My thoughts on what I've been reading lately...

I can't seem to finish a book right now. Part of the problem, I think, is all the blog tours coming so fast and furious that I start one book and before I can get to far into it I have to start another. Anyway, I have the books I'm reading listed and I thought I'd do something different and put a brief comment or just a few descriptive words after each rather than just highlight a few books. SO here goes...

* All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt - funny, entertaining.
* Beginnings by Kim Vogel Sawyer - different and sweet
* Doesn't She Look Natural? by Angela Hunt - deep and edgy
* Footprints on the Horizon by Stephanie Grace Whitson - great "voice"
* Glastonbury Tor by LeAnne Hardy - compelling and edgy
* Illuminated by Matt Bronleewe - strange and suspenseful
* Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn - thoroughly engrossing. My #1 read right now.
* My Life, Unscripted by Tricia Goyer - interesting and fast paced
* Nobody by Creston Mapes intense, edgy
* Shadow of Treason by Tricia Goyer - haven't actually started yet
* Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter - awesome, romantic, emotional
* The Betrayed by Lisa T. Bergren - edgy and intense
* The Master of Verona by David Blixt - Shakespearean, complex
* The Restorer by Sharon Hinck - allegorical and bizarre, yet interesting
* The Return by Austin Boyd - page turning pull, my second most compelling read right now
* The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter by Teresa Slack - barely started

Now I'm giving away Going Home by Wanda Brunstetter!

To win a copy of Going Home, simply post a comment but PLEASE make sure to give me a way to contact you. Thanks!



Synopsis

Faith Stutzman Andrews left her Missouri Amish community ten years ago to pursue her career as a comedian. Now widowed, Faith shows up on her parents' doorstep with her six-year-old daughter in tow. Will the lure of the English world prove too strong for Faith, or will she discover that home is where her heart is?

Confirmed bachelor Noah Hertzler often bakes desserts that he gives to others, attaching verses of Scripture to each culinary delight in the hopes of soothing the soul as well as nourishing the body. Can Noah's tactics heal a shattered Faith before she runs away again?

November book releases from ACFW authors!

Here is the November 2007 line-up of new Christian fiction releases! Time to add a few books to your Christmas wish list or find a great gift for a loved one. Also this month, Jill Eilleen Smith has a new Spotlight interview with award-winning author Nancy Moser author of the newly released Just Jane. Be sure to stop by and read Nancy's interview and visit the websites of the following authors. Enjoy!

1. A Christmas to Die For Book 2 in The Three Sisters Inn series by Marta Perry from Love Inspired Suspense. A holiday season among the Plain People swarms with hidden danger when an inn owner finds herself the target of a killer.

2. A Matter of Trust by Lisa Harris, from Heartsong Presents. With Ty back in her life, will Kayla be able to trust him when a dark secret comes to light and all evidence of the crime points to him?

3. Faith Awakened by Grace Bridges from Lulu Press and Waitemata Books. In virtual stasis to escape a deadly virus, an ex-slave in Ireland finds far more than just survival.

4. Just Jane by Nancy Moser from Bethany House. Historical novel about the life of author Jane Austen.

5. Standing Strong, Fourth and final book in the Homeland Heroes Series by Donna Fleisher from Zondervan. Four warriors. Two rival gangs. Is faith enough to win peace on the streets of Kimberley Square?

6. The Love of His Brother by Jennifer AlLee from Five Star, a division of Thomson Gale. A young, pregnant widow finds more than just support when her black-sheep brother-in-law comes home.

7. Within This Circle (mass market size) Sequel to A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney from Steeple Hill Books. After her mother’s death from Alzheimer’s disease, Jana McFarlane struggles to cope with her roles as wife and mother.

Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter is up on CFBA!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

SURRENDER BAY

(Thomas Nelson November 6, 2007)

by

Denise Hunter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped.

Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

In addition to Surrender Bay, the second Nantucket book releases in April 2008. The title is The Convenient Groom and features Kate Lawrence, a relationship advice columnist, whose groom dumps her on her wedding day. Denise is currently at work on the third Nantucket book (Oct 2008) which is untitled so far.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Sam's estranged step-father dies, she inherits his ocean-front cottage in Nantucket--not because he kindly bequeathed it to her, but because he neglected to ever create a will. Sam returns to the island she left 11 years ago with her daughter Caden to fix up the house and sell it, but she isn't counting on is the fact that Landon Reed still lives two doors down from her childhood home.

