by admin | Jan 28, 2008 | Books
Looting of archaeological sites is big business in a thriving art and antiquities black market. When a desperate foreign government hires Desiree Jacobs’s security company to stop the hemorrhage, she runs afoul of a deadly art-for-drugs operation. Tony Lucano risks his rising career in the FBI to dive into the international underworld after her. Before either of them can come up for air, they must navigate through a deepening murk of ruthless looters, hair-trigger DEA agents, crooked government agents, and innocent bystanders caught up in an illegal trade beyond their understanding. Even if a miracle delivers Desi and Tony from evil, will their love survive the test?
Complete with a reader’s guide, this third book in the To Catch a Thief series explores the power of hope in the darkest of circumstances.
About the Author
Jill Elizabeth Nelson graduated with a degree in literature and creative writing from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. She served for three years as the senior inspirational reviewer for Romantic Times BOOKclub magazine and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Group, and Christian Authors Network. In 2004, she served as a Christy Award judge in the romance category. Nelson and her husband have four children and live in Madison, Minnesota.
My Review
I thoroughly enjoyed Reluctant Smuggler. This book has it all, suspense, danger, international intrigue, romance, exotic settings, last minute rescues, etc. The story line moves at a fast pace with unexpected twists and turns and intersecting plot lines around every corner. Jill Nelson has done a wonderful job with character development, motivations, and relationships. I would highly recommend Reluctant Smuggler to anyone who enjoys a well written suspense novel.
Click here to purchase your own copy of Reluctant Smuggler.
I have three copies of Reluctant Smuggler to give away. If you will leave a comment on this post, you will be entered to win one of them. Please leave a way I can contact you if you win. The deadline to enter is Saturday, February 2.
by admin | Jan 28, 2008 | Books
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducingAwaken My Heart
Avon Inspire (February 5, 2008)byDiAnn Mills
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. She is the author of numerous titles including novels, novellas, and a nonfiction. In addition, she’s written several short stories, articles, devotions, and has contributed to several nonfiction compilations.DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” Her desire is to show characters solving real problems of today from a Christian perspective through a compelling story.Several of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents, and she remains a favorite author by Heartsong Present’s readers. Two of her books have won short historical of the year by American Christian Fiction Writers both in 2003 and 2004. She was named Writer of the Year for 2004 at the 35th Annual Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference and is the recipient of Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards for 2005 in the long contemporary and novella categories.
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, ChiLibris, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops. DiAnn also belongs to Cy Fair Women’s Networking, an exclusive professional women’s networking organization.
She lives in sunny Houston, Texas, the home of heat, humidity, and Harleys. In fact she’d own one, but her legs are too short. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
1803, the colony of Texas
Awaken My Heart is set in 19th century Texas and tells the story of 18 year old Marianne Phillips, the daughter of a wealthy rancher, Weston Phillips. Weston is involved in a hostile struggle with Armando Garcia, the infamous rebel leader of the ‘mestizos’ who claim to own the land that Phillips has settled.
Marianne Phillips, the daughter of a wealthy rancher, has never agreed with her father’s harsh treatment of the poor mestizos who first inhabited the colony of Texas. When rebels kidnap Marianne, in hopes her father will trade back their land for her freedom, she realizes her loyalty lies with her abductors, not her father, who plans to marry her off to the don of a nearby estate.
Armando Garcia is the locals’ reluctant leader, but his people revere and depend on him. Knowing that without his leadership they’d be forced from their land, Armando accepts his role, but does not approve of the latest attempt to manipulate their enemy. When he learns that Marianne actually speaks his language, of her loyalty to his people, and of the faith that keeps her strong, Armando is faced with a difficult decision. Will his newfound love keep him from letting her go? Or will he set her free and risk losing their land forever?
Click here to purchase your own copy of Awaken My Heart.
by admin | Jan 23, 2008 | Books
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fallen
(Kregel Publications February 29, 2008)byMatthew Raley
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Matthew Raley is senior pastor of the Orland Evangelical Free Church in northern California, where he lives with his wife and two young children. For fun, he enjoys playing chamber music with friends, giving occasional solo recitals, and playing first violin in the North State Symphony. This is his first book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jim was at work when his eyes drifted to the coffee shop visible from his office window. An attractive woman driving a Mercedes pulled up to the curb . . . and Jim’s married pastor emerged from the car. When Jim delves deeper into his pastor’s world, will he be able to handle what he discovers? Is he right to suspect that Dave is having an affair? In the behind-the-scenes church battle that ensues, Jim is torn between duty to his church and a desire to show grace. A ripped-from-the-headlines drama of suspense that keeps you engaged to the last page.
Fallen is the story about Jim’s relationship with Dave—how Jim tries to do the right thing to keep Dave accountable, but finds the situation getting worse and worse. It’s also about Jim’s other relationships. Just as he discovers hypocrisy in Dave, Jim discovers his own sins against his wife and daughter.
