Terri Blackstock’s books have sold six million copies worldwide. Her suspense novels often debut at number one on the Christian fiction best-seller lists, and True Light, published last year, was number one of all Christian books—fiction and non-fiction. Blackstock has had twenty-five years of success as a novelist.
In 1994 Blackstock was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. Since that time, she’s written over thirty Christian titles, in addition to the thirty-two she had in the secular market. Her most recent books are the four in her acclaimed Restoration Series, which includes Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light. She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 and Cape Refuge Series.
In addition to her suspense novels, she has written a number of novels in the women’s fiction genre, including Covenant Child, which was chosen as one of the first Women of Faith novels, and her Seasons Series written with Beverly LaHaye, wife of Tim LaHaye.
Blackstock has won the Retailer’s Choice Award and has appeared on national television programs such as The 700 Club, Home Life, and At Home Live with Chuck and Jenny. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country and the subject of countless articles. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Barbara Covington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction, by staging an intervention. But when eighteen-year-old Emily disappears on the way to drug treatment—and her interventionist is found dead at the airport—Barbara enters her darkest nightmare of all.
Barbara and her son set out to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan arrests her for a crime he is sure she committed. Fearing for Emily’s life, Barbara maintains her daughter’s innocence. But does she really know her anymore? Meanwhile, Kent has questions of his own. His gut tells him that this is a case of an addict killing for drugs, but as he gets to know Barbara, he begins to hope he’s wrong about Emily.
The panic level rises as the mysteries intensify: Did Emily’s obsession with drugs lead her to commit murder—or is she another victim of a cold-blooded killer?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Intervention, go HERE
Learn more about Terri and her books on her Website.
Watch the book Trailer:
MY REVIEW:
Terri Blackstock’s books have been billed as Up All Night Fiction™ and I would agree that the description is perfect. I found myself staying awake until the wee hours because I couldn’t put Intervention down – not even to sleep. Intervention is everything a good suspense novel should be with well developed characters, a fast-moving plot, and even a hint of possible romance near the end.
Intervention is an intensely personal story fraught with emotion. Not only is Intervention a riveting suspense with surprises around every corner but Blackstock gives the reader an intimate look at the inner thoughts of both Emily and her mother Barbara. The reader should gain a better understanding of the toll addiction takes on both addicts and the people who care about them – and the role faith can have in seeing them through the darkness. And just maybe that understanding might help prevent another loved one from the pain of addiction.
Michelle Sutton, otherwise known as the Edgy Inspirational Author, is Editor-in-chief of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, a member of ACFW, a social worker by trade, and a prolific reader/book reviewer/blogger the rest of the time.
She lives in Arizona with her husband of nineteen years and her two teenaged sons. Michelle is also the author of It’s Not about Me (2008) and It’s Not About Him (Sheaf House 2009). She has nine other titles releasing over the next three years.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Susie passed out while drinking at Jeff’s party and later discovered she’s pregnant. She has no idea who the father is and considers having an abortion, but instead decides to place her baby for adoption. Following through ends up being more wrenching than she imagined, but she’s determined to do the right thing for her baby.
Jeff feels guilty that Susie was taken advantage of at his party and offers to marry her so she won’t have to give up her baby, like his birth mother did with him. But Susie refuses, insisting he should he marry someone he loves. Can he convince her that his love is genuine before it’s too late? Can she make him understand that it’s not about him—it’s about what’s best for her child?
If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of It’s Not About Him, go HERE
Learn more about Michelle and her books on her Website
MY REVIEW:
It’s Not About Him is Michelle Sutton’s second novel in her Second Glances series. Although many of the characters were primary players in It’s Not About Me, this story can stand alone without a need to read the first one. The focus here is on Susie who found herself pregnant with no memory of how it happened after a drunken party and Jeff who offered to marry Susie even though he was not the baby’s father.
There is more here than first meets the eye which I suspect is why this is called the Second Glances series. Although an unplanned pregnancy is traumatic enough for a single mother, there are underlying issues that cause Susie deep distress. Less than ideal childhoods have left both Susie and Jeff with difficulty trusting others and low self esteem.
Michelle is not afraid to tackle some of the thorny topics that many authors shy away from. In this book alone, the reader will find characters who struggle with alcohol, premarital sex or its temptation, pregnancy, adoption, and physical and verbal abuse. Although the subject matter can be controversial, Michelle handles it all from a Christian viewpoint. This series should be a must read for all teens because it deals with the true issues they will encounter in their lives and presents them with sound advice on how to handle them.
Potlucks make sharing good, home-cooked food with family and friends simple and easy. Start with a few (or a lot of) guests, bring delicious dishes to share, and mix with love. A proven recipe for success.
Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson, the popular authors of the Potluck Club books and veterans of countless potluck dinners, have gathered their favorite recipes. From salads to casseroles to slow-cooker delights, there’s something for everyone, even if you’re watching your waistline.
These great potluck ideas not only save you money, they also help you build memories to last a lifetime.
Endorsements
“Linda and Eva Marie have loaded up every woman for success in the kitchen–and better yet, success in all their relationships too. These two serve up love in the form of some great recipes and great ideas sure to nurture the soul.”–Pam Farrel, bestselling author of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti
Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed reading through The Potluck Club Cookbook. This book is filled with good looking recipes, many of them old favorites of mine – some with a little different twist that I will be sure to try. There are enough recipes here to give me some fresh ideas even through I am an experienced cook with years of potlucks behind me. I enjoyed the authors’ commentaries between sections that included potluck memories, stories about family favorite recipes, stories about Potluck Club characters, etc. I also enjoyed the section at the end where the authors shared about their experiences writing the Potluck Club books as a team. If you would like some new dishes to try next time someone says “Bring a dish”, then this cookbook is for you. The only thing I could complain about is the lack of photos. I guess I read so many cooking blogs that I am used to seeing what every recipe looks like. But don’t let that keep you from picking up a copy of The Potluck Club Cookbook.
