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Well, I didn’t get to go to Natchez this week because Alberto threatened to leave thunderstorms in his wake up the western side of Mississippi. Of course, it didn’t actually happen, but by the time it didn’t, I’d already moved my trip to late June. So, photos will have to wait. 😉
I’ll announce Tuesday’s blog winner of Justice Delayed at the end of the post! Now on to Reader Friday.
Recently the American Christian Fiction Writers bookclub read Forgiving Natalie by Kristin Noel Fischer, and I was really surprised by the book. Once again, I was expecting one thing and it ended up being something different.
Here’s the back cover copy and a review from USAToday:
Convicted felon Natalie Jones once gave her heart to Gage Merona. Now her heart belongs to eight-year-old Dash, the son Gage doesn’t know about. Determined to face the criminal charges against her, Natalie moves Dash across the country to meet his father for the first time.
Although Dash is Natalie’s whole world, her plan for redemption involves the heartbreaking task of leaving him with Gage. Will Natalie be able to forgive herself for what she must do? Will Dash?
And what happens when emotions between Natalie and Gage rekindle? How will Gage react when he learns the actual truth of what happened all those years ago?
USA Today Happy Ever After
“Forgiving Natalie is sweet and stirring, unexpected and funny. It’s also absolutely uplifting. Fischer incorporates serious and current issues like prejudice and addiction in this latest work, but she treats these realities with gravity and respect, and allows them to enhance rather than overshadow the romance. This is an enthralling, moving story, and one guaranteed to send you scrambling for this author’s backlist.”
My take:
The review was absolutely correct–I’ve already downloaded Anna’s Courage (which is a free Kindle download right now) and will be getting her other books. Forgiving Natalie is a feel-good book even though you can see disaster looming throughout the story. Fischer is a good writer who quickly draws the reader into the story. Her characters are well-drawn–Gage is swoon-worthy and the man every woman wants to marry. Natalie is spunky and independent and a great mother. Dash steals the book, though. I wanted it to work out for them almost from the get-go.
I found her portrayal of drug addiction accurate, and Fischer showed how easily one can become entangled in addictions. Readers who enjoy a good love story will love Forgiving Natalie.
You can purchase Forgiving Natalie at:
Now for the winner of Justice Betrayed from Tuesday’s blog drawing: Beth Gillihan!
And the winner of May’s drawing for a book from my library is: Shelia Hall!
Leave a comment for the June drawing for a book from my library by answering this question: Have you ever accidentally discovered a new author?
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Comments 44
Yes. Lisa Harris.
Author
Hi Lisa! Thanks for dropping by.
Oh yes! I usually discover a new favorite author if I go to the library and randomly pick books off the shelf. It’s always so much fun!
Author
Victoria, I never thought of doing that…but then I have so many books on my TBR table (literally) that I rarely go to the library any longer. lol Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Patricia! Thanks so much for your kind words regarding Forgiving Natalie. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. Kristin
Author
Hi, Kristin! And thanks for dropping by. I really did enjoy Forgiving Natalie!
Oh yes! I often discover new authors. The library is a gold mine in that regard. Sometimes it is by reading a review from another favorite author ;-). I love it when I try a book by a new author and fall in love!
Author
Diane, I’m glad you stop by and read my reviews. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
I subscribed (free) to Book Bub which sends notices of free and discounted ebooks. I’ve downloaded lots of free books and discovered some really good authors, especially Juliette Duncan, Alana Terry, and Dan Walsh.
Author
I’ve read Dan’s books…will have to try Juliette and Alana’s books, Christine! Thanks for stopping by.
Our Minnesota library has a new habit of leaving recommended books next to the automatic check-out machine. I’ve dipped into two and read and so far have been very pleased. I like expanding my borders.
Author
You have a great library, Delores. Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, through friends and authors recommendations and through browsing bookstores and libraries. Blessings
Author
Thanks, Lucy. That’s usually how I discover new authors and by book clubs. Thanks for stopping by!
I find new authors on the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook site. It’s a great way to find new books but may overwhelm your FB feed. It’s a great group!
Author
Yes, Perrianne, that is a great site! Thanks for stopping by.
