CSFF Introduction: The Telling by Mike Duran

Today I'd like to take a minute to introduce you to a very intriguing new release. Mike Duran has written a speculative fiction book about a man who is visited by detectives. The detectives take this man to a local morgue to help identify a body. He is not expecting to recognize this person but finds out he is identifying himself. What is going on in the town of Endurance? What is The Telling? 

I have just started this book so I do not have a full review ready as of yet. This book is very intriguing and I look forward to finishing it up (hopefully this weekend!) In the meantime, please visit these other fantastic readers who are sure to have a full review of this book available for you to check out!

 Jim Armstrong
Noah Arsenault
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Brenda Castro
Jeff Chapman
Christine
Theresa Dunlap
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Bruce Hennigan
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler


 After you finish visiting these fabulous blogs, take a minute and view the author's Facebook page, The Cerebral Grump!

       

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Introducing: The Bone House by Stephen R. Lawhead

This week, the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Group (CSFF) is touring Stephen Lawhead's The Bone House.

I have heard many a great thing about Mr. Lawhead over the years but have never read any of his books. At one point, Margaret, from Creative Madness Momma, was reading Tuck. I told her it looked interesting and asked her what she thought of the book at various points while she was reading it. She told me to be sure to read the first book in the series first so I've never had the opportunity to read Tuck or the other books in this series.

When I first learned of this tour of the Bright Empires series, I just had to find out what the rage over Mr. Lawhead's was all about. I jumped into this series during the second book, which is The Bone House. The preceeding book, The Skin Map, is one that I hadn't heard of. I received The Bone House in the mail and went ahead and jumped into it. The publisher was kind enough to send me a copy of The Skin Map to read (which I just received this past Friday) but I was already into The Bone House far enough that I couldn't put it down!

I have still not completely finished The Bone House so I do not have a review for you today. I can tell you, however, that I LOVE this book!! It has covered a multitude of emotions for me and if I could just buy 8 hours of time that didn't require any life commitments at all, I'd have this finished in no time! The most moving scene so far has involved 30 pieces of silver. Very touching scene but I won't say anymore about it for fear of spoiling this for others.

I love the idea of time travel and the intricate details in making sure to do it just right. This author has a way of sucking you into this story making you wish you were actually there. I love the mystery behind finding this map and really hope to get time to finish this book soon so I can go back to read The Skin Map.

Since I've just rambled on a bit, how about stopping by to visit with these other fine folks who are sure to entertain you with a review or two, or even more information on Mr. Lawhead. Stop back by here soon to read my review!


Noah Arsenault
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
CSFF Blog Tour
Jeff Chapman
Carol Bruce Collett
Karri Compton
D. G. D. Davidson
Theresa Dunlap
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Janeen Ippolito
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Marzabeth
Katie McCurdy
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book, The Bone House, along with The Skin Map from the publisher.

CSFF Touring Andrew Peterson's "The Monster in the Hollows"

I'm very honored this week to be touring along with the fine folks of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog group. This week we are featuring Andrew Peterson's "The Monster in the Hollows." This is the third book in the Wingfeather Saga and one that I am really enjoying!

I have not had an opportunity to finish this book yet but I'm getting into it at a pretty rapid pace. I'm hoping to have a full review for you by the end of the week.

For those of you who may be new to Andrew Peterson as an author (he's also an accomplished singer/songwriter), you should really start reading this series from the beginning. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and North! Or Be Eaten are the prequels to The Monster in the Hollows. I'm having to go back and refresh my memory a bit on what some of the characters are in this book as it's been awhile since I've read North! Or Be Eaten. Read my review of North! Or Be Eaten and check out the author spotlight from a previous tour while you are here visiting! After having said this about reading the series from the beginning, I realize (and am ashamed) that I *still* have not read On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness! I own it, just haven't had the opportunity to fit it into my schedule. *hangs head*

While you await my review, these other bloggers have their thoughts about this book posted. Please be sure to visit and interact with them on their blogs!



Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
* Eve Nielsen
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant

Please stop by later this week to see if I've finished this great book! I do hope to have it finished by Friday!

