Gypsy Lovell stands to inherit an enormous amount of money from a father who never gave her anything except a ridiculous name. Even now, he doesn’t make it easy. A stipulation in the man’s will demands that Gypsy be married in order to claim what is hers.

Desperate for the monetary windfall that could save her mother’s life, Gypsy visits a Christian dating agency, hoping to find a temporary husband—someone easy to handle for the required six months, and easy to get rid of when she no longer needs him.

What she doesn’t know is that Solomon’s Gate is a dating agency with a divine connection. What she finds there may save more than her mother’s life…it could very well change Gypsy’s heart and soul.

Having been abandoned by her father at a young age, Gypsy doesn’t believe becoming serious about a man is worth the time and trouble. So when she needs to marry one, it’s strictly on a temporary basis. Jal Garridan has his reasons for agreeing to marry Gypsy, but none of them leave room for the word “temporary.”

Gypsy starts out tough—sure of what she wants and doesn’t want. Yet, Ms. Latham does a good job in seeing to it she’s not hard. She has a need for her inheritance that has nothing to do with greed. Jal is the perfect gentleman—caring and considerate. And, in my opinion, a bit too perfect, even if he must make Gypsy see that not all men are like her father. But he is a sweetheart.

This is the third novel in Delia Latham’s Solomon’s Gate series in which an angel named Solomon stands ready to assist those involved with the Christian dating service run by Destiny Gallagher. (I reviewed Kylie’s Kiss here.) It was nice to “meet” again the characters from the first two books, including Solomon, who makes his presence known enough times to be fun but not turn the book from a romance to a fantasy. And she didn’t shy away from showing her readers exactly how to accept God’s gift of salvation.

All in all, Gypsy’s Game is well written and an enjoyable read, so if you’re looking for a romance with a touch the angelic supernatural, this is the novel for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book came to me free from the publisher with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Devastated after the brutal murder of her husband, Chelsea Hammond vows never to love another lawman. Intent on rebuilding her shattered life, she turns her focus to helping troubled teens. But when an angry father bent on retaliation, threatens her, Chelsea must turn to the one man she never thought to trust: Deputy U.S. Marshal Trey Colten.

Trey wants only to protect Chelsea, but she blames him for her husband’s death.Trey can relate. He blames himself, also. As danger lurks, Trey begs Chelsea to heed his warnings. He let down one Hammond. He won’t let down another—especially one who now holds his heart.

When Chelsea is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear, and trust Trey with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?
Where one journey ends, another begins…

After a successful auditing career, Dora left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom to her two sons. Eventually, needing something more to fill her days, she started writing heart racing, God-gracing books. Dora belongs to the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Carolina Christian Writers. Dora and her husband make their home in North Carolina. When she’s not writing, Dora enjoys spending time with her family, kicking back in her recliner with a good book, teaching Sunday School, vacationing in the mountains, cheering for the Panthers, and walking her dog. 

In these days, we have an amazing amount of outlets for keeping in touch with family, friends, friends of friends, and people we’ve never heard of before. More social sites seem to pop up every twenty-four hours.

As a writer who expects to market a book one day, there are ample opportunities to stay connected with people who enjoy the kind of writing I do—namely, historical romance for the Christian market.

So, I blog here. I tweet. I can be found on Goodreads. I’m on Google+. And recently, I joined the Facebook community (I know, one of the last remaining dinosaurs). Shameless self promotion break: Links to all of these can be found in the sidebar. The next latest thing is Pinterest. From what I can tell, it’s like a public bulletin board. My friend, Nicole Miller, wrote a wonderful post on this here.

To my surprise, I have found that I enjoy the sharing (for the most part), though it takes time and sometimes that’s hard to come by.

So, my questions are addressed to you as a READER because I want to know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to connecting with authors:

Do you even follow an author on a social site?

Do you follow an author simply because you enjoy their work? (As writers, we follow other writers in the business, but as a reader, are there writers you follow simply because…?)

What is it you like about following that author(s)? Are they amusing? Are you looking for informative content?

Which online sites do you prefer participating in when wanting to learn more about a particular author: blog, Twitter, Facebook/Google+, Goodreads, other?

Do you follow to learn what book is coming next—more about their career, or do you want to connect on a more personal level? 

Have you found new books/authors through a social site?

