My review and endorsment of Friend Me by John Faubion

About the book:

“She isn’t real. . . right?”

A lonely wife and a frustrated husband create virtual online friends, trying to deal with the pressures of a marriage gone flat, and a high-pressure job.

Torn between his love for his wife, and the perfection of his virtual girlfriend, he becomes unfaithful.

Neither dream that behind the screen is a single real woman, masquerading both as friend and lover. She is determined to have the man for herself, so his wife must die.

My review:

First, let me just say that I love the cover. It shows in a very suspenseful way how what comes out of the internet/computer can shatter your life. That was definitely true with this book. I loved how suspenseful it was and how creative the author was when he developed the story. What an imagination! But it was believably done.

The writing was very good for a debut novel, too. I didn't read anything boring that made me want to skim the pages. The author used the context of a virtual connection with a person to show how it can be dangerous, and maybe even more when they aren't "real." You can certainly make more excuses. Like the husband trying to convince himself that wanting to spent time with a virtual person wasn't a threat to his marriage because the "other woman" wasn't real.

I loved how the author also showed the way women tend to interpret this kind of behavior... like "What did I do wrong?" and "Wasn't I enough for you?" But it's not typically about the woman's flaws but the weakness men have that draws them away. This is quite deep for a male author. He seemed to understand the woman's psyche quite well. Most of the time while I was enjoying the story I forgot that the author was a guy. Not that the story was in any way soft. He had me on edge a lot of the time.

The author showed the rationalization and progression of what seems like an innocent activity... at first. He also showed the way sin snares all of us and pulls us deeper until the very thing we thought we wanted threatens everything about our lives that we love. How true that is. It often starts with something basic like neglecting to read the Bible and grows from there.

The husband knew the scriptures and God often brought them to mind to warn him, but like most humans, he thought he could handle it. And like the enemy does so well, he convinced the husband that his sin would not hurt anyone. That's the biggest lie of all. The scriptures say "your sin will find you out." If you are a true believer, you can bank on that. And the ending was awesome.

There were a multitude of twists and turns in the story, but the ending was like the proverbial frosting on the cake. I really enjoyed this book. It had enough gritty realism to make it believable. I loved how the hero had realistic thoughts about everything.

My endorsement will say this... "Friend Me is a unique twist on a stalker story that begins with an illusion and ends with more reality than any of the characters are prepared to deal with. Intelligently written and spiritually sound, this story is a cautionary tale and one guaranteed to warn people who think they can play with fire and not get burned. For those who have learned to steer clear of cyber-temptation, this book will definitely reinforce that notion. A great debut novel that kept me riveted to the very end."

Friend Me will officially release in paperback in February 2014 via Howard/Simon and Schuster.

My review/endorsement of Duchess by Susan May Warren

About the book:

The golden age of Hollywood is in the business of creating stars. Rosie Worth, now starlet Roxy Price, has found everything she’s wanted in the glamour of the silver screen. With adoring fans and a studio-mogul husband, she’s finally silenced the voices—and grief—of the past. Her future shines bright…until the fated Black Friday when it all comes crashing down. When Roxy loses everything, she finds herself disgraced and penniless. Her only hope is to join forces with Belgian duke Rolfe Van Horne, a longtime film investor. But Rolfe is not who he seems, and he has other plans for Roxy and her movies—plans to support a growing unrest in Europe, plans that could break her heart and endanger her life.

When her country needs her, will she have the courage to surrender her glittering world and her one true love?


My review:

Have you ever read a novel that left you with a warm glow in your chest by the time you finished the book? Well, after feeling an ache in my heart for Rosie/Roxy that began in the last book, I was thrilled to finally experience some healing with her. The way her story emerged was brilliantly written. Her childhood experiences along with a number of failings when it came to relationships played a big role in her ongoing travesty. The author used dialog that revealed insight into two hearts through a screen play written by an important man, where Rosie's role was that of the actress. Those lines had the potential to speak to her heart while she read the script. I found that revelation profoundly moving in how it was written. And yet she still struggled to see the truth. Don't we all?

One thing I love about Susan's characters in this series is she isn't afraid to allow them to feel the pain and consequences of their poor choices. She shows the long-term and often devastating impact of their decisions. At the same time, she shows how God can still use tragedy and turn it into triumph. The way the hero expressed his pain brought tears to my eyes. The author is a master at communicating with a character's expression and their eyes. Rosie's desire to be loved, and to resist being loved at the same time, made me want to weep for her. Her insatiable need for attention and love boiled down to her desire to be able to trust a man, and the same time she had an inability to open her heart due to a number of painful experiences in her life. But God never lets us go. This is well shown in this story. Unfortunately, Rosie had to hit a very low point in her life before she could look up.

