Monday, May 27, 2013

COTT: 2013 Laurel Award, Opening Soon!


Authors, take note! 

In NINE DAYS, Clash of the Titles opens its doors for submissions to the Laurel.


The Laurel is a contest available to any genre of Christian fiction published in 2012. The novels are judged by their audience—readers well-versed in Christian fiction yet not associated with the CBA industry.


Authors write for readers, so why not have readers be the judges?

With a submission fee of only $10, easy electronic submission, a bevy of prizes, and judges devoted to Christian fiction and author encouragement, the Laurel is a contest like no other.

But act quick! Slots are limited. To avoid overburdening our volunteer judges, we are limited in the number of submissions we can accept.

* All previous COTT champs whose winning novel was published in 2012 have an assured spot (fee waived) in the 2013 Laurel.


Submissions:
June 03, 2013-July 19, 2013 


For more details, please visit our site: http://www.clashofthetitles.com/p/the-laurel.html

Stay tuned for updates by 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Thanks to Google, I spent the day in London—without leaving my office.

Author having coffee atop St. Paul's Cathedral in London
In my Bookmobile Book 4, the vengeance squad goes to England looking for the man who stole Liz's bookmobile fund. Chris goes over first to visit Angela, but he's joined soon by the rest of the group.
 
The first day in London, I wanted Angela to show Chris around some and keep him awake so he could adjust his inner clock to London time. I decided on a bus ride from her flat near Victoria Station to St. Paul's Cathedral because I had done that once myself, for the same reason.
 
To make the trip more interesting, I wanted to point out the sights along the way. That's the reason I needed help from Google. I plotted a trip using Google Maps from Angela's flat to the church. Then, as I viewed the route, I switched to the photo view and looked for interesting landmarks along the way. Big Ben, London Eye, etc. But, I also saw other bits of information that might be interesting. Lots of black cabs, for example. Cars and busses driving down the wrong side of the road. Red double-decker buses everywhere.
 
Here's the scene that resulted. Keep in mind this is a first draft and it may change before the book is finished, or it may be totally deleted by my editor.
 
