Grace's Pictures by Cindy Thomson

Welcome! Today we are taking a look at recent Clash Contender, Grace's Pictures by Cindy Thomson. First, take a look at that gorgeous cover! Love it! Now "turn the book over" to read the back cover blurb:

About the book

Grace's Pictures
Grace McCaffery hopes that the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise that the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader. A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her. Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

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A review from the Library Journal 

Irish immigrant Grace McCaffery came to New York City for a better life. She takes a job as a nanny to make enough money to bring her mother over from Ireland. When her employers are slow to pay her, she decides to take her new Brownie camera and earn some extra income by selling her photos. A trip to the park puts Grace in danger when she photographs some local gangsters, raising the attention of policeman Owen McNulty. But Grace, who was taken by police to the workhouse when she was a child, has a distrust of men in uniform. Still, she never expects to find one so kind—or attractive. VERDICT Thomson (Brigid of Ireland) has penned a delightful story of overcoming obstacles. Lynn N. Austin fans will savor this historical series debut.

Another in-depth and very positive review can be found here.

Gotta see more? You can purchase Grace's Pictures on Amazon and read a preview right now!

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About the author

Cindy Thomson is a writer and an avid genealogy enthusiast. Her love of history and her Scots-Irish heritage have inspired much of her writing, including her Ellis Island series with Tyndale House. Cindy is also the author of Brigid of Irelandand Celtic Wisdom: Treasures from Ireland. She combined her love of history and baseball to co-author the biographyThree Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story, which was a finalist for the Society for American Baseball Research’s Larry Ritter Book Award. In addition to books, Cindy has written on a regular basis for numerous online and print publications and is a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Cindy and her husband have three grown sons and live in central Ohio. Get to know Cindy at her blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Pinterest.

Click here for a great interview with Cindy on Tyndale's website. 

Be sure to visit COTT for next month's clash!

COTT's Hot New Releases from June!

SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER! What a fabulous season for taking a break and enjoying some good books! Is your TBR (To Be Read) pile getting low? Is it towering high but you are ALWAYS excited for a new book to add?

The novels below all released in the last month! Which one is most likely to make your summer reading pile? Cast your vote now. And don't forget to send some love and encouragement to our authors via the comments section. =)

Happy Voting!

Five Days in Skye

An American businesswoman falls for her celebrity chef client while on a business trip to Scotland. Will she find the courage to take another chance on love?







 
A Heart Deceived

Miri Brayden must keep her brother's descent into lunacy a secret, or he’ll be committed to an asylum—and she’ll be sent to the poor house. When Ethan Goodwin, an opium addict on the run, shows up on her doorstep, her balancing act falls to pieces.






Grace's Pictures

Grace McCaffery must trust a handsome policeman for help when her new Brownie camera gets her in trouble with a gang who thinks it containsthe first and only photos of their elusive leader. But her experience with the police back in Ireland makes that difficult, and she must decide if God has sent her help in an unlikely disguise.





 
A Melody for James

Melody Mason and James Montgomery lead separate lives of discord until an unexpected meeting brings them to a sinister realization: unbeknownst to them, dark forces have directed their lives from the shadows, orchestrating movements, keeping them singing solo. Fire, loss, and bloodshed can't shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that leaves hearts forever changed.

Blowing On Dandelions

In Miralee Ferrell’s captivating historical romance Blowing on Dandelions, Katherine Galloway struggles to overcome family dysfunction when her controlling mother moves in. Will Frances threaten Katherine’s budding relationship with Micah Jacobs, the new blacksmith, or is there hope that love can still break through?

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Personality Quiz

Well, that really narrows it down! LOL

So I took this quiz last night for funsies and had to giggle at the results. I can't say they're wrong. In fact I can see myself in a lot of what was stated. But still...kinda funny the broad strokes that came out.

Certificate: Test results Which temperament are you?

For 30 % you are: You're the phlegmatic temperament! (derived from the Ancient Greek term of phlegm.) Calm, cool, and collected, and possibly meek, it's like impossible to ever lose control, huh? Heck, you're usually the peaceful, mediator guy that calms down everyone else, willingly, in fact! And, being your shy, mild-mannered self, the last thing you want to do is hurt someone. Don't be scared to give people a piece of your mind. You also usually just go along even if you don't want to. And hype up every now and then! Be more enthusiastic about things! You roughly represent the water element, by the way. And one more thing: I'm this temperament, too!
51.6889 % of 17141 Quiz participants had this profile!