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. Thank you!

CSFF Touring Mike Dellosso's Darkness Follows

I do hope you've been following other CSFF'ers around this week to see what they have to say about Mike Delosso's Darkness Follows! I noticed I failed to link back to my original post, so if you'd like to read my thoughts on it, please do so! Darkness Follows is a rather haunting book...one that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Who is Lincoln and can he be saved? Check out what these other bloggers have to say about this riveting read as well!


Noah Arsenault
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Chris Deane
Cynthia Dyer
Nikole Hahn
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Inae Kyo
Shannon McDermott
Allen McGraw
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Sarah Sawyer
Kathleen Smith
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler

Darkness Follows by Mike Dellosso

This week, the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy book club is reviewing Mike Dellosso. I read this book a few weeks ago and enjoyed it! It's a great mystery with some sci-fi interaction involved. I would encourage everyone to grab a copy and read it! I have passed my copy along to the history teacher in the high school where I work. He loves Civil War stories and one like this would really be enjoyable to him! Once you've checked out this book on Amazon or your other favorite book retailer, take a minute to see what others are saying about this book! You don't want to miss out on this one for sure! 

Visit these fine folks and leave them some comment love!


Noah Arsenault
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Chris Deane
Cynthia Dyer
Nikole Hahn
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Inae Kyo
Shannon McDermott
Allen McGraw
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Sarah Sawyer
Kathleen Smith
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler

CSFF: Dragons of the Valley by Donita Paul

This week, the CSFF Blog tour is featuring Dragons of the Valley by Donita Paul. 

I am really looking forward to reading this book! I only received it this past Friday and just haven't had the chance to read it yet with grad school taking over right now! I will definitely post a review of this one when I finish.  Many thanks to the publisher and Ms. Paul for providing this review copy to read! :)


In the meantime though, please be sure to visit Ms. Paul's blog and purchase a book of your own to enjoy!


Please also visit the following blogs to see what they have to say! You are sure to find some great comments out there! 
 
http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/"> Gillian Adams
http://noahsreads.blogspot.com/"> Noah Arsenault
http://the1amster1.wordpress.com/"> Amy Bissell
http://tessbissell.wordpress.com/"> Red Bissell
http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/"> Justin Boyer
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://www.splashdownreviews.blogspot.com"> Grace Bridges
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://morganlbusse.wordpress.com"> Morgan L. Busse
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://www.the160acrewoods.com/"> Amy Cruson
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://www.amberfrench.blogspot.com/"> Amber French
http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/"> Andrea Graham
http://cloakanddaggerfiction.blogspot.com"> Katie Hart
http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/"> Ryan Heart
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://crisjesse.wordpress.com"> Cris Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://www.momofkings.com"> Dawn King
http://southernfiberreads.wordpress.com/"> Emily LaVigne
http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/"> Shannon McDermott
http://mikalatos.blogspot.com"> Matt Mikalatos
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/"> Joan Nienhuis
http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/"> John W. Otte
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog"> Sarah Sawyer
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/"> Tammy Shelnut
http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/"> Kathleen Smith
http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://facesoflions.wordpress.com/"> Dave Wilson

The Wolf of Tebron by C.S. Lakin

The Wolf of Tebron by Susanne C.S.Lakin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received this book as a part of the CSFF Blog Tour. When it was first pitched to me, I wasn't sure this was something I would enjoy. However, I saw some great reviews on it and even heard that it was likened to C.S. Lewis's writing. While I've never read the Chronicles of Narnia series *big gasp* I have enjoyed the movies. I'm so thankful I gave this book a chance!!



There is an incredible journey taking place when a marital spat occurs. Joran packs up his wife and sends her off to see family. It might possibly be the last he sees of her. Finding out that she never arrived at the home of her parents, Joran sets out to try to find her. He meets up with this intriguing wolf who is stuck in a trap out in the middle of nowhere. Being the kind animal lover (and animal speaker) he is, Joran works to free the wolf and finds him tagging along on the journey. Along the way, Joran meets the most interesting people...Cielle, the looney sister of the moon; Sola, mother of the sun; and Noomahh, the South Wind. Will he ever find his wife and make things right?