Scene 15:Scene 15:Scene 15:I closed Skype. "Is it time to go to bed yet?"
Angela looked at me like I was crazy.
"To sleep. I've been up all night."
"Didn't you sleep on the plane?"
"I may have. I guess I did some, but I feel so tired."
"That's jet lag. The best way to get past it is get on schedule here. You can imagine how much I travel so I know what works."
"Okay, but I need to get up and walk or something. That sofa of yours is looking good."
"How about a quick tour of the city? This is your first time here, right?"
I stood to keep from falling asleep at the desk. "Yes, but I'm in no condition for a tour. How about tomorrow?"
"I'm not talking about a long tour. Just a ride on a double-decker bus to keep you from falling asleep. We'll have a late lunch, grab some coffee to keep you awake, and see a few sights."
"And then I can go to bed?"
She laughed. "Yes. You can go to sleep early if you like. But not before eight."
"Good. Have you made plans for tomorrow?"
"Yes. I'll show you more of London. We're meeting Andrew in the pub downstairs for an authentic English meal."
"Andrew is coming here?" Andrew was Sarah's brother who had initially blamed me for letting her get killed. He apologized later after he learned the whole story. I hadn't talked to him again after that.
"He's not coming here. He lives in London."
"What does he want?" I remembered him talking about his contacts in London. Maybe he could help find Virgil. Or, was he talking about Angela?
"Nothing that I'm aware of. I told him you'd be here and he said he wanted to see you."
"Oh."
"By the way, he's a banker. I doubt if he knows how to break into accounts online as fast as you do, but he may be able to offer a few, how shall we say, more legitimate connections to banks and bankers."
"I'll keep that in mind. It'll be good to see him. Thanks for setting it up." Remembering my last encounter with Andrew caused me to think about Sarah. I never wanted to forget her, but I didn't know what Angela would think if she knew what was on my mind.
We climbed aboard the first red double-decker that came by on Victoria Street across from the building where Angela lived. She took care of my fare and we found seats on the upper deck, I got the window seat. It was cold outside, but not unbearable. I saw a sign that showed the temperature to be three degrees Celsius or thirty-eight Fahrenheit.
I trusted she knew best, but I longed for sleep. The heated bus made it harder to keep my eyes open. I took off my coat and held in my lap.
"I know you're drowsy," she said, "so let me tell you about where we are. Maybe that will help you stay awake."
I leaned my head against the glass, hoping its coolness would spark my attention. "Okay. But, first tell me why everyone is driving on the wrong side of the road."
"What do you mean? The Americans are the ones who drive on the wrong side."
"Hey. There's Scotland Yard." I pointed to a building we were passing with a sign identifying it. "Is that where you work?"
"I don't work for Scotland Yard. You know that. They're like your city police. I'm more like your CIA."
"So where's your office?"
"We'll it's not marked like Scotland Yard."
"Is it near here?"
"We have many different locations."
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
I stared out the window and counted black cabs for a while and then saw a maroon-colored one. The people of the street all walked with purpose as if going somewhere important even though it was a holiday.
"There's Big Ben!" I said.
"Right. Or, the houses of parliament."
"Oh, and there's that new Ferris wheel I saw on the news. It's huge."
"It's called the London Eye," she said.
The bus turned left before the bridge that would have crossed the River Thames and taken us to the side where the London Eye was. We followed the water line and I saw boats on the river, mostly large ones that looked as if they might be small restaurants. A few people walked along the tree-covered walkway between the street where we were and the water. There was another sidewalk beyond a wall closer to the river. I imagined the area would be full of tourists during warmer times of the year.
We passed a tall, slender monument of some type that came to a point on top. "What's that?" I asked, pointing back to where it stood between us and the river.
"That's called the Cleopatra's Needle. It's an Egyptian obelisk. There's one like it in New York City and a similar one in Paris."
We continued along the river for a ways.
"That's the Waterloo Bridge we're coming to. Someday we'll look at a map and I'll show you all the bridges that cross over the Thames."
As we approached the underpass I looked up and saw three red double-decker buses crossing the bridge.
Just as we turned left off the road that paralleled the river, Angela pointed. "That's Blackfriar Station."
"That's another thing I want to do while I'm here."
"What's that?"
"I want to learn how to use the underground. I hear it is a great way to get around."
"It is. I almost took you on it today, but I thought sitting up here on the bus would show you more and keep you awake better. But, we'll be riding the underground a lot I'm sure."
Angela leaned across me toward the window. "We're going to get off in a couple of blocks. I know this place that makes the best pizza in town. It's like Naples pizza, if you know what I mean."
I didn't, but I assumed it was good.
