by admin | Nov 23, 2010 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
A Rush of Wings is a psychological romantic suspense that gripped my attention until its conclusion. Each character has a blend of both positive and negative traits that help to keep them realistic. Although Noelle St. Clarie can’t remember why she is running away, she has the presence of mind to avoid using her credit cards or anything else that can be used to track her location. Vivid nightmares and flashbacks add to her reluctance to trust men but both Rick and Morgan Spencer are able to break through her defenses. As Noelle finds the peace she seeks on the Spencer ranch, she lets down her guard and begins to fall in love.
As the reader learns more about Noelle’s nightmares and the father and fiance she has left behind, a few clues begin to emerge. However Heitzmann feeds the information a little at a time so that the reader only suspects what is really behind the nightmares and terror Noelle experiences and does not know the full story until the end.
Although A Rush of Wings is a reissue, it is a worthwhile story for anyone who hasn’t read it. I would definitely recommend it as well as any other book written by Heitzmann.
This book was provided for review by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Though her panic is real, Noelle St. Claire is uncertain what danger she is fleeing. Fragmented images and slivers of memory have driven her to abandon her wealthy, sheltered life in New York for the hope of a haven—remote and safe.
Noelle’s arrival at the Rocky Mountain horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer and his brother Morgan causes more than a little stir. Beautiful, vulnerable, yet strangely secretive, Noelle is an enigma the two contrasting brothers seek to unlock. But as their attentions breach the wall she hides behind, the past becomes a menacing threat from which Noelle can no longer hide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristen learned to read at age four in the sit-on-the-floor school her father taught at home. That was the start of her love affair with stories. Skipping kindergarten, she went to first grade at five and dove into learning with a passion. In elementary school, she wrote and illustrated her own miniature books and the highlight of the week was the mile and a half walk to the book mobile.
A bit of a tomboy, she and her brother played numerous make believe games of cowboys and Indians. She played the Indian because the toy bow really shot arrows (a distinct advantage over caps.) Other early interests were catching frogs and exploring, playing baseball and football, and any form of art she could put her hand to. She studied violin from age seven to seventeen, taught herself piano, guitar, recorder and tambourine.
Of her three main interests, art, music and writing, she chose to study English at the University of Colorado and thrived on Creative Writing and Literature classes. She married her husband Jim, and turned her energy to building a family. They have four children whom they have home schooled for all or most of their education. Kristen is a music minister with the ecumenical covenant community People of Praise.
Once she realized the stories in her head were truly a calling from the Lord, she made writing not just a passion, but a ministry. She has written seven historical fiction novels as part of the The Rocky Mountain Legacy series and the Diamond of the Rockies series. Most recently, she has written seven contemporary fiction novels: Twilight, A Rush of Wings, The Still of Night, Halos, Secrets, Unforgotten, and Freefall.
Writing is not only a passion for Kristen, it is a commission, her way of sharing the themes of grace and forgiveness and dependence on Christ. She believes God gave her a voice, and she joyfully uses the talent for His glory.
by admin | Nov 23, 2010 | Books, Cozy Mystery, Historical, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Lightkeeper’s Bride
Thomas Nelson (October 19, 2010)
by
Colleen Coble
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.
A word from Colleen: God has been faithful, though the path has not been easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. God wouldn’t let me give up, and I like to think the struggle made me stronger. God has given me so much in my life, most importantly my great family, a loving church family at New Life Baptist Church, and my wonderful publishing family at Nelson Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.
Central Operator Katie Russell’s inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents’ plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.
Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.
Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will’s bravery and kindness remove Katie’s suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lightkeeper’s Bride, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
As I have come to expect from all Coble’s books, The Lightkeeper’s Bride was well written with just the right balance of romance, humor,and suspense. The characters are well defined and easy to love or dislike. The plot maintains an ideal pace with plenty of hints to keep the reader guessing but enough twists and surprises to keep her uncertain.
It is difficult to review this excellent novel without giving away too much. Katie finds herself forced to choose between two men. Will she follow her heart or her father’s plans for her? Not only does Katie have a romantic triangle to deal with but someone is threatening her, her father has been mysteriously and seriously injured, and someone from her past shows up to complicate her life even more. A strong theme of forgiveness and trust is woven throughout the story.
