Sherrill Cameron was all excited about her special day. Everything seemed perfect – her dress, her veil, the bouquet and the new wardrobe she purchased for the honeymoon voyage. She felt so lucky to be marrying Carter McArthur…until she caught him with another woman and found out that his love for her is based on lies and greed. In a last minute switch, she decides to send the other woman down the aisle to marry her bridegroom. Is she doing the right thing? Will she have regrets for not fighting for the man she loved? How long will her heart ache?

Having just arrived in town, Graham Copeland is swept up in a very strange wedding drama. Immediately intrigued by the woman he catches as she falls from her car near the church, he helps her to the church balcony and decides to stay with her to the end of the reception, no matter what it takes.

Knowing nothing of this kind stranger, can Sherrill really trust him? Is he connected to the missing emerald necklace that was a gift from Sherrill’s Aunt Pat Catherwood? Once the wedding is over, will Sherrill ever see her “beloved stranger” again?

Carter McArthur is shocked and quite stunned when he sees Arla Prentiss walking towards him in a white bridal gown, instead of Sherrill Cameron.  A mixture of fear and anger rises in him, knowing he’s been found out and he will never have a chance at the Catherwood fortune. Why is Arla the bride instead of Sherrill? How will he pay off his many creditors? Will he really lose his business over this misfortunate marriage?

The Beloved Stranger reads as a mystery and a romance, but is truly a tale of love lost and true love found. It is a story of how Jesus can bring together those from different levels of society into one loving group of friends and make them into family. The Beloved Stranger tells us how God has a plan for our lives and often we look at what we want instead of what God wants for us. God can bless us when we turn our lives over to Him.

I was impressed with the way Grace Livingstone Hill wrote the story as a mystery wrapped in a romance with a gospel message. It allowed the spiritual side of me to seek the Lord’s lesson, while my emotional side enjoyed the romance and my mind tried to figure out the mystery.

However, I found that parts of the story were difficult to get into, and often found myself rereading a paragraph more than once trying to understand what it was telling me. For me, there was a lack of information about the setting during parts of the story and a reference to the “1930’s Eastern America” at the beginning left me with questions about where the story was actually taking place. The accent of the characters was unfamiliar to me, causing confusion and drawing my attention away from the story. That struggle made the book drag a bit, but not enough to keep me from enjoying the story. I found my heart raced with excitement as the wedding took place, and as Arla uncovered Carter’s secret. I think I swooned along with Sherrill every time she saw Graham. I also couldn’t wait for Carter to get his just due. I fell in love with Sherrill’s Aunt Pat, who reminded me of my own Aunt Pat in so many ways. I could see this book acted out on stage, or done into a movie.

I would recommend the book to anyone from teens to adults. If you have a friend who is in need of salvation but seems more focused on finding someone to love, this is a great book for them. Sherrill found the happiness and love she sought in the saving grace of Christ Jesus. They might just find it for themselves through the gospel message shared in the book.

Rated PG: Some youths might find some of the wording difficult to understand, and need assistance in understanding, especially because of the period of time the story takes place in.

Book provided by Barbour Publishing, Inc.Thank you!

Sloane Templeton is a woman who appears to have her life nicely in order. She’s got a successful business that was handed down to her after her mother’s passing. She has a handsome and attentive boyfriend. She’s surrounded by friends and family. What could possibly be wrong with this scenario? Well actually, like most of us, Sloane’s got her own burdens to bear. Her ex-boyfriend is abusive and not quite out of her life yet. She really didn’t want the bookstore that her mother left her when she died. She misses her mom something fierce and to top it all off, she seems to be surrounded by completely crazy people.

When Sloane ends up with a book that is worth more than everything she owns and mysterious things start happening around the shop, she finds herself braids deep in a mess that involves not only the police, but a lot of violent threats and the potential for murder. It’s far more than the average person should be expected to handle – even with extra large helpings of red velvet cake and lots of romance from aforementioned boyfriend.

With quick dialogue, engaging characters and a fast moving plot, Bonnie Calhoun has created a fun quirky book that is not only enjoyable to read, but entertaining and a great way to get away from real life for a while. Although, to be fair, with the problems Sloane has, you can’t exactly call this a great getaway from reality, but you can laugh along with some of her crazy choices and misadventures.

I deeply enjoyed this freshman outing from Calhoun. As I read, I would laugh, stress and cry along with Sloane and I spent a good amount of time trying to figure out the puzzle. Cleverly plotted twists made it fun to keep involved in the story without frustration. And in the end, I was happy to say that it left me wanting more. I hope that Calhoun has future additions planned for this series. I’m eager to see where Sloane ends up and how all of her wacky quirky friends fare in the next outing.

