Book Spotlight: Season for Miracles by Clare Revell

A Killer lurks in Headley Cross…

…And Holly Carmichael is the only woman to survive his attack. Now she lives in fear, searching for normalcy and trying to put her life back together. When she meets Kyle Stevens, he turns her world upside-down. He’s as exasperating as he is appealing. How can Holly make sense of her awakening feelings when she’s so unsure of Kyle? His voice is familiar, he’s left-handed, and he wears the serial killer’s cologne. Who is he…really? As Holly struggles to restore her damaged faith, she must find the strength to trust once again—in Kyle and in God.

Kyle Stevens isn’t ready to live again. Racked by guilt, he’s afraid to feel. His sole focus is finding the Headley Cross serial killer—his girlfriend's murderer. That is, until he meets Holly Carmichael. He’s drawn to Holly, vows to protect her where he failed to protect his former love. But Holly makes him feel again, emotions quickly morphing into something much more dangerous to his hardened heart.

When the serial killer returns to finish what he started, only a miracle can save them…but then, it's the Season for Miracles.

Read an excerpt!

Kyle’s voice came from a long way off, and Holly had to concentrate to hear it. “I’m sorry, Holly. He’s normally pretty well behaved, but he’s never seen snow before and is a little over-excited. Plus he was on his own all day yesterday. Are you all right?”

Holly nodded. The headache upped a notch. That was a stupid thing to do.

“Can you stand?”

She moved her head a little as Kyle helped her to her feet. She brushed the snow from her coat and tried to focus on the man. His hat, pulled down over his ears, hid his hair. Her head pounded, stars danced in front of her eyes, and it was all she could do to stand upright.

I want to sit down. Please, let me sit down. The words echoed in her mind, but she wasn’t sure she’d said them aloud. He didn’t respond.

His deep voice reverberated as he pulled off his glove. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

Holly nodded for a third time. She had a huge lump in her throat and she struggled to breathe. Her legs didn’t want to hold up, but she didn’t want a fuss. Fingers tingled inside her glove where he held her hand. His grip kept her upright.

Kyle’s other hand cradled the back of her head. Holly winced as he found and examined the lump. His touch increased the pain by a magnitude of five. Kyle checked his fingers and relief crossed his face at the lack of blood. “Holly? Please, say something. Otherwise I’ll have to assume Orion ate your tongue.”

Read the reviews!

"This is definitely a book worth reading for it has everything just right for the season: God and hope. Great job and I definitely would read more of her books to come."

--Happily Ever After Reviews

" A nice combination of romance and suspense (not to mention holiday), it has something for everyone."

--Laura Briggs, author of Only in Novels

"If you're looking for a sweet romance, with true to life struggles, mixed with a gentle faith, you won't want to miss Ms. Revell's book, SEASON FOR MIRACLES."

--JoAnn Carter, author of Daniella and Sweet Rest

PURCHASE SEASON FOR MIRACLES FROM WHITEROSEPUBLISHING.COM! ALSO AVAILABLE IN A KINDLE EDITION!

Clare Revell is a wife and mother of three grown children. She is the author of Saving Christmas and Season for Miracles. She likes to read, write, and cross-stitch.

You can find Clare online at:

www.revell124.plus.com/clarerevell

on Twitter @CLRevell and

Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clare-Revell/108220625877716

Movie Review: Eloise at the Plaza

This 2003 TV movie is based upon the Eloise books by Kay Thompson and includes some of the drawings by Hilary Knight.

Eloise, played by Sofia Vassilieva (now seen on Medium), is an imp of a girl, living in New York's Plaza Hotel, along with Nanny, played by the talented and lovely Julie Andrews. Her mother is currently in Paris, so she pretty much has the run of the hotel, which creates many headaches for Mr. Salomone (Jeffery Tambor). While driving her tutor to distraction and running up ridiculously high tabs at the hotel, Eloise is determined to find the Prince of Kushin, so she can ask him to take her to the debutante ball.

I have to admit, despite Eloise's often annoying behavior, I enjoyed this movie. She lives her life the way she sees fit; she doesn't let rules get in her way; and through her innocent look at the world, manages to help the lonely prince, a boy she knows only as Leon (Kintaro Akiyama), cope with the loss of his mother and bring him closer to his estranged father. And if that's not enough for one little girl, she also plays matchmaker for Molly Daniels and Nanny.

I would hope that children wouldn't try half of Eloise's antics, as they wouldn't be appreciated by the adults in their lives, but Eloise says some very profound things, like when she tells Leon he must tell his father how he feels about being sent away to boarding school.

After watching Eloise at the Plaza, I am eager to see Eloise at Christmastime, which brings back much of the cast from this movie and adds in some new characters.


Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 1
Rated: G
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: November 11, 2003
Run Time: 89 minutes

This DVD is from our family collection. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Spare Time Hobbies--Cross-stitch

My mémère (grandmother) introduced me to cross-stitch when I was around ten years old. Over the years I have completed numerous cross-stitch projects. When I first began, I used stamped cross-stitch projects, where the image was stamped--usually in blue ink--onto the fabric, and I simply had to use needle and embroidery floss to cover the stamp, ending up with a beautiful picture.

