Yours kicked off her Texas-set Porter Family series. Her newest contemporary romance, Meant to Be Mine, has just hit shelves!

A Season of Change

By Lynette Sowell

An Amish widower finds love in unexpected places.

Amish widower Jacob Miller believes it was a mistake to visit the Amish village of Pinecraft for winter vacation, especially after his daughter is struck by a car. Stranded in Sarasota until his daughter recovers, Jacob grows increasingly wary of events that unfold in his unfamiliar surroundings—including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett.

Natalie never thought her circus career as an aerial silks artist would end with a blown-out knee at the age of 25. She also never knew her late mother had a secret—that she was once Amish.

When Natalie meets the Millers at the Sarasota hospital, she is attracted to their warm hospitality and simple ways—and soon wonders if they can help her find her mother’s family. As Jacob and Natalie fall in love, their worlds collide. Will their differences tear them apart? Or will their love be strong enough to blend their clashing cultures?

ISLAND BREEZES

A circus performer and an Amish man. Oh, yes, that’s sure to work out – just like oil mixes well with water.

It all starts innocently enough when Natalie dresses as a clown to amuse hospitalized children. Jacob’s daughter Rebecca is one of those children.

After Natalie discovers her mother was Amish, she is drawn to this family. She continues to get closer to the Millers while trying to locate her Amish grandmother.

It turns into an impossible situation. Again it boils down to how can a circus performer and an Amish man find a way to live their love. Is there any way the two can be together?

I had it figured out long before those two did.

I loved your book, Ms Sowell. I live near Pinecraft, and am looking forward to you Seasons in Pinecraft Series, Book 2. Also, I know who you based your character of Imogene on. Her photographs are beautiful.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

Lynette Sowell is the Carol Award-winning and ECPA best-selling author of more than 15 titles, including A Season of Change and Tempest’s Course. When Lynette is not writing, she works as a medical editor and part-time newspaper reporter. She makes her home in Copperas Cove on the doorstep of the Texas hill country.

No Easy Catch

By Pat Simmons

Shae Carmen hasn’t lost her faith in God, only the men she’s come across who profess to follow Him. Heartbroken and humiliated after discovering that her boyfriend was not only married but also on the verge of reconciling with his estranged wife, she flees her job in Nebraska for St. Louis, Missouri, and starts over with a fresh slate as a weekend TV news anchor/reporter.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rahn Maxwell had been coasting along in life until an attempted carjacking awakened him to the reality of his feeble faith. When a local television station lands an exclusive interview, Rahn shares his testimony and commits to getting right with God. Meeting a lovely news anchor named Shae, a committed Christian, further compels his quest to follow Christ—and to win Shae’s heart.

Just when Shae lets her guards down, another scandal rocks her world. This time, the stakes are higher, and she and Rahn aren’t immune to the aftershocks. For a second time, Shae’s heart is on the line, along with her professional credibility. Will she strike out at love again? Or will she hit a home run and give God the glory?

ISLAND BREEZES

Shae is not interested in men. The last one not only didn’t tell her he was married, he also neglected to tell her he was getting back with his wife.

She leaves her life behind to start over in St. Louis working as a TV news anchor/reporter. She’s doing quite well, thank you, when a St. Louis Cardinals player meets her at the TV station.

The man apparently doesn’t understand the word no. He just won’t stop trying to get her to go out with him. So it looks as if Rahn has her in the game at least for awhile.

A scandal is erupting, and Shae isn’t sure she can deal with it. It looks as if Rahn is going to strike out after all.

Thank you, Ms Simmons. I enjoyed book one of The Carmen Sisters, and am looking forward to the next. I wish I had sisters like these sisters.

***A special thank you to Cathy Hickling and Whitaker House for providing a review copy.***

Pat Simmons holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked in various media positions in radio, television, and print for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She is the author of nine single titles and several eBook novellas. Her award-winning books include Talk to Me, ranked #14 of Top Books in 2008 That Changed Lives by Black Pearls Magazine. She is a two-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance for Still Guilty (2010) and Crowning Glory (2011). Her best-selling novels include Guilty of Love and the Jamieson Legacy series: Guilty by Association, The Guilt Trip, and Free from Guilt. The Acquittal (a Guilty Parties novel) was her 2013 release.

While Love Stirs

By Lorna Seilstad

Take one lovely young woman.

Add two ambitious young men.