Rated PG-13: There’s some violence in this book and some scary moments so it’s definitely not intended for younger readers. Teens would be able to read it without difficulty, but younger teens may want to read with their parents.

Book provided by Hamby Media. Thank you LeAnn!

Chances are you’ve seen Downton Abbey or at least have heard about it over the past year and for good reason, the series is amazing! With its dramatic themes, incredible costumes, and absolutely gorgeous setting you can’t help becoming addicted. It’s really no surprise that with such popularity that this series is going into season 3 filming as we speak. To *try* and fill in the gaps between now and the season 3 air-date (sometime in early 2013) I thought it would be interesting to put together a Downton Abbey inspired “gift list.” What better time to do it than right before Mother’s Day, maybe all you folks who haven’t yet had the chance to buy something for your oh-so-deserving mom will get some great ideas!

One of the most under appreciated characters at the Abbey is Mrs. Patmore, the cook! Without her the Crawley’s would starve and not to mention Daisy wouldn’t know the flour from the baking soda.

Daisy, Mrs Patmore, and SybilPhoto from Itv.com

So what do you think, would modern-day Mrs. Patmore’s (aka our hard-working moms) enjoy this fantastic stand mixer with a boat-load of attachments? I have the feeling a few mom’s would go nuts over this, mine included.

KitchenAid Artisan Mixer (Color: Raspberry Ice)Photo from Amazon.com After mom’s finished cooking up a meal even the Dowager Countess would approve of she’s going to want to relax and what better way to do it than with a cup of hot coffee (or tea or cocoa or cappuccino) brewed in her new Keurig! I have it on good authority (*cough cough* Lori T., the big kahuna here at Radiant Lit) that mom won’t be able to do without her K-Cup in the morning once she’s tried it. Keurig Elite Brewing System Photo from Keurig.com If you’re on a tight budget why not consider making mom a meal Edwardian style? I found this great link on the ITV.com site for three easy recipes that are sure to please mom and the entire family. You can show off your culinary prowess by making mom a meat pie she’ll never forget! Go HERE for recipes

Steak and Kidney PiePhoto from ITV.com

Remember when Lady Edith took it upon herself to help the Drake’s with the field work and learned how to drive a tractor…

Lady Edith driving a tractor!Photo from tv.com

…Methinks today’s mom wouldn’t mind helping outside if she had a machine like this one.

John Deere X300 Lawn TractorPhoto Credit: 2012 Deere and Company

What mom doesn’t love shiny things? Personally I really love the costumes of the series but evening gloves and tiaras aren’t something one can wear everyday.

The Crawley sistersPhoto from Mirror.com

Check out the great jewelry I found on Etsy that was inspired by the show. I think it’s perfect for a night out!

From Juliana’s Creations store @ Etsy

From Vintage Touch Jewelry @ Etsy

From Cinsational Baubles @ Etsy

These are just a few of the pretty (or practical) things I found that I thought moms and fans of Downton Abbey would enjoy. If you have any other suggestions for Mother’s Day or just cool vintage inspired gift ideas to share feel free to do so in the comments section of this post. Also if your mom hasn’t seen Downton Abbey you might want to get Season 1 or 2 or both on DVD or Blu-Ray

Downton Abbey Season 1 DVDor Season 1 Blu-Ray Downton Abbey Season 2 DVD or Season 2 Blu-Ray

*Links and photos are provided for your convenience, no money or products were given to us from any of the sites/sellers/companies.*

Tinch Turner is a loner and he knows it. Since his wife, Lori Anne, passed away from cancer, he’s had no interest in being a part of a family or even a part of anything. Living essentially like a hermit on his land outside of the small town of Harmony, everyone knows Tinch and a lot of people care, but Tinch would have a hard time caring less.

Addison Spencer has been on the run from an overbearing father, a disappointing fiancé and pretty much everything else she’s ever known. Harmony is just the perfect place to get away, relax and concentrate on what she wants to do – be a doctor.  All is perfect until one night she has to stitch up a man who has been in a bar fight – a man who turns out to be her neighbor.

Neither Tinch nor Addison are interested in a friendship, but when a little boy suddenly needs both of them and brings with him a new danger that threatens their peace and their lives, there’s no one else they can turn to but each other.

