by admin | Sep 19, 2012 | Books, Medical, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Heartbeat AwayDavid C. Cook (September 1, 2012)byHarry Kraus
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from Harry:
I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife’s urging: “Now doesn’t seem the right time for this dream.”
My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I’d written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn’t until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the “rules” without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I’d have made faster progress if I’d have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.
I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you’ll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a brilliant surgeon undergoes a heart transplant, her life transforms as she begins experiencing memories of a murder she never witnessed.
The residents worship her. Nurses step out of her way. Her colleagues respect and sometimes even fear her. But surgeon Tori Taylor never expected to end up on this side of the operating table.
Now she has a new heart. This life that was formerly controlled and predictable is now chaotic. Dr. Taylor had famously protected herself from love or commitment, but her walls are beginning to crumble.
And strangest of all, memories surface that will take her on a journey out of the operating room and into a murder investigation.
Where there once was a heart of stone, there is a heart of flesh. And there is no going back.
If you’d like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Heartbeat Away, go HERE.
by admin | Sep 5, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingProofKregel Publications (June 1, 2012)byJordyn RedwoodABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jordyn Redwood has served patients and their families for nearly twenty years and currently works as a pediatric ER nurse. As a self-professed medical nerd and trauma junkie, she was drawn to the controlled chaotic environments of critical care and emergency nursing. Her love of teaching developed early and she was among the youngest CPR instructors for the American Red Cross at the age of seventeen. Since then, she has continued to teach advanced resuscitation classes to participants ranging from first responders to MD’s.
Her discovery that she also had a fondness for answering medical questions for authors led to the creation of Redwood’s Medical Edge at http://jordynredwood.com/. This blog is devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction.
Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters, and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting, and cross-stitching.
Learn more about Jordyn and her book on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it’s the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find–and punish–her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?
Endorsements:
“Jordyn Redwood makes quite a splash with her debut novel. PROOF is a hard-edged mix of medical thriller and crime chiller that grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. This one will keep you up way past your bedtime.”
—Rick Acker, best-selling author of When the Devil Whistles
“From the very first chapter, the first page even, Jordyn Redwood pulls the reader into a story that won’t let go. PROOF is proof enough for me that Jordyn is the real deal: an author who knows how to weave a tight story, write descriptive, authentic prose, and deal with some pretty hefty issues. I’m a fan!”
—Mike Dellosso, author of Frantic and Rearview (a 7 Hours story)
“Debut novelist Jordyn Redwood has used her experience as an ER and ICU nurse to craft a blend of medical thriller and police procedural with twists and turns to keep fans of either genre turning pages.”
—Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Lethal Remedy and the Prescription for Trouble series
“A rollercoaster of a story. Jordyn Redwood’s PROOF has everything you could want in a thriller—believable characters, a villain who makes your skin crawl, a touch of humor, and a twisting plot—all bound by fascinating medical and scientific details. What a fabulous debut!”
—Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series
“Jordyn Redwood may be new on the scene, but she writes like a seasoned pro. PROOF is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time with well-drawn characters including a villain I despised and a hero and heroine I rooted for. I thought I would just take a peek at the first chapter and finish the story later. I thought wrong. I read late into the night, lost sleep, and put off my own writing to finish this book. I’m eagerly awaiting Jordyn’s second book and will be first in line to purchase it the day it releases.”
—Lynnette Eason, best-selling author of The Women of Justice series
“I love a great medical thriller and I’m glad to add another author to my list. Jordyn Redwood writes like the medical insider she is. A gripping tale laced with realism, sleep-robbing excitement, and something every reader loves: hope.”
—Harry Kraus, MD, best-selling author of The Six-Liter Club
“PROOF by Jordyn Redwood is a gripping medical thriller written with vivid detail from an author who knows her subject firsthand. A serial rapist is at large in the town—in the hospital, even? Can Lilly trust anyone? Even her closest friend? And just when you think you can relax, the stakes get even higher.”
—Donna Fletcher Crow, author of The Monastery Murders
“Jordyn Redwood’s debut novel is a page-turner with an ingenious premise and solid Christian values. A satisfying read.”
—Frank J. Edwards, Medical Director, Delphi Emergency Physicians, author of the medical thriller Final Mercy
If you would like to read the first chapter of Proof, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Proof grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me engaged until the very last one. It’s difficult for me to believe that this is the author’s first novel.
I am not sure how to review Proof without major spoilers. There is so much going on in this book, all pertinent to the story, but anything I can think of to describe the story would reveal entirely too much. Personally I think the book description above gives too much away. Basically, the town where Lilly Reeves serves as an ER doctor has been plagued by a serial rapist. Descriptions given by several of his victims indicate that the crimes were committed by the same person. When a man who has two very specific and unusual physical attributes described by the victims is arrested, other evidence seems to prove that he cannot possibly be guilty. Convinced of his guilt, Lilly sets out to prove it before it is too late.
