Book Review: The Opposite of Art

ABOUT THE BOOK

A great artist is cast into the icy Harlem River by a hit-and-run driver. His heart stops, and he sees something that defies description. Presumed dead by all who knew him and obsessed with the desire to paint the inexpressible, he embarks on a pilgrimage to seek help from holy men around the globe. But is it possible to see eternity without becoming lost within it? After a quarter of a century, when the world begins to whisper that he may be alive, two people come looking for the artist: the daughter he never knew existed and the murderer who hit him on the bridge all those years ago.

ABOUT ATHOL DICKSON

Athol Dickson is the publisher of the popular news website, DailyCristo.com, and the author of seven novels and the bestselling memoir, The Gospel according to Moses. His novels of suspense and magical realism have been honored with three Christy Awards and an Audie Award, and compared to the work of Octavia Butler (by Publisher's Weekly) and Flannery O'Connor (by The New York Times). He and his wife live in Southern California.

MY THOUGHTS

This is a very strange book, I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I thought that the quest of Ridler was quite interesting and kept wondering how such a search could cause him to find what he was looking for when it seemed as though what he had seen was what we so often find described when someone dies.  But maybe that was the entire thought of the Author and it was a quest to find God, just from a very interesting perspective.

I felt rather sorry for the daughter Ridler never knew he had, as well as his lover who thought him dead, but did she really?  The murderer also had some interesting ties to Ridler, his lover and his daughter.  This is a book you need to spend some time on so you can think it all through, and I'm going to read it again just to be certain I haven't missed anything.  A very interesting book!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Glass Road Publications

Book Review: I am in Here

PRESS RELEASE

Thirteen-year-old with Autism Can’t Talk, But Her Poems Speak Volumes

The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice

Elizabeth Bonker is profoundly affected by autism and can’t speak, yet she illuminates the inner world of autism through poems that she types one finger at a time. I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice by Elizabeth M. Bonker and her mother, Virginia G. Breen (ISBN: 978-0-8007-2071-1, $16.99, 256 pages, October 15, 2011) is the story of Elizabeth’s courage, determination, and optimism, and the relentless love of a mom who knew her daughter was “in there.”

Over many years, Elizabeth has learned to type independently on a letterboard and computer. She began to write poetry, and has since written more than 100 poems. This child, who had been diagnosed as mentally retarded, was at last able to reveal her gifted mind. In a poem entitled “Me” Elizabeth expresses her wish to be understood:

I sometimes fear

That people cannot understand

That I hear.

And I know

That they don’t believe I go

To every extreme

To try to express

My need to talk.

If only they could walk

In my shoes

They would share my news:

I am in here.

And trying to speak everyday

In some kind of way.

The book combines Elizabeth’s poems and reflections with the story of their journey written by her mom. The poems reveal Elizabeth’s strong desire to communicate, her rich spiritual life, her love of animals and nature, fascination with birds and flying, and her aspiration to be a doctor working with people in Africa. Her goal for the book, she wrote, is for people “to find peace in my book. I want them to read my prayers with understanding.”

One in every 100 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with autism. “Children with autism can’t speak for themselves. They want you to remember that they are in there and to keep trying to reach them,” Virginia writes. She never gave up trying to reach Elizabeth, and continues to seek her healing. This includes supervising medical, educational, behavioral, and spiritual approaches, visiting countless specialists, seeking out new treatments, and often, fighting school bureaucrats and medical “experts.” She writes of the “great battle” of autism, which also afflicts her son Charles, and how the family draws strength for the journey:


•Faith: Elizabeth’s poetry reveals a deep spiritual life, “contemplating God in a way that went beyond what she learned in Sunday School,” Virginia says. “The burden of autism has helped us both understand one of life’s great mysteries. The most tangible way we experience God is through the presence of the people God has placed in our lives.”

•Clinging to Hope: “Autism Moms must find a way to cling to hope with a tenacity that is stronger than autism’s grip on our children,” Virginia says. “My answer is finding the joy in the smallest of moments...a conscious choice to seek these small flowers of joy in the crannied wall.”

