The Christian Critic

There and Back Again - A Reviewer's Tale by Josh Olds

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:41:00 +0000

When I first started this blog back in February 2009, it was a fun little hobby. I’d read a book here and there, write a review, and then move on to the next book. As a part of blogging programs, I got some free books, and that was fun. That was actually a major motivation of beginning such a program (and still is, actually). Little did I know that it would expand into all this.

For several months I dabbled in the art of book reviewing. One, two, maybe three reviews a month. It really wasn’t until December 2009 that I began to take this whole reviewing thing seriously. I’d joined the staff at another great site – FictionAddict.com – and learned, and am learning, a lot from them on how to run a review site. While becoming more involved there, I also upped the ante on my own site, beginning to do more reviews and conduct author interviews and such.

And I found it was a lot of fun. Word of mouth advertising is incredible, and with the help of you readers, I soon found myself with fans. What an incredible concept! People actually read my reviews. Apparently. So this is the next step to upping the ante. No longer a blogspot blog, The Christian Critic is going to be its own official website.

It’s bigger, better, shinier, and I’ve got plans to make things even better in the future. So as my last post here, I want to say thanks to all the readers that made this possible. I wouldn’t be here without your enthusiastic support. So from now on, you can find me at the new website, on the link below.

The Christian Critic

Travis Thrasher Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sun, 16 May 2010 19:56:00 +0000

Travis Thrasher is the author of a dozen novels in several genres. He has written love stories (The Watermark, Three Roads Home, Every Breath You Take), suspense (Gun Lake, Admission, Blinded, Out of the Devil’s Mouth), drama (The Second Thief, Sky Blue), and supernatural thrillers (Isolation, Ghostwriter, Broken). His varied writing styles give testament to his skill at the art of storytelling.

Even though swamped with deadlines, Travis took the time out to answer a few questions about his just-released novel from FaithWords called Broken. I want to thank Travis for taking the time to answer my questions. Before we get on to the questions, I will be giving away a copy of Broken to one lucky person who comments on this interview. Just comment to enter, and on Monday. May 17, at 11:59p ET, a winner shall be named.

TCC: In my opinion, Broken is what I would call a Hosea story. Would you agree?

I love that you call this a Hosea story. When I hear that description, I of course think of Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (which many consider her defining work). I think this is a great hook for Broken. Laila is really no different from anybody else, but she feels like she's too tainted to be loved by anybody. Especially God.

TCC: What served as your inspiration for writing this novel?

If there's one thing I can point to, it's probably the birth of our daughter, Kylie. She is three and a half now. After she was born, I had a story idea about a broken woman a lot like Laila. In that initial idea, I had a few of the dark elements from Broken along with some of the love story and father-daughter elements of Every Breath You Take. That initial story idea didn't really work, but proved to be starting points for the subsequent novels.

I wanted to write a story about a woman who is beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside. Sounds somewhat cliched, but that was another starting point. Like any novel, the novel ended up becoming something I could have never predicted or planned.

TCC: Broken is written in the present tense. What are the challenges of writing in that style consistently?

I love present tense. It's so immediate, so intense. I deliberately tried to make Broken tight and no nonsense. There are few interior thoughts in this story and almost no italics. Present tense helps because it really puts you in the action. It's not as natural of a style as third person past tense, but I've done it before and enjoy it.

TCC: You’re a pretty busy man beyond this. What sort of projects are you working on and how are they faring?

I just completed a supernatural thriller which is really cool. It's coming out next year. I'm reading through the galleys one final time for Solitary, my first teen novel which will be published this August. I'll be writing the second book in that series this summer. I also just completed writing a novel based on a song by a contemporary Christian artist. Hopefully there will be an announcement on that book soon. I'm excited about these and other projects. I'm very fortunate to be able to write stories and am very glad they're finding their way to readers.

Wonders Never Cease - Tim Downs

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sun, 16 May 2010 18:47:00 +0000

Genre: Comedy, Supernatural

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: May 11, 2010

Give me three words to describe the writing of Tim Downs and I’d give you: quirky, sarcastic, and witty. Downs is best known for his BugMan novels, or more accurately, for the BugMan himself, Nick Polchak. But Downs lays the mysteries and the thrillers aside to give us a novel different than anything he’s ever written. Making the leap from bugs to angels, Downs gives us Wonders Never Cease, a story of a confused identity and an unlikely redemption.

Kemp McAvoy is arrogant, cocky, and brilliant – and he knows it. Brought up amid the wealth of his father and on his own rocket ship to fame and fortune, Kemp fell off the ladder of success when in his last year of medical residency he got himself kicked out of his residency. Now he’s Dr. Kemp McAvoy, Night Nurse, the most overqualified and overbearing nurse on the planet.

The problem is that night nurses don’t make as much money as an anesthesiologist for the rich and famous. And Kemp likes money. And disdains the lack of it. So when he becomes the nurse in charge of keeping the beautiful yet aging movie star Liv Hayden, he launches an off-the-wall can’t-fail get-rich-quick scheme that will fulfill his every desire.

Kemp pitches the idea to a publisher and Liv’s agent, who agree to help out in exchange for a chunk of cash. The plan goes like this: Liv Hayden is about to receive a heavenly message from an otherworldly visitor while in her coma. Just adjust some meds, shine a light, impersonate an angel, and Liv Hayden wakes up with a revelation from God. Which she will write a book about. Which will make millions. Which will make them all rich.

It’s absolutely, completely foolproof – proof that only a fool would attempt that sort of plan. Kemp’s never been good at staying out of trouble anyway. Wonders Never Cease is an enchanting, witty tale that explores the consequences of a lust for money, makes light of modern feel-good spirituality, teaches the reader a bit about redemption, and does it all in a humorous tone that makes the novel a riot to read. While a clear break from his previous novels, Downs fans would be crazy not to pick up on this one just because it lacks bugs. Those new to Downs will find his writing style refreshing and hilarious. A definite fun read for any wanting a bit of escapism – and you might even learn something.

Broken - Travis Thrasher

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:42:00 +0000

You’ll recall the Biblical story of Hosea: called by God to marry a prostitute in order to demonstrate the love God has for His people and to portray in vivid detail how His people are sinning against Him. The picture we get from this comes from God’s perspective. But what of the woman? What of this soul so broken that she finds it hard to love herself let alone another?

In a stunning tale of mystery, intrigue, and danger, Broken takes us on a heart-rending journey in the life of Laila, a girl whose broken past is beginning to catch up with her. Six months earlier, she’d killed a man. In her defense, it was to protect herself, but she’s still haunted by the guilt. Nobody knows. Nobody. Or so she thinks. When she’s discovered by a stranger who knows about her crime, and wants to make her pay, she’s forced to run. But running seems to do little good. Her only chance is to accept the help of the One who can bind up the broken and make her whole again.

Each time I read a novel by Travis Thrasher, I close the cover and tell myself that was his best. But I find it hard to imagine that Thrasher is going to be able to surpass Broken easily. As the pieces fell together in the closing chapters, as the mystery became clear, as the tension heightened, as the story climaxed, as the theme hit home and began to wash over my soul…the story literally drove me to tears. And when I did close the cover, it left me in quiet and prayerful contemplation.

The writing is superb. It takes a few chapters to get used to Thrasher’s use of the present tense, but it’s a technique that throws the reader into the moment more than ever. Flashbacks in the form of diary entries serve to paint the background story for this broken soul. The action is intense, the pace breakneck, the aura of mystery palpable, the sense of the supernatural mysterious. But it all serves only to point to Thrasher’s theme: No matter how broken, there is hope for redemption.

