COTT {Clash of the Titles} January Winner!

June Foster and Ryan's Father.

Congratulations, June!

Thank you to everyone who participated.

About the Book:

The rippling influence of Ryan Reid’s immoral mother and absent father makes a mark on his soul leaving him to battle same sex attraction. When the young school teacher asks Jesus into his life, he thinks he’ll be free though no amount of prayer changes him. Ryan wants to turn away from the lifestyle, yet in his heart he knows he’s committed the sin.

Nurse Sandy Arrington still resides at home held captive by her secret fears. Her dream to be a wife and mother looks bleak.

When Sandy falls in love with Ryan, he’s powerless to return her love. Can Ryan dig his way out to find the freedom to love Sandy? Can Sandy find release from her fears?

Buy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble

June's motivation for writing Ryan's Father:

When my daughter was in high school, one of her friends told me privately he was attracted to another boy in our church. I was saddened to see this precious young man believe he had no control over the feelings and desires that brought him so much misery. I wrote Ryan's Father to offer hope to anyone in the lifestyle who wants to walk away. My prayer is that God will touch hurting hearts with the message of this book.

About the Author:

June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. June's book, Ryan's Father, is available from WhiteFire Publishing January 2014. Red and the Wolf will be available April 2014. For All Eternity and Misty Hollow, God willing, will be published in the near future. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives.

Here's a taste of the comments received for this month's clashers:

This was one of the hardest choices in quite some time. They all sound wonderful and fit in with my reading tastes. Good work, June, Darlene, Lillian and Sylvia. 

Rebekah is my daughter's name and I love that spelling. But it makes it more meaningful know since we know that was the way it was then. I love knowing the inside story of what went on in that Jesus time of history. 

Darlene, Looking forward to reading Homefront Dreams.

I have enjoyed every book written by Lillian Duncan. They all have a great storyline!

I love all of your books, June Foster, keep following God's direction in choosing your subjects and be blessed.

Love the books from June Foster. They draw you in and make you think of some of your situations and makes me want to make changes in my life for the good. Great Job June keep up the great work.

I love the "risk" that Ryan's Father is taking in Christian publishing. It's greatly needed!

Sylvia Bambola...your book sounds Captivating! I am looking forward to reading this...sounds like this is about the holy Grail BEFORE the Middle Ages and knights were sent to find it. Love the historical backdrop your tale is told to.

Darlene's writing is emotional and beautiful. I highly recommend her books!

All interesting titles. Best of luck to Lillian Duncan. Your book sounds intriguing! 

A March Bride by Rachel Hauck

Book Description:  Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be. Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She'll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna's heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her. Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own---right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won't return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all.

My Thoughts:  I love weddings!  And I've had the opportunity to read three ebooks by Rachel Hauck about weddings.  YAY!

Of course, Rachel Hauck is an excellent romance writer so reading these stories is like eating my favorite chocolate with a white chocolate mocha!

Susanna is my favorite bride of the three books.  Maybe, because she is to marry and live in the Brighton Kingdom.

Susanna is in love with Nate (King Nate, that is!) and planning this royal wedding is a wonderful dream . . . and then! boom!  The Brighton Kingdom insists that she give up her American citizenship to marry the king.  

Oops!  One slight inconvenience, right!?!?  

Um, well, that went over like a lead ballon.  

So, off Susanna  flies back home to good ole Georgia but the handsome King Nate loves his bride-to-be Susanna.  He devises a plan to make sure Susanna returns to him.

This plan was quite ingenious!  Wonder if it could really happen in "real" life?  (This is why fiction books are so much fun!)

A great fun, light read!  Loved it!

*This ebook was provided for review by BookLook*

• File Size: 1909 KB
• Print Length: 99 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 25, 2014)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00DL10IH0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled 
• X-Ray:
  Enabled 
• Lending: Not Enabled

An Amish Garden by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, Vannetta Chapman

Book Description: 
 “Where Healing Blooms” Vannetta Chapman

Emma discovers a run-away teen in her barn, and the bishop asks her to provide a haven for a woman and her two children. Then her mother-in-law reveals a secret about her garden. Will Emma choose loneliness or learn to accept God’s gifts?

