by admin | Apr 17, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Medical, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingLip ReadingDavid C. Cook (March 1, 2014)byHarry KrausABOUT 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:
She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself
She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Lip Reading, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Lip Reading is a riveting contemp0rary medical novel that held me spellbound until its somewhat surprising end. It would be misleading to say that it doesn’t end with a happily-ever-after but it is definitely not the one I expected. A story filled with drama, tragedy, romance, suspense, sacrifice, and redemption, Lip Reading moves along at a fairly rapid pace. Characters are well-rounded and realistically portrayed. There were times I didn’t agree with the choices made but those choices took the storyline to an inevitable conclusion.
Lip Reading was a very satisfying novel and I recommend it to all fans of contemporary medical fiction.
by admin | Apr 14, 2014 | Books, Historical, WWII
MY REVIEW:
Maybelle In Stitches is one of the latest additions to the Abingdon Press Quilts of Love series. Although I did have a bit more difficulty getting into the story, I found plenty to interest me once I did. The story takes place during World War 2 with a primary focus on the wives of soldiers fighting in the war. As these women waited for their husbands to return home, they not only managed their homes but often worked in factories to help the war effort. Maybelle and her best friend Doris both work as welderettes on ships but their evenings and weekends are extremely lonely and long. Working together on a quilt started by Maybelle’s mother, the friends and a few other military wives fill their free time putting together a quilt of hope.
The story manages to give the reader insight into the lives of these women as they experience life without their husbands and go through good times and tragedy together. A strong emphasis on the faithfulness of God no matter what the circumstance is present throughout the narrative. Another major theme is the importance of friendship in our lives.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Maybelle In Stitches | A Quilts of Love book.
Maybelle Kazinzki can’t sew. She was after all, the only girl in the seventh grade Home Economics class to sew the zipper in the neck hole of the A-Line dress they were supposed to make. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house she gets the crazy idea to finish it—somehow, come heck or high water. She thinks it will help fill the lonely nights while her husband, Holden, is serving overseas during World War II.
Her recently departed mother’s quilt is made from scraps of material Maybelle traces back to her mother’s childhood, her grandmother’s childhood and her own childhood. She tries to add one of Holden’s stripes to it but the sewing is not going well and neither is her life. After receiving some harsh news, Maybelle’s faith falters and she puts the quilt away and stops trusting God. But God is faithful- no matter what. And it’ll take a group of neighborhood women armed with quilting needles to help Maybelle believe that.
Learn more and purchase a copy at the Quilts of Love site.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Joyce Magnin is the author of the Bright’s Pond novels, including the award-winning The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. A member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship, Joyce is a frequent workshop leader and the organizer of the StoryCrafters fiction group. She lives near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Find out more about Joyce at http://www.quiltsoflovebooks.com/products/31/Maybelle-in-Stitches.
Win a NEW Spring Wardrobe from @TheQuiltsofLove | “Maybelle in Stitches” Giveaway!
Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, Maybelle in Stitches, by Joyce Magnin. Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it.
Joyce is celebrating the release with a $200 Modcloth giveaway. Enter today for a chance to spruce up your spring wardrobe!
One winner will receive:
- A $200 ModCloth.com gift card
- Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron
- A Sky Without Stars by Linda S. Clare
- Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 19th. Winner will be announced on April 21st on the Quilts of Love blog!
Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER.
by admin | Apr 12, 2014 | 1960's, Books, Historical
MY REVIEW:
Many people are able to remember defining moments in their lives. In “What Follows After” Dan Walsh tells the story of the Harrison family and the traumatic event that would change their family forever. The fact that it took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis just made it that much more memorable.
A visit to an inherited house in Florida brings back those memories to an adult Colt as he contemplates whether to keep or sell the property that played such a pivotal role in the life of his family. His memories serve to relate the story within a story that is common in some of Walsh’s books. Once again I found myself viewing events through the eyes of a child – events powerful enough to shape the future of his family.
Walsh’s characters are marvelous. I loved Colt and Timmy and the two ladies who were so instrumental in helping rescue Timmy. Although the story was told through several points of view, I had no problem following it. With plenty of action, suspense and emotional scenes, “What Follows After” shares several important lessons for us all including the importance of truth, forgiveness, and some excellent pointers on how to keep trust in a marriage.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue to view Dan Walsh as one of my respected authors.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1962, life was simple, the world made sense, and all families were happy.
And when they weren’t, everyone knew you were supposed to pretend.
For the past year, Scott and Gina Harrison have been living a lie. While they show up at family get-togethers in the same car, they’ve actually been separated for over a year. To keep up the charade, they’ve even instructed their sons, Colt and Timmy, to lie–to their grandparents, their teachers, and their friends.
Colt, for one, has had enough, so he hatches a plan. He and his little brother will run away from their Florida home, head for their aunt’s house in Georgia, and refuse to come home until their parents get back together. But when things go terribly, terribly wrong, Scott and Gina must come to grips with years of neglect and mistrust in order to recover their beloved sons, their love for one another, and their marriage.
In this emotional story, bestselling author Dan Walsh takes you on a journey to rediscover the things that matter most in life–love, truth, and family. With profound insight into the heart of a hurting child, he reminds us that a time will come to look back on hard times and smile, because we’ll know that what follows after . . . is not what we expected at all.
“Dan is an artist and his canvas is the novel, where he uses different colors and hues of words to create a masterpiece. What Follows After is a story that will surely touch your heart and soul.”–John M. Wills, New York Journal of Books
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion, as well as The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol awards, and three of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year (2011-2013). Dan lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he’s busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more.
by admin | Apr 11, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
“Claiming Mariah” contains all the elements I look for in a good historical western romance novel including cowboys, plenty of action, conflict, a bit of mystery, and of course, romance. I liked the premise of the story which had a strong, somewhat angry man on a mission to take back the ranch he believes rightfully belongs to his family. He just doesn’t expect to have second thoughts about how it will affect the current occupants.
