Inspirational Ebooks: First Impressions, Michelle Sutton

Enter to win a copy of my novel about Tombstone on this site!

Inspirational Ebooks: First Impressions, Michelle Sutton: "Romance/Comtemporary/Series Sammie Carpenter understands how a uniform influences behavior. Wearing her Army fatigues puts her in the minds..."

My review of From the Dead by John Herrick!

About the book:

A preacher's son, a father in hiding, a guilty heart filled with secrets: When Jesse Barlow escaped to Hollywood, he hungered for fame--but eleven years of failure result in a drug-induced suicide attempt. Revived at death's doorstep, Jesse returns to his Ohio hometown to make amends with his preacher father, a former love, and Jesse's own secret son. But Jesse's renewed commitment becomes a baptism by fire when his son's advanced illness calls for a sacrifice--one that could cost Jesse the very life he regained. A story of mercy, hope, and second chances, From The Dead captures the human spirit with tragedy and joy.

My review:

There are so many things I could say about this book. It was edgy. It was heart-wrenching. It was honest. Bottom line...it had a lot of guts. In some ways the story made me think of a Nicholas Sparks novel, at least for the second half of the book.

The first half was more gritty, especially the language - yeah, that included those touchy f-bombs. But it didn't upset me, because it truly fit the story. And I can't stand that word, but it wasn't overly done, in my opinion. It just made the characterization more real in my mind.

I love a story that is emotionally gripping and makes me think about my own life. This book does that. I seriously didn't want to do anything except read this book and nearly read it straight through (darn that day job.) At times I kept thinking things were so intense that the author wouldn't go "there," and then he did. I thought, how much worse could this guy mess up his life? Not much more. But those things was essential in order to illustrate the change in Jesse that occurred later on. It made the story seem more real.

One thing I really loved was the spiritual thread in this book. I didn't find it forced or sappy, and in fact, was more natural than many inspirational books I've read...because it was so honest. It was one of the books greatest strengths (besides the romance,) and thankfully, wasn't in the least bit corny. The main character did a lot of thinking about his life. For most people spirituality is part of that reflective process. The author did a fantastic job showing Jesse processing those things in his life.

I don't often feel moved to tears, but numerous times as I read this story I started to get misty-eyed. And when it came to romance, the scenes between Jesse and Caitlyn were very powerful and emotionally evocative. Though the author is a man, he knows how to reach a woman's heart when he writes romance. I felt breathless several times. Truly!

I loved the embedded message in this book about not running from your problems, or you'll never heal. I loved the message about the difference between selfish love (if you can even call it love) and unselfish, true love. Jesse discovered their was more to life than his initial ambitions in Hollywood, and that was powerfully illustrated when he returned home. Great plotting!

In regards to main characters and secondary characters, the author mastered those distinctions. I felt like I knew everyone in this book personally. I understood them. The only weakness I found was an occasional point of view shift, but that only lasted a few sentences and then things were back on track. But the story was so incredible otherwise, that I'm not factoring that in to my rating at all.

The fact that the author pulled no punches was the main reason this book resonated so much with me. The characterization was very strong. Everyone was three dimensional. There was a particular scene in the first half of the book that was so realistically written, it blew me away. It showed Jesse's pain and just how low his life had gotten. I was probably emotionally impacted in as much as Jesse was (and he's not even a real person!)

In fact, through most of this book I felt like I was Jesse (and he's a guy, I'm not) so that is a sign of great writing. I felt like I lived in his head and wasn't pulled out of the story once. So if you aren't afraid of realistic, gritty language and scenes as long as there is a powerful faith message and a heart gripping plot, you'll want to get this book. It's staying on my keeper shelf.

From the Dead was published by SegueBlue, and the kindle version of this book is currently available (released in June,) but the paperback doesn't release until August 31, 2010.

Note: A copy of this book was provided to me by the author to review. I was not compensated in any way for my opinion about this book.

Revell blog tour stop for So Over it by Stephanie Morrill!

