2011 Christy Winner - Suspense

The nominees are:

The Bishop
by Steven James (Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Bride Collector
by Ted Dekker (Center Street)

Predator
by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)

AND THE WINNER IS:



THE BISHOP by STEVEN JAMES

Find out more on the web:
Steven James
Revell Books
Ted Dekker
Center Street Publishing
Terri Blackstock
Zondervan Publishing

2011 Christy Winner - Historical Romance

The nominees are:

The Girl in the Gatehouse
by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

She Walks in Beauty
by Siri Mitchell (Bethany House,
a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Within My Heart
by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)


AND THE WINNER IS:



THE GIRL IN THE GATEHOUSE by JULIE KLASSEN

Find out more on the web:
Julie Klassen
Siri Mitchell
Tamera Alexander
Bethany House Publishers

2011 Christy Winner - Historical

The nominees are:

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
by Ginger Garrett (David C. Cook)

For Time & Eternity
by Allison Pittman (Tyndale House Publishers)

While We’re Far Apart
by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers,
a division of Baker Publishing Group)

AND THE WINNER IS:



WHILE WE'RE FAR APART by LYNN AUSTIN

Find out more on the web:
Ginger Garrett
David C Cook Publishers
Allison Pittman
Tyndale House Publishers
Lynn Austin
Bethany House Publishers

2011 Christy Winner - First Novel

The nominees are:

Crossing Oceans
by Gina Holmes (Tyndale House Publishers)

Heartless
by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Season of Miracles
by Rusty Whitener (Kregel Publications)

AND THE WINNER IS:



HEARTLESS by ANNE ELISABETH STENGL

Find out more on the web:
Gina Holmes
Tyndale House Publishers
Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Bethany House Publishers
Rusty Whitener
Kregel Publications

2011 Christy Winner - Contemporary Standalone

The nominees are:

Almost Heaven
by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)

Lady in Waiting
by Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Press)

A Season of Miracles
by Rusty Whitener (Kregel Publications)

AND THE WINNER IS:



ALMOST HEAVEN by CHRIS FABRY

Find out more on the web:
Chris Fabry
Tyndale House Publishers
Susan Meissner
WaterBrook Press
Rusty Whitener
Kregel Publications

2011 Christy Winner - Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas

The nominees are:

The Reluctant Prophet
by Nancy Rue (David C. Cook)

The Thorn
by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House Publishers,
a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Waiting
by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell Books,
a division of Baker Publishing Group)

AND THE WINNER IS:



THE RELUCTANT PROPHET by NANCY RUE

Find out more on the web:
Nancy Rue
David C Cook Publishing
Beverly Lewis
Bethany House Publishers
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell Books

2011 Christy Winner - Contemporary Romance

The nominees are:

Blood Ransom
by Lisa Harris (Zondervan)

Indivisible
by Kristen Heitzmann (WaterBrook Press)

Sworn to Protect
by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)

AND THE WINNER IS:



SWORN TO PROTECT by DIANN MILLS

Find out more on the web:
Lisa Harris
Zondervan Publishers
Kristen Heitzmann
WaterBrook Press
DiAnn Mills
Tyndale House Publishers

"Waiting On" Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases and is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. Feel free to join in and let us know what you're waiting on.

I love a good Lisa Tawn Bergren novel and put this on my wish list the moment I first saw it.

About Mercy Come Morning:

There are no second chances. Or are there?

Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.

Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.

The Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Protector
(Avon Inspire; Original edition - June 28, 2011)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Everyone needs a safe place to call home...

When her mother passes away, Ella's forced to auction off her family's farm. Her father died years ago, and she could never manage the fifty acres on her own. But after she moves to town, she can't deny the pain she feels watching the new owner, Loyal Weaver, repairing her family's old farmhouse—everything Ella had once dreamed of doing.

What Ella doesn't know is that Loyal secretly hopes she will occupy this house again...as his wife. He begins inviting her over, to ask her opinion on changes he wants to make. As their friendship blooms, Ella starts to wonder about Loyal's intentions, especially when her best friend, Dorothy, hints that Loyal is not who he seems. There's no way the golden boy of their close-knit Amish community could be interested in Ella, long the wallflower, hidden away caring for her ailing parents.

Should she trust the man she's always yearned for, or the friend who's always been by her side? When one of them threatens to disrupt the independence she's finally achieved, Ella is faced with a choice. She can protect her heart and keep things the way they've always been. Or she can come out of her shell, risk everything for the love she's always wanted, and finally have a place to call home.

