Tag Archive | Prism Book Group

Spatzle Speaks: Crux of Honor (Book Review)

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Mom told me Paula wrote a fascinating romance in her novella, Crux of Honor. This is book 6 in the “Love is . . .” series by Prism Book Group illuminating “love does not dishonor others.”

When Chelsea Wilson breaks up with her Amish boyfriend who decided to return to the fold, she didn’t forsee the consequences his Rumpspringa would have on her future beyond a broken heart. She had been banished from her parent’s home for her association with the young man and now, pregnant and alone, she would lose her current apartment as well.

Dr. Kevin Alley returned home from a stint in Iraq to work in his small hometown. The last thing he expected was to run into his long-lost love, Chelsea. When she shares just how she’s messed up her life since he’d last seen her, compassion compells him to help out. Giving her a place to live and assistance as she navigates her challenges he keeps his hands off and his heart locked tight.

Chelsea learns about what true love is from Kevin’s respect and care for her. I don’t want to give away too much of the story but the journey they take is a powerful one and Kevin lives up to the idea of a gentleman of honor. As a dog I have to give this five bones because honor is a noble virtue. And I dont’ do stars. I’m a dog.

5 bones for blog

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Spatzle Speaks: Everything About You (Book Review)

Mar25

Reading Time: 2 minutes

EverythingAboutYou small Lisa Lickel tells wonderful stories and Everything About You is no exception. As part of the “Love is . . .” series by Prism Book Group this story illustrates the scripture “love is not proud.”

Shelly needs a movie set miracle but when the original star is unavailable and the clock is ticking, can the rough-edged farmer be transformed into a movie star in five days? Good looks only go so far. Can he master the accent needed? Who knew Wisconsin could be so back-woods?

Danny just needs the cash to expand his farm. He’s eager to please the spunky gal who’s pushing him right and left till he barely knows which way is up.

When Shelly’s old flame who had betrayed her horribly shows up on set everything is about to combust. Shelly has to abandon her own pride and depend on Danny. Will she lose her job? She’s already on her way to losing her heart. I like Danny. But I’m a dog from Wisconsin so he’s my home-boy since I come from the western side of the state where this tale is set.

Daily vlogs give insight into the character’s thoughts and feelings and while it’s a whirlwind romance the reader comes to feel strongly for Danny and Shelly with their individual struggles. Maybe a down-home country boy from Wisconsin can be the key to a movie maker’s heart. The ending is sweet and worth the read. I love Lisa’s creativity in creating the story.

Pride, trust, humility and accepting people for who they are sharply contrast against one another in this sweet romance novella. I give it five bones. I’m a dog. I don’t do stars.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

5 bones for blog

Spatzle Speaks: Work In Progress (Book Review)

Feb26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Work in Progress by Nancy Bolton is book number 4 in the “Love is . . .” series of novellas by Prism Book Group. The story illustrates “love does not boast.”

Julie and Mark have worked together for years in the kitchen. As a dog that’s my favorite place to be when Mom is there – but dogs aren’t allowed in this kitchen because it’s at a restaurant. What’s up with that?

They keep their relationship civil because Julie believes Mark is an insincere flirt and he thinks she’s a bit of a prude.

But Mark begins to notice something suspicious with Julie. And Julie prays to be more patient with Mark. She keeps her “good deeds” a secret where Mark seems to boast about everything he does.

Something changes in their dynamic and things begin to heat up in the kitchen and in their relationship.

This was a fun story because it introduced me in the whole underground movement of recycling perfectly good food that goes to waste, to help others in need. It’s not written as a political statement but as a genuine glimpse behind the power of that kind of work.

While some humans might opposed to eating scraps – I’m a dog and find it a perfectly wonderful thing to do. Hey, food is food and when it’s good stuff, why not? I give this five bones, because I’m a dog. I don’t do stars.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

5 bones for blog

Spatzle Speaks: Greener Grass (Book Review)

Feb19

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GreenerGrasses This is book #3 in the “Love is . . .” series by Prism Book Group. Julie Cosgrove has written thrillers about human trafficking but Greener Grasses is a departure for her. It’s not even a romance but it is a love story.

This book portrays the them of “love does not envy.” And Julie digs deep into sibling rivalry and exposes the prejudice and jealousy that can keep us from rich relationships.

