Born and raised in North Carolina, Davis left for Europe at age twenty. There he first completed graduate studies in economics and finance, then began a business career that took him to over forty countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Davis came to faith at age 28, while living in Germany and running an international business advisory group. He started writing two weeks later. Since that moment, writing has remained both a passion and a calling.
Davis wrote for nine years and completed seven books before his first was accepted for publication. During that time, he continued to work full-time in his business career, traveling to two and sometimes three countries every week. His first published book, The Presence, was released in 1990 and became a national bestseller.
Honored with three Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, his bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Warning, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt.
A sought-after speaker in the art of writing, Davis serves as Writer In Residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Marc Royce works for the State Department on special assignments, most of them rather routine, until two CIA operatives go missing in Iraq–kidnapped by Taliban forces bent on generating chaos in the region. Two others also drop out of sight–a high-placed Iraqi civilian and an American woman providing humanitarian aid. Are the disappearances linked? Rumors circulate in a whirl of misinformation.
Marc must unravel the truth in a covert operation requiring utmost secrecy–from both the Americans and the insurgents. But even more secret than the undercover operation is the underground dialogue taking place between sworn enemies. Will the ultimate Reconciler between ancient enemies, current foes, and fanatical religious factions be heard?
I have always enjoyed books by Davis Bunn but once I saw the setting for Lion of Babylon, I wasn’t sure I was really interested in a story about Iraq. But being the mostly dedicated reviewer that I am, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad that I did. As in his previous books, I was quickly drawn into the story and found it difficult to put down. I finally turned the last page at 1:00 a.m. and then could not sleep because I kept thinking about what I had read.
Lion of Babylon is a riveting suspense featuring a covert search for four missing people, both American and Iraqi. Neither government seems to be interested in finding them. In fact they seem to be doing everything they can to hinder the mission. But Marc Royce, Iraqi lawer Sameh, several select American military, and a team of former Iraqi police do not intend for anything to stand in their way.
Not only is Lion of Babylon a page turner but I felt that my understanding of the Iraqi people and their situation was greatly enhanced by reading it. If certain facts illustrated in this story are more than just good fiction, then we have been sold a bill of goods by our government. I am aware that Lion of Babylon is a novel but most good novels have an element of truth and my intuition tells me that this one was well researched and is filled with truth.
There was nothing I didn’t like about this book. I really liked the way Marc and Sameh were portrayed and loved the way the people of Iraq responded to their integrity. Details about the underground church and about references to Jesus in the Koran were of particular interest. My only complaint is that the book ended much too soon. I hope that Mr. Bunn is planning a sequel and that it will be available soon.
Carolyn Williford has authored seven books, including Jordan’s Bend, Devotions for Families That Can’t Sit Still, and Faith Tango, as well as numerous articles. She and her husband, Craig, live in Deerfield, Illinois, where he serves as president of Trinity International University. They have two children and four grandchildren.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It All Comes Tumbling Down
As a storm rages in the night, unwary drivers venture onto Tampa Bay’s most renowned bridge. No one sees the danger ahead. No one notices the jagged gap hidden by the darkness and rain. Yet when the bridge collapses vehicles careen into the churning waters of the bay below.
In that one catastrophic moment, three powerful stories converge: a family ravaged by their child’s heartbreaking news, a marriage threatened by its own facade, and a college student burdened by self doubt. As each story unfolds, the characters move steadily closer to that fateful moment on the bridge. And while each character searches for grace, the storms in their lives loom as large as the storm that awaits them above the bay.
When these characters intersect in Carolyn Williford’s gripping and moving volume of three novellas, they also collide with the transforming truth of Christ: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.
As is the case with all of Melody Carlson’s novels, Double Take was a well written entertaining and easy to read book that flowed smoothly and contained some important lessons in life. While not a bad book, it was not one of my favorites.
The story features socialite Madison and Amish Anna whose chance meeting leads to Madison suggesting that they changes places for a short time. With very little planning, Anna finds herself off to Manhattan while Madison takes her place in the home of Anna’s relatives. While the girl’s ignorance of their new surroundings are described, I found it just a little hard to believe that the people they came in contact did not catch on to their scheme. How could Anna’s aunt believe the tall tale Madison came up with to explain why she couldn’t perform basic household chores such as washing dishes and cooking?
Other than the fact that the believability was a real stretch, the story was entertaining and would probably be good material for a Hallmark movie.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Young Socialite Switches Places with Amish Girl to Escape Manhattan Scene!
“Why does everything have to be so complicated?” Madison shook her Blackberry at her mom…
“I’m sick of it…I can’t take it anymore…”
Anna Fisher was bored. But she knew better than to say that out loud – especially when everyone was busy with farming and fixing and all the additional chores that came with springtime.
Bestselling author Melody Carlson takes readers into the worlds of a socialite and an Amish girl struggling with who they are in Double Take (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1964-7, June 2011, $9.99). Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could switch your life with someone else for just one day? Readers will live the one-week experiences of a bored Amish girl and stressed out socialite when they decide to switch places in Double Take.
Spring break has arrived. It’s her senior year, and Madison VanBuren is fed up with her surroundings and the pressures of life. Stressed out over choosing an Ivy League school that will please her parents, their marital problems, and her boyfriend’s pressure, Madison gets in her car and drives west.
Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Anna Fisher wants to escape the so-called simple life–which for her consists of caring for younger siblings, sewing, cooking, and gardening–and she’s well aware that her future will simply be more of the same with a man she doesn’t love.
Madison and Anna stumble into each other in a small town. Realizing their looks are uncannily similar, they both think their lives are boring. Thinking the grass is greener on the other side, they make a decision that will transform them forever and switch lives for one week.
