Marian Baay's Blog

On June 29, we said good-bye to Jessie. After 13½ years of loyalty and love, she had to leave us. I had seen her getting weaker over the last months and knew her time to go would come soon. For this reason I have not written—I wanted to be there and enjoy her in those last months. People who have lost a furry friend know how painful it is to say farewell to your buddy. The house is empty and quiet. She will be missed for a long time.Jessie was a character in my first story Heaven Is Not Far. I'm glad I have written that story and sent her on an adventure back in time. She will live on in my heart and perhaps in another story someday.
I’m starting to think about picking up writing again. Although I have no ideas yet, I’m sure I will think of something when I get serious about it. That will probably happen when the summer is over. The weather is far too nice to be stuck inside typing away on my computer. The beautiful flowers in my garden also need to be enjoyed.
Some adjustments were made on my blog to delete the reviews I have posted in the past months. I want the site to be back about myself. Email followers told me that they received old blogposts in their inbox. Not sure how that happened, but it had probably something to do with the posts that I deleted.
I wish you all a wonderful summer with beautiful weather. Not too hot and not too cold – just perfect. J
I will update my blog again when I have writing news. Until then . . .

 ~


Find Marian’s work at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

FREEDOM HAS A PRICE Twelve year old Nathaniel Dearing leaves his gravely ailing mother to go in search of his father—a major in the Confederate army that is situated in the hills south of Nashville. Nathaniel hopes that seeing her husband will make his mother feel stronger and fight harder to recover from her illness. His half-brother, Tommie, accompanies him on this dangerous quest. For miles, they travel by foot through the woods and over the hills. Their journey is not without danger and no one seems to know where to find Major Dearing. But the boys are determined to find him and press on until they finally meet someone who has seen him. Before they realize it, they are caught up in the heat of the battle. Will they survive? And will they find Major Dearing and be able to bring him home to their mother?

THE CAPTAIN’S WIFE After being rescued from Confederate captivity, Olivia Burns has married her handsome rescuer—Union Captain Andrew Burns. A few days after their marriage, Andrew takes off to fight in the battle of Nashville and Olivia stays behind, waiting on word from her husband about where they will meet again.When Andrew sends word that he hopes to meet her in Eastport, Mississippi, she travels down south. Their reunion is sweet and they spend a wonderful night together in a barn, but in the early morning of New Year’s Eve, they are abruptly disturbed by sounds of battle. Andrew must go back to the men of his company and leaves an anxious Olivia alone. Terrified to get captured again, she must learn to deal with her fear and emotions. When someone enters the barn where she is hiding, will her greatest nightmare come true?

THE OFFICER’S DAUGHTER Nashville, 1864. Canadian Andrew Burns is captain in the 10th Minnesota Infantry. One day he discovers that one of the privates in his company is a woman, dressed like a man. When he gets to know the woman behind the male facade he falls in love with her and promises to keep her secret.Together with Corporal Dean, Private Calvin Mitchell is sent on an errand in the hills south of Nashville where the Confederate army is gathering and preparing for the upcoming battle. When two days later only Corporal Dean returns and tells a story that Private Mitchell is killed, Andrew becomes anxious. He is the only one who knows that Calvin Mitchell is a woman and he is determined to find her—dead or alive.

HEAVEN IS NOT FAR

Newly arrived in America during the beginning of the Civil War, Dutchman Albert Van Ampting winters in Detroit, hoping to travel to the Holland colony when spring begins. During his stay in Detroit he meets the lovely Miss Michelle Lefèvre and falls head over heels in love with her. A sweet romance develops which is sealed in matrimony during the spring of ’62. However, only a few months after their wedding day, Albert feels he must leave to fight in the war.
When Michelle receives the heart-rending news that Albert is seriously wounded at Gettysburg, she desperately searches for him on the battlefield. Will she find him alive or has he become one of the casualties of war?