Duchess is very well-written. The extensive research the author did to bring the story and the climate of the times to life is obvious. This is, in my opinion, Susan's best series and in the series, this is her best book, probably because I knew the characters so well from reading the first two books. This book is making my favorite fiction list for 2013. It won't be released until March, but you can pre-order it right now. You'll be glad you did.

Duchess was published by Summerside and releases in March 2013.

My review/endorsement of Walks Alone by Sandi Rog

About the book:

A Cheyenne warrior bent on vengeance.

A pioneer woman bent on fulfilling a dream.

Until their paths collide.

After fleeing her abusive uncle, Anna is determined to reach the city of her dreams. But White Eagle and his fierce warriors take her prisoner. Anna attempts a harrowing escape, but her savage captor is determined to have her at all costs and forces her to be his wife. Has God forgotten her, or does He have plans of His own?

A man with a boot in one world and a moccasin in the other, White Eagle is disillusioned with his faith after a minister leads a massacre on his peaceful tribe. Where is his God? He s definitely not with the white men who are slaughtering his people. But White Eagle also can t give in to the idolatry practiced by his fellow tribesmen.

Only the Truth can set him free.

And it s found in beautiful Anna s carpetbag.

My review/endorsement:

What an incredible, heart-felt novel! Rich with Native American culture, intrigue, and romance, Walks Alone held me captive to the end. So many desperate choices necessary for survival had to be made, but the things the hero and heroine feared most also made them stronger in the end. The variety of emotions they experienced and the developing love between them compelled me to read on, and more than that, they caused my eyes to well with tears a number of times. I felt the characters' pain and sensed their relief as their many trials made them stronger once they realized they were not alone, but that God was with them all along.

Walks Alone contains a lot of realism and spiritual depth, which made me think more about my own faith. Most of all, this is a story of unconditional love and finding true freedom in Christ. He wants us to come to Him because we love Him, not because we were forced. This novel is a beautiful portrayal of Gods love for us and shows us why He gives us the freedom to choose. I loved Walks Alone so much that it's making my favorite fiction list for 2012!

The kindle version of Walks Alone by Whitefire Publishing is currently available as of 1-15-12, however, the print version will not release until June 2012. So get a copy now or save your money and get the paperback! It's worth it either way.

My review of Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

About the book:

Brent had cheated on Dayna and coldly said goodbye to her seven long years ago---dashing her hopes of having children or growing old with the love of her life. Working hard to make herself successful as a hospital executive, Dayna has moved on, finding comfort in a new dating relationship with a faith-filled colleague, Warren.

But when Brent resurfaces on her doorstep at just the wrong time, Dayna's heart threatens to come unglued. Why is Brent asking for forgiveness now? And why are he and his new wife, Tamara, interested in reconciliation with Dayna? The unbelievable answers in Coming Home begin to surface as Brent boldly asks Dayna to support him at the most crucial time of his life.

While Tamara's heart brims with guilt, both women will discover what it means to reach beyond pain and baggage to love unconditionally, leaving the consequences to God.

My review:

Coming Home is a deeply spiritual and emotionally healing novel penned by one of my favorite Women's fiction authors. The title of this book fits the themes in the story, which really made me, as a reader, think. The author's greatest strength as a novelist is her ability to dig deep and pull out universal truths while examining them through her characters' lives. I learned a lot from seeing the world through Dayna and Tamara's perspectives. Their situations were personally challenging and oh-so-true to life. How the author showed through this story that our upbringing often influences our present situation was also well done and insightful. I adore books that make me think about my own heart and my walk with God. Coming Home delivers on all accounts.

As far as heroes go, I adored Warren, but I also understood Brent. Warren really was a perfect match for Dayna in a number of ways. I loved how the author made their relationship and normal conflicts so realistic. Nothing was watered down, but at the same time, the author didn't go over the top with any of the scenarios she presented. I totally understood Dayna's insecurities and her feeling of divided loyalties between her current relationship and the past. I also felt her sense of betrayal when she found out everything wasn't what she first believed regarding her best friend.

More than that, I loved how the author skillfully developed several perspectives which showed how people often do things because of how it makes them look, or how it makes them feel, without considering the consequences to others. One powerful example was how Dayna in her own subtle way found her ex's sudden need for her poetic justice. Another was how she showed Dayna's ex's need to express his emotions and regret to Dayna had actually put a wedge between him and his current wife. These scenarios were complex, but skillfully delivered.

If you are looking for a deep read that provides spiritual insight and heart-wrenching, believable conflict, this author delivers a solid story every time. I always finish her novels feeling inspired to love God more and to draw closer to the people I love around me. That's great writing.

Coming Home is published by Zondervan and will release in March 2012.

My review/endorsement of Warring Spirits by April W. Gardner

I wish I had a cover to post with this endorsement/review, but it doesn't look like one is available yet. When it is, I'll replace this with the cover (if I remember.)

About the book:

Three cultures, one battle. A thousand warring spirits.

