COTT: The Perfect Novel to End the Summer

Clash of the Titles' latest champion novel couldn't be more appropriate to the season. Just look at that cover! If you haven't had a get-away this summer, Becalmed might be your ticket.

COTT's readers have decided--this should be your next fiction adventure!

Becalmed

by Normandie Fischer

When a Southern woman with a broken heart finds herself falling for a widower with a broken boat,

it's anything but smooth sailing.

ISBN13: 9781938499616  

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Buy the book on Amazon

Buy the book on Barnes and Noble

About the Book:

Tadie Longworth doesn't spend much time worrying that she’s turning into one of Beaufort, North Carolina’s, spinsters. She has a gift shop full of her own jewelry designs and a sweet little sailboat to take her mind off the guy who got away. But now he’s back—with the fashion-plate wife he picked instead of Tadie—and he’s hitting on her again.

When widower Will Merritt limps into town with a broken sailboat and a perky seven-year-old daughter, he provides the perfect distraction—until that distraction turns into fascination when Tadie offers shelter during a hurricane. Over candlelit games of SlapJack and Monopoly, Jilly becomes the daughter she could have had and Will the man she always wanted. Only, he’s sworn never to let another woman in his life. Any day now, he’s going to finish those repairs, and that ship's going to sail—straight out of Tadie’s life.

What COTT voters had to say: 
Becalmed looks Amazing! Can't wait to get my own copy of it.
Keep Calm and Write On!
My hat's off to all of the authors! Writing, publishing and marketing is a huge job. I LOVE Normandie Fischer's Becalmed cover!
I've read Becalmed. Mature viewpoint and writing, a real relief from the usual shallow offerings of CBA.
Becalmed sounds like a book from which I could benefit right now.
I'm reading Becalmed right now and am enjoying it immensely. I've fallen in love with Jilly.
A wonderfully atmospheric novel of coastal North Carolina. Feel the humidity without breaking a sweat!
Having recently got to know Normandie Fischer, it's thrilling to find an author writing books, Becalmed and soon-to-be-released Sailing Out Of Darkness, that authentically express their heart yet at the same time are entertaining and accessible to many. Congratulations, Normandie!

 About the Author:

Normandie had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.

 Her life changed radically when she married the love of her life at an age when some would have said she was over the hill and way past her prime. (Clichés often speak the truth, don't they?) A lifelong sailor, she was delighted to find that Michael also longed to cruise lovely waters, which is what they did from Northern CA to Mexico, spending too-few years in the incomparable Sea of Cortez. Sea Venture, their 50' ketch, is back home in North Carolina now because Normandie's mama needed care. Still, it's gorgeous there, too, and she can write and edit from home as easily as she could on the boat.

Her two grown children, son-in-law, and two step-sons are handsome (or gorgeous, as the case may be), talented, and a delight. Normandie has a precious brand-new granddaughter born August 21. She just wishes they lived a lot closer to home.

Visit her website

Visit her blog


If you're an author, please consider entering your new release in COTT's monthly competitions. Information and submission guidelines are found here. Come back often to find a new favorite author from Clash of the Titles.

Meet the Author of Still Life in Shadows: Alice J. Wisler

About Alice J. Wisler

Our guest today is Alice Wisler, author of Still Life in Shadows, released this month by River North Fiction. Alice is also the author of these four Bethany novels: Rain Song, How Sweet It Is, Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation, which she labels as "truly Southern and fun."

Alice was born in Osaka, Japan, where her parents were Presbyterian missionaries. She is married and lives in Durham, North Carolina.

For more information about Alice, see: http://www.alicewisler.com/

Q & A With Alice Wisler

Tell us how you came to your faith in Jesus.

I grew up as missionary kid in Japan and always knew the Gospel. But I didn't really see Jesus as a personal friend until I was sixteen and in Alabama at a youth group. The kids there were singing and excited about Jesus.  That was so refreshing to me. I wanted the peace I experienced there and asked Jesus to basically, stay with me and not leave.  And all these years later, He has been faithful.

How old were you when you wrote your first real story and what was it about?

I was seven and it was called "Susie Has the Chicken Pops." Okay, so that might not be deemed as a real story, but I remember the impact it had on me when my first grade teacher asked me to read it in front of the class and then in front of the third and fourth grades!

Where did you get the idea for your latest book, Still Life in Shadows?

I saw a program on TV about dissatisfied Amish leaving their communities (Mose Gingerich was my inspiration) and thought, I have to write a novel about this! Gideon Miller is based on Mose—he helps Amish leave their Old Order lifestyles and relocate to North Carolina.

What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?

Forgiveness is a big theme. Also, to see another side of the Amish. They aren't perfect and need God's saving grace. Just like the rest of us. I think they have been too glorified and my ex-Amish friends would agree.

What part of this book did you enjoy writing the most and why?

I enjoyed writing from Kiki, a 13-year-old autistic girl's point of view. She is a fun character for me----very lively, and she has a keen perspective on life and God.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Sushi!  What can I say?  I grew up in Japan!

What are your hobbies other than writing?