And what about our beloved Reagan Truman, her uncle Jeremiah and her best friend and sometimes boyfriend Noah? They’re all here. Everyone that we’ve come to know and love in Jodi Thomas’ Harmony series is present, accounted for and updated with much love and affection. It’s like a breath of fresh air to step back into Thomas’ universe and visit with these old friends again.

With witty dialogue, a heart pounding plotline and quirky characters that are guaranteed to make you smile, you don’t want to miss this latest installment in the Harmony series. I’ve loved these characters from day one and I can say without a doubt that there has never been a stumble, stutter or failure in any of the books. There are none that I would recommend less than any other – but with this one, Jodi has outdone herself. The tense plotline will leave you gasping in places and will most likely make you cry in others. I can say that Jodi was able to make me laugh out loud just moments after a good cry – the tears were still fresh on my cheeks! It is gorgeous writing that evokes an incredible emotional response.

If you couldn’t tell yet, these are some of my favorite books from one of my favorite writers, so I’m going to tell you to go check these books out. These aren’t Christian books, so there is some sex, language and violence – but none of it is overwhelming. If that turns you off, be aware. It’s handled tastefully and with great decorum or else I wouldn’t recommend them. If you love a good romance with quirky characters and a fun backdrop, you’ll enjoy these books.

Rated PG-13: Adult situations, mentions of sex and some violence.
Book provided by the publisher. Thank you!

When the Titanic movie first came out in 1997, Goyer, like most of America, became fascinated with the tragedy. “The movie captured my attention. Yes, there was a love story, but the ship of dreams fascinated me even more. I checked out many books at the library and bought others on the Titanic. I didn’t think of writing a novel about it. Still, I carried a love inside for that amazing ship and its passengers,” says Goyer.

Around that same time, Goyer had been working on the idea for a novel centering on a contemporary retelling of the prodigal son. While the idea did not go farther than the prologue at the time, she kept the idea in the back of her mind. Fifteen years later, when her publisher approached her about the possibility of writing a book to mark the anniversary of the Titanic, Goyer was excited about the opportunity and realized that it was time to merge the two ideas together in a unique, faith-filled tale of love and reconciliation.

Goyer’s extensive research from books, documentaries and visiting a museum dedicated to the ship all contribute to making By the Light of the Silvery amazingly historically accurate. With her beautiful gift of storytelling, readers are sure to feel that they have been transported back 100 years to the fateful night that changed the lives of all onboard the “Ship of Dreams.”

An Interview with Trisha Goyer

Q: By the Light of the Silvery Moon is a fictional story taking place on the decks of the Titanic. How do you think this setting enhanced the story?

Every author tries to weave conflict into a story—it’s that conflict and tension that keep readers turning pages. Because the sinking of the Titanic is so well known, the tension is built in. As my character Amelia is being wooed by two men, the reader knows what’s coming—an iceberg is ahead!

Q: This novel has appropriate timing, releasing on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. How heavily did you research the Titanic before writing By the Light of the Silvery Moon?

You should see my stack of books on the Titanic; it’s as tall as me! I’ve read through many books—not just recently but over the last fifteen years. I’ve watched many documentaries, too. I’ve been fascinated by the Titanic for a while, and I was excited about the opportunity to write this novel.

My whole family also visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri. It was amazing! They had a complete model of the Titanic, and numerous artifacts like life vests, watches, and purses. They had models of the staircase, the staterooms, and the decks. Each of us received boarding passes of actual passengers and we read about their lives as we went along. My passenger—a young mother—didn’t survive. Probably the most emotionally powerful element was a water tank that held water at the temperature of the frigid ocean so many people plunged into. I put my hand into it and after ten seconds it was aching. The museum brought to life what I’d been reading about.

Q: Did you take steps to ensure the story remained historically accurate or did you let your imagination run wild?

I worked hard to ensure the story remained historically accurate. All the time is true—when the ship launched, when they reached France and Ireland, when they set out in the open ocean, when the first ice was spotted, when the lifeboats were launched, etc. I researched the layout and decorations of the ship. I even made sure things like what they ate and the musical entertainment were correct. I included real passengers within my story, too.

My creativity came in with my primary characters. There was no Amelia Gladstone or Damian and Quentin Walpole on the Titanic. They are purely figments of my imagination.

Q: By the Light of the Silvery Moon parallels the story of the prodigal son from the Bible. How is this story different than the Biblical version?

This story is different because it’s set on the Titanic for starters! I did try to keep the heart of the prodigal son story—the emotions of the brothers and the love of the father especially. While the Bible doesn’t describe if the brothers ever reconciled, there is some level of reconciliation in my novel—but I don’t want to give too much away!

