Thomas Nelson is giving away $10,000!

From Thomas Nelson:

One of the highlights of our days in the Fiction department at Thomas Nelson? Receiving reader letters—either directly addressed to us or passed along from our talented authors. It’s critical to be reminded that at the end of our long days acquiring, editing, designing, selling, marketing, and publicizing books, those stories are reaching readers, striking nerves, changing lives.  We want readers’ feedback.  How stories have given you hope.  Which authors’ series you can’t help from sharing with everyone you meet. We want to know what makes you stay up late in the night to finish a story, and conversely what turns you away.

We’re conducting a series of surveys—seeking answers from readers who love Christian fiction.  Up for grabs is a free ebook for every respondent who completes the survery, as well as a $10,000 prize for one entrant.  The responses we gather will help shape the future of the books we publish for years to come.  As well as the data we’re collecting here, we’ll also seek more in-depth feedback from a panel we’ll develop over the next year.  More details to come. The note below from one of authors gives a specific picture of how reader feedback shapes her work.  In short, your opinion matters! We thank you for your time and appreciate your responding.

--Thomas Nelson Fiction

Dear Friends--

Your opinion matters. It really does. I love hearing from readers about what worked for them in a story and about what doesn’t work. Reader feedback changed the balance between romance and suspense in my novels. After the Rock Harbor trilogy, I wanted to write more suspense in my novels because that’s what I personally like. But readers really wanted more relationship and romance in the books so I moved back that direction to about the same mix of 50/50 that the Rock Harbor novels contained. I write for you even more than for myself.

I had no intention of setting a whole series of books at Bluebird, Texas. It was going to be only one book, but readers sent me requests in droves for more books. The fourth book in the Lonestar series, Lonestar Angel, will be out in October. The Rock Harbor novels were going to be complete at three. There are now five and I’m thinking about another one! All due to reader demand.

I’ve often asked for reader input on names and locations too. When I was struggling for a name for my hero in The Lightkeeper’s Ball, I turned to my readers. Harrison really fit my character, and my readers told me. Love that! When I was trying to decide on a location for the new Hope Beach series I’ve started, I asked readers. Their overwhelming response was for a series set in the Outer Banks so guess what I’m writing?!

That’s why we’re coming to you for answers. We want to give you what you really want! Don’t be afraid to let us know what you really think. We value your honesty and the time it will take to share with us. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Your friend,
Colleen Coble

It's Colleen Coble Day! An interview with our esteemed author....

What do I have to offer this world?  Can I really be loved for who I am on the outside and not for how others view me?  Where does my true significance come from?  In her third installment of the Mercy Falls series, The Lightkeeper’s Ball, award-winning author Colleen Coble will answer these questions while leading her readers down a path of betrayal, desire and ultimate fulfillment. 

The Mercy Falls series centers on a small town in California and its lighthouse.  Coble uses the lighthouse as a reminder that Jesus is our lighthouse always leading us home.  In her latest addition to the series, the main characters must wrestle with their desire to find fulfillment in more than their work and money while being hunted by those who are holding on to resentment and unforgiveness. 

With murder, suspense and desire, readers will enjoy peeling back the layers and discovering that this is more than your average romance novel.  They will be perched on the edge of their seats trying to solve a mystery while discovering that the true worth of an individual never comes from a name or accomplishments.  True worth can only be found in Christ.

An interview with Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper’s Ball

Q: Did you always dream of becoming a writer?  Why did you choose the romance genre?

I wrote my first story in the first grade.  It was about a horse that had twin colts.  The teacher praised it and the writing seed was planted.  I love illustrating God’s love through romance.  I especially love the suspense I put into all my books as well.  I have a strong streak of justice and it plays out in the suspense element.

Q: What inspired you to write a historical series based in the early 1900’s?  What would you have enjoyed about living in that time period and what would you have found the most difficult?

I happened to read an article about the Gilded Age and it mentioned how that era was so similar to today’s.  I was intrigued with that, plus I wanted to choose a time period that wouldn’t be too much of a departure from my contemporary books.  In that era, there were still cars and telephones!

I would have loved the simpler lifestyle.  However, I would miss my jeans!  How vain.

Q: Society at the turn of the century was very preoccupied with appearances and impressing other people.  How is that not so different than our society today and how can we keep from falling into that same trap?

That’s exactly right!  The parallels between the two eras are astounding.  I’ve been at the cancer hospital this week with a dear friend, and it was a reminder of how fragile this life is.  We seek THINGS when God wants us to seek Him.  We need to keep our eyes set on eternity and remember that THIS life is the real dream.  When we reach heaven, we will finally start to really live.

Q: Bitterness and unforgiveness led to the death of Olivia’s sister.  Why is it so important to forgive those who have wronged us?

An unforgiving spirit hurts us much more than the person we hate.  It makes us ugly and crowds out the love we want to show other people.  God is love, not hate.  Bitterness is the very opposite of the attitude God wants us to have.

Q: This is the third book in your Mercy Falls series.  Addie and Katie were the main characters in your first two books.  Olivia was given a true gift in the friendship of Katie and Addie.  What does it take to find trustworthy and loyal friends?  Why do you think that we all desire to find friends like these?

You have to first be a friend.  You have to be open and giving of yourself to have those kinds of friends.  A true friend tells you the truth in love, and that’s an important component of the give and take of real friendship.

Q: What do you hope that your readers will take away from reading The Lightkeeper’s Ball?

I hope the readers who feel they have to earn love will take away the realization that their true worth is that Jesus loves them and died for them.  They are valuable beyond comprehension.  When we can step into the role of daughters and sons, we can realize our true potential.

The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble

Thomas Nelson/April 19, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-5955-4268-7/304 pages/paperback/$14.99

www.thomasnelson.com ~ www.colleencoble.com

For review copy and interview information, contact:

Audra Jennings

Senior Media Specialist

The B&B Media Group

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The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble

The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Olivia and her family have received word that her sister, Eleanor, has died. She was betrothed to the wealthy Harrison Bennett and now it's on Olivia to marry him to keep the family fortune going. Olivia sets out instead, to find out why/how her sister died, and not to marry Harrison. Afterall, he's nothing but a nob (or so people say). While in route to Mercy Falls, California, she is shoved off the boat. Who else will save her except for Harrison himself. Suspicions immediately are aroused by Olivia (now known as Lady Devonworth) as to who caused her sister's death. Will she ever find out? Will other secrets learned devastate her family and their social standing?


This is the first Colleen Coble book that I've read. It's the third book in the Mercy Falls series. However, I don't feel that this book has to be read in order. I didn't sense that I was missing any pieces as I read this book. I will be seeking out the other two books in this series and reading them though, as I have thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance/mystery novel.


I have to say that I *love* historical fiction. Add a great romance and mystery to that and I'm as good as sold on the story! I fell in love with the cover of this book and would love to own a dress like this!! I also appreciated the details provided in this book of the homes, dresses, and even the food! I would have loved to have jumped in this story and had it be mine! I had no idea who could have been the cause of Eleanor's death (although I had a couple of suspicions I wasn't even remotely close to guessing correctly) and I wasn't sure how the end would go! This was a story that I wasn't ready for the ending...and I hope that more books will be written in this series to highlight a few more characters!

My only disappointment from this book is that it did not include more details about the Ball itself. It was almost as if it wasn't all that important to detail. I was looking forward to hearing more of the "red carpet news" so to speak, of the Ball.


This book captured and held me from start to finish. I hope it will do the same for you!


Many thanks to Audra Jennings and The B&B Media Group for providing this copy to read.


View all my reviews