by admin | Oct 8, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDark JusticeB&H Books (October 1, 2013)byBrandilyn CollinsABOUT 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 . . .”® Brandilyn’s 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. Brandilyn’s awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named Getting into Character one of the best books on writing published in 2002.
When she’s not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching the craft of fiction at writers’ conferences.
Learn more about Brandilyn and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If I’d had any idea what those words would mean to me, to my mother and daughter, I’d have fled California without looking back.
While driving a rural road, Hannah Shire and her aging mother, who suffers from dementia, stop to help a man at the scene of a car accident. The man whispers mysterious words in Hannah’s ear. Soon people want to kill Hannah and her mother for what they “know.” Even law enforcement may be involved.
The two women must flee for their lives. But how does Hannah hide her confused mother? Carol just wants to listen to her pop music, wear her favorite purple hat, and go home. And if they turn to Hannah’s twenty-seven- year-old daughter, Emily, for help, will she fall into danger as well?
Pressed on all sides, Hannah must keep all three generations of women in her family alive. Only then does she learn the threat is not just to her loved ones, but the entire country . . .
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Dark Justice, click HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Dark Justice is an intense and fast-paced novel that chronicles how quickly one’s life can change due to one small decision. Surprisingly the story covers a very short time span in the lives of Hannah Shire and her mother who are drawn into a terrifying fight for their lives just because they stopped to help an accident victim. Before it is over, Hannah’s daughter Emily is also in danger. As they race against time, Hannah is determined to protect her fragile and confused elderly mother but she no longer knows who she can trust – not even law enforcement. Events described in Dark Justice are all the more frightening because of the very real possibility that something similar could easily take place in our future.
Dark Justice is just one more indication that Brandilyn’s books consistently live up to her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®. With well developed characters, a plot that allows nearly no time to stop for a breath Dark Justice is just right for lovers of contemporary suspense. Peppered with frequent quotes from scripture by Hannah’s mother, the reader is encouraged that no matter how bad things look, God is still in control.
by admin | Oct 7, 2013 | Books, Historical
MY REVIEW:
When I requested “When Mountains Move” from the Book Club Network I had no idea that my review calendar would be so congested that I would have a difficult time finding a spot for it. I finally caught up and just finished reading this marvelous book. I am so glad I finally had the chance. In fact, I became so caught up in the story that I had to make myself close the covers at 2:oo a.m. last night in order to get a little sleep before the rest of the household woke this morning.
Although “When Mountains Move” is a sequel to “Into the Free”, it can easily be read on its own. Pertinent facts have been filled in as the story progresses and the reader should have no problems filling in the blanks. The story begins on Bump and Millie’s wedding day – a day in which they will not only become man and wife but will start their new life together by moving from Mississippi to the Colorado mountains to head up a new ranch for Bump’s boss, Mr. Tucker.
At seventeen, Millie has already experienced more than her share of hard times and tragedies and enters her marriage with a major secret from Bump. She intends to share it with him but the proper time never seems to come. While she delays, her secret grows even larger. Millie is not the only one who carries secrets. Their ranch hand Fortner has a mysterious and possibly dangerous past but no one in the area will say much about it and Fortner is not very forthcoming with details. Millie is convinced that her neighbor, a single widow is after Bump and there are a few signs that Bump might return the interest.
“When Mountains Move” is a story about faith, trust, perseverance, and overcoming the past to see your own mountains move. A truly gripping story, it held my attention until the very end. The plot moved steadily from one emotional depth to an emotional climax and back again multiple times. A blend of action, danger, romance, hope, and despair, this book is definitely one of the best I have read this year.
This book was provided for review by the author through the Book Club Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It is the spring of 1943. With a wedding and a cross-country move, Millie’s world is about to change forever.
If only her past could change with it.
Soon after the break of day, Bump will become Millie’s husband. And then, if all goes as planned, they will leave the rain-soaked fields of Mississippi and head for the wilds of the Colorado Rockies. As Millie tries to forget a dark secret, she hasn’t yet realized how drastically those past experiences will impact the coming days.
