Shaunarumbling

Lost Mission

2009-11-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

by Athol Dickson

About the Book:
What haunting legacy awaits deep beneath the barrios and wealthy enclaves of Southern California?

A billionaire driven mad by grief.

A pastor in love with the wrong woman.

An illegal immigrant desperate to feed his family.

Only Lupe de la Garza can save them from the ancient evil lurking in a lost mission's ruins, but it will take an act of faith beyond all human power.

An idyllic Spanish mission collapses in the eighteenth century atop the supernatural evidence of a shocking crime. Twelve generations later the ground is opened up, the forgotten ruins are disturbed, and rich and poor alike confront the onslaught of resurging hell on earth. Caught up in the catastrophe are...
· A humble shopkeeper compelled to leave her tiny village deep in Mexico to preach in America
· A minister wracked with guilt for loving the wrong woman
· An unimaginably wealthy man, blinded to the consequences of his grand plans
· A devoted father and husband driven to a horrible discovery that changes everything

Will the evil that destroyed the Misión de Santa Dolores rise to overwhelm them? Or will they beat back the terrible desires that led to the mission's good Franciscan founder's standing in the midst of flames ignited by his enemies and friends alike more than two centuries ago?

From the high Sierra Madre mountains to the harsh Sonoran desert, from the privileged world of millionaire moguls to the impoverished immigrants who serve them Athol Dickson once again weaves a gripping story of suspense that spans centuries and cultures to explore the abiding possibility of miracles.

About the Author:

Athol Dickson is an award-winning author of several novels. His Christy Award-winning novel River Rising was name one of the "Top Ten Christian Novel of 2006" by Booklist magazine. He lives in California with his wife. Find out more about Athol and his books by visiting his web site.

My Review:
I love Athol Dickson's writing, and he is one of my favorite Christian novelists. River Rising was amazing, and I also enjoyed Winter Haven and The Cure. I was excited to receive Lost Mission and am reading it now. I'll add more here after I finish the book, but I'm already intrigued by the story.

(Note: I received a copy of Lost Mission from LitFUSE Publicity for review. About the Author and About the Book information was provided by LitFUSE.)

You can win a copy of Lost Mission if you use Twitter. Here are the guidelines:

Tweet this and be entered to win signed copies of Athol’s award winning books:

Tweet 4 words that describe Athol Dickson’s #LostMission along with this link: http://tr.im/BPD1

Or

Athol Dickson’s redemptive tale #LostMission is a MUST read! Gripping story about mistakes and miracles! http://tr.im/BPD1

The Christy Challenge has a new home

2009-11-02T14:38:00.001-07:00

After hearing several readers discuss their negative opinions about Christian fiction, which they admitted they hadn't actually read in years, I launched The Christy Challenge a couple of years ago to encourage readers to give Christian fiction another try and read any book from the list of books nominated for a Christy Award. In summer 2007 and 2008 I posted some reviews of Christy-nominated books and interviews with several authors who had been nominated that year. Since then, I've continued to review and recommend Christian fiction and encourage authors.

The Christy Challenge has a new home now at The Christy Awards Challenge, and you can find out what Amy and Deborah have planned for this new ongoing reading challenge here! There are different levels of participation, and if you sign up by November 15 you can win a package of books that won Christy awards this year.

You can find my previous Christy Challenge interviews with the following authors:

Lisa Samson
Robin Jones Gunn
Mary E. DeMuth
Angela Hunt
Jenny B. Jones
Athol Dickson

I encourage you to check out this new reading challenge, and I hope you discover a new favorite author or two. Happy reading!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T22:44:00.000-06:00

eye of the god

2009-10-28T21:07:00.000-06:00

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

eye of the god

Abingdon Press (October 1, 2009)

by

Ariel Allison

About the Author:

Allison is a published author who lives in a small Texas town with her husband and three young sons. She is the co-author of Daddy Do You Love Me: a Daughter’s Journey of Faith and Restoration (New Leaf Press, 2006). Justin Case, the first of three children’s books will be published by Harvest House in June 2009. Ariel is a weekly contributor to www.ChristianDevotions.us and has written for Today’s Christian Woman. She ponders on life as a mother of all boys at www.themoabclub.blogspot.com and on her thoughts as a redeemed dreamer at www.arielallison.blogspot.com.

