The Brothers' Keepers by Author NLB Horton

I love the Protestant Reformation (keep reading because it gets better), partially for non-theological reasons.

My devotion exceeds Luther, Calvin, Knox, or Tyndale. I include da Vinci, Galileo, and Copernicus as well, men whose revolutionary ideas enriched a sixteenth-century world barreling from the restrictions of the Middle Ages into the light of the Renaissance. 

Courage and intellect created counter-cultural heroes then. And those traits define my protagonist, archaeologist Grace Madison, in the first two books of the Parched series: When Camels Fly (May 2014) and The Brothers’ Keepers (November 2014).

When I began percolating about The Brothers’ Keepers, Grace’s character, and the seminary backgrounds of the troupe of octogenarian theologians who assist her and her family, led my thoughts to the Reformation. I admit that I went willingly.

The Brothers’ Keepers is a tale of international suspense: theologically sound and scientifically correct. It is liberally sprinkled with Grace’s warped humor and slight sarcasm, and extolls contemporary family dynamics—in a family not unfamiliar with espionage and danger. 

It opens in Brussels, when Grace learns that her beloved daughter Maggie has disappeared in France, and that her son’s bride has been attacked in Switzerland. In a five-star review of When Camels Fly, one reader described Grace as a Mama Bear protecting her cubs. Her growl from Belgium in the opening chapter of The Brothers’ Keepers resonates around the globe, attracting family and friends to Paris to begin the search for Maggie. 

Grace inspires that kind of devotion as a vigorous, joyful woman trying to live fully in the image of Christ. 

Maggie inspires devotion of a different sort. As the object of affection from two very dissimilar young men, her professional success as a hydrologist balances her epic failure as a sweetheart. Will she accept the repeated proposals of the all-American who is as loyal as a drooling golden retriever? Or will the handsome sayan (helper) for Mossad break through her Herculean defense mechanisms to win her heart? And where in the world is she, anyway?

“The nut didn’t fall far from the tree,” Grace’s husband Mark says of the mother and daughter, and Grace has heart issues of her own. She and Mark are working to rebuild a thirty-year marriage after growing apart. The healing process complicates life-threatening situations in When Camels Fly and The Brothers Keepers, but reveals the devotion they still share.

Using clues Maggie has left at the American Church in Paris, where she was last seen, the Madisons pick up the trail of an ancient relic that they hope will save her life. The desperate journey crosses four centuries and three continents. Difficult choices endanger everyone the family and their friends love, and compromise nearly every belief they hold dear. 

And in the end, they discover that to save themselves, they must first rescue an old friend who deceived them.

If he’ll let them.

As with When Camels Fly before it, The Brothers Keepers is all about doing the right thing. Because sometimes, doing what’s right is all that’s left.

A member of the venerable Explorers Club, NLB Horton returned to writing fiction after an award-winning career in marketing and a graduate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. She has surveyed archaeological digs under Syrian and Lebanese heavy artillery fire in Israel and Jordan, explored the Amazon River and Machu Picchu after training with an Incan shaman, and consumed tea on five continents—and while crossing the North Atlantic.

http://nlbhorton.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/NLB-Horton/289059931145461

https://twitter.com/NLBHorton

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Historical Romance Book Review ~ Glittering Promises

About the Book

"Lisa T. Bergren’s popular Grand Tour series concludes as Cora Kensington journeys farther into Italy, wrestles with a terrible ultimatum from her father, and comes to terms with the Father who will never fail her.

America’s newest heiress must decide if her potential fortune is rationale enough to give up her freedom and all that God is leading her toward. And when her newly-discovered siblings are threatened with ruin, her quandary deepens. Then as Cora nears Rome, more journalists are tracking the news story of the decade—“Copper Cora,” the rags-to-riches girl—and want to know more about her family and the men vying for her attention. Meanwhile, a charming Italian countess decides that if Cora isn’t going to claim Will’s heart, she might just try…"

Amber's Review

The conclusion to the "Grand Tour" series promised to be full of drama - and that promise did not go unfulfilled! From health issues to job woes...from travel dangers to numerous threats to the heart...Glittering Promises is engaging and, overall, satisfying.

This third leg of the journey finds Cora and her group in Italy, spending a lot of time in the countryside, away from the press and those who wish to exploit them. I confess that, while I enjoyed the descriptions of Italy, I did miss the broader variety of adventures and traveling descriptions found in the previous two books. But there were still plenty of twists in this book to keep me interested.