Broken? That’s a place I’ve been, a place I am. Not the situation that Laila finds herself in, but I get Thrasher’s message. It’s his Hosea story. It’s his story of all of us and how utterly broken we are and how we need the hope that can only be found in Jesus. Of how, even though we are the cause of our brokenness, He takes His broken heart and heals us with His broken body. In the vein of Isolation and Ghostwriter, Thrasher gives us Broken, one of his best stories to date.

Broken is such a great book that I want to give it away. As a matter of fact, throughout the rest of this week and into the next, I'll be giving away copies absolutely free. The observant among you have already entered contest #1 on my Facebook fan page, this is contest #2. Comment on this review and be entered to win a copy of Broken. Nothing else required. If you've signed up for contest #1, go ahead and enter here as well. The winner of contest #1 will not be eligible for to win, but everybody else is! Contest will end at 11:59p Saturday.

Son of Hamas - Mosab Hassan Yousef

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:04:00 +0000

Imagine you are the favored prince of your people, a hero and fighter who would dedicate his life and family to the cause of his nation. But imagine that through life’s journey you realized that what your people call a hero is not what it actually means to be heroic. And so you turn your back on it all, become a traitor in the eyes of those you love, and pursue a new faith and a new hope. This is the story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, the Son of Hamas.

In this powerful and gripping account, Yousef tells his life’s story as the favored prince of Hamas, the son of one of founders of what is now a terrorist organization. He was trusted at the highest levels, participated in the Intifada, and spent time in Israel’s most feared prison. But in the midst of it all, he found hope. But it wasn’t hope in Hamas. After a chance encounter with a British tourist, Yousef was led on a long journey that ended on his knees, accepting the teachings of another Middle Eastern leader – Jesus.

As a handbook on political events, Yousef’s words bring light to what few had known to this point. He offers insight into Hamas that was previously unknown, bringing a unique perspective to the terrorist organization. As a thriller, it is again a winner, as Yousef recounts his time as a spy. As a memoir, it is an incredible testimony of how a man who grew up in the Islamic Hamas came to work for the Israeli Mossad and became a follower of Jesus.

His message of dedication to his family at the very beginning struck a deep nerve within me. I cannot even imagine the depths of pain this man has been through. And yet through it all, he now advocates Jesus’ command of “Love your enemy” as the only way to peace in his homeland. Son of Hamas is intriguing, inspiring, and eye-opening. I pray that Yousef continues to grow in his faith in Jesus and spread the message of love that He taught.

Radical - David Platt

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sat, 08 May 2010 04:17:00 +0000

Anyone who knows me will tell you that one of my pet peeves is the cultural American “Churchianity” practiced by followers of Christ in America. In Radical, David Platt challenges the materialistic philosophy inherent in the American church and dares Christ’s followers to do something radical – to take Jesus at his word and abandon everything for the Gospel.

Platt explores several themes contrasting the American church with the global church at large. He even holds himself to his own standards, writing of his own struggle of being called the youngest megachurch pastor in history while seeking to imitate Jesus – the man who ministered mainly to a small group of disciples.

Platt is able to illustrate his principles through stories of Christians from around the world. How can American Christians be so complacent in their faith when millions around the world gather in secret? How can we passively sit and learn the Gospel when in other countries, believers are devouring the Gospel for the purpose of sharing it with others? Why does the church spend millions on sanctuaries and only thousands on missions? Platt challenges the American church’s commitment to a radical faith, to give it all up for Christ and take up our crosses.

In the end, Platt challenges the reader to a one year Radical experiment, giving practical advice on how to be more radical in our faith. Overall, Radical is encouraging, reassuring and challenging. Some people out there still get what it means to live like Christ. This is a must-read for anyone involved in the American church.

Also available with Radical is a small booklet called The Radical Question which is great to give away and provides a great introduction of the material covered in Radical. You can read the first chapter of Radical here. And you can get The Radical Question booklet absolutely FREE here - www.WaterBrookMultnomah.com/RadicalQuestion.

Eric Wilson Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Mon, 03 May 2010 06:20:00 +0000

As the astute visitor of this blog may have noticed, this entire week has been declared Eric Wilson week at The Christian Critic. Eric was kind enough to take some time out to answer a whole host of questions related to his books. It has been my pleasure and honor to get to interact with Eric over this past week, pick his brain a bit, as well as reintroduce myself to the characters he has created. Since we've spent the last week focusing on the novels, today I want to focus on the man behind the books.

Eric Wilson is a master storyteller, following the path of the Nazarene who Himself spoke in Story. Wilson brings a thematic richness to his literary art, combining meaningful messages with incredible story in an engaging and intellectual style reminiscent of C.S. Lewis. His stories are for those on the fringes of faith, exploring Earth’s tension between Heaven and Hell. For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, dual stories play out in the reader’s mind. First, there is the page-turning adventure of escapism, where one is thrown in to a world of conspiracy, serial killers, and vampires. But underneath it all is a fountain of Truth, where the careful reader can immerse himself in the masterful exploration of Biblical imagery.

~~~

Even though Eric has answered questions all week regarding some of the specifics of his books, I wanted to take a deeper look into the mind of a writer. Eric was gracious enough to give me that look:

TCC: On a purely technical level, your writing tends to have a literary aspect not just in its depth, but in its prose and level of description. While your books are page-turners, I know that I'm going to have to slow myself down to fully absorb and engage all the intricacies and detail you bring to your novels. I think this is part of what sets you apart from most authors. Why write in this style when most authors don't? And how do you think this affects who reads your books?

Eric: Why do I write in this style? Because I'm too stupid to realize it doesn't sell as well. Seriously, I write what I love to read. I get tired of serial killer novels, of car chases, gunfights, and so on. I've read close to 1500 books in my lifetime, and I'm bored by the same old stuff. I just hope to attract some readers who want stories that challenge the heart, soul, and mind, while also providing a fresh angle on entertainment. It doesn't have to be stuffy, just heartfelt.

TCC: On a thematic level, you grapple with some pretty weighty issues in all of your books, whether its redemption, God's foreknowledge, forgiveness, the power of choice, and the list goes on. With so many novels being written for pure escapism and entertainment, I think another thing that sets you apart from most authors is your commitment to writing Story with a purpose. What drives you to tackle such themes and how do you pull it off without sacrificing the thrills and chills of the story?

Eric: If my relationship with God was based on a set of religious rules and formulas, I would feel the need to outline those things in didactic fashion in my stories. That would come across as preachy. I don't like that. I think God is big enough to handle our questions without feeling defensive. I allow myself, my own kids, and my fictional characters to wrestle with the unknown. If Jesus is the answer, why are we afraid of the questions?

TCC: Very few authors write like you do. So who are your influences in writing? How did you become the author you are today?

Eric: My parents raised me to think, to question. I spent some early years of my life overseas, and discovered the beauty of other cultures, languages, customs, and thought processes. My own childhood reading progressed from C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, to S.E. Hinton and Paul Zindel, to Robert Ludlum and John LeCarre. These days, I love all sorts of authors and genres. I think John Steinbeck is amazing. I love To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, and A Thousand Splendid Suns. The list could go on. If a writer cares about characters, I do too. That's what draws me into a story, no matter its style or theme.

TCC: You've taken some considerable heat for being a Christian and publishing what's being considered a "vampire" novel. Do you have anything to say to those who can't seem to get past the vampires?

Eric: If we are going to make a difference in this world, we need to reach out to the widows and orphans, to the sick and the "unlovely," and that means stepping out of our comfort zones. I write for those on the fringes. I don't expect those in the bubble to understand. There are some other fantastic Christian writers who have struggled to find their niche in this box. I'm not the only one. Although I am writing in styles and symbols that speak to a certain sort of reader, my stories are firmly grounded in biblical history and theology. Sadly, many American Christians have not learned to recognize such things unless they are packaged in a sanitized way. We have so much knowledge, so many "milk and cookies" books at our fingertips, but we rarely get into the "meat" of walking with God through the shadows of doubt, sin, and death. It's in those dark places that we discover His amazing grace and power.

TCC: With this seven-book epic completed, where do you go from here? What projects are you working on now?

Eric: I have over thirty ideas written in a notebook. I have two nonfiction ideas I'm pitching to publishers, as well as one fiction story that I think could really shake things up. Again, I wish I could find that one publisher who would stand by me no matter what. The truth is that money ("mammon") is the god of commercialism, and that is what dictates most Christian entertainment.

TCC: I also hear that you're putting your genius to work as an editor. Want to tell us more about that?

Eric: I'm discovered that I love to help others hone their art. It's something I may branch into more, if my own writing does not find its footing. For now, though, while I'm still young and have my hair and teeth, I really want to focus most of my energy on more of my own writing. I'm hoping that door will open again.

TCC: Last question, possibly the most important question I have to ask...What's going to happen with Gina Lazarescu's Facebook page now that the Undead trilogy is complete?

Eric: She will fade away here, soon enough. She's not a big online person, and she would rather spend time with those she knows who survived the epic battle at the end of Valley of Bones. She will continue to age slowly, staying alive long after most of us are gone—and, hopefully, the books will too.

Thanks for the great interviews, time, and promotion, Josh. You've been a fantastic fan!

TCC: Eric, the pleasure has been all mine. It has been an adventure for me this past week to get to revisit your characters and immerse myself again into the depth of the story you tell. Thanks for your time!