From Ariel:
I am the daughter of an acclaimed and eccentric artist, and given my “unconventional” childhood, had ample time to explore the intricacies of story telling. I was raised at the top of the Rocky Mountains with no running water or electricity (think Laura Ingles meets the Hippie Movement), and lived out the books I read while running barefoot through the sagebrush. My mother read to me by the light of a kerosene lantern for well over a decade, long after I could devour an entire novel in the course of a day. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, George MacDonald, and L.M. Montgomery were the first to capture my heart and I have
grown to love many others since.

About the Book:

eye of the god takes the fascinating history surrounding the Hope Diamond and weaves it together with a present-day plot to steal the jewel from the Smithsonian Institute.

We follow Alex and Isaac Weld, the most lucrative jewel thieves in the world, in their quest to steal the gem, which according to legend was once the eye of a Hindu idol named Rama Sita. When it was stolen in the 17th century, it is said that the idol cursed all those who would possess it. That won’t stop the brilliant and ruthless Weld brothers.

However, they are not prepared for Dr. Abigail Mitchell, the beautiful Smithsonian Director, who has her own connection to the Hope Diamond and a deadly secret to keep. Abby committed long ago that she would not serve a god made with human hands, and the “eye of the god” is no exception. Her desire is not for wealth, but for wisdom. She seeks not power, but restoration.

When the dust settles over the last great adventure of the Hope Diamond, readers will understand the “curse” that has haunted its legacy is nothing more than the greed of evil men who bring destruction upon themselves. No god chiseled from stone can direct the fates of humankind, nor can it change the course of God’s story.

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of eye of the god, go HERE.

My Review:
I'm still reading this one and will post a full review when I finish. I'm intrigued by the story already.

(Note: I received a copy of eye of the god from Abingdon Press for review. About the Author and About the Book information was provided by publisher.)

Though Waters Roar

2009-10-05T18:03:00.001-06:00

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Though Waters Roar

· Bethany House (October 1, 2009)

by

Lynn Austin

About the Author:

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

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction.

Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel.

About the Book:

"Thank goodness you're such a plain child. You'll have to rely on your wits."

So went the words of Grandma Bebe. And for all of my growing-up years, I scoffed at the beauty of my sister and what I saw as her meaningless existence. But my wits hadn't served me well in this instance, for here I was, in jail. And while I could have seen it as carrying on the family tradition (for Grandma Bebe landed in jail for her support of Prohibition), the truth is, my reasons for being here would probably break her heart.

So how did I end up becoming a criminal? I've been pondering that question all night. Perhaps the best way to search for an answer is to start at the very beginning.

Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow in her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O'Reilly, to be the arresting officer.

Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family--and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness--brings Harriet to the discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Though Waters Roar, go HERE.

My Review:
I haven't read this one yet and will post a review as soon as I do.

art takes many forms

2009-09-25T21:28:00.003-06:00

Kseniya Simonova won Ukraine's Got Talent with her sand animation of Germany's attack on Ukraine during WWII. The video is powerful and stunning. Storytelling without words.

Fall Into Reading

2009-09-22T22:53:00.021-06:00

For this year's Fall Into Reading challenge, I decided to read nine 2009 novels:

READ Short Girls (Bich Minh Nguyen)
READ Shanghai Girls (Lisa See)
The White Garden: A Novel of Virginia Woolf (Stephanie Barron)
READ Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)
READ The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
READ Who Do I Talk To? (Neta Jackson)
Lost Mission (Athol Dickson)
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (Trenton Lee Stewart)
READ Peter and the Sword of Mercy (Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson)

Join Katrina and many other readers for this fun, low-pressure reading challenge.

Just Between You and Me

2009-09-09T22:10:00.003-06:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Just Between You And Me

Thomas Nelson (September 1, 2009)
by
Jenny B. Jones

About the Author:

I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight, but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.

When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.

My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.

Okay, that’s not exactly true.

Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:

-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook
-catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture

I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.

About the Book:

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.
Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.

Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.

As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Just Between You And Me, go HERE.

My Review:
I'm a Jenny B. Jones fan girl even though I'm at least twice as old as most fans of her YA books. Her Facebook/Twitter statuses make me laugh, and Jenny's is one of the few blogs in my Google Reader that I never mark as read without actually reading.

Just Between You and Me is her first novel for adults, and it's just as charming and full of humor. I enjoyed the story and appreciated its message of trusting God and following His plan even when it would be easier and much more comfortable to stick to your own plans. The chemistry between Maggie and Conner works, and the book is a fun romantic comedy with a solid message.