I followed Angela off the bus and she led the way to the pizza place. It wasn't one of the chains we had in Texas. As soon as we entered I know they used a wood oven, the smell was heavenly.
"Let me order," Angela said. "Get us a table."
I found a place near the window so I could watch the people go by. I hung my coat over the back of my chair. Angela returned with two large glasses of cloudy liquid.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Lemonade. Not exactly a winter drink, but I thought it might help you stay awake. They make this fresh from lemons from Naples."
I took a sip that turned into a gulp. "Excellent choice," I said.
"The owners came from Naples about ten years ago and their pizzas are made the same with the first pizzas were made there. I ordered one with tomato slices instead of a meat. I think you'll like it."
As she talked, I looked. She had a cute smile when she was happy and her whole body took on a sense of happiness when she talked about something she was interested in. Even pizza.
A young woman with long dark hair brought a large pizza and two plates.
The first thing I noticed was how thin the crust was. I was used to a much thicker one. But after taking a bite, I know why Angela liked this place. Delicious.
We at silently for a while and I savored every mouthful.
"Okay," she said. "Next stop is the coffee shop. That pizza woke you up, but I'm not any chances."
The coffee shop was across the street from the pizza place. When we got there, Angela pulled a silver Thermos out of the large handbag she carried.
"Fill this up, please," she said to the barista. "No need to rinse it first. It's clean."
After placing the filled Thermos in her handbag, she headed toward the door.
"I thought we were going to have coffee," I said.
"We are. Just hold on."
I followed her as she walked briskly away from the coffee shop. Up ahead I could see a large building with a dome on top.
"What's that?" I asked.
"That's where we're going next. That's St. Paul's Cathedral."
We continued along the sidewalk until we were in front of the enormous church.
"I recognize this place. Those steps especially. What movie would I have seen of this church?"
"You're probably thinking of Mary Poppins."
"That's it. Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. Right?"
"That's right. There have been other movies made around and in the church. One of the Harry Potter movies and the latest Sherlock Holmes movie."
Angela led me to a wide stair case in a corner of the church. We started up.
"Where does this lead?" I asked.
"You'll see. Not only will this keep you awake, you'll be truly amazed when you get there."
There weren't many others on the stairs. We finally reached an area where we could walk all around the dome.
I looked down. "You're right. This is beautiful."
She laughed. "This is the whispering gallery. We're only about a third of the way to where we're going."
I looked up, but didn't see any way to go further.
"Follow me," she said.
She led me to a smaller stairway. One where we had to stop and twist for people coming down. After what seemed like forever, we reached a point where we went outside.
"Ah, this is it. Beautiful," I said.
"No. This is the stone gallery. We're about two-thirds the way to the top now."
Soon, she was walking up and I was following. When she finally stopped, I knew I was there.
"Here we are," she said. "The golden gallery. Eighty-five meters from the cathedral floor. Five-hundred and twenty-eight steps."
My mind converted meters to feet automatically. Two-hundred-eighty-seven, almost two-hundred-eighty-eight feet. But I didn't care. The view was unbelievable. Cool wind whipped around us, but it wasn't all that uncomfortable. I walked all around the top of the dome looking at the city below from different vantage points. When I got back to where I'd started, I found Angela sitting on a wall drinking a cup of coffee. I pulled out my cell phone and took her photo.
She passed the silver cup, the Thermos lid, to me. Smoke rose from the liquid. The smell of fresh coffee was awakening in itself. I took a sip, still holding my phone in my other hand. I passed the cup to her.
"What time is it back home now?" I asked.
She looked at her watch. "About eleven-thirty in the morning."
"Is that Austin time?"
"Yes."
"Then, nine-thirty in California. I'm going to call my mother."
I tapped in the number and waited. Angela shook her head, but smiled and handed me the coffee cup when my other hand was free. Another couple popped through the opening to our level and stared at me like I was crazy. I don't know if it was because of the coffee or the phone, and I didn't care.
"Hello."
"Mom. Guess where I am?"
"London, I hope. That's where you said you were going."
"Yeah, but where in London?"
"I have no idea."
Angela took the cup from me and refilled it. She took a sip and motioned it toward me. I shook my head.
"I'm on the very top of St. Paul's Cathedral with Angela. We're having coffee here."
"Is that allowed, dear? Doesn't seem like a good place for a picnic."
"We climbed five-hundred and twenty-eight steps, Mom. We're resting up for the walk back down."
"Okay, dear. Just don't spill any coffee and be careful on the way down."
"Okay, Mom. Love you." She didn't understand. She'd have to see the place to know what I meant.
That was the highlight of the day. When we finished our coffee we made the trek down to the street and took the underground back to Angela's flat. She made coffee in an effort to keep me awake a little longer while I waited on the sofa.

