Thanks to Delia Latham's generosity, Marie Bast's comment has won her a print copy of At First Sight, and a pdf copy of Treehouse.
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Congratulations, Marie!

Be sure to come back every second Monday for a new interview and possible chance to win a wonderful book.

This Monday's Spotlight guest is the talented and intriguing Delia Latham. And before you ask, YES, she is offering not just one, but two prizes to someone who leaves a comment below and answers our skill-testing (:)) question.

Without further ado, allow me to introduce this wonderful author..

Delia Latham is a born-and-bred California gal, currently living in East Texas with her husband Johnny. She’s a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend—but above all, she treasures her role as princess daughter to the King of Kings. Find out more about this author on her website, Facebook Author Page, or Twitter.  She loves hearing from her readers, so drop in and say hello—you’ll make her day!


Let's get to know her better!

1.      What was your inspiration for this story?

This is a Pure Amore novel. Pure Amore Annual Book-of-the-Month Subscription Club (through Pelican Book Group) was initiated a year ago in October. This is a book club that promotes chastity—purity—before marriage. I’m so excited about this program and its message. Find more information regarding the book club here. Several authors, as well as our publisher, Nicola Martinez, have short videos on YouTube talking about Pure Amore and its purpose. If you’d like to check them out, you’ll find them here.

I’ve always loved romances with a love-at-first-sight theme, and wanted to give it a whirl. That’s what inspired AT FIRST SIGHT. I also incorporated the fictional town of Riverbend, which is based a bit loosely on the beautiful little town of Three Rivers, California. I had such a great time working out this storyline! I hope readers get as much pleasure from the reading as I did in the writing.

2.      What is its take-away message?

Purity is always the running theme in the Pure Amore books—which doesn’t mean we “preach” chastity. Our storylines simply include a hero or heroine (or sometimes both) who are virgins, and have chosen to remain virgins until they marry, as the Bible dictates. So purity would be one of the take-aways. The other, in this book, is surrendering to God’s plan, as well as staying out of His way while He works out that plan. Sometimes we want to “help” Him along so badly that we impede the progress of His master plan. I know I’m guilty of that…

3.      Tell us a bit about your writing routine. Do you have set hours? Do you get dressed first? Do you travel for research? Where and when do you do your best work?

My writing routine has gone a little haywire in the past six months. Hubby and I moved from California to Texas in late February, to be near our children and grandchildren. We lived with our daughter while finding a house, and then endured the longest escrow ever. My routine was shot, and remains a little worse for the wear. That said, when things return to normal, I will (hopefully) return to my practice of doing most of my writing late at night, when the rest of the world is sleeping. No phone calls. No one knocking at the door, or dropping in to say hello. No distractions! It also allows me to write in my comfy pajamas. I don’t travel a lot, but when I do, I always watch for nuggets I can use in my books. I did go to Yosemite to research the setting for my first novel, YESTERDAY’S PROMISE. At the time, though, I lived only a few hours from that location.

4.      What’s your next writing project?

SUMMER DREAMS. It’s the second novel in the Paradise Pines series, which is based around a fictional lodge in the lovely seaside community of Cambria, California. Each of the four books is set in a different season of the year, and the heroine is the seasonal guest at the Paradise Pines Lodge, which is operated by Angelina Love. Miss Love is a sweet, but mysterious, lady who may…or may not…be an angel of love. The first book in the series, SPRING RAINE, is already written and in the hands of my publisher, but I don’t have a release date just yet. Watch for it!

Sounds great, Delia. I will certainly watch for it!

And now, just for fun:

1.      Coffee or Tea?

Neither. I’m a Dr. Pepper-aholic. Yes, even first thing in the morning. I savor that first drink of the day…mmmm! J

2.      Snacks: Sweet or Salty?

Definitely salty. Even as a child, I preferred a second helping of mashed potatoes to a slice of cake or pie.

3.       Dream vacation

Ireland. My mother had Irish roots, and I’ve always longed to go there. Every photo I’ve ever seen of Ireland has been absolutely gorgeous—and, of course, there’s that lovely Irish brogue…!

4.      #1 on your Bucket List

I’d love to rent a glass igloo in Finland and sleep beneath the Northern Lights. Of course, I’d have to get rich and famous so I could afford it. That means I need lots of readers to rush right out and buy my books!

Fascinating, Delia! Thanks so much. 

I'll bet you all want to know more about Delia's book At First Sight. You get your wish!

Blurb:

 Reagan Massey has gone through a great deal of trouble to make her cousin irresistible to the visiting single minister but things get a little sticky when Reagan falls in love with Cord Phillips herself.

