Not Guilty by Teresa Pollard & Candi Pullen, Review & GIVEAWAY!

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Message....

Book Description

It’s 1974 and Carrie Shepherd, daughter of the minister at Windspree Community Church, is a college senior with plans to be a missionary in Africa.  Raped by a masked assailant, Carrie is so traumatized she tells no one until she realizes she’s pregnant.  Refusing to have an abortion, she must find the courage to face her family, her fiance, her friends and a gossiping, angry congregation which may include her attacker.  Can Carrie find a way to cope with the secrets, silence and shame?

Teresa Pollard is from Richmond, Virginia, and was saved at a young age.  She has a Masters degree in English and Creative Writing from Hollins College, and has served as a Sunday School teacher and children’s worker for most of the last forty years.  Married for forty years, she was devastated by divorce and the death of her youngest daughter, but God has blessed her with a new home and another grandson, and she now resides in Dacula, Georgia.  Her website isTeresaPollardWrites.com

Teresa’s books published by HopeSprings Books:

As an “Air Force brat” and having spent nine years as a navy wife, Candi Pullen has lived more places than she can name, including Morocco and Libya.  Raised a Roman Catholic, she doesn’t remember a time when God wasn’t a major part of her life, but a weakening in her first marriage caused her to question if there wasn’t more, and on Thursday, Nov. 29, 1973, at 7 pm she gave her life to Christ.  She has eagerly served him since.  After the death of her first husband and the death of their daughter, Andrea, nine years later, she felt that God was calling her to use that pain to minister to others who needed God’s healing comfort.  In 2007 she earned her Bachelor of Theology degree.  She now teaches discipleship classes, mentors new believers and those wishing to find all the Lord has for them, and writes a daily devotional on Facebook, “Good Morning, Papa!”  She lives in New Port Richey, FL, with Drew, her husband of 18 years.

Candi’s books published by HopeSprings Books:

My Review ~

Carrie Shepard was brutally assaulted and in her grief, shame and despair Carrie broke off her engagement and retreated into a nightmare world of her own. She kept her secret until she discovered she was pregnant by her assailant. Her doctor offered her the available choices in her situation, abortion, adoption, or raising the child herself. Her parents were supportive and brought her fiance, Joe, and Carrie back together to see if they could work through the problems that Carrie's attack cost her. Joe's reaction was one of sensitivity and compassion, and he insisted that he loved her in spite of her situation. Pastor of the local church, her father's sermons focused on reactions to situations such as Carrie's, and the misunderstandings that developed.. Joe and Carrie had decided to marry as soon as possible, and the fallout with their friends and the church members was brutal when their suspicions that Carrie was pregnant were confirmed.

Issues of assault, unplanned pregnancy as a result, broken relationships, gossip and judgment are broached in this book. This story is told with an honest approach to issues that are realistic and sensitive. I would consider this a book for young adults with a strong Christian conviction. The characters are numerous and a bit confusing and undeveloped. The dialog is excessively positive and somewhat unrealistic. I don't feel that the dialog is typical to young adults. The overall lessons are justified and realistic. It's a good story about relationships, lessons in humility, forgiveness, acceptance and moving forward in spite of overwhelming obstacles created by others.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher through BookCrash in return for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Contest Rules: In order to qualify for this contest, please leave a comment below with your email address using [at] and [dot], and please SHARE this post on your timeline and post that you did in your comment. Contest ends Tuesday, 7-30-13. Winner has 5 days from that date to contact me in order to receive the book.

Wavelength: Tuning In To God's Voice In A World Of Static by Jeff Petherick

5.0 out of 5 stars Tune Out The Static!

Book Description

Did God Stop Speaking? Or Did We Stop Listening? Hearing the voice of God is like listening to the radio if you re not dialed in to exactly the right frequency, you ll get nothing but static. Wavelength reveals what happens when a nonreligious businessman learns to tune in God s voice... then dares to obey it. His unorthodox adventures in following Jesus will challenge your thinking, kick over a few sacred cows, and reveal how you can have your own two-way conversations with God.

