Today Is the Release of Fatal Illusions

Whoo-hoo! May the Lord receive the glory!

The novel is for sale here.

See the New Book Trailer!

The Real Enemy by Kathy Herman

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Real Enemy
(David C. Cook, March 2009) 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 thirteen more titles to her credit, including another bestseller, All Things Hidden.

Kathy's husband Paul is her best friend and most ardent supporter and manages the LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas. They have three grown children, five adorable grandkids, a cat named Samantha—and an ongoing fascination with hummingbirds. They also enjoy world travel, deep sea fishing, stargazing, and bird watching and sometimes incorporate all these hobbies into one big adventure.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Brill Jessup just became the first female police chief in Sophie Trace, Tennessee, and is riding on the credentials of a stellar eighteen-year career on the Memphis police force. She may be a pro at finding clues, but she tends to ignore the obvious in her personal life. And she would rather work than deal with the bitterness she feels about her husband Kurt's infidelity. Kurt, is weighed down by her unrelenting anger as he struggles to let God redeem the stupidest mistake he ever made. He is genuinely contrite and making every effort to show his commitment to Brill. But she hides behind her badge and her bitterness, deciding that moving her family away from Memphis is the only change she needs to make. So why can't Brill get over this anger?

Before she ever has time to unpack her boxes, people start disappearing. Lots of them. Seven people in seven days To complicate matters, a local legend has many residents believing that the cause is unearthly─tied to the “red shadows,” or spirits of the departed Cherokee who once inhabited the land.

While Brill draws on all of her experience and instinct to solve the case, she must confront an enemy that threatens everything she holds dear─one that cannot be stopped with a badge and a gun. She is forced to confront the real enemy.

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

Adam's TitleTrakk Interview Posted

Read Adam's TitleTrakk interview here.

Did you go into the writing of this novel with a message in mind, or did the take-away value come about as you wrote?

"I didn’t premeditate what my novel’s themes were going to be. They emerged as the characters went through the mill and learned spiritual lessons based on their specific trials and personalities. Themes evolved from character growth. At the same time, I’m an author who is unapologetically a Christian author. Because of who I am, the message of Christ alone is going to naturally permeate what I write. Jostle a cup of coffee, and coffee is going to spill out. You get the idea." --Adam

Fatal Illusions Reading Group Guide Now Available

The Reading Group Guide is intended for those who would like to read the novel as a group and then discuss it. (Or you may use it on your own too.) I've written several probing questions to help readers get the most spiritual benefit from reading the novel. You may download or read the Reading Group Guide here (PDF, 42 KB). The guide is also available at the back of the novel for those who purchase a copy. My heart's desire is that the novel is not only entertaining but also spiritually challenging.

A Cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
A Cousin's Promise
Barbour Books (March 1, 2009)
by
Wanda Brunstetter


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Wanda enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life─something she says we all need in this day and age.

Using the knowledge her Amish friends have shared with her, Wanda has also produced several children’s titles in the Rachel Yoder─Always Trouble Somewhere series, an Amish cookbook, and a devotional collection entitled The Simpler Life, which was released in July 2008 and celebrates the virtues of the Amish lifestyle. Wanda and her husband are members of the fellowship of Christian Magicians.

Wanda is also a member of the North American Association of ventriloquists, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Northwest Christian Writers Association. She lives in Washington State, where her husband pastors, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements across the country.

Other books by Wanda are A Sister's Test, A Sister's Hope, and A Sister's Secret


ABOUT THE BOOK

Wayne Lambright who, crippled after a tragic accident, feels himself unworthy of her love; and Jake Beechy who, after having abandoned her to explore the English world, returns to renew their courtship.

Willkumm to the lush and lavish Amish country where Wanda Brunstetter's new romantic series, Indiana Cousins, begins with A Cousin's Promise. Loraine Miller finds herself torn between the love of two good men.

When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life?

Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection. But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance.

How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart? To which man will she pledge her love and loyalty - for better or worse, until death they do part?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Cousin's Promise, go HERE

Fatal Illusions to Be Sold at the Christian Book Expo

Alas, I will not be attending the Christian Book Expo 2009 in Dalas on March 19-22, but Fatal Illusions will be. My Kregel publicist said she'll have copies on hand to sell. How exciting! I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Pastor's Wife Forgives His Killer

Watch this amazing testimony (after a required commercial)!

The Twilight Series from a Biblical Perspective, Part 1

by Mark Farnham

Girl meets boy. Boy becomes obsessed with girl. Girl returns the favor. Boy turns out to be a vampire. Girl doesn’t mind as long as she can be with boy every moment of her life. This is a stereotypical, adolescent relationship (with the exception of the Dracula factor)! In Stephanie Meyer’s fast-paced Twilight series, obsessive love is the name of the game. The main character, Isabella “Bella” Swan, has never dated before she encounters the perfect-in-every-way Edward Cullen. What ensues is a highly charged romance that is sure to suck in every female heart longing for a little excitement and (apparently) clean fantasy. This review primarily considers the novels since they tell the story in far greater detail than the movie. Read more.

The Books Arrive

See the Final Cover

http://www.adamblumerbooks.com/2009/03/09/see-photos-of-the-final-cover/

Wind a Free Copy of Fatal Illusions

Friday, March 6, through March 10, Adam’s first online interview is featured at the blog of Christian author Tiffany Stockton. Check it out. Be sure to read the interview and comment on it. You will be entered in a drawing to receive a free copy of Fatal Illusions. This is the first official giveaway of the novel and the first promotional event. Have fun.