Cord doesn’t believe in marital bliss after seeing the mockery his parents made of their vows. He’s promised himself he’ll live as the Apostle Paul lived, dedicating himself solely to God. When his heart turns traitor, Cord has to completely rethink his position on love.

 Things around Riverbend House of Worship take on some humorous, heart-touching, soul-stirring twists and turns, with Reagan and Cord so busy getting in God’s way that they can’t see the path He has laid out for them to travel—together.

 
Excerpt:

“Good morning.” A deep, pleasant voice shattered the silence with the force of an explosion.

Sucking in a sharp breath that caught like a too-big chunk of meat in her throat, Reagan sprang out of her chair, instinctively hurling her pencil toward the source of her reaction. Her other hand, flailing wildly, caught the financial ledger and sent it flying off the desk to skid across the floor. Frustrated, and focused on trying to perform yet another accounting miracle, Reagan hadn’t heard the door open.

“Oops! Didn’t mean to startle you. I’m truly sorry!”

He didn’t sound “truly sorry.” Barely restrained amusement is what Reagan heard in the intruder’s well-modulated tones.

She swallowed the strangling breath, but did not immediately reply. Instead she scooped the ledger off the floor and slammed it onto the desk. Without even pausing, she set off in search of her pencil, which was nowhere to be found—until it appeared right in front of her face, held by long, tanned fingers that see-sawed it playfully back and forth. Reagan jerked the Ticonderoga number two out of the offending hand and into her own. The familiar shape and weight of the writing instrument somehow restored a modicum of balance, and she turned a simultaneously embarrassed and heated gaze on the source of her unsettled state.

That’s when it happened.

Her heart performed a strange little bouncing dance that forced a gasp on her part, and then…simply threw itself at his feet.

Oh, puh-leeze, stop it! Uncle Stephen’s right. You read too many romance novels. That stops—right here, right now.

She swallowed hard, ignored the stuttering vacuum in her chest, and made herself make eye contact.

Wrong move.

Surely no other man in the entire universe possessed eyes like those. Blue…no, gray. A combination of both—blue-gray, and almost translucent against the dark olive of his complexion and beneath longish, sun-streaked, dark brown hair that skimmed the collar of a short-sleeved polo shirt. Even as she gazed in stunned silence, the stranger pushed a shiny strand of the stuff off his face.

The gesture reminded Reagan of the garish streaks in her own hair. Her hand jerked instinctively upward, but she caught herself and tucked that arm close against her side. Why draw attention to her unlovely locks? A slim chance remained that this tall drink of water hadn’t noticed the disaster on top of her head.

She gave herself a mental slap on the wrist and stood to her full height—which wasn’t unimpressive, at five feet and a full seven inches, but still seemed inadequate since she had to look up to meet the eyes of the impossibly perfect visitor. His cocky grin made her want to throw something far heavier than a pencil at him. Still, she managed to stretch her swollen lips into something she hoped resembled a smile and forced herself to appear cool (even as she longed for a super-duper-dandy fan to lower her raging temperature), calm (which she was not, as her hammering heart made it impossible to deny) and collected (ha!)


Ooh, that sounds marvelous! How can we purchase At First Sight?


Pure Amore books are available exclusively through Pelican Book Group’s “Pure Amore Annual Book-of-the-Month” subscription program. You’ll love all the sweet romances written with purity in mind.


ALL RIGHT, HERE'S DELIA LATHAM'S QUESTION FOR YOU, DEAR READER:


 FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRINT COPY OF AT FIRST SIGHT (US only, PDF elsewhere) PLUS A PDF COPY OF TREEHOUSE (also by Delia Latham), WE WANT TO KNOW, 


Do you believe in love at first sight? Answer with a comment, including your email address using (at) and (dot) to prevent spamming, and your name will be entered in the draw.

And readers, don't forget to  check out Delia's website and other links. 

Thank you, Delia, for visiting with us today and allowing us to get to know you better. It's been fun!

TITLE:  Awakening (The Lewis Legacy #1)

AUTHOR:  JoAnn Durgin

DATE:  2010

STARS:  *****

A God-fearing man. A God-seeking woman. For Sam Lewis and Lexa Clarke, it proves a combustible combination. Lexa Clarke signs up for a TeamWork Missions summer assignment expecting adventure in a far-off, exotic country. Instead, she's sent to sweltering San Antonio to help rebuild homes destroyed by sudden flooding. She survives the four-hour bus trip from Houston, dust in the lungs, a flat tire, a tool-throwing incident and a spitting goat - not to mention an inquisition from a distractingly handsome cowboy - all before reaching the work camp. TeamWork director Sam Lewis isn't sure what to think of his newest volunteer. She's feisty, witty, and incredibly pretty, but looks more prepared to board a cruise ship than build houses. Burned by a past betrayal, he's got a job to do, a reputation to uphold. Sam can't afford to be distracted by a woman who attracts animals, defies his rules, finds trouble at every turn and questions God's purpose.