A copy of this book can be purchased here at a discounted price: 
http://www.deepershopping.com/item/petherick-jeff/wavelength/4258371.html

About the Author

Jeff Petherick is a portfolio manager and partner in a top-ranked investment firm. When he s not busy picking stocks, he teaches seminars about Jesus and travels the world on mission trips. An avid outdoorsman, Jeff lives in a rural area north of Detroit with his wife and two kids. This is his first book that didn t involve paste and crayons, and was written to prove that ordinary men can do extraordinary things when they obey the voice of God. Karl Nilsson is the communication director for one of America s largest churches. Before working in the ecclesiastical realm, he operated a successful advertising agency. Prior to his career in marketing, he was a syndicated cartoonist, newspaper columnist, and magazine editor. Rejecting the starving artist cliché, he currently lives in a way-too-fancy-for-his-income suburb of Detroit with his wife and two children. For more information on Elk Lake - Publishing the Positive - projects, visit elklakepublishing.com

My Review ~

Listening to God can be like listening to a radio broadcast or television program. If the radio or TV are not tuned in properly all you hear is static, and very little of the message comes through. The same goes when listening to God. With all the distractions of life coming at us from all directions, we may not hear God's voice at all. In Jeff's description of how he came to hear God's voice without all the static and distraction, he uses his family and friends in his examples of how God can work in our lives. By stopping and listening, giving our hearts and will over to God, He will speak to us and guide us in all we do. The author's new life as a Christian was like being on fire for God, and he was motivated in every aspect of his life. After about six months those flames turned to embers, and the fire in his life began to die down. As the author points out, it's normal to start out on fire for God, and as the newness wears off we begin to settle into a quieter level of faith. He then began to incorporate other ways to keep those embers alive in his life, and the blessings continued to keep him close to God. He has had tough times as we all do, but his faith in God has continued to keep the embers burning.

Jeff Petherick is a very successful business man who began feeling the emptiness that many feel when they realize something important is missing from their lives. Rather than seeking excitement through buying a sports car, gambling or an affair, Jeff chose God, and his examples of how that choice changed his life are exciting. My favorite chapter from this book concentrates on his son and three other 13-year-old boys. The four fathers of these boys created a weekend ceremony of "coming of age" that was meaningful and unforgettable for those young men, and is a story that I'll never forget. The author has written a dynamic book describing his journey through his status in life, and where the journey has taken him, over the mountains and through the valleys, but clearly listening to the voice of God.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the Book Fun Network in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I received no monetary compensation for this review. Thank you Fred St Laurent from The Book Club Network and Elk Lake Publishing for supplying this book. 

Katie Opens Her Heart (Book 1 of the Emma Raber's Daughters Series) by Jerry S. Eicher

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Rumors!

Book Description

Bestselling Amish fiction author Jerry S. Eicher (nearly half a million copies sold) returns with the first book in another of his delightful and compelling series.

Here is the touching story of an awakening young Amish girl, Katie Raber, who finds she wants more from life than to be known as simply “Emma Raber’s daughter.”

Emma has refused to remarry since Katie’sdaett died soon after she was born. And in an effort to keep Katie home, Emma has forbidden her from participating in therumspringa tradition.

When widower Jesse Mast calls for Mamm’s hand in marriage, Katie hopes to move into a new phase of life and leave the old “Emma Raber’s daughter” behind. But Emma is having none of it, and Katie must consider abandoning all hope of ever changing her mamm’s bitterness or of ever having popular Ben Yoder notice her. Out of sheer frustration, she begins attending nearby Mennonite youth gatherings.

Sparks fly when Jesse’s children object fiercely to the attentions their daett is paying to Emma Raber. And widowed Ruth Hochstetler makes her own move for Jesse Mast’s hand.

Purchase Here:

http://www.deepershopping.com/item/eicher-jerry-s/katie-opens-her-heart-emma-rabers-daughter-v1/4884533.html

Author Biography

Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.