In 1816 Georgia, escaped slaves control the land just beyond the American border in Las Floridas. Lost somewhere between white and black worlds, Milly follows hope to the only place that can offer her refuge—the place Georgians are calling Negro Fort. The first, sweet taste of freedom convinces Milly that surrender is not an option. Death would be more welcome.

Major Phillip Bailey has orders to subdue the uprising and return the runaways to their masters. Forced to fight alongside Creek warriors—the same who etched the scars into his mind and flesh—Phillip primes himself for battle. But inside, a war already rages—return for the woman he thought lost to him or concede her to the enemy she loves; follow orders or follow his heart.

My review:

Warring Spirits is just as enthralling--if not moreso--than the first book in the series was, Wounded Spirits. I read it straight through. Gardner knows how to write with conviction so readers can't miss the compassion she has for the people and their struggles in this story. There is heart-felt love and tension written on every page. No opportunity to show God's heart for mankind was wasted. And unlike some stories where the conflict feels almost forced, in this series they are a natural result of the pain and struggles that the characters face. Gardner spares none of her characters from suffering, and as a reader, you really feel that.

Reading this book was like watching a movie in my head. Several times I forgot that I was reading. I could picture each character because they were fleshed out so thoroughly. I felt their anguish. Gardner's writing and plotting was so well done it left me a bit breathless, but also rewarded for sticking with the story to the perfectly orchestrated ending.

Those joyous reunions that her persecuted characters experienced were sigh-worthy and melted my heart. I sensed the relief, the passion, and the overwhelming gratitude the characters experienced when their prayers were answered - though not usually in a way they expected. That made the story even more delightful because it wasn't predictable.

Yes, there was death, carnage, abuse and enough details to give the reader a true sense of the hardships faced, but at the same time there was such a beautiful portrayal of sacrifice. I loved how the story emphasized in a natural way the importance of not only listening to God's voice, but obeying it. It's impossible not to feel the joy gleaned in the midst of the devastation, and to see God's hand moving in spite of everything. Warring Spirits is a wonderful, passionate novel, and one I won't forget anytime soon.

Warring Spirits should release sometime in 2012 by Vinspire publishing. I will post the exact date once I know what it will be.

My review/endorsement for Rose's Pledge by Sally Laity and Dianna Crawford

About the book: 

 Step back into the early days of America, where Rose Harwood and her sisters become indentured to the highest bidders. When Rose’s new owner takes her deep into Indian Territory, a young frontiersman named Nate Kinyon tags along, hoping to save Rose from the machinations of a grubby trader and the appraising looks of young braves. How much is he willing to pay—in dollars and sense—to redeem the woman he loves? And how much is Rose willing to sacrifice for his protection?

 My review:

I have always enjoyed reading historical novels set in Colonial America. Plots where women had to rough it to survive on the frontier make those types of stories even more intriguing to me. Toss in the fact that the heroine was orignally from England and sold herself as an indentured servant along with her sisters to help keep her father out of debtor's prison, thus causing them all to be shipped off to the Americas... Well, I'll just say that makes for a intriguing plot with major potential. The authors pulled this concept off well and I learned quite a bit about the French and the Indian raids on traders' posts during that perilous period in time. The setting was so well done I was freezing right along with them while they were on the run. The authors' writing and "voice" were seamless, as if written by one person rather than two.

 Rose's Pledge was an enthralling novel with excellent pacing. It held my attention so well I wanted to do little else but read. The hero was charming and the spiritual thread in the story was gripping and believable. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and can't help wondering whose story will be next. I'm thinking it will be Mariah's story. I can't wait to read that one because I'm already intrigued with the setting she is in and her delusions of romance and grandeur.

I appreciated how the authors' used Rose's story to show how sometimes God uses the most unlikely circumstances to bring about our greatest joy in life. The authors also showed that sometimes God strips everything from us so that we'll depend on Him for everything and learn to see Him working in every situation in our lives. Peril will cause even the most unlikely people to seek God's protection and help, and sometimes they will even turn their hearts toward Him. Well-written, Rose's Pledge has a solid plot with great pacing, believable characters, and an intriguing setting. But most of all, it is a story of deep and abiding faith. I loved it!

This novel was provided to me by the publisher, Barbour, for the purpose of endorsement. The book officially releases in January 2012, but you can pre-order it on CBD, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble  right now! Go ahead and treat yourself to a great book. You will love it. Promise!

My review/endorsement of Yashua's Bridge by Sandi Rog.

This fantastic book doesn't release until November 1, 2011, but is now available for pre-order (as of Oct 23, 2011 - I updated this info.) But I can tell you that it's an excellent book. It's the second book in a series. I didn't read the first book, but you don't have to read the first book to totally enjoy this one. However, reading this novel does make me want to go back now and read The Master's Wall... but that's an aside. On to the description of the book on the publisher's site and my review and endorsement...