Poor Lexa, so far out of her comfort zone when she arrives in San Antonio to volunteer with TeamWork. Unruly creatures and a “boss” who looks remarkably like the hunk on the cover of her hidden romance novel, as well as inhospitable weather and barren surroundings greet the petite but feisty young woman. And why does said boss, Sam Lewis, have to keep teasing her? Maybe it’s her responses, but heaven knows something is causing sparks between the two of them.

She really doesn’t belong. She’s not a super Christian like everyone else, and she’s well aware of how far she is from the standard that seems to be expected. But there are other important things to consider, too, like the dorm mate who seems afraid of her own shadow. And the tiny girl with the big, haunted eyes.

Author JoAnn Durgin has created a true romance in Awakening, and I loved the sparks—and the flames. But this is more than a love story. Awakening tells the story of the intersecting journey of two very human people who hunger for God’s love and their place in His plans, while dancing through minefields of relationships.

In fact, all the characters in Awakening and the rest of the Lewis Legacy series are multi-dimensional people who quickly come to life through the pen (or keyboard) of the talented Ms. Durgin.

I loved this story, and Awakening earns five stars. Highly recommended.

In our first Spotlight, Carrie Fancett Pagels graciously offered a free book to a commenter: In print (one of The Christy Lumber Camp Series Books: The Fruitcake Challenge, The Lumberjacks’ Ball, or Lilacs for Juliana) OR choose all three in Kindle format.

And the winner is: Barbara Bryant! Congratulations, Barbara!

If you could please send me your email address, using (at) and (dot) to prevent spam, along with which print book you'd like, or if you prefer all three of Carrie's Lumber Camp Series Books in Kindle format, your prize will soon be heading to you.


What a fantastic choice!

Thank you to everyone who entered this contest by commenting. Our next Spotlight will be next Monday, September 21, 2015, with another great author for you to meet.

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me… You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:1,5)

When Pastor Richard announced that he would preach on Psalm 139, I leaned toward my husband and whispered, “That’s Melody’s favorite psalm!”

His response was a silent quirk of his lips. Because, of course, Melody is the main character of my first novel. But she and I share a few characteristics, and our favorite psalm is one of them.

Psalm 139 assures me, whenever I need the reminder, that I am precious to God. I need that a lot.

One of those times was a few years ago, while my mother still fought cancer. I’d driven nine hours to spend time with her and Dad, and the night before my long, lonely drive home, I couldn’t sleep.

I knew the drive would be stressful and exhausting, I knew I needed to sleep, but sleep eluded me. I kept picturing I-5, that busy stretch of freeway through Tacoma, Seattle, Everett—all the way to the Canadian border. Yeah, stressful. Up to eight lanes wide, it gave me nightmares even though my eyes remained wide open.

Finally, I picked up my Bible and let it fall open to my favorite Psalm. Verse 5 jumped out at me: “You hem me in—behind and before…”

It was, indeed, a lightbulb moment. I saw God’s hemming as a cushion of protection, like a divine bubble wrap.

Peace flowed when I prayed, “Dear Lord, please do hem me in. Not just in front and in back of my car as I drive, but on both sides. I need Your protection. Wrap Your holy barrier around me and keep Your hand on me, I pray in Jesus’ name.”

I turned off the light and slept.

The next day, with praise and worship music turned up, I sang, prayed, and drove all the way home. God’s heavenly bubble of protection kept me safe.

Thank you, Jesus!

In the last couple of years, I’ve met (online) several wonderful authors, and in my quest to share great things with you, my dear readers, this blog will spotlight one of these lovely writers every two weeks for the next several months—indefinitely, if interest continues. J

Today I am pleased to introduce Carrie Fancett Pagels.

Welcome, Carrie! Thanks for visiting and letting us get to know you better.

Former “Yooper” Carrie Fancett Pagels writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn't "cured" by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading—but not all at the same time!  

Now for our question/answer time:

1.        What was your inspiration for this story?

The original book in the series, The Fruitcake Challenge, was inspired by my mother having grown up in a lumber camp run by my grandfather. I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where there were tons of lumber camps. As I grew up, I got to meet many “retired” lumberjacks. But I’d say a big inspiration was growing up on the Paul Bunyan stories! My what if was – what if you had this tiny little librarian who met this huge lumberjack and brought her Paul Bon Jean (original stories were of this character!) to life!

 2.        What is its take-away message?

Unforgiveness has consequences and also some differences between people, such as age and education, aren’t most important in a relationship. God looks deeper than those things.