The Friends We Keep/40 Minute Bible Studies

2009-08-13T21:52:00.006-06:00

The Friends We Keep

by Sarah Zacharias Davis

About the Book:

During a particularly painful time in her life, Sarah Zacharias Davis learned how delightful–and wounding–women can be in friendship. She saw how some friendships end badly, others die slow deaths, and how a chance acquaintance can become that enduring friend you need.

The Friends We Keep is Sarah’s thoughtful account of her own story and the stories of other women about navigating friendship. Her revealing discoveries tackle the questions every woman asks:

• Why do we long so for women friends?
• Do we need friends like we need air or food or water?
• What causes cattiness, competition, and co-dependency in too many friendships?
• Why do some friendships last forever and others only a season?
• How do I foster friendship?
• When is it time to let a friend go, and how do I do so?

With heartfelt, intelligent writing, Sarah explores these questions and more with personal stories, cultural references and history, faith, and grace. In the process, she delivers wisdom for navigating the challenges, mysteries, and delights of friendship: why we need friendships with other women, what it means to be safe in relationship, and how to embrace what a friend has to offer, whether meager or generous.

About the Author:
Sarah Zacharias Davis is a senior advancement officer at Pepperdine University, having joined the university after working as vice president of marketing and development for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and in strategic marketing for CNN. The daughter of best-selling writer Ravi Zacharias, Davis is the author of the critically-acclaimed Confessions from an Honest Wife and Transparent: Getting Honest About Who We are and Who We Want to Be. She graduated from Covenant College with a degree in education and lives in Los Angeles, California.

40 Minute Bible Studies

by Kay Arthur and David & BJ Lawson

The 40 Minute Bible Study series from beloved Bible teacher Kay Arthur and the teaching staff of Precept Ministries tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons you can use personally or for small-group discussion. Each book in the series includes six 40-minute studies designed to draw you into God’s Word through basic inductive Bible study. There are 16 titles in the series, with topics ranging from fasting and forgiveness to prayer and worship. With no homework required, everyone in the group can work through the lesson together at the same time. Let these respected Bible teachers lead you in a study that will transform your thinking—and your life.

Titles Include:

•The Essentials of Effective Prayer •Being a Disciple: Counting the Cost

•Building a Marriage That Really Works •Discovering What the Future Holds

•Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past •Having a Real Relationship with God

•How Do You Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk? •Living a Life of Real Worship

•How to Make Choices You Won’t Regret •Living Victoriously in Difficult Times

•Money & Possessions: The Quest for Contentment •Rising to the Call of Leadership

•How Do You Know God’s Your Father? •Key Principles of Biblical Fasting

•A Man’s Strategy for Conquering Temptation •What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

About the Author:
executive vice president and cofounder of Precept Ministries International has worked with her teaching staff to create the powerful 40-Minute Bible Studies series. Kay is known around the world as a Bible teacher, author, conference speaker, and host of national radio and television programs.

[About the Book and About the Author text provided by publisher.]

My Review:

I have just started reading The Friends We Keep and will add a review for that book to this post later.

I read through the 40 Minute Bible Study that I received (What Does the Bible Say About Sex?) and think the study's format would be an interesting one to try with a small group. It would be ideal to do with a group when you have a limited amount of time to meet and can't commit to spending lots of time on homework on your own, as each week's study is completed by group members together. The verses referenced are included in the booklet. Throughout the study, readers are instructed to circle and box different words and make other markings in the verses. Although I regularly make notes and underline text while studying, being told to circle this word, make a squiggly underline under that one, and draw a box around another doesn't appeal to me or add much to my personal study experience. However, I understand that people have different learning styles and that this visual exercise could be useful to others. The studies don't cost much (under $8) and don't require videos or other materials. A variety of discussion prompts, study questions, and additional insight are provided, as well as tips for using the study.

Your Jesus Is Too Safe

2009-08-12T18:19:00.001-06:00

Your Jesus Is Too Safe

by Jared C. Wilson

As Jared Wilson emphasizes in the first chapter of Your Jesus Is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior, to really know God, we have to really know Jesus. A lot of people think they know Jesus and who he is, but our culture--both inside and outside of Christianity--presents so many different and often conflicting perceptions about Jesus that it's easy to lose sight of the original person. In addition to Grammy Award Jesus, Hippie Jesus, and Role Model Jesus, who are mentioned in the book, we have Jesus Christ Superstar, Bobble Head Jesus, Huggy Jesus, Action Figure Jesus, and all the stereotyping that goes along with those portrayals of him.