Do you feel the author does a good job in relating to you?

Do you like shared links to other writing-related sites, such as authors, publishers, book sources, etc?

Does having that connection make you more likely to purchase a book by that author?

What don’t you like when it comes to following authors on social sites?

Realizing security issues exist and safety can’t be compromised, what should an author blog about, tweet, or share that would draw interest from a non-writing reader?

Your answers in the comment section to any or all of the above questions will be appreciated (as long as they’re not snarky or indecent ). Next week, I’ll share some of the reasons I follow certain people.

Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy and devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil tells a modern day story involving the exposure of a building rebound scam. Amidst the layers of unethical practices, supply shortages, and excess murders, a top Louisiana homicide detective loses his heart to a charitable contractor while uncovering a secret about his tragic past.

Author Robin Caroll

I was honored to learn this blog was nominated for The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award by author Tracy Ruckman. A great, big thanks to you, Tracy!

There are certain rules that come with this nomination. First, I must display the badge and thank the person who nominated me. (See above.) Second, I need to nominate ten other blogs and let them know. And third, I’m to share seven random things about myself or my blog. (See below.)

Ten blogs I find to be sweet:

Anita Mae Draper’s Draper’s Acres – Writing updates,  personal with lots of photos

Dora Hiers’ Heart Racing, God Gracing blog – Reviews, devotions, and fun “Thanks Givings” posts

Edwina Cowgill’s Musings of Edwina – Reviews and devotions

Heidi Chiavaroli’s New England Inspiration – Faith, writing and real life

Jillian Kent – Writing and real life

Keiki Hendrix - I’ve often taken advantage of her Vessel Project website

Nicole Miller’s To the Heart of History – Horses and history – Who could want more?

Phyllis Keel’s The Gifted Writer - Focuses on God’s work in our lives

Rachel Wilder’s Romance with Old World Charm - 19th Century Fashion

Reflections in Hindsight – Encouraging posts for writers

Seven random things about me or my blog?

I truly enjoy promoting the works of other Christian authors on this blog and letting readers know about the awesome novels being written by them.

After all these months, I’m still trying to get used to a half-empty nest. (The child does have college breaks.)

I’m probably one of the last people on this earth to sign up for Facebook. (Waving hello to my friends!)

My favorite part of gardening is putting a plant in the ground. I’ve been known to move the same plant over and over again.

One day, several years ago, I spotted a poster in a kid’s movie. It was created by Argus using one of the quotes I sold them. (Don’t ask which movie. I was too flummoxed to write it down and have regretted that ever since. In case the movie is ever shown again, the poster is hanging on a schoolroom door. It has black and white stripes like a referee’s uniform and says “Life has rules. Play fair.” Just in case…)

After twenty-one years of publishing small pieces, God gave me the go-ahead to write novels. We never know what He has in store for us.

The beginning of January marked two years of writing this blog. For a total non-techie…wow! 

Thanks for the opportunity to do this, Tracy!

Now for you: What blogs are your favorites or what are two  things we should know about you?

Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind. 

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

Revealing secrets of the Kingdom, one story at a time…

Jamie Carie is an inspirational romance novelist who believes in the power of love – both God’s and ours -
through stories.  She is the author of Snow Angel, a USA News Book winner for Best Romance, a ForeWord Magazine award winner and a RITA Awards® finalist. Her third novel, Wind Dancer, was a 2010
Indiana State Library Best Books of Indiana finalist. Jamie lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and three boys.

I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection  with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers.

Love Finds You in New Orleans by Christa Allan — Historical Romance from Summerside Press – Guideposts.

Picture Perfect Family by Renee Andrews — Missionary Daniel Brantley has returned to Claremont, Alabama to raise his orphaned nephew; however, Mandy Carter, the woman whose proposal he refused years before, isn’t about to let him take Kaden away. Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired.

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell – A simple girl with anything but a simple story. Contemporary Fiction from David Cook.

In Too Deep by Mary Connealy — In 1866 Colorado, Ethan Kincaid agrees to a marriage of convenience with the same casual disregard he gives every decision. Audra Gilliland, young mother of two, accepts his proposal because she wants to stop being a burden to her newly married stepdaughter. And suddenly both of them are in far deeper than they’d planned. Historical Romance from Bethany House.