AN AMISH MAN OF ICE MOUNTAIN By Kelly Long
The many divided reviews made me curious about this book and I decided to pick it up and see for myself. I’m not an avid Amish fiction reader, but I have read enough to know that what Long did in this book is outside the box and ‘too much’ for many readers of Amish fiction.
Like any human being, the Amish struggle with the same sexual desires as anyone. I found it really refreshing to read the sexual parts in this book. Concerning this, it’s it a realistic storyline.Besides the sexual scenes, I found other scenes lacking in development and sometimes a bit unbelievable or wrapped up too fast. There are also scenes in the book that I’m not sure about why they were in the story. Perhaps it is something that will be dealt with in the next book in series?
All in all, this was an enjoyable and refreshing read. There is sexual content in the story. If you can’t deal with that, then don’t read the book. It’s not just one scene – it is something that repeats often during the storyline.
Buy your copy at Amazon.
Visit Kelly Long’s Facebook page.

SIREN’S FURY By Mary Weber
Siren’s Fury is an awesome sequel to Storm Siren. I read both books back to back and am very impressed with the author's writing style. Book two—Siren's Fury is darker than book one—Storm Siren and at times moving a bit slow – however this is not a disadvantage as you get the time to process the storyline. Siren’s Fury is just as cleverly written and brilliantly plotted as Storm Siren. The ending is another cliffhanger, but this one is better to handle than the one in the first book. :) Can’t wait to read the last book of this powerful series!

The blurb:“I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it’s no use. The curse I’ve spent my entire life abhorring—the thing I trained so hard to control—no longer exists.”
Nym risked her life to save Faelen, her homeland, from a losing war, only to discover that the shapeshifter Draewulf has stolen everything she holds dear. But when the repulsive monster robs Nym of her storm-summoning abilities as well, the beautiful Elemental realizesher war is only just beginning.
Now powerless to control the elements that once emboldened her, Nym stows away on an airship traveling to the metallic kingdom of Bron. She must stop Draewulf. But the horrors he’s brought to life and the secrets of Bron are more than Nym bargained for. Then the disturbing Lord Myles tempts her with new powers that could destroy the monster, and Nym must decide whether she can compromise in the name of good even if it costs her very soul.
As she navigates the stark industrial cityscape of Bron, Nym is faced with an impossible choice: change the future with one slice of a blade . . . or sacrifice the entire kingdom for the one thing her heart just can’t let go.
This book isavailable at Amazon and other (online) bookstores.
  Visit Mary’sWebsite

MARRIED ‘TIL MONDAY By Denise Hunter
A lovely and captivating novel from the pen of Denise Hunter, Married ‘til Monday is more than a lighthearted romance.  The author explores the psychological aspects of the effects of child abuse during the adult life.
Having read the previous books in this series, I looked forward to Ryan’s story. I knew he was divorced and couldn’t get over Abby – but what had happened exactly? In Married ‘til Monday, the reader will discover what went wrong during their marriage, but also that real love is not something you can put “off” just because you are divorced.
This is a story about a broken marriage and ex-spouses who both need healing and forgiveness. It is a tale of a restoring romance, longing for times gone by, dreading to plough through a hurtful past, fearing the future and making the same mistakes all over again.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The author easily draws the reader in with humor and loveable characters. The last book in the Chapel Springs series, this might be one of Hunter’s best.
The blurb:With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.
Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.
Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.
Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?
You can buy this book at Amazon and other (online) bookstores.
Visit Denise’s Website

FALCON (Quiet Professionals, #3) By Ronie Kendig

Blew Me Away
Besides writing fast-paced action fiction, Ronie Kendig is also a champion in creating characters who despite their flaws I can’t help but love. It has happened before that I didn’t care so much about a certain character in a previous Kendig book – but when becoming the main character in the next book and I understood their motives behind their behavior, they became my new friends. Making friends between the pages is one of the best things that can happen to a reader.
Sal (Falcon) wasn’t my favorite character in the previous books and I didn’t like the way he treated Cassie at the end of Hawk—book 2 in the Quiet Professionals Series. But getting to know him and Cassie’s history, made me feel for them and understand why their situation was ‘not ideal’ and sparked controversy. I became to love these two and found myself rooting for them throughout the book.
Although each book in this series deals with another mission, there are cyber terrorists working against Raptor throughout the whole series. You best read the books in order.
Fast-paced, heart-pounding, rapid-fire fiction with lots of twists and turns and more than one unexpected surprises! Kendig did it again – she wrote another favorite!
The blurb:Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence. 
Buy this book atAmazon
Visit Ronie’sWebsite   

THE INN AT OCEAN’S EDGE By Colleen Coble

"In The Inn At Ocean’s Edge, Coble writes a fast-paced murder mystery. Using a family drama, she keeps the reader continually guessing how people are connected, dropping clues here and there as the storyline progresses. Coble kept me in suspense and I didn’t figure out who the “bad guy” was sooner than the author intended. This is a nicely written story that will surely appeal to fans of the mystery and suspense genre."



