Video Trailer Released for the Woodland Series

While I'm in a promoting mood, I'd love to share with you the outstanding trailer for the Woodland Series! I still get chills when I watch it!!

A new release - just in time for Easter

Will a quest for the truth lead him to a miracle -
and the love of a lifetime?

Reporter Paul Hutchins is all about finding facts and uncovering the truth. Verification, authenticity and quantification are the fuel of his spirit...until he falls in love with producer Sandy Pierson.

Sandy sees Christ alive in every aspect of her life. No need for quantified facts. Faith is the fuel of her spirit. But her love for Paul puts her at odds with God's call toward faith and all of its mysteries.

Paul considers Christianity to be well-meaning myth - hyperbole. To Sandy, it's everything - and she can accept nothing less from the man she loves.

Can a miracle happen? Can the touch of God Himself keep their relatinship from shattering?

EXCERPT

"I know how deeply you feel things, Paul. You have a wonderful heart. That's part of why I love you so much. I'm torn in two about my feelings for you." Sandy's declaration would have filled him were it not chipped and cracked by the impact of her doubts. "Your reporter's instinct toward autenticity and revealing the truth is a big part of what I admire about you. There's nothing wrong with facing the world honestly, but you need to make room for a few other truths."

"Like God."

"Yes, and the fact that life holds as much mystery, and as many intangibles, as it does realistic things you can hold tight to with both hands."

She wanted him to change. Right down to the soul. Paul continued to study her. She was hurt enough that she had almost stepped away from attending tonight's event - out of a frustrated sense of love. Yet, here they were - together - out of a frustrated sense of love.

And if he wasn't mindful of her beliefs, she'd step away from him.

Paul navigated the rapidly-filling parking lot of Woodland Church. Once they stopped, he killed the car engine and used a restraining hand to keep Sandy in place. He closed the space between them and gave her a kiss that lingered and thoroughly tasted. He felt the gesture ease a bit of the tightness in her shoulders and back. "I'll keep an open mind, OK?"

She touched his face, and there was yearning in her eyes. "Keep an open heart. That's much more important."

Welcome to the Blog, Mary Manners!

Today I'm delighted to welcome my dear friend, and fellow White Rose author, Mary Manners to A Minute with Marianne! Mary is a treasure, and such a talented writer. I'm excited to introduce you to her, and her wonderful stories.

Mary lives in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Danni, as well as dogs Abby and Molly and cats Lucky and Gus. Mary is an award-winning, multi-published author of inspirational romance. You can visit her at www.marymanners.com

Mary, I just returned from a research trip to Nashville, and my husband and I fell completely and totally in love with Tennessee. What a gorgeous state! Thanks for paying a visit to the blog today.

I'll start things off with a bit about your contemporary inspirational romance, Tender Mercies:

BLURB:

When Lexi Taylor resorts to hosting an online auction to raise money for her fledgling youth center, Thursday's Child, the last thing she expects is to be matched for a date with…

…Cooper Jackson…hometown hero and former championship-winning University of Tennessee quarterback. Lured by the promise of a lucrative NFL career, he broke off their engagement without so much as a backward glance six years ago. Now he's come home to Knoxville to nurse an injured knee and his wounded pride--and he wants Lexi back.

A heartbreaking secret stands between them…and Lexi plans to keep it that way. But when Cooper's gentleness and renewed faith coax the secret to the surface, will forgiveness draw them close…or will their love be shattered forever?

What inspired you to come up with writing in the genre of Christian romance?

MM: I like to share God’s many blessings with my readers, and give a message of hope and happiness.

How long had you been writing before you got your call (or email) from an editor?

MM: I have been writing since birth!! No, really…I completed my first full-length story in the sixth grade, but had been seriously pursuing a writing career for about three years when I got the email from Nicola Martinez at White Rose Publishing.

Such a thrill!! Congrats!! What advice do you have for other new authors coming into the field of writing?

MM: Write, write, write! The more you write, the better you become. Also, submit your work to contests and take the judges’ feedback to heart. You can learn a lot from another reader’s ‘fresh’ eyes.

