Today I’d like to introduce you to Shellie Neumeier, a young adult and middle grades author.

Shellie and I are part of an online critique group together, and her debut middle grade novel, The Wishing Ring, was released earlier this month. I’ve turned my “Author Spotlight” on Shellie and her books at my blog for kids, Writing Stars. If you have a tween reader or writer in your life, stop by to learn more about Shellie, and help spread the word. Thanks!

Since so many people are celebrating Valentine’s Day and all things about love today, I thought I’d share a quick look at three favorite romances I’ve read lately.

A Lasting Impression, by Tamera Alexander. What can I say? I just love Tamera’s books. This was her first book set in the South, and it pulled me in from the gorgeous cover (with her daughter as the model, from what I read) to the splendor of Belmont Manor (which is an actual antebellum mansion in Nashville) to the less-than-predictable storyline involving art dealers and shady practices in the midst of post-Civil War Nashville society. I loved the characters and their stories, and didn’t want my time wiht them to end — even after 400+ pages.

The Merchant’s Daughter, by Melanie Dickerson. This is Melanie’s second novel, and I liked it just as much as her first (The Healer’s Apprentice). Melanie’s stories are unique because they’re what’s known as “fairy tale retellings.” That means she takes the basic story of a familiar fairy tale and makes it richer by adding other plot lines and characters. They’re also set in Medieval times, which makes them stand out from the usual romance you’ll find. The Merchant’s Daughter weaves in the story of Beauty and the Beast and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus, since it’s marketed as young adult fiction, it’s also good for high school (or maybe even middle school) girls.I love finding good books I can recommend to my friends for their daughters.

From Sorrows to Sapphires, by Angela Williams. At first glance, this isn’t a romance at all — it’s the story of Angela’s journey away from — and triumph over — 14 years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather. But when you take a closer look, you see that it’s the best romance of all because it tells how God brought her through everything and became the love of Angela’s life. Today, Angela is the founder of VOICE Today, an organization dedicated to breaking the silence and the cycle of child sexual abuse. From Sorrows to Sapphires was a tough book to read because Angela is so open about everything. It also was probably the most powerful and thought-provoking book I’ll read all year.

So — what good books have you read lately? I’m always looking for ways to add to my to-be-read tower.

If you love to cozy up with a good book on a cold day, this month’s list of possibilities from American Christian Fiction Writers should make you happy. From historical romance to Amish to suspense, we have a little bit of everything to share. Let me know if you read any of them and what you think!
Happy reading …

A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina, by Annalisa Daughety: Summer Nelson is planning her dream wedding–for someone else. Minimal instructions and a generous budget mean the successful wedding planner can indulge her fantasies for the big wedding at a swanky Charleston resort hotel. And that’s just the distraction she needs, since her own marriage is on the rocks and her future is uncertain.

Heart’s Safe Passage, by Laurie Alice Eakes: It’s 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. Then Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison. When it becomes apparent there is an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the English shore in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms, by Cindy Woodsmall: Love between a Mennonite woman and an Amish man threatens the lifelong relationship between two brothers. And two families.

Picture Perfect Family, by Renee Andrews: Intending to keep her vow to raise her orphaned nephew, photographer Mandy Carter is concerned when the boy’s uncle appears in town. Handsome youth minister Daniel Brantley is determined to take over little Kaden’s upbringing. Once upon a time Mandy was in love with Daniel, but he left her behind to do mission work overseas. Now he’s back—and seems to think she’s the same girl she once was, with big dreams a small town and motherhood can’t fill.

To Love and To Cherish, by Kelly S. Irvin: It’s been four years since Carl left the safety of the small Amish community for the Englisch world. And in four years, Emma’s heart has only begun to heal. Now, with the unexpected death of her parents, Emma is plunged back into a world of despair and confusion. It’s a confusion only compounded by Carl’s return. In a world that seems to be changing no matter how tightly she clings to the past, one woman must see beyond her pain, find strength in God, and open her heart to trust once again.

Sweeter than Birdsong, by Rosslyn Elliott: Westerville, Ohio, 1855: Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance–and use it to mask her flight.

Shattered Identity, by Sandra Robbins: Someone with a very personal motive has it out for Lisa Wade, Ocracoke Island’s sheriff’s dispatcher. She was viciously attacked, her home ransacked and one very precious possession was stolen. Deputy Scott Michaels plans to stay close until the culprit is caught. . .but that means involving Lisa in the investigation. And her assistance may cause more trouble for Lisa when she finds clues in a journal to a deadly mystery.

Blue Moon Bay, by Lisa Wingate: Heather Hampton returns to Moses Lake, Texas, to help facilitate the sale of a family farm as part of a planned industrial plant that will provide the area with much-needed jobs. Heather’s future fiancé has brokered the deal, and Heather is in line to do her first large-scale architectural design–if the deal goes through. But the currents of Moses Lake have a way of taking visitors on unexpected journeys.

Song of My Heart, by Kim Vogel Sawyer: Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can’t work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent–though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

Promise Me This, by Cathy Gohlke: Annie Allen never imagined the day she watched her brother sail on Titanic would be the last time she’d see him. Nor could she guess how the tragedy would forever knit her life with Michael Dunnagan, who only survived because of Owen’s sacrifice. Bound by a promise yet battling circumstances beyond their control, Michael and Annie dream of the day she can join him in America. Then Annie’s letters stop when World War II erupts in Europe, forcing Michael to risk everything find the woman he’s grown to love before she’s lost forever.

