PURE Amore...Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

PURE...the new sexy! 

Last week I introduced you to Pelican Book Group's newest line, Pure Amore, sweet, hope-filled romances that will leave you "satisfied and smiling." Featuring heroes and heroines between the ages of 21-33, never married and one or both a virgin, the stories center around two flawed individuals seeking to honor God in all areas of their lives, especially in ways society doesn't often understand or value. They top out at 45k words, petite little gems bursting with emotional and romantic depth. 

Available by subscription, Pure Amore will release one delicious romance per month in e-book, paperback, or a paperback/e-book combination for one year beginning October 1, 2014. Fill your tall glass to the brim with some iced tea and enjoy  Date Night and Then and Now by uber talented Marianne Evans. 

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Date Night
Ethan Miller's family has done...what?
His profile is plastered on MingleInFaith.com. Now, this career-focused, happy-to-be-a-bachelor is forced to endure an episode of speed-dating. 

Interior designer Natalie Gibbs is on the dating circuit, eager to find "the one," but she has strict rules about the manner in which she'll embrace a romantic relationship. She wasn't even supposed to meet Ethan Miller—but God had other plans.

Ethan spends a month each year in Honduras, offering eye care to the underprivileged. He senses a sweetness to Natalie that prompts him to invite her along on the next mission trip.

The voyage leads them far from New York City, but straight into the hearts of the Honduran people.

Slowly, Ethan's heart is swayed toward the idea of love. But Natalie's mission work teaches her about a love that reaches far beyond romance.

What's God's plan? Should their hearts combine—or does He want them to serve...and learn...from one another—and an extraordinary date night?

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Then and Now

Aiden Balfour has always craved stability, independence and security. He's led a rocky life but always treasured his summers in Northern Michigan with his best summertime friend, Olivia Masters.

Olivia is dedicated to preserving the life she's known and has always treasured at her grandparent's home high on a bluff overlooking the pristine waters of Avalon. With their blessing, she's turned the expansive piece of property into a quaint, restful bed and breakfast.

But developers are circling—and they're led by none other than Aiden Balfour. Now an ambitious businessman, he's determined to turn the lake into a tourist mecca. Olivia is equally determined to stop him...no matter what his hold on her heart.

Can the innocent joy and love of their youth be reclaimed? Can then...and now...ever be reconciled to a future overflowing with love and hope?

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Yowzee! Did you enjoy these back cover blurbs? Here's the link to subscribe. Come back next week to check out At First Sight and Jingle Belle by the lovely Delia Latham.

DEVOTION by Marianne Evans - My Review

About the Book:

From This Day Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.

Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.

For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?

'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion. 

My Review:

From all outward indications, Kellen and Juliet appeared to have the perfect marriage. Both Christians, they share the same values and long to complete their family with children. A successful music agent, Kellen falls into a pattern of skipping worship services, choosing instead to worship at home. Juliet, active in church and various outreach opportunities, loves her husband and her life. When Kellen signs a rising star, he struggles with desire and temptation for a woman other than his wife for the first time in his marriage. 

What a powerful reminder that no marriage is immune to temptation and that we engage in spiritual warfare for our families on a daily basis. It's so easy to let life get in the way, to allow relationships to take a back-burner to jobs and responsibilities, and to slip into convenient routines. Kellen and Juliet battled realistic emotions, with plenty of angst and heavy drama you'd expect for a story line centered around temptation and broken trust. This is a story of re-commitment, renewal, and devotion to God and each other. It's also a gem of a romance. If you're looking for a book to squeeze in a couple hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon, Devotion probably isn't the book you should reach for. Don't expect to read it in one sitting, and be sure to have a box of tissues handy. Great job tackling such a tough topic, Ms. Evans!

Purchase Link: White Rose Publishing Pre-order Special Offer. Choose either a special 30% discounted pre-order price, or pre-order at the regular retail price and receive a $10.00 eBook gift certificate to use store-wide*. Every eligible pre-order will be automatically entered into a drawing to win either a Kindle or Nook. (See Pelican Book Group site for details.) Available 10/15/12

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BTS in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Welcome Marianne Evans and DEVOTION!

 

From This Day Forward

Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a faith life that’s never wavered—until now.

Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.

For Better or Worse

But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation?  How does love survive when its foundation is shaken?

'Til Death Do Us Part

When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.

Amazon Pre-orderLink 

Want to peak? But, I have to warn you...once you read these first few paragraphs, you'll be DEVOTED!

The church space sang to Juliet in a holy silence that wrapped around her like a welcome embrace. She knelt to pray, heedless of the fact that there were no kneelers in the pews of Trinity Christian. The hard tile floor felt good beneath her knees, and somehow grounding.

“God, what did I do wrong? We didn’t argue, we didn’t fight, we moved forward together in our marriage. Why did he leave it behind? How was that even possible for him? How did I fail him? And You?”