Erin and Ellen are twins that couldn’t be more different from each other. Each one harbors secret resentment for the supposedly wonderful life the other sister has with her spouse. For years this has placed an insurmountable barrier between them even to the point of endangering their marriages.

And their poor husbands!

When their mother dies she finds a way to try to bring the two sisters together from beyond the grave. No ghosts here haunting them but their owns sin. Ordered to spend time with each other sorting through the house they grew up in they begin to see the truth. The person they envy doesn’t have a perfectly wonderful like as they imagined. In reality, they desperately need each other for support. With the spouses fighting for their marriages and to bring some peace things get a bit messy.

They start to understand the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence – a good reminder for us all. I give this novella five bones, because I’m a dog and I don’t do stars.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

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Spatzle Speaks: Clue Into Kindness (Book Review)

Feb12

Reading Time: 3 minutes

This book two in the “Love is . . .” series by Prism Book Group. Gay Lewis often writes about a ditzy but sweet angel, but that’s not Clue Into Kindness is about.

This story is about Georgia. She really loves her hubby but he’s really kind of a class-A jerk. She responds to every cutting remark with kindness. I’d like to bite him for every cruel comment and remark he makes to his wife. And she takes it? I don’t get it and neither does her best friend Jana who really would like to slap the guy. But her husband tells her that’s not really who Ken always was.

Georgia has work to do that gives her more positive feedback. Especially when a handsome business owner wines and dines her and offers her a job . . . and possibly more? Georgia backs away although given the way she’s treated at home, she’s very tempted. But as a follower she could never betray her husband like that. Although who could blame her.

Things change when they gather to celebrate her father-in-law’s birthday. While Georgia is away from the table, Alan hears some hard truths but he refuse to believe them. He follows up and God gets ahold of his heart . . .

But can Georgia really accept that kind of change? Can she forgive all that verbal abuse and trust that the man she vowed to love and has stayed faithful to really has changed? Guess you’ll have to read to find out.

I like light-hearted stories and this was not one of them. But to shine a light on the subtle and yet devastating abuses that can take place even in a Christian marriage through verbal abuse is a good thing to explore. I still wish Georgia hadn’t been so much of a doormat but maybe if it had continued, in time, she would have recognized it for what it was.

This story illustrates “Love is kind” from 1 Corinthians 13 and what better way to do that than set it up against someone so blatantly unkind and in a relationship that is hard to leave. Romance? Not so much, but a difficult story of loving in spite of another’s choices, this book definitely hits the mark for that.

I’ll give it four bones (I’m a dog, I don’t do stars) for tackling an uncomfortable issue and a happy ending. It’s a novella so it’s short. A longer book might have explored this even further, but might have also been harder to read from an emotional standpoint.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

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Spatzle Speaks: Hounded (Anita Klumpers)

Feb5

Reading Time: 2 minutes

hounded Finally, a book about dogs. Could anything be better? Well, the answer is yes, as author Anita Klumpers writes a fascinating tale about dogs called Hounded.

Mom says that’s not true. It’s about a woman.

Really?

Okay. So it’s about a widow named Elise. She’s not too sad that her stuffy husband croaked. After all she has to dogs to love her. But this is the second husband she’s lost and this one is filthy rich. (Mom says she wished she could relate to that, but I’m content.) And now they think he was murdered and she is suspect number one.

This book is part of a new series by Prism Book Group called “Love is . . .” which is exploring 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. This one looks at “Love is patient.”

An old friend who happens to be a pastor is really patient with Elise. Oh, boy is he patient. But love makes you do weird things from what I understand. I love my mom and dance for her for a treat so I can relate. But the dogs keep getting into mischief and the last thing she wants is to hear about the God who allowed her first husband, who she loved, to die. Life isn’t fair and she was having nothing of a God who orchestrated that.

This is a fast-paced romantic suspense that will keep the reader turning the pages. Anita has a special way with words and obviously with dogs because I kept panting for more. It’s a tail-wagger for sure. I give it five bones because that’s what I do. I’m a dog. I don’t do stars and I lack thumbs.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

5 bones for blog

Spatzle Speaks: Salsa and Speed Bumps (Book Review)

Jan22

Reading Time: 3 minutes

SalsaandSpeedbumps copy (2) Mom said I shouldn’t be reviewing her book. But I insisted (as did some of my fans). Mom wrote a cool book called Salsa & Speed Bumps and it’s pretty good even if there is no dog in it.