About the book:
An amethyst stone draws him to his past. An elusive maiden draws him to his future. Alexander is born into slavery under an abusive master: a master of his own flesh and blood . . . a man he will never call Father. Determined to break away from his master’s hold, Alexander devises a plan to purchase his freedom. But what’s he to do when he finds himself shipped off in shackles to Egypt, disappearing from the lives of everyone he knows and loves?


My review/endorsement:

Yashua's Bridge is a powerful story about forgiveness and loyalty to the Christian faith. There were well-drawn characters, both slave and free in this novel. A number of them made up the early church located in Rome, though not all. The story took place during the reign of Domitian, who was one of the Caesars that killed Christians who refused to worship him as a god. This novel follows the life of Alexander, who was born into slavery. His life's goal was to earn his freedom and to set his mother free. Unfortunately his father was also his master, and his father abused him and his mother.

Despite his painful childhood, Alexander followed Yashua's teachings and he had a special relationship with David's family. (David was the main character in the first book.) Some devastating things occurred that rocked Alexander's world. Similar devastation happened to David's life at a later date. They both dealt with bitterness, anger, and a hate severe enough to make them want to kill the offenders. Despite their justified anger, they are taught by the Lord through various situations that they must forgive. This story shows their struggle to forgive, but also the healing that took place in their hearts. I loved the theme that God loves us enough to allow whatever is necessary to bring about our spiritual good and to produce healing in our lives. Sometimes what He allows makes no sense to us at the time.

Yashua's Bridge reminded me of Francine Rivers's Mark of the Lion trilogy in that it was also set during the first century when Christianity was still growing, and when gladiators fought to the death for mere entertainment of Roman citizens. Sandi Rog draws you into the story so deeply that you feel each character's pain and you hurt along with them. Well-written and fast paced, Yashua's Bridge has the potential to heal hearts and touch many lives because it doesn't soft-step or minimize human suffering. The greater the darkness was, the more the light of Christ shone in this book. I loved it!

Yashua's Bridge is published by Deward Publishing and will release on Nov. 1, 2011.

My review/endorsement of Wreath by Judy Christie.

About the book:
What do you do when you’re too young to be on your own but have no one to turn to? Sixteen-year-old Wreath Willis makes a list: Find a place to live. Buy cheap food. Finish high school. Get a job. Go to college. Now she’s finishing high school by day and squatting in a junkyard by night, flying below the authorities’ radar while she makes a few awkward friends and searches for an illusory “good life.” But when a teacher grows too suspicious, Wreath is afraid she’ll have to move on before she graduates. Could it be this was a good life?

My review:

Wreath is a unique story for a number of reasons. I'd say it's a coming of age story, but it really isn't. It's hard for me to pinpoint the exact genre because this novel can be enjoyed by any age reader. Have you ever wondered how a young girl could survive without parents and still manage to finish high school? Wreath strives to finish school, but it's hard for her because she's afraid to trust anyone or get close to them. She also wants to protect the people she cares about, but I can't disclose why without giving a spoiler.

The author's insight into the heart of a grieving teenager runs deep.It took awhile for the plot to build because the author had to lay the foundation of all of Wreath's relationships and establish the setting, but it was well worth the wait. I've never read a story like this one before, but I really enjoyed it. There was some suspense in it and a little bit of romance to sweeten the plot. Wreath blossomed when she allowed herself to be loved, and at the same time without realizing it, changed the lives of so many people who needed her as well.

The pacing of the story really picked up once Wreath started high school. Her faith journey was slow, but believable and a completely natural part of the story. How she gradually discovered that church family should be like a real family was perfectly done. If all churches were like the one Wreath attended, there would be a lot more people in this world following Jesus rather than running from Him.

Bottom line, Wreath is not only an entertaining read, but it's a compelling story written in a unique voice by an author who clearly has a passion for relationships. I couldn't help feeling that Wreath's story was a bit of a metaphor for how we are willing to live in a junkyard and merely survive when God wants to love us if we'd just let Him. Wreath grew on me to the point that I worried for her as much as the characters in the story did. If you don't read many books this year, make sure to save a spot on your calendar for this one.

Wreath is being published by Barbour Books and will release in October 2011.

My review/endorsement of The Jihad's Messiah by Nick Daniels.

About the book:

In a future when world power has shifted to the Middle East, and the Arab nations have signed a seven-year peace treaty with Israel, a radical Iraqi leader—known as Al-Mahdi, “the Awaited One”—rises to power promising to convert the world to Islam. 

Major General Farid Zadeh is Al-Mahdi’s most loyal follower and the next in line to become the Full Army General of Iraq—until he is falsely accused of being an Israeli spy.

Determined to vindicate himself, Farid flies to Jerusalem to spy on the Israeli military. But before he can return home with the intelligence, the peace treaty is broken and war breaks out between the Arabs and Israel. Now he must run for his life, as both armies consider him their enemy and want him dead.