So very true, Mary. How do you overcome writer’s block, or do you ever get that?

MM: I mow. Seriously…I live on two acres and when a block hits, I go out and push mow. It’s like taking a sledgehammer to a dam. During cooler months, I light some scented candles and just sit in front of the keyboard until the words come. I do not pass go…you know the saying.

Mowing therapy! I absolutely love it! I've had that happen with weeding / landscaping. I'll have to give mowing a try as well! What do you think it takes to write a good book?

MM: A great imagination, outstanding imagery, and a desire to share what’s in your heart. I also think life experiences bring a certain authenticity to a person’s writing. The older you get and the more you experience, the better you can relate to what a character feels in any given situation.

What is your process of writing a novel, briefly—from conception to revision?

MM: I begin with a phrase, idea or situation and build on it brick by brick, like building a house. I begin by writing in a steno pad—character names, quirks, fears, likes, etc. Then I weave the first few chapters before transferring over to my laptop. I don’t typically use an outline, but have a good idea of where I’m going. Sometimes I’m surprised, though, which is always good.

Here's a little bit of a curve ball: Think of something you might ask a fan that would spark your interest in subject matter for your next project. What would that question be?

MM: What is the most difficult experience of your life, and how did you manage to overcome it?

GREAT question -- and the answer would truly speak to the receipt of God's grace and love! Thank you again for stopping by, Mary, you're a delight! Where can readers find you and your work?

MM: Readers can find TENDER MERCIES and MENDED HEART at www.whiterosepublishing.com and at www.amazon.com or order autographed copies by visiting my website at www.marymannersromance.com

Thank you, Reviewers!

As you may have noticed, my sidebar to the right features a number of new additions. First, Hearts Crossing is a CAPA Nominee for Best Inspirational Romance of 2010 over at The Romance Studio. I'm so excited and honored to be nominated!

A couple of weeks ago, Crystal at Kwips & Kritiques posted a 5-Klover review of Hearts Surrender! Click on the link to read her fabulous review! Crystal even designated it a "Recommended Read."

Then, just today, I was contacted by Matilda at Coffee Time Romance & More, notifying me she had posted a review of Hearts Surrender - and given it a coveted 5-Cup review! The link is to the right - check it out!

To give you an update on what's new in my writing world, I've turned in edits for Hearts Communion - that one is Book 3 of the Woodland Series. We're shooting for a late 2011 release. I finished Hearts Key a few weeks ago, so Woodland Church is hopping! Stop by www.whiterosepublishing.com to learn more. I'm so thrilled with White Rose Publishing. As both an author and reader of inspirational romance, I have to tell you, this publisher is outstanding!

Finally, remember Sandy Pierson, Collin Edwards' fiancee from Hearts Crossing? A short story is under way giving her a very special romance of her own. I was gratified when a number of readers asked about her after reading Hearts Crossing, wondering if she'd get t0
'star' in a story. Well, I'm hoping so! An idea took root a while back, and I'm delighted with the results. I'll keep you posted details are ironed out! I hope it will be coming to a computer near you very soon!

That's the news for now - thanks as always for your support, prayers and friendship!

God bless ~

Marianne

Welcome Back, Delia Latham!

I’m delighted to welcome Delia Latham back to the blog, and help sing the praises of her latest release from White Rose Publishing: Destiny’s Dream! Delia is a fellow White Rose Author, and author of the exciting Solomon’s Gate Series. Destiny’s Dream is book one, and the buzz abounds. More on that in a bit. First, meet my friend, and sister in Christ, Delia Latham:

Delia Latham is a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. While she considers each of these roles important ones, she treasures most of all her role as a child of the King and an heir to the throne.

A former newspaper staff writer, Delia promised herself a novel for years, while raising her four children, working at various jobs and writing the occasional article, poem, or song. She fulfilled that promise when Vintage Romance Publishing released Goldeneyes in 2008. A Christian historical romance with a touch of the divine, Goldeneyes is set in the farm country of the author’s childhood, and therefore close to her heart. In 2010, White Rose Publishing released Yesterday’s Promise in electronic format, and Destiny’s Dream in print and e-format. A children’s book will be available early in 2011.

