sunnyislandbreezes.com

Deadly Devotion

By Sandra Orchard

In the first installment in the Port Aster Secrets series, Deadly Devotion weaves a web of intrigue around the sleepy town of Port Aster and the death of a research scientist. While police believe it to be a suicide, evidence mounts that leads Kate Adams to believe it had to be murder.  Suspicions lead to danger as Kate struggles to uncover the truth.  Full of suspense, Deadly Devotion will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Research scientists Kate Adams and her colleague Daisy are on the brink of a breakthrough for treating depression with herbal medicine when Daisy suddenly dies.  Kate knows that if it hadn’t been for Daisy’s mentorship, she wouldn’t have the job she loves or the faith she clings to.  So when police rule Daisy’s death a suicide, Kate is determined to unearth the truth.

Former FBI agent Tom Parker finds it hard to adjust to life back in his hometown of Port Aster. Though an old buddy gives him a job as a detective on the local police force, not everyone approves. Tom’s just trying to keep a low profile, so when Kate Adams demands he reopen the investigation of her friend’s death, he knows his job is at stake. In fact, despite his attraction to her, Tom thinks Kate looks a bit suspicious herself.

ISLAND BREEZES

Did Daisy kill herself? Her research partner is adamant that she did not. Well then, who did?

That was what got Kate upset enough to storm into the police station and demand that Daisy’s case be reopened. That didn’t work so Kate decided to do her own investigation and find the murderer.

This is definitely dangerous and finally Detective Tom Parker decides to help her “off the record.” Tom decided to do this even though it could cost him his job. He tries to protect Kate from herself.

Eventually he realizes she’s right, and then he has to protect her from the killer. Both he and Kate are all over the place as far as suspects. It’s hard to pin someone down when you can’t figure out the motive.

As a reader, you, too, will be all over the place trying to decide who the murder is. I was near the end before I figured it out, but still hadn’t figured out the motive.

Sandra Orchard just got added to my list of favorite suspense/mystery authors.

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

Sandra Orchard is an active member in American Christian Fiction Writers, The Word Guild, Romance Writers of America and a local writing group. She recently participated in the Writers’ Police Academy for hands-on training and simulations at a police training facility. She is the author of Shades of Truth, Critical Condition, which won the 2012 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for it’s series and Deep Cover, which won the Canadian Christian Writing Award for romance in June 2012 and was recognized as one of the top five novels of the year by Family Fiction magazine. Orchard has also received a Daphne DuMaurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in both the inspirational category and for best score overall. She lives in Niagara, Ontario, Canada. To find out more, please visit www.sandraorchard.com.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

First posted December 20, 2010

Sure enough.  A whole bunch of them were flashed by one of the mob flashes of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”.

In an event organized by the Seattle Symphony and Nordstrom, hundreds of singers joined in a flash mob performance of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” at the downtown Seattle Nordstrom on Saturday, December 11, 2010.

First posted September 11,2010

“This country stands for the proposition that all men and women are created equal, that they have certain inalienable rights. And what that means is that if you could build a church on a site, you could build a synagogue on a site, if you could build a Hindu temple on a site, then you should be able to build a mosque on the site.”
Obama,on religious tolerance.  Emphasis mine.

Huh?  Excuse me?  I’ve never heard that spin before.  From Wikipedia:

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence, and considered by some as part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language^[1]. These three aspects are listed among the “unalienable rights” or sovereign rights of man. It is a paraphrasing of an earlier statement by English philosopher John Locke.

The full quotation is “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

You can read the full text of this document for yourself.

Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” — Lisa

Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.

Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

Barefoot Summer

By Denise Hunter

Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother’s tragic drowning, Madison has struggled with her ability to trust God–or anyone else, for that matter. It was her brother’s dream to win the annual River Sail Regatta in their small harbor town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. And Madison’s determined to honor his legacy by making his dream her own. Maybe then she can finally find closure.

But learning to sail means learning to swim. And her instructor is Beckett O’Reilly, a man who already has two strikes against him in Madison’s eyes. Being on the water terrifies Madison. But Beckett’s calming presence and unwavering confidence eases her fear. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying.

As her feelings for him grow, a fledging faith begins to take root in her soul, as well. With Beckett, Madison feels alive for the first time in years–carefree and confident she can win the regatta, maybe even find love.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their love and the depth of Madison’s faith. Will their love survive summer’s challenge? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

ISLAND BREEZES

You are definitely going to need a box of tissues with this book. You’ll cry for what is, what was and for what might have been.

Both Madison and Beckett have secrets that need to be brought out into the open. Ten years is a long time, and they need to learn the truth about each other and about themselves.

Madison needs to win the regatta this year. She thinks the nightmares will stop if she does. She thins she will be taking sailing lessons from one person, but unforeseen circumstances puts her with Beckett. As distasteful as that is to her, the race is more important.

Then there’s the romance thing they can’t seem to get past. They’ve each been attracted to the other since high school, but think the other is not interested.

Can these two make it through the summer?

I’ve really enjoyed this book and want to read more Denise Hunter books. Actually, I want to read more Denise Hunter books with these characters. There are so many stories there waiting to be told.

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

  Denise Hunter lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

First posted September 8,2010

Update: Same story today.

First posted August 14, 2010

I admit that today I would much rather be sailing than sewing.  I sometimes get an overwhelming urge to once more live and work at sea.  Today’s one of those days that I’m missing the life of a sea person.  

I had to memorize this poem when I was in the third grade and I’ve never forgotten it.  I guess I’ve always been pulled to the sea.  The next best thing to living on a ship is living on an island.  I momentarily got fed up with my little money pit and considered moving to an apartment on the mainland.

I even put the house up for sale, but God watched over me and brought me to my senses.  The people who were lookers were also the people who wanted me to give them my little home for less than I’ve put in it to fix it up.  We won’t even mention what I paid for it.

I’m not the only former sea person who knows this poem.  It always brings to mind one of my British doctors, Brian.  Hey, Brian.  I miss you.

This haunting poem was written by one of England’s poet laureates, John Masefield.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.  

First posted August 14, 2010

I admit that today I would much rather be sailing than sewing.  I sometimes get an overwhelming urge to once more live and work at sea.  Today’s one of those days that I’m missing the life of a sea person.

I had to memorize this poem when I was in the third grade and I’ve never forgotten it.  I guess I’ve always been pulled to the sea.  The next best thing to living on a ship is living on an island.  I momentarily got fed up with my little money pit and considered moving to an apartment on the mainland.

I even put the house up for sale, but God watched over me and brought me to my senses.  The people who were lookers were also the people who wanted me to give them my little home for less than I’ve put in it to fix it up.  We won’t even mention what I paid for it.

I’m not the only former sea person who knows this poem.  It always brings to mind one of my British doctors, Brian.  Hey, Brian.  I miss you.

This haunting poem was written by one of England’s poet laureates, John Masefield.

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray dawn breaking.I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

First posted August 11, 2010

Click this link to hear one of Johnny’s best known songs.  It certainly fits Steven Slater right now.

If you haven’t heard about the flight attendant who got fed up with his job on Monday, check out this article.

I have to admit that at one point in my life, this was my favorite song.  As you might have figured out, it wasn’t my favorite job.

Steven Slater, you had the guts to do what so many of us have fantasied doing.

Update: I wonder what ever happened to him. Do any of you all know?