•Drawing Inspiration from ‘How’ People: ‘How’ people ask, ‘how can I move forward?’ rather than ‘why me?’ Elizabeth, with her overwhelming challenges, is the ultimate ‘How’ Person. The book also includes a gallery of the ‘How’ people whose inspiring stories are told in the book.

Thanks to the Internet, one of Elizabeth’s poems has become a mantra beyond autism, as people substitute their own struggles in place of autism. Written when Elizabeth was nine, this poem “is where we first saw into the soul of autism and how it traps a beautiful mind,” Virginia says:

The Things I Know for Sure
There is a God.
I am loved.
The sun will shine.
I will survive autism.

“Elizabeth is my little flower, relentlessly breaking through autism with her poetry,” Virginia writes. “Like the flowers in the sidewalk cracks, she is a quiet miracle.”

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Elizabeth M. Bonker is a thirteen-year-old young lady with autism who cannot yet speak, but who writes deeply revealing poetry, which was featured on PBS’s Religion & Ethics Newsweekly.

Virginia G. Breen is the mother of three beautiful children, two of whom are profoundly affected by autism. Besides working to heal her children, Virginia is a venture capitalist investing in high-tech companies, and she sits on both corporate and nonprofit boards. Previously she studied computer science at Harvard, business at Columbia, and eastern philosophies in Singapore. She now studies relentlessly at the School of Autism.

I Am in Here: The Journey of a Child with Autism Who Cannot Speak but Finds Her Voice

by Elizabeth M. Bonker & Virginia G. Breen

Revell

$16.99 Cloth ISBN: 978-0-8007-2071-1

Release Date: October 15, 2011

Visit: www.IAminHereBook.com

MY THOUGHTS:

This is a book that will touch you as you follow the journey of young Elizabeth who is trapped within herself because she cannot speak.  Have you ever lost your voice?  It's terrible not being able to communicate, can you imagine never being able to speak your thoughts, how would you feel, how would people treat you?

Once Elizabeth found her 'voice' she wrote beautiful poems and was able to tell how her thoughts and feelings...thoughts and feelings that really are quite powerful, this is an amazing young girl and a book that will leave it's mark on you and make you want to reach out and hug not only Elizabeth but others who suffer like her.

 

“Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

*I received this book in exchange for review from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Sunrise on the Battery

ABOUT THE BOOK:

  She wanted her husband to attend the town's society-driven church.

God answered her prayer in a radical way.

An emptiness dogs Mary Lynn Scoville.  But it shouldn't.
     After all she's achieved what few believed possible.  Born in the rural south, she has reached the pinnacle of worldly success in Charleston, South Carolina.  Married to a handsome real estate developer and mother to three accomplished daughters, Mary Lynn is one Debutante Society invitation away from truly having it all.
     And yet, it remains-an emptiness that no shopping trip, European vacation or social calendar can fill.
     When a surprise encounter leads her to newfound faith, Mary Lynn longs to share it with her husband.  But Jackson wrote God off long ago.
     Mary Lynn prays for him on Christmas eve...and her husband undergoes a life-altering, Damascus Road experience.  As Jackson begins to take the implications of the Gospel literally, Mary Lynn feels increasingly isolated from her husband...and betrayed by God.  She only wanted Jackson beside her at church on Sunday mornings, not some Jesus freak who evangelizes prostitutes and invites the homeless to tea.
     While her husband commits social suicide and the life they worked so hard for crumbles around them, Mary Lynn wonders if their marriage can survive.  Or if perhaps there really is a more abundant life the Jackson has discovered, richer than any she's ever dreamed of.

MY THOUGHTS:
I had a hard time getting into this book.  Mary Lynn and Jackson seemed to care so much about their social life that it made me uncomfortable, it made me feel a bit empty and lost, I imagine this is how Mary Lynn felt in her own life.

The people in the book cared so much about what others felt about them that they forgot what was most important...taking care of themselves and their family.  Mary Lynn seemed to be on the right track, but Jackson was a bit more work, and then when Mary Lynn's prayers were answered she seemed lost again, only in a new way.  These are some characters who need to find peace.

I could see the message here, but this just wasn't a smooth read for me, I think I just didn't get along with the characters very well!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from the B and B Media Group.

