Wednesday, August 4, 2010

CFBA: Fatal Loyalty by Sue Duffy + GIVEAWAY!


This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Fatal Loyalty
Kregel Publications (April 23, 2010)


by


Sue Duffy






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. Her first novel Mortal Wounds was published in 2001 and she has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children. Find out more at www.sueduffybooks.com



ABOUT THE BOOK



Where do you run when you know you cannot hide?



Andie Ryborg has nowhere else to go. Her father's campaign for governor and his aggressive war on drugs has chased her from their family home. Drawn to Miami's exotic Coconut Grove, Andie hopes to find a quiet refuge where she can discover herself apart from the public eye. But even in that seclusion, even with an officer assigned to protect her, Andie's privacy has been violated. Someone is watching



Evan Markham's entire life has been a tug-of-war between what is and what could be. He is drawn to a life that is beyond his reach and emotions have clouded his judgment. Evan knows that earning someone's trust isn't easy, especially when he plans to break it. But in the secret corridors of the criminal underworld, he knows what must be done, and he is determined to see it through. Whatever the cost



When enemies close in, a sudden turn of events leaves them both questioning. Where is God in all of this? Who is this enigmatic stranger who offers to help? They both know their lives are in danger. But what about their hearts?



If you would like to read the Prologue of Fatal Loyalty, go HERE.
I loved this book! I want you to read it! :) With special thanks to the publisher, I am giving away a copy of Fatal Loyalty. All you need to do is leave a comment with your email address and tell me WHY you want to win this book (If you don't answer the question, you can't win!). Make sure you have a US address only (no PO boxes) as the publisher will be mailing this one out. I will draw the winner using random.org on Saturday, August 14 at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck! :)

Bookmark and Share

FIRST: Premiere: On the Runway by Melody Carlson

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books.  A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured.  The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between!  Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. “I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,” she says. Her wide variety of books seem to prove this theory.


Visit the author's website.



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717868
ISBN-13: 978-0310717867

Press the browse button to view the first chapter:



I'm not a huge fan of fashion. This book focuses on fashion. Melody Carlson wrote this book in a way that even non-fashion lovers like me can enjoy it! :) 

Erin and Paige are sisters who have grown up just outside of the limelight. Coming from a newscaster dad and producer mom, how could they avoid the possibilities of a career in the field? One day a story requires some assistance and Paige steps in. She's a natural! Erin prefers to stay behind the scenes camera. A deal is struck and now they are working on their own show with the help of another teen show, Malibu Beach. Can these two sisters maintain a professional life of luxury while maintaining purity in their lives? 

I highly recommend this read especially for teen girls. It's focused on fashion but also puts importance from a Godly aspect (God looks at the heart, not at the outside!). I enjoyed this book and give it 4/5 stars!


Bookmark and Share

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Teaser Tuesday





Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!!
"Then don't marry him. You and I will be in touch, and if the worst happens, you can come live with me." With a snap of her fingers, Lottie expected to make everything work. 
This week's teaser comes from Masquerade by Nancy Moser. I have just started this book but it is SOOOO good so far! Very intriguing Christian Historical Fiction read! :)

Bookmark and Share

FIRST: Final Touch by Brandilyn Collins & Amberly Collins

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books.  A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured.  The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between!  Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card authors are:


and the book:

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:


Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California.

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels.

Visit the Brandilyn's website.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California, majoring in marketing. She’s active in her Alphi Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.


Here's a video about the first book in the Rayne Series:



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071933X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719335

Press the browse button to view the first chapter:



I must say, I read this book in under 12 hours. It's a super fast read that keeps you on the edge of your seat! This is book 3 in the series and I have not read the first two. However, this is a great standalone book. The authors do a great job of defining characters that I never felt like I had missed anything. I do plan on going back to read the first two books though, as they sound very interesting! 

This is a gripping read geared towards young adults. I was pulled into the story from the first sentence and found it very hard to put this book down until Shayla (love the name by the way!) was back home.  

Highly recommended 4 out of 5 stars read! :) 




Bookmark and Share

Monday, August 2, 2010

CFBA: Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson


This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Twilight's Serenade
Bethany House (August 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



Britta Lindquist left Sitka six years ago in an attempt to distance herself from the love of her life, Yuri Belikov. Upon her return, she finds Yuri absent and his wife about to deliver a child. When tragic circumstances ensue, Britta suddenly finds herself caring for Yuri's children--and her life intertwining with the man she's tried so hard to forget.