You could also get this result:
For 30 % you are: You're the melancholic (also known as melancholy.) temperament! (derived from the Ancient Greek term of *black bile*, which doesn't really exist..) Deep, analytical, and sensitive, you have the ability to see flaws very quickly. There's also a chance that you're artistic or musical. You enjoy your own company, but usually hold grudges and are a pessimist, plus self-deprecating, due to having really high standards. Chances are that you're a perfectionist. Let some of the bad times go, and look on the bright side sometimes! Oh, stop thinking it's an 'all or nothing' thing. Don't have to have everything perfected ALL the time! (but at heart, I really get that... I got perfectionist issues too..) You roughly represent the earth element.

Or even this one:
For 30 % you are: You're the choleric temperament! (derived from the Ancient Greek term of *yellow bile*, not that that type of bile actually exists; they understood science in a pretty off point of view back then, thinking that personality relates to specific types of liquids.) A leader, you can't help but strive to be superior, one way or another. You also have the guts to take charge if everyone was just standing around doing nothing. In friendship terms, likely, you're very reliable. You wouldn't break a promise for a trillion bucks. (or more?) You could be pretty possessive of your friends or significant other... No, you're not evil. But sometimes you value being superior more than more essential things. You're also impatient, quick-tempered, bossy, and even proud and unsympathetic. Be a little more emotional at times. Also, if you're wrong, don't deny it. You roughly represent the fire element.

Or even this one:
For 10 % you are: You're the sanguine temperament! (derived from the Ancient Greek term of blood.) Life-of-the-party, you're outgoing and friendly. There's a chance that you might be popular, too! Ooh, and you've got a really unique ability to raise the spirits in others; you're pretty influential.(due to your great people skills and all that.) Yup, it's about having fun and being wild, but it's also about calming down once in a while. The reason I'm saying this is because you're crazy, hyper, random, etc. Being an optimist, make sure you're not blindly optimistic. Sometimes your happy-go-lucky theme can irritate others. It's likely because of this that you are naive. (not necessarily, though.) But look on the bright side! Your talkative, cheerful personality sure can brighten up someones day! (influence is different from bringing others back to happiness in case you're confused.) You roughly represent the air element.
 
Take this quiz: Which temperament are you?

May New Release Clash Winner

We had some amazing stories come out this past month. Each one poised to captivate your imagination, from overcoming great odds together, to chance meetings with a dashing earl, switchboard encounters of the handsome kind, a mysterious vanishing, and a prince's choice.

Thank you to Joselyn Vaughn author of Climbing Heartbreak Hill, Vanessa Riley author of Madeline's Protector, Lorna Seilstad author of When Love Calls, and Deborah Raney author of The Face of the Earth for participating in our clash.

And Now, Clash of the Titles presents the May New Release Winner...
Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck!

Once Upon a Prince, the first novel in the Royal Wedding series by bestselling author Rachel Hauck, treats you to a modern-day fairy tale.

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn’t going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon’s Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family’s tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna’s aid under the fabled Lover’s Oak, he is blindsided by love.

Their lives are worlds apart. He’s a royal prince. She’s a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel’s coronation.

From the Clash of the Titles Commenters

Once Upon a Prince has all the ingredients needed to make for a wonderful summer read!

Loved loved loved Once Upon A Prince! gave it 5 stars on Goodreads!

Rachel, I couldn't stop reading this one! Wonderful love story! Love the cover!

What Reviewers Are Saying

Hauck spins a surprisingly believable royal-meets-commoner love story. This is modern and engaging tale with well-developed secondary characters that are entertaining and add a quirky touch. Hauck fans will find a gem of a tale.  – Starred Review Publisher’s Weekly

Readers Love It

Recently finished "Once Upon a Prince." Absolutely LOVED it! A perfect summer (or fall or winter or spring, for that matter) read. It was the best book I have read in a l-o-n-g time! You have set the bar high, Rachel!

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, best selling author of critically acclaimed novels such as RITA nominated The Wedding Dress and RITA nominated Love Starts with Elle, part of the Lowcountry series. She penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Their novel Softly and Tenderly, was one of Booklists 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in uncomfortable chair to write full time in 2004.

Rachel serves on the Executive Board of American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference
speaker.

Here next book, Princess Ever After, releases in February 2014.

Visit her web site at http://www.rachelhauck.com