Book Review: Refuge on Crescent Hill

ABOUT THE BOOK:

This Homecoming Wasn't What She Expected..... Jobless, homeless, and broke, Camden Bristow decides to visit the grandmother she hasn't seen in years. But when Camden arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother has passed away, leaving her the150-year-old mansion on Crescent Hill. The sire of her happiest summers as a child, the run-down masion is now her only refuge.

When Camden finds evidence that she may no be the mansion's only occupant, memories of Grandma Rosalie's bedtime stories about secret passageways and runaway slaves fuel her imagination. What really happened at Crescent Hill? Who can she turn to for answers in this town full of strangers? And what motivates the handsome local Alex Yates to offer his help? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camden uncovers deep family secrets within the mansion's walls that could
changer her life forever.

MY THOUGHTS:

Loved this book, this was an all-nighter kind of a book, seriously....I stayed up reading it cover to cover, with a Migraine!  I became so wrapped up in the mystery of the house that I just couldn't stop reading!

Camden is in a bit of a predicament, and decides to visit her grandma who she hasn't seen in many years, but instead finds herself fighting for her memories which lead her through some interesting moments!  There is quite a bit of mystery in this book, a little bit of romance and some untrustworthy characters which keep the book moving right along.

Just a good old fashioned read that is peaceful yet a bit unruly!

Special Note:  Refuge on Crescent Hill will be available on Amazon Kindle FREE for one week starting October 31st!


 *I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Kregel Publications

 

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The 13th Demon Realms (October 4, 2011) by Bruce Hennigan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bruce Hennigan was born and raised in the isolated countryside of Shreveport, La., a place full of possibilities for the active mind of a young boy. The fertile imagination he cultivated while playing deep in the Louisiana woods would lead to a lifelong love of creative writing.

In 2006, Hennigan pursued the Certified Apologetic Instructor Certificate from the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has become a frequent speaker at regional and state events on apologetics and his strong point is in making these sometimes hard to understand issues easily approachable for the average Christian. Hennigan’s experience in apologetics inspired him to write his new novel, The 13th Demon: Altar of the Spiral Eye, a supernatural Christian thriller that combines science and faith. Now, combining his love for apologetics and his love for the art of writing, Hennigan is pursuing a career as the “Michael Crichton” of Christian fiction building powerful, fast paced stories around the truths of Christian apologetics.

Hennigan currently resides in Shreveport with his wife and daughter. He continues to write and to practice radiology at the Willis Knighton Health Care System. He has secured Jeff Jernigan of Hidden Value Group (www.hiddenvaluegroup.com) as his literary agent and has signed a five book deal with the Realms imprint of Charisma Media for “The Chronicles of Jonathan Steel”.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Jonathan Steel wakes up on a beach in a raging thunderstorm, naked, beaten, and bleeding, he has no idea who he is or how he got there. But just as he starts to make progress in his slow journey to recovery, tragedy strikes again, taking everything in his new life that he has come to love and rely on.
Filled with rage and a thirst for revenge, he searches the countryside for the entity responsible—an entity called only the Thirteenth Demon. His quest brings him to Lakeside, Louisiana, and a small country church where evil is in control and strange writing on the walls, blood-soaked floors, and red-eyed spiders have appeared in the sanctuary.

As he faces the final confrontation with an evil presence that has pursued him all of his life, he must choose between helping the people he loves or destroying the thirteenth demon.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The 13th Demon, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS

WOW....I don't even know how to express my thoughts...this is a creepy book, a perfect read for Halloween week.  If you're not into blood and 'yuck' then this isn't the book for you.  Satan runs rampant in this story, but that's to be expected given the name. 

This is one book that I can imagine being turned into a movie, it is very 'colorful' and descriptive and while I read the book I could feel the demons, I could see the fear in people's eyes and chills ran up and down my spine.

You have to sympathize with Jonathon Steel while he seeks his revenge and fights against pure evil it seems like time after time the forces are against him which leaves you wondering if he'll ever find peace. 

A very interesting book, quite different from what I'm used to!


*I received this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Book Tour: The Wonder of Your Love

ABOUT THE BOOK

Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado .

 

Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan , Colorado . At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

 

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

 

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.

 

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans.

 

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?