My Review ~

Emma Raber has been widowed and secluded for many years, but she has remained strong in her faith and diligent raising her only daughter, Katie. Isolating herself and Katie from others in their Amish community, Emma is thought of as odd, and Katie has been labeled as Emma Raber's strange daughter. Katie is the love of Emma's life, and mother and daughter have been devoted to one another. When Katie's Mennonite coworker invites her to attend a birthday party Katie's Mamm becomes overwrought at the mere idea of Katie leaving her alone, especially to attend a Mennonite youth gathering. Emma has forbidden Katie from the normal activities of teen years, running around and exploring life with other youth. Emma's fears for Katie become overwhelming, and the quiet life led by Emma and Katie is now becoming complicated. They look to "Da Hah" for guidance in all circumstances.

Amish life is well depicted in this book, and the use of authentic Amish terms and conversation creates a credible backdrop for this narrative about a mother and daughter who arrive at a crossroad in their lives. Emma's fears are realistic regarding the probable adjustments that she foresees in her own life and that of her daughter. Those fears are grounded in the hearts of many mothers who anticipate the changes in life as a daughter reaches maturity. Jerry Eicher has written a complex story of human emotions that are both heartwarming and complicated. His insight into the hearts of his characters is straightforward, believable and sensitive. The author's traditional Amish childhood adds credibility through the details and relationships within the Amish community. This is a well-written, poignant story filled with action, wit and a strong underlying faith in God. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Ragged Hope by Cynthia Ruchti

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Hope!

“What a beautiful book !  So readable, the pages practically turned themselves.  Ragged Hope is filled with stories; written for those who are weary, worn and wounded.  It offers each of us exactly that—hope that God can do a mighty work even with those of us who carry the ugliest of scars.” — Debbie Macomber, #1 NYT bestselling author

Where do we find hope when it’s clouded by the ashes of other people’s choices?

What do you do when your life is affected by someone else’s choices? Where is God when you are doing everything right yet, because of someone else, everything is wrong? This insightful and hope-giving guide will comfort, support, and encourage you through whatever situation you must face.

Cynthia Ruchti, who has walked this road herself and has spoken to hundreds of people through her radio show, assures readers that God is ever present and offers unwavering love. There is hope, grace, and a future in every situation—even (and especially) those we did not cause but now live. Vetted by professional counselors and caregivers, this is the one guide you need to thrive no matter what you are facing.

Purchase a copy here: http://www.deepershopping.com/item/ruchti-cynthia/ragged-hope/4892815.html

Join Cynthia Ruchti for a Facebook chat on August 1 at 8:00 PM EDT. Readers will be able to discuss the book, answer and ask questions, and win prizes. Watch the Cynthia Ruchti Reader Page on Facebook for details.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction projects, speaking events and a history of 33 years of on-air storytelling through The Heartbeat of the Home radio broadcast.

Her books have been recognized by Retailers’ Choice, RT Reviewers’ Choice, Family Fiction Readers’ Choice, ACFW’s Carol Award nomination, and other honors. In addition to Ruchti’s four previously released books, her novel When the Morning Glory Blooms (Abingdon Press Fiction) released in April 2013, followed by Ragged Hope, her second non-fiction release in July. Ruchti has also written articles for numerous magazines and industry publications and currently serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers.

Ruchti lives in Wisconsin where she spends her days diving into words, worship and wonder. It is her delight to serve on her church’s worship team and creative arts team. One of her greatest joys is helping other writers grow in their craft. Cynthia and her husband have been married for 40-plus years and have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Learn more about Cynthia Ruchti and her books at www.cynthiaruchti.com. Readers can also become a fan on Facebook (cynthiaruchtireaderpage) or follow her on Twitter(@cynthiaruchti).