Monday, May 20, 2013

COTT: Lexi's Heart, A Romance for Mothers




LEXI’S HEART
by Delia Latham

COTT’s Image Creator, Delia Latham, is excited to announce a new e-Novella in the ongoing Heart’s Haven collection she co-writes with three other Pelican Book Group authors: Tanya Stowe, Marianne Evans and Mary Manners.


First in a collection of four Heart’s Haven Holiday romances, LEXI’S HEART is the Mother’s Day feature. Follow-up holiday stories will include Independence Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Here’s a blurb:

Forty-three-year-old Lexi Carlisle’s abusive marriage ended three years ago. Deeply scarred by the experience, and helplessly watching her beloved mother succumb to Alzheimers, Lexi is devastated. After selling her fancy home, she rents a cottage in Heart’s Haven, a special place unlike any other. Slowly learning to live again, she despairs of ever delivering the message of love that burns within her heart for her ever-worsening mother. But Mitch Gaynor, a handsome Christian author, reminds Lexi that with God all things are possible, planting within her battered and distrustful heart the seed of hope for a miracle. But can she open her fortressed heart to God? And is Mitch a part of His plans for her future?


Her Heart. His faith. Love Reborn.


The Heart’s Haven Collection started last October with Delia’s book, Jewels for the Kingdom, followed by Evans’ Operation Breathless, Stowe’s Leap of Faith, and Manners’ Dance with Me. Each Heart’s Haven e-Book is set in Angel Falls—a lovely but fictional small town in East Texas. More specifically, all stories focus on the tenants of Heart’s Haven, a one-of-a kind cottage-rental complex owned by a crotchety old guy named Andrew Hart. Folks ‘round those parts believe old Hart actually sees and speaks with angels, and that Heart’s Haven is a favorite hangout for the heavenly creatures. The taciturn gentleman has never come right out and corroborated that rumor. ‘Course, he hasn’t come right out and denied it either.


But then, lots of things are said about Heart’s Haven. Some folks think the place makes folks fall in love. And to add grist to that rumor mill, each little cottage on the property sports a sign hanging over the gate, carved with the sweet blessing: May love find all who enter here.


Thing is, it usually does.


You’re invited to hang out with the Heart’s Haven gang any time. Come on over and find out who’s falling in love with whom, and what the angels are up to around Angel Falls, Texas. We’re not hard to find—Angel Falls isn’t big enough to get lost in. If you don’t find us kicking back in the rec room at Heart’s Haven, we’re probably having a barbecue…or wedding…or something else we came up with so we could all get together at one of the following places:



We love company, so don’t bother to knock—just come on in!

Born and raised in a place called Weedpatch, DELIA LATHAM enjoys multiple roles as a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, but especially loves being a princess daughter to the King of Kings. She’s got a “thing” for Dr. Pepper and absolutely loves hearing from her readers. Delia writes inspirational romance, and is currently contracted through White Rose Publishing and Vinspire Publishing.

You can contact her at an of the following locations:



Facebook

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Meet Barbara Ann Derksen

Today, we introduce Barbara Ann Derksen. I'm reading her latest novel, Shadow Stalker, now and will post a review later. But, I couldn't wait to tell you about her and the book.
 
Barbara tells me watching the expressions on the faces of her readers, as well as answering questions about her characters, drives her to write yet another book and another. Her favorite genre is murder mystery but each book brings forth characters who rely on God to solve puzzles in their lives.
 
In addition to her novels, Barbara’s devotionals are sought after each year when she publishes a new one that reflects what God has placed on her heart. From Straight Pipes, her first, to More Than Bells, Preparation for Prayer, the latest, Barbara’s devotions take people to the place where God can touch their hearts and leave a lasting impression. When people stop by her table for the latest, they talk to her about using the devotions in their chapter meetings, or their personal devotions. Some men return at their pastor’s request because the books are used as launch pads for men’s bible study. Many copies have been passed on to new believers for discipleship tools.
 
Born in Canada, Barbara lived in the United States for 12 years. While in the United States her writing surfaced as she worked under contract as a journalist for six years with over 2,500 articles published in newspapers and magazines during that time. Meeting and interviewing people, digging for the hidden gems in their lives, made those years informative as well as instructive. She began attending Colorado Christian Writer’s Conferences and each year, under the tutelage of great Christian writers such as James Scott Bell, Angela Hunt, and others, she honed her skills.
 
Barbara developed a speaking platform and has spoken across the United States and in Manitoba, Canada for women’s groups and in church services on topics such as The Writing Experience, working in the ministry of Christian Motorcyclists Association, Love, Parenting, Time Management, and a host of others.
 
With 17 books to her credit, one currently inactive and awaiting revision, each one surpasses the last, according to her readers. They look forward to discovering the new characters in a new series Finders Keepers. Book One – Shadow Stalker – has just been released.
 