A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina by Annalisa Daughety — Wedding planner Summer Nelson is throwing herself into her work to avoid the pain of her recent marriage separation. Husband Luke knows he made a mistake – but doesn’t know how to fix it. When a hurricane traps them together, the crisis might tear them apart forever. Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing.

Heart’s Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes — When midwife Phoebe Lee is pressed by her pregnant sister-in-law to help save her husband from an English prison during the War of 1812, they end up aboard a British privateer crossing the Atlantic under the command of a man with a deadly mission. Historical Romance from Revell.

Highland Crossings by Laurie Alice Eakes, Pamela Griffin, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Gina Welborn — Historic North Carolina takes center stage in a new collection of novellas that follows the lives and loves of four women…and the heirloom brooch that connects them through generations. Will Seona, Fiona, Seren, and Brynna find God’s path in a new world far from their Scottish home? Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing.

When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason — When Alexia arrives home to find her ex-boyfriend dead in her mother’s basement, she realizes she needs help. Thanks goodness Hunter Graham is more than willing to offer it. Romantic Suspense from Revell.

Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott — A shy young woman must find her courage when she is thrown together on a dangerous errand with a musical genius. Historical Romance from Thomas Nelson.

Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart — Adriane Darcy stands ready to do whatever she must to keep her father’s newspaper number one in the city including agreeing to marry a man she doesn’t love, the son of a powerful local political figure, but when she meets Blake Garrett, the editor of a competing newspaper, sparks fly that will change both their lives forever. Historical Romance from Revell.

Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach – In 1775, A young woman longs for acceptance and leaves behind all she has in order to follow her heart and the man she loves into the Maryland wilderness. But will her love and faith protect her from the trial she must face? Will she find the true meaning of companionship? And how will she face the world when she is rejected by those closest to her? Historical Romance from Abingdon Press.

Sheltering Love by Elizabeth Goddard — Alexa’s last chance to produce an award-winning documentary draws attention to a canopy biologist hiding in the trees. When their greatest fears collide in the heart of the wilderness, can they each bury the past long enough to nurture love? Romance from Heartsong Presents (Barbour).

Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke – Michael Dunnagan is given a life, a hope and a future through his friend’s sacrifice aboard Titanic. Now he must keep his promise to help Owen’s family in NJ, and bring his sister from England to America. He never expected to fall in love with her, or that she would disappear into the horrors of WWI. Michael risks everything to find the woman he’s grown to love. Historical from Tyndale House Publishers.

To Love and To Cherish by Kelly S. Irvin — The sudden, tragic death of Emma Shirack’s parents in a buggy accident and the return of a suitor who abandoned her years earlier test Emma’s Amish faith and her ability to forgive. Will a man she thought of as a friend be the one to help her to heal? Romance from Harvest House.

Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings – She’s Finally Found a Place to Call Home… How Far Will She Go to Save It? Historical Romance from Bethany House.

Hometown Cinderella by Ruth Axtell Morren — Historical Romance from Inspired.

Falling for the Fireman by Allie Pleiter — When fire marshall Chad Owens suspects that fire victim Jeannie Nelworth’s son may be channeling his emotions in a dangerous manner, will the pretty and but protective widowed mom be strong enough to help him? Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired.

Second Chance by Eileen Hinkle Rife – Dareece Jackson, a teen from the projects, wants something in Mave Robertson’s purse…and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. Contemporary Fiction from Oak Tara Publishers.

Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer — Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can’t work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent – though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job. Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. Historical Romance from Bethany House.

A House Full of Hope by Missy Tippens — A widowed mom of four who’s put her life on hold until her kids are grown finds hope of love in the most unlikely of places when the former bad boy who ruined her sister returns to town seeking redemption. Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired.

A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh – Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter wrote letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends-Lila, Jane, and Meghan-haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. Contemporary Fiction from Guideposts Books.

Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate – A sweet deal for the sale of lakeside family property in Texas could make Heather’s career, but suddenly the family backs off, Heather rushes back to the site of a previous family tragedy and finds an old high school flame and her brother scheming to — what? Cozy Mystery from Bethany House.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall – Love between a Mennonite woman and an Amish man threatens the lifelong relationship between two brothers. And two families. Annie is a young Old Order Mennonite woman whose grandfather co-owns a restaurant with the Zooks, an Old Order Amish family. Romance between the Mennonites and Amish is unacceptable. Inappropriate. Forbidden. But it seems that Annie and Aden have denied their feelings for each other for as long as they can tolerate. Contemporary Romance from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Note: This list is compiled from those books registered by ACFW member authors on www.fictionfinder.com and reprinted with permission of ACFW.

