March 29, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday 5-Star Christian Fiction Favorites

Wow! I woke to find all THREE of my novels featured on blogs as Top Ten Tuesday recent 5-Star favorite reads. Beckie at By The Book lists The Memoir of Johnny Devine along with 9 spectacular titles to add to your reading list.



Carrie at Reading is My Superpower listed not one but TWO of my books on her 5-Star must read shelf today. Check out the other titles and be sure to add them to your "Want To Read" shelf at Goodreads (very helpful to authors!).

Here's what Superpower/Carrie said about these titles:

Like a Love Song went straight for my heart. The characters, their histories, their futures, the setting, the plot.  All of it spoke to me on a level that went beyond the romance and aimed steadfastly toward Jesus.  Joe and Sue’s love story was, of course, a highlight of the book for me – it was cute, sweet, and even breath-stealing on occasion. But in all honesty, it paled in comparison to this truth that Camille Eide framed so gorgeously:  God’s love never fails.”
“Camille Eide has a way with characters.  They get into your heart and set up camp, and you are all the better for having spent time with them.  She also has a great talent for creating a scene that appears one way at face value but in fact can be immensely symbolic as well. Like There’s No Tomorrow will linger with me for many reasons – the characters, the setting, the romance.  But especially the message of courage – of living life in spite of your fears – and of cherishing each day as though it’s all we’re to be given. If you love to become emotionally invested in the books you read, I highly suggest you try one by Camille Eide!”

I love book bloggers. :) 
-Camille

March 15, 2016

March 12, 2016

What 3 Book Tours in 40 Days Taught Me

When book bloggers review a book, they do NOT mess around.

I've met some wonderful, intuitive reader/reviewers in the past several weeks. Of course I'm honored and humbled by their glowing praise of Like There's No Tomorrow, Like a Love Song, and The Memoir of Johnny Devine, but I'm also highly impressed at the gifts of insight and articulation these women possess. I wish I could write book reviews half so well!

Carrie - a.k.a. Reading Is My Superpower - has a gift for not only thoroughly enjoying a good love story, but also mining the depths of it for things that, quite frankly, few people find. It is a particular delight to me and author friends when something we've so carefully woven into a story--by the inspiration and guidance of God's Spirit--is not only found, but leaves a lasting impression or impact. 

Yes, Carrie, God's Story is THE story, and our stories, whether we write fiction or live and breathe out our guts-and-glory story of real life, stem like tender shoots from the Vine, from the Master's own story. 

May the One who inspires true love continue to redeem, refresh, renew, repair, restore, and inspire us all to receive and re-gift the Love that never fails.

Since I absolutely can't help myself, here are a couple of snippets of Carrie's wonderful review of Like a Love Song:

"...I love books that point me to THE Story, to the Author of my days, to the ultimate Romance. This is why I adore reading books by Camille Eide. Because along with a great love story, readers are shown a reflection of THE great love story...

...Sue is guarded and perpetually stressed but her heart is in the right place. It just needs some TLC. The kids at the ranch, just like any group of kids that age, some were easier to like than othersBut see, I’ve known kids like them – in the foster system, abandoned by everyone who should have been protecting them, rejected one too many times. My heart ached and swelled and broke – and healed again – in turns.


And Joe… It took me longer than I care to admit to realize that Joe and his convoluted ex-adoptive family were a sort-of picture, if you will, of another convoluted family – this one hailing all the way back to the Biblical book of Genesis. But once I discovered it (and after I squealed in allegory-loving delight), I was reminded of how much depth there is beneath Camille Eide’s books.  In fact, they really need to be read more than once because there is priceless gold to mine that surpasses what can first be seen on the surface... 
The beauty of this story – the tender victory of every story on earth – is that God specializes in binding up heart-wounds. He is the Father to the fatherless. He places the lonely in families – even unconventional ones. He sets people free who have been imprisoned by the trauma of their past and gives them joy. (Psalm 68:5-6)"



Please click HERE to read the rest of this lovely review AND to enter the final hours of the giveaway for a free copy of the book, but hurry! 


