"Reclaiming Nick" by Susan May Warren

Oops, I flaked on my weekly CFBA book. Sorry about that! This week's selection is Reclaiming Nick, which is the first in the "Noble Legacy" series. Here's a blurb:

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifNICK NOBLE HADN'T PLANNED ON BEING THE PRODIGAL SON.
But when his father dies and leaves half of Silver Buckle--the Noble family ranch--to Nick’s former best friend, he must return home to face his mistakes, and guarantee that the Silver Buckle stays in the Noble family.
Award-winning journalist Piper Sullivan believes Nick framed her brother for murder, and she’s determined to find justice. But following Nick to the Silver Buckle and posing as a ranch cook proves more challenging than she thinks. So does resisting his charming smile.
As Nick seeks to overturn his father’s will--and Piper digs for answers--family secrets surface that send Nick’s life into a tailspin. But there’s someone who’s out to take the Silver Buckle from the Noble family, and he’ll stop at nothing--even murder--to make it happen.

For more on Susan, check out her website.

Outlander

Randy Ingermanson used excerpts from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander as illustrations of the concepts he taught in his Fiction 301 seminars at the ACFW conference last year. I asked for it for Christmas, along with the other books he used as illustrations, and so far the two I've read have been definite winners. Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon was the first one I read, and today I finished the 850 page Outlander. OH MY GOSH. I haven't read a page-turner like that in a LONG time. Now, before y'all go running out to get it on my recommendation (because I have just that much influence on your reading, I know), I have to warn you that this is a secular romance, meaning the sex isn't just implied or mentioned but somewhat detailed. And the language can be a little rough. But if you're okay with that, then go go go go go get this book. I haven't been able to put it down for days--at one point I was literally "reading" books to Abby from memory while actually reading my book behind her head as she sat on my lap. Hardly devoted mothering, I'll admit, but the book was just that good. And the best part by far was getting to the end and finding an excerpt from the sequel! Yes! There's another one! And if it's only half as good as the first it'll be fantastic.

I'm off to hunt down the author's website and gush to her....

UPDATE:
I was wrong--there's not a sequel, there's a whole freaking six-book series! I'm so happy I could cry!

Pleasant Discovery

I've been completely absorbed in the book "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon, and the last two nights I've stayed up till 11:30 reading. Now, ever since the arrival of our little Abby, my bedtime has been her bedtime, because, well, I thought that's how one had to do it when one was being awakened a million times during the night to nurse; I figured I'd need to go to bed early to make up for all the time I'd spend awake in the middle of the night. But the last two mornings after styaing up late I've felt really good, and I suddenly realized: I've never been good at sleeping through the night, even before I had a baby, and I never thought it necessary to guarantee myself 10 hours in bed. So what does this mean? It means 1.5-2 hours of glorious me time at night! Hallelujah! Books and blogging, here I come!

"Violette Between" is a Rita Award Finalist!

Back in the fall I received an email telling me “Violette Between” had been nominated for the inspirationalcategory of the Rita Award. I was all jazzed until I read up and found out that over a thousand books are nominated–chances were obviously slim Violette would get to the finalist level.

Fast-forward five months to yesterday, when a number from Maryland kept coming up on my cell. Figuring it was a telemarketer or something, since I don’t know anyone in MD, I ignored it and figured they’d leave a message if it was important. They called twice without leaving a message, and the third time Dan answered for me. (I hate talking to people I don’t know on the phone!) After a minute he covers the mouthpiece and says, “Some woman from “RWA” saying you’re a finalist for some award?”

Yes, “Violette Between” is one of eight finalists in its category! Only one hundred of those thousands of nominees are chosen at this level–it truly is an honor to have just made it this far. You can see the other nominees in all the categories here. The winners are announced at a big, academy award-like dinner on the last night of RWA’s annual convention in July. It’s in Dallas, so since it’s not that far, we may go–heaven knows I’ve been jonesin’ for a reason to buy a big formal gown!

So, needless to say, I’m pretty psyched, although it’s funny because I was so angst-ridden over my books being considered romances when they were being marketed by Waterbrook. Now I’m coming to terms with the label and embracing the genre with all the love in my heart.

Though I still promise never to allow a bodice-ripping or Fabio-like image on my covers. :)