If you would like to read an excerpt from The Protector, go HERE.

Bridge to a Distant Star by Carolyn Williford

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Bridge to a Distant Star
(David C. Cook; New edition - June 1, 2011)
by
Carolyn Williford

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Williford has authored seven books, including Jordan's Bend, Devotions for Families That Can't Sit Still, and Faith Tango, as well as numerous articles. She and her husband, Craig, live in Deerfield, Illinois, where he serves as president of Trinity International University. They have two children and four grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It All Comes Tumbling Down

As a storm rages in the night, unwary drivers venture onto Tampa Bay’s most renowned bridge. No one sees the danger ahead. No one notices the jagged gap hidden by the darkness and rain. Yet when the bridge collapses vehicles careen into the churning waters of the bay below.

In that one catastrophic moment, three powerful stories converge: a family ravaged by their child’s heartbreaking news, a marriage threatened by its own facade, and a college student burdened by self doubt. As each story unfolds, the characters move steadily closer to that fateful moment on the bridge. And while each character searches for grace, the storms in their lives loom as large as the storm that awaits them above the bay.

When these characters intersect in Carolyn Williford’s gripping and moving volume of three novellas, they also collide with the transforming truth of Christ: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

MY THOUGHTS:

When I first saw this book title and synopsis, I was a bit hesitant about reading it, but probably for a reason you wouldn't suspect. My trepidation came because I am terribly affected by bridges...especially large bridges over vast expanses of water and even more so by suspension bridges...even to the point of feeling physically ill. If there's any way I can avoid them, I do. But I put that reluctance aside and dove into this book.

I knew going in that this may be a sad book...knowing that the bridge would collapse and vehicles would fall to their demise. I really liked how the author separated this into three different stories, because I feel like I could make more of connection to the characters in each story by not having to skip around through each set of drama.

I did find the book sad, but not totally from the fact that each would end with a vehicle in the water. The circumstances explored in each story...familial turmoil, physical illness, and uncertainty in knowing God's will for one's life...brought tears to my eyes many times as I read. I will say this, though...the ending is fairly unexpected and tempered some of the sadness I felt throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book, even considering my initial personal misgivings, and look forward to more from author Carolyn Williford.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Bridge to a Distant Star, go HERE.

My thanks to the publisher and CFBA for my review copy.

Spring Reading Thing Wrap Up

I was hoping that by participating the Spring Reading Thing that I could really get going on my reading this year, since I'd had such an abysmal start to 2011. I guess I did pretty well since I only left two books unread, but didn't get to clear any off of my shelf.

I'd broken down my list into parts similar to the way I did in the Fall into Reading 2010 Challenge, and I include them below with a few additions. The books I completed are in bold print.

I didn't dislike a single book...and put an "*" by the ones I particularly enjoyed.

Review Books:

1. False Pretenses by Kathy Herman
2. Faithful by Kim Cash Tate
3. Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze
4. Voyage with the Vikings by Paul McCusker & Marianne Hering
5. Attack at the Arena by Paul McCusker & Marianne Hering
6. Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis
*7. He Said, She Said by Cindy Sproles & Eddie Jones
8. The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt

Added:
9. She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen
10. Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins
*11. Undaunted Faith by Andrea Boeshaar

Too Good to Pass Up (Recent releases by some of my favorite authors):

*1. Lie Down in Green Pastures by Debbie Viguie
*2. Unexpected Love by Andrea Boeshaar
*3. The Judgment by Beverly Lewis
4. Glamour by Melody Carlson
5. The Journey by Wanda Brunstetter
6. Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Added:
7. Katy's Decision by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Finally off the Shelf (Books that I clean off my shelf during the challenge):

1.
2.
3.

Non-fiction:

1. 31 Days to a Younger You by Arlene Pellicane
*2. Plain Wisdom by Cindy Woodsmall & Miriam Flaud
3. Growing Up Amish by Anna Dee Olson
4. Should We Use Someone Else's Sermon by Scott M Gibson

Throwing in some books that I pre-read for my oldest daughter:

*1. No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe
2. How to Ruin Your Life: and Other Lessons You Don't Learn in School by Carolyn McTighe

I'm sure I'll be signing up to participate in the fall reading challenge hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days, but until then I hope you all have a fantastic summer!