Delia grew up in Weedpatch, a tiny agricultural community near Bakersfield, in California’s San Joaquin Valley. She and her husband Johnny recently transplanted from that area to Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.

Find out more at:

Website

Blog

Facebook Reader Page Newsletter

Destiny’s Dream Blurb:

Is a little respect too much to ask at a parent’s funeral?

Apparently it is for Destiny May. Clay Gallagher is built like a small mountain and far more vocal than is fitting when he shows up late to her mother’s “going away party.” When it turns out he’s not even at the right funeral, Destiny demands retribution in the form of an escape from the day’s dreary proceedings. Spending time with a handsome stranger who makes her laugh is more therapeutic than fighting with her overbearing family.

Clay finds Destiny beautiful, charming...and intelligent. So why is she stubbornly determined to open a Christian dating service? Clay has little respect for such a frivolous profession, and doesn’t think the small, conservative town of Castle Creek will welcome such a progressive business. But when Destiny is threatened by an anonymous caller who deeply resents her and what she does for a living, Clay makes it his business to keep the saucy redhead out of harm’s way.

Trouble is, spending time in her company weakens his defenses, and Destiny may be the one thing Clay can’t escape...if he even wants to.

Destiny’s Dream, Clash of the Titles winning excerpt:

As Pastor Paul Porter extended an altar invitation, Destiny sneaked a peek at Clay’s face. His hands had been fisted into white-knuckled balls for the past twenty minutes. Now a muscle worked in the strong line of his jaw as the familiar, sweet notes of “Softly and Tenderly” played in the background.

Miss Willard was consistent in her preference for the old hymns.

Right now, Destiny had no objection.

She laid a gentle hand over one of Clay’s hard fists. He opened his eyes and slanted a misty look her way even as he unfurled his fingers to wrap them around hers. Without a word, he nodded, and they stood. Destiny walked with him toward the front of the church, joyous tears dimming her vision.

Those tears began to fall in earnest when Jenna stepped out from a pew a few rows ahead of them. With a tremulous smile, Dr. Bob Clevenger’s high-society wife took Destiny’s other arm and the three of them continued down the aisle.

Destiny wondered if her heart could actually contain so much happiness. She breathed a prayer of gratitude for this double blessing, coming as it did on the heels of the most traumatic experience of her life.

Weeping endureth for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Thank you, Father, for this happy day!

Clay wanted to take the sisters out for lunch after church, but Jenna declined, stating her need to hurry home to Dr. Bob and the twins. Cassie and Carrie had slept over with a neighboring friend, which freed their mother to attend service without the girls in tow.

“I’ll be bringing them from now on.” Jenna’s face shone with a new light as she hugged them both goodbye. “But I think God worked it out for me to be alone this morning. Otherwise, I might not have been so willing to go forward.”

“I’m sure that’s true.” Destiny’s jaw throbbed, but she could not stop smiling. “Well, we’ll miss you, Squirt.”

“Stop calling me that!” Jenna sent her a playful glare as she slid behind the wheel of her BMW. “And I’ll take you up on it next time, Clay.”

They watched her back out of her parking space and turned toward their own vehicle. But Jenna’s voice stopped them.

“Clay!” she called. “This makes us twins—doesn’t it?”

DESTINY’S DREAM CONTEST!

The Daughters of Destiny contest will be underway as of December 1. In lieu of giveaways from blog to blog, I’m encouraging all of you to visit my contest page and take part in this giveaway. I also encourage you to tell your friends about it…and their friends…and theirs! J I have TWO absolutely stunning decorative bottles, AND a wonderful, aromatic anointing oil to go in them. The contest has two parts. One decorative bottle/anointing oil will be awarded in each part. There are ample opportunities build up your entries, so come on over and check it out!