She sobbed openly, speaking the words aloud, heedless of being overheard. The space was empty anyhow. She laid her head on her folded hands trying desperately to bring herself to a new understanding of her life.

My promises are unchanging truth, and life. Your faith will save you. Go forward in peace, and be cured of your affliction.

The words, the glimpse of sacred Scripture, resounded through the entirety of her being. The decree swept through her with such power she went straight, tears drying on her cheeks as she blinked, and assimilated. Had she not already been on her knees, the summons would have knocked her there like the weakened heap of humanity she had become. She pondered. Go forward? In peace? How was she supposed to accomplish that? In prompt, near supernatural response, she received the answer.

Know that I am God, Juliet. Know that I am God.

She bowed her head, drained and empty, submitting herself as best she could. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the main aisle.

“Juliet?”

The call jarred her. She whipped her head around and gasped at what she saw. Kellen.

Kellen?

Did she simply think his name, or had she spoken it aloud? Stunned and overwrought, Juliet scrambled to her feet. In an untidy spin, she faced her husband. Just as quickly, she went weak, sinking onto the pew just a second or two after standing. She didn’t need a mirror to tell her that her makeup was smeared and her hair was a mess. She knew by the heat in her cheeks that her face was flushed; her eyes were probably red from crying. Kellen’s alarmed expression confirmed every one of her suspicions.

"Juliet, are you OK? Please talk to me. This is driving me crazy. What’s happened to you, love?”

Love. The use of that endearment caused her stomach to churn. Anger rose and obliterated everything else. “Don’t.” Kellen’s confusion intensified. “I mean it, Kellen. Do not call me that again. Not ever again!” She bit off the words; their bitter taste filled her mouth.

He reared back. Although he hesitated for a moment, he eased into the pew next to her. A mask of sorts, protective and inscrutable, now shaded his eyes. He didn’t speak. He waited on her, keeping to his corner of the pew. Juliet simmered and seethed. Just as quickly, though, the anger fled, washed away by a wave of sadness that stretched clear through to every cell in her body.

"This moment is killing me, Kellen, on so many levels. I’ve dreamed about it since the day we married, imagining it to be bursting with joy and anticipation. Instead, it’s breaking my heart."

“What moment? What happened?” Generally fearless and confident, Kellen regarded her now in open trepidation. “I have no idea what to do to hel—”

"I’ll never have another chance to say this to you for the first time,” Juliet interjected, “or share this moment with you the way I had always envisioned. I’m pregnant, Kellen. I’m pregnant.”

A mix of emotions swept across his face. Disbelief came first, erased quickly by joy, then the most crushing visual of all: his love, intimate and rich. It had once made her feel so precious. Despite her vocal firestorm, his reaction was everything she had prayed for. This moment should have made her heart soar. Instead, she was shattered.

“You seem shocked.” The words came out sounding waspish. Juliet hated that fact, but couldn’t escape the rage and heartbreak. The venom inside her needed release.

“I’m very happily shocked.” His response came fast, but sincere. “We’ve wanted this for so long, I’m thrilled—no wonder you’ve been feeling—”

"I’m sure you’ll remember the night it happened.” Juliet cut him off once more. “It was spontaneous and heated and wonderful. Remember? There were no thoughts of anything else but each other. Or so I had believed. But if you do the math, you’ll realize we conceived the night you met Chloe Havermill.”

Kellen went pale. 

Don't say I didn't warn you. Did you hit the pre-order link yet?

Let's find out more about Marianne Evans, shall we?

What is your workday like, Marianne?  
I’m the Department Administrator for the Valuation and Advisory Services of a commercial real estate firm in Michigan. I like to think my ‘work day’ satisfies the left side of my brain—the part of my nature that loves organization and alignment of “the numbers” my linear self. I track and process incentives and new jobs that flow in to our department as well as revenue accounting/reporting. Thing is? I’ve always hated math. Always. Go figure…

Do you have any interesting/strange writing quirks?  
I’m the ‘tangible’ type. For example, I recently completed a Christmas story, FINDING HOME, releasing in December with White Rose Publishing (Pelican Book Group). The story is set in London, so, as I wrote, I lit a bayberry candle, I drank English breakfast tea, I kept a few mementos of my own trip to England nearby like a pound coin, a charm bracelet. Such things make me feel a part of the story, and help me dive into the characters and setting. For Devotion, we took a couple trips to Nashville. We toured the Opry, we visited the restaurants I mention, walked the streets I describe. It was awesome, and Nashville, simply put, is fantastic!

