Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Vogts

A brand new release from a former critique partner of mine, and you're going to love her writing! The cover is marvelous and so is the story within.

Snow Melts in Spring

By Deborah Vogts

Book #1 ~ Seasons of the Tallgrass Series

When an aged horse is severely injured on a gravel road in the Flint Hills of Kansas, country veterinarian Mattie Evans accepts the challenge to save him. But she finds herself in the middle of a longstanding feud between the horse’s owner, pro quarterback Gil McCray, and his ailing father—who is also her dear friend.

As the snow melts in spring, Gil’s return to his estranged father’s ranch brings a chance for new beginnings and reconciliation, but when he falls in love with Mattie, he must face the truths that haunt him or run from his past. Meanwhile, Mattie encourages Gil to return permanently to Kansas rather than retire in California. Their love collides when Mattie’s sister arrives on Gil’s doorstep, causing Gil to come to terms with the jealous acts leading up to his brother’s death and seek forgiveness from those he loves most. Can he accept God’s forgiveness, and will that be enough to make him stop running from his memories of home? In turn, if Mattie forgives, she’ll be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the land she dearly loves.

The Seasons of the Tallgrass series captures the spirit and dreams of ordinary people living in the Flint Hills of Kansas--one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world. In writing this series, I hope to share my passion for this place, showing that God's great beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

A note from Deborah:

I grew up on a farm in SE Kansas with pigs, cattle, horses and sheep, as well as space to run free. After college, I remember being in a city park flying kites and having the worst ache in my heart for wide-open spaces. That longing took me back home where I married a high school classmate. My husband and I have three daughters and raise and train American Quarter Horses.

To put it simply, I love living in the country -- fresh air, quiet atmosphere, breathtaking sunsets. Besides writing, my hobbies include reading, cooking, sewing, gardening and garage sale shopping. I enjoy playing the piano, taking walks with our two golden retrievers, and singing in the church choir. I'm also a 4-H mom and a Sunday school teacher.

If you haven't guessed by now, the books I write are set in the country. I believe my most dedicated readers will be those who live in the country, those who have moved from the country and still hold it in their hearts, or those who have never lived there but long for the simple life it offers. Because of this, I've chosen Country at Heart as my writing brand, which is also the title of my Blog.

Deborah on Writing:

I began my first book when I was in high school. In college I studied English literature and journalism. Then came marriage, kids . . . life. During that time, I piddled with my writing but didn't take it seriously until 2002 when I joined a local writer's group and American Christian Fiction Writers. I also joined a critique group, took online writing workshops, read writing book how-to's and attended writer's conferences. Now I have an agent, Rachelle Gardner, at WordServe Literaryand have been contracted with Zondervan for a three-book contemporary romance series.

The Seasons of the Tallgrass series captures the spirit and dreams of ordinary people living in the Flint Hills of Kansas--one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world.

Click here to view the trailer for this fabulous new release, Snow Melts in Spring.

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Witness to Murder by Jill Nelson

Poised for an interview, TV reporter Hallie Berglund walks into a murder scene instead. The victim’s boyfriend stands over the body, murder weapon in hand. 

Hallie couldn’t stop the crime, but as the star witness, she’ll see the man brought to justice . . . right? Not according to her colleague Brody Jordan, who is convinced the police—and Hallie—are targeting the wrong man. To prove it, he’ll need Hallie’s help. 

The victim was wearing a bracelet handcrafted by Hallie’s long-dead mother. Now Hallie is the only one who can unearth the secrets of the past—and bring the sinister truth to light.

About Jill:

Jill Elizabeth Nelson is an award-winning author of mystery and suspense. She writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. Jill speaks at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. She and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children and are currently enjoying their first grandchild.

Visit Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s website at http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com for excerpts, book giveaways, and contests.

You can order this book directly from your local bookstore, retail stores such as Walmart, or online here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373443455/jillelizabeth-20  

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

Lovely cover, don't you think? And here's a bit of trivia...it's Dee's daughter! ;)

In 1860s Seattle, a man with a wife could secure himself 640 acres of timberland. But because of his wife's untimely death, Joe Denton finds himself about to lose half of his claim. Still in mourning, his best solution is to buy one of those Mercer girls arriving from the East. A woman he'll marry in name but keep around mostly as a cook.