~~~

For those wanting to know where you can interact with and learn more about New York Times bestselling author Eric Wilson, you can find his primary website at WilsonWriter.com. He’s also on Facebook, and even has his own fan forum. For specific information on the Jerusalem’s Undead trilogy, visit JerusalemsUndead.com.

~~~

Links to all of The Christian Critic’s reviews for Eric Wilson week are provided below:

Day 1 – Dark to Mortal Eyes

Day 2 – Expiration Date

Day 3 – The Best of Evil

Day 4 – A Shred of Truth

Day 5 – Field of Blood

Day 6 – Haunt of Jackals

Day 7 – Valley of Bones

Valley of Bones - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sun, 02 May 2010 18:34:00 +0000

All epics must have their conclusion. At some point the story must come crashing to a close. And with Valley of Bones, we have the bittersweet conclusion to not just the Jerusalem’s Undead trilogy, but to all of Eric Wilson’s storylines as a whole. Since the time of the Nazarene, two groups of immortals – The Collectors and the Nistarim – have waged a spiritual chess game for humanity. And now the board is set, the pieces are in place, and the race to start – or stop – Final Vengeance has begun.

Rasputin, a Russian mystic infested by a legion of Collectors, had once prophesied that a Black King would usher in this Final Vengeance. Natira, leader of the Akeldama Cluster, is convinced that he is that Black King. He must only find an ancient artifact hidden by Rasputin in order for the games to begin. But the Nistarim have their own secret weapon. For the first time in history, the combined forces of the Collectors and Nistarim collide in one valley in a battle of Biblical proportions. And we are all witnesses to that encounter.

Eric Wilson is the master of the meta-arc. Story and character arcs intersect and overlap to form a cohesive whole that finds itself all tied up with Valley of Bones’ epic conclusion. Those unfamiliar with Wilson’s work outside of the Jerusalem’s Undead trilogy will not suffer from not having read his previous novels, but if they have it will open them to the true depths of the story he has created.

More than any other author today, Wilson undergirds his writing with solid theological imagery, speaking in metaphor, symbol, and Story to convey the Truth – the truth that Life comes only through the blood of Yeshua the Nazarene. His masterful grasp of theology is evident as he weaves in his theological concepts in a way that only increases the story’s suspense and tension.

The Jerusalem’s Undead trilogy explores Earth’s tension between Heaven and Hell and mirrors the tactics of the Nazarene, who Himself spoke in Story in order take abstract theology and didactic teaching and put it in the context of an edge-of-your-seat thriller. For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, the story Wilson tells is far more than vampires, ancient treasures, and unseen plot twists. Instead, he seeks to take that which is dark to mortal eyes and unveil it through the power of Story. Valley of Bones is the apex of that story. You can’t read it and not come away changed. And that’s precisely the point.

Mini Q&A with Eric

TCC: So this culminates everything. Not just Jerusalem's Undead, but all of your novels. What does it feel like to have this journey come to a close? Or has the journey really finished?

I sure hope the journey's not over, but I do feel a huge amount of satisfaction, knowing that my novels have all been tied together, providing a complete journey for readers. Of course, I do have other trails to explore, other ideas to flesh out. I'm just looking for the publisher who believes in what I'm doing.

TCC: In many of your novels, the game of chess plays a fun yet integral role in developing the plot. Can you explain your fascination with chess and what led to referencing it in your novels?

I think chess can teach some amazing lessons about life and the spiritual battle we face. There are sacrifices, diversions, gambits, pins, attacks, and counterattacks. I used to play in tournaments, and I kept seeing ideas to use in novels. I try not to use it too extensively, since many readers are not chess aficionados. Some of the symbolism is more subtle, using names such as Regina (which means "queen") and Cal (which, in Romanian, means "knight").

Haunt of Jackals - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Thorns will overrun its palaces...The ruins will become a haunt for jackals. --Isaiah 34:13

Having laid the foundations and began the story in Field of Blood, Eric Wilson wastes no time getting the story started in Haunt of Jackals. He throws us back into the fray and lets the battle begin, putting us right back into the middle of the action. Gina Lazarescu has had her eyes opened to those things that are dark to mortal eyes. Earth’s tension between Heaven and Hell is playing out around her and she is finding that she must play a part bigger than she ever thought she could.

The Akeldama Collectors have begun to spread their poison, creating for themselves a dwelling in a haunt of jackals, where they glorify and feed upon the Six, No Seven things God hates. But even as they solidify inwards, they are looking outwards, seeking their goal. Unlimited power is at their fingertips as they seek to fulfill a prophecy made by the Russian mystic Rasputin.

As the pace quickens and the danger mounts, the battle between the Nistarim and the Collectors rise up to new heights. Gina is left without power, without hope. But those who call on the name of the Nazarene shall be saved. Haunt of Jackals is more than just a bridge from the foundation in Field of Blood and the conclusion in Valley of Bones. Much of what was mystery is unveiled and the story gathers more depth on literary, theological, and thematic fronts.

Weaving historical and mythical concepts with a deep theological base, Wilson delivers in a way that puts a powerful message in a powerful Story. He proves that he has a deep understanding of the Christ, as he unveils timeless truths of the Nazarene through a compelling and heart-racing story.

But Field of Blood and Haunt of Jackals merely set the stage. The board is set. The pieces are in place. Haunt of Jackals sends us spiraling toward a resounding conclusion in third and final volume.

Mini Q&A with Eric

TCC: Haunt of Jackals expands the story even more and does a lot to tie in the Jerusalem's Undead trilogy with your other novels. How do you keep all these storylines separate, distinct, and yet so connected?

Eric: I discover most of my subplots and character choices as I write, so I have to keep going back to make sure everything fits. I use a skeleton plot as a framework, keep a list of chronological events between the books, and do my best to follow it. For me, it was a lot of fun exploring the possibilities and finding the connections between Haunt of Jackals and Expiration Date.

TCC: I want to know more about the spiritual themes in this novel - and in the series as a whole. Talk to me a bit about the themes you incorporated and why you think they're important.

I do believe in a personal good and personal evil, represented in Jesus the Nazarene and in Satan the Master Collector of Souls. Humans tend to either ignore or disregard the devil altogether or to give him more credit than he deserves. I wanted to show the redeeming power of the Nazarene Blood, as well as the conniving, seductive spirit behind evil. But evil is self-seeking (the opposite of Christ-like self-sacrifice), and that selfishness is its Achilles heel. Throughout the trilogy, different characters must wrestle with the thorns of pride, lust, self-righteousness, and so on, trusting in the Nazarene Blood for cleansing and new life.

Field of Blood - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Judas. There are few names that can elicit such a negative response. He who kissed and betrayed the Christ later killed himself and spilled his tainted blood at Akeldama – the Field of Blood. His blood seeped deep within the earth, and having been poisoned by the spirit of the Master Collector, infected a burial plot of two families – Ariston and Eros – causing a counterfeit resurrection of the dead. Collectors, servants of the Master Collector, possess the undead bodies of the houses of Arison and Eros and name themselves the Akeldama Cluster. More than just disembodied Collectors, they become a more tangible evil. Not just a demon, but a vampire.

Countering the work of the Collectors are the 36 Nistarim, those that arose from their graves during the Nazarene’s death and resurrection. They wage a battle with the Collectors that remains dark to mortal eyes and recruit Those Who Resist – ordinary people changed by drinking the blood of the Nazarene. Caught in the battle and unsure of how she fits in is young Gina Lazarescu.

Field of Blood is the beginning of an epic trilogy that is the core of an even larger epic story. After spending some time laying the foundations for the story to come, Wilson launches into the story with abandon. Combining intricate storytelling with thematic richness and a literary sense of artistry, Wilson sets the standard for the Jerusalem’s Undead trilogy very high. No other author I have read manages to incorporate such thematic depth while making it accentuate the entertainment of the story.