 THE CONCLUDING BOOK IN THE REINVENTION OF SKYLAR HOYT SERIES
Senior year is over, and Skylar is ready for a break.
But will she really be able to leave her old life behind?

 

Teen readers have loved the debut series from author Stephanie Morrill, identifying deeply with high school student Skylar Hoyt and her struggle to discover who she really is. RT Book Reviews called this “a promising new series. Morrill introduces a strong, relatable character to root for.”

In So Over It, the final book of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series, Skylar has just finished up her senior year. She’s ready to forgive and forget. Or at least forget. She wants a fresh start where people don't know about her past or her dysfunctional family. A place where she won't run into her ex-boyfriend every time she leaves the house. When she gets the opportunity to spend the summer in Hawaii with her grandparents, Skylar jumps at the chance to get out of town. But will she truly be able to leave her old life behind? And will she be strong enough to rise above the gossip and live the life God wants?

Previous books in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series
are Me, Just Different (Book 1) and Out With the In Crowd (Book 2).

Stephanie Morrill is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Teen Lit writers' group. Morrill is the author of Me, Just Different and Out with the In Crowd, and she also serves in youth ministry. She lives in Kansas with her husband and young daughter.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

 


My review:

Stephanie Morrill has done it again. All three books in her Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt YA series have impressed me so much that they have all made my top fiction lists. I think she is the only author that has managed to make my top fiction lists for 2009 and 2010. That's cool, isn't it? So how did she do it?

Morrill wrote a group of stories that felt real. The issues weren't sugar-coated and the characters acted like real high school seniors, then graduates. There was no pretense, no Christianese, no flowery stuff to cater to what people think Christian teens need to read. This story was real in every way. Skylar was like most girls... indecisive when it came to boys, often gullible, and very misunderstood. Her sister's issues were well-portrayed as well, especially when it came to teen pregnancy and parenting. Never before have I read more realistic descriptions of backsliding behavior with new Christians. This series showed that better than any book out there, too. I loved that!

I adored everything about this last book in the series. Like the first two books, the writing was flawless. The characters were so genuinely written that I forgot I was reading fiction. And let's face it, Connor was just the hottest Christian teen hero I've read about who happens to be a decent guy and friend to Skylar. It was his heart attitude that made him so lovable. That, and the fact that he wasn't perfect and willing to admit it.

I loved that Morrill showed a flawed Connor who had a rescuer complex, so the reader had to sort through things emotionally along with Skylar. Again, the author knows how to write it like it really is. The guilt, the shame, the holding things inside, not trusting, etc. It's all very real emotional "teen" baggage. Given the way the majority of Skylar's friends were, too, she had every reason not to trust them. And the way they all at one time or another used a guy or girl to get over another relationship was realistically portrayed. The author did an excellent job of showing how wrong that is without saying it.

The part where Skylar ran off to Hawaii was well done. It always seems easier to start over where no one knows you or about your past, but it's not the healthiest way to go about this and it's not an effective way to heal and grow as an individual. This story showed that very well. I loved the conclusion and how Skylar had to deal with the demons (figurative for painful memories) that haunted her for all three books. I loved how Skylar grew so much over the course of this series. There were so many things to like about it, I could go on all day. If you are looking for realistic teen fiction with characters that could easily be your friends (or the friends of your kids,) and and if you want honesty in novels but with a faith curve, you'll love this series. Highly recommended.

So Over It was published by Revell and released in July 2010. A copy of this book to review was provided by the publisher. I received no compensation for my review.

New Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a copy of More Than Conquerors by Kathi Macias!

To enter for a chance to win this book by Kathi Macias simply post a comment regarding Mexico. Have you ever gone there to visit? If so, where? If not, where would you visit if given the opportunity? I will select a winner August 1st using the Randomizer program. Best wishes to you all...

I'll go first. I've been to Naco and to Nogales (all south of Arizona) but never went further into the country than the border towns themselves. That's it for me.