Anna Ivey's journey west with Asa Mercer's girls is an escape from the griefs of her past. She's not supposed to be a bride, though, just a cook for the girls. But when they land, she's handed to Joe Denton and the two find themselves in a knotty situation. She refuses to wed him and he's about to lose his land. 

With only a few months left, can Joe convince this provoking--but beguiling--easterner to be his bride?

About Dee:

Dee's the Christy Award winning author of A Bride Most Begrudging (2006)and The Measure of a Lady (2007), has a background in education and journalism. She previously wrote for People Magazine, Parents, and Parenting, and has a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions". She has a degree from Texas A&M and lives with her family in Houston, Texas.

Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker

I'm reading this one now on my Kindle...

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who's abducted six young women. He's the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die. 

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan's estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.

About the author:

TED DEKKER is the author of twenty-two novels, with more than 3 milllion copies of his books sold to date, 1 million of them sold in 2007 alone.

Known for adrenaline-laced stories packed with mind-bending plot twists, unforgettable characters and confrontations between good and evil, Dekker has earned his status as a New York Times bestselling author. 

Click here to watch a video clip with Ted.

Michal by Jill Eileen Smith

I'm thrilled to see this book's release because Jill is a former critique partner of mine, plus this is just a fantastic book! I promise...you'll see Michal's life in a way you never have before.

Can their epic search for true love survive a father’s fury?

The daughter of King Saul, Michal lives a life of privilege—but one that is haunted by her father’s unpredictable moods and competition from her beautiful older sister. As a girl, Michal quickly falls for the handsome young harpist David. But soon after their romance begins, David must flee for his life, leaving Michal at her father’s mercy in the prison that is King Saul’s palace.

Will Michal ever be reunited with David? Or is she doomed to remain separated from him forever?

Against the backdrop of opulent palace life, raging war, and daring desert escapes, Jill Eileen Smith takes you on an emotional journey as Michal deals with love, loss, and personal transformation as the first wife of King David.

Jill Eileen Smith is the best-selling author Michal: A Novel, Book 1 of the Wives of King David series - a biblical fiction trilogy from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Abigail and Bathsheba, Books 2 and 3, are to follow.

Jill has more than twenty years of writing experience, ranging from articles and short stories to reviews and blogs. Her writing has placed or won prizes in several writing contests. In addition to homeschooling her three sons, Jill has taught piano and women’s Bible studies. She enjoys baking, traveling, picture scrap booking, and the antics of her two lovable cats. She lives with her husband and sons in Southeastern Michigan.

A Soldier's Reunion by Cheryl Wyatt

Despite a decade apart, this isn't the reunion Mandy Manchester expected! She thought she'd put high school sweetheart Nolan Briggs behind her. Now he's back…and the pararescue jumper literally sweeps her off her feet. He's ready and willing to rekindle what they once shared. Mandy, though, isn't prepared to put her heart at risk. He left her before—she won't trust him again. Can Nolan teach this grounded girl to take a leap of faith?

Read an excerpt here.

A note from Cheryl:

Dear Reader,
Not until this book was finished did I realize the strong thread running through it of God reuniting the heroine to Himself. I didn't set out to write a prodigal daughter's return story, but somehow that theme prevailed. I pray you are in solid pursuit of The One who chased you first. Of Jesus, who loved you enough to die to ensure you'd be with Him forever. This book is about romance and happily-ever-after. So is the cross. And so is God. He is the only real hero, who will not rest or relent until you are safely His. Run hard after Him.

If you've ever stepped away, know there is forgiveness. Believe me, I've been there. Done that. Ran hard. Came back.

During the writing of this book, singer Steven Curtis Chapman lost his daughter when his eldest son's SUV struck her in the driveway. In an interview, Steven said when his son realized he'd killed his sister, he ran. Grieving over both children, the father got in his car and chased the son. The entire time the son ran, Steven chased. Leaning out the window driving alongside, he yelled over and over, "Will Franklin, your father loves you!"

This story strikes me profoundly as an image of the mercy of our Father in Heaven. How he responds when we mess up.

If you are running, I pray you can hear Him, stubborn and relentless, calling your name and saying, "Your Father loves you."

Then I pray you run the other way, toward Him.

Please keep the Chapman family, and especially Will Franklin, in your prayers.
I love hearing from readers. I invite you to e-mail me at Cheryl@CherylWyatt.com or to write to me at P.O. Box 2955, Carbondale, Illinois 62902-2955.
Cheryl

About Cheryl:

Born Valentine’s Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers.