Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate by Debora M. Coty

About Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate: 

Are you ready to strip fear's power over you and become the confident woman you were meant to be? Have you found that tolerating your personal fear monsters only makes them growl louder?

Okay, sister - take my hand and let's boldly step up and yank the masks off those shadow-lurking, anxiety-churning, worry-generating beasts.

With her own brand of off-beat wit and wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of women worn down by everyday fears - financial, health, relationships, loss, pain, the unknown, the what ifs ...

With fresh spiritual insight, Debora shares hope, true life stories, scriptural lifelines, and a few LOL's along with simple, practical tips for sidestepping fear with faith. And a fistful of chocolate!

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hyrj3    

My Review: 

This is the second book I've read by Debora Coty, and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate was just what I needed. As soon as I read the title I knew this one was for me! Fear rears it's ugly little head in my life more than I care to admit, but it's nice to know that others deal with the same issues and understand.  Debora takes a look at fear and ministers with uplifting humor and personal stories of her own. I think there is something in this book for everyone!

 *Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

Meet Debora:  

  

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." 

Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver

About At the Feet of Jesus:

You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him.

Intimacy with God-to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately need, but somehow life conspires to keep us busy and distracted.

For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistible invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from time alone with Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver's beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365-day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and reflection question. All-new material and "Going Deeper" sidebars are also woven throughout.

Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet of Jesus-where true life begins!

Includes a unique One-Year Bible Reading Guide.

Order a copy here.

Meet Joanna:

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor's wife.

Find out more about Joanna at http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/.



My Thoughts: 

"At the feet of Jesus" is a devotional that will place you right there... at the feet of Jesus. Giving you a little more than just a devotional, you will be encouraged to go deeper in your relationship with God. Touching on a range of topics from worry to depression to how to care for yourself or be a good friend, this book will challenge you. You will also learn about Scripture memory, prayer, and how to study your Bible. It's a perfect mix of encouragment and Bible Study in one book. 


 *Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

Win an iPad from Joanna Weaver and RSVP to her Live Webcast Event {11/8}


Celebrate the release of At the Feet of Jesus with Joanna Weaver by entering to win an iPad and RSVPing for the "True Life" Webcast Event on 11/8!




One blessed winner will receive:

• An iPad


• The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening 


• At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "True Life" Live Webcast Event on November 8th. Connect with author Joanna Weaver and her special guest for an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A! There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants.

So grab your copy of At the Feet of Jesus (or one of Joanna's other books) and join Joanna on evening of November 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)




Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

About the Book

Hope finds the hopeless when a storm hits.

 

It's Christmas weekend 1949, and despite the threat of a storm, the townspeople of Frost are determined to continue their holiday traditions, if only as a means to forget the war that they had all just suffered through. But the suffering hasn't ended for Dottie Morgan who lost her only son in the war. She's preparing to wallow in her isolation for the weekend, when Violet, nearly a spinster at age 29, dares to make a request that will force Dottie to publicly revive the memory of her dead son.

 

When a storm traps the two women at home with a strange young man who has an unbelievable confession and a neighbor with more to do with Violet's past than she would like, no one can predict how this Christmas will give them all a second chance.

 

Read an excerpt here and find out the story behind the novel.

My Review

Baby, It's Cold Outside is a wonderful story set in the town of Frost, Minnesota during the post-WWII era. At a time when the country is healing from the hardships and heartache of war, five people, some strangers... some old acquaintances, are forced to take shelter together in a 'storm house'. This is where the real healing begins.

There are some great lessons in this story. Dottie and Gordy have lost many years to unforgiveness toward each other... and themselves. Stubborness that keeps them from turning to God after the loss of Dottie's son keeps them both in pain, unable to receive healing. Violet and Jake have been damaged by the views of others... allowing them to determine their worth. Only now, after being forced together by a huge blizzard, are they each learning to receive healing... though not looking for healing themselves, yet receiving it still... in the healing they offer to one another.

Even though I didn't live during this time period, Susan May Warren painted a picture so vivid that it felt like I had. A heartwarming read with characters so real in their description that you would think they actually lived. I found myself longing for the comforts of Dottie's home and the simplicity of the day, and I felt the hopes and heartaches of the characters.

A wonderful book, great for the holidays or any day. It will quickly become a favorite.

You can buy the book here.

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

About Susan

 

Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia , Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota ’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

 

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

 

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota , where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

 

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com. 

About the Giveaway

Warm up to Chrismtas early this year with Susan May Warren's Baby, It's Cold Outside! To celebrate the release of her new Christmas book with Summerside Press, she and the publisher are giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting an early Christmas Party on Facebook!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One festive winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/26!

But, wait there’s more! Join Susan May Warren on 10/27 for merriment and a few early Christmas presents at her Baby, It's Cold Outside Christmas party! Grab your Christmas sweaters, socks and pj’s and join Susan and a few friends for a fireside chat about her recent books (Heiress & Baby, It’s Cold Outside), holiday traditions, favorite Christmas recipes, a trivia contest and more! Invite your friends and don’t miss the fun!

RSVP here and we'll see you on October 27th at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST!

Married Mom, Solo Parent by Carla Anne Coroy

For married women who feel like single parents.

About the book:

Bookstore shelves are full of parenting resources for moms who are newly divorced or widowed. But where do moms turn if they feel like a single parent--but they’re not? Whether he is away on business, deployed in the military, or obsessing over a computer game, dad may not be available for a variety of reasons. Moms who parent in this situation still need help and don’t necessarily relate to the advice given in divorce recovery or single parenting resources.

Married Mom, Solo Parent is a common-sense, down-to-earth look at the struggles wives and mothers face when their husband is not actively involved in family life. Writing from her own experience as a married single mom, Carla Anne Coroy will help wives and mothers sort through their questions, such as: Can I do this alone? How do I raise kids to honor their father? How do I give my children a healthy perspective of marriage if they never see one in action? With practical suggestions, anecdotes, and biblical teaching, this book will encourage moms to see their position as a high calling, to find healing for their worries and frustrations, and to tap into God’s strength for help in facing the daily challenge of being a married mom, solo parent.

My Review

Great book! That's what I call it when an author can make you feel like she's a good friend who knows what you're going through... and she understands.

When I first saw the title of this book, I wanted it yesterday! For a long time I have struggled with being married, yet feeling and often spending my days [and many nights] alone. I was a single mom for 12 years, and many of the struggles are the same even though I am now married. My husband has worked two jobs for most of our marriage and I often find myself feeling like he is the absentee father, "Mr. Funshine", who only has the kids when it's fun. I get them for all the homework, chores, and discipline. 

What I did not expect from this book... was the wave of emotion that I felt as I read it. Carla Anne Coroy knows exactly what it feels like to be in this situation. She knows the anger and resentment towards your husband, she knows the feeling that you don't quite fit in... at church or with friends, because there really isn't a good 'fit' unless you're a married 'couple', a single mom, or just... single. Carla addresses these issues and many that I didn't even realize I had, and she does so with a heart to help you turn your own heart to God and honor your husband.

If you are a Married Mom, Solo Parent... be encouraged... read this book!

*I received a free copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you Litfuse Publicity Group and Kregel Publications.  :)

See what others are saying. Follow the blog tour schedule here.

About Carla:

Carla Anne Coroy runs the Married Single Mom blog at www.carlaannecoroy.blogspot.com. She speaks regularly and serves as a staff writer for an online Christian women’s magazine Mentoring Moments for Christian Women. Carla Anne lives in Canada with her husband and four homeschooled children. For more information, visit www.carlaanne.com.



 You can buy the book here.

About the party: 

Come to an encouraging MomChat party on Facebook…you could win a KindleTouch!

To celebrate the release of her new book Carla has partnered with her publisher, Kregel, to host a live MomChat party on Facebook! Click here.

The party will wrap up the blog tour and Carla will be hosting an encouraging MomChat about all things mom and wife related. There will also be a fun contest and she’s giving away a KindleTouch and a ton of other fun stuff (books, gift certificates and more!).

So RSVP today and then come back on 10/25 at 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern for the party.

Don't miss the fun ... and tell your friends.

Thanks for reading and God bless! :)

Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards

About Zombie Church  A creative, entertaining approach to resurrecting the undead church.    There is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: life. Real faith--and a real relationship with Jesus--is not about playing by the rules, attending services, and praying before meals. Real faith is more than religion.   Believing there is a way to breathe life back into the church, Tyler Edwards adopts a contemporary and entertaining metaphor--zombies--to highlight and challenge the problematic attitude of today’s believers.

Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus.

 

While other books have addressed legalism in the church, this is the only book that effectively capitalizes on a popular entertainment genre in order to diagnose and correct the problem. Realizing that even his own church is part of that problem, Edwards has written an accessible and often humorous book that will help believers change the Spirit-draining (or life-draining) habits that stop them from achieving a full, fulfilling life in Christ.  Order a copy here.

My Review

 

When I saw the title of this book, I had to read it. I knew by the name what the author was trying to convey, but I was still wondering if it could be related in a way that would be well received. The answer is... yes. And what better way to get the attention of the younger generation than to use zombies as a sort of 'parable' or 'allegory'. It works.

I think this is a great book to describe what is happening in the church today. Many of us are concerned, with good reason. Tyler Edwards says of these zombie churches: "These are churches where God might be taught, but He is not attending." Such truth... I can't even count the times I've heard people say that the church is 'dead'. It is truly an epidemic.

Zombie Church not only points out the condition of the church, but offers insight into "awakening the undead."  It will challenge you and inspire you. Be encouraged... we can still make a difference. It's not too late for the church to come alive in Christ! There are so many things I'd love to share from this book, but it's best to pick it up and read it for yourself. It's worth it. 

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

See what others are saying... follow the Blog Tour here.
 

About Tyler Edwards

Tyler Edwards is the lead pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church in  Joplin ,  Missouri , where he works to help people learn how to live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and look like Jesus—so they carry out the mission of Jesus to the world. He graduated from  Ozark   Christian College  with bachelor’s degrees in both Biblical Literature and  Christian   Ministry . He has written articles for Lookout Magazine, spoken at various campus ministry events in  Missouri , and served overseas in  Mbale ,  Uganda .

 

Tyler loves cheesy horror films. He is particularly fond of movies like Dawn of the Dead, The Signal, and 28 Days Later, where zombies run wild and threaten to infect an entire town. Connect with Tyler on Facebook.

Giveaway

The publisher is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to all readers!

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Zombie Church  or share about it on Facebook!

 

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy. (All Litfuse bloggers who post a review are automatically entered and do NOT need to email us.)

 

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea:

 

TWEET THIS:  Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards - a fair-minded & tenderhearted critique of the church http://ow.ly/6Nv05 @litfuse RT for $50 to @amazon

 

FACEBOOK THIS: Don’t miss Edwards - a fair-minded and tenderhearted critique of the church. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13424384 Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus. Share this for a chance at $50 to Amazon.com.

Thanks for reading and God bless!                   

A Lancaster County Christmas

About the book:

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.

You can buy the book here.

My Review:

This was my first Suzanne Fisher Woods novel and I loved it! It's also the first Amish novel I've read... and it won't be the last. And then throw in Christmas and you have everything you need for a wonderful, heartwarming book.

The winter setting was inviting and the characters lovable. They all mixed together very well. Who would know that a chance meeting at a doctors office could lead to new friendships, healing, and restoration. A great story for the Christmas season... or any time.

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

About Suzanne:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

 Be sure to check out Suzanne's iPad Giveaway. It's Christmas in September!



Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)

It's Christmas in September!

To celebrate the release of her first Christmas book, Suzanne Woods Fisher has teamed up with her publisher, Revell, to bring you the "Christmas in September" iPad Giveaway! The winner will be announced on 9/27 at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party! Details below. Tell your friends and join in the fun (9/7-9/27).

Oh and be sure to follow the blog tour here - many of the bloggers have copies of the book to giveaway! 

Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):

• A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas

To enter, click one of the icons below. But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.


But, wait! There's more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something *BIG* - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.

Too Blessed To Be Stressed by Dabora M. Coty... and KINDLE Giveaway!