She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
She Makes It Look Easy
(David C. Cook - June 1, 2011)
by
Marybeth Whalen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions. Her first novel,The Mailbox was released in June 2010. Additionally, she serves as director of She Reads, Proverbs 31 Ministries' fiction division.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood play dates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.

Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.

If you would like to read an excerpt of She Makes It Look Easy, go HERE.

.

The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt

About The Fine Art of Insincerity:

Three grown Southern sisters have nine marriages between them-and more loom on the horizon-when Ginger, the eldest, wonders if she's the only one who hasn't inherited what their family calls "the Grandma Gene": the tendency to like the casualness of courtship better than the intimacy of marriage. Could it be that her two sisters are fated to serially marry, just like their seven-times wed grandmother, Mrs. Lillian Irene Harper Winslow Goldstein Carey James Bobrinski Gordon George? It takes a "girls only" weekend, closing up Grandma's treasured beach house for the last time, for the sisters to really unpack their family baggage, examine their relationship DNA, and discover the true legacy their much-marrying grandmother left behind...

My thoughts:

The Lawrence sisters all find different ways to deal with life...but are they dealing with life in an honest manner? Each seems to have a sense of insecurity that they try to gloss over, hiding her true self from others (as well as herself.) I enjoyed getting to know Ginger, Penny, and Rose as individuals...and seeing things from each individual perspective went a long way in giving authenticy to the strengths and vulnerabilities that each possessed...I cared about what happened to them and saw myself in them. The nostalgic tone of the book is also quite touching as their own memories resurface and they find out who their grandmother truly was by what she left behind.

Coming from a family of three girls, this book intrigued me from the start. It caused me to reflect on my own life and the status of my relationship with my own sisters. Talk about eye-opening!

After reading this book I've done some introspection and realize that knowing my sisters on a superficial level is as bad as not knowing them at all. I really like this statement on page 298 where Ginger says, "...though I haven't loved you the way I should in the past, I'd like a chance to love you better." Can we be honest with the ones we love? We must, because our chance may be gone before we know it.

My thanks to Glass Roads PR for providing a copy for review.

Find out more on the web:
Angela Hunt
Howard Books
Glass Road PR

Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Over the Edge
(B&H Books - May 1, 2011)
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, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Final Touch, third 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:

Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns—and powerful truths about today's medical field.

Janessa McNeil’s husband, Dr. Brock McNeil, a researcher and professor at Stanford University's Department of Medicine, specializes in tick-borne diseases—especially Lyme. For years he has insisted that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't exist. Even as patients across the country are getting sicker, the committee Brock chairs is about to announce its latest findings—which will further seal the door shut for Lyme treatment.

One embittered man sets out to prove Dr. McNeil wrong by giving him a close-up view of the very disease he denies. The man infects Janessa with Lyme, then states his demand: convince her husband to publicly reverse his stand on Lyme—or their young daughter will be next.

But Janessa's marriage is already rocky. She's so sick she can hardly move or think. And her husband denies she has Lyme at all.

Welcome to the Lyme wars, Janessa.

“A taut, heartbreaking thriller. Collins is a fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages.”

--Publishers Weekly



“Tense and dramatic. Holds its tension while following the protagonist in a withering battle.” –NY Journal of Books



“A frightening and all-too-real scenario. Very timely and meaningful book.” –RT Reviews



“If you know someone who suffers from Lyme, you need to read this compelling novel.” –Lydia Niederwerfer, founder of Lyme-Aware

If you would like to read the Prologue of Over the Edge, go HERE.

Watch the book video:

Undaunted Faith by Andrea Boeshaar

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Undaunted Faith
(Realms - May 3, 2011)
by
Andrea Boeshaar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has been married for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. Andrea's educational background includes the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College where she studied in Professional Communications and Business Management.

Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.

Finally her first novel was published in 1994. Since then she's written numerous articles and devotionals. Andrea has also published inspiration romance novels, women's fiction, and novellas..

In 2003, Andrea joined the Hartline Literary Agency and worked for Joyce Hart as a literary agent. She saw much success. But then in 2007, Andrea realized she was more of a teacher/encourager than a sales person. She left the agency and became a certified Christian life coach. Now, in addition to her writing, Andrea enjoys encouraging others to use their God-given talents and gifts to their fullest.

