by admin | Jul 21, 2008 | Books
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
(Center Street – July 30, 2008)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JAMES SCOTT BELL is a former trial lawyer who now writes full time. He has also been the fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine and adjunct professor of writing at Pepperdine University.
The national bestselling author of several novels of suspense, he grew up and still lives in Los Angeles. His first Buchanan thriller, TRY DYING, was released to high critical praise, while his book on writing, Plot and Structure is one of the most popular writing books available today.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ty Buchanan is living on the peaceful grounds of St. Monica’s, far away from the glamorous life he led as a rising trial lawyer for a big L.A. firm. Recovering from the death of his fiancée and a false accusation of murder, Buchanan has found his previous ambitions unrewarding. Now he prefers offering legal services to the poor and the underrepresented from his “office” at local coffee bar The Freudian Sip. With his new friends, the philosophizing Father Bob and basketball-playing Sister Mary Veritas, Buchanan has found a new family of sorts.
One of his first clients is a mysterious woman who arrives with her six-year-old daughter. They are being illegally evicted from a downtown transient hotel, an interest that Ty soon discovers is represented by his old law firm and his former best friend, Al Bradshaw. Buchanan won’t back down. He’s going to fight for the woman’s rights.
But then she ends up dead, and the case moves from the courtroom to the streets. Determined to find the killer and protect the little girl, who has no last name and no other family, Buchanan finds he must depend on skills he never needed in the employ of a civil law firm.
The trail leads Buchanan through the sordid underbelly of the city and to the mansions and yachts of the rich and famous. No one is anxious to talk.
But somebody wants Buchanan to shut up. For good. (more…)
by admin | Jul 21, 2008 | Books
It’s May 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book’s FIRST chapter!
and his book:
Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robert Liparulo is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly. He has sold or optioned three screenplays.
Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colorado with his wife and four children.
Here are some of his titles:
House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings Book 1)
Comes a Horseman
Germ
Deadfall
Product Details
List Price: $14.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595544968
ISBN-13: 978-1595544964
AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:
At twelve years old, David King was too young to die. At least he thought so.
But try telling that to the people shooting at him.
He had no idea where he was. When he had stepped through the portal, smoke immediately blinded him. An explosion had thrown rocks and who-knew-what into his face. It shook the floor and knocked him off his feet. Now he was on his hands and knees on a hardwood floor. Glass and splinters dug into his palms. Somewhere, all kinds of guns were firing. Bullets zinged overhead, thunking into walls—bits of flying plaster stung his cheeks.
Okay, so he wasn’t sure the bullets were meant for him. The guns seemed both near and far. But in the end, if he were hit, did it matter whether the shooters meant to get him or he’d had the dumb luck to stumble into the middle of a firefight? He’d be just as dead.
The smoke cleared a bit. Sunlight poured in from a school-bus-sized hole in the ceiling. Not just the ceiling—David could see attic rafters and the jagged and burning edges of the roof. Way above was a blue sky, soft white clouds.
He was in a bedroom. A dresser lay on the floor. In front of him was a bed. He gripped the mattress and pushed himself up.
A wall exploded into a shower of plaster, rocks, and dust. He flew back. Air burst from his lungs, and he crumpled again to the floor. He gulped for breath, but nothing came. The stench of fire—burning wood and rock, something dank and putrid—swirled into his nostrils on the thick, gray smoke. The taste of cement coated his tongue. Finally, oxygen reached his lungs, and he pulled it in with loud gasps, like a swimmer saved from drowning. He coughed out the smoke and dust. He stood, finding his balance, clearing his head, wavering until he reached out to steady himself.
A hole in the floor appeared to be trying to eat the bed. It was listing like a sinking ship, the far corner up in the air, the corner nearest David canted down into the hole. Flames had found the blankets and were spreading fast.
Outside, machine-gun fire erupted. (more…)
by admin | Jul 18, 2008 | Books
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book’s FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today’s Wild Card author is:
and his book:
The Writers Cafe Press (September 30, 2007)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A rabid speculative fiction fan and aspiring author since boyhood, Frank Creed’s sojourn and the lack of Biblical speculative fiction in Christian bookstores has left a chip on his shoulder. Frank founded the Lost Genre Guild in September of ’06 as a community for fans and writers alike. After years of learning the craft and helping others polish their fiction, he now serves as a critic for The Finishers, a manuscript evaluation service for clients of both fiction and nonfiction.
Frank’s first sci-fi short story, “The Last Newspaper,” took first place at the U.W. Whitewater Literary Conference in 1983. His first novel, Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground won the ’06 Elfie for best sci-fi novel at Elfwood, was chosen for the CFRB ’07 IMPRESS award for best book toured, and has been nominated for several awards this year. Frank’s short stories have been published in secular and Christian spec-fic anthologies.
