And We Have a Winner!!! "An Ocean Away" or "Blood Covenant by Lisa Harris

Congratulations go to Lisa Nelson, who won her choice of either An Ocean Away or Blood Covenant by Lisa Harris. 


Thanks to all who participated. Be sure and stop by again next week!


Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Whistlestop Book Review: "A Place of Healing" by Joni Earkeckson Tada

Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

Why does God allow pain?  Is God concerned with suffering and involved in it? Plato, C.S. Lewis, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Henri Nouwen, the apostle Paul and others have all addressed these age-old questions.

Instead of focusing on how God is involved in the problem of pain, Joni Eareckson Tada chooses instead in her book, A Place of Healing, to examine how God can use pain to draw her closer to Himself and lift her above her human sufferings.

Joni, left a quadriplegic from a diving accident four decades ago, is the author of over fifty books and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization devoted to accelerating Christian outreach among those with disabilities. She will serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 2011 National Day of Prayer, held on the First Thursday of May. In addition to coping with the struggles of living from a wheelchair, Joni now has new challenges. She is assaulted with unrelenting, chronic pain and has been diagnosed with cancer.

Her reactions?  “Suffering may be a part of God’s…mysterious plan, but God’s intention is always to demonstrate compassion and unfailing love.” Joni illustrates over and over in her book how powerfully God’s love touches her at her deepest point of need.

The chapter headings ask difficult questions:

What Benefit is there to My Pain?
How Can I Go On Like This?
How Can I Bring Him Glory?
How Do I Regain My Perspective?

This devout, genuine woman answers each question with tender, heartfelt examples from her walk in faith. Suffering can make us bitter or compassionate. Suffering can drive us away from God or make us fly into His arms. A Place of Healing is her testament to the restorative power of loving, committed service to God, no matter what our circumstances. She rejoices in the fact that God had plans for her life much wider, higher and more profound than she ever could imagine. Her last chapter entitled, “Thank you, God, for this Wheelchair” demonstrates that because of her circumstances, not in spite of them, she is happier as a child of God than she ever dreamed possible.

Do you have a friend or relative struggling with grief, financial loss, health issues or physical pain?
Give them a copy of A Place of Healing. May they find comfort in the profound testimony of someone who treads where they walk, albeit, in a wheelchair.

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Meet and Greet: Lisa Harris

Book Giveaway Drawing!
Read the details later in this post.

Lisa Harris is an award-winning author who has over 20 novels and novella collections in print. She and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live near the Indian Ocean in Mozambique as missionaries. As a homeschooling mom, life can get hectic, but she sees her writing as an extension of her ministry, which also includes running a non-profit organization. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice” (Proverbs 31:8). 

When she’s not working Lisa loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, and heading into the African bush on safari. 

Dear Reader,

I’m thrilled for the opportunity to stop by and visit Book Readers Central! I’m an author and homeschooling mom, living in Mozambique, Africa with my husband and three children where we minister as church planters and discipleship makers. I currently write romantic suspense and love the challenge of creating paging-turning adventures.

Last month, Zondervan released book two in my Mission Hope series, Blood Covenant. While the first book dealt with the very real issue of today’s human trafficking problems, the second is another fast-paced suspense set in a refugee camp.

In this story, Paige Ryan and Nick Gilbert are trapped in an overpopulated African refugee camp where an outbreak of measles erupts and renegade soldiers block their only way out. Desperate for vaccines, they must put their own lives in the hands of God as they fight for the safety of the refugees under their protection.

If you enjoy historicals with a strong thread of adventure and romance, I have a second book, An Ocean Away that is being released this month from Summerside Press. Half of the story is set in Northern Rhodesia (Africa) while the other half is set in New York City in the early 1920s. This was definitely one of the most fascinating, but also research-intense books I have ever written. With two settings and a 1920’s time frame, I wanted to bring that period--from sides of the world--to life and show the stark contrast between the two continents.