This would be a beautiful book to use in an English class (would have to be in a private or homeschool more than likely since it has a heavy spiritual depth and presence...I would love to see it in a public school though!). There are many allegories, parables, and overall beautiful writing and story tellings throughout this book. It is full of adventure and the author spins this tale in a manner that will draw in readers young and old. As previously mentioned, this book is likened to the writings of C.S. Lewis and fans of his type of literature will enjoy this story.



I look forward to The Map Across Time which will release in the spring as the second book in this series.



Many thanks to Susanne and Living Ink Books for providing a copy for review.



Please visit these others who are blogging on the tour!

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.





Noah Arsenault

Amy Bissell

Red Bissell

Justin Boyer

Keanan Brand

Grace Bridges

Beckie Burnham

Jeff Chapman

Christian Fiction Book Reviews

Carol Bruce Collett

Valerie Comer

CSFF Blog Tour

D. G. D. Davidson

April Erwin

Andrea Graham

Nikole Hahn

Katie Hart

Ryan Heart

Bruce Hennigan

Becky Jesse

Cris Jesse

Becca Johnson

Jason Joyner

Julie

Carol Keen

Dawn King

Shannon McDermott

Matt Mikalatos

Rebecca LuElla Miller

Joan Nienhuis

Nissa

John W. Otte

Chawna Schroeder

Tammy Shelnut

Kathleen Smith

James Somers

Rachel Starr Thomson

Robert Treskillard

Fred Warren

Phyllis Wheeler



View all my reviews

My Thoughts on the Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers

As the CSFF Blog Tour wraps up, I wanted to leave you my final thoughts on The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers.

This book was getting four stars from me until the last chapter. Once reading this book, I gave it 5 stars and a standing ovation (really, I did!) I don't think I've ever given a book a standing ovation before!! 

Grady only knows himself as a feechie (for more information on this, please refer to YouTube video posted on Monday of Jonathan telling us about feechies or check out his website for more info!). He's a good feechie too! He can scare the best of them! Floyd is a not-so-great charlatan (is there such thing as a good one?!?) who is using little Grady to make a few bucks here and there. Grady loves his life as a feechie...until the day Floyd tells him that he's not really feechie. Floyd also drops another bombshell...he's not Grady's dad. 

Throughout the remainder of the book, Floyd and Grady go on some pretty amazing journeys as they travel around trying to make some coppers. Grady goes from "feechie" to "mind measuring assistant" and back to feechie while he tries to figure out who he *really* is. Would he ever find someone to love him for him and not for a money making venture?

My favorite feature of this book was the beginning of each chapter. I just love how Grady introduced each new chapter! You see a crystal ball (much like on the cover) with somewhat of a sarcastic or funny remark about a new adventure. I found myself chuckling at Grady's humor and wanting to box Floyd in the ears!! 

I highly recommend this book for youngsters on up. There are so many beautiful and valuable lessons to be learned in this book that  represents how life was back in the "Old West". I found myself thinking back to my childhood when I was involved in a musical (Going West) where I was a part of the traveling salesman group peddling some sort of healing elixir. 

I am very excited to see what is in store for Grady in his next adventure, which will start in 2011!

Many thanks to Jonathan Rogers for the time invested in making this tour possible (writing the book, visiting our blogs, answering interview questions, etc) as well as Waterbrook Publishers who provided the copy of the book for review. 