As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she really left the island. Will the secrets she's hidden all these years tear them apart? Or is Landon's love really as unconditional as he claims?

"I've always thought Denise Hunter was an amazing writer but this wonderful story sets her firmly at the forefront of compelling love stories. How Landon breaks down Samantha's determination that she is unworthy of love kept me glued to the pages. An amazing story!"

--Colleen Coble, author of Fire Dancer (Smoke Jumper Series)

My thoughts:

I've read through chapter 4 so far. I can tell this story is going to have a strong romantic element, but I love that in Christian fiction. The story has pulled me in and I want to know what made the heroine leave those many years ago. I want to participate in the reestablishing of her relationship with her childhood friend. I love the premise of the story and the hints at what is to come. Surrender Bay is well-written and compelling enough to keep me reading.

Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn blog tour and my thoughts on the book...

What’s Informed Consent about?
Jeremy Cramer, the next Einstein of research, is a medical resident specializing in infectious diseases. While working on a way to revive water submersion victims, he makes surprising discoveries, while also living with massive guilt over incidental infections that occur (which he could have prevented). Even as his marriage teeters, his career continues to skyrocket. Then, with a few twists along the way, he finds everything he has fought for threatened by the most personal, most heart-wrenching, choices of all.

I love exploring bioethics, and this book allowed me to consider end-of-life issues, patient rights, a compassionate response to HIV-AIDS…lots of edutainment.

Author Sandi Glahn

Author Bio:

Sandra Glahn, ThM, teaches in the media arts program at Dallas Theological Seminary, where she edits the award-winning magazine Kindred Spirit. The author of six books and co-author of seven others, she is pursuing a PhD in Aesthetic Studies (Arts and Humanities) at the University of Texas at Dallas . She recently released her first solo medical suspense novel, Informed Consent (Cook). She is the co-author of three other such novels, which include the Christy Award finalist, Lethal Harvest.

(For a more extended bio, you can go to http://www.aspire2.com/aboutsandi.htm.)

Sandi's blog site:

http://aspire2.blogspot.com/

Sandi's website:

http://www.aspire2.com/index.html

or you can go to http://www.aspire2.com/books%20fiction.htm for more on Informed Consent

What made you decide to write a book that deals with AIDS?

The church in Africa is doing a fantastic job dealing with HIV-AIDS. The North American church—not so much. So I wanted to tackle some of our misconceptions, challenge some of our stereotypes, and hopefully help readers consider their own involvement with AIDS patients.

Who is your favorite character in the book and why?

Dr. Nate Barlow. He’s imperfect, but he cares so much for his patients. And he’s a good friend. He has every reason to be arrogant, but he’s oblivious to his own greatness.

Do you write yourself into any characters in your novels? If so, what characteristics of you do you see in this book?

No, I never pattern a character after myself. But every character has something of me because he or she comes from my imagination. Portia has my blunt side. Jeremy has my sense of responsibility. Angie has my occupation. Devin knows my Savior….

What is your favorite thing about writing?

I love it when the muse flows and I lose myself in the world of my characters. Three hours later I’ll look at the clock and marvel at how time has flown. It’s like going to a good movie and seeing a story you don’t want to end.

Least favorite?

I loathe the page-proof stage, where I get the stack of questions or suggested changes from the publisher. I don’t mind the feedback—it’s always been great. But actually making the changes…talk about tedium.

Schedule and Bloggers:

Date	Name	Blog
15-Oct	Erin Teske	http://likepaperlanterns.blogspot.com/
16-Oct	Kelley Mathews	www.geaux2girl.blogspot.com
17-Oct	D'Ann Mateer	http://fivebazillionandone.blogspot.com/
18-Oct	Pam Meyers	http://pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/
19-Oct	Nicole Petrino-Salter	www.hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire
20-Oct	Gina Conroy	http://ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
22-Oct	Jen Tiszai	http://jennifertiszai.blogspot.com/
23-Oct	Michelle Pendergrass	http://zanesmilkmachine.blogspot.com/
24-Oct	Mirtika Schultz	http://mirathon.blogspot.com/
25-Oct	Elaina Avalos	http://elainaavalos.blogspot.com/
26-Oct	Becky Laney	http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com/
27-Oct	Jenny Cary	http://jlcary.blogspot.com/ http://misfitwriters.blogspot.com/
29-Oct	Heather Jamison	www.heatheronthenet.com
30-Oct	Heidi Strawser	http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi
31-Oct	Michelle Sutton	www.edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
1-Nov	Margo Carmichael	http://margosmoments.blogspot.com
2-Nov	Dineen Miller	http://dineenmiller.blogspot.com/
3-Nov	Amy Lathrop	http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com; http://sprightly-amyanne.blogspot.com
5-Nov	Jennifer Andrade	http://somanybooksblog.blogspot.com
6-Nov	Rhonda Oglesby	http://droolonthefrog.blogspot.com/
7-Nov	Beth Goddard	http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/
8-Nov	Michael Taylor	http://www.michaeltaylor.cc/
-Nov	Angie Poole	http://angiepoole.blogspot.com/
10-Nov	Heather Goodman	http://heathergoodman.blogspot.com
12-Nov	Dee Stewart	http://christianfiction.blogspot.com
13-Nov	Trish Anderson	http://ordinarylife.typepad.com/books
14-Nov	Mary DeMuth	http://relevantblog.blogspot.com/
15-Nov	Camy Tang	http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/