Wilson breathes new life into the vampire genre, reclaiming the Christian symbolism that has all but been lost in its modern day incarnations. But he does so without sacrificing the thrills and chills that vampires and other creatures of the night have to offer. In a world keen on glazing over the ugliness of evil, Wilson paints it in dark strokes, revealing it as it is – dark and gritty. And while this might disturb some (and it should) it only serves to mimic reality and intensify the redemption that is to come.

Some books you read and give away; others you read and put on your shelf; but the best books stay with you long after you’ve closed the cover. This is precisely the nature of Field of Blood. It introduces us to the story of Jerusalem’s Undead and ties itself in with characters and events that will be familiar to readers of Wilson’s previous novels.

Altogether, Eric Wilson has crafted a literary masterpiece that uniquely and brilliantly explores the redemptive power of Christ’s blood.

Mini Q&A with Eric

TCC: The Jerusalem's Undead trilogy combines vampire mythology with strong spiritual themes and powerfully explores the redemptive power of Christ's blood. Where did the idea for a trilogy like this come from?

Eric: I am always annoyed that we as Christians live in an atmosphere of fear. Instead of running from the vampire theme, I wanted to explore how it had counterfeited the idea that we can find eternal life through Jesus' blood. Vampires find immortal life through humans' blood. I figured, why not write a story that delves deep into history, Judaic and Christian themes, and comes up with a tense battle between good and evil?

TCC: Field of Blood sets the stage for the trilogy and introduces a number of characters in the first hundred pages or so. How difficult was it to set up the foundation for this story?

Eric: Well, some readers get bogged down with all the world-building in the first 100 pages. I had to create a whole new vampire mythos that blended theologically and historically. That took some doing. I visited Jerusalem, Romania, and read thousands of pages of research. I'm proud of how it all came out, but it does require readers to invest time and thought if they want to reap the trilogy's rewards.

A Shred of Truth - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:22:00 +0000

He was a killer from the very start. He couldn't stand the truth because there wasn't a Shred of Truth in him. - John 8:44

Black is back in a whole new adventure. Less than a year after the events of The Best of Evil, Aramis Black finds himself living with a bona fide country music star. Johnny Ray has finally hit the big time and is ready to take his show on the road. He and Aramis are celebrating on the north end of Nashville's Music Row when Johnny Ray disappears and is later found lashed to a statue, with the initials AX carved into his back. Aramis thought his family’s dark past had come to a resolution, but he soon discovers just how wrong he is.

And all of this just as Aramis was beginning to pick up the pieces of his life once again. He'd even enrolled in college, and was taking a class on truth and mythology. Now there's a killer on the loose and he is demanding one specific item from the buried family treasure that Aramis uncovered in The Best of Evil.

Aramis isn’t sure what a murderous sociopath wants with a Masonic ring belonging to Meriwether Lewis, but the attacker is holding the ultimate ransom, something that Aramis cannot just ignore. Apparently he’d barely scraped the surface of his family secrets. Now, with an ever growing list of suspects, Aramis must not only unmask his attacker but also discover the reason behind the attack. And if and when he does find him, will he react with the violence from his past or the new-found peace of the present?

A Shred of Truth is a powerful follow-up to Aramis Black’s introduction in The Best of Evil. As always, Wilson crafts a powerful story of suspense, masterfully weaving history amid the fiction and literally putting the reader in Aramis’s shoes. The spiritual themes are strong, as Wilson explores one man’s struggle against the temptation to the succumb to the old man of his past, and serves to add to the depth and richness of the story. For entertainment, for thought, for thrills, for reflection, A Shred of Truth serves all these purposes. It’s a story that stays with you long after the book is closed.

Mini Q&A with Eric

TCC: In both this book and the first Aramis Black Mystery, there's a secret message that the careful reader can discover. How did you come up with that idea and how hard was it to implement?

Eric: It still surprises me how few people catch that secret message. I tell you on the last page of each story how to decipher it, but readers still miss it. I had fun putting those into the books. In the first, it helped me get my chapters started, because I was confined to a specific letter of the alphabet. The second was more difficult, but it was all part of the challenge. And, of course, that final message is really the message of all my books.

TCC: This book, as well as the book preceding it, has historical ties to Lewis and Clark and the Masons, among others, and literary ties to Alexandre Dumas. What sort of research goes into the historical tie ins, and how in the world do you manage to find such great literary tie ins?

I read between 500-1000 pages of research for each book I write, but most of that never comes into my stories. I love finding history's mysteries and exploring them. When people say we have such a violent culture, I realize they must be very ignorant of history. Studying the past can give us perspective for the present and direction for the future. It's been fun working in themes about Rasputin, the Masons, and WWII into my books. Hopefully it will give them some longevity beyond the suspense elements. Have fun exploring!

The Best of Evil - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:50:00 +0000

Don't let evil get the best of you. get the best of evil by doing good. – Romans 12:21

"Live by the Sword" - "Die by the Sword" Aramis Black's former creed is tattooed into his hefty forearms. But he's forsaken all of that and put his violent life in Portland behind him. He's moved to the heartland of country music – Nashville – to live with his brother Johnny Ray, who's fighting for his shot to be a country music star.

Aramis opens a little espresso shop and begins to put his past behind him. Better a coffee junkie than the kind of junkie he once was. But on a seemingly normal day in the shop, a man is shot and killed. His last words to Aramis: "I need the whip....Spare your soul and turn your eyes from greed." BLAM! A dead man in his coffee shop. But not just any dead man. A dead man whose last words were a direct quote of last word Aramis heard his mother speak before she was murdered.

Way too strange to be coincidental...especially considering that a handkerchief that belonged to his mother had arrived via FedEx earlier that day. Aramis finds himself thrust into a mystery. How does all this tie back to his mother? As the plot thickens, he unravels a centuries-old conspiracy involving a hidden treasure and one of his mother's famous ancestors, Meriwether Lewis.

But mysteries aren't the only thing unraveling in Aramis's world. He’s forced to confront both his father, with whom he has a troubled past, and his uncle, who he blames for his mother's death. And what keys do they play in the mystery? But one thing is coming out of all this. In the wake of the shooting, he has found himself to drawn to one of his employees, Brianne. Sparks fly, and the two hit it off...a budding romance in the midst of so much mystery.

Aramis isn't the only one trying to unravel that mystery. The man in his coffee shop died for a reason. Someone wants the treasure for himself. Aramis must put together the clues and solve the mystery while keeping himself and his loved ones safe from the killer. Being thrown back into the violence of his past threatens his new-found life. Can he conquer evil? Or will evil get the best of him?

Mini Q&A With Eric

TCC: The Aramis Black Mysteries are a shift from the Senses Series books in a few major ways, one being that they are written in first person. How is it different writing from what is a more personal and limited perspective and what caused you to want to write this books in the first person?

Eric: I love writing first-person. It allows me to get deeper into the character's thoughts, and, with Aramis, it was important to let readers see his heart of gold beneath his tough exterior. First-person helped with that. Yes, it's a limited perspective, but it forced me to stay focused on one storyline (which I don't always do in my other books, ha!). To this day, male and female readers alike tell me they love Aramis Black.

TCC: What is up with Johnny Ray Black and his Tabasco boxers?

TCC: Oh, Johnny Ray. Well, I wanted Aramis Black's brother to be a humorous sidekick, one who could sometimes be the voice of reason, and at other times be the goofy guy. Johnny Ray thinks he's a real ladies' man, a rising country music star, and a health-food nut. The Tabasco boxers were just a funny addition to that colorful persona.

Expiration Date - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Are these the shadows of things that must be, or are they the shadows of things that might be? – Ebenezer Scrooge