Readers will love this funny and provocative tale of switching places from bestselling author Melody Carlson. As they get a glimpse and understanding of these two very different worlds. They may find themselves happy to be just who they are, and where they are.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling books, Christmas at Harrington’s and The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and several books which are being considered for TV movies. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
The second book in Deborah Raney’s Hanover Falls series, Forever After focuses on two more characters affected by the devastating fire that destroyed the town’s homeless shelter and resulted in the deaths of several firefighters. Widow of firefighter Zach Morgan, Jenna has come to the realization that she can no longer pay for the lifestyle expected by her wealthy in-laws. She knows she has to make some serious adjustments but is fearful of returning to the poverty of her childhood. Lucas Vermontez is still recovering from injuries he received and is anxious to return to his duties at the fire department. Only his strong faith has kept him from despair during his long recovery period and his grief over his father’s death in the same fire. When Lucas and Jenna become reacquainted, their mutual attraction is evident but each of them has doubts about the wisdom of a relationship.
A convincing plot and well developed characters with authentic interactions made this novel a delight to read. Lucas in particular was a strong character who was not afraid to challenge Jenna when her behavior was questionable. His devotion to his family and to the Lord set a positive example that eventually helped Jenna to make the correct decisions. With a combination of drama, humor, and romance blended with a compelling message of faith, Forever After is definitely a book I would recommend to all who enjoy contemporary romance that surpasses the norm.
This book was provided for review by
LeAnn Hamby with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jenna Morgan mourned the loss of her husband, Zach, in the fire that destroyed the Hanover Falls homeless shelter and claimed the lives of three other firefighters. A year later, her ability to keep up the charade of prosperity she and Zach lived is at an end. Even with financial help from Zach’s parents, she can’t make the mortgage and credit card payments. But Jenna Morgan refuses to go back to the trailer home life from which she escaped. She’s come so far. She just can’t go back to that.
Lucas Vermontez has endured physical therapy for a year, but the legs crushed while he fought the homeless shelter fire are nowhere near 100% yet. Will his dream of returning to the fire station ever become reality? And can he conquer these feelings he has for his best buddy’s widow?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deborah’s first novel,
A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures’ highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time.
Deb’s novella, Playing by Heart, was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her most recent novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday’s Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list.
Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women’s retreats and writers’ conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/ author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas.
Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions. Her first novel,The Mailbox was released in June 2010. Her next novel, She Makes It Look Easy, will be released in June 2011. Additionally, she serves as director of She Reads, Proverbs 31 Ministries’ fiction division.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood play dates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable. Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.
Philippians 4:11 [English Standard Version (ESV)] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
If there is one predominant message in She Makes It Look Easy, it is the scripture above. How much pain and heartache Justine could have avoided if she had just learned to be content instead of imagining her life away. She still had not learned that lesson by the end of the book. On the other hand, Ariel had many of the right answers from the beginning but didn’t know it. Fortunately she learned the truth before it was too late.
She Makes It Look Easy was an interesting if not entertaining story that brought home some very strong truths. This narrative was so realistic that I saw things about my own past through it. Not a comfortable feeling which detracted from its entertainment value. The story is told from two points of view – Ariel’s and Justine’s. I was never able to like or even empathize with Justine. She was manipulative and just never seemed to be genuine. I also became frustrated with Ariel’s naivete and wanted to shake her until she could see clearly how she was being used.
Well, as my grandma used to say, “It all came out in the wash.” Actions have consequences and everything that is hidden will be revealed. And that is the way She Makes It Look Easy concluded. Such a sad story yet it was so full of lessons in real life. Be aware that this book will challenge more than entertain. It’s not for a day when you need a light distraction.
While divorce is never the best option from a Christian viewpoint, sometimes it is just downright unavoidable. Finding herself divorced against her own wishes, Kimberly has had great difficulty dealing with her situation and it seemed as if her ex would do almost anything to make things more difficult for her. After losing one more traumatic court battle over summer custody of her sons, Kimberly’s wise father insisted upon her going to the family beach house in Cedar Key, Florida to find a new housekeeper. Although she didn’t want to go, Kimberly complied and soon found that her short beach vacation would change her life forever. Not only does she make new friends and renew an old romance, but Kimberly is forced to face and deal with truths about herself, her family, and secrets from the past.
Chasing Sunsets is the perfect book for long hot summer days. The reader can mentally escape to the beach as she enjoys a great story of self discovery and second chances. With realistically portrayed characters and situations, Chasing Sunsets is both entertaining and emotionally charged. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK: The Gift Of A Camera At Sunset, The Truth Spoken In Love, A Broken Heart Is Revealed, and The Dam Breaks…
“Don’t waste time, Kimberly. Time is something we all think we’ve got in abundance until suddenly the clock stops ticking. Don’t waste a single minute of your life…”
There is magic along the marshes in Cedar Key, Florida. Kimberly Tucker may just need reminding. Author Eva Marie Everson takes readers to the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida in Chasing Sunsets (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3436-7, June 2011, 384 pages, $14.99). Time stands still on this tiny island as visitors and residents admire the beautiful sunrises and sunsets and the friendly smiling faces. But Kimberly struggles with the secrets of her past that seem to be locked away in Cedar Key.
Wondering what went wrong with her marriage and realizing the dreams for their future would not come true, Kimberly resents her former husband for moving on with his life. When a judge orders her sons to spend five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kimberly’s father suggests a respite in the family vacation home on Cedar Key Island. As Kim revisits her childhood memories and former loves, she soon discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and mistakes–both past and present–become redeemable in God’s hand.
Walk alongside Kimberly in Chasing Sunsets as she discovers that God’s answers may not come easily, but they do come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken and This Fine Life. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club series and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.
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