But Stephanie would like a dog. There’s a scene in there where they talk about it. I guess that’s close enough since her apartment won’t allow them to have one. *sigh* What’s up with human’s and those kinds of restrictions anyway? We’re man’s best friend, aren’t we? I’m Mom’s best friend and her biggest fan.

Here’s the “puppy” scene. It’s my favorite:

“Christmas is just around the corner.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Come on, Mom and Dad didn’t do too bad getting a tree up and decorated.”
“They did a fine job. Much better than I could have managed with my bulging belly getting in the way.”
“I happen to be fond of your bulging belly. Reminds me of Santa Claus.”
“Very funny.” She snuggled up to Robbie’s side. “If you had a wish for Christmas, what would it be?”
“That forty years from now, I would be as in love with you as I am today.”
Stephanie smiled. “I like that.”
“Did you have Christmas wish?”
“Mine isn’t big enough.”
“What was it?”
“You’ll laugh at me.”
“Come on, I want to know.”
“I want a puppy.”
“A puppy.”
“Yes, a puppy.”
“We may need to wait a while for that one. Dogs aren’t allowed on our lease.”
“I know, but you asked. Wishes don’t have to be realistic.”
“No, they don’t. But how about I lick your face and pant in your ear. Will that do in the meantime?”
Stephanie grinned and gave her husband a kiss, “Oh, that’ll do.”

If you read P esto & Potholes, you’ll recognize Stephanie as Renata’s roommate. But Renata has moved on and now Stephanie is facing a big challenge. New life. New love. New battles.

Roberto is a cute lawyer. He has blue eyes. I have one brown and one blue eye. Why couldn’t Mom write a character like that? Maybe someday? Anyway, he’s a stand-up guy trying to do the right thing and not letting Stephanie’s challenge keep him from seeking a relationship with her. He’s got his own issues anyway although looking at him one would never know that. But Mom struggles to with some things that most would never know about (Except me. I am after all her best friend).

As the two of them date they both face challenges along the way. I gotta say that there’s a little more “heat” and adventure in this book than in Pesto & Potholes. Spicy salsa really isn’t my thing but I do like the chips. Nacho cheese is fine too. But I digress. Are there ninjas? Yeah, but not like in Pesto & Potholes. Mom assures me this is the last book they show up in. There are several more in this series and Feta & Freeways is up next (I like cheese).

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

I appreciate how Mom wove faith into this and it’s fun seeing the down side as well as the blessings of being part of a church and how that hindered and helped Stephanie and Roberto. Mom said it’s so easy, even as a Christian to judge on outward appearances and that sometimes she’s ashamed to admit she does that too. Ooops. That’s probably supposed to be confidential.

Mom writes historical fiction and she said that there is a phrase in the book that dates back to the early 1800’s and she wants to know if readers can find it. She said it’s in there three times! Guess she got confused what century she was writing for.

I give my mom five bones and lots of kisses for this book. She’s worked very hard on it. No stars, because I’m a dog.

5 bones for blog

Interview with Author DiAn Gates

May6

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Today I welcome author DiAn Gates to my blog!

When did you decide that you would be an author? Was it something you fell into, felt called to?

I won a church sponsored writing contest at age thirteen, with an article entitled The Basis of a Great Nation is the Christian Home. The original copy is sequestered in my cedar chest and I cringe at the grammar and punctuation each time I come across this tattered piece of paper.

As a young mother I was horrified at children’s color books, so I created my own. And sold copies of my color book babies as I freelanced art shows in the deep south and at Sea World Orlando.

Those color book characters became part of a four book devotional series, The Master’s Plan, I wrote and illustrated to help parents teach their kiddos the Bible. You can’t teach what you don’t know and many parents have a limited knowledge of the Bible and the task seems overwhelming. So it’s easier to ignore and pretend, rather than face questions from a child you can’t answer.

What’s your pet peeve?

I belong to an edit group known as the Literati in North Texas Christian Writers circles. We’ve been together five or six years and I’m the ing, it, was, that, then, and ly Policewoman. We concentrate on writing tight. Our group of seven serious writers spare no feelings when editing one another’s work. And I am grateful for this group who’s become like family.

What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?

Without a doubt, late last year when I received my first contract from Prism Book Group. My computer skills rank toward the low end of the techie scale, so when I had to email Jacqui Hopper and tell her “The computer ate my contract,” embarrassed would have been a spot-on assessment. Yep, clicked back to print the contract to sign and return, and the sucker had vanished. Vacated. Vaporized. Humiliated would have been another good description, but thank the good Lord, Jacqui has a sense of humor, together with a large portion of the gift of mercy.