My Review ~

Ragged Hope is a collection of poignant personal stories of survivors who, by the grace of God, have endured and overcome the fallout from other people's destructive choices. The examples in Ragged Hope are lessons in reality. Dishonorable, selfish, inappropriate choices made by others have placed the victims in these stories into chaotic situations. Hope has set them free. Examples of abuse, neglect, abandonment, job loss, infidelity and financial disasters are only a fraction of the representations illustrating how God's steadfast love, mercy and grace helped these victims overcome painful and debilitating circumstances. These stories demonstrate that no matter what life throws our way God's unconditional love can restore peace to our lives. Each life story is followed by reflections for the reader to contemplate and examine, to assist in gleaning hope in spite of despair. An inspirational Bible verse appropriate to the situation regarding those who have survived life's most difficult challenges is a balm for the spirit. For those suffering the fallout of someone else's poor choices, Rugged Hope is exemplary in promoting healing from some of the most painful wounds inflicted on us, through the power and love of God.

Cynthia Ruchti has presented several powerful examples of God's transformation of His children from ashes to beauty. These accounts of victims in despair, whose pain was inflicted on them by those closest to them, are written with sensitivity and compassion. The practical applications provided through these personal accounts are excellent points of reference for those involved in situations similar to the victims described in Ragged Hope. Ms. Ruchti writes with insight, discrimination, credibility and a sophistication that only experience yields. Incredible hope is the ground level approach throughout this book. This author provides impressive insight into the human condition, and the solutions delivered through Hope!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine, and no monetary compensation was received as a result of this review.

Adoring Addie (The Courtships of Lancaster County #2) by Leslie Gould & GIVEAWAY!

5.0 out of 5 stars Love At First Sight!

Book Description

A New Amish Romance from Christy Winner and Bestselling Author Leslie Gould

When Addie Cramer's mutter and daed decide Phillip Eicher is the man for her to marry, they claim she must honor them by obeying their wishes. But then she falls in love with Jonathan Mosier--part of the family with whom the Cramers have a long-held grudge.

With the help of others in her community who long to see the quarrel healed, Jonathan and Addie struggle to continue their relationship against both sets of parents' wishes. But when one of Addie's vengeful brothers harms a member of the Mosier family, Jonathan intervenes and is banished from Lancaster County.

A distraught Addie determines to find the true reason for the grudge between the two families, hoping to tear down the animosity of the past. Can their love for each other bridge the divide between their families? Or are they destined to remain apart forever?

Purchase here:
http://www.deepershopping.com/item/gould-leslie/adoring-addie-courtships-of-lancaster-county-series/4895787.html

About the Author

Leslie Gould is the author of Courting Cate and the coauthor, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.





My Review ~

Addie Cramer's family is intent on her marrying Phillip Eicher, the Amish bishop's son, but Addie lacks any feelings beyond friendship for the young man. Her parents are persistent that she marry Phillip in honor and obedience to them, but Addie's head is turned by another man. Jonathan Mosier's family has moved back to Lancaster County after living in another Amish community for several years. Upon meeting Jonathan, Addie's senses are heightened and she knows she's in love. Jonathan shares her attraction but their lives become chaotic because of their attraction. The Cramers and Mosiers have held a longstanding grudge against one another, and both families are unwilling to forgive and forget. Addie is forbidden to see Jonathan which only adds bitterness and despair to her unhappiness. An Amish Romeo and Juliet, Jonathan and Addie do everything in their power to overcome the unforgiving feelings that still have a hold on their families.

Leslie Gould has penned another beautiful Amish love tale, a facsimile to the well-known story of Romeo and Juliet, a story of obedience and compromise. Written with multiple levels and several diverse characters, the author has combined these elements into a well-told and successful novel. Numerous emotions are characterized, and examples of mental health issues, including depression, anger and alcoholism are depicted in an open and direct style. Forgiveness is the archetype the Amish manifest in their beliefs, and is at the core of this well-written story. I previously read and thoroughly enjoyed Courting Cate, and this second book in The Courtships of Lancaster County is no disappointment! I look forward to the sequel in this series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

Contest Rules: In order to qualify for this contest, please leave a comment below with your email address using [at] and [dot], and please SHARE this post on your timeline and post that you did in your comment. Contest ends Tuesday, 7-23-13. Winner has 5 days from that date to contact me in order to receive the book.