Finally, please be sure to visit with others on the tour! I'm sure they will all some entertaining info on this great book! 
 
http://www.sally-apokedak.com/whispers_of_dawn/"> Sally Apokedak
http://the1amster1.wordpress.com/"> Amy Bissell
http://tessbissell.wordpress.com/"> Red Bissell
http://quiverfullfamily.com/"> Jennifer Bogart
http://www.oerkenleaves.blogspot.com/"> Thomas Clayton Booher
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Chapman
http://www.christianfictionbookreviews.com/"> Christian Fiction Book Reviews
http://valeriecomer.com/"> Valerie Comer
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/"> Andrea Graham
http://going-greene.blogspot.com/"> Tori Greene
http://cloakanddaggerfiction.blogspot.com"> Katie Hart
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
http://www.christopherhopper.com"> Christopher Hopper
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://crisjesse.wordpress.com"> Cris Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/"> Shannon McDermott
http://methodistcorner.net/"> Allen McGraw
http://mikalatos.blogspot.com"> Matt Mikalatos
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://linalamont.blogspot.com/"> Nissa
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://thestuffyouneedtoknow.blogspot.com/"> SarahFlan
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog"> Sarah Sawyer
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/"> Tammy Shelnut
http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/"> Kathleen Smith
http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers
http://www.mindsinger.com/"> Donna Swanson
http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php"> Robert Treskillard
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://www.theravenquill.blogspot.com/">  Nicole White
http://kerani-in-the-world.blogspot.com/"> Elizabeth Williams
http://facesoflions.wordpress.com/"> Dave Wilson

 

The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers: Hearing from the Man himself!

As the CSFF blog tour continues, I would like to introduce you to the mastermind behind The Charlatan's Boy...Mr. Jonathan Rogers!

Jonathan took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us! Here's his responses:

1. Who is your favorite literary character (not including one you have written about)? Why?

I don't suppose I would ever answer this question the same way twice. So I'm just going to tell you who my favorite character is today. Today, I'm going to say Wendell Berry's Jayber Crow. Or Wendell Berry's Burley Coulter. Wendell Berry is a national treasure; his characters are so beautifully drawn, so complex. They are so earthy, in every sense of the word. And yet it is through their earthiness that they speak to real transcendence. Wendell Berry has had a huge impact on me as a writer. 

If you had asked me another day I might have told you my favorite character was John Ames of Marilynne Robinson's Gilead. Or Don Quixote.

I've never read/heard of Jayber so I guess I need to check these characters out! I have also never read Gilead or Don Quixote! *gasp*

2. Who would you most want to have dinner with (living or dead) and why?

Well, Jesus is the obvious answer here. Having said that, I should also acknowledge that there are plenty of people who say they'd like to sit down to a meal with Jesus who wouldn't enjoy it as much as they think they would. Jesus could be pretty hard on the self-satisfied and the self-righteous. So I hope I would enjoy sitting down to dinner with Jesus; it would do me good either way. 

If we disallow Jesus as an answer (and maybe we should) I'm going to say my wife. That's why I married her; because I wanted to have dinner with her as often as possible. I'm only half joking. It's actually a pretty important part of my worldview. In the world's economy, it's the rare and the hard-to-come-by that has the most value.In God's economy, the things that are the most valuable also happen to be the most readily available. Love, friendship, grace, forgiveness--these things are there to be scooped up by the fistful. That's the astonishing thing about marriage: the dearest things in the world become the fabric of our daily lives. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out that the woman I wanted more than anyone in the world wanted me too.

If you're looking for a celebrity answer, I guess I'd have to say Mark Twain, who told great stories. Or Saint Patrick, who had an incredibly winsome faith (although he didn't speak English, so that would be a problem).

I love these answers! Well said! 

3. What book are you currently reading?

I just finished Russell Banks' Cloudsplitter, which tells the story of John Brown, who led the raid on Harper's Ferry before the American Civil War. I'm in the middle of A.S. Peterson's two book series, The Fiddler's Gun and The Fiddler's Green.  Really great books.

Cloudsplitter sounds really good! I've only read one of A.S. Peterson's books but I really enjoyed it!  

4. Name one book (other than one you've written) that you would recommend to a young adult reader (I have a lot of high school students who read my blog). Tell us why it should be read.

Andrew Peterson's books are great--On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and North! Or Be Eaten. They're really funny and have a whole lot of heart. Andrew is actually the brother of A.S. Peterson, whose books I mentioned in the previous question.

Oops! Guess I haven't read anything by A.S. Peterson. I was thinking that was Andrew! I have read North! Or Be Eaten. Loved it! :) 

5. Any parting words of wisdom to readers?

Cultivate the habit of repentance. Being good at repenting is more important than being right all the time.

