Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Aloha Rose
(Abingdon Press - November 19, 2013)
by
Lisa Carter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:

I am a wife and mother. My husband and I have two daughters and make our home in the beautiful state of North Carolina.

I am a teacher. With a Master’s degree in history, I have taught at the university, high school and middle school levels. After years of church involvement as a soloist, choir member and worship leader, I also teach music.

I am a writer. Delighted by the rhythm and musicality of words, I have been writing since childhood. In 2001, I won the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) Story Writing Contest that re-ignited a lifelong love of writing.

I am on a journey of faith. My ultimate desire through my life and my writing is to proclaim the truth of God’s Word, His redeeming love as seen in the life of Jesus Christ and to help others know for themselves this great, awesome God of all comfort and wisdom. He is enough for every need.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Laney Carrigan sets out to find her birth family, her only clue is the Hawaiian quilt—a red rose snowflake appliquéd on a white background—in which she was found wrapped as an infant. Centering her search on the Big Island and battling fears of rejection, Laney begins a painstaking journey toward her true heritage. Kai Barnes, however, is determined to protect the people he’s come to regard as family. He thinks Laney is nothing more than a gold digger and blocks every move she makes toward her Hawaiian family. As their conflict escalates, it puts at risk the one thing that Kai and Laney both want most—a family.

My thoughts:

Another great offering in the Quilts of Love series.

In Aloha Rose, we venture to our beautiful 50th state, where Laney Carrigan comes to find answers about the quilt she was wrapped in when her mother gives her up. She meets Kai Barnes, who himself has a painful past. The friction between them (both good and bad) ebbs and flows as the secrets in their pasts try to overshadow both their present and future.

I loved the bantering between Laney and Kai - great dialogue is always a winner in my book. Putting in some really great plot twists and the unpredictability of a character whose lucidity comes and goes also adds a greater dimension to this story. Overall this is a great tale of both forgiveness and trust and letting go of the things in the past that are hindering the working of love in your life. This is a book that romance lovers everywhere would enjoy especially if they want to experience a taste of the islands.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and Abingdon Press for generously providing a copy for review.

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

Critical Reaction by Todd M Johnson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Critical Reaction
(Bethany House Publishers - November 19, 2013)
by
Todd M. Johnson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Todd M. Johnson has practiced as an attorney for over 30 years, specializing as a trial lawyer. Todd's career experience blends with his passion for writing in his novels published through Bethany House.

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.

The Deposit Slip, Mr. Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012. Todd's second novel, Critical Reaction, will be released in November 2013.

Todd lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Cathy and children Ian and Libby.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After decades of turning out plutonium for the arms race, the Hanford Nuclear Facility has long been shuttered, though its deadly legacy cannot be fully contained. The men who guard the facility from sabotage or monitor its buildings for radiation leaks are told the risks are under control. They believe it, until the worst happens: a thunderous explosion in the dead of night.

Two workers, lifer Poppy Martin and new hire Kieran Mullaney, believe themselves lucky to survive the blast. But as the debris is cleared, they discover their safety is not assured. Dead ends and closed doors halt their efforts to discover what really happened--and what radiation may have poisoned them. When stalling and threats force them into the hands of experienced trial lawyer Ryan Hart, they learn that theirs is no ordinary lawsuit. There is something still hidden in the desert of eastern Washington, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure it never sees the light of day.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. It's full of intrigue, well-developed characters, and plot twists that will both please and disgust you. I was only halfway through the book and I was already thinking that this book would make a great movie and it only got better from there.

Tell all your legal suspense and thriller-loving friends about this book...they won't be disappointed!

My thanks to CFBA and Bethany House Publishers for generously providing a copy for review.

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

Derailed by Dave and Neta Jackson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Derailed
(Worthy Publishing - October 8, 2013)

by
Dave and Neta Jackson
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Forced to give up his hard-earned retirement, Harry Bentley goes back to work as a detective. Receiving a bizarre undercover assignment that sends him across the country by train. Things suddenly go awry when it appears one of his new neighbors may be part of a smuggling ring and suspicion rises about his own son’s involvement in a major drug cartel.

The second in the Windy City Neighbors series, Derailed is a contemporary, and often humorous, tale in an urban setting, featuring ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. Intersecting with Grounded (book one), the Jacksons employ their innovative storytelling technique of “parallel novels.” Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters’ lives become intertwined and affect one another. Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.

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

Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Paige Rewritten
(NavPress - October 8, 2013)
by
Erynn Mangum
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Paige Alder is in a really good place. She’s dating nice guy Tyler. Her boss has offered her a raise. Her walk with God is strong. Life is great—and that’s when things start to change.

First, the youth pastor at church keeps asking Paige to work with him full-time. Then her sister shows up newly engaged and wanting to reconnect, even though they haven’t spoken in years. And now former boyfriend Luke has come back into her life. How is Paige supposed to know what the right decisions are?

This warm and humorous second book in the Paige Alder series will help young girls work through important issues, such as forgiving others and obeying God.

My thoughts:


If you love romance and comedy with real-life characters that tackle issues that face many a Christian, then this book is for you.

I absolutely love Erynn's books...she writes such real characters that readers can relate to. She fills her books with both laughable moments and heartfelt truth that will soften even the hardest of hearts. She's a great storyteller who never leaves me disappointed.

My sincerest thanks to CFBA and NavPress for generously providing a copy for review.

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

Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr and Cindy Kelley

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Traces of Mercy
(David C. Cook - October 1, 2013)
by
Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.

****

Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

From Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, authors of The Silent Gift and creators of the hit television film Love Comes Softly, comes an exciting historical romance set in post-Civil War, and filled with suspense and faith-building values.

At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life.

Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance.

My thoughts:

An excellent offering for a Civil War era reading buff like myself. We follow a Confederate sniper on the battlefield relentlessly pursuing the enemy but when a momentary act of mercy changes the course of the soldiers life, it produces a spellbinding story of love, intrigue, betrayal, and revenge.

This novel hooked me from the very first page! I turned the pages of this book eagerly because of the compelling storyline. The ending of this book was enough to satisfy me but an interesting turn of events at the end makes me want to wish away the months until book two comes out.

My thanks to CFBA and David C Cook Publishers for generously providing a copy for review.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Traces of Mercy, go
HERE.