Wilson describes the book thusly: "The purpose of Your Jesus Is Too Safe is to remind us, for the glory of God and the hope of the world, of the original message of the historical person Jesus Christ, who was, in fact, God in the flesh." He aims to "venture beyond the hype and beneath the misconceptions to see the real, historical figure of Jesus Christ in his biblical and cultural context--and in this way to know God more fully, to see what God wants us to know about the revelation of himself in his son."

The author does this by focusing on twelve facets or portraits of Jesus: Jesus the Promise, Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the Forgiver, Jesus the Man, Jesus the Shepherd, Jesus the Judge, Jesus the Redeemer, Jesus the King, Jesus the Sacrifice, Jesus the Provision, Jesus the Lord, and Jesus the Savior. Wilson boldly proclaims the gospel and doesn't equivocate, and his words for the Christian church are sometimes provocative.

He writes in a conversational tone and includes humor, personal anecdotes and stories, and many references to pop culture as he explores these ideas. Who knew a serious, rather meaty theological book could be so funny and easy to read? I chuckled out loud at several of the footnotes (I may not speak aloud to books, but I do laugh aloud while reading them when warranted). Now I won't ever be able to read the Psalms without thinking of David as the first emo kid.

Jesus the Redeemer is probably my favorite chapter, and I appreciated the story shared by Wilson's cousin, Steve Jones. The book is well written and engaging, thought-provoking and convicting. Mostly it made me aware that Jesus is awesome! Sure, I already knew that, but it's good and necessary to be reminded, especially during spiritual dry spells. I highly recommend Your Jesus Is Too Safe. I'm looking forward to reading through it again and discussing it with my husband after he reads it (hint, hint).

Visit the Your Jesus Is Too Safe blog tour to see more reviews as well as interviews with the author.

About the Author:

Jared C. Wilson has been a minister and freelance writer for more than a decade. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Nashville, Tennessee, where he is the pastor and cofounder of Element, a missional Christian community.

I've been reading Jared's posts at The Thinklings for a few years (I especially like the conversations we have there about LOST), and he has some great stuff on his blog, The Gospel-Driven Church. I've previously recommended his article Obama Wants to Give Your Kids Cancer, which challenges Christians to be keepers and proclaimers of truth rather than eagerly spreading rumors and claims via email forwards without any regard for their accuracy. I was excited when I heard Jared would be publishing a book, and I'm happy to report that it's as good as I hoped!

Happy Birthday, Miss J!

2009-08-04T18:38:00.001-06:00

Timescape

2009-08-04T15:10:00.005-06:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Timescape
Thomas Nelson (July 14, 2009)
by
Robert Liparulo

About the Author:

Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. His first novel, Comes a Horseman, released to critical acclaim. Each of his subsequent thrillers—Germ, Deadfall, and Deadlock—secured his place as one of today’s most popular and daring thriller writers.

He is known for investing deep research and chillingly accurate predictions of near-future scenarios into his stories. In fact, his thorough, journalistic approach to research has resulted in his becoming an expert on the various topics he explores in his fiction, and he has appeared on such media outlets as CNN and ABC Radio.

Liparulo’s visual style of writing has caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman. were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”

Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted last year with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers, released in January, and number four, Timescape, in July. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series, Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”

With the next two Dreamhouse books “in the can,” he is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects supernatural elements into his brand of gun-blazing storytelling. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on his acclaimed short story, which appeared in James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.

About the Book:

David, Xander, Dad, and Keal have discovered a terrible secret. Now, finding Mom is only a small part of their mission. And time is running out. Using the portals to build an empire, Taksidian wants the house for himself, and there's nothing he won't do to get the family out. The consequences of his meddling reach far beyond the family--to the future of the world itself. The Kings know their survival depends on stopping the bloodthirsty assassin. If only they can find his weakness in time.

Most startling of all is their ability to change the path of history. But will their tinkering in time reunite the family and save the future . . . or set mankind on an irreversible course of destruction?

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

Enter to win this book package by clicking on the image below!

(About the Author and About the Book content provided by publisher.)