For many years now, I have preferred counted cross-stitch, which is where you purchase a kit or just the supplies--hoop, floss, Aida cloth, and needle--and create an image using a pattern. Craft stores, such as JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores, sell these supplies, in addition to many pattern books. We have a JoAnn's close by, and the problem is that when I visit, I usually end up buying more than I went in for.

The nice thing about crafting is that it allows me to spend time with my girls. They enjoy cross-stitch, plastic canvas, painting, and drawing.

What are some of your spare time hobbies? Do you work together on projects with other family members?

Book Spotlight: Saving Christmas by Clare Revell

Rather than do the expected thing, Christmas Daniels, pursued a high powered career in London, flying across the world, never being home long enough for anything. When her father is taken ill, she returns to Hollies Christmas Emporium, an all year round Christmas shop to run it in his absence.

Matt Pringle, store artist and accountant, doesn't make a good impression on his new boss when he accuses her of stealing his parking space. Wanting to make up for it, he tries to impress her, but ends up falling for her instead.

When the store is threatened with closure, Christmas, who insists on being called Chrissie sacrifices everything to try to save it. A committed Christian, Matt knows that Chrissie needs saving just as much. Will their growing attraction help Matt save Christmas before it’s too late?

Read an excerpt!

Taking a deep breath, he stuck out a hand. “Can we start over? My name’s Matt Pringle. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Daniels. How’s your father doing?”

Her hand was cool, yet her touch burned him. “It’s Chrissie, please. I called earlier and they said he had a good night. I can go in at two. Now this parking space of yours...”

“It’s yours. I can walk. It’s not that far and I have an umbrella. I’m sorry I was late.” He looked at her. “I’ll go and get started.”

“Sure.” Chrissie flopped down at the desk. Matt looked at her. Her skirt was wet, her shoes ruined and she looked exhausted. Her blue eyes and black hair looking almost bedraggled, if eyes as lovely as hers could look bedraggled. She was the most amazing woman he’d ever seen.

Matt turned and left the office, almost colliding with Grace and a tray of tea and biscuits as he went down the corridor. “Sorry, Grace. Say, what do you know about her?”

“Chrissie? Known her for years. She hates her name with a passion. Her parents expected her to run this place when she graduated, but she chose a partnership in a large firm in London instead. Shame really, the job changed her, she doesn’t have time for anything anymore.” Grace smiled at him. “Trust me, not even you can work your magic on our Christmas Ivy Daniels.” She headed into the office, pushing the door shut behind her.

Matt pursed his lips. He couldn’t let that happen. There was something about her; something lost that drew him to her. She was lost and needed help, whether she knew it or not—and he was determined to give it to her.


Read the reviews!
 
"What a wonderful, heartwarming little book! I loved it from page one."
 
--Delia Latham, author of Destiny's Dream
 
"Clare Revell does it again with this beautiful story of hope and redemption."
 
--Mary Manners, author of Tender Mercies
 

SAVING CHRISTMAS IS AVAILABLE AS A $1.00 DOWNLOAD FROM WHITEROSEPUBLISHING.COM! IT IS ALSO AVAILBLE IN A KINDLE
EDITION FROM AMAZON.

 

Clare Revell is a wife and mother of three grown children. She is the author of Saving Christmas and Season for Miracles. She likes to read, write, and cross-stitch.

You can find Clare online at:

www.revell124.plus.com/clarerevell

on Twitter @CLRevell and

Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clare-Revell/108220625877716

The Book Connection...: February Romance Novel Event: The Portrait by Haze...

Follow this link for details on how you can enter and win a copy of The Portrait by Hazel Statham.

The Book Connection...: February Romance Novel Event: The Portrait by Haze...

Book Spotlight: By the Book by JoAnn Carter

Perky 24 year old police dispatcher, Sarah Murphy, is held captive by images of her past. She doesn't trust men and is determined to hold onto her heart at all costs. Lieutenant Dylan Eldredge of the Hampton Police Department believes she’s the woman God has intended for him and is equally determined to have her for his wife. But can he prove he’s the man for her?

Read the excerpt!

 Dylan gestured toward Sarah. "Do you see that woman in line?"

Matt looked over his shoulder. "Yup."

"If she’s a Christian, that’s the woman I’m going to marry."

Matt’s elbow slipped off the table. "What? Love at first sight? Aw, come on!" Dylan laughed. "You heard me."

"Yeah, right, Dylan. Even you’re not that crazy. After all, you don’t even know her."

Dylan wiped his mouth with the napkin, not bothering to answer Matt’s statement.

"Oh, come on, you can’t be serious." Dylan merely raised an eyebrow. Matt thumped the table in astonishment. "You are!"

Dylan smiled his confirmation.

"But this is crazy. You don’t even date all that much."