Book blurb:A vacation to Sunset Cove was her way of celebrating and thanking her parents. After all, Claire Dellamore's childhood was like a fairytale. But with the help of Luke Elwell, Claire discovers that fairytale was really an elaborate lie . . .
The minute she steps inside the grand Inn at Ocean's Edge, Claire Dellamare knows something terrible happened there. She feels it in her bones. Her ensuing panic attack causes a scene, upsetting her parents. Claire attempts to quiet her nerves with a walk on the beach, to no avail. She's at too great a distance to make out details, but she believes she witnesses a murder on a nearby cliff. When local police find no evidence of foul play, they quickly write off the "nervous" woman's testimony as less than credible.
But Luke Elwell, home on leave from the Coast Guard, has reason to believe Claire. Years ago when his mother went missing, Luke's father suspected she'd been murdered. He died never having convinced the police to investigate. So when an employee of the grand hotel doesn't show up for work, Luke steps in to help Claire track down the missing woman.
As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for.
This book is available at Amazon.com and other (online) bookstores.
Visit Colleen’s Website

IS THAT A FACT? By Sheraz Ahmed

My first introduction with this author’s writing was a pleasant one. In his own, romantic voice, Sheraz Ahmed has penned down his thoughts and feelings in the form of poetry. I liked his imagery and use of words. Some poems made me smile, others made me think, and often I reread them to let the words sink in. The tangible emotions in the author’s writing made for an enjoyable reading experience.


ABOUT THE BOOK: Unlike my last anthology which was about rain, this collection of poetry has got broader subjects and I have presented its name by using the word “Fact”. We all think that this word represents the truth but indeed this word “Fact” itself indicates a matter which is under research or discussion for which we have to draw a conclusion whether it is true or not.

This anthology will encircle subjects like things we have lost i.e. happiness, our loved ones and along this road of life what we have left behind and while we think about them we also try and figure out if what we believed in was the ultimate truth of just a conclusion in that point of time. Things we don’t notice while we live our everyday life as in today’s world we are consumed by our targets, goals and our ambitions in a way that we have chosen to ignore the small things about life.

I have come to this realization that happiness in our lives comes in small chunks and we tend to look for it in abundance. If only we start to gather the small moments when they come our way I am positive we would find our buckets full in due time. Regardless of the fact that we gather them or let them pass us by we gather them in our memory bank and at the twilight of our lives we get joy out of them and we realize that how many stories we have to tell.
After pondering on this word I came to the conclusion that “The most mesmerizing phenomenon about fact is that it's never free of doubt, which makes a fact a never ending evolving process which neither begins nor never ends”
This collection of poetry is now in your hands and as readers you would be the ultimate judge of what this book beholds.Sheraz Ahmed

Buy your Kindle copy at Amazon.
Visit Shez’s Facebook Author Page

A BROKEN HEART By Kc Christman Hutter
While reading about Kc’s tumultuous life, my emotions ran the gamut. The author of A Broken Heart shares about her life, beginning in her childhood – and as we grow up with Kc, we also learn about her misery and loss. She endured lots of heartache since a young age – but after the loss of her son, Cameron, life seemed meaningless. However, her faith in God strengthened her and helped her through this horrible time. God healed her broken heart and gave new hope and meaning to her life.In her own unique voice, Kc has written her moving memoir—at times it felt like she was sitting next to me sharing all about her heartache and the glorious hope and joy in Christ.Anyone who has ever had a broken heart will find a connection with Kc’s story and can learn from her experience.
ABOUT THE BOOK: How can you mend a broken heart? Can you die from a broken heart? Kc Hutter thought so. She was given away by her parents; went through two divorces; experienced physical and mental abuse; moved thirty-eight times trying to find a peaceful home; mourned the death of her son and business partner, who died from acute leukemia at the age of thirty-two. In the midst of abandonment, divorce, death, and fear, was there any hope for healing? And if so, where? Kc spent years trying to mend her broken heart. Booze couldn't do it; material possessions couldn't do it; throwing herself into her work couldn't do it. Who of us has not been broken? Who of us has not cried out in desperation for some relief from our pain? Travel with Kc on her journey from heartache to healing. Allow her to introduce you to the Mender of Broken Hearts. Let Him into your life, and you will find comfort, hope, and joy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kc Christman Hutter and her husband, Jerry, live in the Pacific Northwest. Her soul desire is to guide those who are hurting and without hope to the Mender of Broken Hearts.
Buy your own copy at Amazon.
Visit Kc’s Facebook page where she shares many beautiful and encouraging posts.

