The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney, ©2013

Welcome to the blog tour for The Face of the Earth!

God, who made the world and everything in it,
since He is Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He
     needed anything,
since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
And He has made from one blood every nation of men
to dwell on the face of the earth, and has determined
     their preappointed times
and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should
     seek the Lord,
in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him,
though He is not far from each one of us;
for in Him we live and move and have our being . . .
                                                        --Acts 17:24-28a

No traceable clues left behind. Jill Brannon has vanished. Her cell phone, dropped in the hotel parking garage, is not on her person or vicinity. Jewelry left in her room from a long ago past is just that: closing a past. Months go by, season to season. Jill Brannon has not returned home. Her husband Mitchell, with the help of the next-door-neighbor and her best friend, Shelley, try to research the steps Jill might have taken. They begin interviewing conference attendees who might have spoken with her, and travel the different back roads she might have taken through scenic turning leaves. Nothing sticks out in anyone's memory beyond "she was a nice person" upon meeting her. Holidays have passed by without her with them. Their children are back in college. There have been no profitable leads. Her missing person case has been transferred from the initial detective to another for follow-up. TV news and newspaper accounts are no longer prominent.

   She has vanished, seemingly, from the face of the earth.
   Where do you continue to look? Her car description nor license plate have turned up in any law agency search.
   Where do we go when there are undetermined happenings in our lives? There is only one place for hope: relying on the One who knows us best.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
   --John 16:33

   Through the long months, Mitchell and Shelley continue to search for Jill. What if there is no answer, no closure? After the casseroles stop coming, and sympathetic looks turn to suspicion, Mitchell seeks to uphold his marriage vows, till death do us part. In honoring their relationship, Shelley desires to continue friendship and support.
   I was eager for this story to progress for these families. It is day-to-day with putting one foot in front of the other. It is unpredictable and real; the unknown, uncertainty. Leaning upon and trusting God's care for us is sure. This story reflects the treasure given in knowing and receiving the depth of His love. Jill's disappearance challenges and reveals faith and obedience as lives are surrendered to Him.
   The novel includes a reading group guide inside and interview questions with the author.

Book Info

About The Face of the Earth: When Mitchell Brannon's beloved wife of twenty years kisses him goodbye one autumn morning, he has little idea that his life is about to change forever. Mitch returns from work early that evening, surprised Jill's car isn't in the garage. Her conference in Kansas City is only a few hours' drive from their little town of Sylvia, Missouri. But her voice on the answering machine makes him smile. "Hey, babe, I'm just now checking out of the hotel, but I'll stop and pick up something for dinner. Love you."    Mitch sets the table with their best china and lights some candles, looking forward to their first weekend as empty nesters.    But at eight o'clock, the candles have burned to stubs and Jill still hasn't shown up. Mitch tries her cell phone only to get her voice mail over and over again. Their two college kids haven't heard from their mom either.    At midnight, Mitch's irritation turns to dread. And later, when the police and Missouri Highway Patrol have turned up nothing, the Kansas City hotel calls to say they've found property belonging to Jill in a hotel maid's possession.    Mitch enlists the help of their next-door neighbor, Jill's best friend, Shelley, and together they search for clues to Jill's disappearance. As days turn into weeks and weeks into months, Mitch and Shelley's friendship grows ever closer--and decidedly complicated with Jill as the tie that binds them together. Just when Shelley decides to finally reveal her feelings for Mitch, a clue to Jill's whereabouts is uncovered. But every lead seems to be a dead end, and Mitch wonders how he can honor the vows he made to a woman who has seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/kFdwM Meet Deb: Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deb's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures' highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time. Her novella, Playing by Heart, was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday's Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list. Known for her sensitive portrayal of family struggles and relationships, Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women's retreats and writers' conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas.  Find out more at DeborahRaney.com

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for inviting me to join the blog tour for Deborah Raney's newest novel, The Face of the Earth, and for sending me a copy of the book. No other compensation was received.




Win a “Date Night” Prize Pack from Deborah Raney and RSVP for her 5/30 Facebook Party!

Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook! {5/30}

   One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!