Help—and perhaps redemption—come from unlikely sources: a stunning Jewish woman and a Christian prisoner. When his faith and his loyalties are tested, Farid must decide which side to take….

His decision could alter the course of Man’s final war.

About the author:

Nick was born in the late 1970s, in a bustling city in South America. He wrote his first short story in third grade about a explorer lost in the Amazon jungle, then discovered Jules Verne during sixth grade and was hooked into fiction for life.

He spent the next few years reading literature classics (mostly Dostoievsky) and contemporary Latin American writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortazar, and Mario Vargas Llosa, plus every book in the library that piqued his interest.

At age fifteen, he decided to write a novel about a woman who loses the ability to love. It remains (thankfully) unpublished.

After graduating from journalism school, Nick moved to the United States to continue his education and write about science and faith issues. He worked as a science writer for several years until he gradually found his way back into fiction. He is the author of the historical mystery The Gentlemen’s Conspiracy.

Nick now lives on an island in the pacific, in what can be described as a writer’s paradise.

Visit his website at NickDanielsBooks.com.

My review:


The Jihad's Messiah reminded me of a Dekker novel I'd read (Blink) in regards to action and pacing, but with an end times twist. This story was easy to follow and at the same time very detailed and intelligently written. Daniels is a gifted writer with an ability to make the reader empathize with anyone...even a radical follower of Islam. I could tell he did a lot of research, too, because the setting felt like the Middle East and the politics felt contemporary even though it was set in the future. 

I love how the author puts you in this main character's mind (first person point of view - present tense) and shows how the examples of others living out their faith can lead to a change of heart. The other characters were written from a third person point of view, but I had no trouble following it. The heart of this story is not about theology or even prophecy fulfilled, per se, but it's about love in action. The author did a great job showing how that over time makes a difference to people who are seeking the truth.

This novel had everything I love in a book. It's engaging, full of action, deals with faith-related issues, and even has a touch of romance. I had a hard time putting The Jihad's Messiah down and would highly recommended to people who love to read stories that contain elements of Middle Eastern culture, Biblical prophecy, and illustrates the practices of various faiths. I hope there is another book coming after this one because I feel like the characters became my friends and I already miss them.


The Jihad's Messiah is published by Risen books and is releasing in Sept 2011. A copy of this book (in galley form) was provided to me by the author for the purpose of reviewing and possibly endorsing the book. As you can see from the review above...I loved it!

Here is the video trailer for the book!

My review/endorsement of Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel.

About the book:


Composing Amelia is a journey through the introduction of mental illness into a young marriage and the resulting havoc that can be wreaked by the disease. A young Los Angeles marriage is put to the test and two careers are threatened when Amelia's husband Marcus is hired as a pastor at a remote Nebraska church. The move results in resentment and sparks the onset of mental illness in Amelia. Can Amelia's faith stand up to the oppression in her mind and the dysfunction in her relationship with her workaholic pastor husband? Will Marcus recognize the mistakes he's made in time to make things right—or will the darkness in Amelia's head push her off the edge before Marcus can be the husband he's meant to be? And how can God use such broken people to turn around the lives of the small flock of believers to whom He's led them?


This is what I wrote for my endorsement...


What a phenomenal story! I can't think of a more accurate way to describe this novel. Strobel touches on so many aspects of real life.Composing Amelia gives readers a glimpse into varying emotional landscapes. It shows effective and ineffective communication, uncovers scars from dysfunctional families, exposes discord due to different marriage goals, shows how guilt and suppressed pain often leads to out-of-control depression, outlines couples searching for a balance between their needs and their dreams, exposes the agony of secrets, and explores the definition of genuine faith. Strobel is a master at exploring the inner workings of the heart. I love the way she writes her characters.


and here is my full review:

What a phenomenal story! I can't think of a more accurate way to describe this incredible novel. The author touches on so many aspects of real life. Composing Amelia gives readers a glimpse into varying emotional landscapes. It shows effective and ineffective communication, uncovers scars from dysfunctional families, exposes discord due to different marriage goals, shows how guilt and suppressed pain often leads to out-of-control depression, outlines couples searching for a balance between their needs and their dreams, exposes the agony of secrets, and explores the definition of genuine faith.

I love books that touch on the many aspects of our lives. This story was not only well-rounded, but well thought-out. Yes, it had a few downer themes, but I found it ultimately uplifting and a book I wanted to rave about. This story would be perfect for book clubs because of the discussions it would spark. Plus, it causes the reader to think about his or her own life. I kept imagining myself in the characters' situations and asking myself what I would do if it were me. What I loved most about this book was the insight into why people do various things. It delved into what drives behavior or motivates people to pursue something such as choosing a career, deciding to come to faith in Christ, run from trials, or want to end it all.