Proof is very well written with a fast paced plot and well defined characters. An intense storyline is laced with enough twists and surprises to satisfy most mystery lovers. A subtle romance takes a backseat to the action and suspense but was a nice touch. The strong message of faith was handled well and did not come across heavy-handed. I will be watching for Jordyn Redwood’s next novel. I expect great things from this new author.
by admin | Sep 5, 2012 | Books, Suspense
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today’s Wild Card author is:
and the book:
B&H Books (September 15, 2012)
***Special thanks to Shannon Kozee of B&H Fiction for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll has authored twelve previous books including the Holt Medallion Award of Merit winner, Deliver Us From Evil.
She gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference
Director for American Christian Fiction Writers. A proud southerner,
Robin lives with her husband, three daughters, and two precious
grandsons in Arkansas.
Visit the author’s website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he
didn’t commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story
to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the
incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen,
and vows to help prove her father’s innocence.
At the same time,
Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping his little sister in
line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with
his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing
the lid off his emotional bucket. But when Riley Baxter storms into his
life, struggling to understand why God would let bad things happen to
good people, Hayden has no choice but to follow his heart.
Now, Riley and Hayden must work together to uncover the truth of the past . . . before someone shuts Riley up for good.
Product Details:
List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: B&H Books
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1433672138
ISBN-13: 9781433672132
AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:
NO REVIEW:
I apparently did not make the cut to receive a review copy of To Write a Wrong but I am a Robin Caroll fan through and through and wanted to do my part to help promote her latest suspense novel. I don’t think there is a single one of her books that I haven’t read and enjoyed. I have this one on order at Amazon and am trying to patiently wait for it to be delivered. All I can say is that if To Write a Wrong is at all comparable to Robin’s previous novels (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), it is one I definitely don’t want to miss. Be sure and check it out.
by admin | Aug 31, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Having enjoyed “Accused”, the first book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, I was happy to have the opportunity to review “Abducted”, the second installment. I was not disappointed.
“Abducted” begins shortly after the ending of “Accused” with police officer Carly Edwards back patrolling the streets on the night shift with her partner Joe. As a new believer, Carly is carefully learning what it means to walk out her faith and soon finds it being put to the test when Joe’s wife is hospitalized and his baby is kidnapped. Added to the stress of encountering multiple dead ends in the search for Joe’s child, Carly’s promising renewed relationship with her ex Nick suddenly seems to be at a standstill.
“Abducted” is a riveting suspense where nothing is quite as it seems and the many twists and turns keeps the reader puzzled. The book is a realistic look into the lives of law enforcement officers complete with accurately described police procedure and the human reactions to their experiences. “Abducted” is one book I couldn’t put down. Can’t wait to see what Carly and Nick might be up to next.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After solving the Mayor’s murder and exposing corruption among the top brass in Las Playas, Carly Edwards is happy to be back on patrol with her partner Joe, putting bad guys behind bars. For once everything in life seems to be going just right.
But then everything starts going wrong. Slow to recover from an injury, her ex-husband Nick, begins pulling away just as they were starting to get close again. Meanwhile when Joe’s wife lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, their baby is kidnapped. As Carly chases down every lead in a desperate search to find the baby, her newfound faith is pushed to its limits.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A retired Long Beach California police officer of 22 years (16 in uniform and 6 as a non-career officer), Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, patrol, administration, juvenile investigations and training. During the course of her career in uniform Janice found that faith was indispensable to every aspect of the job and published articles on faith at work, one for a quarterly newspaper called “Cop and Christ”, and another for the monthly magazine “Today’s Christian Woman”.
With retirement Janice began to write longer pieces and several novels were born. She has a two book suspense series in print she calls Brinna’s Heart Series, The Kevlar Heart and A Heart of Justice (Oaktara Publishing). Janice is excited and honored to now be a part of the Tyndale Publishing House family. Accused, the first installment in her new suspense offering, The Pacific Coast Justice Series, is set to be released February 1, 2012 and will kick off a brand new chapter in her writing career. In addition to suspense and action, her books feature strong female leads. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep you engrossed and leave you inspired.
Janice has bachelor’s degrees in Biology (University of California at Irvine) and Physical Education (California State University at Long Beach). She also completed graduate coursework in Criminal Justice (University of Southern California) and is currently a member of American Christian Fiction Writer’s and Sisters in Crime. She attends Crescenta Valley Community Church in La Crescenta California and while a few years ago she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, she currently resides in Glendale California in order to help care for her aging parents. Janice is single and has three Labrador Retrievers, Jake, Maggie and Abbie. Janice’s hobbies are reading, cross-stitching, kayaking, hiking, walking the dogs and trying to stay fit.
Learn more about Janice and her books on her website.
by admin | Aug 15, 2012 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
FBI agent Raleigh Harmon’s unconventional approach to law enforcement always manages to get the job done but her superiors wish she’d try a little harder to play by their rules. Her life is a mess. Her mother has had a nervous breakdown and refuses to speak to her and her fiance is pressuring her to come back home. Can you say stressed? The FBI has given her one chance to redeem her career by going undercover at a race track. How hard could it be to find out who is behind the mysterious illness among the horses and who might be fixing the races? If only Jack Stephanson were not her FBI contact. Raleigh soon finds that the assignment may be more difficult and dangerous than she expected. Not only that but each lie she is forced to tell to keep her cover weighs heavy on her conscience because of her faith.