"Flowers for Rachael" Kathleen Fuller

Rachael’s garden is beautiful, but she is lonely. Gideon is in love with Rachael, but when Rachael finds her garden in shambles after a crisis, she rejects his help. Will she realize she doesn’t have to do everything on her own?

“Seeds of Love” Tricia Goyer

When a corporation shows interest in buying Sadie’s heirloom seeds, she panics. They are all she has left of her Dat and Mem. Eli believes he can help Sadie, but a misunderstanding leaves her heartbroken. Will she trust him again, and will the seeds of a new relationship take root?

“Rooted in Love” Beth Wiseman

Rosemary is doing her best to run her family’s household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul has been interested in her for years, but Rosemary has turned him down repeatedly. Saul begins helping with her family’s garden, but someone is sabotaging his efforts—and keeping a secret that could change their lives.

My Thoughts:  I love books like this that have four novellas in one binding!  But better yet, four of the best authors that I like.  It's like a four course dessert bar! 

Vannetta Chapman writes about Emma in Where Healing Blooms.  I found it interesting that a bishop would "side" with hiding a woman and her two children.  But what is really interesting is the "secret" of her mother-in-law's garden!  

In Flowers for Rachael by Kathleen Fuller we meet lonely Rachael and the very handsome, loving Gideon.  Rachael has the most beautiful garden but someone decides to "rearrange" it and has left it in a dirt heap!  Poor Rachael!  But Gideon comes to her rescue AND Rachael rejects his kindness.  Gideon's seeds of kindness may not be enough for the lonely hearted Rachael.

Tricia Goyer writes about Sadie in Seeds of Love.  Now Sadie only has some heirloom seeds to remind her of her mom and dat.  However, there is a corporation that would like to buy Sadie's heirloom seeds but Sadie can't let go of  the only thing that binds her to her parents.  Eli wants to help Sadie but Sadie misunderstands and now Eli can't get through to Sadie at.all!

In Rooted by Love by Beth Wiseman Rosemary tries too hard to keep it.all.together.  She takes care of the household but she can't garden!  Saul wants to help Rosemary but she repeatedly turns him down.  Saul decides make a garden for Rosemary but someone is trying to make him look like an idiot.  

I loved ALL these novellas/short stories!  It seems that there are secrets, secrets in all the gardens!  

This read incorporates love, Amish living, and some mystery in the gardens of life (well, real gardens, too)!  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 18, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401689795
• ISBN-13: 978-1401689797

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Stacked Cobb Salad

I found this recipe on Pinterest!

Oh!Yes! Stacked Cobb Salad!

Sooo GOOD!

• 12 very large cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 1/2 cups cooked, diced rotisserie chicken
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
• 1 cup crumbled bacon
• 2 avocados, diced
• 1 cup good-quality mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
• a few dashes worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 t kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Make the dressing: Mix together mayo, sour cream, 4 oz. blue cheese crumbles, worcestershire, kosher salt and pepper.                                                                                       Place in fridge for at least an hour to let flavors meld.                                                                       Place a ring onto a plate and add the ingredients in the order listed above (divide amounts for four salads).                                                                                                                                 Mix a tablespoon of dressing with the lettuce before layering to ensure that it stays in place.  Tamp down layers after each addition. Use some pressure but don’t press so hard that ingredients lose their shape. Carefully remove ring, garnish and serve immediately.

Distortion (Moonlighters Series) by Terri Blackstock

Book Description:  A husband's lies can have deadly consequences. When Juliet Cole's husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers' demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband's dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?

My Thoughts:  Terri Blackstock is one of my MOST favorite authors!  

I read the first book in the Moonlighter Series, Truth Stained Lies, and loved it!   

The Moonlighter Series involves three sisters: Cathy who we met in the first book, Holly and Juliet.  Now Juliet is in a quandary.  