What did you learn from your hero or heroine?  In the pages of my upcoming release, Devotion, I took a deep and heart-felt look at the idea of covenant marriage. I learned there’s such beauty to ‘sticking it out’ and turning back to one another if things become turbulent in your relationship.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there? Ah….that would be my self-appointed muse and diva, my kitty Darko. Darko prods me along as I write by alternatively sleeping and staring at me…

Lol. My golden prods me on, too, but with snores and sighs. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not writing? I bake my mom’s classic:  Onion Bread. It’s outstanding, and bread, to me, is such a mind-reliever to make. Plus, there’s something very satisfying about realizing you’ve created a quartet of tasty, nourishing loaves!

Onion bread? Hmmm...sounds delicious. What about your least favorite? Hands down. ANY kind of lawn work/landscaping. Don’t get me wrong, I love gorgeous, colorful flowerbeds and verdant green grass and well-sculpted bushes…I just hate the process of making it that way. 

I'm with you, Marianne! Hubby and I have a deal. I mow, more like breeze along on a riding lawn mower, and he does all the trim work. Yuck!

Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Marianne. Congrats on your upcoming release, Devotion! 

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God's love through the stories He prompts her to create.


Evans's novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: 'Riveting.' 'Realistic and true to heart.' 'Compelling.' Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a finalist twice, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence.


A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of Aneruca chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She's also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Book & Trailer Showcase Tours

I'm thrilled to host inspirational book features with 

Book & Trailer Showcase.

Make sure you stop by on Thursday, July 26, to celebrate with 

Mary Manners 

and her upcoming fall release with White Rose Publishing, Wisdom Tree.

On Thursday, August 2, come on back to find out more about 

Marianne Evans 

and her upcoming fall release with Harbourlight Books, Devotion.

This is a BTS Tour Wide Giveaway. Commentors from each stop will be entered into a grand giveaway for a chance to win one of the two prizes up for grabs - a $50 Gift Card (Amazon/BN - winners choice) and  a print set of (5) books (Wisdom Tree when it debuts in October). Winners will be chosen August 14th.

My Review of HEARTS KEY by Marianne Evans

A sweet, irresistible romance from the first page to the last…

My review:

Hearts Key opens with a heart-wrenching scene, the dissolution of a marriage. Once a vibrant youth leader, Amy Samuels barely escapes her husband’s drunken rage with her daughter, Pyper. Estranged from family and friends because of her husband’s abusive behavior, Amy places a collect call to her former pastor for help.

A year later, settled within the loving arms of the Woodland Church family, Amy and Pyper begin the healing process. Hiding behind the safety of a camera lens, Amy arrives at Woodland Church to shoot the homecoming of Tyler Brock. Tyler Brock, whose love she’d tossed aside because she’d been enamored with football star, Mark Samuels. Now a powerhouse in Christian music, Tyler is still the gentle, faithful guy Amy knew in high school. And he still loves her. With his gentle spirit, Tyler breaks down Pyper’s fearful “male” barrier and reminds Amy that God’s love is all she needs to overcome her self-doubts.

I have to admit that once Tyler entered the scene, I wondered if Ms. Evans would be able to sustain the book, but did she ever deliver! Not only does Tyler battle his own fears when an agent woos him with crossing over into mainstream music, but he also helps break down Amy and Pyper’s insecurities. Ms. Evans built the romantic tension to such a level that I found myself whispering, “Kiss her! Just kiss her already!”

Hearts Key is a sweet, irresistible romance from the first page to the last! Even at two hundred and fifty four pages, I wasn’t ready for Hearts Key to end. Sadly, Hearts Key is the last in the series, but that won’t stop me from going back and reading the first three books. Congratulations, Ms. Evans. Five stars from this reader!

Available with White Rose Publishing.


Disclaimer: An unbiased review, based on my purchase of this book.

thanks givings...

~ a big thanks to John, Lorie, Kayla and Mason for putting up with our spoiled monster while we were away last week. Love you guys! 

~ to Mary Manners and Marianne Evans, two fabulous WRP authors, for allowing me to join them at the RT Booklovers Conference. You gals are awesome! I so appreciate you!


~ the friendly folks at Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC. Thanks for encouraging local authors!


~ the great men and women who make up the 
Kannapolis Fire Department. Thank you for putting your lives on the line every day!

~ Rachael Harrie's
3rd Writers Platform-Building Campaign. 
What a great way to connect with other people and make new friends. And the campaign hasn't even started!

What about you?

What are your thanks givings today?

HEARTS COMMUNION by Marianne Evans

Jeremy "JB" Edwards dreams of one thing: Having a loving wife and children of his own. Not a surprising ambition, since he was raised at the heart of a large, tight-knit family.

Monica Kittelski spends her days at Sunny Horizons Daycare Center pouring her heart and faith into other people's children. But Monica harbors one impossible dream: Having children of her own someday.

JB and Monica seem the perfect match, but what will come of their electric, sassy relationship when Jeremy learns of Monica's infertility?