 3.        Tell us a bit about your writing routine. Do you have set hours? Do you get dressed first? Do you travel for research? Where and when do you do your best work?

I’ve been super busy this past year with a bunch of releases but I’d describe myself as a focused but flexible writer. I’m most productive, when working on a new manuscript, by working in solitude. Sometimes that means I have to get up before my son has risen. Or when he has gone somewhere. I find I’m distracted by others when I’m doing new writes. I do my best work on my deck in back of the house. I type at the picnic table, overlooking my back yard, which is full of pretty trees. As far as getting dressed, this may sound a little crazy but because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteo-arthritis I’m usually dressed—I sleep in knit clothing such as a t-shirt and capris, because I’m often too stiff in late evening and early morning, and so that means I only have to change after my shower. But if I am under pressure for a deadline I will sometimes change into “work” clothes such as a nice pair of pants and a blouse. I was a psychologist for twenty-five years, I know the impact that dressing up can make on work production. But normally I don’t need to do that.  I prefer to work with a critique partner but currently both of my partners are out of the loop. That means my freelance editor will likely be pretty busy. Normally, I’d complete several chapters and send them to my critique partner. Then I move on and write the next section. When the critiques come back, I then try to edit that section. However, if I am on a roll with my writing—I don’t do that. I wait until I have a pause. Then I do the corrections and send that on to my editor.  After corrections from the editor are accepted then I send those to the Beta readers for review.  As far as travel—I travel a lot for writing as I find it both inspires me and makes my scene writing more accurate.

 4.        What’s your next writing project?

I’m completing The Substitute Bride, a novelette in the O’ Christmas Town Series which releases in October.  I’m also writing a horse race story, this fall, for a novella in The Sporting Chance Collection from Forget-Me-Not Books. And I’ve been offered a contract with Barbour Publishing for The Wedding Quilt, in The Blue Ribbon Brides collection! That is due to the publisher in April.

 Just for fun:

1.      Coffee or Tea? Tea for sure!

2.      Snacks: Sweet or Salty? Both!!

3.       Dream vacation – I LOVE going to Mackinac Island and my hubs isn’t all that keen on it. A dream vacation would include very happy husband and son with me on Mackinac Island and around the Straits of Mackinac. We’d have a boat at our disposal, too!  And an unlimited vacation fund!!!

4.      #1 on your Bucket List: We want to go to the National Parks out west in 2017 BUT a river trip in Europe would also be on my bucket list!

 
Who wants to win a prize? One commenter will!

Carrie Fancett Pagels has graciously offered a free book to a commenter: In print (one of The Christy Lumber Camp Series Books: The Fruitcake Challenge, The Lumberjacks’ Ball, or Lilacs for Juliana) OR choose all three in Kindle format.

 
And now, gentle readers, here is the blurb for Carrie Fancett Pagels’ latest book, Lilacs for Juliana, book three of the Christy Lumber Camp series.

When a new lumber camp boss comes to town, will the librarian find her lumberjack dreams come to life? Or will a wealthy beer baron sweep her away in a quest to organize his personal library?

Petite Juliana Beauchamps possesses a vivid imagination, which comes in handy as a librarian. When a handsome giant of a lumberjack comes to town and rescues her from possible tragedy, she’s shaken by the event. A dashing beer baron, James Yost, from Milwaukee, also pursues Juliana’s attention.  Meanwhile, a library trustee determines to push out the female librarians.

Set in 1891, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Book Three in The Christy Lumber Camp Series focuses on Richard “Moose” Christy, the youngest of the sons, as he prepares to manage his first lumber camp. When Yost hires Juliana to organize his personal library, and her letters from Wisconsin suggest foul play, will Richard need to save her once again? And will his secret need to be revealed to win her heart?

Lilacs for Juliana is a delightful tale set in St. Ignace, Michigan, in 1891. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a rugged land of rocks, towering pines, vast water, and in 1891, strong, handsome lumberjacks.

Mix one of these handsome fellows, Richard Christy, and a dainty librarian, Juliana Beauchamps, with some misunderstandings, potent attraction, crossed lines of communication, and unsettling secrets, and you’ve got a wonderful love story.

Ms. Pagels uses historic details to add great drama and paint a realistic picture of life in rustic St. Ignace and the lively city of Milwaukee.

I enjoyed Lilacs for Juliana, and give it four and a half stars.

By commenting, you get a chance to win a copy (see above).

In case your name isn’t the one drawn, here are the links to purchase this sweet romance:

Purchase link for this book: Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Lilacs-Juliana-Christy-Lumber-Camp-ebook/dp/B013ZB47AY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1441240883&sr=8-1

Paperback - http://www.amazon.com/Lilacs-Juliana-Christy-Lumber-Camp/dp/0692521577/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1441240883&sr=8-1