Another thing I love about writing is the chance to learn from the characters I create. In Blood Covenant, my main character, Paige comes to the realization that she has to admit her weaknesses and fears and rely only on God’s strength. There are numerous examples in the Bible of men and women who God called to serve Him in an extraordinary way through His power. Gideon was victorious with only three hundred men, a handful of trumpets, jars, and torches. Esther saved her people from the threat of death, David was a shepherd boy who became king of a nation, and I could go on and on. 

As I wrote the story, I was reminded again and again how God calls us in the middle of our ordinary, run-of-the-mill, take-out-the-trash- and drive-the-kids-to-school routine. He’s the one who gives us the strength to live daily for Him. 

Because let’s be honest, life has its constant ups and downs just like the writing life has its ups and downs. For those of you who are writers, you already know that writing is hard work. I’ve learned and studied and continued to write for over a decade, always aware that there is more to learn. It takes perseverance to keep writing after receiving a rejection from an editor or a bad review which isn’t always easy.

On the positive side, I love getting to know these characters and what makes them tick, because as a writer, when I spend months creating characters they come to life in my mind. I also love it when they don’t act the way I expected them to. Often, I find that when this happens, the story ends up coming together stronger because of it.

For more information about my books and life in Africa please stop by my website, Lisa Harris Writes or My Blog In the Heart of Africa. We’ve also just started a non-profit to help address the physical needs of people we work with. You can find out more about that project at The Echo Project.

Thanks again for letting me drop by!

Be blessed,

Lisa Harris

Blood Covenant Book Trailer from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.


Book Giveaway Drawing: Lisa Harris will give away a free copy of the winner's choice of either Blood Covenant or An Ocean Away. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Book Readers Central and tell me so in a separate comment, I'll give you an extra chance to win. 

Please include a valid email address in an anti-spam format (example: youremailhandle[at]gmail[dot]com]) or your entry will become invalid. Entries will be accepted until this Thursday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).

I'll announce the winner on Book Readers Central on Friday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Book Reader's Central are located in the footer of this blog.

And We Have a Winner!!! "Abigail's New Hope" by Mary Ellis

Congratulations go to Dawn, who won a free copy of Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis. Thanks, everyone, for participating. Stay tuned for more great interviews, giveaways and reviews on Book Readers Central. To stay informed, sign up for the blog feed or to receive posts by email.

See you again soon!

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Whistlestop Book Review: "Kaydie" by Penny Zeller

Janalyn Voigt

Pregnant and widowed in the Wild West, Kaydie would seem to need a husband. That's not how she sees it, though. After a bad marriage to an abusive man, she wants nothing more to do with romantic love.

But then there's her sister's ranch hand, Jonah. With an unloving father and a mother who abandoned him in boyhood, Jonah has never had good family ties. He decides to keep it that way.

Can they ignore the growing attraction between them?

Kaydie brings us a beautiful story of redeeming love. This tale is not dark, despite it's subject matter. Although it delves into the pain of abandonment and abuse, the story focuses on the healing power of love.

I recommend Kaydie by Penny Zeller to women who enjoy historical romance set in the Wild West.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this title, given for purposes of review.

Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Meet and Greet: Mary Ellis

Book Giveaway Drawing!
Read the details later in this post.

Mary Ellis

Mary Ellis grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community, Geauga County, where her parents often took her to farmer’s markets and woodworking fairs. She loved their peaceful, agrarian lifestyle, their respect for the land, and their strong sense of Christian community. She met her husband in college and they married six days after graduation.

She, her husband, dog and cat now live in Medina County, close to the largest population of Amish in the country—a four-county area in central Ohio. They often take weekend trips to purchase produce, research for her best-selling books, and enjoy a simpler way of life.

Mary enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught Middle School in Sheffield Lake, Ohio and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate for twenty years—a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. All three of her Miller Family series, A Widow’s Hope, Never Far from Home, and The Way to a Man’s Heart have made the CBA and CBD bestseller lists. A Widow’s Hope was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards for 2010 in the long contemporary category, and a runner-up in the 2010 Holt Medallion Awards.

BRC: What brings you to Book Readers Central? 

I am pleased to announce my latest release from Harvest House Publishers, Abigail’s New Hope, the first in the Wayne County series.