My thoughts on Informed Consent so far...

I've finished through chapter 7 and I can say for certain that not only is this book well-written and the plot compelling, but it's clear that the other has done her research by the detailed content within. Informed Consent is an awesome story. The quirky characterizations are perfectly done and the conflict is believable. I feel the pain each character experiences and their anxiety over the need to find a solution. The various marriage problems are also very well done. I hope to finish this story soon because I really need to know what happens. I highly recommend this one!

The Return by Austin Boyd is up on CFBA!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

THE RETURN
(Navpress Publishing Group July 13, 2007)

by
Austin Boyd

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Austin Boyd writes from his experience as a decorated Navy pilot, spacecraft engineer and an astronaut candidate finalist. Austin lives with his wife Cindy and four children in America’s “Rocket City”--Huntsville, Alabama, where he directs business development for a large NASA and defense contractor. His creative talents include inspirational fiction and poetry, finely crafted reproduction colonial furniture, archery and long distance cycling. He serves his community as an advocate for a crisis pregnancy center and as a motivational speaker in the area of lifestyle evangelism.

THE RETURN is part of the Mars Hill Classified Series with The Evidence and The Proof

ABOUT THE BOOK:

IS SEEING BELIEVING?
Six years after completing a manned mission to the Red Planet, Admiral John Wells is set to make another journey to Mars. But this time his crew is not alone, as John's team encounters a secret colony comprised of individuals pursuing John Raines' strange religion, the "Father Race."

While John begins to uncover a web of lies on Mars, his wife and daughter are struggling for survival on earth. Now John must survive his dangerous mission and find a way back home, even as a shocking plan begins to unfold millions of miles away on earth.

Austin Boyd is back with his third thrilling novel in the Mars Hill Classified series, full of high-tech intrigue, memorable characters, and adventure that transports readers to another world.

From the Back Cover:

With nothing left for him on Earth, Rear Admiral John Wells didn't hesitate to lead a third NASA team to Mars, but he never dreamed that one day they'd look out their laboratory module into the lights of a slow-moving vehicle not their own. In the third installment of the Mars Hill Classified series, life on Mars becomes increasingly more unpredictable as the past collides with the future and nothing, not even the dead, is as it seems.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the fate of hundreds, including John Wells' family--presumed dead these last six years--rests precariously in the hands of Malcolm Raines, self-proclaimed Guardian of the Mother Seed and Principal Cleric of Saint Michael's Remnant, and his insidious plans for the Father Race.

Wells will find himself in a race against time and all odds to expose the truth: about Mars, about Malcolm Raines, and, if he's very brave, about himself.

"Austin Boyd is one of the brightest new voices in Christian fiction. His long association with the space program lends authenticity as he reveals the turmoil in the minds and hearts of those who are willing to risk everything by making that journey. In The Return, we learn that both human emotions and God's presence reach far beyond the pull of Earth's gravity."
--Richard L Mabry, author of The Tender Scar

My thoughts:

So far I've read through chapter 3. I have to admit that this book is a compelling read, which I hadn't anticipated, as sci fi is SO not my thing. I love the multi-faceted issues, questions, and dynamics exhibited in this story. Plus, Boyd is an impressive storyteller. I never would've thought that I would find a story about Mars fascinating, but this is a great read. I'm hooked by chapter 3 and that's a good thing because there have been many books lately that haven't hooked me that early on. In fact, I think this novel hooked me in chapter 1. Sooo...I plan to finish this book.

Now I'm giving away Redeeming the Heart of Cain by Sean Gray...

