CFBA: While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  While We're Far Apart  Bethany House (October 1, 2010)  by  Lynn Austin
   





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.



Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.



Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.   





ABOUT THE BOOK   

In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother.



Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war.



And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war-torn Hungary. But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse.



Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected--and ultimately discovering truths about God's love...even when He is silent.



If you would like to read the first chapter of While We're Far Apart, go HERE.

CFBA: Embers of Love by Tracie Peterson

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Embers of Love Bethany House (October 1, 2010)

by Tracie Peterson





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents.  She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.



In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella.  Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.



She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.



Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.



Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max.  She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books





ABOUT THE BOOK

The logging industry in eastern Texas is booming, and Deborah Vandermark plans to assist her family's business now that she's completed college. Unexpectedly, her best friend, Lizzie Decker, accompanies her back home--fleeing a wedding and groom she has no interest in.



Deborah, the determined matchmaker, puts her sights on uniting her brother and dear friend in a true love match. Deborah soon meets Dr. Christopher Clayton, a much-needed addition to the town. As their lives intersect, Deborah realizes that she has a much greater interest in medicine and science than the bookkeeping she was trained in.



But when typhoid begins to spread and Lizzie's jilted fiance returns, Deborah wonders if true love can overcome such obstacles...for those dearest to her, and for herself.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Embers of Love, go HERE.

Medical Error (Prescription for Trouble Series #2) by Richard Mabry

Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Imagine being without your ID, finding yourself in a dire situation in need of emergency surgery, and no one knows who you are. That's where Dr. Anna McIntyre finds herself, well with her patient anyway. When adverse reactions occur to the treatment given during surgery, Anna finds herself in a huge legal mess.

The DEA, Denver Police, and a family are on her tail...and she can't figure out what she's done so wrong to cause this problem! She only followed protocol!

Then Nick enters the scene...a handsome pathologist who wants to help Anna. Just exactly HOW does he want to help her though? How can she tell who's sincere and who's out to get her? Is her lawyer even a "good guy"? Afterall, she was told he was a liar and a cheat!

Whatever is Anna to do? Did she prescribe the end to her career and possibly her life as well? Whatever you do, don't commit a medical error and NOT read this book!

This is the second book in the Prescription for Trouble series. I have loved reading the first two books so far and eagerly await April 2011 for the next installment!

Anyone else agree that Richard L. Mabry and author: Candace Calvert should team up and write a series together? Seriously, they are two of my favs!

This was the main book I focused on the for the Readathon that took place yesterday. What a great way to spend it! :)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest review, of which you are reading here.



View all my reviews

Venom and Song (The Berinfell Prophecies #2) by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper

Venom and Song by Wayne Thomas Batson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I LOVED THIS BOOK! This was a superior followup to The Curse of the Spider King and any fantasy lover would appreciate this book. The Elven Lords are now in their homeland and they quickly learn that they will have to fight for it. Not until Grimwarden gets his way though! A series of brutal training episodes will lead the Elven Lords into the battle of their lives. Will they succeed?
I highly recommended this one for fantasy lovers young and old. There is a Christian undertone here (Ellos is often referred to...represents God) but don't let that stop you if you are not a believer. This is a great clean book unlike others on the market today and even my 6 year old was becoming interested in it as he saw me reading it. Maybe one day (when he reads better) he'll pick it up and enjoy it as much as I did.
I did receive this book directly from the publisher in return for my honest review, of which you have received here.



View all my reviews

Finally! A Real Book Review!: The Gathering Storm by Bodie and Brock Thoene

The Gathering Storm by Bodie Thoene

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


First of all, this is the first book I've been able to finish since school started. It took me almost 2 months of 20 minute "Magical Mondays" to complete! Second of all, this is my first read by Bodie Thoene. That being said...



I was instantly attracted to this book based on the cover and the premise. I love reading books about the Holocaust (I really don't know why, it's such a sad point in history) and this cover instantly drew me in. The flag, the burning, the couple, told me that I might enjoy this book. I feel that the fact that it took me so long to read, I my have missed some points, as I struggled a bit with the ending.