More Like a Love Song reviews:

PS: I am deeply grateful to Singing Librarian Books and Sydney Anderson's mad skills in putting together these amazing Book Tours. I highly recommend her services to authors interested in launching a book tour.

March 7, 2016

Like A Love Song Giveaway & Tour

Do you enjoy inspirational fiction, love stories, and heart-tugging family drama? Have you read Like a Love Song? If not, here's your chance to enter for a chance to win a copy of the book, plus find some new titles to add to your reading list. 

Follow the links to 8 blogs highlighting the book this week (March 7 - 12). Check out reviews, Q&A with the author (moi), leave a comment if you like, and/or enter the drawing. 




March 7  - Katie's Clean Book Collection
March 8  - Wishful Endings
March 9  - The Power of Word
Singing Librarian Books
March 10 - Smiling Book Reviews
March 11 - Deal Sharing Aunt
March 12 - Reading Is My SuperPower

About the book:

When she finally surrenders her heart, will it be too late?
Susan Quinn, a social worker turned surrogate mom to foster teens, fights to save the group home she’s worked hard to build. But now, she faces a dwindling staff, foreclosure, and old heartaches that won't stay buried. Her only hope lies with the last person she’d ever turn to—a brawny handyman with a guitar, a questionable past, and a God he keeps calling Father.

Like a Love Song (RT Book Reviews 4.5 star-Top Pick) is a romantic drama about desperate woman, a generous handyman, some cast-off kids, and the courage to hope in a Love that never fails.