Stir . . . and stand back.

As a graduate of Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery, Charlotte Gregory is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution–the gas stove. And she certainly doesn’t mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures.

Lewis encourages Charlotte’s work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made–especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

Follow the second Gregory sister as she looks for true love and makes her way in a rapidly changing world in this breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep you guessing.

ISLAND BREEZES

Charlotte, a recent grad from Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery, enters a cooking contest sponsored by the gas company to prizes and the chance to travel and teach cooking on the new gas stove.

After coming out on top she spends time traveling with her fellow gas company employees, Molly and Lewis. She also spends time trying to convince hospital superintendent Dr. Brooks to serve more appetizing and nourishing food to his patients.

Joel Brooks is a hard sell as he struggles to fight the electricity between himself and Charlotte. Will this charge turn out to be positive or negative?

Meanwhile, Lewis is pursuing Charlotte as the team continues to travel with the cooking demonstrations. One of these men will eventually win her love.

Thank you, Ms Seilstad, for giving us the Gregory sisters. I’m looking forward to the third sister’s book.

***A special thank you to Lanette Haskins for providing a review copy.***

Lorna Seilstad is the author of When Love Calls and the Lake Manawa Summers series. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing contests and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Lorna lives in Iowa with her husband. Learn more at www.lornaseilstad.com.

No, I’m not talking about the weather. What a vast difference in the reception of these two very different commencement speeches. Judge for yourself.

Guideposts Books is excited to announce the premiere of a new film based on the book Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio (Summerside Press) by Serena Miller. The movie, produced by Mission Pictures International and filmed last fall in the actual town of Sugarcreek, will premiere on Sunday, June 1, 2014, at 7:00 PM EDT on Up TV (formerly the Gospel Music Channel). Visit the movie website for more information.

Serena and Guideposts will be celebrating with a Facebook viewing party! 

Join Serena and readers on Facebook while you tune in to watch Love Finds You in Sugarcreek to share your thoughts about the movie, chat with other viewers, and win fun prizes. Just use hashtag #LFYSugarcreek to join the discussion on June 1st.

Check your local listing for UpTV (http://up.viewerlink.tv) to find out when it airs in your timezone.

Excited? Help me spread the word! Just share this link and information on your social media along with the hashtag #LFYSugarcreek! Plus, we’ll be tracking the hashtag and giving away Amazon & Starbucks cards to people at random who help to promote all throughout the month of May. Winners announced at the Love Finds You in Sugarcreek viewing party on June 1st.

“This is so exciting for Serena Miller and Guideposts! We are thrilled that Up TV has chosen Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio to make into a movie,” said Lenore Lelah Person, vice president and editorial director of Guideposts Books and Inspirational Media. “With Serena’s wonderful story and a beautiful backdrop in Ohio Amish country, fans of the story and the series will enjoy seeing it on screen. For more information read the media release.

For those who are not familiar with the Love Finds You™ series, this will be a great opportunity to introduce them to these uplifting and engaging romances.” Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio is one of more than 50 releases in the popular Love Finds You™ series uniquely titled after actual American towns with unusual but intriguing names and combines travel, romance and faith in one package. The series includes both historical and contemporary releases, and each fictional story draws on compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Mission Pictures has purchased the movie rights to the entire series and plans to produce additional films based on the series in the future.

Love Finds You in Sugarcreek Ohio

By Serena B. Miller

A mysterious outsider casts a long shadow on Ohio’s Amish country. Policewoman Rachel Troyer has always looked after her three elderly Amish aunts, proprietors of a farmhouse inn near Sugarcreek, Ohio. The idyllic town is popular with tourists, who come to sample its famous Amish goods. But one thing is clear to Rachel — Joe Matthews is no tourist. When the bearded stranger lands on her aunts’ doorstep, begging shelter for himself and his young son, Rachel is suspicious.

Will she be able to uncover Joe’s secrets despite her aunts’ — and her own — growing affection for him?

ISLAND BREEZES

Rachel Troyer is a police officer who is just trying to look out for the welfare of her three elderly Amish aunts. There’s a problem. They just won’t cooperate. How can you expect these women who have worked hard all their live to slow down and relax a little? They don’t know how to relax.

Rachel finally convinces them to close down their bed and breakfast, but they refuse to promise not to take in strays. Along comes Joe and his son – down on their luck from the looks of them. Of course, the sisters put them up overnight in one of their small cabins.

