by admin | Oct 31, 2007 | Amish, Books
About the Book
In When the Heart Cries, the wildly successful debut novel by author Cindy Woodsmall, readers were granted access to one of the most mysterious places remaining in America – an Old Order Amish Community. In the latest release from her SISTERS OF THE QUILT series, When the Morning Comes, Woodsmall continues the story of young Amish Girl Hannah Lapp. – from the publisher Waterbrook Press
About the Author 
Cindy Woodsmall and her husband have three sons, whom Cindy home schooled for a number of years. With two children grown and attending college and the youngest entering public high school, she began pursuing her desire to write. The first chapter of When the Heart Cries, what became the first book in the SISTERS OF THE QUILT series, won second place in the Noble Theme Contest – a contest for unpublished authors sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Woodsmall and her family live in Georgia. – from the publisher Waterbrook Press
Review
Not having read When the Heart Cries, I had no background knowledge of Hannah’s circumstances other than what was revealed in When the Morning Comes. Nevertheless, enough information was related so that this novel is able to stand on its own.
When the Morning Comes relates Hannah’s search for survival and for herself in a world totally different from the one she grew up in. She finds peace, love, and acceptance in her new home although her past remains unsettled. Back home, her family and her former fiance struggle with her continued absence.
In my opinion, the book would have been stronger had there not been so many subplots woven throughout the story. I was also disappointed that several major issues remained unresolved at the end of the book.
Click here for your copy of When the Morning Comes.
by admin | Oct 31, 2007 | Books
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
(Thomas Nelson November 6, 2007)
by
Denise Hunter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Sam’s estranged step-father dies, she inherits his ocean-front cottage in Nantucket–not because he kindly bequeathed it to her, but because he neglected to ever create a will. Sam returns to the island she left 11 years ago with her daughter Caden to fix up the house and sell it, but she isn’t counting on is the fact that Landon Reed still lives two doors down from her childhood home. As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn’t know why she really left the island. Will the secrets she’s hidden all these years tear them apart? Or is Landon’s love really as unconditional as he claims?
To get your copy of Surrender Bay click here.
by admin | Oct 24, 2007 | Books, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing
Illuminated(Thomas Nelson August 7, 2007)by
Matt Bronleewe
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Matt Bronleewe is a recognized producer, songwriter and author. The former member of the band Jars of Clay, has earned numerous awards producing and co-writing albums that have sold a combined total of over 20 million copies. His songs have recently been recorded by Disney pop sensations Aly & AJ, American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, and more. Bronleewe has worked with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Michael W. Smith, International pop singer Natalie Imbruglia and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Bronleewe was raised on a farm in Kansas, where he lived until he left for college in 1992. At Greenville College in Illinois, Bronleewe formed the band Jars of Clay with his dorm roommate and two neighbors, and the group soon found success. Though Bronleewe opted to leave Jars of Clay early on to pursue an academic career, he soon found himself in Nashville, co-writing, producing, and playing music professionally.
To add to his list of accomplishments, Bronleewe has expanded his love of story telling beyond music into authorship. He is currently penning a 5 book series for Thomas Nelson Fiction. Illuminated, in stores now, begins the adventurous series about rare manuscripts and the mysteries within.
Bronleewe currently resides in Brentwood, Tenn., with his wife and three children. He continues to write and produce music, and he also volunteers through his church to help disadvantaged youth in the community. Bronleewe enjoys reading, taste-testing good food and watching sports, as well as indulging his interests in art, architecture, design and science.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
IT’S BEEN 500 YEARS IN THE MAKING…PREPARE TO BE ILLUMINATED…
August Adams has failed his family before. He’s sacrificed relationships in pursuit of adventure, fame, and money. Now the very lives of those he loves depend on his ability to decipher a centuries-old puzzle encrypted in the colorful hand-painted illuminations that adorn three rare Gutenberg Bibles.
It’s a secret that could yield unimaginable wealth, undermine two major religions, and change the course of Western civilization. Two ruthless, ancient organizations are willing to do anything to get their hands on it. And August has the span of one transatlantic flight to figure it out.
If he fails, those he holds most dear will die. If he succeeds, he’ll destroy a national treasure.
The clock ticks, the suspense mounts, and the body count rises as August pits his knowledge and his love for his family against the clock, secret societies, and even Johannes Gutenberg himself.
“…this rare breed of suspense thriller combines mysterious hidden clues, secret societies, buried treasure, double agents, and the Knights Templar…if you turned National Treasure into international treasure, traded DaVinci codes for Gutenberg Bibles, married it to Indiana Jones, and added the pacing of 24 you’d be in the neighborhood of Illuminated…on a scale of one to 10, this one goes to 11.”