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar is a certified Christian life coach and speaks at writers’ conferences and for women’s groups. She has taught workshops at such conferences as Write-To-Publish, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Oregon Christian Writers Conference, Mount Hermon Writers Conference, and many local writers conferences. Another of Andrea’s accomplishments is cofounder of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) organization. For many years she served on both its Advisory Board and as its CEO.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Pastor Luke McCabe begins paying extra attention to her, Bethany takes his fine-sounding words with a grain of salt. She's heard sweet talk before. This time she is going to keep her mind on the Lord and on her new teaching job in the Arizona Territory.

But when her reputation is accidentally soiled by the rakish town sheriff, Luke steps in with a marriage proposal to save Bethany's good name. Luke is certain their marriage is God's will...but Bethany is just as certain God must have someone else in mind to be Luke's wife.

Someone sweet and spiritual, who knows the Scriptures better than Bethany does. Someone like Luke's old friend from home.

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

Watch the video trailer:

Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Abigail's New Hope
(Harvest House Publishers - April 1, 2011)
by
Mary Ellis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from the author:I grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community of Geauga County, where my parents often took me to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. My husband and I now live within the largest population of Amish in the country–a four-county area in central Ohio. We love to take weekend getaways to purchase farm produce and other goodies, stay with Amish families in bed and breakfasts, attend country auctions and enjoy the simpler way of life.

This is my first series of novels set in the Amish community.

I would love to hear from readers of Christian novels. Please leave me a post at my blogsite.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

As an Amish midwife, Abigail Graber loves bringing babies into the world. But when a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn, Abigail is faced with some hard choices. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies—but the baby is saved.

When a heartless judge confines Abigail to the county jail for her mistakes, her sister Catherine comes to care for her children while Daniel works his fields. Catherine meets Daniel’s reclusive cousin, Isaiah, who’s deaf and thought to be simple minded by his community. She endeavors to teach him to communicate and discovers he possesses unexpected gifts and talents.

While Abigail searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes lives and, in return, finds love, something long elusive in her life. And Isaiah discovers God, who cares nothing about our handicaps or limitations in His sustaining love.

An inspirational tale of overcoming grief, maintaining faith, and finding hope in an ever-changing world.

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book with it's gripping story line of an Amish midwife thrust into the Englischer system of law while practicing a vocation that is commonplace in the Amish culture. This was such an emotional story since we see the viewpoints of Abby and Nathan in the book, each having suffered a loss, and you couldn't help but grieve as they struggled and rejoice as they work to overcome in those struggles.

I also really enjoyed the chemistry that exists between Catherine and Isaiah...and I certainly hope there is more to their story.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Abigail's New Hope, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer:

He Said, She Said by Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
He Said, She Said
(Lighthouse Publishing - February 14, 2011)
by
Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are the cofounders of Christian Devotions Ministries. Their He Said, She Said devotions are syndicated in a number of newspapers across the eastern seaboard and they host the weekly He Said, She Said Radio, Friday nights at 6:00 p.m. est. on Blog Talk Radio. Eddie and Cindy are popular speakers and teachers at Writers Conferences across the country.

Eddie is the author of five non-fiction books and his newest fiction release, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, a middle grade book. While Cindy is the author of one non-fiction and two compilations.

Together they teach writing with WritersCoach.us. Eddie and Cindy have been writing the He Said, She Said devotions since 2008, taking one scripture weekly and looking at it from two perspectives--His and Hers, with the idea that learning more about scripture from two perspectives helps one to delve deeper in God's word and know Him better.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion, or How Newlyweds, Couples and Singles Can Draw Closer to God and Their Mate Through Daily Devotions

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children and God? Are you easily distracted by the busyness of life and left feeling drained, bored, and discouraged? Do you sense you were meant to enjoy the richness of life, but spend your days feasting on crumbs? This heart-warming collection of stories (54 in all) will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God.

These deeply personal (and sometimes humorous) devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the unique perspective of one man and one woman. Learn to cultivate a life of passion. Perfect for your quiet time, these moments of meditative reflection illustrate the importance of allowing God to work within you and speak through you. No matter if you are newlyweds or newly retired, this book of devotions will help you put the spark back into your love life and explore the precious relationships God desires for you. He Said, She Said touches the heart, tickles the funny bone and brings you to your knees in worship.

If you would like to read an excerpt from He Said, She Said, go HERE.

