​Yes, this is a week early, but hubby and I will be travelling next Monday. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I introduce our next Monday Spotlight guest, Claire Sanders and her inspiring historical novel, A Thousand Little Blessings.
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After many years of writing and publishing in the nonfiction world of academia, Claire turned her energy, humor and creativity towards the production of compelling romantic fiction. Claire writes captivating stories that fit the genres of contemporary, historical, and inspirational romance. Claire creates heroes any woman would want to be with and heroines who overcome all obstacles to find love. Written with wit and tenderness, her stories engage the readers’ hearts and imaginations. Readers will find themselves anxiously turning the pages to find out what happens next. Claire lives in the greater Houston area with her daughter and one well-loved dog. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her cooking, gardening, and dreaming of places to travel.
 
Fascinating! Please tell us more about yourself, Claire. I have just a few questions for you, and I can't wait to hear your responses.
 
1.      What was your inspiration for this story?  As Christians, we're taught to forgive those who hurt us.  But I've often struggled with the idea of how did one forgive oneself.  The theme of this story is learning to forgive yourself for mistakes.
2.      What is its take-away message?  I hope the readers will find "A Thousand Little Blessings" a thoughtful story with a message about forgiveness.
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 write whenever I can find the time.  I sometimes travel for research but most of my research is done through the internet and the local library.
4.      What’s your next writing project?  My work-in-progress is a romance set in 1910.  The working title is "The Baseball Bride".  It's about a girl who learned to play baseball alongside her four brothers.  When the town team needs her, will she break the rules and play in the most important game of the season?

Just for fun:
1.      Coffee or Tea?  Tea, please. 
2.      Snacks: Sweet or Salty?  I like all things sweet!
3.       Dream vacation  A year in the U.K. would be quite nice.
4.      #1 on your Bucket List.  Actually, the only thing I really wanted to do before I died was to have a child.  My daughter is now 20 years old.
 
Thank you! Take note, dear readers: Ms. Sanders has graciously offered the choice of an e-copy or print copy of A Thousand Little Blessings to one lucky commenter. So don’t forget to leave a comment below for your chance to win!

TITLE:  Daydreams (The Lewis Legacy Series Book 4)

AUTHOR:  JoAnn Durgin

DATE:  2012

STARS:  ****1/2

It's early December 2002, and Amy Jacobsen is living the dream: a job she loves with a trendy New York City magazine, a Manhattan walk-up inherited from her grandfather, and a busy social life without the unwanted complication of a steady boyfriend. During dinner one evening with her Wall Street financier brother, Mitch, she spies Landon Warnick at the next table. He's one of the most influential, successful and youngest magazine publishers in the country and one of New York's most eligible bachelors. 

After Mitch wrangles a meeting between the two, Landon wastes little time asking her to dinner. Usually wary of smooth men and romantic entanglements, Amy questions her sanity when they share a cozy carriage ride in Central Park and she comes *this* close to kissing him. Is it the joy and wonder of the Christmas season that's put stars in her eyes or the enigmatic, intelligent, challenging and incredibly handsome man? 

The following weekend, she travels to Louisiana to be a bridesmaid in a wedding and a reunion with Sam and Lexa Lewis and some of her dearest friends and fellow volunteers in TeamWork Missions. Headed down the aisle at the wedding, Amy's steps falter. Standing at the front is a groomsman who flew into town only an hour before, and she does a double take. What's Landon Warnick doing in her world, with her friends? Perhaps more importantly, why does he suddenly have a Texas drawl and a crescent-shaped scar on his forehead? Sharing a romantic dance at the wedding reception, she casts aside her better judgment and kisses him. She's lost her mind, and her heart might not be far behind, it seems. 

Let the adventure begin! Is the Lord showing her the "right" man for her heart or is Amy in way over her head? 

By the end of the first page of Daydreams, I found myself wondering how Ms. Durgin does it. How does she make me care so much about her characters when I’ve barely met them? Amelia (Amy) captured my imagination right away with her sassiness and sensitivity, and when Landon first entered her life, I could almost hear the swell of the string section. This was going to be interesting.

I especially appreciated Amy’s daring rescue of Tam, whom she’d barely met. The faith message in this story shone brightly and clearly, a very good thing, in my estimation.

The romance had some interesting twists, and I loved “meeting” the rest of the TeamWork gang again.
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I was given an e-copy of this book with the understanding that I would give it my honest review, and Daydreams earns four and a half stars from me. Recommended!

TITLE:  Wisdom Tree

AUTHOR:  Mary Manners

DATE:  2012

PUBLISHER:  White Rose Publishing

STARS:  ****

Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned. 

After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with. 

Carin O'Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with a man...especially a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake. 

But when Corey's antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan for them.

From an inauspicious introduction, Jake and Carin trudge the murky waters of relationship. Jake is trying hard to be the parent his brother needs, only to find his advice and disciplinary efforts ignored. Carin feels a bond with the troubled Corey even before she discovers their similar grief.

Mary Manners brings these characters to life in Wisdom Tree, and I found myself involved in their efforts to overcome the difficulties facing them, bringing them close, and pushing them apart. With a strong faith message and even a bonus devotional, Wisdom Tree is a story of redemption and hope.
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I received this book as a gift from the author, and it earns four stars. Recommended.