BRC: What type of books do you write? 

I write Amish inspirational romances.

BRC: Why do you write? 

I couldn’t keep from writing. Writing is my passion, my creative outlet, and my personal ministry. I love creating stories about faith-based people that, hopefully, will inspire others.

BRC: How would you describe your newest release? 

My latest release, Abigail’s New Hope, deals with growth within a marriage, grief after a suffering a loss, and reaching beyond your comfort zone to bring a “handicapped” person into the Christian fold. I use the italics because we are all “handicapped” in some fashion—some personal challenges are more easily recognized than others.

BRC: What do you hope the reader takes away after reading it? 

My heroine relies on her Christian faith to carry her through an unbelievably difficult period in her life. We all face challenges in our lives. Hopefully, my readers will be inspired by Abigail’s level of commitment to her personal code of ethics.

BRC: Which is your favorite character from your book?

Without a doubt, it is Abigail, my midwife.

She deals with her husband’s initial lack of support marvelously—far better than I probably would have. She is an inspiration to me to be more patient as a wife when things don’t always go my way.

BRC: Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book? 

When my innkeeper and I visited the Amish & Mennonite birthing center, the midwife in charge looked at us and scratched her head—neither of us was Amish and neither of us was pregnant. They don’t get many walk-in visitors.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process. 

I just love this question! It forces me to formulate a “process” and stick to it. All joking aside, I am a morning person. So after 2 cups of coffee I sit down to write. I usually write out scenes longhand on a yellow tablet. Yes, that’s right…longhand.

When the chapter is done, I type it and edit it and proofread it before moving on to the next chapter. The longhand stage allows me to create a closer-to-finished book by the time it’s done. (Did I mention I’m a dinosaur?) It takes me approx. 5 months to create a 95,000-word book in this fashion.

BRC: What will you write next? 

I am about to finish the second in the Wayne County series, called A Marriage for Meghan. It deals with a former problem student who’s trying to live down her past reputation and become the permanent head teacher. As a former problem-child and a former middle school teacher, I am writing on themes near-and-dear to my heart.

BRC: Which books do you recommend to readers? 

There are so many great works of Christian fiction out there that I couldn’t possibly narrow the field to one or two suggestions. Everyone’s personal taste in books is different. But I will say this: Don’t discount the “classics.” They are classics for a very good reason. When I want something special, I re-read something by Louise May Alcott.

BRC: Where can readers find you online? 

My readers can find me at my blog site: www.maryeellis.wordpress.com And I’d love to hear from them!

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Book Giveaway Drawing: Mary Ellis will give away a free copy of Abigail's New Hope to a reader of this blog. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Book Readers Central and tell me so in a separate comment, I'll give you an extra chance to win. 

Please include a valid email address in an anti-spam format (example: youremailhandle[at]gmail[dot]com]) or your entry will become invalid. Entries will be accepted until this Thursday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).

I'll announce the winner on Book Readers Central on Friday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Book Reader's Central are located in the footer of this blog.

And We Have a Winner!!! "Yesterday's Tomorrow" by Catherine West

Congratulations to Linda, who won the giveaway drawing for a free copy of Yesterday's Tomorrow by Catherine West. Thanks to those who participated. Stop by again for more interviews, giveaways and book reviews. To stay informed, sign up for feed or email delivery of posts. I hope to see you
next week!

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Author Trivia Quiz: Who Said This? (Ten Quotes About Reading)

Janalyn Voigt

Surprise Pop Quiz!

Name the quoted author. Answers follow, below.

1.  'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.
   
   
2. Read every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity.
   
   
3.  To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.
   
   
4. The good of a book lies in its being read. A book is made up of signs that speak of other signs, which in their turn speak of things.
   
   
5. The only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little farther down our particular path than we have yet got ourselves.
   
   
6. We read fine things but never feel them to the full until we have gone the same steps as the author.
   
   
7.  No one who can read, ever looks at a book, even unopened on a shelf, like one who cannot.
   
   
8. When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.
   
   
9. The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it is.
   
   
10. A book is good company. It is full of conversation without loquacity. It comes to your longing with full instruction, but pursues you never.
    