Dylan sipped his Pepsi and glanced back at Sarah. "Somehow, she’s different. I just know." After daydreaming for a moment, he hit his friend on the shoulder and teased, "So, what do you say? Are you up for a bet?"

Matt choked on his soda. "Bet? You never bet. Are you sick or something?"

Dylan shook his head. "How can I resist, then? This is too good of an opportunity to see you eat crow."

Dylan said in a dry tone, "Ah, what are friends for?" He sat back, folded his arms across his chest, and looked back to Sarah at the checkout counter.

Read the reviews!

"This fast-paced read is wonderfully written and presents a dreamy love story! The actions and characters truly project a love of God; it also quotes enough scripture for the book to be life-changing! I loved, and recommend highly, this amazing book!"

--The Romance Studio (5-heart review)

"This is a must read book that will lift the readers' heart."

--Long and Short Romance Reviews

"Ms. Carter penned a truly moving story with this gem of a read. I liked Sarah immediately and understood her pain of trusting any man to be in her life. I felt bad for her that she wouldn’t let a man get close to her and because of this, was missing out on so much she could have shared with that someone special. I fell in love with Dylan and I applauded his strength and determination that he didn’t give up on Sarah. I thought they were perfectly matched for each other, but I was hoping that Sarah would finally see it that way also. This was an enjoyable inspirational read for me and I would recommend it to other readers in a heartbeat."

--Night Owl Romance

This short inspirational romance is available at WhiteRosePublishing.com for only $2.00! It is also available in a Kindle edition.

JoAnn Carter lives in Vermont with her wonderful husband of 18 years, four children and Ginger, the best dog in the world. She enjoys being with her family & friends, writing, reading, and cooking.


In the past JoAnn has worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse, an apple orchard guide and as a substitute teacher. She is available for speaking engagements to book clubs, reader groups, library groups, women's ministry events, school events and church retreats.


Her next book, The Floating Palace, will be released July 15th through Desert Breeze Publishing. You can access the book trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDcuTF8v9bg  


Visit JoAnn online at http://home.comcast.net/~jo.glenncarter/site/?/home/  and her blog at http://home.comcast.net/~jo.glenncarter/site/?/blog

Connect with JoAnn on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JoAnnDavisCarter 

James Cameron's Autograph--Almost by Graham Parke, Author of No Hope for Gomez!

I almost met James Cameron today!

Just to be clear, it wasn't that the Avatar 3D director and I just missed each other, it was just that it was almost him, but slightly, just slightly mind you, someone else. I hate when that happens. You get so close, then, nothing…

But this incident started me thinking. This kind of thing has been happening to me a lot lately. And not only with celebrities. Just the other day, I almost ran into Garry, a friend of mine. From a distance, at an angle, it looked exactly like him. A dead-ringer. Could have fooled his own mother. It wasn't until I came closer, and he turned his head a few degrees to the left, that he revealed himself to be just a little bit someone else. The thing was, when I walked passed him, he gave me a long, thoughtful look. He looked me over, then shook his head and turned away. But I knew what it meant. I knew exactly what he was thinking. He had almost recognized me back!

Now, almost-Garry almost recognizing me back made the whole situation much more complicated. My mind went haywire, trying to understand this, trying to figure out the underlying meaning. Was it possible for someone who was almost Garry but not quite, to recognize me but only slightly? Was it? And, if so, what was I to him exactly? Was I someone who looked like someone he knew? It was hard to say, but it was unlikely. All I knew for a fact was that I was someone who was known by someone he looked like, but who wasn't him. And, in fact, to be fair, he probably didn't even realize that he was almost Garry but not quite.

Are you still following me?

Probably not. Probably your brain isn't defective to the point of reasoning this way. Good for you. You're better off for it. So, let's back-track a little. Let's just assume that the easiest explanation is the correct one. It usually is. And if it isn't, it should be. Really. Life is hard enough already.

So, I almost recognized Garry, and almost-Garry almost recognized me (that look was unmistakable). This must mean that there is another Graham-and-Gary combo out there. This almost-Gary actually knows an almost-Graham. And this idea has big implications. As you know, and understand inherently in the core of your being, the universe is nothing if not a little fractally-inclined. Recursion-mad. If there are two sets, there must be more. There are probably thousands. Thousands of Graham-and-Gary combos. And this, of course, is upsetting. Because the first question that comes to my mind is, what if some of them are better at being a Graham and Gary combo? In fact; what if most of them are better? What if my friend Gary and I are in fact the worst of the bunch?

So, to summarize, I did ask almost-James Cameron for his autograph. Of course I did. I'm no fool. So, if you're interested in almost-autographs, check out my store on eBay. You won't be disappointed!



Bio:

Graham Parke is responsible for a number of technical publications and has recently patented a self-folding map. He has been described as both a humanitarian and a pathological liar. Convincing evidence to support either allegation has yet to be produced.

No Hope for Gomez! is his fiction debut: Boy meets girl. Boy stalks girl. Girl already has a stalker. Boy becomes her stalker-stalker.

Follow Graham's blog here