Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

 introduces

Fatal LoyaltyKregel Publications (April 23, 2010)


by

Sue Duffy



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. Her first novel Mortal Wounds was published in 2001 and she has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children. Find out more at http://www.sueduffybooks.com/






                  ABOUT THE BOOK

Where do you run when you know you cannot hide?

Andie Ryborg has nowhere else to go. Her father's campaign for governor and his aggressive war on drugs has chased her from their family home. Drawn to Miami's exotic Coconut Grove, Andie hopes to find a quiet refuge where she can discover herself apart from the public eye. But even in that seclusion, even with an officer assigned to protect her, Andie's privacy has been violated. Someone is watching.

Evan Markham's entire life has been a tug-of-war between what is and what could be. He is drawn to a life that is beyond his reach and emotions have clouded his judgment. Evan knows that earning someone's trust isn't easy, especially when he plans to break it. But in the secret corridors of the criminal underworld, he knows what must be done, and he is determined to see it through. Whatever the cost.

When enemies close in, a sudden turn of events leaves them both questioning. Where is God in all of this? Who is this enigmatic stranger who offers to help? They both know their lives are in danger. But what about their hearts?

If you would like to read the Prologue of Fatal Loyalty, go HERE.

Kay's Comments:  Unusal suspense. Well written. I love it!

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
 introduces




Twilight's SerenadeBethany House (August 1, 2010)


byTracie Peterson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books


ABOUT THE BOOK


Britta Lindquist left Sitka six years ago in an attempt to distance herself from the love of her life, Yuri Belikov. Upon her return, she finds Yuri absent and his wife about to deliver a child. When tragic circumstances ensue, Britta suddenly finds herself caring for Yuri's children--and her life intertwining with the man she's tried so hard to forget.

But Britta's other great love is for the violin, and her talent is recognized by Brenton Maltese, a conductor from England. He proposes she accept the coveted first chair position in his orchestra...and also his hand in marriage.
At a Crossroads, Britta must determine what her heart truly longs for─and if she's willing to fight for it.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Twilight's Serenade, go HERE.

Kay's Comments:  If you like Karen Kingsbury's series about the Baxter family, you will like this series. Like Kingsbury's series, Twilights's Serenade follows the story line of several characters whose lives are intertwined.

This is the third book in the "Song of Alaska" series. I began with this book and, while this is a stand alone title,  this book spends time catching the reader up to the previous story lines. I found this a bit distracting. I believe that had I started with book 1 of the series, it would have been a better read for me.

Tracie Peterson is an accomplished author of many great books, however, I have enjoyed other books by her more than this one. I recommend beginning with the first book in the series.

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance




Dark In The City Of LightBethany House (July 1, 2010)




byPaul Robertson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and the author of The Heir. He is also a former Christian bookstore owner (for 15 years), who lives with his family in Blacksburg, Virginia.











ABOUT THE BOOK

What Evil Haunts the Shadows of 1870s Paris?

Baron Ferdinand Harsanyi— After his wife's mysterious death, this Austrian attaché holds control over mines whose coveted ore could turn the tide of war.

Therese Harsanyi — Swept up in new romance and the spectacle of Paris, the Baron's daughter is blind to the dangers stalking her family and the city she loves.

Rudolph Harsanyi — Unsure whom to trust, the Baron's son's grief over his mother's death twists into growing anger and a desire to break free.

As France and Prussia plunge toward war, one family is caught in a web of deceit, political intrigue, and murder that threatens to tear them apart.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dark In The City Of Light, go HERE.

Kay's Comments: I was originally drawn to this book as the author is from Virginia and I had heard comments that his novels were interesting. My husband majored in history and loves this genre so I shared it with him. Michael says:

"Robertson does a good job of describing the complexity of the Franco-Prussian War, making the reader experience the unsettling, hopelessness of the time. After the first three pages, the novel moves quickly and holds the reader’s interest.

There are many subplots. Robertson keeps one person in focus at a time but as they come together, the reader may have to go back to refresh the details. Some of the subplots don’t seem to be clearly resolved by the end of the book.

Recommended for those who are interested in and have some knowledge of the Franco-Prussian War in the late 1800’s."

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance






NightshadeBarbour Books (July 1, 2010)by




Ronie Kendig



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ronie has been married since 1990 to a man who can easily be defined in classic terms as a hero. She has four beautiful children. Her eldest daughter is 16 this year, her second daughter will be 13, and her twin boys are 10. After having four children, she finally finished her degree in December 2006. She now has a B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Getting her degree is a huge triumph for both her and her family--they survived!!

This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her characters and how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they'll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series begins in July from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a tour of duty in a war-torn country, embattled former Navy SEAL Max Jacobs finds himself discarded and alienated from those he loves as he struggles with war-related PTSD. His wife, Sydney, files a restraining order against him and a petition for divorce. Max is devastated.

Then a mysterious a man appears. He says he's organizing a group that recycles veterans like Max. It's a deep-six group known as Nightshade. With the chance to find purpose in life once again, Max is unable to resist the call of duty and signs on.

The team handles everything with precision and lethal skill...until they're called upon to rescue a missionary family from a rebel-infested jungle and avoid a reporter hunting their identities.

Will Max yield his anger and pride to a force greater than him...love?

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

Watch the trailer:





http://www.barbarbooks.com/

http://www.roniekendig.com/

Kay's Comments:  This is one of the best books I have read….and I read a lot!

From the first page of chapter 1, it’s hard to distinguish whether the main character, Max Jacobs, is a villain, a hero, crazy, just misguided, suffering from mental health concerns or “all of the above.” It’s worth reading to decide for yourself!