Redeeming the Heart of Cain: A Biblical Approach to Managing Anger (2006)
Designed to help a person or small/ support group manage anger from a biblical perspective.

Excerpt from RHC...

"Read on, study, ponder, wait, pursue, invite and live. An All-Star cast of Saints have gone through the same things you're going through, many struggle alongside you now and others will fight on to victory after you've gone.

This is your time to be more than your anger. This is your time to define yourself not as an angry man or an angry woman, but rather as a redeemed image bearer who is angry only rarely and slowly for the purpose of destroying evil and redeeming others so that they may accept the invitation to taste and see that the Lord is both good and powerful. You are on God's side and you are winning. Press on!"

--By Sean Gray

Buy Redeeming the Heart of Cain: A Biblical Approach to Managing Anger Online

My thoughts (and you know I always have them!)
This is an excellent resource! I've been using it to guide our family Bible study and even my teens are getting something out of it. The lessons are good, the intro to the study makes a lot of sense, and the author brings out some excellent points while providing the reader with scriptural tools to deal with anger. I love this because I am the only woman in my house and men tend to show anger more than women. We deal with it differently, but just as severely. The author knows what he's talking about. I encourage everyone to check out this resource for individual help or a small group study!

My review of Heather by Debra White Smith...

Synopsis

Award—winning author Debra White Smith (more than 4 million books sold) offers an exciting newmystery—romance trilogy featuring debutantes Heather, Lorna, and Brittan—three bright young women who always manage to find trouble. Book 1 in this contemporary series features Heather, a winsome blonde whose looks belie her black belt in karate. When Heather meets Duke, the society page editor, they are immediately attracted to each other, despite her parents' objections.

When Houston's mayor is shot, the Debutantes solve the case. To remain anonymous, they leave the perfume—laden evidence at the newspaper...along with a long—stemmed rose. Obsessed with the mysterious woman now known as "The Rose," Duke breaks up with Heather. As she and her friends work on solving yet another crime, Heather is determined to win Duke's heart. Will she overcome his mystery—woman fascination? Can the Debutantes keep their identities hidden?

Heather
an intriguing story
that engages mind and heart

My review:

Heather was a fun read with enough drama and romantic tension to tickle my fancy. Like a cozy mystery, but with an extra helping of humor and romance. I normally don't like cozy's that much, but this story had enough hilarious moments and delightful scenes between Duke and Heather that it kept me reading to the end. I literally couldn't put it down. Heather's rich girlfriends were hilarious and made for great secondary characters. This was a really fun story, like a beach read, but with a little more depth to the characterization. And I wanted Duke and Heather to make it in their budding relationship the worst way.

Heather reminded me of Cameron Diaz in the modern version of the Charlie's Angels entourage when she sleuthed around with her friends. I held my breath on more than one occasion expecting those gals to get caught in the act of snooping. And Duke was a charming and delectable hero. That scene with Heather and Duke romping on the beach was... oy! What an awesome and memorable love scene. Wonderfully done! I don't want to spoil the fun twists and turns, but I guarantee that this read will be enjoyable for mystery and romance readers alike. I was still smiling after I finished the last page.

Heather was published by Harvest House and released in September 2007.

Attention authors, publishers and publicists! Some giveaway slots are open...1st come 1st serve!

I have a few spots open from January 2008 through March. I'll mark them with an asterisk. If you are interested send me a shoutmail message. First come, first serve. Thanks!

***(January 2 slots 1st week)

Crimson Eve by Brandilyn Collins (Jan 2008 - 2nd week) AA

***(Jan 1 slot 2nd week)

Sons of Glory by Craig & Janet Parshall (Jan 2008 - 3rd wk) HH
Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark (Jan 2008 - 3rd wk) HH
A.D. Chronicles Seventh Day by Bodie and Brock Thoene (Jan 2008 - 4th wk) Tyndale
The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka (Jan 2008 - 4th wk) HH
A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman (Feb 2008 - 1st wk) AA

***(Feb 1 slot 1st week)

Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner (Feb 2008 - 2nd wk) HH

***(Feb 1 slot 2nd week)

Learning to Fly by Roxanne Henke (Feb 2008 - 3rd wk) HH
Torrent Falls by Jan Watson (Feb 2008 - 3rd wk) Tyndale
White Soul by Brandt Dodson (Feb 2008 - 4th wk) HH
Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith (Feb 2008 4th week) AA

***(March 1 slot 1st week)

A Whisper of Freedom by Tricia Goyer (March 2008 - 1st wk) AA

That's it for awhile. :)

Meet the Sheaf House authors....