Q: How is By the Light of the Silvery Moon different from other novels you’ve written?

This is the first novel I’ve written about an event so widely known. There are THOUSANDS of books written on the Titanic. I am certain that experts can find little things I may not have researched enough. . .like the correct size of the linen napkins or things like that. As I wrote, there were those doubts and worries if Titanic die‐hard fans would enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed it, but in the end I had peace. I love the story, and I loved bringing the prodigal son story to life. Yes, there is room for one more story about the Titanic—especially when it can highlight the love of God.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from By the Light of the Silvery Moon?

I hope they’ll understand more about the Titanic. As with all my novels I believe that bringing history to life honors those from the past.

I also hope their understanding of God’s love and forgiveness and open arms will grow, too. As someone who didn’t grow up having a relationship with my father, the love of my heavenly father can be hard for me to grasp. For readers who have the same experience, I hope they’ll take away a deeper understanding of God’s undying love.

Lily and her cousin Rosie are coming of age in the roaring twenties. Both belong to families of great wealth. The world is their oyster. One summer in Paris opens their eyes and ultimately alters their lives. Lily discovers her love for flying and the interest of a man while Rosie believes she’s fallen in love. Before they can both blink they find themselves whisked back stateside and don’t see one another for a number of years.

Lily returns home to a dying mother and stepfather she wants nothing to do with. She sneaks away without telling anyone and heads as far west as the money in her pocket will take her. It doesn’t take her far, but it does take her to an airshow. Her love of flying reigns supreme and eventually she becomes a wing walker. She also takes great notice of her pilot, a handsome man named Truman.

Rosie lives in New York and sets out to see her name in lights. She gets into a relationship with a mob boss that will prove to be deadly. In her haste to escape his hold, she runs away with a baseball player who turns out to be the love of her life. They settle in Chicago and make a home for themselves.

4 years pass.

Lily is divorced and working for her mother’s newspaper. Rosie is married and pregnant and moving back to New York with her husband. Lily’s ex-husband is on his way to New York and Rosie’s ex-boyfriend, the mob boss, knows she’s back in town. Drama and tragedy are on the horizon. Great healing and beauty are also very near.

Just when I think I have  Susan May Warren all figured out, she surprises me. This is not your run of the mill romance book. Watching Lily and Rosie for this span of years is both enlightening and painful. You feel all of their angst right along with them. I applaud Warren for her superb character development. I also thoroughly enjoyed her handling of the time period down to the clothes worn, current events and trends. The wing walking aspect both terrified and intrigued me.

What I always love about Susan May Warren is her ability to reveal healing and God’s hand in each of her books. I found the path that Lily took to healing and reconciliation with her stepfather to be truly beautiful. It perfectly rounded out this book for me.

I had a hard time getting into the first couple of chapters, but once I was in, I was all in. This one definitely had me reading late into the night. Baroness is the second book in the Daughters of Fortune series and I’m not sure how I missed the first one. I plan on remedying that immediately. You can read it as a standalone but why would you want to? And the ending of Baroness left me wanting more and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

Rated PG-13:  Due to some mature subject matter, this book is recommended for mature readers.
Book provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Taking part in two different eras, Jim Lynch offers readers a unique view into something as amazing and corrupting as a World’s Fair.

In 1962 Seattle, Roger Morgan is the newest celebrity to hit America. Not because he is a dreamy actor or an amazing athlete. Instead, it is because he brings his imagination to fruition by building a World’s Fair in the untamed Pacific Northwest, introducing the world to what will become “One of the best cities in the world.”

Helen Gulanos is a local reporter known for her skewering of politicians. Her latest assignment is to cover the 1962 World’s Fair in current-day 2001. While researching, she uncovers information that could hurt Roger’s current attempt at running for mayor in Seattle. What she finds, however, is all circumstantial and difficult to prove. Is Roger truly as wonderful as everyone believes, or is he the corrupt scoundrel she thinks he might be?

What makes this story so interesting is that while Roger and Helen are fictional, the event itself is real. Learning about 1960’s America while being entertained by two engaging characters is the best of both worlds. With so little known about the World’s Fair, it was fun to imagine the card houses, the kickbacks to police forces and the bribery everywhere. This book transports the reader back to the early 1960s to learn about the times and people. It’s an easy read that will delight and entertain.

