"Fairer Than Morning" by Rosslyn Elliott

Rosslyn Elliot, author of Fairer Than Morning, competed in our Best Protagonist category. Her hero, Will Hanby, is based on a real historical person, just like her heroine, Ann Miller. “When I was ready to write my first nineteenth-century historical novel, I went to visit a local historic home in Ohio,” Elliot says. “While there, I watched a short video about the Hanby family who lived in that home. I knew right away that I had to write their amazing story of faith, love, and courage. William Hanby suffered through many trials as a young man, but his experience made him determined to free others who were in pain and bondage. In Fairer than Morning, Will Hanby and Ann Miller show us what is possible when we put faith into action.”

About the novel:
Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.

On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.

Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?

What readers are saying:
“Rosslyn Elliott offers adventure, accurately-portrayed historical settings, romance, engaging characters, and beautifully-written prose in her debut novel Fairer Than Morning.”

“You will grow to love Ann and Will as they face and conquer their own weaknesses, and in the process, change the world around them. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these characters!”

“For Christians who enjoy Historical Fiction this is a must! Even if you're not a Christian, this is an inspiring story of courage and determination.”

Pick up your copy of Fairer Than Morning now! Then hop on over to Clash of the Titles (http://www.clashofthetitles.com/) to join the fun!

Find out more about Fairer Than Morning, Rosslyn Eliot, and her writing at http://www.rosslynelliott.com/.

Jennifer Slattery (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/) is a novelist, freelance writer, and the marketing representative for the literary website, Clash of the Titles, where authors compete and readers judge.

In 2009 she won first place in the HACWN writing contest in the book category, placed second in the 2010 Dixie Kane, fourth in the 2010 Golden Pen and was a 2010 CWG Operation First Novel finalist.

She has a short piece appearing in Bethany House’s Love is a Flame (under a pen name), forwarded by Gary Chapman, another piece in Cathy Messecar’s A Still and Quiet Soul, and writes for Reflections in Hindsight, Christ to the World, Samie Sisters, The Christian Pulse, and reviews for Novel Reviews.

She’s also written for Granola Bar Devotions, Afictionado, The Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Romantic Times Review, Bloom, and the Breakthrough Intercessor.

"Fade to Blue" by Julie Carobini

Julie Carobini competed in Clash of the Titles’ Best Back Cover Blurb category with an endearing novel set in Northern California. She wanted to write a novel using the historic Hearst Castle as its backdrop for quite some time. “So much intrigue and mystery about that real castle on the hill overlooking the sea,” Carobini says. “Of course, novels are more than their location, so after writing the first two stand-alone books, Sweet Waters & A Shore Thing, I had an idea. Why not figure out what happens next for big-hearted Suz Mitchell from A Shore Thing? So... Fade to Blue is Suz's story.”

Her setting and plot choice was a hit!

About Fade to Blue:
How do you restore a soul? One brush stroke at a time...
Suz Mitchell is a determined dreamer, and won't allow her ex-husband's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, Suz moves with her child across the country to California's central coast, and lands a job restoring priceless art for the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the sea.

But even dreams have shocking twists. To her surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, works at the castle and jumbles the new aspirations in Suz's heart. While sorting through their past and a palette of spiritual differences, an even bigger brush with yesterday awaits.

Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.

What readers are saying:
“Fade to Blue is an insightful contemporary Christian Otter Bay relationship drama. The cast makes the tale work especially Suz-Q whose belief in the Lord will soon be tested. With a profound underlying message that you can pray for others but like that proverbial horse not make them drink the water of faith. Readers will appreciate this strong drama.”

“I loved this book. It was a nice change from the normal everyday plots. Great characters and a wonderful style of writing will keep you enthralled in the pages of this book!”

“Julie has a gift for making characters and settings come alive… Julie offers a delightful summer read, full of more than romance to satisfy your yearning for a good story. Perfect to escape into the fun and the sun.”