Destiny’s Dream is available at:

White Rose Publishing

Amazon.com

MARIANNE’S REVIEW – DESTINY’S DREAM

“All I can do is bring together men and women who seem compatible and let God do the rest.”

Great lines like this fill the pages of Destiny’s Dream, the first of the Solomon’s Gate Series from White Rose Publishing. First off, what a tremendous idea for a book series: Position a keenly intelligent, full-of-heart heroine at the helm of a Christian Dating agency called Solomon’s Gate. Add in the caring and tender CEO of an investment firm, and you’ve got a sure-fire recipe for success. Secondly, Destiny’s Dream is full of great lines like this: ‘She was silent for a long time, while Clay discovered the meaning of someone holding his heart in their hands’ Lines that bring home the beauty of the characters you meet, and place them straight in your heart.

Destiny May, of Castle Creek California, is the creator and owner of Solomon’s Gate. She put her life’s energy into caring for her ailing mother, until Mom passed away, leaving Destiny in search of her own life and goals. Into the funeral service walks Clay Gallagher, CEO of Gallagher Investments. After a rocky, but very humorous start to their relationship, twists and turns abound, as does the mysterious but welcome touch of a heavenly angel, the beautiful power of lifting people in prayer through anointing oil. Oh, and did I mention? There’s a thread of ominous danger lurking as well.

Latham’s plot could have easily been overwhelmed by such a mix, but her skill as a storyteller simply shines, and each element of Destiny's Dream weaves itself into the next with perfection. I highly recommend Destiny’s Dream, and pray you will enjoy it, and be blessed by its message of love’s true power and might. I know I was. Tell you what else. If I didn’t already have my own happily ever after, I’d be hunting up Destiny May, and Solomon’s Gate in a heartbeat!

Meet Author Tanya Stowe!

I'm delighted to introduce you all to the lovely and talented Tanya Stowe! Tanya is a fellow White Rose Publishing author with a new release titled "Tender Touch." More info on that exciting development to come - but first, meet Tanya!

Tanya Stowe has written for the real estate industry, television, publicity firms and national publications. Her first novel, a time-travel adventure, Time’s Embrace, was released in the United States in 1993 and internationally released in 1995. Tanya has an eclectic career, doing market research, working at a performing arts center and for the American Cancer Society. Recently, Tanya contributed to a collection of women’s survival stories titled, Triumph! The Beautiful Face of Courage and collaborated on her first full-length play, a Christmas musical titled, The Night Before Christmas.

Tanya has been married to her high school sweetheart for thirty-seven years which is a romance story in itself. Currently they are visiting the East Coast and soon they will travel to the Middle East to begin a new adventure!

To give you a better look at Tanya's inspiration for Tender Touch, here's what I like to call 'The Story Behind the Story' - straight from the author herself:

Years ago when my children were young, my husband went back to school, leaving me to handle our four young, rambunctious children. To help me out, my sister organized a long summer vacation, touring the California Gold Country.

We visited Sutter’s Mill, Columbia, Angel’s Camp, most of the major gold camps of the past. I was struck by the beaut y of the gold country, the mountains, caverns and rivers, so different from the deserts of Southern California where I lived. I wondered what it must have been like for those early pioneers alone, in this rugged land, filled with gold fever and determination. But mostly I wondered how these lovely little towns survived after all the gold fever passed.

I was also a new Christian and I had witnessed some of God’s very miraculous healing power. Those experiences had amazed me, but also frightened me a little and left me with a lot of questions. Of course, our Lord had the answers for his young and inexperienced Christian. But Lacy’s story was born out of those early questions and that very memorable trip through the California Gold Country.

********************************

Without further delay, please enjoy this introduction to Tender Touch - I'm sure you're going to love it!

Lacy Butler is graced with the gift of healing. She can save strangers…even those undeserving…yet fails to save her mother.

