Sheila's Top 10 or 20 List for 2010














Sheila: Book Reviewer,writer and great lover of books...sharing her wonderful finds of fantastic authors,their books, writing tips, and also other things of interest to her and those following the blog. Thanks for visiting! Follow today and don't miss out on news of great new books and giveaways!
Rose goes through so many challenges in the book. “Finding Rose” is such a fitting title for this book. It truly is Rose’s journey to find herself. One minute she is doing something that you just want to shake some sense into her. Then the next she is showing such kindness to others. I love the way that other people influence her life. I think that sometimes we don’t realize how a certain person or situation can change us and help us grow in many ways.
This book also has an awesome back-story with the towns’ people that she meets in Montana. Author Stephanie Humphreys, a first time author, does a top-notch job in fleshing out the side characters in the story. I was really touched by the relationship that Rose developed with her Aunt Abbie; who is very cold towards her when they first meet. Rose has to really reach out of her shell to break the ice with Abbie. A very sweet relationship is born between these two women.
This story will be well liked by people who like historical romance, stories about the early saints, and just want to read a clean, well-written romance. It would also make a great Christmas gift.
Here is a little excerpt from the book:
Will Rose honor her father's last wish?
Rose stood and dropped her father's hand. "You're tired, Papa." She pulled
the quilt over his thin shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. . . .
"Think about what I said." He gently squeezed her hand. "I wish you would
consider giving Miles a chance."
"Miles! I wish Sean had never brought him here. He's so serious. In all the
time he's been here, he's hardly ever smiled. . . . He annoys me and I wish
he would go home." Still, Rose couldn't help but think of his gentleness
when he cared for her father.
On his deathbed, Rose Sterling's father asks her to consider Miles Crandall
as a suitor. Then Rose is sent to live with an uncle in Spring Creek,
Montana, far from her carefree life with her family in Utah. Miles is
returning to his hometown of Spring Creek to set up a medical practice, so
Rose is certain her being sent there is a setup. Yet Miles doesn¹t seem
interested in her, and after Rose falls ill in Montana, he seems content to
act as her physician and friend. When Rose captures the attention of Miles¹s
younger, flamboyant brother as well as the town sheriff, Miles retreats even
further from any attempt at courtship.
How can Rose honor her father's last wish if Miles doesn't even try to court
her? Will she have the courage to put her heart on the line and fight for
the one she really loves?
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Writing Blink Of An Eye proved to be very enlightening. It turns out the science behind repressed memories, false memories, and hypnotic regression is not exact, which was good for me because it allowed greater artistic license. But I tried to stay as medically accurate as possible. Many people have asked the delicate question if this story is semi-autobiographical. The answer is no. The character of Joseph and what he experienced as a child is taken from psychology journals, text books, and interviews. Unfortunately, his experiences do represent real occurrences. The horrors some kids have to endure is disheartening. I tried to express that in my narrative, which proved to be more difficult than I expected. Blink ended up being a very emotional ride.