I tried two of the recipes in this book. I baked Mom’s Cornbread Casserole (p.30) for a church potluck. I forgot to photograph it and there was nothing left to bring home. Then I made Linda’s Pecan Crusted Baked Chicken for my own family. I did learn that you need to be careful of the time when using chicken tenders. I nearly overcooked them. They were good but for my crew a little more seasoning would probably be in order.
The following recipes from the book are courtesy of the publisher:
Grandmother’s Coconut Chess Pie
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. flour (should be heaping)
1/8 tsp. salt
¼ Cup white sugar
¾ Cup white Karo syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
unbaked pie shell
¼ lb. butter
12-14 oz. coconut (can or bag)
Beat eggs well and set aside. In mixing bowl blend flour, salt, and sugar, then add eggs. Next add syrup and vanilla, beat until well mixed. Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Slice butter into thick slices and cover top of pie. Sprinkle coconut on top of pie and bake for about 1 hour in 300 degree oven or until firm and brown.
Serves 8
Linda: “I inherited this recipe from my Grandmother Evans. It’s one of the best pies I’ve ever tasted!” (Page 83)
Corn Pudding au Gratin
1 (15 oz) can creamed corn
2 Tbsp. flour
1 cup diced cheese
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. margarine
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup buttered bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine corn, flour, cheese and pepper; mix well. Add melted margarine and well-beaten eggs. Warm milk and add to mixture. Pour into 1 ½ quart casserole pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cook in oven until pudding begins to set, then sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over the top and reduce heat to 325 and bake until firm. If bread crumbs are not sufficiently brown when pudding is firm, turn to broil briefly. Cooking time is about 30 – 40 minutes.
Eva: “This recipe reheats nicely.” (Page 169)
Linda’s Chicken Tortilla Casserole
2 ½ Tbsp. chopped onions
¼ cup butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1 ½ cups milk
¾ cup chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. jalapeno peppers
1 ½ cups chopped canned tomatoes (stewed)
3 cups cubed chicken, cooked
½ cup shredded cheese
12 tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips
Sauté onions in butter, then add flour and cook until mixture is bubbly. Stir in milk and broth gradually. Stir in salt, peppers, and tomatoes.
In casserole dish, layer chicken, cheese, then strips of tortillas. Pour sauce over layers then sprinkle casserole with cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot.
Serves 6-8.
Linda: “You can’t go wrong with this tasty dish. It’s a potluck crowd favorite.” (Page 130)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joyce Magnin is the author of short fiction and personal experience articles. She co-authored the book, Linked to Someone in Pain. She has been published in such magazines as Relief Journal, Parents Express, Sunday Digest, and Highlights for Children.
Joyce attended Bryn Mawr College and is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship. She is a frequent workshop leader at various writer’s conferences and women’s church groups.
She has three children, Rebekah, Emily, and Adam; one grandson, Lemuel Earnest; one son-in-law, Joshua, and a neurotic parakeet who can’t seem to keep a name. Joyce leads a small fiction group called StoryCrafters. She enjoys baseball, football, cream soda, and needle arts but not elevators. She currently lives in Havertown, Pennsylvania.
The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is the story of an unusual woman, Agnes Sparrow. No longer able or willing to leave her home, where she is cared for by her long-suffering sister Griselda, Agnes has committed her life to the one thing she can do-besides eat. Agnes Sparrow prays and when Agnes prays things happen, including major miracles of the cancer, ulcer-healing variety along with various minor miracles not the least of which is the recovery of lost objects and a prize-winning pumpkin.
The rural residents of Bright’s Pond are so enamored with Agnes they plan to have a sign erected on the interstate that reads, “Welcome to Bright’s Pond, Home of Agnes Sparrow.” This is something Agnes doesn’t want and sends Griselda to fight city hall.
Griselda’s petitions are shot down and the sign plans press forward until a stranger comes to town looking for his miracle from Agnes. The truth of Agnes’s odd motivation comes out when the town reels after a shocking event. How could Agnes allow such evil in their midst? Didn’t she know?
Well, the prayers of Agnes Sparrow have more to do with Agnes than God. Agnes has been praying to atone for a sin committed when she was a child. After some tense days, the townsfolk, Griselda, and Agnes decide they all need to find their way back to the true source of the miracles-God.
I did not know what to expect when I began reading The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow but it was very different than what I had imagined. Set in the small town of Bright’s Pond, Pennsylvania, the story is filled with an abundance of unique characters. Related through the first person voice of Griselda, the tale revolves around her sister Agnes whose prayers for the townspeople have resulted in several miracles. When several members of the t0wn council decide to honor Agnes with a sign on the main highway, a series of possibly related events occur.
The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow has a little bit of everything – humor, tragedy, crime, drama, and suspense. As the narrative progresses, several secrets are revealed that explain how Griselda and Agnes reached their current circumstances. It was particularly interesting to learn Griselda’s feelings about caring for her sister and the hidden motivations behind it.
The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is an excellent example of what happens when people begin to give others credit when the honor is due to God. Then when things don’t go as expected, those same people are quick to blame the person they put on the pedestal. This book has so many parallels to modern life that it should result in some personal reflection.
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Terri Blackstock’s books have sold six million copies worldwide. Her suspense novels often debut at number one on the Christian fiction best-seller lists, and True Light, published last year, was number one of all Christian books—fiction and non-fiction. Blackstock has had twenty-five years of success as a novelist.
Eating In Is the New Eating Out