I really liked Slade. Hidden by his tough exterior was a heart of gold filled with compassion and the need to protect those unable to protect themselves. Mariah was strong and hard working and put the needs of everyone else above her own needs. It was inevitable that the two of them would butt heads repeatedly. I liked how the author gradually introduced tiny clues along the way about the identities of those involved in the cattle rustling. My suspicions grew and it was fun to learn that my instincts had been correct. The story is filled with misunderstandings, revealed secrets, faith, and forgiveness.
All-in-all, “Claiming Mariah” is exactly the kind of western romance I enjoy and I look forward to reading more by this author. I am hoping she has one in the works featuring Slade’s brother Buck and possibly Mariah’s sister.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.
With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he unearths more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear. As the days dwindle until the rest of the Donovan clan arrives at the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed changes their futures forever.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Pam Hillman was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn’t afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove the Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn’t mind raking. Raking hay doesn’t take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that’s the kind of life every girl should dream of!
Learn more about Pam HERE.
Claiming Mariah released February 1st, and Pam Hillman is hosting a cool Giveaway during the month of April. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to sign up to win a Kindle Fire!
by admin | Apr 9, 2014 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Over the course of many years of reading countless novels, I don’t believe I have ever run across another one that featured a woman buffalo hunter! I immediately knew that “Caught in the Middle” would be interesting and somewhat different that my usual fare. My suspicions proved to be correct and I was thoroughly entertained by this book.
During the course of the story, I learned the reasons why Anne Tillerton had become a buffalo hunter and watched her tentative relationship with Nicholas Lovelace develop despite its total improbability. It was fun and amusing to watch Nicholas develop strong feelings for Anne who was an absolutely inappropriate companion for an up-and-coming young man with his ambition. I loved the interaction between the pair, especially how Anne challenged Nicolas about his faith when she had no trust in the Lord herself. It was gratifying to watch Anne’s progress as she began to trust others as well as grow into a faith of her own.
“Caught in the Middle” was a satisfying conclusion to the Ladies of Caldwell County series but easily stands on its own strength. I enjoyed all three books and would recommend each of them.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She Wants the Freedom of the Open Plains.
He Wants the Prestige of a Successful Career.
Neither is Ready for What Comes Instead.
The train to Garber, Texas, is supposed to bring life’s next victory to Nicholas Lovelace. Instead, it gets held up by robbers who are thwarted by the last person Nick ever expected–Anne Tillerton from back home in Prairie Lea.
Anne’s been hiding away as a buffalo hunter. She’s only in town to find their runaway cook, but the woman flees–leaving Anne with her infant son. With Nick the only person Anne knows in town, the two form an unlikely team as they try to figure out what to do with the child.
But being in town means acting and dressing for polite society–and it’s not going well for Anne. Meanwhile, Nick’s work is bringing new pressures, and being seen with a rough-around-the-edges woman isn’t helping his reputation. Caught between their own dreams, a deepening relationship, and others’ expectations, can the pair find their way to love?
“[Jennings is] a fresh voice in Christian historical romance…” Library Journal
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.
More Info
- Twitter
- @reginajennings
- Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/ReginaLJennings
- Website
- http://www.reginajennings.com
by admin | Apr 5, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
You only have to read Billy Coffey’s blog a few times to realize that he has a unique gift for getting to the heart of a matter and seeing things that many of us miss. A greater gift is the beautifully eloquent way he manages to express himself with actual words. In “The Devil Walks in Mattingly”, Billy has taken his gift to a new level with a haunting supernatural story that reaches into the very souls of the primary characters.
Three people in or near Mattingly have carried a secret for twenty years. Each of them feels responsible for the death of a young man. The guilt has eaten at them for all those years and has affected each one differently. One of them puts on a good front but is eaten up with fear and suffers from terrible nightmares. Another tries to assuage the guilt by taking care of others, especially those whose circumstances are similar to the boy who died. The third has spent the years isolated and alone in Happy Hollow, a place the people of Mattingly fear. The years have not been kind to him and he has more or less become delusional. Despite their coping mechanisms, none of the three has managed to find closure or peace.
The plot of “The Devil Walks in Mattingly” is so deftly written that the secrets are revealed quite slowly. The reader gains an intimate look into the tortured lives of the characters but must continue reading to gain a true understanding. Certain supernatural aspects of the story are left to the reader’s imagination and one might be undecided about what is real and what is not. Ultimately, that is not the point of the story. It is a story of grace and the redemption and peace that is possible only when one finally releases their guilt and shame to the Lord and stops trying to carry the burden themselves.
“The Devil Walks in Mattingly” is sometimes dark and seemingly hopeless but there is a light that shines through that darkness. It is a story that should be savored slowly and then pondered for awhile.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man’s untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.
It has been twenty years since Philip McBride’s body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since—Philip didn’t kill himself that day. He was murdered.
Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly’s sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.
Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake’s dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . Between truth and lies.
Purchase a copy and learn more at Billy’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
| Billy Coffey’s critically-acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm with a vision far beyond the ordinary. He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life. Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. |
 |
Win a Kindle HDX from @BillyCoffey in “The Devil Walks in Mattingly” Giveaway!
Billy Coffey is celebrating his new book, The Devil Walks in Mattingly, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 5th. Winner will be announced April 7th on Billy’s blog. Watch Billy give the backstory of the book here.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Billy’s blog on April 7th to see if you won.