Sheaf House, a new publishing house founded by Joan Shoup, will have its first book released in November 2007. The title is One Holy Night by J. M. Hochstetler. Meet the Sheaf House authors below. For more info on Sheaf House you can go to the website at www.sheafhouse.com

A. K. Arenz

Mother of two grown daughters and grandmother of three, A. K. Arenz has a two year degree in office information systems from Northwest Missouri State University, where she also worked for several years. While with the College of Education, A. K. assisted with the college accreditation both at the national (NCATE) and state (DESE) levels. She’s found this experience and that of being administrative assistant to the chair of the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems to be invaluable tools for her writing.

Since reading Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series as a child, A. K. has been creating her own stories. Her earliest publication was in the small, family-owned newspaper where her articles, essays, and poems were frequently included. From this early beginning, she honed her skills through university courses, studying Writer's Digest, how-to books on the craft, and through frequent submissions. In the mid-nineties, her writing earned her a stint with a well-known New York literary agency, and, although it failed to produce the hoped-for results, her determination to press forward eventually led her to Sheaf House.

A. K. has had poetry accepted for inclusion in various anthologies, as well as in the Maryville Daily Forum newspaper. She won an honorable mention and publication in the chapbook Look Who's Writing in Northwest Missouri, had an article published in Family Safety & Health, and was the creator, editor, and head writer for a nationally registered fanzine.

As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, A. K. has found the fellowship of both published and non-published members an inspiration. She has been a judge in the ACFW Book of the Year contest since 2005 and participated in judging ACFW’s 2007 Genesis contest for unpublished authors.

She lives in Missouri with her husband and two Himalayan cats. For more information, go to www.akawriter.com.

J. M. Hochstetler

Joan M. Shoup, writing as J. M. Hochstetler, is the author of One Holy Night as well as of Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, books 1 and 2 of her American Patriot Series set during the American Revolution. When she isn’t writing historical novels, she’s tending to all the minutia of running an independent small press or happily spending time with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren.

Born and reared in central Indiana, the daughter of Mennonite farmers, Joan graduated from Indiana Universitywith a degree in Germanic languages. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee, she worked for The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, assisting with the development and production of the only weekly television program devoted to First Amendment rights, broadcast nationally on PBS. She then spent twelve years as an editor in various capacities at Abingdon Press.

Joan’s interest in the American colonial and Revolutionary War eras grew out of the experiences of her Anabaptist ancestors who immigrated to America from Europe seeking religious freedom. She is currently developing the subsequent books in her series. Along with her cousin, multi-published author Bob Hostetler, she is also working on a novel about the massacre of three of their ancestors during the French and Indian War and the Indian captivity of the attack’s survivors.

Joan is married to a truck-driving, motorcycle-riding, retired pastor, and they live in the Nashville, Tennessee, area whenever they are not exploring the country with their fifth-wheel camper. For more information, visit http://www.jmhochstetler.com/.

Kathi Macias

Kathi Macias is an award-winning author of more than twenty fiction and nonfiction books including My Son, John, the bestselling devotional A Moment A Day from Regal Books, and the popular Matthews mystery novels from B&H. Kathi has written commentary for Thomas Nelson’s Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Student Edition) and was part of the devotional writing team for Zondervan’s New Women’s Devotional Bible.

Kathi has also ghostwritten and collaborated on books for several prominent individuals including Jack Hayford, Kevin Leman, Josh McDowell, Rosey Grier, and Richard Halverson as well as for the Minirth-Meier Clinic. She has published numerous articles, short stories, and poems in various periodicals. She is a staff member for The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and a member of The Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, Christian Authors Network, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Fellowship International, Advanced Writers/Speakers Association, for whom she serves as membership chair, and Orange County Christian Writers Fellowship.

A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi is a credentialed minister and for six years served as associate pastor at a large church in Southern California, where she did biblical counseling, trained small group leaders, and oversaw support and recovery ministries. She is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and has appeared on several radio and TV programs. A mother and grandmother, Kathi lives in Homeland, California, with her husband. For more information, go to www.kathimacias.com.

Michelle Sutton

Michelle Sutton is a mother of two teenage boys and a wife of seventeen years. She resides in Arizona, is employed full-time as a government social worker, and has been writing for four years. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Michelle was elected to the ACFW board to serve a two-year term as Volunteer Officer. She is a member of her local writer’s group, CWOW (Christian Writers of the West) and is their blog mistress.