Grab your copy of Fade to Blue (http://www.amazon.com/Fade-Blue-Otter-Bay-Novel/dp/0805448748/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308957647&sr=1-1) now then head on over to Clash of the Titles (http://www.clashofthetitles.com/) to join the fun! And you can find out more about Fade to Blue, Julie Carobini, and her writing at http://www.juliecarobini.com/

Jennifer Slattery (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/) is a novelist, freelance writer, and the marketing representative for the literary website, Clash of the Titles, where authors compete and readers judge.

In 2009 she won first place in the HACWN writing contest in the book category, placed second in the 2010 Dixie Kane, fourth in the 2010 Golden Pen and finaled in the 2010 CWG Operation First Novel Contest.

She has a short piece appearing in Bethany House’s Love is a Flame (under a pen name), forwarded by Gary Chapman, another piece in Cathy Messecar’s A Still and Quiet Soul, and writes for Christ to the World, Reflections in Hindsight, Samie Sisters, The Christian Pulse, and reviews for Novel Reviews.

She’s also written for Granola Bar Devotions, Afictionado, The Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Romantic Times Review, Bloom, and the Breakthrough Intercessor.

Interview with Pamela Thibodeaux

Award winning author Pamela Thibodeaux competed in our best protagonist category with her novel, Tempered Hearts. When crafting her protagonists, she creates characters that are identifiable by the reader, have good qualities to balance out the not-so-nice ones, and of course are open and willing to allow their best qualities show/develop by the end of the story.


Who’s her favorite protagonist as a reader? “Boy that's a tough one!” Thibodeaux says. “I absolutely love the protagonists in Nora Roberts and Julie Lessman novels - guess if I HAD to pick a favorite it would be Gray in Nora's Born in Ice (book 2 in the Born In trilogy).”

A bit about her book:
Rancher Craig Harris and veterinarian Tamera Collins clash from the moment they meet. Innocence is pitted against arrogance as tempers rise and passions ignite to form a love as pure as gold fresh from the crucible and as strong as steel.

Thrown together amid tragedy and unsated passion, Tamera and Craig share a strong attraction that neither accepts as the first stages of love. Torn between desire and dislike, they must make peace with their pasts and God in order to open up to the love blossoming between them. The first book in the Tempered Series is here! Tempered Hearts.

What readers are saying:
“Pamela wrote a wonderful, fast paced book with strong characters and a strong plot.”

“Tempered Hearts was written in a strong voice that spoke volumes to 'Christian' fiction. It was realistic and romantic, but without overwhelming us with too much 'morality checking'.”

“I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good book, with faith and a lot of zip. I would especially recommend Tempered Hearts to those teen readers on the verge of becoming adults. This is a perfect book to show love, without the physical act.”

“Tempered Hearts is a very inspirational and exciting book. A book you cannot put down when you start reading it. A JOB WELL DONE!!!!.”

Order a copy of Tempered Hearts (http://www.amazon.com/Tempered-Hearts-Pamela-S-Thibodeaux/dp/0976996022/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1308958217&sr=1-1) now! Then hop on over to Clash of the Titles to join the fun!

You can find out more about Tempered Hearts, Pam Thibodeaux and her writing at http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com/,  http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com/

Jennifer Slattery (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/) is a novelist, freelance writer, and the marketing representative for the literary website, Clash of the Titles, where authors compete and readers judge.

In 2009 she won first place in the HACWN writing contest in the book category, placed second in the 2010 Dixie Kane, fourth in the 2010 Golden Pen and finaled in the 2010 CWG Operation First Novel Contest.

She has a short piece appearing in Bethany House’s Love is a Flame (under a pen name), forwarded by Gary Chapman, another piece in Cathy Messecar’s A Still and Quiet Soul, and writes for Reflections in Hindsight, Christ to the World, Samie Sisters, The Christian Pulse, and reviews for Novel Reviews.

She’s also written for Granola Bar Devotions, Afictionado, The Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Romantic Times Review, Bloom, and the Breakthrough Intercessor.