Bottom line... the story pulled me in and held me to the end. The tension in Composing Amelia kept building, so it held my interest. I grieved with this struggling couple, but at the same time I grew very fond of them and forgot at times that they were pretend people. I wanted to consult with friends about their problems and share how they were dealing with them. What I love about the author's writing is that she's not afraid to tell it like it is. She writes real and doesn't sanitize her characters' lives. She lets them doubt, experience fear, question things, etc. In short, she drags them through the fire. People often do things for the wrong reasons, and the author showed that well. Many people doubt their faith. Some people even fake their relationship with Christ but then once they realize it, they don't know how to come clean about their struggles so they can get help.

See what I mean about dealing with the hard truths in life? Strobel is a master at this and I love the way she writes her characters. I highly recommend this book and hope it inspires you like it did me.

Composing Amelia is published by David C. Cook and will be released in September 2011. Pre-order your copy ASAP. This book is making my best fiction list for 2011, so you know it's good. A galley was given to me to review for the purpose of endorsement. The words written are completely my own and I was not compensated for this review. 

Tywebbin Blog Tours presents... The Revelation Gate by Brian L. Thompson!

About the book:

After 800 years of oppression, the Uché abandon all hope of liberation – until a boy with unbreakable bones emerges from the wilderness. . .

For centuries, Uché seers foretold the birth of a deliverer called Mkombozi – one fated to enter The Revelation Gate and lead them to freedom.

Knowing this, the king of the barbarous Otī does his best to eliminate the lone threat to his dominion. When his best efforts fail, he allies himself with a self-proclaimed emperor who reveals the true natures of The Revelation Gate and the Uché hero.

Meanwhile, as Mkombozi’s mother wavers between feelings of abandonment and crises of faith, her people ready themselves to wage an unwinnable war – minus faith in their deliverer, whose fate ushers him to an uncertain destination.

Merging elements of political intrigue and social class relations together in an allegorical, character-driven plot, The Revelation Gate confronts issues of doubt, star-crossed love, and the power of the individual.

About the Author:

Brian L. Thompson, Great Nation Publishing’s President/Owner and author of The Lost Testament, is a licensed educator, and former professional journalist.

He showed an early interest in classical literature and the arts, particularly after his poem, “Black Sunday,” received an honorable mention in Gwynedd-Mercy College’s literary contest for high school students in 1993.

A 1994 North Penn High School graduate, he continued his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta. While there, Thompson wrote for the Maroon Tiger newspaper; moving up the ranks from staff writer, to Sports Editor, and finally to Editor-in Chief.

After earning his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English in 1998, he transitioned to a staff writer position at Montgomery Newspapers.

In 2000, his second as a professional journalist, he returned to the field of academics at Temple University, earning a Master’s Degree in secondary education in 2001.

Thompson then turned to education at West Charlotte High and Newton High schools respectively while simultaneously researching and writing his first Christian fiction novel, The Lost Testament – a project self-described as a “faith-based tale with every day characters engaged in a thrilling plot.”

During this time, he also helped edit author Sabra Robinson’s anthology of inspirational stories entitled The Lost Sheep: How I Got (And AM Still Getting) Over the Hump – A Personal Account of God’s Restoration After Doubting His Purpose, the Church, and Human Existence.

He and his family reside in Georgia.

Purchase the Book Online at:

http://www.brianlthompson.co/Books.html

My review:

The Revelation Gate is an intelligently written book that is unique in many ways. I've never read anything like it. Embedded in this epic tale of ancient African tribes are numerous Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments. But they are very subtle in how they are used. Only someone who knows prophecy and the Scriptures will see the many gems in this book that will inspire and encourage the reader. To someone unfamiliar with the Bible this appears to be a fascinating tale of intrigue, overcoming incredible obstacles and of inspiring immeasurable hope. Some aspects of this story almost reminded me of The Clash of the Titans, but with a Biblical twist. 

I loved the way the story was put together and the way the author used powerful words to elicit detailed images that stick with you even after you close the book. It's not an easy read at all. (Yeah, you have to actually think when you read this book.) The author is clearly and intelligent man who has great insight into a number of things including the human condition. The Revelation Gate reads like an allegory but with a number of powerful twists and turns that combine all of the books in the Bible into a mind-blowing plan of salvation. This blend of prophecies and Scripture will truly inspire everyone who reads it. I loved it! 

The Revelation Gate is published by Great Nation Publishing and will release in June 2011. This book was provided by the publisher for endorsement purposes, but the opinion expressed above if fully my own. Get this book! You don't want to miss it.

For More Information

Visit the author at http://www.greatnationpublishing.com

Visit blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/TheRevelationGate 

My review of Thief by Linda Windsor!