Frank’s online ministry began two decades ago with the Body of Christ and debating Satanists in an effort to save his sister. It has since grown to include writing Christian fiction. After sustaining life-threatening injuries in a 1999 head-on collision, Frank may have been left disabled, but his writing suddenly took on a new clarity. Novelist Mary Lu Tyndall says: “Frank Creed is one of my favorite people. He has a heart for God and is, in my opinion, one of a new generation of spiritual warriors.”
Visit him at his website.
AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Flashpoint [Function: noun] 1: the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame 2: a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being 3: TINDERBOX: a potentially explosive place or situation
—merriamwebster.com
CHAPTER ONE
THIS IS IT, WE’RE HERE. Climb the slope on the right shoulder. Hide in the beams as best as you can. Whatever you do, stay under the bridge. If you come out, the cameras will spot you and all this will be pointless.”
The highway overpass loomed ahead. My father continued, “The car can’t be hidden under the bridge too long or they’ll figure out where you went. You’re gonna have to jump out while we’re moving.”
It was time.
“Sometime, someplace, I know we’ll see each other again. Use your freedom well. Now!”
That single word launched me out the door. As it swung shut behind me, Dad screamed at Jen, “Go!” I stumbled into a run watching her bailout. The Geo Aphid sped off.
* * * (more…)
by admin | Jul 16, 2008 | Books
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Barbour – July, 2008
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hi, I’m Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. Writing had always been a hobby, a way for me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings in a way I sometimes find difficult with the spoken word — although my friends will tell you ‘shy’ is not in my vocabulary. Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author — Tracie Peterson — in 2002, I took the next step in my writing career and joined the American Christian Fiction Writers. I owe all so many there a hearty hug of appreciation for their constant encouragement and unselfish assistance. I feel a lot more confident thanks to their support and love. For those of you who are also fiction writers looking for a wonderful support group, check them out!
I got involved with web design in 1997, when I was asked to take over running the official web site for the television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. That eventually led to a series of negotiations where I was offered the job of running world-renowned actress Jane Seymour’s official fan site. That has branched into doing web sites for a variety of clients, including: authors J.M. Hochstetler, Trish Perry, Kathy Pride, Louise M. Gouge, Susan Page Davis, and Jill Elizabeth Nelson, actor William Shockley (the voice of AT&T and Sony) and many others. With the help of a handful of other web site “technos,” Eagle Designs was born! Feel free to visit and see our other clients.
Books are a definite passion. Why else would I be writing and publishing them? I firmly believe that a good book can take you away from all of your problems, into a world you’ve never seen. My favorite food is Italian; I sing all the time, and I once worked with my church choir to do a professional recording for a music CD of our performances.
I am in my 30’s, married the love of my life in July 2007, and live in beautiful Colorado, but I love to travel and visit new places. Ultimately, my dream is to own horses and live in a one-level rancher nestled in the mountains. For now, I will remain where I am and do what I love—design web sites and write.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Raelene Strattford knows God has promised never to leave or forsake her. But after the catastrophic deaths of her parents, she doesn’t believe it. What kind of God would take a girl’s family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? Gustaf Hanssen has admired Raelene from afar for a while, but his poor attempt at courting her in the past has made him unwelcome in her life. When Gustaf promises Raelene’s dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene’s affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene’s pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
At this time, Promises, Promises can only be purchased through the
Heartsong Book Club.
MY REVIEW:
If I didn’t know this was Amber’s first book, I would believe she was a veteran author. Promises, Promises is beautifully written with a well developed plot and characters. From the very beginning tragedy to the ending with a surprise twist, the reader is drawn into the story. Filled with humor and pathos, Promises, Promises is truly a story of God’s faithfulness and mercy.
Because Raelene believes God has turned His back on her, she rebels by vowing to be self-sufficient. Although she believes she is relying on herself, she is unable to accomplish much without the aid of Gustaf and her other neighbors. It is interesting to watch Raelene’s unwanted attraction to Gustaf in spite of her distrust of him. And Gustaf’s steadfastness is to be admired as he continues to support Raelene through her tantrums and scorn. Get your own copy of Promises, Promises to get all the details for yourself.
Come visit those posting for this tour:
Abi at lighter side
Adam at Northwoods Blumer
Alexis at Ramblings From Life
Amy at Simple Folk Schoolhouse
Andie at frommipov
Angela at One Baby, Seven Dogs, and a Mommy
April at Projecting A
Barbara at Victoria Hill Farm
Becky at Savvy Mom
Betsy Ann at Betsy Ann “Writer at Large!”