Writing, however is simply a tool to be used in the ministry she shares with her husband. With his gift of music (he sings country gospel), they operate CatchFire Ministries, a ministry to bikers through Christian Motorcyclists Association. They travel for four to five months every summer in the United States and the rest of the time in Canada where they seek to inspire, encourage and invite people into a deeper ministry with Jesus Christ. They also minister at Veterans Homes and churches along the way and are about to begin a ministry to Juvenile offenders incarcerated at Manitoba Youth Center. The mysteries include a gospel message that opens her readers to the possibility of reading books written from a Christian World view and supply funds for CatchFire.
 
~~~
 
An ominous shadow hangs over her, as Christine Finder, alias Melissa Rompart, visits the brutal slaying of her parents most nights in a dream.  The threat of discovery propels her to search for the whereabouts of the killer to see the man brought to justice. In the meantime, the killer stalks her mind while she operates Finder Keepers, an agency that searches for the people her clients hire her to find. Nathan Brent is only four years old and missing. Will she find him in time or will the killer find her first?
 
For more information or to contact Barbara Ann Derksen:
 
Amazon author page - http://amzn.to/KLEDab
Facebook fan page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/EaglesNest/205663322735
Shadow Stalker page on website (read excerpt and order) - http://www.barbaraannderksen.com/bookstore/shadow-stalker-book-1-finders-keepers-series/
 
 
 

Monday, May 13, 2013

COTT: Featuring the Latest in Christian Historical Fiction




CAPTURED BY MOONLIGHT
Prisoners to their own broken dreams...

After a daring rescue goes awry, the parched north of India grows too hot for nurse Laine Harkness and her friend Eshana. The women flee to the tropical south…and run headlong into their respective pasts.

Laine takes a new nursing position at a plantation in the jungle, only to discover that her former fiancé is the owner…and that Adam has no more to say to her now than he did when he crushed her years ago.

Eshana, captured by her traditional uncle and forced once more into the harsh Hindu customs of mourning, doubts whether freedom will ever again be in her future, much less the forbidden love that had begun to whisper to her. Is faith enough to live on? Or is her Savior calling her home?

Amid cyclones and epidemics, clashing faiths and consequences of the war, will the love of the True Master give hope to these searching hearts?

PURCHASE ON:
* Review by Top Amazon Reviewer, Diana Flowers--"I have ten authors who are my favs...with Shadowed in Silk--Book One and Captured by Moonlight--Book Two, Christine Lindsay has made it into my top five!"
* Award-winning author Catherine West—"Christine Lindsay's attention to detail, witty prose and moving story line all blend together to create a treat for the senses, leaving the reader satisfied and completely satiated by the end."
* Award-winning, multi-published Author Jeanette Windle—"A worthy sequel to acclaimed debut novel Shadowed in Silk."


About the Author:
Irish-born Christine Lindsay writes award-winning historical novels. In Shadowed in Silk and Captured by Moonlight, Christine delights in weaving the endless theme of God’s redemptive love throughout stories of danger, suspense, adventure, and romance. The Pacific coast of Canada, about 200 miles north of Seattle, is Christine’s home.


Visit Christine’s website
Subscribe to Christine’s blog for inspiration 3 times a week
Drop by and ‘like’ Christine’s Author Facebook Page
Follow Christine on Twitter
Swap pictures with Christine on Pinterest

Monday, May 6, 2013

COTT: March 2013 Winner


The winner of Clash of the Titles' latest Clash is:


Forsaken Dreams
by
MaryLu Tyndall


Congratulations, MaryLu, two-time clash winner!

Special thanks to her competitors for their participation:
Sadie and Sophie Cuffe
Gina Holmes
Christine Lindsey
Noelle Marchand

About Forsaken Dreams: 

They Left Everything Behind to Build a New Southern Utopia

Colonel Blake Wallace has seen enough death to last a lifetime. Weary and disillusioned, he slumps beneath the weight of defeat and loss. With his entire family murdered by the North and his name appearing on a list of officers wanted for war crimes, Blake organizes a shipload of southerners who, like him, long to escape the horrors of war and start a new life in a verdant land called Brazil.

Eliza Crawford can barely remember the days of her youth spent in opulence and comfort at her Georgian home. She can't help but wonder how different her life would be had she not met her late husband, Stanton Watts, a general in the Northern army. Now a war widow, Eliza is rejected by both North and South. Desperate to keep her marriage a secret and escape her past and pain, she longs to start over again in Brazil.