Lorelei (love the name!) is a young girl from a missionary family who struggles to find her way in life after losing her mother and then choosing to marry Varrick to save him from being sent to the concentration camp. Her life is full of struggle from the beginning and just never seems to end. Varrick is sent away to fight in the war and Lorelei, her dad, her sister Jessica, and her nieces begin a journey to leave their homeland. More lives are lost along the way and soon Lorelei finds herself all alone. She is proficient in several languages so her skills come in handy in churches and other refugee places for those who are misplaced due to the war.



As far as characters go, Judah is a favorite of mine, as are the other Tin Man army. Their stories are inspiring to me. I was also intrigued by Helga, but found her character's choices to be very frustrating. Eben was another intriguing character although I do not like how things ended up with him. I felt that his character took a poorly scripted turn that was set up to be spiritual and I do not believe it was in the least bit. It was too much of a stretch for me personally. I have read other reviews where readers felt entirely different so please read this book and decide for yourself.



Overall, I enjoyed this book and will read other titles by the Thoenes. I have read many great reviews on other books they have written and they tend to focus on a time period in history that I enjoy reading.



I was provided this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review, of which you have received without any coercion.



View all my reviews

CFBA: Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe by Irene Brand and Anita Higman

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe Summerside Press (September 1, 2010)

by Irene Brand & Anita Higman





ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Irene Brand has written Sunday School curriculum, edited a two-year series of mission curriculum, and her works have appeared in five program-material anthologies. Her publishers include Zondervan, Standard Publishing, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Fleming-Revell, Barbour Publishing, Kregel Publications, Steeple Hill (inspirational imprint of Silhouette), and Summerside Press. She has had 4 non-fiction books published, and 43 fiction works. Her first inspirational romance was published in 1984.

Award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty-six books published (several coauthored) for adults and children, and she has been honored as a Barnes & Noble Author of the Month for Houston. Anita has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Her favorite things include exotic teas, movies, and all things Jane Austen.









ABOUT THE BOOK

Two Christmas stories - one historical, one contemporary - under one cover!



Love Finds You under the Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas



A promise to her dying sister compels Julia Mayfield to take her young nephew to Mistletoe, Kentucky, a tiny town tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. Sparks fly when she meets David Armstrong, a World War II veteran like herself. Even as shadows from the past weave a dangerous web around Julia and David, will their love flourish like the mistletoe that blankets the nearby hills?



Love Finds You under the Mistletoe: Once Upon a Christmas Eve



Hollie Goodnight's store has just been voted best Christmas shop in America. All the new publicity draws flamboyant novelist Van Keaton to the cozy town of Noel, Missouri, demanding to write Hollie's story - a dramatic tale of misfortune and triumph. She is swept up in his world of beautiful words and fanciful interludes. . .until Owen Quigly, her lifelong best friend, launches a plan to win her back.



If you would like to read an excerpt of Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe, go HERE.



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CFBA: Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Within My Heart Bethany House; Original edition (September 1, 2010)

by Tamera Alexander





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of Rekindled, Revealed and Remembered, the critically acclaimed Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Her second historical series, Timber Ridge Reflections (From a Distance, Beyond This Moment, and Within My Heart), penned in her style with deeply drawn characters, thought-provoking plots, and poignant prose have earned her devoted readers—and multiple industry awards.



These awards include the 2009 and 2008 Christy Award, the 2007 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2009 and 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, 2007 Bookseller’s Best Award, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction for 2006, among others.



After living in Colorado for seventeen years, Tamera has returned to her Southern roots. She and her husband now make their home in Nashville with Tamera's father, Doug. They enjoy life there with Joe and Tamera's two adult children, and Jack, a precious—and precocious—silky terrier.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Widow Rachel Boyd struggles to keep her ranch afloat and provide for her two young sons, though some days it feels as though her efforts are sabotaged at every turn. When her cattle come down with disease and her sons' lives are endangered, she must turn to Rand Brookston, Timber Ridge's physician and reluctant veterinarian. While Rachel appreciates his help, she squelches any feelings she might have for Rand--her own father was a doctor and his patients always took priority over his family. Rachel refuses to repeat the mistakes her mother made. But when she's courted by a wealthy client of the local resort, she faces a choice: self-sufficiency and security or the risk inherent in the deepest of loves.



 If you would like to read the first chapter of Within My Heart, go HERE.