After a mysterious encounter with an even more mysterious individual, Clay Ryker finds himself asking that very same question. After a decade away from his childhood home, he finds himself with a failed business, a destroyed marriage, and forced to move back with his parents who treat him like the kid he isn’t. The basketball star’s homecoming is less than stellar, and he soon takes up a job working on creating headstones.

But after his encounter, things get interesting. He discovers that he has the foreknowledge of the date that those around him will die. He knows their Expiration Date. But are these numbers as set in stone before they occur as much as they are when Clay is etching out the date for their tombstone, or can the future be changed?

Theological answers will not suffice and lives hang in the balance, propelling Clay to go after the serial killer who is making Clay’s foreknowledge come true. In the process, he teams up with ex-cop and Vince Turney – someone we first met in Dark to Mortal Eyes – and is forced to face his troubled past.

Suspense and intrigue deepen as Clay discovers just how much his past sins have to do with their present problems. And the stakes are changed completely when he discovers that his ultimate enemy is not even of this world.

In Expiration Date, Eric Wilson has again crafted a wonderful novel that explores Earth’s tension between Heaven and Hell. Very few authors can pull of a tale of the supernatural without resorting to hokey clichés or sacrificing sound doctrine for a good story, but Wilson pulls it off flawlessly, peeling back what we see as reality and opening our eyes to the realm of the supernatural. It’s a novel that will leave you thinking about its concepts and wanting more of the story, and thankfully, Wilson provides both.

While Expiration Date can be read by itself, you certainly don’t want to! After reading it, you’ll be compelled to pick up his other books and see just how well Wilson connects this novel and its characters in with his other works. Those that have previously read Dark to Mortal Eyes will gain even more insight into what exactly the mysterious package is, and those that have read Haunt of Jackals will be in for quite a major surprise.

Mini Q&A with Eric

TCC: How was writing the second novel to be published different than the first one?

Eric: We were living with friends, waiting for a house deal to go through, and so the writing space was limited and stressful. I spent many nights locked in the bathroom, sitting on the floor with my back against the tub, typing on my laptop so as not to bug my wife, kids, or our gracious hosts. I ended up writing Expiration Date in three months, while still working 30 hours a week at FedEx/Kinko's. It was very different writing under contract, with deadlines, and reader expectations.

TCC: Clay discovers he can see the future, the exact timing of someone's death. What was your purpose in writing and discussing such foreknowledge?

Eric: If you knew someone's date of death, their Expiration Date, would you try to change it? Could you? Or is it already predetermined by God? I wanted to explore the idea of fate vs. free will, of Calvinism vs. Armenianism. We tend to put theological ideas into tidy boxes, but they often have elements of both sides. The twist in the story is that our free will can also upset Satan's plans.

TCC: This book ties to another of your books in a major way. What was it like for you to discover that you could interconnect these two novels?

Eric: Expiration Date is the bridge between my Senses Series and my Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy. It has some elements from the first series, some of the same characters, and then it adds a huge twist to that in Haunt of Jackals, book two of the trilogy. I knew, as I started the trilogy, that I wanted to weave in themes and characters from my earlier books--everything from Addison Ridge Vineyards, Sgt. Turney, Josee Walker, Rasputin, and WWII mysteries. As I started writing Haunt of Jackals, I flirted with different ways of connecting the series, but the key came when I realized that Kenny Preston, from Expiration Date, was thirteen years old, the same boy-to-man age for the Concealed Ones in my trilogy. From there, the rest was easy--and hugely fun!

Dark to Mortal Eyes - Eric Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:07:00 +0000

There is a battle of monumental proportions raging just beyond the skin of this world. Inevitably, this battle seeps into what we can see in this physical realm and confronts us, confounds us, and disturbs us. While we must deal with the consequences of this supernatural battle, the reasons, nature, and occasionally the existence of this battle remain dark to mortal eyes. Earth's tension between heaven and hell. Marsh Addison is discovering what exactly that means.

In a story that spans three generations, Dark to Mortal Eyes is an intricately crafted work of suspense that ties in gritty and dark storytelling with supernatural elements and a strong spiritual theme. Marsh first has his world turned upside down when his wife, Kara, announces that she’s asked the daughter they gave up for adoption – Josee – for a visit. Then, on the day that Josee is supposed to meet Kara, Kara disappears in what appears to be a catastrophic car wreck and Marsh becomes the prime suspect.

Marsh soon discovers the stakes of the game he is about to play. Someone knows much more about his family’s past than he, and they are willing to do anything to uncover the sins of his father. But there is something working with them. Something dark, sinister, and otherworldly. Marsh, Josee, and Sergeant Vince Turney find themselves not only in a battle of flesh and blood, but in supernatural battle that could have global consequences.

Dark To Mortal Eyes is Eric Wilson’s debut novel, published in 2004. Eric breaks into the industry with a bang, crafting an intricate and complex novel of suspense unlike anything I’ve ever read. Few authors can pull off the level of detail, artistry, and complexity this novel brings and yet make it exciting and page-turning. I’ll be honest. This is not your normal, everyday novel. The pace is a bit slower, the plot more intricate, the themes a bit deeper. This book will require you to think, and the questions it asks will haunt you long after the book ends.

Ultimately it is a story of flawed characters on the pathway to redemption. Whether it’s Marsh, Josee, the Sarge, or the mysterious figures they are fighting against, all are seeking for redemption. Some find it, some don’t, but it is Who they look towards for their redemption that makes all the difference.

Mini Q&A with Eric

TCC: This was your first published book, correct? What was the feeling in finally seeing your book - your creation - in print?

Eric: Yes, Dark to Mortal Eyes was my first published novel, although I wrote a complete WWII novel when I was seventeen years old. (It's still sitting in a drawer.) I was so excited to see a book in print, after decades of dreaming, planning, and working toward that goal.

TCC: How have you changed as an author from the writing of Dark to Mortal Eyes until now?

Eric: I've learned a lot about writing and storytelling, but I keep seeing more things to improve on. I'm finally making a living at writing, but it took six books before I could go full-time. It's tiring to remain creative and still "marketable," especially for those of us who just love the art of fiction, but I would never trade the chance to do this.

TCC: Did you have any idea when you were writing this that you would tie it in with your later novels?

Eric: I had a five-book series planned from the start, called the Senses Series. After my first two novels, my champion at the publishing house moved elsewhere and I was left floundering a bit. I never got to write the other three books in that series, so I figured out ways to weave its threads into the Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy. In some ways, the end result is even better than I planned. In other ways, I regret not getting the chance to flesh out those three Senses books. It is what it is. A writer has to stay flexible in today's changing market. I'm thrilled to see all seven of my novels (not including my three movie novelizations) tied together in one epic story.

Erin Healy Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:22:00 +0000

Erin Healy, author of the upcoming Thomas Nelson release Never Let You Go, was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to talk to me a bit about her novel, the writing process, and what's coming up for her. She is the bestselling coauthor of Kiss and Burn (coauthored with Ted Dekker) and is also an acclaimed editor for numerous bestselling authors, Dekker included. So without further ado...

TCC: This is your first solo release, coming after your two releases co-authored with Ted Dekker – Kiss and Burn respectively. What was different in the writing process? Is it easier or harder than collaborating?

Erin: Writing solo is a process of self-discovery for me. I’m learning how to find my own voice and how to craft my own stories. The “spirit of Ted” was always with me, looking over my shoulder, and one of the most challenging aspects was to put the “what would Ted do?” questions in their place. My stories, while bearing a few similarities to his, will be (I hope) judged on their own merits.

