Friday, July 4, 2008

CFBA Presents - LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE by Rachel Hauck


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Starts With Elle
(Thomas Nelson - July 8, 2008)
by
Rachel Hauck



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's, who roller skated through the '70's into the '80's with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism.

After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. But, she's traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine.

Rachel met Tony, her husband, in '87, at church, of all places. They married in '92. They don't have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat.

With a little help from her friends, her first book was published in '04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. Her current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Elle's living the dream-but is it her dream or his?

Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she's found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.

Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She's never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.

But Jeremiah's just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she's serious about their relationship, Elle will take "the call," too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle's friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.

Is love transferrable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

JEN'S REVIEW

Elle Garvey thought the pieces of her life were falling into place, then it looks like they're falling apart. But is her life really the shambles she thinks it is? What do you do when God's plan for your life isn't what you thought it was? I've been struggling with that question myself, so this book really struck a cord with me.

Rachel Hauck has a knack for addressing spiritual truths in a non-threatening, non-preachy way. Elle is Christian girl who believes she's trusting God, until she realizes that things aren't going the way she plans. Then the control freak in her comes out. Elle's interactions with her pastor-fiancé Jeremiah, her widowed neighbor Heath, her troubled sister Julianne, and the Lord Himself are sometimes touching, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious, but always honest.

While Love Starts With Elle can be read on its own, I highly recommend reading Sweet Caroline first. Not only will you enjoy meeting Elle for the first time, but you won't ruin the surprises that face Caroline as she is torn between two loves. There's lots of great summer reading here for you!

WIN THE BOOK

Gee, this is the third time I've been able to offer a choice. Looks like a trend! Just reply to this blog by July 11th. I'll choose a winner at random and let him or her choose either Sweet Caroline or Love Starts With Elle. Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

31 comments:

windycindy said...

I have read "Sweet Caroline" and loved it. Rachel is a prolific writer. The "Love Starts With Elle"
Book would be great to win since I have read the other. Please enter me in your drawing. Hope you are
enjoying Fourth of July holiday. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Bethany said...

What a tough choice! "Love Starts With Elle" sounds like a great book - you made me want to read it! But I haven't read "Sweet Caroline" yet either. Decisions, decisions....I guess I would have to start with the first book and go with "Sweet Caroline".
Thanks for this opportunity!
momofjimmy[at]yahoo[dot]com

CherryBlossomMJ said...

This book was so fabulous and there is no way that I'm parting with my copy, but I'd love to win a copy for my Sis-IL. Count me in! cherryblossommj(AT)gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read either, but they sound great!

Patty said...

I would love to start wtih Sweet Caroline. They both sound great, but then again Rachel writes great books.

pleblanc_1 [at] charter [dot] net

Anonymous said...

They both sound great. I have read Rachel's other books and loved them. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Mimi N said...

Haven't had a chance to read either of those books. Love Starts With Elle sounds really good. With the reviews it's gotten, who wouldn't want to read it! Thanks for the interview and please put me into the drawing.

In Him,
Mimi B

mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Stacey said...

I would love a copy of "Sweet Caroline". I adore Rachel Hauck. Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com
word-up-studies.blogspot.com

Audra E. said...

count me in!! thepeachykeenwriter [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anonymous said...

Rachel is an awesome writer. I read "Sweet Caroline." I would love to win "Love Starts With Ellie." After reading the review it really makes me want to read it!! Thanks for entering me in your contest.
SarahAckerman{ } aol { } com

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the contest for "Love Starts with Elle". I have never read anything by Rachel Hauck and would love to try out this author.

Kim
jklefevre5[at]hotmail[dot]com

Donna said...

I haven't read either book but would love to read them. Please enter me in your drawing. I hope you have a great fourth of July weekend.
runninmama[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

luv2read said...

Enter me in the contest. I would love to read both of them.
spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I haven't read "Sweet Caroline" yet so either would be great with me. I've been wanting to read one of Rachel's books, so maybe this is the time. Throw my hat in the ring!

Golden GPar0719[at]aol[dot]com

Anonymous said...

First timer for Rachel Hauck books. I have only recently heard of her. Would love to win either book.
First time at your blog also. So heading back to read more.

b {dot} werts {at} sbcglobal {dot} net

katy said...

I'd like to start with Sweet Caroline.

Leanna Ellis said...

Hey, Jen! Love Rachel and her books! Hope those of you who haven't read her yet will rush to pick up one or two or three of her books. You'll be glad you did!

Lindsey said...

I loved Elle in "Sweet Caroline" and can't wait to read "Love Starts With Elle" so the second one is the one I would choose. :-)

Thanks for having the contest!

Lindsey
ladyufshalott at yahoo dot com

Doreen said...

I would love to start with 'Sweet Caroline' please. Thanks! purposedrivenlife4you AT gmail DOT com

Crystal Laine said...

I love Rachel's books, but I've been so busy reading for Book of the Year, I haven't read either of these!

I'll throw my name into the hat for either of these books!

Great stuff on your blog, by the way.

crystal.mrsinewa[at]gmailDOTcom

Anonymous said...

Both these books sound terrific! Please enter me in the drawing.

Deborah Piccurelli

Jennifer AlLee said...

It's a mutual admiration society for Rachel! I agree, LOVE her books! Great to see all you reading gals here :+]

cpullum said...

I would read anyone of those books!!! Great for summer reading!
cpullum@yahoo.com

traveler said...

I would love to read Love Starts with Elle. Both books look captivating and lovely. Thanks for this great giveaway.
rojosho(at)hotmail (dot)com

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed learning about this author and the unique novels. Sounds delightful. thanks for the chance. Sweet Caroline would be great to read.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Love Starts With Elle would be an enjoyable experience. Thanks for this giveaway. Both books are memorable. Would love to read either.
bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carole said...

I would love to win either one of these books, Jennifer. Thank you for this great giveaway!

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

Please add my name to the drawing for either of Rachel Hauck's books. Her name is popping up more and more in my circle of friends who read Christian fiction. Thanks for continuing to write great reviews.
TCMSmedia[at]gmail[dot]com

Theresa N. said...

I've heard lots of good things about this author and would love to read either one of these books.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carolynn said...

I haven't had the chance to read either one. Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com