Where Is God? When Hope Hurts by Carol E. Urton

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart Wrenching!

Book Description

Abandoned at age two by her father, Carol was thrust into a life of unrelenting sexual abuse and child pornography when her mother remarried a deacon in their local church. After nine years, she brought the dark family secret into light, only to be silenced and sent away to live with her grandparents. At age 14, Carol began her journey of trying to find peace among the shattered pieces of her life. After years of running from the truth, she had to face her past. Carol began to try and answer her biggest question...”Where is God? When Hope Hurts.” She knew she had to make a choice and to choose life, she had to choose to be free. She ultimately found freedom from the debilitating hurts of her childhood and adult life through the healing process of forgiveness, salvation and above all HOPE in a loving God who never leaves and never forsakes.

With faith, there is always hope. Carol Urton’s story is compelling, riveting and empowering. Carol is truly a survivor that has been guided by the hopeful healing power of God. She not only survives, she thrives!
-Patricia Wenskunas, Founder CEO, Crime Survivors, Inc., and Orange County Crime Stoppers • www.crimesurvivors.org

The process of forgiveness is painful, but it produces great rewards. Carol Long/Urton had parent figures that abused and abandoned her. In the midst of her personal hell, she achieved a new perspective on life. Carol recounts her intimate story with honesty, telling of failures as well as successes.
-Carl Westerlund, Assistant pastor, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa

In the midst of pain and tragedy, when we feel abandoned and alone, God can be hard to find. Carol’s story of strength and survival is a testament to God’s love and faithfulness and serves as assurance to all of us that God never leaves us and lives can truly be restored. We know this to be true, just as we get to see these truths every day at the Orange County Rescue Mission.
-Jim Palmer, President, Orange County Rescue Mission

Biography

Carol Urton is a national lecturer and has been invited to be a speaker at numerous conferences, workshops, retreats and conventions.  She is a published author of several articles and short stories and has been a featured guest on several radio and television programs.  Her long awaited book, "Where is God? When Hope Hurts" was released in January 2013 and is now available.  Carol is currently working on the sequel, "Growing in God's Hope". 






My Review ~

No synopsis of this book is necessary. I cannot do it justice. The concept of a small child in the hands of a pedophile is almost more than I can comprehend, much less acquiesce. The verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and pornographic experiences that the author suffered at the hands of her stepfather, a deacon in the church, are deplorable. This author has overcome the atrocities in life, and survived to tell her story through the grace of God. Her faith and hope in a loving God has brought her to the pinnacle, an accomplishment that only strength of character and a wealth of faith can achieve. Carol's life story will stay with me for the rest of my life, not only because of the atrocities she suffered, but because of her resulting survival, transformation and recovery from the enormity of the cruelest forms of inhumanity. Her salvation, faith and forgiveness through Hope portray a woman of strength who not only survived, but thrives, and shares her heart and Hope without boundaries. This life story is unforgettable.

Safe House by Kathi Macias (Murray Pura's American Civil War Series - Cry of Freedom, #8)

5.0 out of 5 stars Safe House!





Book Description

It was June 1863, school was out for the summer, and 11-year old Nathaniel should have been looking forward to the carefree months ahead. But a controversy brewed in his household: his father and grandfather were strong abolitionists, while his mother believed Christians should not disobey the law and therefore should not be involved in helping free legally-held slaves. When Nathaniel discovers a slave family hiding in the family barn, the youngster must make a decision that could have dangerous consequences—and could catapult him into manhood, even at his tender age.

