Monthly Recap: November

You are probably thinking, "Monthly recap? What recap, Amber, I haven't seen anything from you for an entire month!" Ehhhhhhh, it's true, I know. This is the first month in over a year where I had almost no time for reading--and I mean NO time. Without going into detail about how everyone was sick, sick and more sick . . . I will gladly discuss the two ADORABLE novellas that carried me through this month of bad colds and flus.

(PS, don't forget I'm doing this post in conjunction with the delightful Naomi Rawlings over at Inspirational Romance Ratings. She's got REALLY fabulous stuff there, and her site is another great resource for those looking for clean romance. You can check out her monthly recap here.)

First, one day after cleaning up, well, I won't tell you what I was cleaning-up . . . I was ready for some ME time. My FABULOUS historical author friend, Carrie Francett Pagles has written a simply delightful novella that is sure to make you say "awww" numerous times. I know I did! Reading this story, set at Shirley Plantation in VA, is like stepping back in time! And if you enjoy history like I do, that's HUGE! The hero, Matthew Scott (let's take a moment to savor the utter masculinity of that awesome name . . .) is wonderful and the heroine, Angelina, is so endearing. Both of them have secrets, both have strong feelings for one another. But in a time of war when their worlds are unraveling, can they really come together and find true love?!
I've got you at the edge of your seat, right??!! Well, Carrie will do that to you, too--you won't want to miss her WONDERFUL novella, Return to Shirley Plantation.

Book Rating: Up All Night'er

Then, late one evening when the house was finally quiet, I was desperate for a good romance, but knew I didn't have time to get into a BIG story. Enter, Melissa Jagears. It was as if I could hear her whispering, "Hey, Amber, you haven't read my novella yet, right? Now's the time!" And boy, Melissa, were you right! It was just the escape I needed! Loaded with enough tension to keep even this drama queen happy, Love By The Letter is no doubt a MUST read.
Dex is a hero you love right away. Rugged on the outside and all-the-right-kinds-of mushy on the inside, I dare you not to fall in love with him. I knew I adored him in A Bride For Keeps and it was wonderful to see him and the marvelous Rachel fall in love in their own story.
If you need something short and sweet and completely delightful, PLEASE read this. The only problem with it is, I seriously could have enjoyed 300 more pages!!

Book Rating: Best of the Best



So ladies, I know this month's recap is not loaded with books, but these two novellas are beyond wonderful, written by two extremely talented authors. I know you will enjoy these!! If you've already read them, you HAVE to tell me what you thought about them.

God bless you and have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Reading!

September's Author of the Month: Melissa Jagears

Welcome to September!! I have to admit that this has always been my very favorite month of the year. I love the weather--warm, yet not too warm, and there are no holidays (not that there's anything wrong with holiday's per se...) to make things super hectic or busy. September is the unsung hero of the year as far as I'm concerned.

Before I introduce our NEW and OUTSTANDING AUTHOR, let me say a big thank you to Joan Hochstetler who I hosted last month. She is fabulous--thanks Joan!

And now, for this month...

I have gotten to know this wonderful new author, whose book A BRIDE FOR KEEPS releases October 1, and I couldn't wait to tell you about her!! Put your hands together for MELISSA JAGEARS!!! Seriously, I think Melissa is a blast (hilarious sense of humor) and her novel is marvelous. You are going to love getting to know her.

Enjoy the interview!!

Tell us about Melissa! 

I'm the most unromantic romance author possibly ever. I dislike celebrating holidays, especially Valentines' day.

I never had a boyfriend....I couldn't make myself use the word "boyfriend" with my husband (the only guy I ever dated) because it seemed such a silly word for an almost 30 year old and it was just odd to think I had one. So when he pressed me for exactly what he was to me, I said he could be my "secret boyfriend" if he had to be something, but he couldn't ever call himself that. :P I'm sure that was tons sillier, but I just couldn't say that word with a straight face. Thankfully the word "fiance" took over um....5 months later. (I had to go look up dates, told you I was unromantic.)

How long have you been writing? What inspired you to be an author?

I'd occasionally had story ideas pop into my head and I'd write it on a slip of paper and throw it in a box, but I never wrote beyond what was necessary. As an English teacher, I recall being very uncomfortable grading my students' creative writing assignments because I wasn't qualified if I never wrote it myself. (Probably the easiest A's my students received.)

When we had children, we decided I'd stay home. After a year of patty-cake and endless diaper washing, I needed some kind of academic exercise because my brain felt like it was atrophying!  So I pulled out that box of ideas and decided to try my hand at writing fiction.

That would be about 4 years ago. I've written 6 novels and 1 novella so far.

What scripture or scripture story give you the most comfort, guidance in your life?

Comfort: John 10:29 - "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." Guidance: 1 Timothy 4:6-16, my Bible's heading calls this section "A Good Minister's Discipline."

If you had three wishes what would they be? (they can be serious or frivolous....doesn't matter!)

A housekeeper/cook, a mortgage free home, more talent than I have



What are your top three historical Christian romance books?

Hmmmm, ....I'm a chronic rereader, so in a crazy world where you were never allowed to read a book more than once, the ones I'd be most upset over never being able to reread would be: A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers, To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer, Who Brings Forth the Wind by Lori Wick


Thank you SO much, Melissa! I know readers are going to FLIP about your book, Melissa, and about your novella. Just a word about that novella, ladies-- LOVE BY THE LETTER--is free right now, so click on that link and you can get it ASAP!! Melissa, it was a pleasure to interview you and get to know you better. I can't wait for readers to devour your story and THANK YOU for following your heart and sharing your talents with us. God bless!!

Yes, yes, readers--I know what you're thinking, "So is there gonna be a giveaway?!" Right-o, there is! Leave a comment and your email (you must follow my blog or FB page to be entered) and I will put your hat in the drawing! It's going to be awesome! I'll choose the winner one week from today!

God bless you all and have a wonderful September!

Happy Reading!!!