Rejecting her gift, God, and society, she's content to live alone high above the mining town of Harperville. But her solitude is shattered when Royce Darnell builds a water flume through the middle of her mountain. To protect her sanctuary, Lacy sabotages his efforts. Little does she expect Royce to track her through a blizzard and end up half frozen to death on her doorstep. She can heal him, but why should she when he threatens to steal her peace...and her heart?

With the livelihood of the miners and their families depending on his project, Royce refuses to stop building, no matter how good the reason or how lovely the masked saboteur turns out to be. Besides, he's convinced God wants Lacy to use her gift for good and not to hole up in her cabin like a reticent recluse afraid of human contact. But first, she must learn to trust, and Lacy doesn't trust anyone, not Royce and especially not God. Soon Royce finds himself in a battle to save the two things he loves the most…Harperville and Lacy. Is his faith strong enough to save them both?

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Excerpt:

"Lacy--look at me," Royce commanded. She looked up. "Feel the music, Lacy. Just move with me."

Her muscles eased. Her breathing slowed. She seemed to sense the rhythm of his body and took her cues from the slight touch of his hand. He dipped, she followed. He swept, she flowed, her skirts swinging in a graceful arc behind them. They sailed around the room in perfect motion.

Royce smiled. "I knew you could do it."

"Thank you for teaching me," she murmured.

Royce looked at the woman in his arms. He'd known the minute she'd entered the room. He was shocked to see her, knowing instinctively that the crowd and the noise would not be to her liking. But, when he'd seen the pink of her cheeks and the high color of her eyes, he knew she was enjoying herself ... and that made him happy. He liked the little giggle she tried to suppress and the way her eyes lit when the dancers came near her. So he’d asked her to dance.

“Thank you," Lacy repeated.

"My pleasure, ma'am. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Her features turned somber. "You can let me go, now, before it's too late.”

She was asking him to do what he'd vowed to do. But looking at her lovely features, he knew he wouldn't do it.

"I can't, Lacy. I've tried and I can't."

The truth of his words flowed over both of them. They stood still in the middle of the dance floor. He wondered where the words had come from, and how he would take care of this fragile, beautiful creature in his arms.

Purchase Tender Touch Right Here

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Tanya, thanks so much for joining me on the blog today! I've thoroughly enjoyed your company and wish you much success and abundant blessings with Tender Touch! As part of Tanya's blog tour, if you leave a comment, you'll be entered to win a copy of Tender Touch! Tanya is also giving away a copy of Rodeo Redemption, by fellow White Rose Publishing author Teri Wilson, so you've got two chances to win two great books! Enjoy the contest, and good luck!!

The Royal Wedding to Come

I freely admit it. I was one of the millions who savored the coverage of the wedding of the century between Prince Charles and Lady Diana. I’m a romance writer – I’m a romance fan. How could I not watch the extravagant, beautiful nuptials and sigh with the bliss of a happily completed fairy tale?

Now it’s Prince William and Kate Middleton who take center stage, their son and his long-time girlfriend. The idea of watching them get married can’t help but be a bit of history repeating itself. I’m sure the ceremony will be fantastic.

But what about the couple?

Prince William seems to have genuine commitment to the life he was born in to. I think Kate, while gorgeous and appealing in much the way Diana was, seems ready to take on the title and life of being part of the royal family in ways Diana probably wasn’t. I pray God blesses them both with the ability and strength, and love, to persevere in what is most definitely a gilded cage.

I admit to being surprised that Prince William gave Kate the ring which Prince Charles gave to Diana? How do you all feel about that? Is it a bad omen? Bad karma?

I had to think about it a bit before coming to a lasting conclusion on that topic. After all Charles and Diana’s marriage didn't end the way we all dreamed when we watched them walk down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral. But then I dug a little deeper. I read up on the “Royal Wedding Hubub,” and realized that there’s a loving, sentimental significance to the ring for William. To him, their son, the ring honors two of the people he loves the most - his mother and his father - even if they didn't find the happily-ever-after that was dreamed of back on that fateful day in July of 1981.

Chime in with your $0.02 on the Royal Wedding to come! I’d love to hear your thoughts!!

Until next time – blessings!