THE HOLY GRAAL 
(The Name of the Hawk Series II, volume 1) By Murray Pura

It was good to get back to Hawk and Skaytha and Galahad. After a short recap of Series I, the author takes us on the twin brothers’ next quest; to find the Holy Graal – the cup Christ drank from at the Last Supper – to save the world from darkness and bloodshed.The first part of this new “Hawk” series is a great start to a new adventure with our beloved characters. I look forward to reading the next volumes.

The blurb:Hawk met his twin brother, Galahad, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, when both were seeking the True Cross that Christ was crucified on. Now Hawk and his lady Skaytha reside at Camelot, along with King Arthur's men, and enjoy a season of peace and the extravagant preparations for Skaytha's marriage to Hawk. But a vision of great darkness intrudes and clashes with a vision of great light that precedes the wedding ceremony. And suddenly war is upon Camelot and Hawk and Galahad must ride as they have never ridden before to find the cup Christ used at the Last Supper or see the world plunged into madness and bloodshed. And so the true story of the Holy Graal unfolds, the story no one on earth has ever heard before. It is a story rife with evil and treachery and swordplay but also bright with courage, faith, and the undying love of a man for his woman, for his brother, and for his God. 
You can download your copy at Amazon—only 99¢ for Kindle.
Visit Murray’s Website

THE TOMB By Stephanie Landsem
Once again, Stephanie Landsem had me hooked from the first page of her new biblical novel. It is the story of Martha—the sister of Mary and Lazarus. We all know how Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead, but the Bible doesn’t tell much about the life of this family. Landsem explores the question; what if Jesus was Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ cousin? How would they respond to the hostilities against Jesus and him being the Messiah?
Martha has a huge secret. If the people of Bethany knew what she had done, they would no longer hold her in high esteem and call her holy. She would be stoned to death for sure. Living with her secret and being unmarried has Martha worried for seven long years. With their father dead and buried, Lazarus is the head of the family. He promised his father on his sickbed to do what is right for Martha. Surely that means to find her a good husband. When he discovers that he is sick and perhaps dying, he agrees to a betrothal between Martha and a Pharisee called Simon. He believes Simon is just and upright and forgiving, and will surely take Martha and her secret into his house and be a good husband to her.
On the shores of Galilee, a young man is possessed by demons. They have tormented him for seven years; they invaded his mind so that he no longer knows who he is. During brief lucid moments, he sometimes remembers that someone is waiting for him – but he has no idea who it is.One day, Jesus and his disciples pass the lake and find him. The demons tremble and call him Son of the Most High God. Jesus frees the young man from his demons and tells him to go to his family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done to him.Soon, he remembers that his name is Isa, but as far as he knows he doesn’t have any family. Of whom was Jesus speaking? About a week later, he remembers Martha – but will he find her before it is too late?
I could easily imagine myself in Bethany among Martha’s family and friends. I felt her heartache and doubts – the anxiety that Lazarus is dying – the desperation to be betrothed to a man she despises – Jesus not coming in time to heal Lazarus – Isa coming back too late. How will she ever be free and happy again?
Excellent writing by a very talented author who knows how to spin a fascinating tale around several happenings during Jesus’ time on earth – and keep the reader spellbound throughout the whole book. Highly recommended!
You can buy this book at Amazon or other (online) bookstores.
Visit Stephanie's Website