TCC: Never Let You Go is somewhat darker and grittier than either of your previous two novels, which I will admit, mildly surprised me at first. Is this type of story the type you prefer to tell?

Erin: Really? You think it’s darker/grittier than Burn? Interesting! I don’t set out to write dark and gritty stories. But when thinking about story I’m always first drawn to thematic elements, and I want to explore those elements with depth and honesty. Unforgiveness is an ominous topic, so in this case the ominous streak was inevitable.

TCC: Relationships and character dynamics are really at the crux of what heightens the suspense and tension, as you see the characters’ brokenness and dysfunction. What made you want to explore such a topic?

Erin: As most of us have, I’ve witnessed the corrosive effects of bitterness in good people. I became intrigued by two observations that surprised me: one was the trickle-down effects of bitterness on a particular unforgiving person’s child, and the other was a growing awareness of how painful and difficult forgiveness can be even for Christians. Of all people, we should be swiftest to forgive ALL offenses, but we aren’t. Not by a long shot.

TCC: The book also contains more than a hint of the supernatural. It manages to be subtly obvious, if I can throw out a paradox, it’s evident but not overbearing. I’ve encountered very few authors that can write about the supernatural, especially the demonic, without reducing it to an overemphasized caricature, but you pull it off flawlessly. What went into your mind as you were creating those characters and how did you manage to keep them from becoming caricatures?

Erin: Thank you! Probably 90 percent of the credit for this should go to my editor, Ami McConnell of Thomas Nelson, because my first draft in fact fell into the caricature trap. Having someone like her point out to me where and how I’d done that made it much easier to avoid. Sometimes we writers just have to get the caricatures out of our system. I need to find out which wonderful writer first gave this sage advice: most of the time, the first thing you think to write needs to be thrown away, because it will be the obvious, the clichéd, or the caricatured. The second thing that comes to mind might also have to go, for the same reason. And if you work really hard, perhaps the third or fourth thing you come up with will be worthy of being called fresh. I try to keep this in mind as I write.

TCC: Again, going back to the novel’s characters, did you craft the characters around the plot, or did you craft the plot around the characters?

Erin: Tough question. In my next novel (The Promises She Keeps, January 2011), I can say with certainty that I crafted the plot around the characters. In Never Let You Go, the chicken-and-egg question is a little murkier for me. I had pretty clear ideas of both character and plot when I began writing, and I made adaptations to both as I wrote in order to make the story work.

TCC: Now Never Let You Go releases in a month. Officially on May 4, I believe. My ARC copy has a little note at the top of the front cover from Thomas Nelson’s Senior VP and Publisher Allen Arnold and it says “Trust me – one of the BEST novels you’ll read all year.” What are your thoughts on that and what does it mean to you to have such high praise coming from your publisher?

Erin: What a gift! I’m humbled and grateful for the level of enthusiasm Thomas Nelson has thrown behind me at this critical juncture in my career. Every member of their team, from Allen down to their interns, has overwhelmed me with their kindness and professionalism. This book wouldn’t have been all that it is without their support.

TCC: Do you have any new projects that you’re already in the middle of or see on the horizon?

Erin: Does this sound at all like Ted? My next novel is even better than Never Let You Go! I’m very excited for The Promises She Keeps, which is also a supernatural thriller. Two women--a talented young vocalist with a fatal disease, and an aging art collector devoted to witchcraft--are seeking immortality. When their paths cross with an autistic artist who draws his promising visions for others’ lives, all three are plunged into a flesh-and-blood confrontation over the true meaning of eternal life.

TCC: Erin, I'd like to thank you for your time. And for the readers, I want to remind you that you can keep up with Erin on both Facebook and Twitter as well as her website - ErinHealy.com

Never Let You Go - Erin Healy

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:13:00 +0000

Broken – That is probably an accurate one-word synopsis of the state of Lexi’s life. Seven years ago her sister was murdered. Then her drug-dealing husband walked out on her, leaving her to scrape out a meager existence and raise her daughter. Now Warden, a figure from Lexi’s past, someone with ties to her, her husband, and her sister’s killer has come back to haunt her. Either she testifies on behalf of the killer at his parole hearing or her daughter dies.

Never Let You Go is a story about many things, but mainly it’s a story of relationships – primarily the relationship between Lexi and her daughter Molly. Molly’s all Lexi has left. Her mother has little interest in her life; her father because mentally unstable when her sister died; her husband abandoned her. Molly is it – and now that relationship is being threatened. Lexi is a lonely, flawed, and broken soul, and Never Let You Go is her story of redeeming and restoring the relationships that were once broken.

Erin Healy, in her solo debut, crafts wonderful characters that drive this wonderful drama of redemption. The supernatural elements are subtle enough to not be overbearing but poignant and obvious enough to leave you wide-eyed with mouth gaping, leaving you with the realization that not all battles are between flesh and blood.

The back flap of the novel says it “defies easy categorization.” That’s definitely true. Supernatural thriller. Suspense. A hint of romance. Healy gives us a bit of everything and the result is a starkly realistic look into the broken relationships in the life on one troubled woman. In a culture that understands neither love nor forgiveness, Healy has created a novel that teaches us a bit about both. Both bitterness and forgiveness come at a high price, and Lexi is forced to choose between the two.

Whether you’ve been a fan of Healy since her co-authored novels (Kiss and Burn) with Ted Dekker, or are new to her name, with stories like Never Let You Go, Healy is sure to enthrall and entertain, and you might even gain some perspective along the way. This is the type of novel the world needs. Real people put in real situations stricken with doubt yet catalyzed by hope. My only caution is that once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down.

For even more, check out my interview with Erin Healy here.

Should We Fire God? - Jim Pace

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Let’s face it. From our perspective it doesn’t look like the all-powerful, all-good God we serve is always up on things. The Bible says He’ll take care of us and that He’s in control and yet if we turn on the news we see just how unsafe things can be. Why do bad things happen to good people? Does he even hear my prayers? Can He do anything about them? We aren’t the first generation to struggle with this. King David felt the same:

² Now hear my prayer;
      listen to my cry.
³ For my life is full of troubles,
      and death draws near.
⁴ I am as good as dead,
      like a strong man with no strength left.
⁵ They have left me among the dead,
      and I lie like a corpse in a grave.
   I am forgotten,
      cut off from your care. – Psa. 88:2-5

So what are we supposed to do? Jim Pace asks the question very bluntly in the title of his book Should We Fire God? Jim is a graduate of Virginia Tech, copastor of New Life Christian Church at Virginia Tech. On April 16, 2007, Jim Pace had hundreds of people asking him that question when a gunman unleashed his fury on the campus. He was thrust into spotlight to answer the question, every TV reporter wanted to interview him. They expected him to have an answer. Should God be fired?

In a book that his part theological discussion, part autobiography, Pace shares how that one day changed his life and formed his theological response to this question. With a conversational tone, Pace backs up Biblical principles with stories from a practical reality.

Pace suggests that isn’t always a bad thing, and that we can’t always see the reason God has for letting us go through what he does. He suggests that out of God’s love, He’s given mankind the ability to mess things up, but then He’ll walk through those tough times with us. In the end, Pace concludes that God should not be fired, because He’s doing exactly what He should be doing—allowing us to have the freedom to do evil, then being brokenhearted and walking with us through the pain.

For those interested in a layperson level discussion of the problem of evil, this is a good add to the collection. Pace reminds us of all that God has done, and reminds us of all He’s promised to do. And when that happens, all pain from this earth fades.