About the book:

With violent crime on the rise and the political climate changing throughout Mexico, the opportunity for open Christian witness is rapidly decreasing in many areas. Hector Rodriguez pastors a church on the outskirts of the once-peaceful and tourist-popular border town of Tijuana. He has also visited other small churches in the remote and not-so-Christian-friendly towns of Chiapas state, delivering Bibles and ministering to those in the most persecuted areas.

Hector’s mother accompanied him on one of those trips and stayed behind to teach reading—using the Bible as her primer—to a handful of Christian converts living among the Mayan population in San Juan Chamula, where superstition and paganism run rampant, and resentment of outsiders runs deep. In a reaction to that superstition and resentment, Hector’s mother pays a serious price for her unwanted presence—and Hector must then choose whether or not to continue his work in some of the most dangerous areas of Mexico.

My review:

There were a lot of things to like about this book, like different aspects of the Mexican culture and the spiritual thread in the story. Since I live in Arizona, I knew all of the phrases and words that the author used to add a bit of culture to the book. She also included many traditions. I learned a bit about the Mayan culture and their hatred for the people who they saw as destroying their ancient culture. That was interesting, as was how the Mayan people perceived Virginia. The love story between Marty and Susanna was sweet. I just wish it had started earlier in the book. However, it was a great example of waiting on the Lord to show you who He wants you to marry. The gang violence was believable and the conflict Roberto felt was poignant. The subplot regarding Alberto was touching, too. This book just didn't enthuse me like the other two in the series that I've read had. Then again, every book can't be a favorite, now can it? I found this one to be a bit repetitious in places, or it would've ranked higher on my list. Other than that, it was a good read.

There is a sight I was referred to called Giveaway Scout. Check it out.

This is cool, isn't it? Great way to advertise your promos and also to find some if you like to browse them.

http://www.giveawayscout.com/ 

My review of Loving Bella by Renee Ryan.

About the book:

She Was Talented, Famous, Successful…But when a scandalous offer ruined it all, Isabella O'Toole escaped her life as a celebrated opera singer and sought refuge in Denver, Colorado. Working as an assistant to Dr. Shane Bartlett is worlds away from her glamorous old life—and she loves it. Loves the work, loves the chance to reconnect with her family and her faith…and slowly begins to love the handsome doctor, as well. Until her dark secret finds her again, threatening her new life—and her chance for Shane's heart.

My review:

Loving Bella was a historical romance I won't soon forget. And for a Love Inspired Historical, I found it surprisingly edgy when it came to subject matter. Bella had been seeing a man (year 1885 in London), but she didn't realize he was married. When he asked her to be his mistress, she broke it off. Thankfully she hadn't given herself to him yet. She left London, the Viscount, and the stage where she was a well-known opera singer and went to live with her brother in Colorado.

Overwhelming guilt followed her across the ocean and she emotionally berated herself for being duped by a married man and falling for him. She was also angry with herself for not seeing the signs and for allowing her heart to care so much she worried she wouldn't be able to resist him if she stayed in London (see what I mean by edgy?) It wasn't until she met a frontier doctor who worked with orphans and prostitutes that she started to see the world differently.

Bella learned to give of herself when she teamed up with the handsome doctor, Shane Bartlett, as his assistant. She, in turn, focused less on her own issues and grief. Despite all the progress she'd made, in the end she still felt guilty even though she hadn't actually done anything with the Viscount. Through time, service to the unwanted people in Colorado, friendship with Shane, and a variety of other circumstances, Bella learned to forgive herself. Her friendship with the doctor grew daily until they both learned to trust more, and ultimately developed a strong bond. Several times I was so emotionally involved in the story I got choked up.

Loving Bella made me cheer for the characters, and in all the right ways. This story wasn't just a romance, but a story of deep emotional growth, and of the beauty of learning to forgive oneself. This novel was a tender, healing portrayal of how God will use what the enemy meant for harm, but God will use it for the good. I loved how the characters made decisions that were sometimes hard for them, but they did it out of love for others rather than selfish intentions. Those types of scenarios in books always inspire me. I highly recommend this novel, especially to women who struggle with forgiving themselves. Because this is the best Love Inspired book I've ever read (and I've read over a hundred to date) this book is making my top fiction for 2010 list.