The honest struggles of the characters endeared me to them, especially those of Cora, Will, and Vivian. There are some tough choices to be made, and a lot of startling and saddening happenings and revelations. This is certainly an interesting ending to their tour, let me tell you!

Glittering Promises concludes this series full of romance, glimpses into the past, and tough questions. I loved the insights and new perspectives Cora gained, and I loved the tender moments. And might I add that Cora's big brother is wonderful? (Go Felix!) If you like historical romance, don't miss the Grand Tour!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*

Extras

• You can buy the book now on Amazon! (You can also purchase the first two books in the series: Glamorous Illusions and Grave Consequences.)

• This review was posted at Seasons of Humility a few days ago for the Litfuse Publicity blog tour. Click HERE to read that post and view the author bio, related links, and giveaway information. (The tour-wide giveaway featured at the end of that post ends in a couple of days, so don't miss it!)

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Historical Romance Book Review ~ Stealing the Preacher

About the Book

"A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw’s daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can’t believe it when he’s forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He’s determined to escape–which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart."

Amber's Review

Karen Witemeyer's books are as comforting as chocolate - her writing silky smooth, the romance delicious, and the heart of it all too good to resist. She has the Christian Historical Romance genre down to a sweet science. And might I add that the covers her stories are "wrapped" in are so lovely and enticing? (I'm glad that Bethany House went with this cover - with the pretty pink and chocolate dress, the soft background colors, and the connection with a piece of the plot, which is always fun!)

I love the mixture of humor and seriousness, cute situations and sobering ones - all tied together with a ribbon of faith throughout the pages. Stealing the Preacher is signature Witemeyer in that way, with another quirky premise that leads to a heartwarming story.

This particular book might come across as a tad more "preachy" than some of her other books because of its premise (the hero is a preacher and the heroine has a certain loved one's salvation weighing on her heart), but the compassion and passion evident in the pages are touching. I think what kept me from loving it quite as much as some of her other books was the plot... Not to say that there weren't exciting elements, but it felt like the basic storyline was stretched out to fill up the pages. I just didn't think the stakes were high enough throughout the entire book to keep me completely enthralled. Everything felt rather soft and slow - from Crockett's decision-making, to the building up and breaking down of relationships, to the passing of events. (And I confess that I generally prefer my love triangles a little heavier on the "male" than the "female" elements.)

But for a gentle story in the Witemeyer tradition, with enough tension in parts to keep the story moving, Stealing the Preacher is an enjoyable read. I'm definitely curious to see whether Witemeyer writes a story for another Archer brother, or whether she introduces an entirely new cast. Her characters are great and her storytelling delectable, so I'm eager for more of her sweet stuff!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*

Extras

• Stealing the Preacher is available on Amazon.com!

• This review was posted at Seasons of Humility in May for the Litfuse Publicity blog tour. Click HERE to read that post and view the book trailer and author bio. (Please note that the giveaway has ended.)

• Check back later this week to learn more about the author!

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Contemporary Romance Book Review ~ Undeniably Yours

About the Book

"When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who’s determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their relationship–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?"

Amber's Review

The beginning of Undeniably Yours swept me away - the warm embrace of a sweet romance with a partly grand, partly down-home setting and great characters to populate it. I loved all of the dichotomies and how they added conflict to the story, as well as urging character growth. The book has a great premise that can hook a romance fan, and the overall plot doesn't disappoint.

The romance is really what made and broke the book for me. Meg's struggles and fears trigger Bo's protective instinct, and a fictional hero who wants to protect the heroine definitely makes this romance fan happy! I love pretty much all my fiction with a good dose of romance, so I think it's rather hard for a book to overdo it for me. And I hesitate to say that the romance in this book is overdone... I think it's more that it's sometimes portrayed in a way that comes across as too obsessive.

This was actually my issue with Wade's first book, really. I think it stood out to me more at the end of My Stubborn Heart, but it was still lingering in Undeniably Yours - this feeling that the main characters (in this story, particularly Bo) are too consumed with their romance. The sacrificial nature of Bo's love is admirable, certainly - no question! But it appears that, at times, his life becomes completely centered on Meg and their budding relationship. It's not necessarily in words, as there are references to his faith in God and his desire to put God first, but it's more in how his thoughts and actions are portrayed. Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive, but the romances in Wade's first two books do strike me as unhealthy in parts.

While those comments may suggest that I didn't care for this book, I really did enjoy it, in general. I enjoyed getting to meet some interesting characters. I enjoyed getting to witness Meg mature. I enjoyed the subtle suspense thrown into the mix on occasion, eventually leading up to a romantic-suspense-type ending. And I enjoyed the romance for the most part. This is a well-rounded book with some really sweet moments and revelations, and I'm curious to see what Wade will write next in this series!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*

Extras

• Undeniably Yours is available on Amazon.com!