Hopes and reality collide when they must confront the idea of finding God's plan and following His will when a dearest hope is destined to remain unfulfilled.
Can these two loving, passionate hearts survive a communion of dreams and reality?

Sound sweet? Yep, thought so. You can purchase HEARTS COMMUNION at White Rose Publishing.

Meet Marianne:

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.

Liebster Blog Award

Thank you to Susan Tuttle for awarding me the Liebster Award! My dear friend is a fellow ACFW member and an encourager to so many with her uplifting and inspiring blog, StepSusan.

The Liebster is awarded to bloggers with less than 200 followers. 
My choices reflect bloggers who work hard at building friendships and encouraging others along the way. 

The rules:

1. Thank the giver of the award and link back to them.

2. Give the Liebster to five bloggers and let them know with a comment to their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award onto your blog.

4. Have faith your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. Have blogging fun!

And the drum roll please...

My choices for this cool award:

1. Marianne Evans - A Minute With Marianne

2. Brenda Anderson - Spire Reviews

3. Annette Irby, Dawn Kinzer, Angie Arndt, and Ocieanna Fleiss - Seriously Write

4. Joanne Troppello - It Only Takes A Mustard Seed

5.Carol Ann Erhardt - Carol Ann Erhardt

And thanks again, Susan, my precious friend! 

God bless you and your writing.

A Face in the Clouds by Marianne Evans

Reporter Paul Hutchins is all about finding facts and uncovering the truth. Verification, authenticity and quantification are the fuel of his spirit…Until he falls in love with producer Sandy Pierson.

Sandy sees Christ alive in every aspect of her life. No need for quantified facts. Faith is the fuel of her spirit . But her love for Paul puts her at odds with God's call toward faith and all of its mysteries.

Paul considers Christianity to be well-meaning myth—hyperbole. To Sandy, it’s everything—and she can accept nothing less from the man she loves.

Can a miracle happen? Can the touch of God Himself keep their relationship from shattering?

EXCERPT 

“I know how deeply you feel things, Paul. You have a wonderful heart. That’s part of why I love you so much. I’m torn in two about my feelings for you.” Sandy’s declaration would have filled him were it not chipped and cracked by the impact of her doubts.

“Your reporter’s instinct toward authenticity and revealing the truth is a big part of what I admire about you. There’s nothing wrong with facing the world honestly, but you need to make room for a few other truths.”

“Like God.”

“Yes, and the fact that life holds as much mystery, and as many intangibles, as it does realistic things you can hold tight with both hands.”

She wanted him to change. Right down to the soul. Paul continued to study her. She was hurt enough that she had almost stepped away from attending tonight’s event—out of a frustrated sense of love.  Yet here they were—together—out of a frustrated sense of love.

And if he wasn’t mindful of her beliefs, she’d step away from him.

Paul navigated the rapidly-filling parking lot of Woodland Church. Once they stopped, he killed the car engine and used a restraining hand to keep Sandy in place. He closed the space between them and gave her a kiss that lingered and thoroughly tasted. He felt the gesture ease a bit of the tightness in her shoulders and back. “I’ll keep an open mind, OK?”

She touched his face, and there was yearning in her eyes. “Keep an open heart. That’s much more important.”

About Marianne

Marianne Evans is a multi-published author of contemporary romance novels. Her professional career began when Kensington Publishing purchased her book, Friends & Lovers. Her second offering, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim from reviewers and in the local media.

Her fourth book is her inspirational romance debut at White Rose Publishing – an award-winning novel entitled Hearts Crossing. Hearts Crossing led to the creation of a four-book Christian romance series: The Woodland Series. Book 2, Hearts Surrender, released in late 2010 with Books 3 and 4 – Hearts Communion and Hearts Key, slated for late 2011 and early 2012 release. A Woodland Series Bonus Story, A Face in the Clouds, is an Easter-themed short story, also from White Rose Publishing.

Recent awards include:

Hearts Crossing:

Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist

CAPA Finalist

5-Star Review, The Romance Studio

5-Star Review, Coffee Time Romance

Hearts Surrender –

Christian Small Publishers Association Book of the Year Finalist

4-Star Review, Romantic Times Magazine

5-Star Review & Book of the Week, The Romance Studio

5-Klover Review & Recommended Read, Kwips & Kritiques

A lifelong resident of Michigan, Marianne is an active member of Romance Writers of America and the Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter in a number of capacities, but most notably for two terms as Chapter Treasurer and two terms as Chapter President. She also belongs to the Faith Hope and Love chapter of RWA, American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Marianne loves to connect with readers ~ find her at:

http://www.marianneevans.com/ 

http://www.marianneevans.blogspot.com/.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744

Thanks so much for sharing A Face in the Clouds with us today, Marianne!