About the Author

Award-winning author Kathi Macias has written nearly 35 books, including the “Extreme Devotion” series, Beyond Me, How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I’m Surrounded by Loose Cannons?, Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today, the best-selling devotional A Moment a Day, and the popular “Matthews” mystery novels. Kathi has written commentary for Thomas Nelson’s Spirit-Filled Life Bible(Student Edition); was part of the devotional writing team for Zondervan’s New Women’s Devotional Bible; and has ghostwritten for several prominent individuals including Josh McDowell; former NFL player Rosey Grier; and the late chaplain of the United States Senate, Richard Halverson. An avid writer, Kathi has published numerous devotionals, articles, short stories, and poems in various periodicals. The readership of her weekly devotionals has grown into the hundreds of thousands, being picked up by the Christian Civic League, Black Christian News, Latino Christian News, Christians in Recovery, and crosswalk.com.
 
A former judge for the Christy Awards, which recognize Christian novels of excellence, Kathi has won numerous awards herself. These awards include the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, a Hollywood-based organization set up to improve the moral and ethical content of films, television shows, books, etc.; fiction awards from the San Diego Christian Writers Guild; Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (Red Ink); Christy Award finalist (Red Ink); 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net; and the grand prize in an international writing contest. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi now serves as a staff member for the Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and spiritual advisor to the Christian Authors Network. She has also appeared on several radio and TV programs.
 
A popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, and churches, Kathi has taught creative writing and business writing in various venues; and has served on staff at a large church in Southern California, where she participated in biblical counseling, trained small-group leaders, and oversaw support/recovery ministries. With women’s ministry as her primary interest, Kathi also loves reaching out to others through various prison and homeless ministries. Passionate about praying for and aiding the persecuted church around the world, Kathi is a mother and grandmother and currently resides with her husband, Al, in California.

To Purchase:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Safe+House+by+Kathi+Macias&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ASafe+House+by+Kathi+Macias

My Review ~

Eleven-year-old Nathanial Johnson dangled his feet in the Ohio River, dreaming about his father who had enlisted in the Union Army as the Civil War raged. Nathanial's father was fighting for what he believed in, freedom for slaves. He and Nathanial's grandfather Johnson were abolitionists, active in the delivery of slaves to safe houses and eventual freedom along the Underground Railroad to the north. Having heard numerous stories of slave traffic through their home town in Ripley, Ohio, Nathanial questioned his grandfather about what a safe house represented, and soon discovered that his own home was a safe house, a haven for slaves in the quest for freedom. His accidental discovery of a slave family hiding on their farm led Nathanial to a whole new level in his understanding of what the Underground Railroad represented.

Kathi Macias writes a poignant and well researched story of a young boy whose concerns and questions about war, slavery and abolition came to fruition upon his discovery of a slave family hiding on his farm. This story of coming of age and development to a new level of maturity, sensitivity and concern that Nathanial's character represents, are realistic and flow naturally. The details of factual events regarding abolition, safe houses and the Underground Railroad are well researched and told in a way that even young people can understand and enjoy. Kathi Macias is a master storyteller who creates a factual tale with insight and sensitivity. 

Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

If The Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Humor!

Book Description

Julianne used to believe in fairy tales; she's been watching for Prince Charming to come charging in on his white steed ever since the day her mother read herCinderella for the first time. But she's never come close to finding the perfect man-instead she's always tripping over her childhood best friend, Will. And who finds their Prince Charming on a 10-speed bicycle on the other side of the cul de sac? Well... Julianne does. Only she doesn't have a clue.

She and Will are attorneys now, and they've joined up in private practice in a beautiful Cincinnati office building that overlooks the Ohio River. And then one day Julianne is on her way to court, and runs right smack dab into Prince Charming. But when she looks again, all she finds is a metaphoric sign she is certain came straight from Heaven: The Prince's toolbox has fallen off the back of his truck, and a work boot along with it. What better way for God to grab the attention of a Cinderella-in-training than to show her a glass slipper...errrr, work boot?...waiting to be reunited with its owner?

So she sets out to track down the mysterious Prince Charming. He's the most gorgeous guy she's ever seen...and a caring animal rescuer, too. Surely he must be the soul mate God has prepared her for.