My Review:

I'm a fan of the Dreamhouse Kings series and can't wait to share it with my kids; my 8-year-old is still too young for the intense action and suspense of these Young Adult novels. I've enjoyed seeing the characters develop throughout the series, especially in Timescape. I also appreciate that the younger sister, Toria, has a more prevalent role in the story now and isn't just the little sister who we only know superficial details about. Liparulo is a great storyteller. Even on a hot July evening, I shivered when I read his description of David, Xander, and their dad traveling through a portal onto the Titanic just before it sunk!

Many book series for catch the reader up with a brief recap at the beginning of each book, but the Dreamhouse Kings books don't stand alone. The action picks up right where it left off in the previous book's cliffhanger ending, so you really do need to read the previous books in the series--House of Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods, and Gatekeepers--to understand what's going on.

Blue Like Play Dough

2009-07-29T13:07:00.009-06:00

Blue Like Play Dough

by Tricia Goyer

About the Author:

Tricia Goyer is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including Generation NeXt Parenting and the Gold Medallion finalist Life Interrupted. Goyer writes for publications such as Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family, speaks to women’s groups nationwide, and has been a presenter at the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) national convention. She and her husband, John, live with their family in Montana.

My Review:

Tricia Goyer's Blue Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God is truly a lovely book, and it's easily the most encouraging, refreshing book I've read all year. I usually use last names when I refer to an author in book reviews, but I'm going to call her Tricia here because after reading this book, I feel like I've been chatting over a cup of coffee with her and am writing about a friend! It's easy for me to relate to Tricia, a fellow homeschooling mom and writer (though granted, she's at quite a different level than I am) who's about the same age. I also appreciated what she shared about her early writing career.

The book's title is a playful nod to Donald Miller's popular book Blue Like Jazz. Like Miller, Tricia writes conversationally with humor and candor about her faith journey. From Blue Like Play Dough's Prologue:

"In each of our lives, there is molding and shaping to be done. Perhaps I needed more work than most, but as I look back on my life, I realize that if there is one thing that all the stretching and poking and smashing has taught me, it's that I never want to be anywhere but in the grip of God."

Tricia likens mothers to lumps of play dough and shares how God molds, shapes, and stretches us to be vessels he can use. She successfully carries this metaphor throughout the book to connect the personal stories and vignettes about her life. She tells about being a teen mom after previously having an abortion and later how God used these personal experiences to enable her to start a pregnancy resource center. She shares about the everyday events and joys of motherhood and about her struggles to remain in God's hands and allow him to shape her and use her in areas where she didn't want to go. She also covers the fear and uncertainty of trusting God to shape and stretch her children. Most of all, Tricia's story tenderly, honestly shows the hand of her loving Father working in her life.

The book is a good reminder of how God works in spite of and through our mistakes and imperfections. Seeing the molding process in this light is especially important when you're going through seasons where it feels you're being pounded and stretched and would prefer to be left alone in your current shape.

Here's a shot of me that I took for the recent Play Dough Party on Facebook to celebrate the book's release. Read it, and you'll smile too! And probably cry as well. I plan to pass this wonderful book along to another mom and highly recommend it.

changes

2009-07-25T22:27:00.003-06:00

I'm updating my template and working out a few kinks. If you're running Internet Explorer 6, I don't think the template will resolve correctly, but that's an IE issue and I can't do anything about it.

summer fun

2009-07-23T16:55:00.006-06:00

Last night was the last night of our church's family VBS, which is where the photo above was taken.

We're currently in the midst of Cousin Camp 2009. We met up with Karin's family at a nearby park yesterday, then took Laina home with us.

Today we went to Pets n Popsicles at a local "learning farm." It's a pretty place, and they bring in various farm animals a few times a year. The girls are also working on a craft project, watching movies, playing outside, and just having fun. Tonight we're going to an event at the library in which you can read stories to dogs; Isabelle is particularly excited about it.

I posted some more pictures of our Cousin Camp here.

tweet tweet

2009-07-04T16:55:00.006-06:00

I still don't really get Twitter, but I've started using it more. Come follow me if you wish.

Exposure

2009-06-30T21:59:00.006-06:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Exposure
Zondervan (June 1, 2009)
by
Brandilyn Collins

About the Author:

Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline "Don't forget to b r e a t h e . . ." Brandilyn's first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is now working on her 20th book.

In addition to Exposure, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Always Watching, first in The Rayne Tour series—young adult suspense co-written with her daughter, Amberly. The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, who just may have it all—until murder crashes her world.

About the Book:

When your worst fear comes true.

Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she’s a little crazy. Kaycee’s popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home—then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee’s mind. Where is all this coming from?

Maybe she is going over the edge.

High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.

To read the first chapter, go HERE.

My Review:

This is the first suspense novel I've read by Brandilyn Collins, and I really enjoyed her earlier Bradleyville series. Exposure had a fast pace and kept me turning the pages and racing to the end. One of the little clues dropped somewhere in the middle of the story gave away part of the plot, so I saw the big reveal coming quite a while before the book's conclusion. It was still a good mystery and a great summer read!

on blogging and writing real letters

2009-06-29T14:02:00.003-06:00

I've been such a bad blogger lately. I have a bunch of photos to turn into a slideshow, so I'll try to get that up this week. Here's something that might be of interest that I wrote in response to "What are you reading?" on an online writer's group I'm involved in. Hey, instant blog post!

I'm currently leading a book club discussion of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It's a wonderful epistolary novel, and I'm intrigued by all the historical details and impressed by the depth of characterization that the authors were able to achieve using only a series of letters.

The letters make me regret that I have all but abandoned writing real letters in favor of emails, Facebook messages, and blogging. Not long ago my grandma gave me a stack of letters that I wrote to her while living in Australia on an exchange program for grad school. I'm so glad that I wrote such detailed letters about that time in my life--and that she saved them for me! They're as precious as the photos I took. I'm going to take the time to write some real letters this week!

Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World

2009-06-27T11:52:00.004-06:00

Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World

by Tom Davis

I previously reviewed Tom Davis's nonfiction book Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds and was impressed by his passion for serving the least of these and the practical ideas he shares for taking action and effecting change. Tom serves as president/CEO of Children's HopeChest, which is dedicated to taking care of orphans and widows in their distress through care points and other efforts in Africa and Russia. In his first novel, Scared, Tom tells a compelling, thought-provoking tale about life in a small village in Swaziland through the eyes of an orphan and the jaded, broken American journalist whose life she changes.

Scared is not an easy book to read, and it realistically shines a spotlight on atrocities that many people would rather not think about: poverty, starvation, AIDS, rape, brutality, and unspeakable suffering. As the publisher's note says, "Some scenes will grip and haunt you, some passages you will want to run away from--but this is real life."

The main character, Stuart Daniels, was inspired by the story of photographer Kevin Carter, who committed suicide soon after winning a Pulitzer for his horrifying photo of a starving child in Sudan. Stuart is haunted by the images of human suffering and brutality that he has photographed and won recognition for. On a last-ditch effort to save his career, he takes an assignment in Africa, where years before he witnessed and survived a massacre by rebel troops in the Congo. He begins to see hope and find a purpose where he least expects it.

Adanna is a young Swazi girl who suddenly finds herself responsible for herself and her younger siblings when their mother dies of an illness that no one dares to name. She is a poet and finds comfort in her gift and her dreams, and she is also a teacher. As a mother of two daughters who aren't much younger than Adanna, I'm unable to think about her without tearing up, especially knowing that she too was inspired by a real person and that there are so many other real, flesh-and-blood girls in the world who have experienced the same suffering as this fictional character.

Tom's style of prose is straightforward and direct, occasionally with more telling than showing, but he does well with his first foray into fiction. He successfully weaves a compelling, heart-breaking story with memorable characters and a powerful message that will stay with you long after the book's conclusion. You can see the promo video for Scared below.

Tom doesn't preach at you, hit you over the head with his message, or try to make you feel guilty. He does inspire you to take action, but he doesn't leave you hanging and feeling hopeless and miserable about the situation. An appendix includes practical ideas for taking action.

I recommend Scared and encourage you to read it for yourself and find out more about Children's HopeChest. I especially challenge you to read Scared if you're afraid it will be too sad or make you uncomfortable. The publisher, David C. Cook, is offering Scared FREE until July 10! Click the image below to sign up to receive a PDF download of this important, potentially life-changing book for you and 3 friends.

Related Resources:

electrical storm

2009-06-23T09:10:00.003-06:00

We missed the hail and most of the rain, but it was quite a light show to the north.

And since I can't get the song out of my head now...

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-Up

2009-06-22T22:42:00.000-06:00

I haven't blogged much lately, but I have been reading a lot! I had 8 books on my Spring Reading Thing list and got off to a great start. Alas, though I did make more progress on my reread of The Screwtape Letters, I have not yet returned to Middle Earth, so I couldn't cross off all the books on my list.

