Ramblings-n-Writings

Posts Tagged ‘Tricia Goyer’

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The year is 1945. The war is over and 21-year-old Betty Lake has been invited to Europe to sing in a USO tour for American soldiers who now occupy Hitler’s Germany. The first night’s performance is a hit. Betty becomes enthralled with the applause, the former Nazi-held mansion they’re housed in and the attention of Frank Witt, the US Army Signal Corp Photographer. Yet the next night this songbird is ready to fly the coop when Betty’s dear friend, Kat, turns up missing. Betty soon realizes Frank’s photographs could be the key to finding Kat. Betty and Frank team up against post-war Nazi influences and the two lovebirds’ hearts may find the answers…in each other. But will they have a chance for their romance to sing? The truth will be revealed under a German moon.

MY THOUGHTS:

Author Tricia Goyer is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her stories are down-to-earth to the point that you can easily see yourself as the character. Her characters don’t do strange things and feel like they could be the person living around the corner – that’s how true to life they are.

 Songbird Under A German Moon transports the reader back to post-war 1945 Germany. I really enjoyed this setting partly because I’ve always been fascinated with European countries, but mostly because this book breaks the mold and takes place just after the war rather than during the war. I found myself empathsizing with Betty as she observed the hundreds of displaced Germans trying to make it through each day without roofs over their heads or a reliable meal. So often when we think of World War II, we immediately think of the Germans as the bad people, yet the common German citizen suffered so much. I like how author Tricia Goyer evoked that emotion, as well as different way of thinking, from me.

Another favorite aspect of the book was the relationship between Betty and Frank. Both were able to separate themselves from the moment and think longterm – “how will things be once we return stateside?” I grew to have a lot of respect for Frank’s character as he tried to show Betty what was right spiritually. The book isn’t preachy, just written to reflect how two Christians might talk to each other about spiritual matters.

Needless to say, Songbird Under a German Moon is another historical fiction book that will take up permanent residence in my library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children’s book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions.  She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana. Find out more about her and her books at www.TriciaGoyer.com.

WHAT ERA? CONTEST:

Leave a comment on Tricia’s blog or send an email through her website CONNECT page and answer this question: What era in history do you wish you’d lived in and why? Earn extra entries by signing up for Tricia’s newsletter here, becoming a Fan on Facebook or Tweeting about the contest on Twitter (use hashtag #songbird)!

You’ll be entered to win one of three signed copies of Songbird Under a German Moon.

A special thank you to Amy Lanthrop and Stephanie Garvey of Litfuse Publicity Group for sending me this book for review. This post does not contain any of my affiliate links, and the “My Thoughts” section is my own words. The other sections are promotional copy provided to me by Litfuse.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A small-town summer…

The days are long and lazy, the corn is high, the sunflowers are in bloom, and everyone in Bedford is gearing up for the biggest event of the summer: the annual county fair. Sam is skeptical about it, especially since his friend Jordan is visiting from San Diego. What if Jordan tells everyone bacck in California that Nebraska is boring? As Sam struggles to impress his old friend, Christopher is hard at work getting Toby ready for the fair’s dog show, and Emily find herself wrapped up in winning a blue ribbon with a new hobby.

But when a Nashville music producer approaches Bob Stevenson about using Heather Creek Farm to film a country star’s new music video, he and  his wife Charlotte are faced with a dilemma. Will they allow the glamour and enticements of big-city life to encroach upon their peaceful home? Will the excitement of celebrity drown out the simple joys of summer?

About the Home to Heather Creek series: Charlotte Stevenson’s world is turned upside down when her daughter, Denise, dies in a tragic car accident. She ran away at eighteen and Charlotte has never forgiven herself. Now, Denise’s children, abandoned by their father, are coming from California to live on Heather Creek Farm in Bedford, Nebraska.

Charlotte is uncertain about her ability to care for three grandchildren who are not thrilled to give up the beach and sunshine for snow and farm chores! But she sees a chance to make amends and will do whatever it takes to keep her fragile family together. Feel the courage, strength and commitment of this family as their lives unfold in the Home to Heather Creek series.

Click here to purchase the Home to Heather Creek series. The books come in a series and you can order those at the link. However, if you just want to order Every Sunrise you must call the customer service number (1-800-431-2344).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tricia Goyer is the author of eighteen fiction and non-fiction books, including Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. Tricia writes magazine articles for publications like Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia also enjoys speaking. She and her family make their home in Montana.

MY THOUGHTS

I was a little skeptical reading book #12 in a series that I hadn’t read books #1-11 of. I thought for sure I’d feel lost or not understand the characters. I am so glad I read Sunflower Serenade! Once I got my bearings (within the first few pages) and figured out who was connected to who and how, I enjoyed the story. In fact, I want to go back and start reading the beginning of the series!

Author Tricia Goyer’s descriptions made the story come alive to me. I could see the poor little lamb dart out into the road, feel the anticipation of Toby the dog as he waited for his owner’s next command, and feel the excitement and pressures weighing on Charlotte’s shoulders. I also really, really wanted to go on a Ferris Wheel ride by the time I finished the book.

This book is one of those carefree summer reading books that you don’t want to miss!

OTHER SPECIAL STUFF:

Contest: Playing on one element of the book – big city entertainers vs. old county fair – the contest for this blog tour is City Girl Goes Country!  Share your funniest story (about you or someone you know) about a time when you as the “city girl” goes to the country or “country girl” goes to the city. Enter the contest here.

Schedule: Visit the other blogs participating in this book tour. The schedule is here.

I’m so excited to introduce you today to an awesome book and a really cool author! While Blue Like Play Dough is about Tricia’s journey through motherhood, I believe every woman, even if she isn’t a mother, should read this book. Tricia’s writing style immediately grabbed me making me feel like I was a long lost friend catching up on years gone by. The stories and resulting spiritual lessons are ones that I chewed on long after I finished reading the chapter. Make sure you read down to the end of this post for a way that you can help Tricia’s ministry!

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

Read an excerpt here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Using her own experiences as a teen mother, and leader of today’s generation, Tricia Goyer’s vision is to be a voice of hope and possibility for teenage girls, pregnant teen girls, mothers and wives through her educational and inspirational speaking, workshops and books. Her intention is to serve ordinary women by encouraging extraordinary things with God’s help. Tricia expresses real life, real hope, for real women.

Tricia is the author of 20+ books and has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 2005.

In her fiction novels, Tricia writes contemporary and historical stories that feature strong women overcoming great challenges. She recreates historic wartime eras with precise detail through perseverant and comprehensive research.

Each of her World War II and Spanish Civil War novels tell the inspiring stories of engaging characters—and a God whose hand is evident in the landscape of history and the obstacles of ordinary lives.

Tricia speaks to groups interested in these eras, with the intention of preserving and honoring the memory of the men and women who served.

She also speaks and conducts workshops for teens around the nation, and offers programs to assist teens and teen moms through Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, which she founded. Tricia is a frequent workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Convention.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN TRICIA’S MINISTRY

With the release of this book, Tricia is also launching the Get One, Give One Campaign!

For every copy of Blue Like Play Dough purchased, she’ll donate a copy of My Life Unscripted or Generation NeXt Parenting to a pregnancy, teen or family support ministry (while supplies last).

All you have to do is buy a copy of Blue Like Play Dough on Christianbook, on Amazon, or at your local bookstore, and then go to Tricia’s Go-Go page and fill out the form. EASY!