But Britta's other great love is for the violin, and her talent is recognized by Brenton Maltese, a conductor from England. He proposes she accept the coveted first chair position in his orchestra...and also his hand in marriage. At a crossroads, Britta must determine what her heart truly longs for--and if she's willing to fight for it.



At a Crossroads, Britta must determine what her heart truly longs for─and if she's willing to fight for it.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Twilight's Serenade, go HERE.

Come and visit with those posting for this tour:

Abi at Scraps of Life
Andie at Radiant Light
Andrea at Spoken For
April at Projecting A
Becky at Joyful Mother
Beth at The Write Message
Bonnie at Bonnie Writes
Brittanie at A Book Lover
Carly at Carlybird's Home
CeeCee at Book Splurge
Christy at Christy's Book Blog
Dave at The Plot Thickens
Dave at Novel Spotlight
Deanna at Deannna's Corner
Deborah at books, movies and chinese food
Deborah at Country At Heart
Debra at Soul Reflections
Edyth at Great Reads by Jasmine
Ernie at Writing: My Adventures In Words
Georgiana at Georgiana D
Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Janna at Cornhusker Academy
Jendi at Jendi's Journal
Jenn at One House Schoolroom Reviews
Jennifer at So Many Books…So Little Time
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
Julie at My Own Little Corner of The World
Kathleen at Heart 2 Heart
Kay at Views & Reviews by K
Kim at Window To My World
Krista at Welcome To Married Life
Kristi at Stamped With Grace
Linda at Mocha With Linda
Linda at Reading For His Glory
Loren at The Heart Of A BookWorm
Lori at Noggin Bits
Lynn at Ladybug Chronicles
Margaret at Creative Madness Mama
Michelle at Raising Little Women
Molly at Book Reviews
Pam at Daysong Reflections
Sabrina at Hijinks From The Heartland
Takiela at Beauty 4 Ashes
Tara at Tara's View On Books
Tiff at A Fiction-Filled Life
Victoria at Overlooked Orchid
I hope to have a review of this book soon! In the meantime, visit the blogs above to see what they have to say about this book! 

Bookmark and Share

Mailbox Monday




Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page each Monday so that other book lovers and bloggers can see and comment on what's in the mailbox. Marcia is going to start giving the reins over to a different blogger each month to free up some of her time. This month, Chick Loves Lit will be hosting this great event! Check out Shanyn's site!

Have you read a book on my list? Please comment on it. It's possible I will use your comment and link back to you when I post my review of a particular book!

To Review:
The Gathering Storm by Bodie & Brock Thoene
The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis
The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris
Medical Error by Richard L. Mabry, MD (I can hardly wait to jump into this one!)

Purchased:

Dr. Fisher's Life on the Ark by Lester E. Fisher, DVM (bought for HOSA competition)
The Prodigal Patriot by Darlene Franklin
Portrait of Love by Debby Mayne
Promise of Tomorrow by S. Dionne Moore
Where the Dogwoods Bloom by Myra Johnson

Giveaways Won:
~

Other: (came from Paperbackswap)

Highlander in Disguise by Julia London
Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts
Into the Deep by Colleen Coble

What's in your box this week?
Bookmark and Share

FIRST: Katy's Debate by Kim Vogel Sawyer

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books.  A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured.  The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between!  Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:




Bestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer has many titles besides “writer.” As a wife, mother of three, grandmother of six, Sunday school teacher, and speaker, her life is full and happily busy. In her spare time she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband make their home in Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s novels.


Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310719232
ISBN-13: 978-0310719236

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:




I really enjoyed reading this book. I didn't read the first one in the series before reading this one but I don't think that really mattered. This could be read as a standalone. I am going to go back and read Katy's New World just to see what I missed! 
This book touched me pretty deeply. I am a step-mom and I know it has been hard on my girls to accept me. Reading Katy's story made me realize that maybe I've been a little too hard on them, or tried to "be their mom" too much. After all, she's just a few miles down the road and they see her every other weekend. I felt for Ms. Graber because I've "been there, done that, have the t-shirt and scars". 
This is a book geared towards young adults. I enjoyed it as a more mature adult also. 

4 out of 5 stars for this read!

Thank you to Zondervan for providing the review copy for this tour!

Bookmark and Share