1. Mark Twain
2. Christopher Morley
3. Victor Hugo
4. Umberto Eco
5. John Keats
6. E.M. Forster 
7. Charles Dickens
8. Maya Angelou
9. Sir James Barrie
10. Henry Ward Beecher

© 2009-2011 Janalyn Voigt

Meet and Greet: Catherine West

Book Giveaway Drawing! 
Read the details later in this post.

Catherine West

Educated in Bermuda, England and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of Toronto. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow, will release in March 2011, through Oak Tara Publishers. 

BRC: Welcome! What brings you to Book Readers Central?

I’m a new author, my debut novel, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, releases on March 15^th!

BRC: What genres do you write?

I write contemporary romance and women’s fiction. I love my books to have a spiritual theme woven into the plot, and of course I’m big on romance, so that’s definitely in there!

BRC: Why are you an author?

I write because I love it! There’s something very satisfying about creating a story, watching characters come alive on the page, and then later, hearing feedback from readers who really resonated with the themes in the book.

BRC: How would you describe your book?

Yesterday’s Tomorrow is an Inspirational Contemporary Romance. Here’s the blurb:

It’s 1967 and Kristin Taylor wants to go to Vietnam to report on the war, and honor her father’s memory by becoming an award-winning journalist like he was. But no editor will send her. So she strikes out on her own and steps into a world more terrifying than she’d imagined.

As she encounters the horrors of war, Kristin struggles to report the truth while desperately trying to keep tabs on her only brother who enlisted some time ago, but both tasks seem impossible.

When she meets photographer Luke Maddox, Kristin knows she’s found a story. The mystery beneath his brooding eyes triggers her curiosity. She’s convinced he’s hiding something and determines to discover his secrets. The only trouble is, he won’t let her within three feet of him.

In an unexpected twist, Kristin and Luke are forced to work together. With war raging all around them, they engage in their own tumultuous battle of emotions. Headstrong and willing to risk it all for what they believe in, they’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill their own private agendas. Kristin is after a story that might get her the Pulitzer. Luke wants retribution from the enemy that took away his family. In the face of death, Kristin and Luke must decide if they’re willing to set aside selfish ambition for the love that seems to have ambushed them and captured their hearts.

BRC: What do you hope the reader takes away after reading it?

I would love for readers to gain a better understanding of that tumultuous time period and the hard decisions people had to make. Also, I hope they receive the underlying message that God is there through the hard times, even when we don’t think He is, and that He’s working for good in our lives.

BRC: Which is your favorite character from your book?

Luke. J He’s gone through some really horrendous things, yet he refuses to give in to the pain. And I love his sense of commitment to his country and the ones he loves.

BRC: Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book?

Researching Yesterday’s Tomorrow was a time-consuming process. Admittedly, I really knew very little about The Vietnam War. Once I was immersed in the research and writing of this book, my whole outlook on war and the men and women on the frontlines had changed. I have a deep admiration and utmost respect for those who serve their country and lay down their lives in the name of freedom. I had to think about those who protest war as well, because they also believe in what they stand for. I’m not sure I’ll ever make sense of it all, just like my heroine, Kristin, didn’t, but I do know that we all need to honor our Veterans and never forget the price they paid.

BRC: Good thoughts. 

          Tell us about your writing process.

I’m a Seat-of-the-Pantser, meaning I don’t plot. I try to come up with a bit of an outline once I have a story idea taking shape in my head. I spend a lot of time working on my characters first, and then go from there. I also tend to edit as I go, which is time consuming and a habit I’d like to break, but it’s pretty ingrained in me now!

BRC: What will you write next?

I’m working on a family saga type novel called Reprisal. It’s about five estranged siblings who reunite to decide what to do with their family estate in Nantucket that they can no longer afford, and their elderly father who is showing signs of dementia.

BRC: Which books do you recommend to readers?

I think if readers are looking for good quality fiction, any book in *CBA fits the bill, and we have plenty of genres to choose from! Outside of *CBA my favorite authors are those who write in a similar vein – Lisa Wingate, Debbie Macomber, I love Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher.