Be Skillful - Warren Wiersbe

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:52:00 +0000

The book of Proverbs is filled with some of the best known and widely quoted truisms in Scripture. I have known several people who have taken to reading through the Proverbs once a month to continually gain wisdom from the practical advice this book offers.

Warren Wiersbe, in the subtitle to Be Skillful accurately summarizes the purpose of the book – God’s guidebook to the wise. Be Skillful is one of the classic books in Dr. Wiersbe’s BE commentary series, one of the most loved layperson level commentaries I have ever seen.

As a student of theology, I am no stranger to Bible commentaries. On the whole, I have found Dr. Wiersbe’s series to be both theologically sound like compulsively readable. Wiersbe writes in a conversational style that draws the reader in and holds his interest.

Wiersbe uses both a chapter by chapter and topical approach in the commentary, providing a chapter by chapter look at Proverbs 1-7 while employing a topical methodology for the remainder. In light of the literary structure of Proverbs, I found this to be a most useful method of study.

Through the majority of the commentary, Wiersbe lifts key themes from the Proverbs such as a chapter on popular sins (disrespect, greed, pride, and so on), as well a study of Proverbs’ recurring contrast of the wise and the wicked.

Study questions at the end of each chapter help the thoughtful reader to more fully and accurately process the wealth of Wiersbe’s material. In addition, the publishers of Be Skillful – David C. Cook – also publish a great Bible study series built around the commentary that would be great for either individual study or a Sunday School curriculum

When it comes to commentaries, Wiersbe’s BE series is top-notch, and these new editions published by David C. Cook only serve to further enhance and solidify their reputation.

The Bride Collector - Ted Dekker

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +0000

He kills them because he loves them. He loves them because God loves them and he has been chosen by God. And they have been chosen by God. And God is the groom; they are the bride; he is The Bride Collector.

In one of Ted Dekker’s most intense novels to date, FBI specialist Brad Raines and a serial killer known as the Bride Collector engage in a battle of wits and time as the killer closes in on his final victims. Seven is the number of perfection. Seven is the number he shall collect. The seventh will be the most beautiful.

But Raines won’t be able to catch this criminal on his own. The Bride Collector—Quinton Gauld—has proven himself to be quite intelligent, almost to the point of psychosis, and perhaps beyond it. When all traditional methods fall short, Raines, in a desperate attempt to come closer to catching Quinton, visits a private psychiatric institution that houses savants: the extraordinarily gifted but mentally ill.

Raines first thinks he can gain some perspective by visiting the place. Gauld’s mental makeup seems remarkably similar to the residents of the center. But then he meets Paradise, a young girl diagnosed with schizophrenia after watching her father murder her family—a young girl who can allegedly experience the final moments of a person’s life when she touches the body—a young girl he finds utterly fascinating. He also meets Andrea, Cass, and Roudy, three other residents who work with him to help him understand the killer. It’s a fun and sometimes bizarre look into the lives of these fragile people with such powerful minds.

It’s a high-stakes chess game and Raines can’t even see his opponent’s pieces. When the killer targets a forensic psychologist and good friend, the case becomes even more intimate and personal. As the moves are played and the story comes together, the thread that binds it winds tighter and tighter, connecting and drawing in the storylines. Captivating plot twists leave the reader guessing, but then upset that he didn’t see it coming. The intensity heightens as the Bride Collector closes in on his goal. And the more Raines learns about this killer, the more he realizes he must be stopped.

With intelligence and insight, Dekker delivers a terrifying foray into the twisted mind of a serial killer who believes God has called him to kill. But beyond that, The Bride Collector is the story of Paradise, a broken girl who realizes just how special she is. You could read hundreds of reviews that say what a great serial killer novel this is—and they’d be right—but at its very core, this is a love story. This is a story of a girl who thought she was unlovable who finds out that she is God’s favorite. This is the story of what it means to show love, of what it means to be the apple of God’s eye.

Very few novels have ever captivated me in theme, in story, or in character development the way The Bride Collector did in all three of those positions. For those seeking a thrill, it’s a twisty turny ride into the abyss; for those seeking an intelligent read, it couples outstanding writing and character development with a theme worth thinking about long after the book is finished. Despite not being the first serial killer novel Dekker has written, The Bride Collector is unlike anything he’s ever written.

The Bride Collector Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:37:00 +0000

He loves them because they are beautiful.

He kills them because he loves them.

If you're reading this on the homepage, then you can see the ominous countdown just to the right. The Bride Collector is coming. It's NYT bestselling author Ted Dekker's latest thriller, and you could just maybe get yourself an autographed copy. Here's the deal.

METHOD ONE: Recruit your friends to follow me on Twitter! Spread the word. Have them send me an @reply or DM letting me know who referred them. (Example: @Critic4Christ I was referred to you by @totallycoolperson). Each referral gets you one entry.

METHOD TWO: Re-tweet me! Whether it's to let people know that I'm giving away an autographed copy of The Bride Collector or just what my latest review or interview is (and I have a bundle coming up). Each RT will earn you one entry.

METHOD THREE: Refer me to your friends on Facebook. Just have your friend write on my wall and say so-and-so referred me, and you'll get one entry into the contest.

METHOD FOUR: Don't want to bug friends or strangers? Well, you're costing them the chance at missing out at great reviews and contests, but you can still be entered to win. Just comment on THE BRIDE COLLECTOR review and receive an entry.

On Sunday, April 18, I will tally up everyone's entries, and draw a name at random. That means that someone with 1 entry could win, or that someone with 100 entries could win. Those of you good with probability and statistics understand which one is more likely. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and spread the word!

But for those of you that can't wait. The Bride Collector releases on 4/13. And if you preorder through Amazon.com, you will receive a never before published novel written by the infamous Thomas Hunter himself - To Kill With Reason. For more details on that, click HERE.

Ask the Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:35:00 +0000

Ever had questions about writing but didn't know who to ask? Are you an aspiring author but not exactly sure how to get the process started? Do you always get partway into a story and then get stuck, and aren't sure how the best writers avoid writer's block? Then ASK THE WRITERS!

ASK THE WRITERS is going to be a new podcast segment at FictionAddict.com and I've been asked to join in to pose your questions to the writers. We have novelists Travis Thrasher and Sigmund Brouwer primed and ready, and they can't wait to answer your questions.

So here's what you need to do. Send an email with the subject "Ask the Writers" or go to FictionAddict.com and comment on their "Ask the Writers" post. We'll pick the top 10 for the writers to answer. NOTE: Please submit questions only about the writing craft, process, etc. All other questions will be discarded.

NLT Break Though to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:27:00 +0000

A few months ago, I discovered the New Living Translation and fell in love with it. Striving for dynamic equivalence and the goal of accurately capturing the meaning of the Biblical text, the NLT translators used a thought-for-thought translating system while staying true to the literal word-for-word translation. The result is a translation that makes sense to modern times, is in modern language, yet is completely accurate and faithful to the original text.

Now the NLT is hosting a huge contest to win one of their Life Application Study Bibles (and just maybe an Apple iPad or iPod Touch!) Visit www.facebook.com/NewLivingTranslation and click on the tab that says “Sweepstakes.” Fill out a simple form, take a quick Bible clarity survey, invite your friends to join and you’ll be entered to win one of the exciting prizes.

With each fan number milestone a new prize will be given away.

Grand Prize

Apple iPad 64G and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the fifth milestone
Retail Value: $829.00

2nd Prize - Already awarded

32G iPod Touch and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the fourth milestone