Click here to purchase your own copy of Fallen.
by admin | Jan 21, 2008 | Books
101 CUPS OF WATER by C.D. Baker
C.D. Baker dips into the flowing stream of God’s love and draws out relief, refreshment, mercy, hope and sustenance for a new generation of Christ-followers. Baker’s clean, simple prose is paired with evocative, black and white photographs that will etch each truth into the reader’s memory.
C.D. Baker founded and operated an award-winning insurance business before redirecting his career to write. His historical novel Crusade of Tears in The Journey of Souls series earned a Christy Award nomination. He’s completing a master’s degree in theological studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he splits his time from home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His website is www.cdbaker.com.
101 Cups of Water is a small book filled with short essays and illustrations that deal honestly and openly with everyday personal issues of the Christian life. The black and white photos are excellent and the essays encourage and leave us with a thought to ponder for the day.
I would recommend 101 Cups of Water for your daily quiet time or as a gift of encouragement for a friend.
Click here to purchase your own copy of 101 Cups of Water.
I have 2 copies of 101 Cups of Water to give away. To enter, leave a comment for this post before Monday, January 28, 2008. I will draw two names from the entries. Please leave me a way to contact you if you win.
by admin | Jan 20, 2008 | Books
Auralia’s Colors meets all my requirements for a great fantasy novel. The characters are captivating. The plot is skilfully woven with the perfect balance of mysterious imagery. Jeffrey Overstreet’s lyrical writing style is poetic, artistic, and nearly musical at times.
I related to Auralia’s Colors on more than one level. On one level is the story line which drew me in and kept my interest until the end. On another level I was immersed in the mystical beauty of the subliminal atmosphere that seemed to be just out of reach.
My imagination was captured by the imagery of a colorless world and Auralia’s attempt to bring it back to life with colors woven from nature. As an amateur graphic artist, I am enthralled with colors and their contrasts or marriage with other colors. Auralia’s methods of taking colors from nature for her creations revealed a bit more to me of the true source of art and color.
I had hoped to participate in each day of this blog tour but may not be able to do so. My mother-in-law is critically ill in a hospital an hour’s drive from my home so my internet time is necessarily shortened for now.
I do highly recommend this book especially to fantasy lovers. The story is full of wonder and the beauty of Overstreet’s writing is truly rare.
Book web site: http://lookingcloser.org/auralia/default.htm
Jeffrey Overstreet’s Author blog, Looking Closer Journal: http://lookingcloser.wordpress.com/
Click here to purchase your own copy of Auralia’s Colors.
*Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr |Jim Black | Justin Boyer | Grace Bridges | Jackie Castle | Carol Bruce Collett | Valerie Comer | CSFF Blog Tour | D. G. D. Davidson | Chris Deanne | Jeff Draper | April Erwin | Marcus Goodyear | Andrea Graham | Jill Hart | Katie Hart | Timothy Hicks | Heather R. Hunt | Becca Johnson | Jason Joyner | Kait | Karen | Carol Keen | Mike Lynch | Margaret | Rachel Marks | Shannon McNear | Melissa Meeks | Rebecca LuElla Miller | Mirtika or Mir’s Here | Pamela Morrisson| Eve Nielsen | John W. Otte | John Ottinger | Deena Peterson | Rachelle | Steve Rice | Cheryl Russel | Ashley Rutherford | Hanna Sandvig | Chawna Schroeder | James Somers | Rachelle Sperling | Donna Swanson | Steve Trower | Speculative Faith | Jason Waguespac | Laura Williams | Timothy Wise
by admin | Jan 15, 2008 | Books
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2008
WaterBrook Press (January 15, 2008) by Sally StuartABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sally Stuart has been writing for the last 40+ years, and has been putting out the annual “Christian Writers’ Market Guide” for the last 23 years. Her other writing includes several Christian education resources books, a children’s picture book, a basic writing text, writing resources, and a western novel–plus hundreds of articles and marketing columns. She writes marketing columns for the “Christian Communicator,” “Advanced Christian Writer,” and the Oregon Christian Writers’ Newsletter. She speaks and teaches at Christian Writers’ Conferences nationwide. Sally is the mother of 3 and grandmother of 8. She and her husband, Norm, spend their free time vacationing on the Oregon coast.Check out her blog!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The essential reference tool for the Christian writer, Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide is now in its 23rd annual edition!
Check out the section on Blogging on page 69…the CFBA is listed!
Writers’ Conference listings, Book Publishers, Magazine Publishers, and a Bookstore filled with the resources you need to be successful in this business. Get a Book Contract or Manuscript Evaluation, and check out the Writer’s Resource links. This book has all you need to connect to all these valuable helps for the beginning, intermediate, or professional writer.
To keep you up to date with the latest marketing news, visit Sally Stuart’s new marketing blog, Christian Writers’ Marketplace, at http://www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com/.
A new, updated version of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide is available about January 15 each year.
Click here to purchase your own copy 0f the Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2008.