MY THOUGHTS

Reading an Amish story is as wonderful as curling up beside the fire with a warm cuddly blanket and Beth Wiseman once again wrote an Amish story with very real characters.  She is not afraid to push the limits and gives us characters with wit, sarcasm and real to life/believable circumstances.

Love is sometimes just beyond our grasp and you will feel that in this book as well as inspiration and a strong sense of God.  Beth always adds a bit of a twist to her Amish stories keeping them from becoming predictable and I found this to be a very enjoyable read.

The Wonder of Your Love is Book #2 in the Land of Canaan series and the characters do follow through, you may feel more comfortable knowing the history behind the story by reading book #1, but it's not necessary.

To read more thoughts on this book visit the book tour link HERE

Win an original painting by Beth Wiseman

...and more

The Wonder of Your Love Facebook Party on 11/1!

Beth is celebrating the release of Book 2 in the Land of Canaan series with a Fabulous Facebook party on November 1st. She'll be giving away one of her OWN paintings, several mini prize packs and a sneak peak at the next book in this heartwarming series.

 

CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party - then join us on November 1st for a book chat, Amish themed trivia contest, and more!

The Wonder of Your Love Facebook Party on 11/1!

 

 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Litfuse Publishing

CFBA Book Review: Attracted to Fire

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Attracted to Fire Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (October 1, 2011)
by DiAnn Mills

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010. DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops. DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website at: www.diannmills.com or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills


ABOUT THE BOOK

Special Agent Meghan Connors’ dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president’s rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he’s also after the same promotion as Meghan. But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a single suspect—it’s part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it’s too late.

Watch the book trailer:



If you would like to read the first chapter of Attracted to Fire, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:
I always love to add a thriller to my reading list to mix things up a bit, and Attracted to Fire did the job nicely!  I guessed who the killer might be throughout the book so the element of mystery was there for me, there was also romance which always tends to soften up the evil.

This book will keep you on your toes as you try to find the villain and protect the innocent a definite good read!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Book Review: A Necessary Deception

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again.  But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor.  While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entree into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman.  Is he a spy or a suitor?  Can she trust him?  Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?

Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past - and let the past stay in the past - and let let love guide the future.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first book in the Daughters of Bainbridge House Series and leaves you waiting on edge to read book #2.  Suspense, mystery and romance all wrapped together in high society where looking your best is most important.

When I read these books I always wonder if I could live in such an era.....I suppose I could but I would most likely raise quite a few eyebrows in the process creating quite a bit of amusement or horror for those more 'high' society!  This book has it's share of humor as well as a bit of French thrown in, author Laurie Eakes seems to have extensive knowledge about the era and keeps the book real and intriguing through the very end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing.

Book Review: Baby it's Cold Outside

ABOUT THE BOOK

Five strangers with broken hearts, 

One raging blizzard.

Baby, it's cold outside!

Dottie Morgan has no desire to share her home - or her heart - this Christmas.  After all, her holiday spirit froze over when she lost her son in World War II.  But when the blizzard of the decade descends on Frost, Minnesota, trapping Dottie in her home with four near strangers, she discovers that opening her door might also open her heart to a miracle...and a new reason to celebrate Christmas.

Susan May Warren in the best-selling and award-winning author of more than thirty words.  A former missionary to Russia, Susan now lives in a small Minnesota town on the shore of beautiful Lake Superior with her husband and their four children.  Read more at susanmaywarren.com

MY THOUGHTS

This is a delightful book which is sure to send shivers down your spine as you read it!  Stoke up the fire while you sit through a blizzard with the characters in this story.  As a fellow Minnesotan I can tell you that the wind howls, whips through the trees and creates extremely cold and dangerous conditions during the winter, the blizzard in the book brought back a few of my own experiences!  Brr.

If you enjoy a love tale, Christmas and hope then you'll enjoy Baby it's Cold Outside.  Sometimes inner demons need to be fought before our hearts can open up and heal, much like ice.  It has to thaw before anything new can grow....several characters in this book have a lot of hurt, and there's nothing like having the opportunity to work out problems while being trapped during a blizzard.

Beware:  The blizzard may not get you too excited about the upcoming winter season!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Litfuse publishing.

Warm up to Chrismtas early this year with Susan May Warren's Baby, It's Cold Outside! To celebrate the release of her new Christmas book with Summerside Press, she and the publisher are giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting an early Christmas Party on Facebook!


Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One festive winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/26!


But, wait there’s more! Join Susan May Warren on 10/27 for merriment and a few early Christmas presents at her Baby, It's Cold Outside Christmas party! Grab your Christmas sweaters, socks and pj’s nd join Susan and a few friends for a fireside chat about her recent books (Heiress & Baby, It’s Cold Outside), holiday traditions, favorite Christmas recipes, a trivia contest and more! Invite your friends and don’t miss the fun!


RSVP here and we'll see you on October 27th at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST!

Book Review: Knit with Love

Knit with Love: Stories to Warm a Knitter's Heart, by Lisa Bogart

About the Book Cover:

The rhythm of knitting brings peace and joy to life.  Knitters love to share stories, skills, and even their stashes of elegant yarn.  And they love finding new outlets for their talents.

Knitting can't feed the hungry, fight crime, or stop global warming.  But a hand-knit sweater warms a cold child.  A cozy scarf eases a homeless night.  A tiny hat comforts a new baby's head.  A lovely prayer shawl wraps a worried patient in peace.

Through inspiring stories and gentle encouragement, Knit with Love reveals the many ways you can, with your own two hands, bring joy and comfort to those around you.

....and Debbie Macomber says: "As an avid knitter and yarn-aholic, I devoured this book in one sitting and came away inspired, encouraged and eager to reach for my needles."

MY THOUGHTS

I love to knit, have yarn stashes and as you know, I love to read so when I was asked to review this book I jumped at the chance and I was not disappointed!

Each chapter in the book is named after a knitting technique and the chapter relates to that technique showing how knitting can relate to our everyday life.  In the book it says, "Sometimes I buy yarn just to have it" I do that, you find a beautiful ball of yarn and have no idea what you're going to use it for, but you buy it anyway.  Do you find yourself buying things you don't need? (could this be why thrift stores are bursting at the seams?!)

This is a very inspiring book and although it relates quite heavily to knitting I think that even those who don't knit will find charm in this book!  At the end of the book is an Appendix which lists websites of yarn shops, charities, ministries and more.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Revell, a division a Baker Publishing Group.

CFBA Book Review: Wonderland Creek

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wonderland Creek Bethany House (October 1, 2011) by Lynn Austin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

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 have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. And two of her inspirational fiction books were chosen by Library Journal for their top picks in 2003, and 2005. One of Lynn's novels 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

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.

But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. While Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wonderland Creek, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:

First off....I LOVE the cover of this book, to me, it's intriguing and dreamy....makes you wonder what is hiding in the mist.

Alice is a girl of my heart, her love of books and reading made me feel right at home with her and the humor in the book was an added bonus!  This book is full of little oddities that make it a very entertaining read, as Alice is left in Kentucky she is brought out of her dreamy life and the book has quite a strong parallel to Alice in Wonderland.  As you fall in love with the characters in this book you will learn that stepping out of your comfort zone, no matter how difficult can change you and open doors you may not expect!

You're going to love this book!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

CFBA Book Review: Love on the Line

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love on the Line Bethany House (October 1, 2011) by Deeanne Gist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm--all from the comforts of home.

Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.

After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a "corporate executive" was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.

Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, three RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

Her latest releases, Beguiled, Maid To Match, and Love on the Line are now available.

Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-eight years and their border collie. They have four grown children. Click here to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

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

MY THOUGHTS:
Loved this book!  When Luke walks into Georgie's life you can just feel the sizzle and spark, and Georgie is quite an unusual gal for her time!

Georgie's antics are sure to make you smile, from chirping with the birds and stuffing entire cookies in her mouth she's definitely full of life, not what Luke expected at all.

Luke, he's not all that he seems and you just know that when Georgie finds out sparks are going to fly, sparks of pain and anger as well as hurt.

This book is full of charm and will keep you smiling, Georgie is not all fluff, she has her cause just as Luke has his, these two characters make a very interesting read!  I think you'll enjoy this one.


* I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA

Win a KindleTouch from Patti Lacy...and Reclaiming Lily Blog Tour

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Patti Lacy, Baylor graduate, taught community college humanities until God called her to span seas and secrets in her novels, An Irishwoman's Tale and What the Bayou Saw.