Cooking and I get along well.  That's why all my novels have recipes in the back.

How does your faith play into your writing?

All my novels have grief and loss in them because those are evident within the world we live. I like to incorporate God's love and compassion into my stories. God certainly comforts me in my frail and broken state.

For more information about writing Still Life in Shadows, see: http://www.alicewisler.blogspot.com/2012/04/still-life-in-shadows-novel-without.html. 

To order a copy: http://www.amazon.com/Still-Life-Shadows-Alice-Wisler/dp/0802406262/. 

The Bookmobile Librarian

Liz Siedo, the librarian assigned to the bookmobile in Where Love Once Lived, and the one who rides with Brian everyday is a memorable character. She's always jolly, a bit nosey and opinionated, but everyone loves her anyway, except the head librarian who is a grump and who assigned Liz to the bookmobile to get her out of the library.

But, what most people don't know is that Liz's outlook is due to a strong belief in God. In reality, Liz has lived a difficult life. In this excerpt, Brian and Liz are alone on the bookmobile and he has admitted to her that he hasn't been in a church in more than thirty years and that he bought the bookmobile to impress Karen to try to win her back.

“It all makes sense now.” She paced in the narrow hallway of the bookmobile. “My husband, back in Holly Springs, North Carolina, was an alcoholic. I got counseling and begged him to get help, too, but he just kept drinking until it killed him. I took the insurance money and used it to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a librarian.”

“Good for you,” Brian said. “But I don’t see what this has to do with the bookmobile.”

“I’m coming to that.” Liz sat on the bench in front of his desk. “I heard the University of Texas had a great library science program, so I moved here.”

Brian wished she’d get on with it. They still had to set up for tomorrow’s runs, and he wanted to get home. He was thinking about calling Karen to see if she’d talk to him on the phone.

“So, you graduated and went to work for Austin Public Library.”

“Right. I hadn’t planned to stay here in Austin, but by the time I graduated, I was too involved in my church to leave. Besides, Michael liked it here, too.

“Michael? Who’s Michael?” He wished he hadn’t asked. This was taking forever. He looked at his watch.

“I haven’t told you about my grandson. He was living with us back home, and when I moved here, he came with me.” She looked sad all of a sudden. “That may have been a mistake. He’s in prison now.”

“Your grandson’s in prison? For what?”

“Driving under the influence,” she said. “Well, five convictions, actually. At least he can’t drink while he’s there. But getting back to what I was telling you. You know, why I think God put me here.” She pointed at the floor.

Brian checked his watch again. He didn’t have to be anywhere at a particular time, but maybe she’d take the hint and wrap up her story so he could go home. “Why?”

“It’s simple,” she said. “I’m gonna help you find God again.” She had a self-satisfied look on her face that was frightening.

Have you had the privilege of knowing a Liz?

The Bookmobile Librarian

Liz Siedo, the librarian assigned to the bookmobile in Where Love Once Lived, and who rides with Brian everyday is a memorable character. She's always jolly, a bit nosey and opinionated, but everyone loves her anyway, except the head librarian who is a grump and who assigned Liz to the bookmobile to get her out of the library.

But, what most people don't know is that Liz's outlook is due to a strong belief in God. In reality, Liz has lived a difficult life. In this excerpt, Brian and Liz are alone on the bookmobile and he has admitted to her that he hasn't been in a church in more than thirty years and that he bought the bookmobile to impress Karen and try to win her back.

“It all makes sense now.” She paced in the narrow hallway of the bookmobile. “My husband, back in Holly Springs, North Carolina, was an alcoholic. I got counseling and begged him to get help, too, but he just kept drinking until it killed him. I took the insurance money and used it to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a librarian.”

“Good for you,” Brian said. “But I don’t see what this has to do with the bookmobile.”

“I’m coming to that.” Liz sat on the bench in front of his desk. “I heard the University of Texas had a great library science program, so I moved here.”

Brian wished she’d get on with it. They still had to set up for tomorrow’s runs, and he wanted to get home. He was thinking about calling Karen to see if she’d talk to him on the phone.

“So, you graduated and went to work for Austin Public Library.”

“Right. I hadn’t planned to stay here in Austin, but by the time I graduated, I was too involved in my church to leave. Besides, Michael liked it here, too.

“Michael? Who’s Michael?” He wished he hadn’t asked. This was taking forever. He looked at his watch.

“I haven’t told you about my grandson. He was living with us back home, and when I moved here, he came with me.” She looked sad all of a sudden. “That may have been a mistake. He’s in prison now.”

“Your grandson’s in prison? For what?”

“Driving under the influence,” she said. “Well, five convictions, actually. At least he can’t drink while he’s there. But getting back to what I was telling you. You know, why I think God put me here.” She pointed at the floor.

Brian checked his watch again. He didn’t have to be anywhere at a particular time, but maybe she’d take the hint and wrap up her story so he could go home. “Why?”

“It’s simple,” she said. “I’m gonna help you find God again.” She had a self-satisfied look on her face that was frightening.

Have you had the privilege of knowing someone like Liz?