Like Perrianne, I am on that Facebook group as well as a few others. I discovered the Holly Cross series by CC. Warrens aka Crystal Craig. Great author. She is in your genre, Pat!
Author
I’ll have to look the Holly Cross series up, Paula! Thanks for the suggestion and for stopping by.
I LOVE to discover new authors. Most of my decisions to try a new author come because of the recommendation of a friend or a blogger. However, I have occasionally been browsing through the shelves at a Christian book store or at a used book store and found a book that grabs my attention and compels me to buy it. Sometimes that’s been a book by an author who is new to me. That’s a really fun discovery!
Author
I so agree, Suzanne. Most of the time I buy a book based on the back cover copy and first page. How about you?
I have discovered new authors through Goodreads, bloggers or NetGalley. It’s always fun to find new authors and books. (like I need more books to read-Ha!)
Author
Me, too, Gloria. My TBR table is sagging under all the weight. And don’t even mention the books on my Kindle! Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, many times! In face that’s how I discovered you! I was reading a mystery book and the author mentioned in the book how she read your books so I tried reading your books and loved them!
Author
Awesome, Faith! Thank you for sticking around!!
Oh Yes, I discovered a wonderful new author (to me) on R. Mabry’s blog…..YOU. After reading your comments there, I thought “hmm better this lady out”. So glad I did ’cause I love your books!
Yes I have !! another author recommended a book by this author so I tried them and fell in love with thier books
Author
Great, Shelia! I’ve emailed you about winning a book from my library.
I just discovered not here on your blog! Not by accident, though.
Author
🙂 Thanks for stopping by Mindy!
I don’t think that Random.org likes me any more. I guess it was just a brief fling we had a while back. LOL! To answer your question, I have “stumbled” across a number of new authors more or less by accident in the past 10-15 years. Our library marks Christian fiction with a white cross on a blue background at the bottom of the spine. So when I learned that after going to the library to get a book by a certain author, I noticed the cross. Since then, I primarily look for the books with the cross and have found some outstanding books by authors I didn’t know about before.
Author
Awesome, Edward! Oh, if anyone’s interested, I’m also giving away a copy of Justice Betrayed over at the Suspense Sister’s blog: https://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/2018/06/happy-book-birthday-to-me.html
I wouldn’t say “accidentally” because I’m always looking for new authors to see if our church library readers would enjoy their books.
Author
I love church librarians! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Janet.
Yes, I have. Bookbub and authors that I read give great recommendations.
Yes, I discovered YOU when I read A Mother’s Choice. I loved it so much!
Author
Thank you, Phyllis! And thanks for stopping by.
I am a church librarian so I try to find new authors for my patrons to read. I frequently order books from christianbook.com and check their “new author” section. That is how I found you and Rachel Dylan, for example. I also read a few blogs that mention authors. The back copy or reader reviews are mainly how I decide to try a book by a new author. Can’t wait for your new book!
Author
Thanks so much, Sue. And Rachel is is a dynamic writer! So glad you stopped by.
I like novella sets (like Barbour) who feature various authors. I oftentimes discover new-to-me authors and then I track down other books written by them. I also follow some blogs that feature books and sometimes discover new authors that way as well. The last couple of books I can remember reading with a new-to-me authors were Stars in the Grass by Ann Marie Stewart and These Healing Hills by Ann Gabhart. I received these books for review through a program I review for…I loved both books and have added the writers to my list. I really do love when I learn of new authors because it helps expand my reading world 🙂
I just looked and I have Anna’s Courage (and didn’t know it) & am adding Forgiving Natalie just from your enthusiasm about it! Sounds really good 🙂
Author
Trixi, These Healing Hills is on my short list since the ACFW book club is reading it in July. This month we’re reading Callums Compass. Thanks for stopping by.
I have discovered new authors loads of times through giveaways, contests, friend recommendations, and just randomly picking books from the library.
Author
Linda, that’s one reason I give away books, both mine and others, so people get a chance to see if they like a particular author. Thanks so much for stopping by.
I love to discover new-to-me authors!
Author
Me, too, Caryl! Thanks for stopping by!