An avid blogger and book reviewer, Michelle is an active member a variety of blogger communities. Her contact and friends list is extensive and her two main sites get fifty or more hits per day. She has endorsed four novels and has had book reviews published on Novel Reviews, Christian Book Previews, Writer…Interrupted, Historical PASTimes blog, as well as other sites. Michelle’s novel Healer of My Soul finaled in the Great Beginning contest through RWA in 2005. She has a number of completed novels available for publication. To find out more about Michelle just visit her website www.michellesutton.net

Illuminated is up on CFBA this week!

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Illuminated(Thomas Nelson August 7, 2007)by

Matt Bronleewe

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt Bronleewe is a recognized producer, songwriter and author. The former member of the band Jars of Clay, has earned numerous awards producing and co-writing albums that have sold a combined total of over 20 million copies. His songs have recently been recorded by Disney pop sensations Aly & AJ, American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, and more. Bronleewe has worked with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Michael W. Smith, International pop singer Natalie Imbruglia and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Bronleewe was raised on a farm in Kansas, where he lived until he left for college in 1992. At Greenville College in Illinois, Bronleewe formed the band Jars of Clay with his dorm roommate and two neighbors, and the group soon found success. Though Bronleewe opted to leave Jars of Clay early on to pursue an academic career, he soon found himself in Nashville, co-writing, producing, and playing music professionally.

To add to his list of accomplishments, Bronleewe has expanded his love of story telling beyond music into authorship. He is currently penning a 5 book series for Thomas Nelson Fiction. Illuminated, in stores now, begins the adventurous series about rare manuscripts and the mysteries within.

Bronleewe currently resides in Brentwood, Tenn., with his wife and three children. He continues to write and produce music, and he also volunteers through his church to help disadvantaged youth in the community. Bronleewe enjoys reading, taste-testing good food and watching sports, as well as indulging his interests in art, architecture, design and science.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

IT'S BEEN 500 YEARS IN THE MAKING...PREPARE TO BE ILLUMINATED...
August Adams has failed his family before. He's sacrificed relationships in pursuit of adventure, fame, and money. Now the very lives of those he loves depend on his ability to decipher a centuries-old puzzle encrypted in the colorful hand-painted illuminations that adorn three rare Gutenberg Bibles.

It's a secret that could yield unimaginable wealth, undermine two major religions, and change the course of Western civilization. Two ruthless, ancient organizations are willing to do anything to get their hands on it. And August has the span of one transatlantic flight to figure it out.

If he fails, those he holds most dear will die. If he succeeds, he'll destroy a national treasure.

The clock ticks, the suspense mounts, and the body count rises as August pits his knowledge and his love for his family against the clock, secret societies, and even Johannes Gutenberg himself.

"...this rare breed of suspense thriller combines mysterious hidden clues, secret societies, buried treasure, double agents, and the Knights Templar...if you turned National Treasure into international treasure, traded DaVinci codes for Gutenberg Bibles, married it to Indiana Jones, and added the pacing of 24 you'd be in the neighborhood of Illuminated...on a scale of one to 10, this one goes to 11."
-Aspiring Retail Magazine

My thoughts:

That first chapter was pretty "different." I've flown several times in the past few months and was amazed that the lady on the plane used her cell phone mid-flight. That's a no-no. I haven't had a chance to read past the humdinger ending in chapter 1 yet, but my oldest son snagged this book from me when it arrived in the mail and he read it in three days. He enjoyed it. He's a big Dekker fan, so if it's not fast-paced enough, he loses interest. Today's kids need so much stimulation. Sheesh.

Like Kim Vogel Sawyer? Now I'm giving away her newest book, Beginnings!

About the book:

Beth Quinn is struggling to find a place to belong in the Old Order Mennonite Community of Sommerfeld, Kansas. When she starts a business designing stained glass windows, two men-one a Mennonite, the other not-begin to vie for her attention. Andrew Braun, a member of the Sommerfeld fellowship, is dedicated to family and faith. Sean McCauley, the son of a successful businessman, may only be interested in Beth's talents. Will Beth look to her heavenly Father to fill the emptiness within, or will her desperate quest for love shatter more than one heart?

Vote! Which of these four books should I giveaway for Christmas?

Which book by Nikki Arana would you like to win as a Christmas gift for yourself??? The book with the most votes will be posted in December so make sure to stop back and put your name in the hat before it's gone!