The secrets women keep and why they keep them continue to enliven Patti's gray matter. A third book, The Rhythm of Secrets, released in January of 2011. Patti's, Reclaiming Lily, documents a tug-of-war between a Harvard-educated doctor and an American pastor and his wife for a precious child and explores adoption issues, China's "One Child" policy, and both Christian and secular views of sacrifice.

Patti also facilitates writing seminars in schools, libraries, and at conferences and has been called to present her testimony, "All the Broken Pieces," at women's retreats. She also leads a Beth Moore Bible study at her beloved Grace Church and has had a blast planning the September 2009 wedding of her firstborn, Sarah.

Patti and her husband Alan, an Illinois State faculty member, live in Normal with their handsome son Thomas, who attends Heartland Community College. On sunny evenings, you can catch the three strolling the streets of Normal with their dog Laura, whom they've dubbed a "Worchestershire Terrier" for her "little dab of this breed, a little dab of that breed."

ABOUT THE BOOK

A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Dallas hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer...or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

MY THOUGHTS:

This was an interesting book, it was a a book of two cultures clashing, a teen with some pretty big problems and a hereditary illness, mix all of those together and you have a great story line.

I enjoyed reading of Lily, of her adoption, yet it was sad to see how her differences affected her teenage years. I think that when Kai came into the story is when true healing began and it was good to read about how each character, despite their subtle differences learned to work together.

This is not a fast, romantic read, but a very good read. Great for a day when you have enough left in you to dig a little deeper!

Patti has lots of fun stuff going on for the launch of her book - she is hosting a fun KindleTouch giveaway and Facebook party! Please help us spread the word about both! A few ways to do that are:

Enter 10/5-10/19. Winner announced at Patti's Facebook Party on 10/20!

If you would like to purchase this book go HERE
....and if you would like to read more reviews on this book visit HERE

Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily,  with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for review from Litfuse Publishing.

Book Review: Zombie Church

 

About Zombie Church :

A creative, entertaining approach to resurrecting the undead church.

There is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: life. Real faith--and a real relationship with Jesus--is not about playing by the rules, attending services, and praying before meals. Real faith is more than religion.

Believing there is a way to breathe life back into the church, Tyler Edwards adopts a contemporary and entertaining metaphor--zombies--to highlight and challenge the problematic attitude of today’s believers.

Written for the discouraged, disenfranchised, and anyone unsatisfied with their same-old church routine, Zombie Church challenges readers to turn away from hollow religious practices, which characterize “zombie Christianity,” and turn toward a radical relationship with Jesus.

While other books have addressed legalism in the church, this is the only book that effectively capitalizes on a popular entertainment genre in order to diagnose and correct the problem. Realizing that even his own church is part of that problem, Edwards has written an accessible and often humorous book that will help believers change the Spirit-draining (or life-draining) habits that stop them from achieving a full, fulfilling life in Christ. Order a copy here.

Link to buy the book HERE

About Tyler Edwards:

Tyler Edwards is the lead pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church in Joplin , Missouri , where he works to help people learn how to live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and look like Jesus—so they carry out the mission of Jesus to the world. He graduated from Ozark Christian College with bachelor’s degrees in both Biblical Literature and Christian Ministry . He has written articles for Lookout Magazine, spoken at various campus ministry events in Missouri , and served overseas in Mbale, Uganda.

Tyler loves cheesy horror films. He is particularly fond of movies like Dawn of the Dead, The Signal, and 28 Days Later, where zombies run wild and threaten to infect an entire town. Connect with Tyler on Facebook.

 

The publisher is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway

 

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Zombie Church  or share about it on Facebook!

 

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy. 

My Thoughts:

This is a book that is sure to WAKE YOU UP.  Do you go to church?  If you do, are you awake, are there Zombies in your church, or maybe your a Zombie and don't even know it!  When you read this book you may be in for a surprise and you may see people you know in the characters...a very good read.  No, the author does not believe in zombies in the sense that we all think of, but he does do a great job of explaining what a zombie church is.  Quite interesting.

I enjoyed this book, and found it to be quite interesting, intriguing and thought provoking.

If you would like to read more reviews on this book, go HERE for the blog tour schedule.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Litfuse publishing.