March 4, 2016

Hope Lights the Way, a Short Love Story




Hope Lights the Way

by Camille Eide

When I clocked on to work, my newest regular was already waiting at his usual booth. Mark was hard to miss—tall, athletic build, neatly trimmed auburn hair. And strong hands. I’d noticed them the first time I served him---including the gold band on his left hand, which told me everything I needed to know.
Well, almost everything.
Because there was something about Mark. Something familiar I couldn’t quite place, even after serving him breakfast a half dozen times.
Approaching Mark’s booth, I heard his voice, then saw a young girl in a purple dress studying her menu beside him.
“So, is it breakfast for two?”
“Yep,” the girl said. “It’s my Daddy day.”
Mark looked up from his menu with a polite smile. “Hello, Lily.” His tailored suit and deep red tie struck a stunning contrast to his usual jeans and work jacket. “This is my daughter, Ava.”
“Nice to meet you, Ava. What a lucky girl, having your daddy all to yourself.”
“Yep. We can do anything I want today. Right?”
He nodded. “To the best of my abilities, princess.”
Ava beamed.
I filled his coffee mug, then turned to Ava. “And something to drink for your highness? Juice? Hot cocoa?”
“I’ll have coffee.” Her fingers covered a giggle.
With a nearly straight face, Mark said, “She’ll have cocoa.”
Ava’s lower lip sagged. “You said whatever I want.”
“I reserve the right to exercise a royal override,” Mark said. “Only when your best interests require it.” He turned to me. “Whipped cream and sprinkles?”
“Absolutely.”
After I posted their order, I made my rounds. When I returned to Mark’s booth, he was telling Ava all the things he loved about her. A mixed wave of appreciation and sadness washed over me. What a priceless gift!
I refilled Mark’s coffee. “So, Ava, you must be about six?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Wow—how’d you guess?” Mark asked.
“My daughter is six.” I smiled at Ava. “You’re a very lucky girl. My daughter would love to have a daddy to spend special time with.”
“What’s her name?” Ava asked.
“Katie.”
Ava slurped her whipped cream, then turned to Mark. “Daddy, can Katie come to the pumpkin patch with us tomorrow?”
Oops. Poor Mark. He’d have to pull out the “royal override” again. I decided to spare him. “Ava, that’s really sweet, but—”
“Katie is welcome to join us,” Mark said. “And you too, of course.”
Great. Using my child to finagle an invite to another family’s outing was a first. “That’s really nice of you, but—”
“Please?” Ava’s pleading look, complete with whipped cream-mustache, was hard to resist.
Katie would have a blast and could really use a new friend. “Well,” I searched Mark for signs of reluctance. “Only if you’re sure your wife won’t mind a couple tagalongs....”
Mark’s gaze fell to his mug.
Blowing on her cocoa, Ava shook her head. “Mommy’s in heaven. She won’t mind.”
I stared at Mark’s wedding band, pulse racing. As if sensing my scrutiny, he twisted his ring a few times. Slowly, he raised his dark eyes to mine, revealing an awkward discomfort I understood.
And then I knew why he seemed so familiar.
A quiet ache trailed him like a shadow. Like a lingering whisper reminding you someone is gone, but not gone.
I touched my left ring finger. The groove had almost vanished. Almost.
“It’s okay, Mark,” I said softly. “I wore my ring for two years after Evan died.”
Something sparked in his eyes, like a light in the distance after a long, dark journey. He studied me. “Does it ever go away? The ache?”
His words nudged the tender, healing wound I’d kept carefully guarded. “In time, it fades. But never completely. I think...you just learn to live with it.”
His eyes never left mine. “So you can go on. Find normal again.”
I smiled gently. “A new normal.”
“Do you feel...anchored again?”
So you feel that too. “I’m working on it.”
“My strawberry pancakes!” Ava pointed to the galley.
I served their food and then left them to enjoy their special day. In a silent prayer, I thanked God for the chance to offer what little encouragement I could.
As I neared their table again, Mark stood and stopped me. “Lily? Ava and I would be very honored if you and Katie would accompany us to the pumpkin patch tomorrow.”
How could I resist? “We’d love to. But it’s really muddy there. You’ll probably want to wear something less...formal.” I winked at Ava. “I guess your daddy will just have to escort an undercover princess.”
“You mean three princesses,” Mark said.
“Right, three.” I chuckled lightly to mask my singing heart. “Lucky you. Too bad nobody will know we’re royalty.”
“That’s okay.” He hoisted Ava in one arm and smiled. “I’ll know.”


ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. . . .

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:

I've published five novels and 2 novellas (more about those on my website.) I've been writing all my life, but decided in 2007 to get serious about being published.

I love action movies and Jane Austen. (she’s dead, I know. I found that out when I tried to get her to endorse my novel)

They let me play Bass guitar and sing in a worship band.

I can produce 4 dozen homemade cinnamon rolls in a flash for a crowd of drooling young adults. Or publishing house editors.

I used to have a Harley. Now we have seven grandkiddos. Decent trade, really.

I am a proud Grammy. Don't even think about taking candy from my babies.

I hate shopping (Yes, I'm aware that I'm a girl)

MY ROOTS:
I've lived in Oregon all my life, spent time in Eugene (Go DUCKS!), Springfield, Reedsport, and Smith River. Which is not really a town, but a river, about 70 miles long, a tributary of the Umpqua River in southwest Oregon.

Although it's not a town, it is a community with a strong sense of pioneer history. It's cool to say you've lived there, especially if you lived there during the days when you had to take a boat to school. No joke! The old farmhouse my grandfather and my mother grew up in still stands, nestled into a narrow, pasture carpeted valley, complete with a swimmin' hole and its own 'crick'. It may turn up in one of my novels.

There's a rumor that my ancestors had a connection with the Mafia back in Sicily. I used to fantasize as a kid about a big black limo with tinted windows pulling up and whisking me away from school. Ahhh. So THAT'S why I'm having so much trouble conjugating my dangling participles now.

NOT RANDOM: I am challenged by the truth and amazed by the grace of God. And it's either in spite of or because of that grace that I hold a PhD in Learning Stuff the Hard Way.