About the book:
Too Blessed To Be Stressed

Do your to do lists have footnotes? Has your fam suggested a rabies shot because your bite has surpassed Rover’s?

Maybe it’s time for a healthy dose of truth gift-wrapped in humor. With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses the heart-needs of desperate women drowning in the churning everyday stress-pool of busyness.

In Too Blessed to Be Stressed, you’ll find simple, practical steps for attaining the peace that you crave as you struggle with the stresses of finances, health, career, relationships, self-image and family. You’ll discover healing, refreshment, and revitalization for your own spirit, body and mind through heart-changing real life stories, biblically based insights, and short chapters for on-the-run convenience.

My Review:

Too Blessed To Be Stressed is just what I needed! I was laughing my way through this light-hearted, but very helpful book. Stress is something we all deal with, and some more than others. At times I feel as if I've forgotten how to laugh. But as I was reading several chapters... I heard the giggles fall right out of my mouth. Very refreshing!

Debora M. Coty gives some very practical advice all wrapped up in inspirational stories and humor. She writes as if she is sitting here having a chat with the girls. A great little book that I'm sure you'll enjoy!

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

About Debora Coty:

Debora M. Coty is a humorist, columnist, speaker, writing workshop instructor and award-winning author of over 100 internationally published articles and ten inspirational books. She has also contributed short stories and devotionals to numerous anthologies. Debora's passion is sharing her offbeat blend of humor and hope, wit and near-wisdom with women of all ages. As a piano teacher for twenty years, she acquired the skill of auditory long-suffering and has helped countless people as an occupational therapist specializing in orthopedics for over three decades. Mother of two grown children, Debora currently lives and loves in central Florida with her husband and desperately wicked pooch, Fenway.

You can buy the book here.

About The KINDLE Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of her latest laugh-out-loud book, Too Blessed to Be Stressed, Debora Coty is hosting the Too Blessed to Be Stressed KINDLE Giveaway!

Too Blessed to be Stressed is a fun-filled read overflowing with insights and practical tips. Perfectly delicious for living happily ever after! 

-Rhonda Rhea, best-selling author of Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

Debora has created a “Too Blessed” prize package worth over $150! One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Too Blessed to Be Stressed by Debora Coty (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below. Hurry! The giveaway ends August 25th. Winner will be announced on the evening of the 18th during Debora's De-Stress Facebook Party! Debora will be hosting a "life-preserver" chat (it’s okay if you haven’t read the book – who knows, you might WIN a copy!), testing trivia skills, swapping funny stories, handing out some decom-stress tips, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Chocolate, books, and more!) Hope to see you there. Bring your friends and join the fun on August 25th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MDT, 7 PM CDT, & 8 PM EDT).

Also - be sure to check out Debora's series of Stress-Buster videos at her website: http://www.debcoty.com/. She’s also hosting a photo caption contest on her blog for a chance to win a copy of Too Blessed to Be Stressed.

God and Stephen Hawking by John C. Lennox

God and Stephen Hawking; Whose Design Is It Anyway? by John C. Lennox is a small book with a big message. It is written by John C. Lennox as a response to Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design, in which the claim is made that the universe created itself from nothing... that the laws of physics brought the universe into existence rather than being created by God.

John C. Lennox shares his views as a fellow scientist and points out that "not all statements by scientists are statements of science, and so do not carry the authority of authentic science even though such authority is often erroneously ascribed to them." And he adds that this applies to himself as well.

This is a very informative book and I enjoyed reading it. Although, I found myself having to re-read many parts of it as I it was a bit over my head. That being said... I will read it again as I am very interested in this subject. It is clearly laid out and I did find that I learned a great deal if I took it a bit slower to comprehend what I was reading. I may not retain all that I read, but I will certainly keep this handy for future conversations. I found it to be a valuable resource and I am happy to have had the chance to review it. I hope I did it justice.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in this popular debate, regardless of which side you are on.

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~Thanks!