Watch the book video:

Cindy and Eddie are not only good friends of mine, but a regular source of my spiritual renewal. It's a great idea, the he-said/she-said concept and I always enjoy their devotionals. Both are not only grounded spiritually, and super nice people but they both keep me laughing. It's that humor and heart that makes the spiritual more relatable in the most practical sense.

~Gina Holmes, author of Crossing Oceans~

I've know Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles for a few years. Each has a way of tickling my funny bone, so I wondered what a devotional book by them would be. I can heartily recommend it. The humor is there, but it's coupled with deep truths that go straight to the heart of the problem. You'll find a path that winds closer to God through He Said, She Said.

~Ane Mulligan, Editor of Novel Journey~

MY THOUGHTS:

I'm almost finished with this...but I'm enjoying it so far. Review coming soon.

Imagination Station Review and GIVEAWAY

See the end of this post to see how you can win a copy of each of these books.

About Voyage with the Vikings:

In the first book of the series, Voyage with the Vikings, cousins Patrick and Beth are visiting Mr. Whittaker at Whit’s Soda Shoppe when they find a mysterious letter in the Imagination Station requesting a Viking sunstone. The letter is old and says that someone named Albert will be imprisoned if the sunstone isn't found. Whit sends Patrick and Beth to Greenland circa 1000, where they meet Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson--and find the sunstone as they join Leif on his first voyage to North America . But the adventure is just beginning, for when they return to Mr. Whittaker's workshop with the sunstone, there is another note waiting for them.

About Attack at the Arena:

The adventures continue in Attack at the Arena. Patrick and Beth learn that Mr. Whittaker’s fancy ring can be seen inside the Imagination Station but not outside of the machine. A second mysterious letter leads the cousins to fifth-century Rome in search of a special cup that belongs to a monk. If they find the cup it could keep the mysterious Albert out of prison. At the Roman Colosseum, Emperor Honorius is hosting a gladiator battle in celebration of a war victory. Beth attends the event as the emperor’s slave; Patrick attends as a monk’s apprentice but is taken prisoner and sent to fight in the arena. During their adventure, the cousins meet Telemachus (a true historical figure), a monk who believes that fighting is wrong. Telemachus is willing to risk everything—even his life—to stop the killing.

I am honored to have my 10 year old daughter Miss Rose give her thoughts on this series with me. She is an avid reader...and always has a book in her hands. Take it away, Miss Rose...

Miss Rose's Thoughts:

I really enjoy books about history so I really liked these two books. My favorite character in the books is Beth. She is smart and knows what to do in any situation...although she did seem to be a bit unsure of what to do when she was kidnapped in by the Roman soldier in Attack at the Arena. My favorite part in the Attack at the Arena is when Telemachus stops the hurt man from being killed. My favorite part in Voyage with the Vikings is when Beth plays chess with Erik the Red and beats him! These books were exciting and mysterious, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Mom's Thoughts:

Mom and Dad, if you're looking for fun, engaging books to keep your child reading then look no further than these Imagination Station books from Adventures in Odyssey. They're fast paced and easy to read (with pictures, too), and have an air of mystery that will keep your child turning pages. Another bonus...they're exploring the annals of history with the element of faith! I really enjoyed seeing how the message of Christ was woven through each story. These books have everything I could ask for in a book that I would share with my kids. So grab your child and climb aboard the Imagination Station...you will not be disappointed!

Guess what? I have one set of these books to GIVE AWAY, courtesy of Side Door Communications! Just leave a comment with contact information (you at yoohoo dot com) on this post by midnight Central Time on Friday, April 15, 2011, and I'll choose a winner on Saturday.

My sincerest thanks to Debbie Lykins at Side Door Communications for providing review copies for us.

Find out more on the web:
The Imagination Station Website
Author Marianne Hering
Author Paul McCusker
Illustrator David Hohn
Behind the Minds - Author Q&A
Side Door Communications

Behind the Minds of the Imagination Station

Imagination Station Interview and Q&A with Marianne Hering

1. What inspired you to write the Imagination Station series?
Paul (McCusker) had always wanted to write stories about the Imagination Station. When looking to do a kids’ series about it, we chose early elementary to introduce new readers to the Adventures in Odyssey world. We also wanted to touch on a group of kids that didn’t have many Christian books written for their level. There seemed to be a gap from picture books to later elementary readers.