For most of Millie’s life, being free felt about as unlikely as the mountains moving. But she’s about to discover that sometimes in life, we are given second chances, and that the only thing bigger than her past … is her future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Cantrell is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Into the Free, which won Christy Awards for Best Debut Novel and for Book of the Year 2013. Cantrell has served as editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review and is a recipient of the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Fellowship. She and her family live in Mississippi, where they operate Valley House Farm. Her new novel, When Mountains Move, hits shelves September 1, 2013.
Julie is represented by Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary. Learn more about the realm of publishing by following the WordServe Watercooler, where Julie joins more than 70 authors to discuss the writing life. You can also find Julie blogging weekly with the Southern Belles, a group of southern female authors who gather on the cyberporch each day to chat about family, faith, fiction, food, and fun: http://www.southernbelleviewdaily.com/
by admin | Oct 5, 2013 | Books, Gilded Age, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I became a Jen Turano fan after reading her first book. I just finished the third book in her Ladies of Distinction series and they just keep getting better. In each of the novels set during the gilded age, the primary female character is what many would describe as somewhat eccentric. However you might describe them, they do not exhibit the usual behavior for proper ladies of that era, yet they are all women of excellent character. I have loved and laughed at the antics of each heroine and Felicia can hold her own with both Eliza and Arabella from the previous two novels.
I thoroughly enjoyed Felicia and her penchant for getting into trouble even when she was trying to do the right thing. It was encouraging to watch her discover how to really be herself. And Grayson – what a perfectly imperfect hero he was. Weighted down with guilt from his past he tried so hard not to fall for Felicia but was such a caring person he could not stop himself from trying to protect Felicia and eventually loving her. I was glad to see him learn to rely on God and accept His forgiveness. The dialogue between Felicia and Grayson as well as other characters was so entertaining. I found myself trying to stifle my laughter as I read while my husband slept.
I also enjoyed catching up with Eliza, Hamilton, and Piper from “Change of Fortune” and Arabella and Theodore from “A Most Peculiar Circumstance”. I do hope that there will be at least one more book in this series because I would love to see how Agatha’s story ends.
“A Talent For Trouble” is a great book and can easily stand alone – but if you have not read the previous two books of the series, you would miss so much fun if you pass them up.
This book was provided for review by the author and her publisher
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For years, Miss Felicia Murdock’s every thought and action have been in pursuit of becoming a minister’s wife. When the minister she’d set her sights on has other ideas, she decides something in her life needs to change–and soon–before she wastes any more time pretending to be someone she’s not. If that means spreading her wings and embracing a more lively way of life, who’s to say nay?
Grayson Sumner, Lord Sefton, has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter an adventurous young lady with an unfortunate knack for stumbling into troublesome situations.
Just as Grayson decides he’s had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in Felicia’s life endangers her. As they work together to extricate themselves from this latest complication, will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?
Read an excerpt from A Talent For Trouble HERE.
Read what the author has to say about A Talent For Trouble HERE.
What others are saying about Jen Turano’s books:
This madcap battle of the sexes is the sequel to Turano’s hilarious A Change of Fortune, and it is perfect for any readerwho enjoys stories bubbling with humor.”
—Booklist on A Most Peculiar Circumstance (starred review)A Top 10 Pick for Romance!
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A Talent for Troubleis a laugh-out-loud historical romance with feisty, fun-loving characters who want to live the way they want to—not the way society demands.”