Very well said! Thank you for your time Jonathan! I sincerely appreciate it! :)


Finally, please be sure to visit with others on the tour! I'm sure they will all some entertaining info on this great book! 
 
http://www.sally-apokedak.com/whispers_of_dawn/"> Sally Apokedak
http://the1amster1.wordpress.com/"> Amy Bissell
http://tessbissell.wordpress.com/"> Red Bissell
http://quiverfullfamily.com/"> Jennifer Bogart
http://www.oerkenleaves.blogspot.com/"> Thomas Clayton Booher
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Chapman
http://www.christianfictionbookreviews.com/"> Christian Fiction Book Reviews
http://valeriecomer.com/"> Valerie Comer
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/"> Andrea Graham
http://going-greene.blogspot.com/"> Tori Greene
http://cloakanddaggerfiction.blogspot.com"> Katie Hart
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
http://www.christopherhopper.com"> Christopher Hopper
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://crisjesse.wordpress.com"> Cris Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/"> Shannon McDermott
http://methodistcorner.net/"> Allen McGraw
http://mikalatos.blogspot.com"> Matt Mikalatos
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://linalamont.blogspot.com/"> Nissa
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://thestuffyouneedtoknow.blogspot.com/"> SarahFlan
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog"> Sarah Sawyer
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/"> Tammy Shelnut
http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/"> Kathleen Smith
http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers
http://www.mindsinger.com/"> Donna Swanson
http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php"> Robert Treskillard
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://www.theravenquill.blogspot.com/">  Nicole White
http://kerani-in-the-world.blogspot.com/"> Elizabeth Williams
http://facesoflions.wordpress.com/"> Dave Wilson

The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers

Today through Wednesday, the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy tour will be featuring The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers. This is a super fun book that I will tell you more about in the coming days. I so have a small confession to make though and I hope you won't think this educator as someone who is uneducated. When I first started reading this book, I had no earthly idea what a "charlatan" was!! I feel so crazy now and I did figure it out from the context, however I also took the time to look up the meaning of the word. According to the Oxford American Dictionary, a charlatan is "a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill; a fraud". 





Along the way, I also researched YouTube for more information on Charlatan's and Feechies. Enjoy the following clips!! Come back tomorrow to learn about our featured author, Jonathan Rogers.
  

This one was created by Sally Apokedak! Be sure to visit her during this tour!!

This video is our featured author, Jonathan Rogers, telling us everything there is to know about feechies!!



Finally, please be sure to visit with others on the tour! I'm sure they will all some entertaining info on this great book! 
 
http://www.sally-apokedak.com/whispers_of_dawn/"> Sally Apokedak
http://the1amster1.wordpress.com/"> Amy Bissell
http://tessbissell.wordpress.com/"> Red Bissell
http://quiverfullfamily.com/"> Jennifer Bogart
http://www.oerkenleaves.blogspot.com/"> Thomas Clayton Booher
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Chapman
http://www.christianfictionbookreviews.com/"> Christian Fiction Book Reviews
http://valeriecomer.com/"> Valerie Comer
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/"> Andrea Graham
http://going-greene.blogspot.com/"> Tori Greene
http://cloakanddaggerfiction.blogspot.com"> Katie Hart
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
http://www.christopherhopper.com"> Christopher Hopper
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://crisjesse.wordpress.com"> Cris Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/"> Shannon McDermott
http://methodistcorner.net/"> Allen McGraw
http://mikalatos.blogspot.com"> Matt Mikalatos
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://linalamont.blogspot.com/"> Nissa
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://thestuffyouneedtoknow.blogspot.com/"> SarahFlan
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog"> Sarah Sawyer
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/"> Tammy Shelnut
http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/"> Kathleen Smith
http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers
http://www.mindsinger.com/"> Donna Swanson
http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php"> Robert Treskillard
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://www.theravenquill.blogspot.com/">  Nicole White
http://kerani-in-the-world.blogspot.com/"> Elizabeth Williams
http://facesoflions.wordpress.com/"> Dave Wilson

 

CSFF: Venom and Song by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper

Welcome to the September Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy (CSFF) Tour of Venom and Song by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper (Thomas Nelson)! I was super excited to receive this book for this tour as I really enjoyed Curse of the Spider King! However, due to my hectic work schedule, I have not yet had the opportunity to read this book. I'm hoping to be able to read it during my Fall Break next week. I'll be sure to post a full review when I do finish the book. 