2. The Imagination Station device is well-known to fans of the radio drama Adventures in Odyssey. Why did you and Paul decide to use it in a book series?
It lends itself to stand-alone adventures. It’s a fascinating device. Why wouldn’t he want to write about it? It allowed us to write about settings outside of Odyssey. We’d like some of the books to augment the history kids learn from public school textbooks or TV. The Imagination Station radio dramas are also among the most popular. We thought that kids would like them, that’s all!

3. The first two books focus on the Vikings and ancient Rome. The next two books focus on Kublai Khan and the War of the Roses. How did you and Paul decide which historical events to write about?
They just seemed interesting and we thought they’d be popular with boys. I also looked through the Bennett books on core knowledge to make sure the things we write about would be taught in schools. Also, the Rome book is based on an actual Adventures in Odyssey radio drama. It is one of our favorites, and so we wanted to retell the story. The Kublai Khan book started out to be more about Marco Polo, but Kublai took the stage. He was a fascinating character. We don’t always decide with concrete objectives. Most times the story just sounds plain old fun.

4. How true to history are the books?
Now, this is a spoiler. Mr. Whittaker isn’t real. Neither are Patrick and Beth. Though they are named after Paul’s children. Patrick and Beth are his children’s middle names.

Most of the events are based on sagas, legends, or some sort of historical base—except for book 4. All the characters in the War of the Roses story are fictional. For plot purposes, I sped up the storytelling. For example, the events in the Kublai Khan story took place over months, not hours. Same with the Viking book. I wanted Leif to leave for the New World shortly after he brought back the gospel from Norway. In reality, a lot of time passed between the events.
I did make some vocabulary exceptions. For example, Marco Polo was Venetian, but I called him Italian—a more familiar term for the readership. But the basic events of books 1 to 3 are true, and the War of the Roses did occur in England with Lords fighting their neighbors, etc. We really just wanted to write about the jousting. Paul did a lot great research for the jousting scene. I had to cut a lot of it, and that made me sad.

On the website The ImaginationStation.com, I’ve listed what’s true and what’s exaggerated for each book. There are also nonfiction pages for the kids to read about Leif Ericsson and the other Christian heroes.

5. These books are geared towards young readers, ages 7 and up. What is the number one issue that children learning to read struggle with?
Speed processing. The kids who are slower reading learners usually need more help with sight words and fluency. That’s just practice at an accessible reading level. These are just slower readers in general—I’m not counting kids with true auditory processing issues or other learning disabilities, which represent between 3 and 10 percent. Most kids can learn to read better with one-on-one instruction and a loving atmosphere. I’ve posted reading tips on the website for each book and lists of words to practice before tackling a chapter. See TheImaginationStation.com.

6. What kinds of books do you recommend children read?
I don’t only recommend books. There are fabulous magazines out there for this age group. Not all kids like fiction, so magazines draw them in with nonfiction and pictures. There are some good book series out there—I personally give my children the tried-and-true series written years ago, like Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books. My boys enjoyed the Horrible Harry books by Suzy Kline. My daughter was a Gertrude Chandler Warner/Boxcar Children fanatic. Parents can ask librarians to recommend books. One of my sons loves anything about animals in the nonfiction section—I don’t make him read fiction unless it’s for school. I do have to review their books first, and that can take a lot of time, but it’s worth it.

7. What are some ways that parents can help their children develop their reading skills?
(Get their vision checked for not only vision but for tracking issues as well.) Turn off the electronics and make reading a fun time. You can read to them or they can read to you. Make reading an event. Your kids will complain for about two weeks while the electronic addiction wears off. Then they will be better able to engage in literary pursuits. For free reading, let your kids read “easy” books. Don’t judge. If they want to read Hop on Pop twenty times, that means that’s where they are comfortable. If you push your kids beyond what they perceive to be the right level, they will rebel. Better a lot of fluent reading at an easy level than choppy reading at a higher level. Reading with starts and stops is a bad habit to let them get into.