But, Julianne's prince is starting to look less and less charming all the time. No matter how she tries to romanticize him, he just keeps tumbling down off that dumb pedestal. And with the Bar Association dinner coming up that will honor her for her outstanding charity work over the year, Julianne wants so much for her friends and colleagues to see her with someone besides her best friend Will. To make matters worse, Prince Charming has no designs on wearing a penguin suit and attending a stuffy old dinner. With her pride pressing in on her like sticks from a cactus, Julianne sinks to the bottom of the proverbial barrel and actually offers to pay Paul to be her date.

Julianne is on a collision course with God's perfect plan for her life...if only she could open her eyes and see it before it's too late.

Biography

"I'm going to be a writer when I grow up!" Sandra D. Bricker declared these words to her father on a Sunday afternoon in Slidell, Louisiana. She was 5 years old, and was referring to being able to string her cursive letters together to write her full name for the first time, but the declaration proved somewhat prophetic.

By the time she reached high school and her first article was published in The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sandie knew writing was what she wanted to do. For more than a decade, Sandie lived in Los Angeles and, while writing in every spare moment, she studied screenwriting and worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved cross-country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

"I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to re-focus on writing novels in an effort to pursue my dream of a writing career."

That career weaves a web that draws in every age of reader. Sandie's interest in telling a story knows no boundaries. Three novels for middle readers carved out the beginning of the journey; then Avalon Books followed up with two hardbound romance novels in 2001: unWANTED: Husband (romantic comedy) and Change of Heart (romantic suspense). The response was tremendous, and Sandie was asked to pen a sequel to Change of Heart ... and so Sins of the Past was released in December 2003. Next up was another romantic comedy; Wish I Weren't Here was released in February 2005.

"I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost," she says. "So the last couple of years has been a bit of a dream-come-true. Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line in October 2008 with Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas, a romantic comedy for the inspirational market. So the best of all worlds, as far as I'm concerned!"

More hilarity continued to follow from this award-winning author.

Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida (Fall 2009) and Love Finds You in Carmel, California (Fall 2010) for Summerside Press, and The Big 5-OH! (Spring 2010) and Always the Baker, Never the Bride (Fall 2010) for Abingdon Press.

Future books will include sequels, The Big 4-OH! and The Big 3-OH! for Abingdon Press.

After spending nearly 15 years dealing with her celebrity clients' fans, Sandie finds it amusing that she is suddenly the one getting fan mail! "When people were actually buying my books at a recent signing, I found myself wanting to go around and invite them all to dinner or offer to bake them cookies. Hey! In fact ... maybe I'll do that very soon."

My Review ~

Julianne has been waiting for her Prince Charming since her mother read Cinderella to her as a child. On a rainy day a vision of her prince became reality right before her eyes. Julianne took it as a sign from God! The perfect man stopped his truck to rescue an injured dog, and as he sped off his toolbox and a work shoe fell from the back of his pickup. The perfect excuse to locate her prince, Julianne rescued the toolbox and shoe, and placed an ad on Craig's List in the hope that he would call. When Prince Charming doesn't measure up to her list of qualifications Julianne's dreams begin to fade. Julianne and Will, her childhood best friend, had recently opened a law office together. Unbeknownst to Julianne, Will has been in love with her for years, but has never worked up the courage to tell her. He patiently stands by as Julianne chases her dreams, and fears that his chance to reveal his feelings to her will never ensue.

Based on the beloved fairy tale, Cinderella, this romantic fiction contains a lot of wit and humor. The characters are well developed and very likable, at least the majority of them. There are a couple of characters you love to hate. Events throughout the story contain some serious notes and a subtle Christian undertone, and a great dose of delightful humor. Detailed descriptions lead the reader into the story, creating a pictorial view of the settings in this amusing and refreshing tale. Additional relationships and scenarios take place throughout this book that add extra depth to the fairy tale gone wrong.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.