I loved the characters in this book. All of them are unique and so well described that I can almost see and hear them. The plot is well paced with lots of action, drama and suspense and laced with unexpected twists and surprises. Little bits of humor along the way enhanced an already good story. Not only was “The Stars Shine Bright” an excellent read, but I felt like I came away from it with some newly found knowledge about geology. Who knew that dirt or other geological material has provenance?!
I had mixed feelings about the men in Raleigh’s life. Although DeMott seemed to be a sweet guy who loved Raleigh, I felt like he would eventually stifle her with his expectations and need to control her. On the other hand, Jack irritated her most of the time but always seemed to be there for her and to encourage her to be herself. I know who I’m rooting for!
Although “The Stars Shine Bright” is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I have not had the chance to read the entire series yet and had no problem keeping up with the story. It did make me want to find the time to catch up on the installments I have missed, They are actually sitting on my bookshelf waiting for that time. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to everyone who enjoys a good suspense. Be sure to look for it in your local bookstore or favorite online one.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After the FBI suspends her for bending its rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is looking for a chance to redeem her career and re-start her life.
Sent undercover to a thoroughbred horse track, Raleigh takes on a double life to find out who’s fixing the races. But when horses start dying and then her own life is threatened, Raleigh realizes something bigger—and more sinister—is ruining Emerald Meadows.
She’s never felt more alone.
Her one contact with the FBI is Special Agent Jack Stephanson, a guy who seems to jump from antagonistic to genuine friend depending on the time of day. And she can’t turn to her family for support. They’re off-limits while she’s undercover, and her mother isn’t speaking to her anyway, having been confined to a mental hospital following a psychotic breakdown. Adding insult to her isolation, Raleigh’s fiancé wants them to begin their life together—now—precisely when she’s been ordered not to be herself.
With just days left before the season ends, Raleigh races to stop the killing and find out who’s behind the track’s trouble, all the while trying to determine if Jack is friend or foe, and whether marrying her fiancé will make things better—or worse.
Raleigh is walking through the darkest night she’s faced, searching for a place where the stars shine bright. Find out more, read the press kit.
See what other bloggers are saying about “The Stars Shine Bright” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sibella Giorello grew up in the mountains of Alaska admiring the beauty and nature that surrounded her. She majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts hoping to learn more about the landscape she loved back home. From there Sibella followed a winding path, much like the motorcycle ride she took across the country, which led to her true love, journalism.
She found herself in Seattle writing for rock-n-roll magazine and earned a journalism degree from the University of Washington before heading south to the land of great stories.
In Virginia, Sibella became a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. It was there she also met her husband and would hear Jesus whispering her name at a tent revival.
Sibella started writing about Raleigh Harmon as a way to keep her love of story-telling alive while staying at home with her young sons. As a journalist and author, her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. The Stones Cry Out, the first Raleigh Harmon novel, won a Christy award for debut novel in 2008. Sibella now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.
Visit Sibella Giorello online at www.sibellagiorello.com, Facebook or Twitter.
KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY:
Sibella is celebrating the release of the next book in her praiseworthy Raleigh Harmon series by giving away a Kindle Fire!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A brand new Kindle Fire
- The entire 5-book Raleigh Harmon series.
Hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/25/12. The winner will be announced on 8/27/12 on Sibella’s blog!
Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Sibella’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
by admin | Aug 11, 2012 | Books, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
It has been way too long since Dee Henderson released a new novel so I was super excited to receive an ARC of “Full Disclosure” to review. And what a book it is! There is so much going on that one could wonder why the author threw in several seemingly inconsequential story lines. But in the end she ties them all up into one neat little package full of surprises. This lady is so good at what she does, she even had me wondering for awhile if the heroine might actually be the villain. (Maybe she was – you’ll have to read the book to find out because I’ll never tell.)
It was fun to revisit characters from Henderson’s earlier novels – and in such a unique way. In fact her earlier novels are discussed quite frequently within the context of this novel in such a way that I have to wonder if “Full Disclosure” might be somewhat autobiographical. Even the title hints at that. Whatever the case may be, this book has a bit of everything – suspense, humor, drama, action, and romance with an abundance of twists and surprises. I’m not sure I have ever gotten to know characters more thoroughly than Ann Silver and Paul Falcon because of the intimate look into their thoughts throughout the novel.
If you have ever enjoyed a book by Dee Henderson, “Full Disclosure” is one you don’t want to miss. If you are not familiar with her work, you might want to start now with the O’Malley series to add another level of enjoyment to the reading of “Full Disclosure” when it releases this fall.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ann Silver is a cop’s cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region’s most trusted investigative positions.
Paul Falcon is the FBI’s top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.
Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn’t expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.
The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is . . .
Can’t wait to read the book? Read an excerpt today!
Visit www.bethanyhouse.com for more information.