Starting a 20 new-to-me Christian Author reading challenge! (But I'm shooting for 40!)

This challenge originated at the What You Reading Now blog.

20 New-to-Me Challenge Updates

The link to this original post can be found here.

To Join In ~ Click HERE!

I'm entering the challenge late in the game, but the challenge is still doable for me since I've kept track of all of the books I've read since January 2010. I will list the new-to-me Christian authors below and see how many I have read before the end of the 2010 calendar year. Doesn't that sound fun?

Here are the details about how to participate in the challenge (minus the prize since the deadline has passed for that) - must list 20 books from Christian authors that you have not read before. Pick any Christian book, fiction or non-fiction, but it MUST be new to you author AND a Christian.

• Must be 20 DIFFERENT authors!
• Any title, Christian genre and length of book will count for this challenge.
• No reviews are necessary. (But reviews are always nice to read!)
• Books read for other challenges DO count toward fulfilling the 20 author commitment of this challenge!
• Again....MUST be a Christian author!!!

Challenge begins January 1, 2010 and will end December 31, 2010.

Here is my list! Since I've surpassed the 20 and I just started today, I'm going to challenge myself to read 40 new-to-me-Christian authors this year. (This is especially hard for me because I've read so many authors before so there aren't many I haven't read...but here goes.)
--Note: there are a few authors I've read but their material was questionable (and some people might find their edgy content offensive) so I'm not listing them.

1.  The Sister Wife by Diane Noble
2.  A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
3.  Life in Spite of Me by Kristen Anderson
4.  They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti
5.  The Sword by Bryan M. Litfin
6.   Queen of Hearts by K. Dawn Byrd
7.  A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin
8.  The Big 5-Oh! by Sandra D. Bricker
9.  Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan
10. Thicker than Blood by CJ Darlington
11. Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
12. Salvaged by Stefne Miller
13. The Fence My Father Built by Linda S. Clare
14. Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr
15. Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart
16. No Other by Shawna K. Williams
17. Unspeakable Journey by Rinda Hahn
18. Rooms by James L. Rubart
19. Scars and Stilettos by Harmony Dust
20. The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee
21. Meander Scar by Lisa J. Lickel
22. Loving Bella by Renee Ryan
23. From the Dead by John Herrick
24.

To read reviews of any of the books/authors listed above, simply click on my "Books Reviewed in 2010" tab on my blog.

I didn't even know there was a nomination or competition, but I made the list!

Somehow my blog made the list of the Top 50 Creative Writing Blogs for 2010 along with some other well known writing blogs such as Novel Journey, Advanced Fiction Writing, Write Thinking, So You Want to be Published, and more...

Not sure who nominated my blog and all of the people who voted for it, but thanks! It's an honor to be on the list with so many noteworthy authors and bloggers. Also, I get this cool badge to put on my blog. I guess people like my book reviews and read them, eh?

Link to top 50 blogs

Isn't this just the craziest thing? Now who would pay this much...seriously!

1. Trade paperback, Sword of the Spirit Publishing, 2010

$76.36

Condition:
New

Seller: More Books

rating: Best Best

Ships from:
FL, USA

More books like this Add to wishlist

Title: Never Without Hope
ISBN-13: 9780982587041
ISBN: 098258704X

See more details about this copy

Available qty: 2

Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Sword of the Spirit Publishing

Description: New. New.

Show details

Stars in the Night by Cara Putman is up on CFBA! (Plus bonus review!)

This week, the




Christian Fiction Blog Alliance




is introducing





Stars In The Night Summerside Press (July 1, 2010)





by Cara Putman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From Cara:


I graduated from high school at sixteen, college at 20, and completed my law degree when I was 27.

My writing journey started in 2005 when I decided to write my first novel. Now I have eleven books published with more on the way.