I have received no compensation for this post and have no material connection with any product(s) mentioned. Embedded links are strictly for the convenience of my readers.

Love Inspired has released a new Carrie Turansky romance. A Man to Trust is one of those stories to take with you to a comfortable chair, slump down, and read to your heart’s content.

Adrie has suffered through betrayal and rejection. Because of it, she ‘s lost her ability to trust strangers, especially good looking strangers. Her dream is to be a symphony flutist, but before she can go after it, she must help her grandmother find a manager to run her Christian bookstore. Ross is an outgoing and appealing man eager to prove to his father he can be successful as a photographer. But a bad economy has forced him to close his photography studio and look for work elsewhere. When Adrie’s grandmother hires him to manage the bookstore, it becomes more than a temporary way to make money.

This was the second in a series, the first being Seeking His Love, but it stood alone without making the reader feel lost. One of the things I really liked about this book was the point in which one of the characters makes a sacrifice for the good of the other. It reminded me of O Henry’s story The Gift of the Magi—one of my all-time favorites.

While Ross struggles to prove his love is solid, Adrie must decide if she truly has found A Man to Trust. Settle in for some pure romance and give Carrie’s new book a read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book came to me free from the publisher with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

ExFeds, former Federal prosecutor Diane Munson and former undercover Federal Special Agent David Munson draw on their true-life experiences in this debut suspense novel about Special Agent Eva Montanna, whose twin sister died at the Pentagon on 9/11. Eva dedicates her career to avenge her death while investigating Emile Jubayl, a member of Eva’s church and CEO of Helpers International, who is accused of using his aid organization to funnel money to El Samoud, head of the Armed Revolutionary Cause, and successor to Al Qaeda. Family relationships are tested in this fast-paced, true-to-life legal thriller about the men and women who are racing to defuse the ticking time bomb of international terrorism.

It’s been said of best-selling authors Diane and David Munson, that “he nailed ‘em…and she jailed ‘em.” David was an NCIS Special Agent, and an undercover DEA Special Agent and Diane a Federal prosecutor. Now these Ex-Feds write high velocity suspense novels that combine their exciting cases into factional fiction by changing the names and places. Their books, compared favorably by reviewing critics to John Grisham and Tom Clancy, and by readers to Terry Blackstock, Randy Singer and Joel Rosenberg, are realistic, fast-paced, and popular with men, women, and young adults. Learn more their six thrillers and watch book trailers of, Facing Justice, Confirming Justice, The Camelot Conspiracy, Hero’s Ransom, Redeeming Liberty and the newest exciting release, The Joshua Covenant, at www.DianeAndDavidMunson.com.

Janalyn Voigt had an awesome month. She gained an agent, Barbara Scott at WordServe Literary, and signed a contract for DawnSinger and Wayfarer, the first two novels in her allegorical epic fantasy series Tales of Faeraven.

Lena Nelson Dooley is pleased to have eight of her out-of-print Heartsong titles releasing this year as ebooks with new covers. Those titles are: A Daughter’s Quest, Who Am I?, Never Say Never, Pirate’s Prize, The Other Brother, His Brother’s Castoff, Double Deception, Gerda’s Lawman.

Martha Rogers signed a three book contract for a historical series with Realms of Charisma Media this month. The series is Loves Homeward Journey with Love Comes Home, Faith Finds Love to be released in  2013 and Love Never Fails to release in 2014.

Dora Hiers signed a contract with White Rose Publishing for Journey’s Embrace, her third book in the Marshals of Journey Creek series.

Jennifer Hallmark celebrates the publication of her second short story, “Finally Home,” in Harpstring Magazine. It’s a story of a woman’s arrival in Heaven. It’s in the winter 2012 issue and can be ordered at http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/308785 

As for me, I’ve been praising God for Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary Agency who will represent my novels as my agent. Diana is hard at work finding the right publisher for my historical romance A Lady Divided, while I’m busy writing the second book in the series.