Book Giveaway – Tea With Hezbollah
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I will choose a winner Sunday, January 31. U. S. entries only please. |
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Tea With Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis
MY REVIEW:
I was not paying proper attention when I accepted the offer of Tea With Hezbollah for review. I normally review fiction only and assumed this book was fiction when I saw Ted Dekker’s name. Imagine my surprise when I opened it. Fortunately for me, Ted’s nonfiction style is every bit as readable as his fiction and I found myself intrigued by the quest to find out if Islamic leaders believed it was possible to love their enemies.
As I read, there were times I wondered about the agenda behind this book. Were the authors trying to play down the dangers of radical Islam? Were they trying to place all the blame for problems in the Middle East on the U. S. and Israel? The more I read, the more I realized that their primary purpose was to try to understand these people and what makes them tick – particularly through the context of the parable of the good Samaritan.
Tea With Hezbollah takes the reader on a journey with Ted and Carl that most westerners will never experience. Woven through the narrative of their experiences are historical details of the region and a modern parable that parallels the one of the good Samaritan.
Tea With Hezbollah does not offer a solution to the Middle East conflict. Indeed there may never be a solution as long as politicians are involved. What Tea With Hezbollah does offer is a real look at the human side of the story – people who love their families and would prefer to live their lives in peace. It should also make the reader ask himself the question “Do I truly love my neighbor as myself?”
I would recommend Tea With Hezbollah, especially to those who would like to look beyond the evening news.
SUMMARY:
Is it really possible to love one’s enemies?
That’s the question that sparked a fascinating and, at times, terrifying journey into the heart of the Middle East during the summer of 2008. It was a trip that began in Egypt, passed beneath the steel and glass high rises of Saudi Arabia, then wound through the bullet- pocked alleyways of Beirut and dusty streets of Damascus, before ending at the cradle of the world’s three major religions: Jerusalem.
Tea with Hezbollah combines nail-biting narrative with the texture of rich historical background, as readers join novelist Ted Dekker and his co-author and Middle East expert, Carl Medearis, on a hair-raising journey. They are with them in every rocky cab ride, late-night border crossing, and back-room conversation as they sit down one-on-one with some of the most notorious leaders of the Arab world. These candid discussions with leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, with muftis, sheikhs, and ayatollahs, with Osama bin Laden’s brothers, reveal these men to be real people with emotions, fears, and hopes of their own. Along the way, Dekker and Medearis discover surprising answers and even more surprising questions that they could not have anticipated—questions that lead straight to the heart of Middle Eastern conflict.
Through powerful narrative Tea With Hezbollah will draw the West into a completely fresh understanding of those we call our enemies and the teaching that dares us to love them. A must read for all who see the looming threat rising in the Middle East.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Learn more about or purchase Tea With Hezbollah at RandomHouse.com.
Kelly’s Chance by Wanda E. Brunstetter
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Kelly’s Chance
Barbour Books; Reprint edition (January 1, 2010)
by
Wanda E. Brunstetter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Note From Wanda:
Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. When I was in the second grade, I wrote my first poem about a moth. Luckily, I received encouragement from my teacher. During my teen years, I wrote skits that my church teen group performed during special holidays.
It wasn’t until 1980, that I took a course on writing for children and teenagers. I became serious about a career as an author. Soon after that, I began to write stories, articles, poems, and devotionals, which appeared in a variety of Christian publications. Later, I had 5 books of puppet/ventriloquist scripts published. *These books are currently available by contacting me. (wanda@wandabrunstetter.com)
My first novel was released by Barbour Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents, in Dec. 1997. I have now written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million books in print. Many of the novels I’ve written are Amish-themed.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Life for Kelly McGregor is a daily drudge of driving her overbearing father’s mules along Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Canal. She dreams of one day owning an art gallery where her own drawings and paintings are on display. But these dreams don’t include marriage. . .not after seeing what her father has done to her mother. How then can Mike Cooper, a general store owner, make her realize he is different than her father and wants to support her artistic talent? Will Kelly learn that dreams can walk hand in hand with a love created by God?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Kelly’s Chance, go HERE.