Before the Scarlet Dawn, by Rita Gerlach: In 1775, A young woman longs for acceptance and leaves behind all she has in order to follow her heart and the man she loves into the Maryland wilderness. But will her love and faith protect her from the trial she must face? Will she find the true meaning of companionship? And how will she face the world when she is rejected by those closest to her?

Words Spoken True, by Ann H. Gabhart: Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father’s newspaper offices. She can’t imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855. Then Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over a competing newspaper and the battle for readers gets fierce.

In Too Deep, by Mary Connealy: Ethan doesn’t expect Audra to affect him so profoundly, and when she begins to, he’s terrified of the pain he’s felt before when someone he loved was seriously injured on his watch. Audra has been cared for all her life by one man or another–and they’ve done a poor job of it. Now she’s planning to stand up for herself. And her new husband had better agree or get out of her way!

Into the Free, by Julie Cantrell: Millie Reynolds knows firsthand the shame of family secrets. With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” she craves a place of true belonging. Over time, the gypsies that travel through town each spring offer acceptance. Then tragedy strikes and Millie leaves her world of poverty to join a prominent family on the other side of town. There, with the help of unlikely sources, Millie uncovers painful truths about her family’s past as she struggles to face a God she believes has abandoned her.

Highland Crossings, by Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Laurie Alice Eakes, Gina Welborn, Pamela Griffin: Head to historic North Carolina where a brooch unites the lives and loves of four women. Dangerous accusations force Seona to leave Scotland with the brooch in tow, but will she find peace before her past is revealed? Years later, Fiona hopes to recover the brooch only to wind up on the whipping block. Can she trust the man who comes to her rescue? Seren sells the brooch to open a confectionery, but will the precious heirloom be lost to a hopeless dream? When the brooch is stolen, can Brynna reclaim it before she loses something even more valuable?

Falling for the Fireman, by Allie Pleiter: There’s something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens’s eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie’s young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. But the man who’s all about safety and prevention also keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

Sheltering Love, by Elizabeth Goddard: A scientist reveals his discoveries. . .unless his survival depends on hiding them.

When the Smoke Clears, by Lynette Eason: After a brush with death due to equipment failure, smokejumper Alexia Allen is ordered to take time off while the incident is under investigation. She makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother’s home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she is confronted with murder, arson–and a handsome detective.

Sixty Acres and a Bride, by Regina Lea Jennings: With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

A Sweethaven Summer, by Courtney Walsh: Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. His mother’s three friends—Lila, Jane, and Meghan—haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers.

Second Chance, by Eileen Hinkle Rife: A middle-aged woman wants the life back in her marriage. A teen from the projects just wants a life. Could they be the answer to each other’s dream?

A House Full of Hope, by Missy Tippens: Before becoming a Christian, Mark Ryker ran with a bad crowd and broke hearts. Now a successful businessman, Mark has come home to make amends. But no one will forgive him. So when the widowed mother of four renting his dad’s run-down house needs help fixing up the place, Mark gets to work. They’re working together on a house full of hope—and that’s all Mark needs.

I saw this picture on a friend’s Facebook page this week, and snagged it because it fits me so well. My “to be read” piles are pretty intimidating, but I just can’t seem to keep myself from buying even more books. Guess I could have worse addictions, though.

How about you — can you relate? What’s next on your reading pile?

Life is a journey, and we never know exactly where it might end. For Theresa Franklin, that journey included troubles such as losing her first love and the challenges of working with special needs children. But through all the ups and down, Theresa found that the one constant was Jesus Christ and His love for her.

Now Theresa shares some of the things she’s learned through her memoir, Journey to Fulfillment. “I hope people will read this book and find fulfillment by transforming the adversities and hardships of life into stepping stones that will lead to a life well lived through Christ,” Theresa says. “May God show you the stepping stones in your life.”

I haven’t had a chance to read Journey to Fulfillment yet, but have heard some great things about it. Here’s an Amazon 5-star review from author (and fellow John 3:16 Marketing Network member) Amanda Stephan to give you a better perspective:

Author Theresa Franklin

Responsible for your own actions and behaviors.
Theresa Franklin wasn’t one of those kids that had everything handed to them on a silver platter. Quite the contrary. She endured hardships, hardness, heartbreak, defeat, lost love, and finally, joy, fulfillment, and peace. Instead of taking her own oftentimes discouraging life and having the bitter attitude of ‘it’s all someone else’s fault’, or ‘I didn’t have the best childhood’, she learned how to turn those circumstances into triumphs and become a joy and leader amongst others.
Next time someone says, “I can’t help it, I had such a hard childhood” blah blah blah, they need to read this book. You are not responsible for the way you were treated as a child. Nor can you change it. But you CAN change your future. You are NOT pre-determined to be a failure because of being let down as a child or teenager. YOU can make all those hurtful things you’ve had to endure a lesson to be learned from and not repeated.
This was a great book. I cheered Ms. Franklin on, cried when she lost, and laughed during some of her livelier moments. I connected with her in so many different places ~ like “no one but me will be a mother to my children”, “I have no sympathies for dads who do not support their children”, and one of my all time favorites ~ her Real Men speech which can be adapted and applied to include Real Women/Mothers. Bravo, Ms. Franklin! You hit the nail on the head and said so many things that need to be remembered and taught today.

 If you’re interested in learning more about Theresa, Journey to Fulfillment, or her other books, visit Theresa online.