But once the voyage begins, troubles abound. Dangers at sea  and enemies from within threaten to keep Blake and Eliza from the new life—and love—they long for.

PURCHASE:

Just when I think MaryLu Tyndall cannot write a more passionate, page-turning romance...she does! Forsaken Dreams is a worthy addition to your keeper shelf, melding adventure, love, and spiritual truths in soul-enriching ways. A blessed start to a new series! 
- Laura Frantz, author of The Colonel's Lady and Love's Reckoning


BACKSTAGE WITH MARYLU:

Several things inspired me to write my new Escape to Paradise series. First the history is so fascinating. I never knew that so many (tens of thousands) Southerners fled the South after the Civil War for greener pastures. Many went to Mexico, some out west, but several thousand went to Brazil. Their descendants still celebrate there today! Secondly I'm a big fan of the TV show LOST, in particular the jungle setting and the spiritual themes that ran through the show.

I love the supernatural and I saw an opportunity to write a story about a group of settlers who are in a sense, running away from their problems and from God, but who end up being part of an eternal plan that involves a battle between good and evil.   Forsaken Dreams is the account of their voyage to Brazil, during which the reader meets all the characters and discovers their individual reasons for running away.

Themes of forgiveness, bitterness, hatred, guilt, rebellion and even Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome are addressed as the colonists face several disasters that threaten their mission and their lives. During the trip, hints are given here and there that something much larger is at stake waiting for them in Brazil, something that originated behind the curtain of the natural world.

MORE ABOUT MARYLU:
A Christy Award finalist and best-selling author, MaryLu Tyndall dreamt of tall ships and swashbuckling pirates during her childhood years on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. With over a dozen novels published, she continues to pen her romantic tales while managing a home, husband, six adult kids, and three cats who have decided that her keyboard is the best place to sleep!  She believes that without popcorn and chocolate, life would not be worth living, and her sole motivation in life is to bring others closer to God.

For more information on MaryLu and her books, please visit her website at http://www.marylutyndall.com or her blog at http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/ or you can find her on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/MaryLu-Tyndall-Swashbuckling-Romance/175344859169475

Sunday, May 5, 2013

More Reader Mail


Wanda A. -- I loved the book (Where Love Once Lived). It made me cry. I have been in a relationship for twenty one years and we are still not married. It gave me hope that everything is possible with God's help. We just need to be reminded. Thanks for reminding me. Please keep writing. Send me an email at xxx with any of your other books. Thanks again! Wanda

Sent from my Kindle Fire

Facebook – I just finished your book "Where Love Once Lived", it drew my interest because my husband and I me on the bookmobile – He was the driver and I was the patron. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. I met him 33 years ago in Pasadena, TX it was love at first sight and still going.

Email from Reader – I am reading The Vengeance Squad now and am enjoying it. Having lived in Austin/Pflugerville/RR 26 for years, I can picture the scenes. As a cradle Episcopalian now Anglican, I relate as well.

Good job, Sid.

Email from Reader – I really enjoyed your book (Where Love Once Lived). Very inspirational.

Thank you.

Faye H -- Mr. Frost I just finished reading your book.  I have to say it was WONDERFUL!  I loved it so much and I am so glad I chose it.  There were so many things in the book, passages, scripture, prayers, and good clear thinking that it helped me so much.  I love books that are romantic and Christian.  I also love sci fi books, magic, fairy tales etc. 

You did an amazing job on this book and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone.  Thanks again for making my day!!!

Pat C. – Just wanted you to know that I read your new book "Love Lives On" and really enjoyed it. Didn't know so much could happen to one couple! Thanks for letting me know about it.

Peg C. – (re Love Lives On) A quick read and a real page turner!  I enjoyed the ongoing suspense and the way everything was resolved. 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Love Lives On – The Reviews Are In!


I am always surprised when I read book reviews and see what readers have to say. Many see things that I hadn't thought about or, at least, hadn't verbalized. I wish I could hire some of the reviewers to write publicity for the book. I also wish I'd had some of the reviews to use for the back cover blurb.

There are 54 reviews for the prequel, Where Love Once Lived, and they are still coming in. Those are much more varied than the eight five-star reviews received so far for Love Lives On. However, I'm sure we'll see a variety of reviews for the new book as time goes by.

Here's what we have so far on Amazon.com:

===========

Jim C. -- My reading had pretty much been confined to books about investing, computers, or medical science. That all changed when I learned about the books written by Sid Frost. I have just completed reading his most recent work Love Lives On. The story is quite interesting and I really enjoy the way that he uses real places from the Austin area and his use of characters that we have gotten to know from his previous books. The mystery and surprises keep coming, right up to the final page.

Lisa L. -- What I love about Sid's work is that he explores relationships between older people. How do those of us experience life from the point of having "been there and done that"? We approach life with certain expectations and experiences, and when we embark on a new relationship, how do we meld what we are with another person? And when crises hit, as they inevitably do, how do we chose to allow our spouse to help us, or can we learn to respond in a new way?

Love Lives On pulls together characters from Sid's other series to help Karen and Brian when she's sued in an emotionally and financially-draining frivolous lawsuit immediately after the wedding ceremony. Karen and Brian must figure out how to work together when aspects of the lawsuit become threatening to their physical welfare, as well as when an unexpected health crisis strikes Brian's family. I loved their honeymoon in Europe - I felt like I was there with them. Sid allows both Karen and Brian to tell the story from their perspectives. There's drama, there's romance, there's barbecue, there's danger and excitement...what's not to love?

Sid's story-telling comes from his personal experiences which he lovingly transfers to his characters. Karen and Brian are real people who learn to rely on each other besides the God whom they both trust. Don't we all want a piece of that?

Laura N. -- A sequel to Where Love Once Lived was highly anticipated by me. Being curious as I am, I simply had to know what would be happening in the characters' lives. Love Lives On answered the questions in my mind, with humor, a bit of romance and much mystery. Sidney blended the stories and characters into an exciting novel.

The occurrences in Love Lives On are very "real to life", and I am sure most readers will find themselves somewhere in the book; most could happen to anyone in one form or another. Yet, the manner which Sidney wrote this story, had me sitting on the "edge of my chair" at times. The characters blended so well; some the reader will like, dislike or plain "yell out loud" at the nasty things they may do or say.

Love Lives On brings hope, love, forgiveness and faith to the reader. I highly recommend this book, and anticipate the continuing adventure of Karen and Brian in the next novel.

B.J. -- You'll want to read both novels Where Love Once Lived and Love Lives On. Though both books can be read alone, if you're like me, you'll want to know more about what happens to the characters. I love series. You first meet Karen in Where Love Once Lived along with other characters who show up in Love Lives On as friends who help her in her time of need.

Love Lives On evoked emotions and made me laugh and cry at times. About midway, I didn't want to stop reading because I wanted to see what happened, and I had to make myself put down the book and go to bed with only five remaining chapters, which I quickly finished at my next opportunity. Karen's life becomes endangered and so do others as they try to help her, especially her friend, Cathy.

I loved the way the ending wove together for a surprise with forgiveness and God's purpose, as Karen insisted on discovering. While she could have chosen to throw money at problems to make them disappear as her new husband Brian offered to do more than once, she refused to do so because she wanted to know the whys and God's purpose. Why did God allow her to be sued? What possible good could come out of it? I won't include spoilers, but I'll just say that much good overcame evil.

I also loved how the author illustrated how easy it sometimes is to con trusting or vulnerable women. There's more than one surprise in this work of art. There is foreshadowing along the way.

This novel takes you on an adventure and a journey. I've never read one about Germany, a place I've never been. I found the places visited on their honeymoon interesting. To describe Love Lives On in a sentence, I'd say Love Lives On is a novel of love, learning to trust, and forgiveness. The ending was touching, and I loved it. There are some page-turning exciting incidents along the way as well. Grab both reads and enjoy them as I did.