8. What encouragement can you offer parents who may have reluctant or struggling readers?
I can encourage parents by letting them know that there are GREAT reading programs for kids. Most kids, 60 percent, need extra help at home to make it to the fourth grade reading level. That extra help can come from parents who gently and lovingly make reading a family hobby. There is no lack of teaching material, and your school districts should be able to help you find the right tools. The biggest factor in children’s success at school is a loving parent who takes the time to work with their children. One of my sons could not learn to sound out letters quickly enough to “hear” the word. I couldn’t help him, and so I hired a reading specialist who was more of a cognitive trainer and we worked through his auditory glitch. There are some terms to search “phonemic” awareness and “phonograms” that will help parents read more about how to help emergent readers. When the kids know how to sound out words, speed training on sight words can jump start their reading fluency. On the website, TheImaginationStation.com, I’ve prepared this long essay on how use a metronome to speed up your child’s reaction time to sight words. It’s under the book The Attack at the Arena. Don’t give up. Virtually every kid can learn to read well enough to go to college if his or her parent(s) invest in them.

9. What do you hope kids will walk away with after reading Imagination Station?
A smile and a desire to learn more about history and faith in Jesus Christ.

10. Can you give us any “sneak peeks” into what we can expect in future books?
Book 5 is a Bible story, a familiar Bible story. The title is “Showdown with the Shepherd.” I think that’s a fairly strong clue.
Book 6 is about Miles Standish and William Bradford and Native American relations. It centers on a certain holiday in November.
That will end the first story arc. As for the next set of 6, that may depend on sales of the first set. (That’s a strong hint to readers to buy the books so we can keep developing the series.)
Be sure to check out the click book for book 1 at TheImaginationStation.com. That way you can tell if these books will be at the right level for your kids.

Find out more on the web:
TheImaginationStation.com
Author Marianne Hering
Author Paul McCusker

False Pretenses by Kathy Herman

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
False Pretenses
(David C. Cook - March 1, 2011)
by
Kathy Herman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suspense novelist Kathy Herman is very much at home in the Christian book industry, having worked five years on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eleven years at Better Books Christian Center in Tyler, Texas, as product buyer/manager for the children’s department, and eventually as director of human resources.

She has conducted numerous educational seminars on children’s books at CBA Conventions in the U.S. and Canada, served a preliminary judge for the Gold Medallion Book Awards of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association , and worked as an independent product/marketing consultant to the CBA market.

Since her first novel, Tested by Fire, debuted in 2001 as a CBA national bestseller, she's added sixteen more titles to her credit, including four bestsellers: All Things Hidden, The Real Enemy, The Last Word, and The Right Call.

Kathy's husband Paul is her manager and most ardent supporter, and the former manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas. They have three grown children, five almost-perfect grandchildren, a cat named Samantha. They enjoy cruising, deep sea fishing, and birdwatching—sometimes incorporating these hobbies into one big adventure.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Zoe Broussard loves the life she and her husband Pierce have built in her beloved Louisiana hometown. She owns a thriving Cajun eatery in South Louisiana and is married to the love of her life.

But it’s about to become hell. One day, out of the blue, she receives a series of anonymous notes that sends her life into a tail spin. Five simple words, “I know what you did.” Zoe has a secret so terrible it could leave the business in shambles and tear her marriage apart. Unbeknownst to anyone, even Zoe’s husband, Pierce, she has a past—a past she had covered so well she never thought she would have to confront. How could anyone know what she did? Can she find the courage to face her past?

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

Spring Reading Thing 2011

I have definitely needed something to kick-start my reading this year and am so glad it's time for SRT 2011! Our host is Katrina at Callapidder Days, and everything you need to know to join in can be found here. The challenge runs from March 20 to June 20, 2011.

I've broken down my list into parts similar to the way I did in the Fall into Reading 2010 Challenge, so here we go:

Review Books:

1. False Pretenses by Kathy Herman
2. Faithful by Kim Cash Tate
3. Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze
4. Voyage with the Vikings by Paul McCusker & Marianne Hering
5. Attack at the Arena by Paul McCusker & Marianne Hering
6. Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis
7. He Said, She Said by Cindy Sproles & Eddie Jones
8. The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt

Too Good to Pass Up (Recent releases by some of my favorite authors):

1. Lie Down in Green Pastures by Debbie Viguie
2. Unexpected Love by Andrea Boeshaar
3. The Judgment by Beverly Lewis
4. Glamour by Melody Carlson
5. The Journey by Wanda Brunstetter
6. Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Finally off the Shelf (Books that I clean off my shelf during the challenge):

1.
2.
3.

Non-fiction (I have numerous NF books on my shelf as well, so I'll try to get a few of those finished):

1.
2.