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

Visit my website: http://www.catherinejwest.com

Blog: http://www.catherinewestblog.blogspot.com

Twitter @CathWest

Facebook Author Page

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Book Giveaway Drawing: Catherine West will give away a free copy of Yesterday's Tomorrow to a reader of this blog. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Book Readers Central and tell me so in a separate comment, I'll give you an extra chance to win. 

Please include a valid email address in an anti-spam format (example: youremailhandle[at]gmail[dot]com]) or your entry will become invalid. Entries will be accepted until this Thursday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).

I'll announce the winner on Book Readers Central on Friday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Book Reader's Central are located in the footer of this blog.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Lady in the Mist" by Laurie Alice Eakes

Janalyn Voigt

Set in Virginia during a time of strained relations between America and Britain, Lady in the Mist tells the story of a midwife caught between a past love and a British bondsman who is not all he seems.

It's a midwife's job to keep secrets, but one in particular puts Tabitha in danger. Raleigh, the fiance who abandoned her, and Dominick, a servant with aristocratic manners, also carry secrets. Do their secrets have something to do with the disappearance of young men from the village? And can Tabitha discover the truth in time to save the two men she loves?

Laurie Alice Eakes shines as a gifted storyteller in Lady in the Mist. It's a must-read for those who enjoy historical romance filled with intrigue. This story is teen approved for its realistic portrayal of the consequences of immorality.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*My thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this title for purposes of review.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

And We Have a Winner!!! "Code of Justice" by Elizabeth Johnson

Congratulations go to Linda, who won a free copy of Code of Justice by Elizabeth Johnson.

Thanks to all who participated! Be sure and stop by next week, when we'll introduce another author and hold a new book giveaway drawing.

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Meet and Greet: Elizabeth Johnson

Book Giveaway Drawing!

Read the details later in this post.

Liz Johnson grew up reading Christian fiction, and always dreamed of being part of the publishing industry. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream—becoming an author. Liz makes her home in Nashville , TN , where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces.

BRC: Welcome to Book Readers Central.

I’m thrilled to have been invited to Book Readers Central to talk about my writing and my most recent book, Code of Justice.

BRC: What type of books do you write?

So far, I’ve published three romantic suspense novels, but I’m open to writing any love stories. I’ve put together some contemporary romance stories, and even an historical romance. I just love love!

BRC: Tell us, why do you write?

I’ve always had ideas, stories and characters who just want me to tell their tale. But it’s not that easy. Writing takes a lot of hard work, so what keeps me writing is believing that God has given me a talent for writing. In the New Testament Jesus tells a parable of a man who takes what he’s been given and buries it. In the end what he was given is taken away. But in that same story, Jesus speaks of a man who is given many talents and puts them use. His talents are multiplied. I’d rather be the latter, so it keeps me working on my writing, continuing to improve.

BRC: You have a good attitude. 

How would you describe your newest release?

Code of Justice is a story of a sister’s love. FBI agent Heather Sloan is broken when her sister Kit dies in a helicopter crash, and Heather vows to figure out who’s responsible. Her love for her sister leaves Heather willing to risk her own life to find the killer. But that drive also risks her budding romance with sheriff’s deputy Jeremy Latham, who’s assigned to investigate the crash. Heather must discover if justice and mercy can go hand in hand.

BRC:What do you hope the reader takes away after reading it?

I hope that the readers take away a reminder that we can trust God to be just in every situation. When we love mercy and put our trust in God, we free ourselves from the prison of hate and vengeance and open ourselves to the amazing things that God has in store for us.

BRC:Which is your favorite character from your book?

I love Heather, who I first introduced in my second book, but I think that Kit may be my favorite character. She doesn’t live far past the first page, but her fingerprint is all through this story. Who she is is a direct reflection on how Heather reacts to losing her.

BRC:Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book?

I’m not sure I have a funny or touching story, but I am very thankful for the reminder that writing this book brought me. Sometimes it’s easy to take my amazing family for granted, especially my sister. Writing this book reminded me of how special our bond is and how much I appreciate and love being her sister. I was reminded to tell her that every chance I get. This book is incredibly special to me for just that reason.