The story is intense and gutsy. The Christianity is real and powerful, yet subtle and appropriate.

The coverage of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) deserves the much needed recognition. There’s also a theme of discarded heroes, reminiscent of the book/movie/TV show Baa-Baa Black Sheep. For those of you old enough to remember, the TV show starred Robert Conrad.

This book reminds me a bit of Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series, only with more romance.

Note: Kristen Heitzmann’s Twilight, is a Christian fiction contemporary novel whose main character is a firefighter who deals with PTSD.

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

HeartlessBethany House (July 1, 2010)
by

Anne Elisabeth Stengl


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she enjoys her profession as an art teacher, giving private lessons from her personal studio, and teaching group classes at the Apex Learning Center. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. Heartless is her debut novel.






ABOUT THE BOOK

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir.

Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger.  When Una makes the wrong choice, catastrophe ensues for the princess and her family, and love, courage, and trust are needed when darkness engulfs the kingdom.


Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

There are some delightful things and scenes: the Twelve-Year Market that appears in its own good time and sells fairy goods; a clever blind cat who is invariably underfoot and has, of course, a secret!

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

Kay's Comment's: I began reading this book and realized perhaps my fellow fiction reader Brenda Risner would be a better reviewer of this book. The reason is that she and her 15-year-old son Mason have often talked to me about how they enjoy reading Christian fantasy. I handed the book over to them. Brenda's comments are below. Mason says he liked the book even though there is romance; however, like many 15-year-olds, he is a bit distracted with summer weather. I'm sure you will see his review here soon.

Brenda treks over Afton Mountain once a month to attend our meeting of the Shenandoah Christian Writers. She founded Prescription for Learning for families with intense children, edits via The Purple Pen and is a licensed Christian counselor. She home schools her four children and hopes to add another preteen by adoption. Thanks to the Risners!

Guest Reviewer
Brenda's Comments: Heartless, the debut novel by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, is an engaging story of a young princess, competing suitors, and the strange and magical world she lives in. A world filled with myth and magic, faeries and dragons, good and evil. A world where anything is possible and all is not as it seems.


Despite a slow start, Heartless is filled with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and so many twists and turns that the unexpected is the norm. With generous use of foreshadowing, the author encourages the reader's curiosity. The writing seemed a bit stilted at first, but quickly settled into a smooth read.


This was not the best novel I've read recently, but enjoyable nonetheless. Enjoyable enough that I plan to read future books by this author. I believe she has a lot of promise and I expect her name to become well-known within Christian fantasy circles

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing



The Sister WifeAvon Inspire (June 22, 2010)



byDiane Noble
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Diane Noble is a former double finalist for the prestigious RITA Award for Best Inspirational Fiction, a finalist for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Reviewers' Choice Award, and a three-time recipient of the Silver Angel Award for Media Excellence.

With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane feels incredibly blessed to be doing what she loves best—writing the stories of her heart.

For the last three years Diane has been honored to be lead author for the popular Guideposts series, Mystery and the Minister’s Wife (Through the Fire, Angels Undercover), and has recently returned to writing historical fiction. She is currently writing book two of her new historical series, The Brides of Gabriel. Book one is The Sister Wife.
Diane’s hometown is Big Creek, California, a tiny village nestled in the rugged Sierra Nevada back country. As a child, Diane’s older brother Dennis fueled her creative streak by entertaining her with his own gift of storytelling. Growing up without TV and iffy radio reception, Diane became an avid reader, inhaling more than one hundred novels—both YA and adult—in a single year by the time she reached seventh grade. Her passion for reading continues to this day.

Now empty nesters, Diane and her husband live in the Southern California low desert, near a place known for the lush and beautiful gated communities of the rich and famous.


ABOUT THE BOOK

What if the man you loved told you God wanted him to take another wife? What if that woman was your best friend?
Set in the heart of the earliest days of a new nineteenth-century sect known as the Saints, The Sister Wife is a riveting account of two women forced into a practice they don't understand, bound by their devotion to Prophet Joseph Smith.
When Mary Rose marries Gabriel, neither of them could foresee how quickly the community would turn to the practice of plural marriage. Devastated when Gabe is faced with an order from the Prophet to marry her best friend, Bronwyn, Mary Rose tries to have the faith to carry through with the marriage.
But can she really be married to the same man as her very best friend? Can Mary Rose and Bronwyn face betraying both their husband and their God to do what they feel is right?



If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of The Sister Wife, go HERE.
Watch the book video!



Kay's Commments:  This book brought out mixed feelings. It is well written and a good read; however, my thinking was colored by my experience in reading autobiographies by Carolyn Jessop and Ellisa Wall. Both were forced in to polygamous marriages in RECENT years in this country (U.S.A).

I will write more of my feelings tomorrow.

66 Love Letters

by Dr. Larry Crab

Ever want to have a talk with God where you could clearly and immediately hear His voice? Just imagine you could invite a wise, beloved mentor to sit on your porch and sip a glass of tea while discussing the cares of the world and most importantly, your life. No question is off limits.

The author uses scripture and a myriad of sources from esteemed Christians throughout history to provide a glimpse of how God may respond in a one-on-one dialog as you confer over His book, The Holy Bible. Reminiscent of Sarah Young’s devotional books such a Jesus Calling or the classic Come Away My Beloved, the reader feels loved as well as challenged.

Those who study the Books of the Bible with find this resource helpful in making scripture relevant and personal. This book is likely to become a classic.

An example of how this book reads can be found on page 352 entitled “Love Letter Sixty-Four: 3 John”

(God) “Think of someone whose arrogant spirit offends you, someone who irritates you with how insensitive and demanding he or she can be.”

(Self) "Just one?"                                    ;-)