What has been your most difficult challenge as an author?

Technology. This old gal learned to type on a manual typewriter. You know where the words zipped from your brain to your finger tips and magically appeared on the page. No programs. No delete buttons. No crashes. I detest machines that are smarter than me.

How do you process rejections and/or negative reviews?

Doing better in that department. The first time the Master’s Plan was rejected I cried for a week, knowing they hated my kids, my husband, and the dog too. Now a small cellophane pack of Kleenex will see me through the current recovery process.

What do you feel is the best success so far in your writing career?

Two or three years ago The PageMasters, a group of homeschooled teens, held their first meeting. Since that time all have become award winning writers within North Texas Christian Writers, and two have won national awards within the home school scholastic organization. These committed teens meet twice a month to edit, encourage and inspire each other. And one of my teens has just contracted for his third article to be published by Encounter Magazine. Can you tell I’m very proud of these talented kiddos?

What would be your top three pieces of advice to newer, up and coming authors?

Just three? Oh my!

Find and become part of an active, inspiring edit group. Bring your Kleenex and hang in there—there is no perfect manuscript. You will have edits. Lots of them. In red. And they will hurt. Get over it and write some more.
Do not let the evil one shame you into a funk of discouragement where you throw your manuscripts in a drawer and let them languish there for years.
Never, never, never give up. Writers don’t get published because they quit too soon. If God has called you to write—you must write. Leave the consequences to Him. I’m living proof of the validity of this counsel.

As a Christian author, what would you like your legacy to be?

An encourager. That first draft is such fun. Ideas swirl and fingers fly over the keyboard and fill the pages. Then the work begins—shaping, slicing, and molding creative stories into a marketable book. And many writers are lost in the crevices of despair and disappointment. If I can encourage one person to use the gifts God has picked especially for them, I’ll have served my purpose as a tool in His hands.

What is your current work in progress?

My first YA novel will be released in August. Roped is the first book in this Texas Rodeo series. Two teens are trapped in a generational tug-a-war that explodes into a desperate scandal which will change both girls and their families forever. Crissy Crosby and her family have a heritage of faith in God for generations past. Jodie Lea Fairgate and her family’s heritage is spelled M-O-N-E-Y. And lots of it.

With Rodeo as the branding iron stoking the fire of competition between the girls, Rodeo also snatches the lid of secrecy off the generational sins of the fathers.

I’m half-way through the sequel Twisted, as this boiling gene pool reveals twisted secrets, hidden for generations, secrets threatening lives and destroying dreams of all herded into this canyon of lies. Who will survive? And what will become of those caught in the sins of the fathers? I don’t know…the girls haven’t told me yet.

But, we’ve agreed it will take a third book to complete their stories.

BIOGRAPHY

Texas writer, DiAne Gates, illustrates and writes fiction for children, YA, and serious non-fiction for the folks. Her passion is calling the Church’s attention to how far we’ve catapulted from God’s order as evidenced by her blog Moving the Ancient Boundaries, http://dianegates.wordpress.com

Under contract with Prism Book Group for her YA novel Roped, DiAne reported and worked as a photographer for the East Texas Youth Rodeo Association. She had the opportunity to be in the rodeo arena, feel the sting of Texas turf in her face and across her camera lens, which gave birth to this western rodeo adventure series. The sequel Twisted is almost finished, and the third story still spins in her head.

DiAne leads two edit groups for North Texas Christian Writers—LifeSavers for adults, and the award winning teen group, The PageMasters. She facilitates GriefShare, an international support ministry for those who’ve lost loved ones.

Wife, mother, and grandmother, whose passion is to share those hard life lessons God taught her. Lessons that will leap from the page into your heart and play out in family relationships.

DiAne Gates, FB Author page

http://dianegates.wordpress.com/ Moving the Ancient Boundaries

Ripplers: Ripplers@yahoogroups.com

Linked In: updates@linkedin.com/DiAneGates

The Rocky Journey to Publication

May5

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I was thinking about the journey for my novel Pesto and Potholes. I wrote it on a whim and in under a month. The ninjas appeared because a friend on Facebook challenged me to put ninjas in. I took up the gauntlet and they provided a wonderful comic relief as well as a way to highlight my female protagonist’s character.

