Olympia Winner Revealed!

We've all been waiting. It's been six months since submissions opened for the Olympia. A panel of readers narrowed down the top three entries and then a distinguished *industry professionals assessed and scored those excerpts to bring us to this moment.

The time has come and I am so very excited to announce to you that the winner of the 2014 Olympia is...

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JENNIFER RODEWALD

For her story titled Reclaimed

About Reclaimed

Suzanna Wilton has had a hefty share of heartache in her twenty-seven years. Left heartbroken by a marriage cut short, she leaves city life to take up residency in a tiny Nebraska town. Her introduction to her neighbor Paul Rustin is a disaster. Assuming he’s as undermining as the other local cowboys she’s already met, Suzanna greets him with a heavy dose of hostility.

Though Paul is offended by Suzanna’s unfriendliness, she often invades his thoughts. Intrigued by the woman who lives down the road, and propelled by a sense that she carries a painful burden, he frequently drops by to offer help as she adjusts to rural living.

Just as Paul’s kindness begins to melt Suzanna’s frozen heart, a conflict regarding her land escalates in town. Even in the warmth of Paul’s love, resentment continues to strangle her fragile soul. Will Suzanna ever find peace?

Author Bio:

Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.

Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit and excellence. Blessed with a robust curiosity, she loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new.

Jen lives in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, plays with her horses, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life.You can find her at thefreeslavesdevotion.com 

Congratulations, Jennifer! We are honored to be a part of your journey and look forward to watching what God has in store for your writing career.

In addition to a tour through COTT's Blog Alliance, Jennifer will be receiving a beautiful plaque to commemorate her win and an internet radio interview with Cynthia Simmons!

*Final round judges:

AMANDA LUEDEKE--Agent, Macgregor Literary Agency

MARCY DYER--Editor, Prism Book Group
ROSSLYN ELLIOTT--Author and 2011 COTT Laurel Award Winner

A Warm Welcome to Sunday's Child & Clare Revell!

Having written a few 'books-in-a-series,' I can completely relate to something my good friend Clare Revell said the other day. She expressed joy at being able to share the concluding book in her fabulous Days of the Week series coupled with an equal sadness that, upon the release of Sunday's Child, the series had come to a close.

Yep. Been there, done that. As writers, we move into new stories, into new characters, but those we've created never truly leave our hearts.

So, with pleasure, I offer this spotlight and my review of Sunday's Child. Clare, I look forward to what's next!!!

BLURB:

Sunday’s Child on life seas is tossed, awaiting the lifeboat that rescues the lost…

Hattie Steele feels like the world is passing her by. Her entire life revolves around the guest house she runs in Headley Cross with her overbearing twin brother. He even attempts to undermine her friendship with a handsome guest. Not that famous ex-footballer, Callum Trant would ever give her a second glance. Hoping to regain control of her life, Hattie takes a well-earned holiday with her aunt on Penry Island. 

After retiring from football, Callum Trant divides his time between the family business and volunteering as helm officer on a lifeboat. Danger is nothing new for him. But when he’s called out on a shout and finds the beautiful innkeeper from Headley Cross on a sinking vessel, Callum realizes his heart is in danger. 

But could Hattie ever forget his womanizing past and feel the same way? Or will a dangerous rescue end the relationship before its had time to grow?

EXCERPT:

Cal turned the boat and headed into the heart of the storm, keeping the bow of the boat into the breaking waves. Visibility was down to five feet.

“There’s another flare,” Sam yelled. “But doesn’t look the same direction.”

“Radar’s got something.” Cal squinted at the screen.

“There. Two o’clock, there’s a light.” 

Cal aimed the boat at the faint light he could see between the towering waves. As he grew closer he could see the hull of the boat with a figure clinging to it. “Phil, toss the rope to him. If he catches it, bring him in that way. If not rope up and go get him.” He touched the mic button.

“Penry base this is Ray of Hope. Found the Petunia Bay. We will need assistance to tow the capsized boat out of shipping lane. One in the water.”

“Roger that, Cal. Will send out the RHIB.”

Cal brought the boat around, bringing it in closer to the wrecked cruiser. He watched the figure on the boat catch the rope. Then he brought the lifeboat right alongside the upturned hull. Phil and Sam grabbed the man and pulled him into the safety of the lifeboat.

“Is there anyone else with you?” Sam asked.

“Harriet. Where is she? Did you pick her up, too?”

Hattie’s out here? A stab of fear filling him, Cal turned in his seat, hoping he was wrong. The soaked figure was as unmistakable as his clipped posh accent. He wanted to berate the man for being stupid, but now wasn’t the time. “Where did you last see her, Markus?”

“Didn’t you find her yet?”

“We barely found you. Where did you last see her?” Oh, God, keep her safe out here.

“Before we capsized. The boat flipped over so fast. When I came up she was gone.”

Trevor turned the searchlight on the water around them.

“Sam, check Markus over.” Cal yelled, fear twisting his gut. 