Retail Value: $300.00

3rd Prize – Will be awarded when fan count hits: 3500

Kindle DX and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the third milestone
Retail Value: $489.00

4th Prize Will be awarded when fan count hits: TBD

Apple iPad 16G and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the New Living Translation Fan Page hits the second milestone
Retail Value: $499.00

5th Prize Will be awarded when fan count hits: TBD

Apple iPad 32G and a Life Application Study Bible
Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the first milestone
Retail Value: $599.00

Prize Eligibility – Recently updated to include more countries

Sweepstakes participants and winner(s) can be U.S. residents of the 50 United States, or residents of any country that is NOT embargoed by the United States, but cannot be residents of Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India. In addition, participants and winner(s) must be at least 18 years old, as determined by the Company.

Sweepstakes Starts

March 17, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

Sweepstakes Ends

April 30, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

Wait, there’s more!

Visit http://biblecontest.newlivingtranslation.com/index.php for a chance to win a trip for two to Hawaii!

Here are the details:

Choose one of six passages of Scripture from the New Living Translation and consider:
How do these verses encourage you to know God better?
What is God teaching you in this passage?
How does this passage apply to your life?

Submit your answer and you’ll be entered to win.

Just for signing up: Everybody Wins! Win a Free .mp3 download from the NLT’s new Red Letters Project. It’s the dynamic, new presentation of the sung and narrated words of the Gospel of Matthew. You win the download just for entering! Or choose to download the NLT Philippians Bible Study, complete with the Book of Philippians in the NLT.

Every day, one person will win the best-selling Life Application Study Bible!

The grand prize: One person will win a fantastic trip for two to the crystal clear waters of the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore in beautiful Hawaii.

Sound awesome? I thought so. I've already signed up. Why don't you?

On Guard - William Lane Craig

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:33:00 +0000

It’s not enough to believe, you are called to know why you believe. In an age of skepticism that has given God His funeral, Christians must stand up and be On Guard to defend their faith as rational and justifiably true. And towards this end, William Lane Craig has written this exquisite training manual. Penned in conversational and accessible language and filled with illustrations and diagrams, Dr. Craig’s teaching leaps off the page and into your mind, carefully preparing you to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have.

As a Christian scholar, amateur philosopher and theologian, and voracious reader, I’ve read a good number of books on apologetics. Many are written by the scholar to the scholar and most laypeople would struggle with the material and not connect it with the relevance to everyday life. Many more are written strictly at the popular level and contain only superficial apologetics. Each of these has their place to be sure, but with On Guard Dr. Craig bridges the gap and without shying away from scholarly issues manages to explain his apologetic in fairly clear and simple terms.

From evidence to the existence of God to the reality of the Resurrection to the self-destruction of religious pluralism, Dr. Craig expertly makes a case that the Christian faith is not only plausible, but rational. So rational, in fact, that evidence demands one test it experientially.

Even if some of the text does go over your head (if you’re not reading carefully), the illustrations and diagrams provide an excellent summary of contents. This feature, along with Dr. Craig’s personal interludes is what makes this book unique and renders it a must-read. In all honestly, having read much of Dr. Craig’s works, as well as having listened to his many debates, and studied in his Defenders class, little of what Dr. Craig said was new to me, whether principle to anecdote. Nonetheless, I continued to find myself enthralled by the principles he sets forth. In a passionately person touch, Dr. Craig recounts his own scholastic journey as evidence of the provision of God.

Whether you’re seasoned in apologetics or just wanting to know why you believe, On Guard is the training manual you want. Dr. Craig has cemented himself as one of the top contemporary philosophers and theologians, a brilliant man with a heart for God. This is a book I will come back to time and time again as I continue my passionate pursuit after God, and I would suggest that you make it the same for you.

Start Here - Alex and Brett Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:30:00 +0000

A couple years ago thousands of teens closed the cover on a book that challenged the myth of adolescence and encouraged them to step up and do hard things for Christ. But what if you don’t know what to do or where to start? What if your plans to do hard things are falling through? What if the stories of those doing hard things seemed impossible, because, after all, you’re just you.

Alex and Brett Harris take on the practical aspect of doing hard things in Start Here, a book filled with real-life stories of the Rebelutioaries inspired to do hard things. From what to do and where to go to how to plan out your own hard thing, Alex and Brett give advice based on their own experience and Biblical principles, then intertwine it with real-life stories told to them by fellow rebelutionaries.

They teach you to buck and culture and show the world that teenagers and young adults are capable of changing the world. They encourage you not to give up when things don’t go as planned. They admonish you to always seek the will of God and keep Him of first importance.

Start Here is a fairly quick read that gives practical advice on how to give one’s best for God. I’m sure it will serve as an inspiration to the many teens striving to do hard things in their own communities and in their own lives.

My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen more extensive coverage on what basis we have to do hard things. Can we do it ourselves? Do you have to be a Christian to do hard things? While Alex and Brett infuse their principles with Christian doctrine, I think they could have done a more extensive job on why we should have the impetus to hard things. Namely that God himself has infused His life in us, and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. Thus, the things we do, we do not our own, but rather it is possible because of who we are in Christ.

If you loved Do Hard Things, or read it and aren’t sure where to go, Start Here is…well…a good place to start. You can buy it here!

Click HERE for details on how to win a free copy of Start Here! Contest ends March 19.

Whirlwind - Robert Liparulo

noreply@blogger.com (Josh) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:13:00 +0000

You can’t simply do nothing. You must fix things. The Kings’ haven’t been able to relax since they moved into the giant Victorian mansion just a week or so ago. House of Dark Shadows, the first book in the series, set the stage for the Kings: a house with portals to other worlds and other times. The story progresses throughout the next three books in the series (Watcher in the Woods, Gatekeepers, and Timescape) as the Kings’ learn more about their house and face the danger that comes along with it. Warning! If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, you will need to do so before reading Whirlwind.

Whirlwind starts off in a hurry and stays at a breakneck pace. For the Kings’ and Keal, their mission is no longer just to find Mom but also save the entire planet. They’ve been through a portal that showed them the future, and things aren’t good. But Jesse tells them the real purpose of the portals, the responsibility of being a Gatekeeper. You can’t simply do nothing. You must fix things.

Set to fulfill that purpose, Whirlwind takes Xander and David on their wildest ride yet – where the way history is written depends on their actions. Time is winding down, Taksidian is drawing nearer, the forces of evil are bent upon controlling the King house for its own purposes, and the Kings can barely hold up under the strain.

Robert Liparulo continues to surprise and amaze with the DreamHouse Kings series. One would think after five books, the story of the house would be told and it would be reduced to Xander, David, and gang chasing and being chased through different times in different worlds; but Liparulo continues to add more to the storyline, slowly revealing more and more about the nature of house, the significance of the King family, and the personified evil of Taksidian who pursues them.

New worlds are accompanied with new revelations, which only serve to heighten the suspense and prepare us for the series’ climax in the upcoming May release, Frenzy. Whirlwind is a blast, from start to finish. The stories just keep getting better as Liparulo layers in more backstory and additional twists. Now I can only sit and twitch, anticipating the finale to come.