Chris G. -- Love Lives On is a very surprising book with many unexpected twists in it. And of course it has the bookmobile in it, and the Squad in it. And a very unusual love story.
In a few places the story got confusing to me. The overall story was fast paced, suspenseful, and a great read.

Rollo N. -- Although this book is clearly a continuation of Frost's earlier Where Love Once Lived and brings back some characters from The Vengeance Squad it is a fully complete stand-alone novel. In the first few episodes of Love Lives On the story itself quickly and thoroughly introduces main characters, establishes the setting and sets the tone and pace (fast) for the novel. But, for anyone who enjoyed the first two this new one will be an absolute delight.

To avoid giving anything away I'm not going to comment on the plot's twists, turns and surprises but I do want to observe that the writing is solid throughout and the dialogs are exceptionally effective. Character's fears, aspirations, intentions, attractions and feelings are often revealed by what the characters do and say. Rarely does the narrator tell us what the actors' motivations or expectations are. In general the verbal interactions are natural, believable and totally in character. A consequence of this is a tendency for the reader to forget they are reading and to just absorb the story. Speaking as a reader that is great fun.

Carol B. -- I loved this book! What a fun combination to put romance and thriller together!

The romance part was very sweet. I thought Sid did a wonderful job of dealing with the real life reactions and issues a couple in their "mature years" would encounter--aging parents, children on their own, crazy ex-partners all while trying to have a honeymoon! He skillfully helps the reader feel the tension of the main characters as they put their college romance back together after a 30 year separation. A separation that was unnecessary if they had only talked to each other at the time!

You worry with them over things not said that should have been--an old pattern they both want not to follow them into this relationship. You feel the angst of trying to protect each other. Both main characters are aware of their knee jerk reactions and the effects on the other and yet, it still happens. Sid effortlessly weaves their faith into the dialogue so that it adds to the overall story. I appreciated that forgiveness, kindness, thoughtfulness and faith was consistent throughout their daily lives; it wasn't just a Sunday thing or turned to only in an emergency.

The thriller part? It kept me coming back. :) Just when you think life is going to settle and they can major on the romance another curve ball! And isn't that life? You can't leave Karen hanging upside down in her seatbelt! You have to know how all this crazy stalking ends so these people can have their honeymoon!

The writing -- It is a good writer who can put you in his characters shoes so that you feel their experiences! The action kept going. Secondary characters received adequate development so that you felt you knew them as well, and maybe even understood them in a way. I didn't feel the story line ever went flat and the editing was excellent. You pulled for the good guys and wanted to put the bad guys away! A nice ending leaves you wondering if there is one more coming.

It's an excellent read for those who like thrillers, or romance or both! I will be recommending Sid as an author. Everything he has written has been well done. I give it 5 stars!

L. Scribbler -- In Love Lives On, the second in the Christian Bookmobiles series, Sidney W. Frost continues to develop the story of star-crossed lovers Brian Donelson and Karen Williams introduced in Where Love Once Lived. Problems arise in the opening pages at Brian and Karen's wedding. An unexpected lawsuit awakens unhappy memories in Karen's past, and dealing with it causes conflict in their new marriage. A mysterious photographer trails them on their honeymoon; the driver of a black pickup terrorizes Karen. The suspense continues to build to a satisfying climax. Frost has the knack of moving the plot along with both mysterious and humorous incidents. His characters leap from the pages as real people with distinct personalities. Brian and Karen, two intelligent, loving, devoutly Christian, yet flawed individuals, have the maddening propensity for failing to share vital information in a professed effort to "protect" each other. Brian must come to accept Karen's desire to be independent, to follow her sense of what God is telling her. Members of the Combine and Liz, the lovable librarian, are back, along with Liz's team from Frost's The Vengeance Squad. Though written as a sequel, Love Lives On stands alone as a thoroughly entertaining read.

===========

Thanks everyone. These review were all five stars and all warmed my heart and gave me new insights into the story. I've also received a number of emails praising the book. I'll post those later.