“I’m fine. Harriet was hurt before she went into the water. She hit her arm on something, and couldn’t use it.”

“You’re being checked over regardless. Trevor, rope up in case you need to go in. If she’s hurt she won’t be able to hold onto the rope.”

“Aye, aye.”

Did he imagine a faint call for help carried on the wind? “Aim that light over to the right.” The search light caught sight of something yellow floating on the waves in the distance. Cal turned the boat around on a dime. Please let it be her. 

“There!” Sam yelled.

Cal nodded and accelerated the boat towards the small yellow shape the light picked out. He came in close to the figure and Trevor dived over the side into the maelstrom. Waves crashed over and around them, spray threatening the stability of the boat.

PELICAN BOOK GROUP PURCHASE LINK   ~   AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

MARIANNE'S REVIEW:

Clare Revell never fails to deliver a romantic thrill ride. Her latest series, covering the seven days of the week, comes to a pitch-perfect close in the pages of Sunday’s Child. Retired football player (Soccer, mind you) Callum Trant now serves as a volunteer lifeboat helmsman with the RNLI running rescue operations at sea (talk about high drama!). Hattie Steele, meanwhile, is a ‘nester’ – a cook and hospitality specialist helping her brother run a vacation lodge. Hattie and Cal come together amidst the literal, and figurative, storms of life and have to fight a sinister element of Hattie’s family past in order to find a way to calmer seas…and the love of a lifetime.

Enjoy, friends, and thanks for stopping by!

March New Release Clash - Stop By COTT And Vote

While we tally the scores for the 2014 Olympia, Clash of the Titles's annual contest for pre-published writers, have a look at these spectacular new releases, hand-picked just for you. After you've chosen your favorite, let us know which it is by casting your vote in the survey box below.

We wish our contestants all the best!

Mandy will risk everything to protect her guests and her ranch. Her faith, and God's protection, lead her to find out the secret to the Red Gold before it destroys everything.

Local foods chef Claire Halford hosts weddings on Green Acres Farm, but the first bride comes with a ruggedly handsome brother. Noel Kenzie’s reforestation company provides him the means to enjoy a globe-trotting life, until he's captivated by a certain chef who's firmly rooted in one place.

Drew Farthering would like to end the summer of 1932 with the announcement of his engagement to Madeline Parker, but instead he finds himself enmeshed in a series of murders that have disrupted the peaceful little village of Farthering St. John. Who is behind the Hatpin Murders, and why are they all in some way connected to Drew?

 Shortly before suffering a tragic car accident, Kate McConnell wrote the simple but powerful words of Psalm 23 on a piece of paper to give to her wayward and confused son. As Kate fights for her life her copy of the psalm begins an incredible journey around the world, forever changing the lives of twelve very different people.






Abandoning his life as a temple guard and becoming an indentured servant was the only way Ari could protect young Joash, the true King of Judah, from the child’s evil grandmother, Queen Athaliah. However, Ari never thought he’d fall in love with Mira, his master’s daughter, and now he must choose between his heart and his sacred duty to God and the nation he has vowed to serve.

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In Honor Of....

I reached a milestone this weekend, and I'd love it if you helped me celebrate.

I've now welcomed over 1,000 followers to my Twitter family, and in honor of, I'm giving away TWO autographed, print copies of my award winning Christian fiction debut, DEVOTION!

How do you enter to win? Simple!

1. Comment below or
2. Share my Facebook post or
3. Re-tweet my post on Twitter

Multiple shares/entries equal multiple chances to win!

I'll track the folks who respond. From there, two winners will be chosen on Monday the 14th, which also happens to be release day for my latest book from Pelican Book Group  -  JODIE'S SONG! Check it out!

Marianne on Twitter

Marianne on Facebook

God bless, and thank you for being such a wonderful and vital part of my writing ministry!

Marianne

Clash of the Titles - March Book Bundle Giveaway!

Is your to-be-read pile getting low? Do you love FREE things? Then toss your name into the hat for a chance to win these three new releases! 

GIVEAWAY!

Winner announced at Clash of the Titles

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

By entering the contest, you understand that:

The books may arrive in Kindle, Nook, or paperback format, according to each author's preference. 

Each author will send his/her book directly to the winner.

COTT cannot be held responsible for prizes not received.

Entry in this contest does NOT subscribe you to any feeds, newsletters, or other publications or networks

ENTER CONTEST HERE

A Hot Button Novel...Hot Off the Presses

Ryan's Father is this month's champion at Clash of the Titles. Author June Foster is known for tackling complicated issues, and according to her fans, Ryan's Father fits the bill.
Enjoy this minipreview of a novel that tackles one of today's hottest issues.

