Friday, July 18, 2008

"Promises, Promises" Book Review and Giveaway!


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing


Promises, Promises

Barbour - July, 2008

by

Amber Miller


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. Writing had always been a hobby, a way for me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings in a way I sometimes find difficult with the spoken word -- although my friends will tell you 'shy' is not in my vocabulary. Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author -- Tracie Peterson -- in 2002, I took the next step in my writing career and joined the American Christian Fiction Writers. I owe all so many there a hearty hug of appreciation for their constant encouragement and unselfish assistance. I feel a lot more confident thanks to their support and love. For those of you who are also fiction writers looking for a wonderful support group, check them out!

I got involved with web design in 1997, when I was asked to take over running the official web site for the television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. That eventually led to a series of negotiations where I was offered the job of running world-renowned actress Jane Seymour's official fan site. That has branched into doing web sites for a variety of clients, including: authors J.M. Hochstetler, Trish Perry, Kathy Pride, Louise M. Gouge, Susan Page Davis, and Jill Elizabeth Nelson, actor William Shockley (the voice of AT&T and Sony) and many others. With the help of a handful of other web site "technos," Eagle Designs was born! Feel free to visit and see our other clients.

Books are a definite passion. Why else would I be writing and publishing them? I firmly believe that a good book can take you away from all of your problems, into a world you've never seen. My favorite food is Italian; I sing all the time, and I once worked with my church choir to do a professional recording for a music CD of our performances.

I am in my 30's, married the love of my life in July 2007, and live in beautiful Colorado, but I love to travel and visit new places. Ultimately, my dream is to own horses and live in a one-level rancher nestled in the mountains. For now, I will remain where I am and do what I love—design web sites and write.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Raelene Strattford knows God has promised never to leave or forsake her. But after the catastrophic deaths of her parents, she doesn t believe it. What kind of God would take a girl's family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? Gustaf Hanssen has admired Raelene from afar for a while, but his poor attempt at courting her in the past has made him unwelcome in her life. When Gustaf promises Raelene's dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene's affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene's pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

At this time,
Promises, Promises
can only be purchased through the
Heartsong Book Club
.

MY REVIEW:
Promises, Promises is a great debut novel from Amber Miller - it is very rare that I connect with characters from page one and yet Amber had me crying before the first chapter was out. That impressed me from the start, once you have my heartstrings you have all of me! It became obvious from early on who was supposed to end up together, but this was one of the first times that I actually started questioning whether that would happen or not. The characters wove together so well and Amber's description of each person was wonderful - I really thought I could see things happening because it was so clearly described. The underlying theme of trust and promises was strong but not overwhelming. Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to her second effort "Quills and Promises" coming out.

If you would like to win a copy of Promises, Promises then leave a comment telling me the biggest or most special promise you've ever made or that was ever made to you and I will enter you in a drawing. Make sure to leave your email address on the comment to be entered - Good Luck!

14 comments:

windycindy said...

It has to be the marriage vows between my husband and me! I consider
unconditional love within the sphere of promises and I feel I am honored to have that with my family and a few friends. I think Amber is great! I visit her site everyday. Please enter me in your delightful book drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

My promise to God to love and care for my two special needs sons to the best of my ability, as I walk with Him.

Amber's book sounds terrific! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

Deborah Piccurelli
DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]net

Theresa N. said...

The promises made in my marriage vows to my husband before God and family.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cheryl said...

I think the biggest promise I ever made was also when I was married and the promises we made to each other. Please enter me in the drawing. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

cpullum said...

My biggest promise was when I went to Closer to moms and Daughter conference with Brio Magazine and made a promise to my daughter to pray for her and with her. She did the same also!
cpullum@yahoo.com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Janna, thank you so much for touring with me and my book through CFBA. I'm working my way down the list of participants. While most simply posted content, I appreciate your review.

It wasn't my intention to bring readers to tears, but pulling on the heartstrings was. Good to know it worked. :)

And although you obviously don't need to enter me in the drawing, my best promise is by far my wedding vows spoken just last year. Stu & I will celebrate our 1st anniversay on the 28th of this month. Exciting times!

Thanks again.

Unknown said...

My biggest promise! Wow! I guess it would be a promise to myself. To try and always stay true to God. While this may sound easy, it isn't always! But with God's help, all things are possible!
Thanks and God Bless!
Kyndra

Lora Lease said...

I have promised my life to my children. :) These next few years, "me", is going on the back burner, as I focus my everything into raising up these precious children that God has blessed me with, for His glory.

asyouwiiiiish@gmail.com

Cherie J said...

MY biggest promise was the promise I made to love, honor and cherish my wonderful husband until death do us part.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hmm, I guess my biggest promise was to promise and dedicate my life to God's plans instead of mine.

Sounds like a great book!

writer(underscore)weaver(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book! I'd love to entire the drawing!

sheflylow (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in this drawing.

I think the biggest promise I have ever been given is that the Lord will be with me and love me Forever and without my having ot earn it. I also know that He is able to keep that promise as well as that He does and will keep it.

Melissa
forest_rose[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

The promise that the Lord will never leave me, no matter how bad I screw up or wander away from Him, and also my marriage vows.

Mary Jo Robertson
rcmjrobertson (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Janna said...

And the winner is...

Lora Lease!

Congrats!!!