As in Truth Stained Lies the three sisters come together to help and solve this mystery. . . Juliet's husband is murdered before her eyes.  Oh!the!horror!  Oh! the mystery of why?!?!

Juliet is in pain and sorrow plus she has her children to protect.  She and the children seem to be the target of some sinister plot.  Why did her husband put them in jeopardy?!?!

This is a grand suspense novel but I had to laugh at times because, well, have you ever seen three sisters together?!?! Trying to solve a mystery.  All three women with different takes on life and a different perspective but with one common goal-to find the truth!

Sometimes we think we know someone who is close to us but Juliet needs to know the why of it all!  Was her husband, the man she lived with and trusted, a hardened criminal? Or . . .?

I didn't see "it" coming and loved, loved this read! Yes, this is one GREAT read!  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: Moonlighters Series
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 11, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310283140
• ISBN-13: 978-0310283140

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Clash of the Titles Presents Intriguing January Releases

In the Winter Doldrums between Post-Valentine’s Day and Easter, 

we all need a little pick-me-up.

We at COTT are pleased to present these amazing stories for you—from Biblical times to World War Two to Witness Protection to Dramatic subjects—something to intrigue every reader.

Happy Reading! 

*************

Ryan Reid is a first-grade teacher and a Christian with a heart for neglected kids, but a chance encounter during an earthquake with Sandy Arrington, a beautiful young nurse, rocks Ryan’s carefully guarded world and unearths the secret he has held deep in his heart. Though Sandy falls in love with him, Ryan’s forbidden affections lie elsewhere, and he must depend on the Lord to see him through a battle he always hoped he’d never have to face.

                                                   

Mayor Clarinda Finch and high school principal clash over tradition vs. change during World War II. Can they put aside their differences and fight for both their town and a future together?

                                                   

Witness Protection promises they can keep anyone safe if they follow the rules, so she follows every one of them to keep her daughter safe. But her husband just called--from the grave!

                                                  

Forced to flee war-torn Jerusalem in 70 A.D., Rebekah and her husband, Ethan, each take something of value: Rebekah, the cup of the Last Supper; Ethan, a copper scroll detailing the whereabouts of a vast Temple treasure. Ahead, separation and danger face them as the struggle to survive and discover where their true treasure lies.

Storming the Black Ice by Don Brown (Pacific Rim #3)

Book Description:  When British geologists discover the world's largest oil reserves under the desolate, icy tundra of Antarctica, Britain and Chile form a top-secret alliance for control of petroleum resources that will rival the economic power of OPEC. But when their discovery is uncovered by an Argentinean intelligence officer, a surprise-attack against a secret British outpost in Antarctica triggers a war. Britain and Chile are in a military standoff against Venezuela and Argentina, and when the war escalates, Britain asks America for help. For two couples separated by the battle, the outcome will be either love reunited or devastating heartbreak. For a young British boy living with his mother in London, his father's life is on the line. And for Pete Miranda, an American sub commander detailed on a special military assignment to his father's homeland of Chile, will his fate be a crushing death under the icy-cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean, or a future of life, light, and a second chance for love?

My Thoughts:  WOW!  What a read!  This is the first book I've had the privilege to read by Don Brown and it won't be my last.  Even though this is the third book in the Pacific Rim I wasn't lost.  But I do plan to go read books 1 & 2.

This read is filled with faith, military people and geologists, cold weather, diving in freezing waters and love.  What a mix!

This story had me on the edge of my seat at times.  It was a spell bounding read. I truly wondered at times if some of these things may have really happened, after all Mr. Brown is a former JAG officer!

The waters of Antarctic are described so well I could feel that hands of ice gripping my extremities.  Great imagery!

The romance in this read is light but yet gives the reader a sense of how much love there is between a man and a woman.

The whole story brings a great mixture of suspense and action together somewhat like a great salad that blends just the right amount of feta cheese with roasted turkey and balsamic dressing...delightful!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

{Check out the book trailer}

• Series: Pacific Rim Series
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 25, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310330165
• ISBN-13: 978-0310330165