So give the winning book as a gift to yourself or to someone else this Christmas. You can even have it personalized with an autograph by the author if you win. How's that for cool?

The Winds of Sonoma (Book 1 of 3)

Angelica Amante, a New York lawyer, faces the most important choice of her career. Should she side with her firm and sanction the exploitation of illegal immigrants or stand against injustice? When she meets Antonio Perez, son of a poverty-stricken Mexican family, on her wealthy parents Arabian horse ranch her compassion for the poor grows. Then coinciding circumstances and conflicting lifestyles cause their worlds to collide, Angelica and Antonio find themselves at a crossroad of faith, love, and selfless commitment that will forever alter both their lives.

This book won the 2006 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year for Women’s Fiction and was chosen One of the Top 20 Best Books of 2005.

In the Shade of the Jacaranda (Book 2 of 3)

Angelica Amante Perez married Antonio, the man of her heart, an impoverished, illiterate Mexican, much to her wealthy and well-positioned parents’ disappointment. Now, after a year of marriage, she works at a high-pressure job as a public defender, with a modest salary, while trying to be a supportive partner of her husband’s fledgling business. She is barely keeping her head above water when she finds out she is expecting a child.

As Angelica struggles to keep her marriage and her life together, she becomes uneasy about the health of her unborn child, concerned about the toll weeks of morning sickness and long hours on an important legal case are taking. Then a terrible accident occurs, ending her life as she has known it. She wonders if God is still in control. How can the chaos that surrounds her be transformed into hope and a future?

This book won the 2007 Excellence in Media Silver Angel Award www.angelawards.com

The Fragrance of Roses (Book 3 of 3)

When Angelica, the brilliant and successful daughter of the wealthy Amante family, married Antonio, a poor, illiterate, stable hand, she had no idea of the struggles that lay before them. But now, ten years later, they are more deeply in love than ever and looking forward to raising their two children and building a future.

Then tragedy strikes a devastating blow and her child’s life hangs in the balance, bringing into question everything they have ever believed. With waning faith and little hope they walk through the valley of the shadow of death. The journey leads deep into Mexico. Suffocating with fear and powerless to stop the downward spiral of their lives, God reveals His truth.

This book won the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year for Women’s Fiction

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU

Leigh Scott is a single mom who just wants the best for her only son, Jeff: a college degree and a good job. But when he starts seeing Jessica, a young woman with a troubled past and a questionable future, Leigh envisions all her best-laid plans going up in smoke. As Jeff spends more and more time with Jessica, Leigh sees her fears realized in Jeff’s dropping grades and bad choices. To top it off, Leigh finds her relationships with her parents, her brother, and a long-lost old flame getting more complicated. Will Leigh get through to her son in time? Or is there more to Jessica than meets the eye? This many-layered, emotional family saga will captivate readers as it shows them the peril of judgment, the need for forgiveness, and the gift of love.

Just Released

My review of Fighting For Bread and Roses by Lynn Coleman...

Product Description:

Romance, family, and politics converge explosively in a suspicious murder during the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 and threaten to engulf a 21st-century woman researching the strike. When textile workers went on strike in 1912 for better wages and working conditions, they never imagined the violence that would overwhelm them. The first person to die was Anna Lopizzo . . . and then John Rami . . . and then many others. The strikers claimed the police had killed Anna, but the police said one of the strikers shot her. Who was right? Fast forward to present-day Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Lindsey Marc, a historic mystery writer, is tracking down what really happened to Anna and the other workers. Along the way, someone gets wind of what Lindsey is researching and is threatened by what she may discover. It begins with phone calls and quickly moves to ransacking her hotel room. Can Lindsey find out the truth before something terrible happens to her?

My review:

Fighting for Bread and Roses held my attention to the end. It isn't the catchiest title, nor does it reflect how good this book really is, so I ended up liking more than I had anticipated. I can get easily distracted while reading but found myself reaching for this book every chance I got. The twists and turns are compelling. I suspected what happened and was correct, but the author did such a great job with red herrings that I had my doubts all the way to the end. The author balanced out the past with the present very well, though I enjoyed the historical piece more. That often happens when I read this type of book because I love history.

Political intrigue, mystery, suspense, action, love, passion, romance, and family secrets contained in diaries all played a part in making this tale exceptionally enjoyable for me. If you like mysteries with twists, romance with passion, and a portion of intriguing history mixed with faith, you'll love this book as much as I did. It was compulsively readable and I highly recommend it.