–Aspiring Retail Magazine
To get your own copy of ILLUMINATED click here.
by admin | Oct 22, 2007 | Books, Giveaways
The entry deadline for the Amy Grant “Mosaic” book giveaway has passed. There were three comments and three books to give away so you all won a copy. LeeLee, Amy, and HAYC should be watching their mailbox. I will mail the books on Monday.
by admin | Oct 19, 2007 | Books, Suspense
Imagine that you are going about your everyday routine when suddenly you are confronted with an assassin who has been sent to kill YOU! Carla suddenly finds herself in this very predicament and is forced to run for her life with no place to go for help.
Once again, Brandilyn Collins takes you along for the ride of your life in her latest Seatbelt Suspense novel “Crimson Eve”. You will hold your breath as Carla flees from the man she knows only as David Thornby. She cheats death numerous times while reliving the past as she comes to realize who wants her dead and why.
Brandilyn skillfully weaves an exciting edge-of-your-seat story with surprising twists and turns that keep you guessing the outcome. At the same time she communicates how your choices can unexpectedly come back to haunt you at any time.
As anticipated, Brandilyn demonstrates why she is at the top of my favorite authors list. I highly recommend “Crimson Eve” as well as every one of her other novels.
To get your own copy of Crimson Eve click here.
by admin | Oct 17, 2007 | Books, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing
CRIMSON EVE (Zondervan October 30, 2007)
by
Brandilyn Collins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense™. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline “Don’t forget to b r e a t h e…® ” She’s so well known in the industry there’s actually a club for her non-readers. That’s right. The Big Honkin’ Chickens Club (BHCC) members are proud of the fact that they’re too wimpy to read Brandilyn’s intense fiction. Now and then one of them tries. Bribing works pretty well. (Just ask Deb Raney.) Somehow they live to tell the tale.
Brandilyn writes for Zondervan, the Christian division of Harper Collins Publishers, and is currently at work on her 17th book. Her first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows.
She’s also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons), and often teaches at writers conferences. Brandilyn blogs at Forensics and Faith.
Visit her website to read the first chapters of all her books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Carla stared at the gun and David Thornby—or whatever his name was. Her mind split in two, one side pleading this was some sick joke, the other screaming it was all too real.
“Please. You must have the wrong person. There’s no reason for someone to want me dead. I don’t have any enemies.”
“Then you’d best rethink your friends.”
Realtor Carla Radling shows an “English gentleman” a lakeside estate—and finds herself facing a gun. Who has hired this assassin to kill her, and why?
Forced on the run, Carla must uncover the scathing secrets of her past. Secrets that could destroy some very powerful people…
Brandilyn Collins fans and reviewers are saying Crimson Eve is her best book yet:
“Collins tops herself by creating a suspenseful nonstop thrill ride … Truly the best Christian Fiction suspense title so far this year.”
– Library Journal, starred review
“Crimson Eve is Collins at her very best. It left me feeling as if I’d climbed Mount Everest without oxygen … I didn’t think Brandilyn could outdo herself after reading Coral Moon. She did.”
–TitleTrakk.com
“I’ve never edited a more tightly crafted, deftly woven, compellingly written book.” –a Crimson Eve editor, with 20 years experience
“This is your best book! I could not stop reading!” – one of many readers with similar responses
Read about Violet Dawn and Coral Moon, books one and two in the Kanner Lake series.
Do you know someone who’s never read a Brandilyn Collins novel? Surely no such person exists. However, should you scrounge up such a friend—someone who enjoys suspense—here’s a special offer from Brandilyn. Be among the first 50 people between now and October 21, 2007 to e-mail her assistant at gayle.brandilyncollins@gmail.com with the person’s name, e-mail address and street address. (Due to exorbitant overseas mailing costs, United States residents only, please).
A signed copy of Crimson Eve will be sent to your friend—free—along with an e-mail from Brandilyn announcing the book is on its way, courtesy of you. (Don’t worry. Brandilyn won’t spam these email addresses. She just wants your friend to know who to thank.) No worries that this story is third in the Kanner Lake series. Each book stands alone. Brandilyn is convinced your friend will so love Crimson Eve, he/she will surely reciprocate with expensive chocolate.
To get your own copy of Crimson Eve click here.
In When the Heart Cries, the wildly successful debut novel by author Cindy Woodsmall, readers were granted access to one of the most mysterious places remaining in America – an Old Order Amish Community. In the latest release from her SISTERS OF THE QUILT series, When the Morning Comes, Woodsmall continues the story of young Amish Girl Hannah Lapp. – from the publisher Waterbrook Press