I loved this book and am eager to read the rest of the series. I missed The Lightkeeper’s Daughter and plan to get a copy as soon as I can. I will also be on the lookout for The Lightkeeper’s Ball as soon as it is released.
by admin | Nov 19, 2010 | Books, Fantasy, Humor, Southern, Youth
MY REVIEW:
The Charlatan’s Boy is a boisterous fantasy with bigger than life characters and plot. The tale takes place on the island of Corenwald that resembles a combination old south/old west setting rather than the usual medieval background of most fantasies. An abundance of humorous situations combined with Grady’s imaginative use of language make The Charlatan’s Boy a perfect read aloud story. Readers will empathize with Grady as he longs for a real home and family and to be loved. His desire for integrity and uneasiness with the lies Floyd forces him to tell are an example for each of us.
Each chapter takes Grady and Floyd through a new escapade filled with one fiasco after another. As Grady seeks the answers about who he really is, the reader may also discover something about himself. Plenty of unexpected twists and a surprise ending make this a story worth reading. The Charlatan’s Boy would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the young people in your life.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“I only know one man who might be able to tell me where I come from, and that man is a liar and a fraud.”
As far back as he can remember, the orphan Grady has tramped from village to village in the company of a huckster named Floyd. With his adolescent accomplice, Floyd perpetrates a variety of hoaxes and flimflams on the good citizens of the Corenwald frontier, such as the Ugliest Boy in the World act.
It’s a hard way to make a living, made harder by the memory of fatter times when audiences thronged to see young Grady perform as “The Wild Man of the Feechiefen Swamp.” But what can they do? Nobody believes in feechies anymore.
When Floyd stages an elaborate plot to revive Corenwalders’ belief in the mythical swamp-dwellers known as the feechiefolk, he overshoots the mark. Floyd’s Great Feechie Scare becomes widespread panic. Eager audiences become angry mobs, and in the ensuing chaos, the Charlatan’s Boy discovers the truth that has evaded him all his life—and will change his path forever.
Download and read the first two chapters of The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers.
To learn more about Jonathan and his books check out his blog.
Praise for Jonathan Rogers
“The unusual settings and characters keep the surprises coming, while Rogers’s lovely descriptions and distinctive voice keep the pages turning. Faith fiction readers of all ages should enjoy this…”
—Publishers Weekly
“Jonathan Rogers knows how to tell a story. He’ll take you to fantastic lands that somehow still feel close to home and keep you happily guessing until the end. His fantasy tales ring of folklore and seem to spring up out of history like old willows in an earthy bog. Dr. Rogers never fails to serve up uncanny adventures that, like some impossibly nutritious brownies, are ridiculously tasty and deeply fulfilling.”
—Wayne Thomas Batson, best-selling author of The Door Within Trilogy
“Jonathan Rogers has created a new kind of story—part fantasy, part southern fiction. It’s sad and funny and heartwarming. Imagine a southern version of a C. S. Lewis story or a Christian version of a Mark Twain tale. Imagine a world where dragons are alligators, the American South is an island kingdom of cowboys and swamp dwellers, and ugliness, it turns out, is profoundly beautiful. Jonathan Rogers, a Georgia boy with a PhD, a strong faith, and a healthy imagination, gives us a timeless story no one else could have written. I loved it.”
—Andrew Peterson, author of The Wingfeather Saga
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jonathan Rogers grew up in Georgia, where he spent many happy hours in the swamps and riverbottoms on which the wild places of The Charlatan’s Boy are based. He received his undergraduate degree from Furman University in South Carolina and holds a Ph.D. in seventeenth-century English literature from Vanderbilt University. He lives with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.
by admin | Nov 18, 2010 | Amish, Books, Historical, Law Enforcement, Suspense
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Silent Order
Summerside Press (November 1, 2010)
by
Melanie Dobson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.
Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master’s degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.
Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they’ve been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn’t writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rural America – 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding – a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
After reviewing Christian fiction for a couple of years, I have read quite a few Amish novels. At times it becomes a little difficult to distinguish one from another. I realize that they fill the ever growing demand for stories of the plain and simple lifestyle and I have actually enjoyed most of them. However, I have longed for more variety and have actually found it in a few authors’ offerings. The Silent Order is one of those that defies the usual expectations for ‘bonnet fiction’.
Set in and around Cleveland during the ‘roaring twenties’, The Silent Order relates the story of what happened when organized crime invaded the peaceful countryside of the Amish. Populated with well rounded characters, The Silent Order is a page turner that kept me on edge as I both dreaded and anticipated what would happen next. It is a sometimes dark story but it also highlights dedication, loyalty, bravery, and love. The peace loving Amish community was a stark contrast to the violent men of the Cardano family who resorted to murder of even family members in order to keep their secrets and advance their position.
Although I would have liked for the faith element to have been more fully developed, it did not keep me from enjoying this very well written novel. I highly recommend The Silent Order.