A few years ago I attended my first ever writer’s conference. I had the first chapter critiqued as well as my synopsis. Ann Tatlock was so gracious to me with her time and feedback.

As a result I pretty much rewrote the entire first chapter.

I met with an agent at that conference. My first ever pitch session. She prayed with me and was so encouraging. She liked my novel but didn’t want to take me on as a client and referred me to another agent at organization they both worked for because she thought it was more in line with what that agent preferred. Wrong. That agent thought my dialogue was stilted. Hmmm. That is so vague I’m still not sure what it means.

So I revised my novel, again, and sat on it and tried to work on some of my other projects. It probably would have sat there forever except my friend, Cherie Burbach kept telling me how much she loved the title and that I should pursue it. And a mentor, Lisa Lickel kept reminding me that an author can’t sit on a novel forever, waiting for it to be perfect. At some point it has to be submitted. Again.

It takes a village.

I finally obtained a literary agent, but she didn’t want contemporary romance. She’s working to sell my historicals.

I began working for a small press, Prism Book Group and helping other authors make their dreams come true. I submitted my story to another editor with our publishing house. Because I was her editor for her novels she didn’t feel comfortable editing mine. I get that. But my Editor-in-chief decided to take a look, because like me, she likes to make dreams come true. She loved the story.

She wanted to know if Antonio was real so she could perhaps introduce him to someone she knows. I wish!

There were many rounds of edits with my editor, Carolyn Boyles who made me laugh every time.. We reworked a book cover. There were copy edits, line edits, and proofreading. Ups and downs until voila! I have a novel thrust into the world.

Some liken writing a book to giving birth. A five year pregnancy? Ouch! And a novel is born. No need for it to learn to walk, only for me to encourage others to pick it up and read it and write a review and tell their friends about it.

My brother asked me last year what success would look like for my book.

The materialistic answer would be to sell a minimum of 5,000 copies. More if it’s a “best-seller.” And maybe the financial windfall that could accompany that.

But I want to impact hearts and change lives. Encourage those struggling in their faith.

I can’t measure that.

It’s really not much different than my hopes and prayers for my children as they grow. Sure I would love them to be financially secure and professionally successful. More than that I would hope they would honor God with their lives and He would be able to use them for His glory and purpose in this hurting world.

So as a child, Pesto and Potholes is already doing that and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m grateful to the rejections that helped me get there. And that whatever I make on this book I don’t have to share with my agent…

Pesto and Potholes is Finally Here!

May1

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hey, today is the big day. Release day. My debut novel, Pesto and Potholes is finally here. So indulge me in this moment of self-promotion.

Renata tries to escape her past and runs straight into . . . love.

Renata Blake has moved to the Milwaukee area to leave behind a painful past as a victim of abuse. She discovers a family like she’s never had before, at Orchard Hill Church and is drawn to handsome Packer fanatic, Antonio. After all she’s suffered through, could she ever trust a man again?

Antonio DeLuca has a full life with his family, church and his job as chef and manager at DeLuca’s Cucina. Having been betrayed in love, he is afraid to trust a woman again. How would he fit her into his already full life anyway?

As circumstances draw them together and attempt to tear them apart, life becomes a combination of savory pesto and painful potholes as both Tony and Renata learn that with God’s help, and the support of a faith community, they can both learn to love again.

And maybe fight a few ninjas along the way.

“In this dynamic novel, talented author Susan Baganz takes readers on a roller-coaster of events and emotions to remind us that even when life seems off-track, God rides beside us and promises “Have faith, child; you are safe in my care.” Reserve space on your Keepers shelf for PESTO AND POTHOLES!” Loree Lough, award-winning author of 104 books, including reader favorite SAVING ALYSSA [#3 in Harlequin Heartwarming’s “A Child to Love” series], and FOR LOVE OF ELI, winner Readers Choice Best Short Contemporary award [Abingdon’s “Quilts of Love” series.]

“Poignant romance of two lost souls learning about the things that go wrong, humanity’s fault lines and how to grow and love again despite the potholes that inevitably crop up. Baganz manages to throw some laughter and joy into desperate situations in this debut novel. Read Pesto and Potholes for a crazy adventure that makes Italian food with a side of Ninja warriors seem natural.” Lisa Lickel, multi-published author of several novels including HEALING GRACE and THE LAST DETAIL.