—RT Book Reviews (four stars)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jen Turano, author of A Change of Fortune, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, and A Talent for Trouble, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.
by admin | Oct 4, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingPretty is as Pretty Does (bk 1)
Bless Her Heart (bk 2)
Tickled Pink (bk 3)Abingdon Press (June 1, 2013)byDebby MayneABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Debby Mayne is a best-selling author who has published more than 25 books and novellas, 400 short stories and articles, and devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor, and a copy editor and proofreader. Her novel, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Review, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July. She and her husband Wally have two grown daughters, and live in Palm Harbor, Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOKS:
Priscilla Slater goes to her ten-year high school reunion with equal parts dread and eager anticipation. Even though she’s a successful owner of a chain of hair salons and no longer has the mousy brown hair, crooked teeth, and discount-store wardrobe, she still feels like the ugly duckling. But when she arrives at the reunion, Priscilla soon realizes that her old classmates aren’t exactly as she remembers them. With humor and a just a touch of sassiness, Priscilla finds herself facing her own truth—and she may be surprised at what she discovers.
As Priscilla Slater’s 15-year class reunion approaches, she decides to attend out of curiosity… and to flaunt her latest achievement—taking her business to a national level with the possibility of a TV show. As if getting ready for the event and putting up with the pranks of her former classmates isn’t enough, Priscilla’s hometown visit is further complicated by her parents’ separation. With the once-solid sanctuary of her home broken at the foundation, there’s only one thing Priscilla’s parents can agree on: no matter what sort of accolades their daughter receives as a hair stylist, she’s not living up to her potential. Eager to escape the painful reality of her childhood home, Priscilla bolts as soon as a call from New York brings good news: her offer to purchase one of the best salons in the country is likely to come through. But returning to New York means returning to Tim, Priscilla’s best friend and business pal who has been impatiently suggesting their relationship should be more than a friendship. Despite her recent achievements, will Priscilla learn that success doesn’t always result in popularity—or love?
Priscilla Slater shows up at her 20-year reunion as a national celebrity. Her hair salon dynasty has skyrocketed, and to top it off, she has her own line of hair products. She has become a huge success with the “Ms. Prissy Big Hair” line that lets women with the thinnest of locks get the coveted “big hair” look so popular in the South. Her classmates have finally come to terms with adulthood, but they’re handling it with the grace of a Southern woman wearing white after Labor Day. It’s just downright awkward! Asserting the maturity that her classmates have often lacked, Priscilla holds her head high. But she can’t ignore everything. When she catches her mother in the arms of her former high school principal, Priscilla can’t get out of town fast enough. Eager to get back to her more comfortable life, Priscilla runs head on into an ultimatum: Tim tells her they’re not getting any younger—as if she has to be reminded.
If you would like to read an excerpt from Pretty is as Pretty Does (bk 1), go HERE
JOIN THE PARTY!
Now that all three books have released, let’s party! (Yes, really!) Join our online class reunion the week of October 7, 2013 on Debby Mayne’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/136447929891169/ Stop by to answer questions about the books, respond to fun polls, join in fun activities to help you reminisce your high school days, and win great prizes. Tell your friends and meet us there!
MY REVIEW:
So far I have read Pretty is as Pretty Does and found it to be fun and entertaining. Both of my children have been hair stylists so the author’s descriptions of Priscilla’s experiences running her own salons were quite familiar. She apparently has an inside track in order to get it so true to life.
Although Priscilla seems to be the primary character of all three books, the story is told from the viewpoints of several characters, most of whom are Priscilla’s former classmates. Tim is the exception and I think he is my favorite character by far. Ever hopeful that Priscilla will see him as more than a friend, Tim is the loyal, supportive, sweet guy most women would love to have in their lives. Unfortunately Priscilla is so focused on her dream of success and a former high school crush that she can’t see what is right before her eyes.
I thought the book was a sometimes sad but true look at how many of the characters were still affected by their high school identities and trying so hard to live up to expectations – and some who could not seem to move on past their juvenile egos or rebellious natures.
This is a series that will definitely have to be read in its entirety to get the whole story but Pretty is as Pretty Does was a very good start and could easily stand on its own. Like me, most readers will probably want to know the rest of Priscilla and Tim’s story and if Tim’s persistence will ever pay off.