About the book:


Exiled in shame and wounded in battle, Caden O’Byrne accepts a mission of penance—to search for his healer’s long-lost daughter. At worst, he’ll finally get his death wish. At best, this could be God’s second chance. But the lovely minstrel Sorcha wants no part in him, his newfound God, or the rescue. In fact, she’s robbed him blind—to help finance her work of buying young captives and returning them to their families. She’s also gone into debt and promised to marry a man she doesn’t love—all for the chidlren’s sake. But before she and Caden can sort out the situation, a treacherous murder forces them to run for their lives…together. While Caden’s rekindled faith is tested, Sorcha wonders if his God is real. If so, can a thief like her dare hope for His mercy? And do the two of them have a chance of reaching home—Sorcha’s real home—alive?


My review:


Thief is the second book in the Brides of Alba series and was just as compelling as the first book, if not more so. Windsor has a way with words and culture that makes you feel a part of the setting so much that you are living in the fantasy world while you read her books. It's a great escape from the present day. Thief follows Caden, the brother from the first book who was cast out of history country for a number of reasons, the least of which was trying to kill his brother, the heir to the throne.

I loved watching Caden slowly transform from a selfish man who didn't see any hope for the future into someone who cared about others and was willing to risk life and limb to protect the people he loved most. Several surprises pop up in this book that I hadn't anticipated, making the story that much more intriguing. I love it when people are paired together in situations where both are strong willed and hard headed. The attraction Caden felt toward Sorcha just made the tension between then even more exciting. Sparks were flying everywhere.

As in the first book, the author drags several villains into the story who wreak serious havoc and make things worse than it seemed things could possibly get. However, when there is darkness the light shines that much brighter. Thief shows how good can overcome evil as long as faith is involved and one's trust is placed in God's hands rather than man's. I loved how Sorcha was never willing to give up without a fight and how God sometimes supplied supernatural intervention to help His people when they called on His name.

A beautifully written redemption story, Thief encompasses the faith journey of two strong-willed individuals who were both self-sufficient and determined to survive. After being betrayed by people bent on their destruction and sentenced to punishment despite their innocence, Caden and Sorcha learned to trust God for the future and were rewarded with something they never thought they would experience again... hope.

Linda Windsor has crafted an intriguing and spiritually satisfying novel that will keep readers hooked on the Brides of Alba series and longing for more.

Thief was published by David C. Cook and will release in June of 2011. If you loved Healer you are going to want to pre-order this book!

My review of Falling Through Ice by Carolyn Huebner Rankin and Rosetta D. Hoessli!

About the book:

On May 27, 1987, the Times Picayune of New Orleans carried this front-page headline: Family Violence Adviser is Held in Plot to Have Husband Killed. The woman referred to was 29-year-old Carolyn Sue Huebner, of San Antonio, Texas. Founder and president of Texas Child Search, Inc., she had located 59 missing children since its inception in 1982, a better record than that of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Much appreciated by law enforcement and called upon for assistance by child abuse experts all over the country, she was an outspoken advocate against child pornography, child prostitution and child abuse. Treasured by the families she had helped, she had ultimately been nominated Woman of the Year by the San Antonio Light newspaper in February, 1987.

How could such a woman fall from this nationally-recognized position of prestige to that of a violent criminal in just three months? There had to be more to this tale than met the eye but Carolyn Huebner, who had always been good for a terrific quote, wasn t talking. Now, more than 20 years after the events that had once garnered national attention, she is breaking her silence. With brutal honesty and written in narrative form by the woman who walked beside her as both close friend and colleague during much of her journey, Falling Through Ice brings us directly into Carolyn s courageous struggle to come to grips with the secrets in her past and the disastrous effects those secrets had on her life. Falling Through Ice demonstrates the heights to which the human spirit can soar as it seeks to emerge from darkness into light, but it never offers the abuse excuse as justification for her criminal acts. Indeed, as terrifying and lonely as it was, Carolyn Huebner s incarceration saved her life and gave her the opportunity to discover the only lost child she had been afraid to find: The child within herself.

My review:

Falling Through Ice is gripping narrative non-fiction that is easy to read because the writing is so good, but at the same time it is emotionally gripping because it contains such realistic content. Anyone who has worked in social services can identify with the struggles of both the child Carolyn, and the crusader for abused children that Carolyn became as an adult. Some of the not-so-pretty details brought me back to the days when I worked on child abuse cases containing incest and people who had murdered their own children.

All of the scenes written about the investigative process, the district attorney's office, and stress resulting from dealing with a system driven by personal political aspirations rather than protecting the innocent rang true for me. I've seen similar situations in my professional career of over twenty years and the scenarios Carolyn writes about tend to lead to burnout more than dealing with the actual abuse the children had suffered from in the first place. The overwhelming sense helplessness when it comes to protecting children from known abuse is strong and can result in further trauma to the person who is trying to help, especially if they have their own history of abuse, like Carolyn had.