About the Book:
The rippling influence of Ryan Reid’s immoral mother and absent father makes a mark on his soul leaving him to battle same sex attraction. When the young school teacher asks Jesus into his life, he thinks he’ll be free though no amount of prayer changes him. Ryan wants to turn away from the lifestyle, yet in his heart he knows he’s committed the sin.
Nurse Sandy Arrington still resides at home held captive by her secret fears. Her dream to be a wife and mother looks bleak.
When Sandy falls in love with Ryan, he’s powerless to return her love. Can Ryan dig his way out to find the freedom to love Sandy? Can Sandy find release from her fears?

Buy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble

June's motivation for writing Ryan's Father:
When my daughter was in high school, one of her friends told me privately he was attracted to another boy in our church. I was saddened to see this precious young man believe he had no control over the feelings and desires that brought him so much misery. I wrote Ryan's Father to offer hope to anyone in the lifestyle who wants to walk away. My prayer is that God will touch hurting hearts with the message of this book.

About the Author:
June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. June's book, Ryan's Father, is available from WhiteFire Publishing January 2014. Red and the Wolf will be available April 2014. For All Eternity and Misty Hollow, God willing, will be published in the near future. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives.

Here's a taste of the comments received for this month's clashers:
-This was one of the hardest choices in quite some time. They all sound wonderful and fit in with my reading tastes. Good work, June, Darlene, Lillian and Sylvia.

-Rebekah is my daughter's name and I love that spelling. But it makes it more meaningful know since we

know that was the way it was then. I love knowing the inside story of what went on in that Jesus time of history.

-Darlene, Looking forward to reading Homefront Dreams.

-I have enjoyed every book written by Lillian Duncan. They all have a great storyline!

-I love all of your books, June Foster, keep following God's direction in choosing your subjects and be blessed.

-Love the books from June Foster. They draw you in and make you think of some of your situations and makes me want to make changes in my life for the good. Great Job June keep up the great work.

-I love the "risk" that Ryan's Father is taking in Christian publishing. It's greatly needed!

-Sylvia Bambola...your book sounds Captivating! I am looking forward to reading this...sounds like this is about the holy Grail BEFORE the Middle Ages and knights were sent to find it. Love the historical backdrop your tale is told to.

-Darlene's writing is emotional and beautiful. I highly recommend her books!

-All interesting titles. Best of luck to Lillian Duncan. Your book sounds intriguing!

Stay tuned to Clash of the Titles for the latest in Christian fiction!

CALL TO SUBMIT! Christian New Adult Imprint, Pure Amore from Pelican Book Group

Recently a lot of discussion has taken place on the reader/writer loops to which I belong concerning the genre of "New Adult" books.

In mainstream terms, New Adult books deal with twenty-somethings coming of age in their careers, their lives and their loves. Many of us who write Christian romance and fiction have been intrigued by the concept, but wondered how we could bring New Adult stories to life from a Christian world view.

I'm thrilled to say, my publisher Pelican Book Group, is leading the charge to fill that need with a brand new imprint, coming soon, called PURE AMORE.

Following are all the details if you're interested in submitting - and if you can't wait to read these stories, I assure you, you're not alone!!!

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Pelican Pure Amore™
Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

Pelican Pure Amore™ romances are sweet in tone and in conflict. These stories are the emotionally-driven tales of youthful Christians who are striving to live their faith in a world where Christ-centered choices may not fully be understood.

Plots should not contain overly hard-hitting or controversial subjects but should be hope-filled, enjoyable reads that don’t come with a lot of excess baggage. Stories should be written in an active, engaging style that leaves the reader satisfied and smiling. Plots should focus on the love between a man and a woman who both hold God at the center of their lives and who have never been married. The hero and heroine will exhibit traditional Christian values but also should be three-dimensional and therefore exhibit flaws as well as virtues.

•    Neither the hero nor heroine can have been married before. No divorced, separated, or widowed protagonists

•    Both Hero and Heroine should be Christians throughout. While Pure Amore™ may feature subplots that include the hero or heroine rediscovering or growing to a deeper faith, these are not stories centered on conversion. Therefore, both Hero and Heroine must be Christian at the onset.

•    Either the hero or heroine, or both, must be a virgin. That means they must be physical virgin as opposed to being a “rededicated” virgin, and this fact must be addressed naturally within the context of the story.

•    These are stories of Christians living Christian lives. Characters should adhere to mainline Christianity, but should not be preachy or didactic. The Christian element and/or lesson should be inherent to the characterizations and so should come through in the protagonists’ natural actions/reactions to events and people around them.

•    Heroes and heroines must be between the ages of 21 and 33, inclusive.

•    ALL titles must be between 40,000 and 45,000 words. No exceptions.

Pure Amore™ romances emphasize the beauty in chastity, so physical interactions such as kissing or hugging should focus on the characters’ emotions rather than heightened sexual desire, and any scenes of physical intimacy should be absolutely integral to the plot and/or emotional development of the character or relationship.

At this time, we are interested in finished manuscripts only. Please do not query unless your manuscript is complete. Please visit our web site for the access to the submission form: http://pelink.us/write4pbg

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Doesn't this sound awesome?? Blessings to you all - happy reading, and happy writing!

Marianne