• This review was posted at Seasons of Humility in May for the Litfuse Publicity blog tour. Click HERE to read that post and view the book trailer and author bio. (Please note that the giveaway has ended.)

• Check back later this week to learn more about the author!

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“Stealing the Preacher” Kindle Fire Giveaway and Author Chat Party {6/18} with Karen Witemeyer!

Karen Witemeyer is "kindling" the excitement for Stealing the Preacher (Bethany House) with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at her June 18th Facebook Author Chat Party!

One winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at 4pm on June 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Stealing the Preacher" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 18th. Connect with Karen for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Karen will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Stealing the Preacher and join Karen on the evening of June 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

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Author Interview with Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt

With nearly four million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than one hundred books, including The Tale of
Three Trees, Don't Bet Against Me, and The Nativity Story. Her biggest bestseller, The Note, sold over 141,000 copies. 

Angela's novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RITA, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the Holt Medallion. She often travels to teach writing workshops

at schools and writers' conferences, and she served as the keynote speaker at the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers' national conference. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs. 

In 2001, one of her dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest dog in America.

Learn more about Angela at http://www.angelahuntbooks.com 


Borrowed Book readers, come back on Friday for a chance to win a copy of The Offering, Angie's newest book. And now, the interview. . .


Welcome, Angie. Writers often complain about writer's block. What do you do to get past writer’s block?

Writers’ block cannot co-exist alongside a responsibility to pay the mortgage. 

Have you always wanted to be an author? If not, what made you decide to write, and how long have you been at it?

I never dreamed of being a writer. Never fantasized about writing the Great American Novel; never dreamed of living in a garret and suffering for the sake of my Art. I’m a practical person, more focused on the nuts and bolts of things than the whys and wherefores.
But apparently I’ve always had a natural aptitude for words and I’ve always been a reader. So when a friend suggested that I change my college major from music to English, the idea of working with words appealed more than singing on the road for the rest of my life. I’d been doing that, you see, and my voice was tired and my suitcase worn out. Duct tape could only patch things up for so long . . .

So I graduated from college with a degree in English Lit, taught high school English for a year, then worked at a large church writing curriculum. I kept telling myself that when the time was right, I’d quit my job and actually become a writer.

I finally decided that the time would be right when I plunged ahead and did it.

I quit the day job (and I’m NOT recommending you do this!) and had stationary and business cards printed up–freelance writer for hire. I mailed those cards and a brief letter to every advertising agency and magazine in my mid-sized town, then I was amazed at the responses. A great many business people, apparently, were happy to hire someone else to write their letters, brochures, advertising copy, etc. I bought and studied books on how to write effective letters, brochures, advertising copy, etc., and set about establishing a reputation for being fast and dependable. I figured I might not be the most talented fish in the sea, but at least I could be prompt, professional, and diligent. And I learned . . . from my employers and from my mistakes. 

For five years I worked for magazines and businesses, and I learned as I went along. I read and relentlessly studied books on the craft of writing. I rewrote and polished and rewrote again.
In 1988, an artist friend and I entered a contest for unpublished children’s book authors. I wrote a manuscript after studying a book on how to write children’s picture books (what else?) and then forgot about it. A few months later, I learned that out of 500 entries, our manuscript won first place–and first prize was publication. If I Had Long, Long Hair was therefore my first book. At the same time, I was writing about my family’s experience with adoption and sold a nonfiction manuscript to a book publisher. Those first books gradually moved me out of periodical work and into the publishing field–after years of learning and writing and reading and studying.  I am still learning and reading and studying, for each genre requires that a writer master certain requirements.

So when aspiring writers ask me for advice, I tell them to go to the library and find a copy of Writer’s Market. Study the periodicals market; study book publishers. Find out what they want to buy and concentrate on writing that–if you want to sell your writing. If you want to write for yourself or for your loved ones, go ahead, write what is on your heart. But if you want to write to sell, you have to learn how to write and behave professionally. Another wonderful place to learn is at a writer’s conference. There are many wonderful conferences around the country and throughout the year. Find one, go, and learn before you try to submit something to a publisher.

My philosophy is that a writer is like a builder–if you know how to use the construction tools and if you are familiar with the blueprints for various jobs/genres, you can master the work. But it requires study and basic know-how.

As to how long I’ve been doing this, I hung out my shingle in 1983. You can do the math. 

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