Rated PG
Book provided by Inkwell Management

Running wildly, Olivia Keene takes off into the forest fleeing a secret she must never reveal and carrying only the small packet her mother pushed into her hands. Her flight takes her to Brightwell Court where she overhears something of great importance having to do with Lords Brightwell and Bradley. She is caught spying and locked in a cell where she is injured by a fellow prisoner and rendered temporarily mute. Edward, (Lord Bradley) fearing his secret will be revealed, brings Olivia to Brightwell Court and employs her as governess to his orphaned cousins so he can keep a close watch on her. If his secret is known, he stands to lose his legacy, his inheritance and his reputation. If her secret is found out, Olivia fears she’ll lose much more.

When Olivia fled, her mother was supposed to be close behind her but has not appeared and is assumed dead. Her father is a wanted man and is missing. Meanwhile, threatening notes are being delivered to Lord Brightwell and Lord Bradley that threaten their secret. Edward can’t help but feel drawn to Miss Keene and yet still find her mysterious.

The plot thickens as secrets begin to unravel. Could Lord Brightwell actually be Miss Keene’s father? Why has the mysterious Game Keeper kept such a close eye on Edward all these years? And who is the masked woman who is searching for Miss Keene?

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors. I will actually go out of my way to pay full price for one of her books. She has the ability to paint such a vivid picture of her setting and characters that you are completely transported. I always appreciate finishing one of her books having gained historical knowledge.

The Silent Governess is a captivating read. Fans of Downton Abbey will fall in love with this book. The reader gets to see life at Brightwell Court from both above stairs and below stairs. I found Miss Keene’s adjustment to being lonely as the governess particularly interesting. Not quite a servant and yet not family, she really doesn’t fit in.

There were a couple of aspects of this book that I question. Miss Keene’s secret is created to be something bigger than actuality and certainly not worth the hype. Perhaps I missed the cultural relevance of the secret or the author didn’t explain it well enough, but I kept re-reading to make sure I hadn’t missed something bigger. It seemed a little unbelievable. There were a couple of sloppy parts in the book in relation to Miss Keene’s mother as well.

Other than a few minor things, this is an excellent read. I seriously wanted to put on a “spot o tea” and read all day. You will truly find yourself transported into the story. Klassen remains one of my favorites and I applaud The Silent Governess.

Rated PG-13
Book provided by the publisher

Tracy started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. After earning a B.A. in English Literature at Rowan University, she spent ten years writing drama presentations for church ministry before beginning to write fiction. A lifelong interest in history and mythology has led Tracy to extensive research into ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome and Persia, and shaped her desire to shine the light of the gospel into the cultures of the past.

She has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures.
Visit the author’s website.

The Untold Story of King Nebuchadnezzar’s Daughter.

For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.

Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an opulent but oppressive life in the palace. But her husband has since died and she relishes her newfound independence. When a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own is freedom threatened.

As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family’s secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband’s brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love.

Product Details:

List Price: $9.99

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (May 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 140168680X

ISBN-13: 978-1401686802

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

Tracy L. Higley

and the book:

Garden of Madness
Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (May 1, 2012)

***Special thanks to Ruthie Dean of Thomas Nelson for sending me a review copy.***

Chelsea Martin, shy bookish junior in high school, gets the shock of her life when her father tells her that he not only is engaged to be remarried, but also that his job is transferring him to San José.  All Chelsea wants is for things to stay the same.  While not overly popular, Chelsea is comfortable with her life.  Kate, Chelsea’s soon-to-be stepmother, takes an interest in Chelsea and offers to give her some fashion advice and tips on being more confident.  At first Chelsea resists, but soon she sees that boys give her more than a passing glance after she tries some of Kate’s suggestions.  Before long, however, Chelsea realizes that the people giving her all this attention are not the nicest people; most, in fact, are jerks.  With the help of her new friend Janelle, Chelsea comes up with a social experiment to show that we all tend to judge by looks rather than personality.

This is the first in the Life at Kingston High series, in which Melody Carson focuses on a different teen and his or her personal struggles in each book.  She starts with Chelsea and attempts to show how fickle and shallow people can be.  She easily demonstrates the lesson that Chelsea learns: sometimes we are better off in our own skin instead of trying to be someone else.  Similar to my generation’s Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal, Carson uses realistic, current situations and applies a good Christian lesson to them while still entertaining.  The genre is nothing new, but Carson manages to find a way to engage adult readers as well as teens without being preachy.  Based on my experience with The Jerk Magnet, the other books in this series should be just as enjoyable and helpful.

Rated PG 13: There are some mature themes, but this book should be suitable for teens and adults.