Joe and Bobby stay on longer than overnight, and this has Rachel confused and a bit steamed. The aunts refuse to throw them out. They are sure the Lord sent the two so the sisters could take care of them. Rachel thinks Joe is a con artist and doesn’t trust him.

Eventually Rachel has to admit her feelings for Joe are growing (and that she’s fallen totally in love with little Bobby). But she still doesn’t trust him. She knows he’s hiding a secret. It gets very interesting when she finds out the secret.

I’ve enjoyed all the Love Finds You books that I’ve read, but I especially grew attached to the people in Sugarcreek. Thank you, Ms Miller.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.”

Prior to writing novels, Serena Miller wrote for many periodicals, including Woman’s World, Guideposts, Billy Graham’s Decision Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Focus on the Family, Christian Woman, and The Detroit Free Press Magazine. She has spent many years partnering with her husband in full-time ministry and lives on a farm in southern Ohio near a thriving Amish community.

One More Last Chance

By Cathleen Armstrong

Some things never change . . . and some things change you forever.

Sarah Cooley has come home to Last Chance, New Mexico, for one reason–because it doesn’t change. After a relationship gone bad with a man who wanted to change everything about her, Sarah is more than ready for the town whose motto may as well be, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Chris Reed, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to spark some change in the little town. As the new owner of the Dip ‘n’ Dine, he’s shaking things up to draw folks from all over the Southwest into his restaurant.

As it turns out, the winds of change are blowing into Last Chance–just not in the ways that Sarah or Chris might expect.

With the same evocative writing and charming characters that won fans for her debut novel, Cathleen Armstrong invites you back to Last Chance for a heartwarming, romantic story of two people navigating the twists and turns of life in a small town.

ISLAND BREEZES

Sarah came home to Last Chance because it doesn’t change. Newcomer Chris has purchased a local restaurant precisely because he wants to make changes in Last Chance.

Everyone loves the Dip ‘n’ Dine, especially the daily specials. Why would he want to mess with that? Not even the cook wants to try something new.

It’s highly unlikely that those two could ever get together, but Sarah’s Aunt Elizabeth seems determined to push them into a relationship. Chris doesn’t seem to mind the idea, but Sarah – no way, Jose. She has her own little house and a job teaching when school starts in the fall. She doesn’t need anything else.

As usual in life, it’s not all smooth sailing, especially for Chris. He needs more customers. Plus he has to deal with his sister and his niece. He definitely does not have a run-of-the-mill family.

I’d like to be able to show up in Last Chance and drop in the diner. I really like these people. Please take us back to Last Chance again in your next book, Ms Armstrong.

***A special thank you to Lanette Haskins for providing a review copy.***

Cathleen Armstrong is the award-winning author of Welcome to Last Chance. Though she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, her roots remain deep in New Mexico where she grew up and where much of her family still lives. Learn more at www.cathleenarmstrong.com.

Pressed Pennies

By Steven Manchester

Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige’s father nearly destroyed Abby’s spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they’re hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She’s very protective of the life she’s made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn’t know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you’ve dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

Pressed Pennies is a nuanced, intensely romantic, deeply heartfelt story of love it its many incarnations, relationships in their many guises, and family in its many meanings. It is the most accomplished and moving novel yet from a truly great storyteller of the heart.

ISLAND BREEZES

Abby’s husband is a verbally abusive drunk who makes life miserable for her and her daughter Paige. Eventually Abby quits trying to fight it. After the divorce she and Paige move a couple towns away.

In the mean time, Rick is seeing his “perfect” life as a meaningless burden, and moves on from the marriage that leaves him empty.

by chance, these two childhood friends run into each other. Their renewed friendship blossoms into something more romantic. Well, as romantic as it can be with an eight year old child who is obsessive in her dislike of Rick. Will this romance ever get off the ground when Rick is continually put in last place? There are many ups and downs in this romance, with what appears to be more downs than ups.

I really like Mr. Manchester’s books. He knows how to turn a phrase and touch a heart. I’m looking forward to reading many more of his books.

BTW You’ll need that box of tissues.

***A special thank you to Mr. Manchester for providing a review copy.***

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers, Twelve Months and The Rockin’ Chair. He is also the author of the critically-acclaimed, award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian, as well as A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Pressed Pennies (due out May 2014) and Gooseberry Island (due out January 2015). His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. Visit: www.StevenManchester.com