All of the books on my challenge list are good books (including the two I haven't finished yet), though I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending of either The Fountainhead or Brave New World, for opposite reasons (one's happy ending seemed unrealistic and inconsistent with the rest of the book, and the other's tragic ending was depressing and void of hope). I loved The Hunger Games and can't wait for the sequel.

Same Kind of Different As Me was much more moving than I expected, and it's an incredible book. I started telling someone about it and teared up. It really packs an emotional punch and makes you think about the difference your life can make on others, and I know now why I've seen it on so many others' reading lists.

*The Screwtape Letters (CS Lewis)
*~~The Fountainhead~~ (Ayn Rand)
*The Return of the King (JRR Tolkien)
*Good News for Those Trying Harder (Alan Kraft)
~~Brave New World~~ (Aldous Huxley)
~~Coraline~~ (Neil Gaiman)
~~The Hunger Games~~ (Suzanne Collins)
~~Same Kind of Different As Me~~ (Ron Hall and Denver Moore)

Thanks to Katrina at Callapidder Days for hosting the Spring Reading Thing 2009!

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

2009-06-08T15:19:00.006-06:00

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

by Robin Jones Gunn

About the Book:
When a mammogram result comes back abnormal, midlife mama Summer Finley makes a snap decision to relegate fear to the back burner and fulfill a lifelong dream. Summer heads for Holland where she meets up with tulips, wooden shoes, and her best friend, Noelle.

Pen pals since fourth grade, Summer and Noelle have never met face-to-face. Through decades of heart-level correspondence, they have sustained a deep friendship. A week of adventure helps both women trade anxiety for a renewed and deeper trust in God. When Summer confides in Noelle about the abnormal medical report, Noelle finds the freedom to share a long-held heartache, and both women discover they needed each other more than they realized.

Women ages 35 and up, readers of Christian Boomer Lit, and fans of books such as The Yada Yada Prayer Group will enjoy Robin Jones Gunn’s humorous and uplifting style. True-to-life characters and moments of poignancy bring a deeper understanding of the value of life and the gift of true friends. Readers guide and bonus material included.

About the Author:
Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling and award-winning author of over seventy books, including the Glenbrooke, Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Katie Weldon, and Christy and Todd: The College Years teen series. The Sisterchicks series has sold more than 300,000 units, bringing her total sales to more than 3.5 million books worldwide. A Christy Award winner, Robin is a popular speaker, both at home and abroad, and is frequently interviewed on radio and on television.

My Review:
I've read all of the Sisterchicks books, and Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes is probably my favorite one to date! I enjoy the armchair travel and the books' focus on female friendship. Some might hear the word Sisterchick and mistakenly assume that the books are fluffy and lack depth. Although they're fun and often humorous, Robin has a way of sharing profound spiritual truths in a meaningful way, and her strong female characters are endearing--and sometimes irritating, just like in real life!

When Summer gets a scary phone call from the doctor's office requesting further tests, instead of doing what she knows she should do and scheduling an appointment immediately, she decides there's no time like the present to finally do what she has wanted to do for many years: visit her BFF Noelle, whom she has never met in person. Throughout the spontaneous trip to the Netherlands, Summer essentially puts her fingers in her ears and sings "La, la, la!" whenever thoughts about what awaits her when she returns home enter her mind. Noelle has issues of her own that she doesn't want to acknowledge. Through their sightseeing treks around Holland both solemn (Corrie ten Boom's Hiding Place) and silly (stuck on a runaway boat shaped like a wooden shoe), the duo both learn about trusting God and facing their fears.

It's a lovely book, and I found it quite encouraging and uplifting. I also learned a few things about Holland, and I always enjoy looking at Robin's photos and travel notes that are included at the back of the book. Sisterchicks in Gondolas won a Christy Award in 2007, and Sisterchicks Go Brit! is up for one in 2009. Any of the books would make great summer reads, so give one a try!

I have a copy of Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes to give away! If you're interested in participating in the drawing, just leave a comment (and some way to contact you if you aren't a blogger) and I'll choose a winner at random this Friday, June 12. Check out my giveaway for Saints in Limbo here.

UPDATE: Congratulations to lucky #7--Susan, who left a comment on my Facebook page.