BRC:Tell us about your writing process.

Every one of my books has started with a simple idea sparked by a trip I’ve taken or a map I saw or something like that. And from that comes a question. What if. What if there was a girl who did this? What if there was a guy who did that? Then I build on that. I start to flesh out the ideas, writing a several-page summary. At some point in this process, I begin to really get to know my characters, including finding pictures of people who look like them. This helps me keep the characters in mind, figuring out their motivations and goals. When I have the summary and characters figured out, I divide it up by chapters and begin writing. When I finish the first draft, there’s lots of editing to be done, and I’m very thankful to have a great editor.

BRC:What will you write next?

My next book is a novella called A Star in the Night, which is part of A Log Cabin Christmas Collection, releasing from Barbour in September. It’s an historical romance set near Franklin, TN at the end of the Civil War. All the stories in this collection are set in log cabins at Christmas-time. After that I’ll be working on more romantic suspense novels as well as a contemporary romance.

BRC:Which books do you recommend to readers?

I recommend books that I love! For humor I recommend Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. For overall uniqueness, I always recommend The Princess Bride, which is one of the most original novels I’ve ever read. It’s so smart! For YA, I recommend nearly anything by Meg Cabot, who’s written across genres but maintains really amazing characters.

BRC:Where can readers find you online?

I blog at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com. I’m also on twitter @lizjohnsonbooks. I love hearing from readers, so stop by any time.

Book Giveaway Drawing: Elizabeth Johnson will give away a free copy of Code of Justice to a reader of this blog. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Book Readers Central and tell me so in a separate comment, I'll give you an extra chance to win. 

Please include a valid email address in an anti-spam format (example: youremailhandle[at]gmail[dot]com]) or your entry will become invalid. Entries will be accepted until this Friday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).

I'll announce the winner on Book Readers Central on Saturday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Book Reader's Central are located in the footer of this blog.

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

And We Have a Winner!!! "Turbulance" by Dana Mentink

Congratulations go to Carol Wong, who won a free copy of Dana Mentink's suspense novel, "Turbulence" on Book Readers Central this week.

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by. Be sure and check back next week for another author interview and exciting giveaway.

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Whistlestop Book Review: "White Doves" by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Holly Weiss

A note from Holly: I feel honored to write this review. Because I won a copy of White Doves through a Book Readers Central giveaway sponsored by Janalyn Voigt, I met her online and formed a friendship.  I thank Janalyn for inviting me to guest post monthly reviews. I am grateful that our friendship has deepened. 


My Review:

White Doves author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter, explains how the post office in Romance, Arkansas came to be the inspiration for the second novel in her Romance Trilogy. The post office creates a unique hand-stamped postmark each year to use from February 1– 15. People often send wedding invitations and Valentine’s cards to the town to be re-mailed bearing the romantic postmark.  Such local flavor is the perfect setting for a romance between a postmaster and a mail-carrier. Ms. Vannatter playfully sprinkles her book with plays on words such as “mail,” “male,” and “Priority Male.”

Laken Kroft, new postmistress in town, doesn’t know what hit her when mail-carrier, Hayden Winters introduces himself. The story revolves around their relationship, however surprises abound when new characters are introduced and their presence brings twists to the plot. My favorite character, Brady, a boy in a wheelchair from a terrible accident, oozes forgiveness to those who have abandoned him.  His healing influence is a touching thread throughout the story. The author’s sensitive voice to handicapped accessibility is commendable.

Vannatter, a pastor’s wife, stay-at-home mom, writer, finds time to teach fiction writing workshops and speak at church conferences.  Her short stories have appeared in various periodicals.  A unique hobby of Vannatter’s is collecting seashells which she calls “proof of God’s intricate creation.”

This Christian romance novel is recommended for anyone whose heart has been captured by someone who has not yet found God. This Heartsong Presents book will be released April 2011.

Thank you to the author and Heartsong Presents for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are unbiased and wholly my own.

©2011 Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

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