I found both of the authors' accounts to be very realistic and honest. Often memoir-type stories smooth over the truth in situations so they won't make the author(s) look bad, but this book rang true for me. The fact that the authors both shared how they truly felt about each other years ago just testifies to the extensive healing that must have taken place in their hearts from them to write so honestly about it. I loved that they wrote about how they actually said and did things even if it included a few phrases not typically seen in Christian books. I appreciate that type of honesty and it tells me that the authors were committed to telling the story as it was, not how they wanted it to be perceived by readers.

This book has the potential to heal broken hearts, to increase awareness of the need to fund therapy for people suffering from childhood trauma, and it shows how dealing with intense pain (rather than ignoring it) and having a support system is the most effective way to heal from the type of trauma that results in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Most of all, this book is about hope. No matter how broken a person is, God can always restore people who surrender their lives to Him. Falling Through Ice shows this better than any story I have ever read. The authors don't use the past to make excuses, but to show how a person can get to such a low place. Rather than feeling depressed when I finished reading the book, I felt inspired. That's something that doesn't happen often with narrative non-fiction. I can see this book easily hitting the best-seller lists.

My endorsement of the book can also be read on the Amazon sale page. It's in the editorial review section where the media reviews go. Pre-order this book now! It's truly awesome!

Falling Through Ice was published by Crossover Publications and will be released on February 25, 2011. The galley of this book was sent to me for endorsement purposes. The above review is fully mine and based on my opinion of the story itself, and thus my endorsement is not influenced by the author or publisher. According to Amazon, pre-ordered copies of this book will get the lowest price available, so go for it! 

My review of The Gift by Bryan Litfin!

I just finished reading a galley of The Gift by Bryan Litfin and it was an incredible journey I won't soon forget. I am not even a fantasy lover, but the medieval elements in the book make it seem more like knights in shining armor than Star Wars, so it works well for me because I adore historical fiction. Plus the fighting is intense (if not gruesome at times, but not overly-so) and the romance is breathtakingly sweet and intense at the same time. If you have read The Sword by Bryan Litfin, you won't want to miss The Gift! Pre-order it now. If you haven't read The Sword you should get a copy while you are waiting for The Gift to release. Both are incredible stories and I loved them so much they BOTH made my favorites lists. The Sword in 2010 and now The Gift in 2011. Few authors touch my heart so deeply that all of their books make my favorites list, but Bryan Litfin has done it with this series. I am hooked for life now.



About the book:

This second book in the Chiveis Trilogy continues the search for the New Testament in a world where the Bible has been lost.

The Chiveis Trilogy takes readers hundreds of years into the future. War and disease have destroyed civilization as we know it. Much technology has been discarded and history is largely forgotten. Slowly, the few survivors have begun to build new communities, and kingdoms now prosper in a kind of feudal order. But the Word of God has been lost for centuries.

After the finding of an Old Testament in book one of the trilogy, The Gift picks up the story of Teo and Ana. Exiled from their homeland and trying to survive in unknown and dangerous lands, they search for any record of the missing Testament. Their journeys lead them into the region we know as Italy. An elite society welcomes Ana, who finds she must choose between her new life and her dream of returning to Chiveis. Will Teo and Ana’s relationship withstand the circumstances and new enemies pulling them apart? And can Teo keep ahead of a powerful and mysterious force opposing his search for the New Testament?

Litfin’s imagination and fast-paced narrative style will capture the hearts and minds of all fiction readers.


My review:

The Gift is a powerfully written story about forgiveness and a desire to know the truth, no matter the cost. The author has a gift for making situations impossible and seemingly hopeless, then finding hope in every situation. I lost track of the number of times I held my breath expecting the worst, which often happened. As the story progressed I saw how even the worst circumstances were used by God for a greater purpose. There were so many spiritual truths and lessons in this novel. I couldn't imagine living in a world knowing most of the truth, but then missing the greatest portion of that truth, the person of Jesus Christ, who ties the Old Testament to the New. This story moved me to tears on numerous occasions and gave me an even greater appreciation for the scriptures. It also contained a powerful romance that was compelling because it showed the power of true love and the beauty of committing to loving one person for life, the person God intended for you. Teo and Ana exemplified sacrificial love, which always draws the unsaved to faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the model for us all. It's impossible to read The Gift and not be moved in some way. I cannot wait to read the next book in this incredible series.

The Gift is published by Crossway books and will release in April 2011!

This is the coolest book video trailer I have ever seen!

And what's almost as cool as this video is the fact that I also have an endorsement in this book right along with Karen Kingsbury's endorsement. Sweet, yes? Anyway, here it is. Post a comment if you love it. Scared made my top fiction list for 2009! Give it a few minutes to load if you don't seen anything happening right away. It's worth waiting for.


Scared - A Novel on the Edge of the World from Children's HopeChest on Vimeo.

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.