Saints in Limbo

2009-06-04T08:47:00.007-06:00

Saints in Limbo
by River Jordan
(WaterBrook Press)

About the Author:
River Jordan is a critically acclaimed novelist and playwright whose unique mixture of southern and mystic writing has drawn comparisons to Sarah Addison Allen, Leif Enger, and Flannery O’Connor. Her previous works include The Messenger of Magnolia Street, lauded by Kirkus Reviews as “a beautifully written, atmospheric tale.” She speaks around the country and makes her home in Nashville.

About the Book:
Ever since her husband Joe died, Velma True’s world has been limited to what she can see while clinging to one of the multicolored threads tied to the porch railing of her home outside Echo, Florida.

When a mysterious stranger appears at her door on her birthday and presents Velma with a special gift, she is rattled by the object’s ability to take her into her memories–a place where Joe still lives, her son Rudy is still young, unaffected by the world’s hardness, and the beginning is closer than the end. As secrets old and new come to light, Velma wonders if it’s possible to be unmoored from the past’s deep roots and find a reason to hope again.

My Review:

"It was the kind of day when even the lost believed. When possibilities were larger than reason, when potential was grander than circumstance, when the long, dark days of doubt were suddenly cast off and laid to rest. Brushed away with a smile and a certainty. And in this moment, from this place, you knew the real magic could happen."

So begins Saints in Limbo. Velma True, an agoraphobic widow who's still grieving her husband, receives a visit from a mysterious stranger who gives her a gift that allows her to relive memories. Her son, Rudy, has never lived up to his potential, but Velma still has hope for him though she has little left for herself. A teenage runaway is running toward Echo and has the vague suspicion that someone--or something--is following.

Saints in Limbo blends elements from several genres--Southern Gothic with magical realism, mystery, suspense, and romance--and can't easily be categorized. The prose is lyrical and at times beautiful, and the story drew me in from the first page. There were a couple of scenes that were chilling and made me regret reading the book before bed!

This faith-based novel is one of the most intriguing books I've read so far this year, and I couldn't put it down. Although I don't have a great appreciation for pure science fiction, I do like books (and TV shows) like this that incorporate fantastic elements in a real-world setting. I loved this book and will be reading more by River Jordan.

Giveaway:
I have a copy of Saints in Limbo to give away! If you're interested in reading it for yourself, leave a comment here and I'll choose a winner at random next Friday, June 12. I'll be giving away a copy of Robin Jones Gunn's Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes next week as well, so watch for that review early next week.

UPDATE: Sara is the winner!

The Incident

2009-05-14T10:24:00.003-06:00

This space is reserved for blathering about the season finale of Lost. I need to watch it again before I can assemble my thoughts, and even then I'll still be confused and sad.

Taking Tuscany

2009-05-11T09:03:00.002-06:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Taking Tuscany
David C. Cook (May 2009)
by
Renee Riva

About the Author:

Renee Riva writes humorous stories with a message, for both children and adults. Having been raised in a large Italian family with a great sense of humor, she has much to draw from for developing quirky characters.

She loves sharing her secrets for story starters at Young Author events, helping to spark the imagination of young minds. Renee and her husband live in Richland, Washington, with their three daughters, a dog, a cat, and until recently, her beloved hamster—may she rest in peace.

About the Book:

A. J. Degulio loved the idea of a visit to the Old Country... until her family decided to stay. It's 1972 and she's turning fourteen in a crumbling castle on a hill in Tuscany, wishing she were back in Idaho with her beloved dog, Sailor. In Italy, her blonde hair makes her stick out like a vanilla wafer in a box of chocolate biscotti, and she's so lonely her best friend is a nun from the local convent.

The challenges of roots and relatives are nothing new to A. J., but she's going to need more than the famous Degulio sense of humor to survive. Can't anyone see that Italy isn't really home? It will take a catastrophe - and a few wise words from a friend - for A. J. to understand that sometimes the only thing you can change is your perspective.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Taking Tuscany, go HERE.

My Review:
Taking Tuscany is a pleasant, light-hearted coming-of-age story about a misfit teen. It's a sequel to Saving Sailor, but the book stands alone, so it isn't necessary to have read the first book in the series. The pace is slow, and the characters are quirky and charming. AJ is a likable character and I enjoyed reading her tale, though sometimes her constant lament about missing home and her dog became irritating. Despite its setting in a small village in Tuscany, I don't think the book stands apart from the many other books about teenage girls who have a hard time fitting in. Though not labeled as such, I think it would be a good choice for Young Adult readers.