People say I've accomplished a lot and that I must have life by the proverbial tail. Hardly! I grew up as a home schooled kid when home schoolers were misunderstood and oddities.

I struggle with balancing my writing and law career, plus being a good mom and wife.

I often fear people won't like my books.

I've walked through the deep pain of miscarriage.

Really, I'm just like you – I don't have it all together and have gone through tough times. But in His strength, I've discovered a strength I never knew I had. A strength I want you to discover, too.

In the end I'm just an ordinary mom who has seen God do some wonderful things as I've been obedient to step into the calling He's led me into.



Stars in the Night Background

Stars in the Night was an idea that had begun to percolate in my mind. I’d written two World War II series and was actively looking for my next setting. My husband, a huge World War II history buff, and I were kicking ideas around, and I’d decided Hollywood was probably the next place for me. I’d gone to the library and gotten a stack of research books when I got the call. An editor I knew but had never worked with wanted to know if I might be interested in a new line they were starting. As we talked, I got so excited. And then she emailed me their guidelines, which listed that Hollywood was a location they were interested in setting books.


Only God could have known ahead of time. But because I followed His prompting I was ready to run with an idea. Stars in the Night is the result.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Hollywood 1942. When attorney Audra Schaeffer's sister disappears, Audra flies to Hollywood to find her.

Any day Audra might have been flattered by the friendly overtures of Robert Garfield, a real-life movie star. But on the flight from Indianapolis to Hollywood, Audra can think of little else than finding her missing sister. When Audra arrives in the city of glitz and glamour, and stars, and learns her rising starlet sister has been murdered, all thoughts of romance fly away.

Determined to bring the killer to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan.

Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States in a campaign to sell war bonds. When two other women are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to that of her sister.

Could the killer be the man with whom she's falling in love?


If you'd like to read an excerpt of Chapter 1 of Stars In The Night, go HERE.



My Review:

Stars in the Night by Cara C. Putman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



More like 3.5 stars.

When I first read about this book, I knew I needed to check it out. I love a good historical romance, and I read another book Cara had written and enjoyed it. I read this book quickly, though it didn't grab me like I had hoped it would. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that I'm not a big fan of movie stars from the 1940s, and I don't watch old movies. Never have. The plot was very forward-moving, but the characterization fell flat for me. I don't feel like I ever got to know Audra's heart.

The romantic element also seemed more like a minor subplot (or an afterthought) than an underlying theme to me, which is how I classify romance novels in my mind. The romance drives the story. In this book it didn't. I kept hoping things would perk up between them, but just when a spark started, it was over. But that is just my opinion, of course. I am sure others would disagree with me. I suppose I just didn't bond with the characters because I enjoy books focused more on the characters' inner growth than the plot itself. This book was strong on plot, but not so much in romance or character development. That said, on to other positives...

The plot for this book was interesting, and I didn't know who the bad guy was (I loved that), or when the murders would end (that upped the suspense.) I really like it when a book keeps me guessing. That proves it's a well-developed mystery, and this book had that aspect nailed. Thankfully, the murder scenes weren't gruesome, and if anything, they were overly tame. That worked for me because I'm a wimp when it comes to gore. I shiver at the sight of blood. Again, the mystery embedded in the storyline was probably the best aspect of this book. Bummer is I'm not a huge mystery fan either.

But the story kept me reading and I didn't give up on it like I have with so many other books lately. For that, I applaud the author. She obviously knows how to develop a plot. I guess the fact that I never really felt anything for the characters made the story not resonate with me on an emotional level like I had anticipated it would.

What turns my crank when I'm reading a book is deep point of view. I want to be inside the character's head, not just an observer. I recently finished a book (Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz)that blew me out of the water because it was so emotionally gripping. Since I finished that story everything else seems to fall flat for me. Maybe it's just bad timing. That said, I'd recommend this novel for people who enjoy a solid historical mystery. If you enjoyed Songbird Under a German Moon, you'll love this story because it has a very similar feel to it.

View all my reviews >>