I have included a few links for you to visit, as well as other participants on the tour. Please visit them and enjoy! :)
 
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.


Venom and Song - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400315069 (purchase here!)

Authors’ blogs

Wayne Thomas Batson  – http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/
Christopher Hopper – http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/

Participants’ links (please visit them and give them some blogger love!)

http://sevendogsandababy.blogspot.com/"> Angela
http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com"> Brandon Barr
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com"> Amy Browning
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://morganlbusse.wordpress.com"> Morgan L. Busse
http://www.hiddenvalleysimplicity.com"> Melissa Carswell
http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Chapman
http://valeriecomer.com/"> Valerie Comer
http://www.the160acrewoods.com/"> Amy Cruson
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://going-greene.blogspot.com/"> Tori Greene
http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/"> Ryan Heart
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com"> Timothy Hicks
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://crisjesse.wordpress.com"> Cris Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/"> Krystine Kercher
http://www.momofkings.com"> Dawn King
http://www.slygames.net/"> Leighton
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/"> John W. Otte
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog> Sarah Sawyer
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/"> Tammy Shelnut
http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers
http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/"> Kathleen Smith
http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/"> Rachel Starr Thomson
http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php"> Robert Treskillard
http://christiansf.blogspot.com/"> Steve Trower
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/"> Jason Waguespac
http://www.fantasyandfaith.com"> Dona Watson
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://www.jillwilliamson.com/"> Jill Williamson
 

Clive Staples Awards Time!

 This is my first year really getting involved with the Clive Staples Awards. I chose to participate this year because I've read most of the books on the list! I've enjoyed most of these books immensely and voted where I felt it was most deserved. You too can vote if you've read at least two of the books on the list! You can find the information by using the links below:

Clive Staples Award voting information - http://clivestaplesaward.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/2010-clive-staples-award-voting/
Clive Staples List of Nominations - http://clivestaplesaward.wordpress.com/2010-nominations-complete-list/

In conjunction with the CSFF blog tour, August is "Favorites" month.  I would be really hardpressed to pick a favorite in this category of books! There are so many great ones out there. I will give you my top five list though! These are all great books that I would recommend! :) Happy Reading!

1. The Enclave by Karen Hancock
2. Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Batson and Christopher Hopper
3. By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson
4. Lost Mission by Athol Dickson
5. Offworld by Robin Parrish

Please visit these find folks who are also posting during this tour!

http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com"> Brandon Barr
http://www.oerkenleaves.blogspot.com/"> Thomas Clayton Booher
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://www.splashdownreviews.blogspot.com"> Grace Bridges
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://morganlbusse.wordpress.com"> Morgan L. Busse
http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Chapman
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com"> Stacey Dale
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Draper
http://www.endtimestavern.com/">  George Duncan
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/"> Andrea Graham
http://going-greene.blogspot.com/"> Tori Greene
http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/"> Ryan Heart
http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com"> Timothy Hicks
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/"> Krystine Kercher
http://www.mikelynchbooks.blogspot.com"> Mike Lynch
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://newauthors.wordpress.com/"> New Authors Fellowship
http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/"> John W. Otte
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog> Sarah Sawyer
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers
http://www.speculativefaith.com/"> Speculative Faith
http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/"> Rachel Starr Thomson
http://christiansf.blogspot.com/"> Steve Trower
http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/"> Jason Waguespac
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://www.fantasyandfaith.com"> Dona Watson
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/"> KM Wilsher

Review: Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Starlighter by Bryan Davis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book! It tells the tale of several characters at once that find each other during this facinating adventure with dragons. There are so many lovely features of this book but instead of me telling you all about it, you should really go and pick this one up! The black egg, Jason, Koren, and the Starlighter will keep you entertained for several hours! It's a relatively quick read (just took me awhile because I was at a conference)!