Learn more about Wanda and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
Kelly’s Chance is a departure from the Amish novels I have come to expect from Wanda Brunstetter. I enjoyed learning about the hard life on the canals, something I had never known about. We truly do learn something new every day. The story was easy to read with interesting characters. The primary theme of trusting and depending upon God was well woven throughout the story without being preachy. Overall a good romance with a happy ever after ending.
Jenna’s Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater
Romance on the Ranch:
When Jenna’s cowboy returns to their small hometown in Texas, she discovers that the memories of the past aren’t so easy to shake after all
Popular author Sharon Gillenwater releases a new novel, Jenna’s Cowboy, set in the beautiful part of West Texas where she grew up as the debut novel in The Callahans of Texas series.
Readers meet Jenna Callahan, who has a young son and is working hard at her father’s ranch. She’s content with her life. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town—the first guy she ever noticed, the very same one her father sent away all those years ago. And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.
Jenna’s cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him—and become the man Jenna deserves.
With an emphasis on simple acts of love, Jenna’s Cowboy gives romance readers what they want most: a love story with a Texas touch. This contemporary novel will appeal to fans of Debbie Macomber and Lisa Wingate.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in west Texas, and loves to write about her native state. The author of ten novels, she is a member of ACFW and Romance Writers of America. When she’s not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and adorable grandson. She lives in Port Angeles, Washington. |
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MY REVIEW:
Have I mentioned that I like books with cowboys in them? I was excited to find yet another one on my blog review list this month, a contemporary one set in Texas this time. I am glad that I had the opportunity to read Jenna’s Cowboy and recommend it to others.
Jenna and Nate were special friends as teens but never revealed their secret feelings to each other before going their separate ways after graduation. The book begins with Nate back home after his military service ends with injuries. Jenna has also returned to her family’s ranch with her young son after a disastrous marriage. They soon find that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever but both have issues to overcome before feeling free to pursue those feelings. Jenna’s Cowboy is a sweet and tender love story that beautifully illustrates Nate and Jenna’s developing relationship.
The author’s description of farm and ranch life in west Texas made me feel as if I were there. There are enough similarities to farm life in Tennessee that I know her descriptions are accurate. I learned a lot about PTSD through Nate’s struggles with it and wonder how many of our young men suffer similar trauma each day after returning from the war. Jenna’s Cowboy deals with some serious subjects but the difficulties are eased by the joyful moments and humor scattered throughout.
This book was provided by Revell for my review.
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington
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TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:
Thicker than Blood Winner of the |
Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged younger sister, May, whom she abandoned after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon, Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could May’s Triple Cross Ranch be the safe haven she’s searching for? Will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?
MY REVIEW:
The very first time I saw the cover of Thicker Than Blood I knew I wanted to read the book. As a self-taught graphic artist and an avid reader, the cover had an appeal that could not be denied. My congratulations to the designer of the cover- it is one of the best I’ve seen and reflects the book’s contents very well.
After I received a copy and the day I could finally read it arrived (I try to adhere to my blog review calendar), I was thrilled to find that Thicker Than Blood lived up to my expectations. This is a story with meat to it. The characters are well developed and interact naturally. Their daily lives, their struggles, their hopes and dreams unite to make each character three dimensional – people that could be friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Darlington’s depiction of Christy’s job as a book buyer and May’s life on the ranch are true to life and add depth to an already interesting tale. Difficult subjects such as addiction, physical abuse, shame, abortion, and dishonesty are handled skillfully.
Thicker Than Blood contains all the essential elements of a good novel including an easy to read style, a well paced plot with just the right tension, and natural dialogue. It also doesn’t hurt that there is plenty of action and suspense. A key element is the interaction of the characters, particularly Christy and May as they get to know each other after years apart. This is a book about separation and reconciliation, disgrace and redemption, but most of all the overwhelming grace and mercy of the Lord for those who turn to Him.
I recommend this new author with overwhelming enthusiasm and hope you will pick up a copy of Thicker Than Blood for yourself.
A copy of Thicker Than Blood was provided for my review by the author.
With careful attention to detail, emotion, and scene-setting, C.J. Darlington scores with her debut effort. Here is a special writer you won’t want to miss.
