Monday, July 20, 2009

Through the Fire by Shawn Grady


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Through The Fire

Bethany House (July 1, 2009)

by

Shawn Grady



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.

Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.

Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.

Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children, and yellow Labrador.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Firefighting burns in Aidan O'Neill's blood. The son of a fireman, O'Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O'Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.

Called back to Reno, he's now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Through The Fire, go HERE


Review to come later.

Verse of the Day

I will promise to make you Mine forever . . . in what is right and good and fair, and in loving-kindness and in loving-pity. I will keep My promise and make you Mine. Then you will know the Lord. (Hosea 2:19–20 NLB)


Friday, July 17, 2009

Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Pirate Hunter

Bethany House (July 1, 2009)

by

Tom Morrisey



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section.

He has launched, edited, or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.

His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of six novels, including Wind River and In High Places. In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOK

High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold West Indies, 18th century Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom. . . . Key West, 21st century Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he's as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold. . .The Hunt Is On! Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men's quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE

Margie's Comments: The main review will come later, but I'm far enough into it that I know I won't put this book down until I'm done with it. The combination of the historical with the current events of the story is wonderfully woven together. I love that. If it weren't for the weekend long family reunion I'm attending in San Diego, I would be reading instead of sightseeing and visiting. *smile*

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Who Made You a Princess by Shelley Adina


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Who Made You a Princess

FaithWords (May 13, 2009)

by

Shelley Adina



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author Shelley Adina wrote her first teen novel when she was 13. It was rejected by the literary publisher to whom she sent it, but he did say she knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep her going through the rest of her adolescence, a career, a move to another country, a B.A. in Literature, an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, and countless manuscript pages.

Shelley is a world traveler and pop culture junkie with an incurable addiction to designer handbags. She writes books about fun and faith--with a side of glamour. Between books, Shelley loves traveling, playing the piano and Celtic harp, watching movies, and making period costumes.

The All About Us book series has its own home over on the Hachette website. Stop by and see what the five fabulous girls at Spencer Acadenmy are up to! Series Website.

Her other books in this series includes book one, It's All About Us, oook Two, The Fruit of my Lipstick, and book three, Be Strong & Curvaceous. This present book is book four.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Shani Hanna returns to SpencerAcademy for her senior year after an amazing summer spent with her friends Lissa, Gillian, and Carly. But the best part about summer was meeting Danyel Johnstone. Danyel is cute, smart, cool, and super nice. All Shani has to do is get him to see her as more than just one of the gang.

But when the girls return to school, they find a new addition to the distinguished student body: Prince Rashid al Amir of Yasir, an oil-rich desert kingdom in the Middle East. Prince Rashid moved to California to prepare for an eventual MBA at Stanford...and to romance his future wife: Shani Hanna!

It turns out, Shani's family and the prince's go back for generations, entwined in tradition, obligation, and family honor. In each generation, members of the two families have expanded their business interests through arranged marriage. Will Shani put aside her feelings for Danyel to pursue her family's wishes? Or will God answer her prayers for an intervention?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Who Made You a Princess , go HERE

Verse of the Day

Don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21 MSG) [i.e. good=the absolute truth of God's Word]

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Verse of the Day

The LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NLT)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Saturday evening I was privileged to attend the annual Christy Award ceremony. This is the second time I've attended, both times in Denver. They coincide with the Christian Booksellers Association annual International Christian Retailers Convention that features all things "Christian." Lots of authors, publishers, and booksellers, all promoting books, Bibles, gifts, etc. Almost anything you'd find in a Christian bookstore.

Before the specific awards were announced, we heard Richard Foster speak on the spiritual formation of the writer. Lots of good thoughts to ponder well after the fact!

Then the awards. The Christy Awards honor the best in Christian Fiction in nine categories.

Contemporary Romance
Beyond the Night
Marlo Shalesky

Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas
You Had Me at Good-bye
Tracy Bateman

Contemporary Standalone
Dogwood
Chris Fabry

First Novel
Blue Hole Back Home
Joy Jordan Lake

Historical
Until We Reach Home
Lyn Austin (who has won more Christys than any other author)

Historical Romance
From a Distance
Tamera Alexander

Suspense
The Rook
Steven James

Visionary
Vanish
Tom Pawlik

Young Adult
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
Cathy Gohlke

To see a complete description of these novels and a biography of the authors, click here.

Lots of good reading here! Enjoy. *smile*

Verse of the Day

God's formula for success:

Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. (Joshua 1:8 NLT)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Verse of the Day

"Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint. . . . If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all." (Isaiah 7:4, 9 ESV)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Verse of the Day

I will sing for joy in GOD, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. (Isaiah 61:10 MSG)