Fighting for Bread and Roses was published by Kregel and released in August 2005.

Hey, authors! Check this promo out! You can't beat free!

Free advertising for authors. Visit www.thebookattic.us and just fill out a submission form and they will do the rest.

On-line book singing for Nikki Arana!

Nikki Arana's book The Fragrance of Roses won the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award last month. Now you can get an autographed copy of that book or any of her other books. She's having an on-line book signing!

All you have to do is go to www.crosspurposesbooks.com to buy a book and they will ship it to her to sign and personalize. The signing is going on until Oct. 28.

This is also a great way to get personalized books as gifts. Christmas is coming and her books are an inexpensive and unique gift for anyone who likes to read Inspirational fiction. Nikki can personalize it to the person which makes it even more special.

When you order the book there should be a confirmation that asks you for the "personalizing" information like the person's name, if it is for Christmas (in which case she can date it 12-25-07), or a birthday (Happy Birthday), etc. So order now!

I'm giving away a copy of My Life, Unscripted by Tricia Goyer!

Link to the first chapter

Buy the book



Book Description

Using the metaphor of screenwriting, My Life, Unscripted explores relationships in every teenage girl's life-with herself, her friends and enemies, her parents, guys, and with God.

Real-life scripts, screenwriting terms, and timely topics, make this an interesting read for teen girls as they delve into their own inner struggles and outward relationships. They'll also learn the importance of "scripting" their own responses BEFORE challenging life-situations arise so they are able to think about, pray about, and consider how to face these situations before the scene begins. By contrasting real-life with TV or movies, teens will understand they don't have to get caught up in the drama.

My thoughts:

I'm about halfway through the book right now. I wish they'd had a resource like this when I was a teen. So many practical tips to help teens cope, and so many realistic scenes with boyfriends, peer pressure, etc. Plus, it's interesting and has quotes from kids who share their experiences. This is an excellent resource that offers Godly advice and encouragement!

My review of Crimson Eve by Brandilyn Collins...

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Carla stared at the gun and David Thornby—or whatever his name was. Her mind split in two, one side pleading this was some sick joke, the other screaming it was all too real.

“Please. You must have the wrong person. There’s no reason for someone to want me dead. I don’t have any enemies.”

“Then you’d best rethink your friends.”

Realtor Carla Radling shows an “English gentleman” a lakeside estate—and finds herself facing a gun. Who has hired this assassin to kill her, and why?

Forced on the run, Carla must uncover the scathing secrets of her past. Secrets that could destroy some very powerful people...


My review:

Plain and simple, this story blew me away. The suspense had me anxious through the majority of the story. If I bit my nails they would've been chewed to the quick. Carla's tragedy and heartache kept me turning the pages. So many lies, so much pain, and such an awesome tale that I will be thinking for months about the ramifications of the plot that kept my head spinning. This was an incredible tale of intrigue and deception, lust and greed, power and evil personified.

Crimson Eve was an awesome story crafted with the best suspense I've ever read. Brandilyn has created a masterpiece with this novel and her insight into the heart and wickedness of man is impressive. I'm truly amazed at how much I learned from the hard lessons that Carla endured. And in regards to in-your-face edgy content, this story packs a powerful punch. I can't recommend this story highly enough. It's downright fabulous!

Crimson Eve was published by Zondervan and released in October 2007.

An endorsement...for The Black Cloister by Melanie Dobson

This book can't be found yet on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, but I'm very excited about it's upcoming release in 2008! The Black Cloister by Melanie Dobson is her best book yet. I was totally consumed with this story until I finished the last page. It's a page-turner and incredibly insightful. Here is the endorsement that I sent to the publisher. They will use a portion of my comments for the book cover.

This brilliantly written novel is sure to educate and inspire readers. The insight Dobson demonstrates regarding the minds of cult leaders and their victims is incredibly accurate. In fact, this is the by far best book I've read that addresses this important issue. I've worked with abused children and pedophiles for nearly two decades and the way perpetrators view the world is clearly skewed by their own twisted desires. The author brings that out in The Black Cloister and shows why women stay in situations that are obviously abusive and why they often don't tell anyone who can help them get out. Dobson weaves a powerful and emotionally gripping tale that at times was so suspenseful that I would rather read the story than eat or sleep. The conclusion is also satisfying as it shows the power of true Godly love and how truth is more powerful than evil when you cling to His promises and minister to His children. I would love to read a sequel to this story.