—Jerry B. Jenkins, New York Times best selling authorIf you love a good read filled with adventure and ultimately redemption, I encourage you to brew the tea, settle into your favorite chair and pick up the page turner that is C.J. Darlington’s imaginative new novel of a modern day sisterhood that triumphs over separation and the raw challenges of life to find the real endurance of both family ties and God’s amazing grace.
—Rebecca St. James, Grammy award winning Christian singer and bestselling author
With Thicker than Blood, C.J. Darlington proves she’s a novelist for the long-haul, a strong new voice in Christian fiction. This book speaks to the heart, from the heart, about the heart. Readers will not soon forget it.
—Sibella Giorello, Christy award-winning author of The Rivers Run Dry & The Clouds Roll Away
Watch the book trailer:
About the Author:
C. J. began writing the story that would become Thicker than Blood (her first novel) when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over a decade, scouting for stores similar to the one described in the novel before cofounding her own online bookstore. Thicker than Blood was the winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel.
C. J. co-founded the Christian entertainment Web site TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. She makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com for more info.
QUICK LINKS:
- The 1st chapter of Thicker than Blood
- The “Story Behind the Story” of Thicker than Blood
- More endorsements from Jenny B. Jones, James Scott Bell, Susan Meissner, and more!
- Our interview with C.J. at TitleTrakk.com
- Buy Thicker than Blood at Christianbook.com
- Buy Thicker than Blood at Amazon.com
- List of the other 85+ Thicker than Blood blog tour participants!
The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher
MY REVIEW:
I have read a few other reviews about The Choice that have been critical of various aspects of the story – too many deaths, a villain who was exaggerated, etc. Personally, I thought the villain was believable. I have encountered people in my life who had similar attitudes and behavior. I agree that there was an abundance of tragedy in The Choice. Unfortunately, I have also known people who have experienced more than their share of grief. For some unexplained reason, life is just that way for some.
To me the whole point of the story is that through all the adverse events in Carrie’s life, her main concern was to take care of her younger brother and family. Each new tragedy seemed to increase her inner strength even as her hope failed and despair tried to take over. As she walked through the fires, Carrie’s gentle caring spirit touched the people around her. And with the help of one special man, Carrie was once again able to trust the Lord and find peace for herself and forgiveness for others.
I have read quite a few books in the “bonnet fiction” category over the past several years. There are several different authors in this widely popular genre and the Amish are presented from varying viewpoints. Most of the books have been pleasant reading and I have learned quite a bit about the Amish lifestyle through them. I personally enjoyed The Choice and would recommend it to others. The author has an easy to read writing style that kept my attention. This book has romance, suspense, humor, and an excellent spiritual theme. What more could I ask?
A complimentary copy of The Choice was provided by the Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A fresh fiction series that explores what happens when one young Amish woman must make the choice of a lifetime…
Lancaster County has always been her home–but where does her heart belong?
One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl–plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?
A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world–and shows that it’s never too late to find your way back to God.
ENDORSEMENTS:
“Fisher’s writing brings that Amish sense of peace into your own world. The Choice brings an entirely new perspective to the Amish way of life. You will love it!”
–Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants
“A story of endearing characters. . . . Fisher writes with a fresh mix of humor and depth, splashing raw emotion onto the pages. I guarantee your heart will be touched.”
–Ginger Kolbaba, founding editor of Kyria.com, former editor of Today’s Christian Woman, and author of Desperate Pastors’ Wives
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzanne Woods Fisher‘s interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Dunkard Brethren Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne’s work has appeared in many magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, ParentLife, Christian Parenting Today, and Marriage Partnership. She has contributed to several nonfiction books and is the author of Amish Peace and two novels. Fisher resides in Alamo, California.
Suzanne Woods Fisher has straddled the world between the Amish and the English all her life: Many of her relatives are of a strict religious sect like the Amish, known as the Dunkard Brethren Church. Because of Fisher’s ties to the Amish, she has made every effort to keep her storytelling authentic, showcasing the Amish’s strong communities, their simple life-style and their willingness to put each other first. She is also the author of the nonfiction collection of stories about the Amish that came out in October, Amish Peace.
“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
NETGALLEY BADGES