Bonnie at Bonnie Writes
Brittanie at A Book Lover
Caleb at Reviews Plus+
Camy at Camy Tang
Carla at Carla’s Writing Café
Carolyn at Serenity
CeeCee at Book Splurge
Christy at Christy’s Book Blog
Christy at At Split Ends
Courtney at A Mom Speaks
Dave at Novel Spotlight
Deborah at books, movies and chinese food
Deborah at Comfort Joy Designs
Debra at Soul Reflections
Deena at A Peek At My Bookshelf
Delia at Gatorskunkz And Mudcats
Edyth at Great Reads by Jasmine
Erica at On The Write Path
Georgiana at Georgiana D
Jackie at Journey Into Grace
Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Janna at Cornhusker Academy
Jenn at Adventures At Walden’s Pond
Jennifer at Musings on This, That, & The Other Thing
Jenny at Come Meet AusJenny
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
Jill at Artistic Blogger
Joleen at timetotalk
Karen at Mommy of Three
Karla at Ramblin’ Roads To Everywhere
Kim at Window To My World
Kim at Rainy Day Diamonds
Krista at Welcome To Married Life
Kristi at Stamped With Grace
Lacy at Novel Inspirations
LaShaunda at See Ya On The Net
Laura at Laura William’s Musings
Linda at Mocha With Linda
Linda at Faith In Love
Lori at Noggin Bits
Mandy at Mommy Cracked
Marjorie at The Writer’s Tool
Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
Michelle at Just A Minute
Michelle at Michelle’s Great Blogs
Michelle at Raising Little Women
Pam at A Writer’s Journey
Pam at Mom’s Mutterings
Pam at Daysong Reflections
Peg at Sips ‘n Cups Cafeteria
Pepper at Great Christian Fiction
Rachelle at Stifled Squeal
Rel at Relz Reviewz
Ryan at loves to read
Stephanie at Punkin’ Press
Takiela at Beauty 4 Ashes
Tara at Tara’s View Of The World
Tiffany at Snapshots Of Life
Tracy at Pix-N-Pens
Virginia at Book Reviews – Virginia “Ginny” Smith
by admin | Jul 14, 2008 | Books
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Multnomah Publishers (May 20, 2008)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin grew up in Orange County, California and has lived in all kinds of interesting places, including Reno and Hawaii.
Robin’s first novel was published in 1988, and she has continued to write between two to five books a year. Her 63 published books include 47 novels, all of which are still in print. Sales of her popular Christy Miller Series, Glenbrooke Series and Sisterchicks Series, including Sisterchicks in Gondolas and the new Katie Weldon Series including Peculiar Treasures all of which are approaching four million copies sold, with translations in nine languages.
Robin’s passion for storytelling and travel are evident in all her books, especially the Sisterchicks novels, and she has received thousands of letters from readers around the world who have come to know Christ through her writing. She sees this as her dream come true. Her novels are traveling to foreign lands and her characters are doing what she always longed to do; telling people about God’s love.
She and her husband currently live near Portland, Oregon and have been married for 30 years. They spent their first 22 years of marriage working together in youth ministry, and enjoying life with their son and daughter who are now both grown.
As a frequent speaker at local and international events, one of Robin’s favorite topics is how God is the Relentless Lover and we are His first love. She delights in telling stories of how God uses fiction to change lives.
Robin is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Mt. Hermon Pacesetter Award, the Sherwood E. Wirt Award and is a Gold Medallion Finalist. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and the Board of Directors for Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild.
ABOUT THE BOOK
SISTERCHICK® n: a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you’re being a brat.
Two midlife mamas hop over to jolly ole England and encounter so much more than the usual tourist stops. Liz does have a bit of a childhood crush on Big Ben, and she has hoped to “meet” him ever since her fifteenth birthday. Kellie dreams of starting an interior design business and figures Liz needs to be a part of that equation–a calculation that hasn’t added up for Liz yet.
Nothing on the excursion goes the way these two friends had envisioned. They start with a village pancake race and end up being held for questioning on The Underground. Kellie and Liz take a wild tour through the land of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and then find themselves swept up, up, and away in a hot air balloon over the Cotswalds. London beckons with the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, shopping at Portabella Road in Knotting Hill, and of course, reservations at the Ritz for a posh high tea.
A few detours along the way and the possibility of being lost in a London fog of wonderment aren’t enough to stop these two Sisterchicks! Each step of their regal journey is lined with evidence of God’s gracious compassion, and both come to realize that God knows their every wish. He is the One who planted every dream in their hearts.
