The INSPY Awards

Many of you may have seen news of a new book award floating around the blogosphere the past few weeks, but in case you've missed it, I want to take a moment to tell you about the INSPY Awards.

About the INSPYs:

Recognizing the need for a new kind of book award, the INSPYs were created by bloggers to discover and highlight the very best in literature that grapples with expressions of the Christian faith.

I am thrilled and honored to be a judge in the historical fiction category. These are the books on the historical fiction shortlist:

The Frontiersman’s Daughter by Laura Frantz, Revell Books, 1st August, 2009

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, Bethany House, 1st January, 2010

The Fiddler’s Gun by AS Peterson, Rabbit Room Press, 1st December, 2009

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell, Bethany House, 1st April, 2010

Her Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers, Tyndale House, 1st March, 2010

Some good reads, no? You can read the rest of the short listed books in the other categories here. The INSPY winners will be announced December 13th...so I'd better get reading. :)

Booksigning photos

If you have a LifeWay store near you, you may have gotten wind of the news that today was LifeWay's Fiction Day, where you could find all sorts of great deals on fantastic reads and in many stores meet some of your favorite authors and get them to sign their latest releases. I was fortunate enough to visit the LifeWay store hosting authors Kaye Dacus, Tamera Alexander, and Nancy Rue. Kaye's a dear friend, and I've met Tamera before (but it's been WAY too long since I'd seen her!), but I'd never met Nancy Rue which was a real treat. :) Here's a few pics from the afternoon:

Me with Nancy Rue!

Tamera with my friend Rachel*

Me & Kaye!

*Rachel is the author of LifeWay's new fiction blog, A Novel Bookshelf.

Tomorrow on Masterpiece...

Tomorrow night on Masterpiece Mystery, Wallander series 2, starring Kenneth Branagh, continues with its second episode, The Man Who Smiled. Here's a bit about the story:

Wallander Series II continues Sunday, October 10, 2010, on MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! In The Man Who Smiled, a suspicious car accident and a friend's suicide lead Wallander into an international conspiracy that threatens countless innocent lives. Rupert Graves guest stars. (One episode; 90 minutes; TV-PG).

I know I haven't reviewed the first episode (Faceless Killers) yet, but the week just got completely away from me. However, that's no comment on the episode because it was FANTASTIC. Since that happened, I may wait to review the series once it comes out on DVD.

The Tempest - first trailer!

In my last upcoming movies post, I mentioned the new film adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest starring Helen Mirren, but at that time a trailer hadn't yet been released. Well...the first trailer just debuted this week and you can check it out below - it looks amazing! Can't wait!

A Novel Bookshelf Blog

Calling all fans of Christian fiction! I want to take a moment to tell you about a new blog that debuted this month, authored by my friend Rachel McRae, one of the book buyers for LifeWay Christian Stores. She'll be posting Mondays through Fridays, sharing book reviews, first chapters, new releases, and author spotlights. Rachel is as enthusiastic about Christian fiction as I am *grin*, and I'm super excited about her new blogging venture.

Please consider visiting A Novel Bookshelf and surprising Rachel with some comments as she gets started in the blogosphere! :)

The Mary Russell Companion

I was thrilled to find out today that author Laurie R. King has released a free e-book that you can download here - The Mary Russell Companion. This is a must-read for fans of her Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes mystery series!

A Memory Between Us contest and book review preview!

Today I'm thrilled to be able to tell you a little about author Sarah Sundin's newest release, A Memory Between Us, book two in her World War II-era Wings of Glory series. To pique your curiousity, here's a bit about the novel:

Can they overcome the past to find a brighter future together?

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge - until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut ouf for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.

As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

Review: I promise, one of these days I'll catch up. My full review of this novel is coming soon, but till then let me leave you with this promise - if you love the World War II time period like I do, and you crave rich, meaty, detailed historicals, Sarah Sundin delivers in spades. I adore the romance between Ruth and Jack (and not just because the heroine and I share the same name, LOL!). Sundin takes her characters through the fire and back again, and the refining journey is a page-turning adventure that tugs at the heartstrings. I love how Sundin incorporates the biblical story of Ruth into her novel - it's simply beautiful watch the love story mirror scripture as it develops. Sundin is a must-read author and I look forward to her future books!

Now, here's info about the contest:

Sarah Sundin presents The Movies and Memories Giveaway in honor of book 2 in the Wings of Glory series. A Memory Between Us is available for purchase wherever fine books are sold. From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.



To celebrate Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Movie and Memory Prize Package! One grand prize winner will receive:

* Make-your-own-photo book from Mypublisher.com (Capture your own Memories)
* Netflix Subscription (New or Nostalgic Movies delivered right to your house)
* Starbucks gift card (To keep your engine revvin’)
*Gourmet chocolate (A favorite in the 1940’s and now)
* British specialty teas in carved wooden box (Timeless tradition)
* Miniature model of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber & C-47 cargo plane (Everyone needs a few toy planes)
*Big Band music CD (Break out your dancing shoes)
* WWII authentic poster playing cards (Cards – a perfect game for two)
* Keep Calm and Carry On (Uplifting sayings WWII, a boost for troubled times)

To enter simple click on the icons below (contest runs 9/27 - 10/17!)

**Remember, click the above links to enter this great contest - comments left on this post will not count as contest entries. Thanks!**

Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Within My HeartBethany House; Original edition (September 1, 2010)

byTamera Alexander
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart), penned in her style with deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose have earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.

These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award, the 2007 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2009 and 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.

After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville with Tamera's father, Doug. They enjoy life there with Joe and Tamera's two adult children, and Jack, a precious—and precocious—silky terrier.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Widow Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her ranch afloat and provide for her two young sons, though some days it feels as though her efforts are sabotaged at every turn. When her cattle come down with disease and her sons' lives are endangered, she must turn to Rand Brookston, Timber Ridge's physician and reluctant veterinarian. While Rachel appreciates his help, she squelches any feelings she might have for Rand--her own father was a doctor and his patients always took priority over his family. Rachel refuses to repeat the mistakes her mother made. But when she's courted by a wealthy client of the local resort, she faces a choice: self-sufficiency and security or the risk inherent in the deepest of loves.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Within My Heart, go HERE.