Joan Wolf's A Reluctant Queen KINDLE Giveaway

To celebrate Joan Wolf’s debut Christian Fiction title, A Reluctant Queen, Joan and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away A Reluctant Queen prize package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (for KINDLE)

To enter, just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the contest ends on June 20th. Winner will be announced on June 21st during Joan’s A Reluctant Queen Book Club Party on Facebook (details below)! Hope to see you there – bring your friends!

Join the fun on June 21st! 

Joan will be wrapping up the blog tour and Kindle giveaway promotion during her A Reluctant Queen FACEBOOK party on her FB author page. During the party she'll announce the winner of the Kindle, host a book chat discussion, test your trivia skills (Is Esther's story in A Reluctant Queen fact or fiction?), and more. Don't miss this chance to meet the author and make some new friends!

A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

About the book: A Reluctant Queen

An inspiring re-imagining of the tale of Esther, a young Jewish woman thrust from a life of obscurity into a life of power, wealth, intrigue . . . and tender love.

See the story of Esther in an entirely new way-with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King Xerxes was a powerful but lonely man. Esther's beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart.

Imagine anew the story of Esther, one of our faith's great heroines, destined to play a key role in the history of Christianity. More here.

My Review:

Joan Wolf did an amazing job of bringing one of the most beloved stories of the Bible to life. The story of Esther is one that has been told in Sunday School classes and Bible studies, and most everyone has heard it told at one time or another.

I love the story of Esther, and although I know the ending... I just couldn't put this book down. The author brings so many details into the characters and the surroundings that you are captivated through the end. This is fiction... but it's done in a way that lets us relate to the characters. Esther was used by God. And she was also a young girl. She was human. The picture of Esther that Joan Wolf paints is a beautiful and realistic one.

While the story is not completely accurate historically, the author has a note in the back of the book, that specifies the areas in which she made changes to bring this fictionalized story of Esther to life. Keeping her explanation in mind... who knows what the characters were really like, what they thought or felt. I think she did a wonderful job with each of them. I was not disappointed.

I am looking forward to her next book about Rahab! (See her interview below.) I loved this book and I know you will too! :)

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thanks!

About Joan:

Joan Wolf was born in New York City but has lived most of her adult life with her husband in Connecticut , where she raised two children and countless numbers of assorted animals. Joan is the author of numerous historical novels including The Road to Avalon which Publishers Weekly lauded as “historical fiction at its finest.”

For more about Joan and her other books, please visit www.joanwolf.com.

Q & A with Author Joan Wolf

A Reluctant Queen, Thomas Nelson, June 2011

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13334561

What draws you to historical/biblical fiction?

 I have always adored history, a love I inherited from my father. He used to discuss people from history as if they were people in the current newspapers. I think almost 90% of my books must have an historical setting.


You’ve had a successful career writing for the ABA, why start writing for the CBA now?

A few years ago I had an extraordinary experience where God touched my life. This encounter stirred my interest in writing about other people who had experienced the presence of God in their lives and the CBA seemed to be the best place for me to do that.

 What is it about the historical account of Esther that led you to write a romance story about her?

  When I was a girl Esther fascinated me. It seemed wonderful that God had chosen a woman to be the person who would save His people. And, since I am a romantic soul, I also thought that there must have been a great love between her and the king for him to have done as she asked.


Why did you move away from the traditional interpretation of King Ahasuerus’ conduct?

I always thought that Ahasuerus must have loved Esther deeply because he listened to her and revoked the edict that Haman had sent out. A king who not only allows his wife to break into his religious feast without punishment, but also comes to have dinner with her the following day, must care for her very much indeed. And such a man must be a much nicer person than the king traditionally portrayed by Xerses/ Ahasuerus.


You love animals. Do you ever incorporate them into your books?

Do I not ever incorporate animals into my books? I am famous for my horses, but dogs play their part as well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t put Esther on a horse, but I did make Ahasuerus a fanatical horseman.


What is your favorite historical era to write about?

 I love to go way back in time, to periods where the records are mostly archeological. I actually did three books set in the Upper Paleolithic, the period of the last ice age. My next book is about Rahab, and I’m having such fun reading about pottery and stone remains from the late Bronze Age.


You can buy the book here.


Thanks for reading and God bless!
Mary Ann :)