I'm trying to give myself a bit of leeway since my reading habits haven't been the greatest of late...so check back to see if I fill up some of those empty spaces. Blessings y'all ... and happy reading!

The Caregiver by Shelley Shepard Gray

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Caregiver
(Avon Inspire; Original edition - March 8, 2011)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to Cleveland

Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.

The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.

Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book, and especially liked how the "caregiver" theme runs throughout the story. Seeing the circumstances that both Lucy and Calvin have gone through, it's easy to see how the caregiver title can apply to both of them. I became quite attached to many of the characters in the story and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

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

Operation Bonnet by Kimberly Stuart

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Operation Bonnet
(David C. Cook; New edition - February 1, 2011)
by
Kimberly Stuart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kimberly says:

I am a writer of comedic fiction, and would like to suggest that you laugh regularly when reading my books. Let’s also try for one to two teary moments. If you are crying more than that, you don’t understand my sense of humor and should move on to another author.

I grew up in a book-loving home. Actually, that’s not entirely accurate. My mom loves books. My dad loves to read the first chapters of books and then make us all listen as he recites his favorite passages. I, however, enjoy reading books in their entirety and came into writing as a result of book-love. After earning two fancy degrees in education and Spanish, I promptly let the thinking part of my brain take a breather and instead became pregnant. (I’m sure a lot of other things happened between early literacy and pregnancy but I don’t really remember any of that. If you also have shared your uterus with another human, you understand.)

In an effort to author a book that would entertain my sassy, irreverent, breast-feeding/drooping friends, I wrote my first novel, Balancing Act. People were so nice to me after that, I decided to continue with writing. Also, I can’t craft, knit, or scrapbook, so what else was a nice, Christian girl to do?

In addition to writing books to make my friends laugh and cry, I observe the chaos at the home I share with my unfailingly supportive husband and three offspring. We’re doing our best and so far, no one’s been to prison.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Twenty-year-old Nellie Monroe has a restless brilliance that makes her a bit of an odd duck. She wants to be a private investigator, even though her tiny hometown offers no hope of clients. Until she meets Amos Shetler, an Amish dropout carrying a torch for the girl he left behind.

So Nellie straps on her bonnet and goes undercover to get the dish. But though she’s brainy, Nellie is clueless when it comes to real life and real relationships. Soon she’s alienated her best friend, angered her college professor, and botched her case.

Operation Bonnet is a comedy of errors, a surprising take on love, and a story of grace.

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

Watch the book video trailer:

Save the Date by Jenny B Jones

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Save The Date
(Thomas Nelson - February 1, 2011)
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.

Some facts that are true include:

I've always been refined!

A. I got my camera confiscated by big boys with guns at the American Embassy in Europe this past summer. O la la!
B. I once worked in a seed mill office and cleaned out mice on a regular basis. Ew.
C. I’m a former drama teacher.
D. I didn’t pass my drivers test the first time. Or the second...
E. I attract stray animals like a magnet.
F. I used to assemble and test paint ball guns for a local factory...

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:

You’re invited to the engagement of the most unlikely couple of the year.

When the funding for Lucy’s non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir of Sinclair Enterprises—the primary donor to Lucy’s Saving Grace organization. Alex Sinclair has it all . . . except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Both Lucy and Alex have something the other wants. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn’t quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart – and her future – on the line.

Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams . . . and maybe even a date.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Save The Date, go HERE.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K Paul

About Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball:

Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

My thoughts:

Step inside this whimsical whirlwind and let it take you to a winter wonderland!

I love a good Christmas book and had this one on my wish list long before the holiday season rolled around. I wasn't disappointed with this charming story. All of the mysterious "behind-the-scenes" machinations to get Cora and Simon together at the Christmas Ball coupled with a diverse and unforgettable cast of characters make for a tale you'll not quickly forget.

I will have to say my favorite character of all was Simon's sister Sandy. She had such a simple sincerity about her and seeing her enjoy the wonders of life was quite endearing. I also enjoyed the Booterbaw Sisters and even Skippy the cat stole my heart. Also, seeing Cora embraced by Simon's loving family after all the chaos her family causes her is quite heart-warming as well.

The only thing I didn't care for in the book is the references to wizards and even though the book references that they are "wizened ones", I've always associated them with witchcraft and magic and can't get past that in my head. I will say, however, that those references to wizards in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Find out more on the web:
Donita K Paul
Download Chapter 1
Waterbrook Multnomah