View all my reviews >>

CSFF: Teaser Tuesday Starlighter by Bryan Davis

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!!

"The hives are filled with bees," she said in a breathy, overly dramatic voice. "Since you are protected by your impenetrable scales, you dragons cannot fathom the torture we humans suffer when the needle-sharp barbs prick our skin. The sting is worse than a spear piercing a dragon's underbelly. Venom courses through our bloodstreams. Our bodies swell like rotting cadavers. Our throats constrict, and we gasp for just a swallow of air."

Taken from Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Go visit these other bloggers on tour with this book to see what they have posted for today!

Brandon Barr
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
R. L. Copple
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Jane Maritz
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
SarahFlan
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

CSFF Blog Tour Day 3: My Thoughts on Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos

It's time to wrap up this fun tour of Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review!


I wish I had something funny and witty to say here but I don't because, well, I'm just not funny and witty! I can tell you a little about this book though...

• You *will* be offended...especially if you find yourself in here (I found myself a few too many times!)
• You will meet a talking donkey in this book. Her name is Daisy. She's such a smart ass!!
• You will find at least one Jesus that you know...and several others that you are acquainted with (hey wait a minute, I thought there was only one!?!?!?)
• You will get a great visual depiction of the President in tighty whiteys scrubbing a bathroom (insert President of your choice!)
• You will get to hear Matt's story of modern medicine in the ancient world (Advil anyone?)
• Finally, you will meet a prostitute, a couple of Mormon elders, and a slew of other sinners

I loved this book. It covers some very serious issues with humor. Which Jesus do you follow? Is it the One and Only? If not, it should be!

In the salvation of man's soul there are 2 necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's part is the big part, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift if God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of the gospel to men constitute God's part in salvation.



Though God's part is the big part, man's part is also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has announced. Man's part can clearly set forth in the following steps:



Hear the Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).



Believe. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6).


Repent of past sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent" (Acts 17:30).



Confess Jesus as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).



Be baptized for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).



Live a Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

OPEN INVITATION
Now that you are aware of a church in the 20th century which is built according to the blue prints of Christ's original church, why not become a member of it? In becoming a member of it, you will be called upon to do nothing which you cannot read in the New Testament. You will then live and worship just as the apostle-guided Christians of the first century did.
Not only is this return to New Testament Christianity a wonderful basis upon which all believers in Christ can unite, it is absolutely solid ground. If we do just what our Lord commanded we know that our salvation is certain. Come with us as we go back to the Bible, back to Christ and his church!

If you desire finding a church home, please email me (using contact information at bottom left of blog) and I'll be happy to assist you!



Stop by and visit these other bloggers on tour this week! We all love comments!!

*Participants’ links (paste as is in the body of your post or update the links in your sidebar):

http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com"> Brandon Barr
http://www.AdventuresInFiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan Brand
http://www.splashdownreviews.blogspot.com"> Grace Bridges
http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham
http://valeriecomer.com/"> Valerie Comer
http://blog.rlcopple.com/"> R. L. Copple
http://www.the160acrewoods.com/"> Amy Cruson
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com"> Stacey Dale
http://www.scificatholic.com/"> D. G. D. Davidson
http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/"> Jeff Draper
http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin
http://askandrea.adamsweb.us/"> Andrea Graham
http://going-greene.blogspot.com/">Tori Greene
http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse
http://crisjesse.wordpress.com"> Cris Jesse
http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner
http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie
http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen
http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/"> Krystine Kercher
http://www.momofkings.com"> Dawn King
http://www.slygames.net/"> Leighton
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/"> John W. Otte
http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K. Paul
http://prochristroetlibertate.blogspot.com/"> Crista Richey
http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna Schroeder
http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/"> Rachel Starr Thomson
http://christiansf.blogspot.com/"> Steve Trower
http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren
http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler
http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/"> KM Wilsher