And, oh, what a surprise awaits them when they return home!
To read the first chapter, go HERE
“Robin has done it again! You and your Sisterchicks will love taking this new adventure together!”
– Karen Kingsbury, New York Times best-selling author of Between Sundays and Ever After
“My only complaint about Robin’s latest is that now I want to hop a plane to England! But combine a cup of Earl Grey tea and this charming story and you’re halfway there. Another delightful tale about women helping women to live their lives to the fullest.”
– Melody Carlson, author of These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking and A Mile in My Flip-Flops
“Sisterchicks in Gondolas is a true delight. The characters shine, and evocative language will make any reader want to visit Venice. Biblical truths are portrayed simply, yet will touch hearts and lives with their realistic application.”
– Romantic Times magazine
MY REVIEW:
How could I do a better job of describing Sisterchicks Go Brit than the “About The Book” description above? It pretty much says it all. Sisterchicks Go Brit takes best friends Liz and Kellie on an unplanned surprise trip of a lifetime to England. As many of their plans go awry, they find that their impromptu adventures have taken them on a much more satisfying tour of Great Britain. And through the quite revelations of the Holy Spirit, Liz discovers God’s plans for her and hidden dreams fulfilled.
I would definitely recommend Sisterchicks Go Brit. As the title implies, it is definitely chick lit. Although there is plenty of humor, Gunn touches on the deep things of the heart and the mysteries of God.
Come visit those participating in the blog tour:
Adam at Northwoods Blumer
Amber at A Fiction-Filled Life
Amy at Simple Folk Schoolhouse
Amy at sprightly
Amy at My Life
Amy at Peek a boo ICU
Andie at frommipov
Andrea at The Laughs Will Go On
Angela at One Baby, Seven Dogs, and a Mommy
April at Projecting A
Barbara at Victoria Hill Farm
Becky at Savvy Mom
Betsy Ann at Betsy Ann “Writer at Large!”
Bonnie at Bonnie Writes
Brandilyn at Forensics and Faith
Brittanie at A Book Lover
Camy at Camy Tang
Carla at Carla’s Writing Café
Carolyn at Serenity
CeeCee at Book Splurge
Cheri at Kudzu and Koolaid
Christy at Christy’s Book Blog
Dave at Novel Spotlight
Deborah at books, movies and chinese food
Debra at Soul Reflections
Deena at A Peek At My Bookshelf
Delia at Gatorskunkz And Mudcats
Erica at On The Write Path
Ernie at Writing: My Adventures In Words
Georgiana at Georgiana D
Heidi at Reviews by Heidi
Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Janna at Cornhusker Academy
Jenn at Adventures At Walden’s Pond
Jenny at Come Meet AusJenny
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
Joleen at timetotalk
Karen at Mommy of Three
Karla at Ramblin’ Roads To Everywhere
Kelly at A Disciple’s Steps
Kim at Window To My World
Krista at Welcome To Married Life
Kristi at Stamped With Grace
Kristy at I Need To Read
LaShaunda at See Ya On The Net
Laura at Laura William’s Musings
Leah at Ponderings From My Heart
Linda at Faith In Love
Margaret at Creative Madness
Marjorie at The Writer’s Tool
Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
Michelle at Just A Minute
Nora at Finding Hope Through Christian Fiction
Pam at Mom’s Mutterings
Pam at Daysong Reflections
Rachelle at Stifled Squeal
Ruth at Booktalk & more…
Sally at Welcome To Sally Bradley.com
Sean at Bookmark Cafe
Shauna at Shaunarumbling
Stephanie at Punkin’ Press
Susan at His Reading List
Tabitha at 123pizza’s Weblog
Takiela at Beauty 4 Ashes
Tami at Tree Swing Reading
Tara at Tara’s View Of The World
Tiffany at Snapshots Of Life
Tracy at Pix-N-Pens
Tricia at It’s Real Life
Virginia at CeCe Lane
Virginia at Book Reviews – Virginia “Ginny” Smith
JAMES SCOTT BELL is a former trial lawyer who now writes full time. He has also been the fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine and adjunct professor of writing at Pepperdine University.
Ty Buchanan is living on the peaceful grounds of St. Monica’s, far away from the glamorous life he led as a rising trial lawyer for a big L.A. firm. Recovering from the death of his fiancée and a false accusation of murder, Buchanan has found his previous ambitions unrewarding. Now he prefers offering legal services to the poor and the underrepresented from his “office” at local coffee bar The Freudian Sip. With his new friends, the philosophizing Father Bob and basketball-playing Sister Mary Veritas, Buchanan has found a new family of sorts.