Advance Praise for Fatal Illusions

“Fatal Illusions is an engaging, fast-paced read with a captivating storyline that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Adam Blumer has skillfully weaved the threads of grace, mercy, and forgiveness into this compelling suspense novel. Highly recommended!”

—Mark Mynheir, homicide detective and author of The Night Watchman

“Adam Blumer tells a fast-paced story that weaves together a serial killer, a physically wounded pastor, and his spiritually wounded wife. The twists and turns will keep readers guessing, and the idyllic setting will have non-Yoopers wondering when they’ll be able to pay a visit to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.”

—Rick Acker, author of Blood Brothers

“In Fatal Illusions, Adam Blumer has crafted a page turner with characters that capture the imagination and a gripping plot from the first paragraph to the final sentence. An awesome ride!”

—Rosey Dow, Christy Award-winning author of Reaping the Whirlwind

“Magic in the hands of a diabolical madman proves deadly as he terrorizes a pastor’s family. Will their faith vanish when they need it most? Set against the backdrop of Lake Superior’s magnificent shores, Fatal Illusions is chilling, action-packed suspense that will keep readers moored right up until the very last page!”

—Andrea Boeshaar, author and speaker

“Adam Blumer’s debut novel is compelling and riveting, with a cast of well-defined characters and a plot as tight and action-packed as any best-selling thriller on bookstore shelves today. Fatal Illusions contains enough twists to keep even Harry Houdini impossibly bound! I can’t wait to see what else this author has up his sleeve!”

—Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

“Every now and then I find an author whose voice I immediately fall in love with. Adam Blumer is one of those authors. In Fatal Illusions he weaves a tale so spellbinding and gripping, I couldn’t wait to turn the next page. With characters I could identify with, a killer who had me looking over my shoulder, and an ending full of twists and surprises . . . just like that, I’m an Adam Blumer fan!”

—Mike Dellosso, author of The Hunted and Scream

“Fatal Illusions is a heart-thumping novel that not only kept me flipping pages, but impressed me with the Christian values it portrayed. Mystery reading at its best!”

—Bea Carlton, author of fifteen books

Double Minds by Terri Blackstock

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Double Minds Zondervan (February 1, 2009) by Terri Blackstock.
About the Author

Terri Blackstock hasn’t always written for the Lord. Just over a decade ago she was an award-winning secular novelist writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Silhouette. With thirty-two titles published and 3.5 million books in print, she found that she was miserable. The compromises she had made in her career had taken their toll on her spiritual life, and she yearned to renew her relationship with Christ.

After much soul-searching and wrestling with God, she finally told the Lord that she would never write another thing that didn’t glorify Him. Thinking she might never be published again, she began planning ways to supplement her income, while she worked on her first idea for a Christian novel.

Because she enjoyed reading suspense novels, she tried weaving a faith message into a fast-paced page-turner with ordinary people in jeopardy. When Christian publishers expressed great interest, she realized that a secondary job would not be necessary. God was paving the way for her to enter the Christian publishing world.

Since that time, she’s sold 2 million Christian novels. She has over thirty Christian titles, many of which have been number one best-sellers. Her latest book, Dawn's Light is part of her popular Restoration Series. True Light, reached number one on the Top 50 of all Christian books the first full month it was in stores. Night Light was the winner of the 2007 Retailer’s Choice Award for General Fiction. Other reader favorites include her Cape Refuge Series, her Newpointe 911 Series, her SunCoast Chronicles Series and her “Seasons” books written with co-author Beverly LaHaye.

Terri is literally a native of nowhere since she was raised in the Air Force, She makes her home in Mississippi. Terri and her husband are the parents of three adult children--a blended family which she considers one more of God's provisions.

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as “The 700 Club” and “Home Life,” and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country.

About the Book

Struggling to succeed in the Nashville music scene, talented singer/songwriter Parker James finds the competition fierce – even deadly. A young woman’s murder, industry corruption, and a menacing stalker draw Parker into danger and intrigue. Nothing is as it appears, and unraveling the truth challenges everything Parker believes about her talent, her future, and her faith.

The young girl with the Bohemian style was on the floor where she’d fallen, between Parker's computer case and her file cabinet. She wore a long, flowing skirt—lavender, the color of calm—and camel-colored Uggs. She lay on her back, her long, wavy blonde hair matted with blood.

For struggling singer/songwriter Parker James, the music business has just turned deadly. Her desk in the reception area of a busy recording studio has become a crime scene, and Parker finds herself drawn into a mystery where nothing is as it seems.

Unraveling the truth puts her own life at risk when she uncovers high-level industry corruption and is terrorized by a menacing stalker. As the danger escalates, Parker begins to question her dreams, her future, and even her faith.

Double Minds is a double treat—combining a compelling suspense novel with an inside look at the world of the Christian music industry in Nashville. Terri Blackstock grabs readers at page one and keeps them riveted until the final plot twist is untangled.

You can preview a Book Trailer on her site HERE

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

My Review

This book just arrived in my mailbox only last week, and I simply haven't had time to read it yet. But I will. I promise. Come back later for a full review, but please give me a few weeks. I love Blackstock, so you know I'll be reading and reviewing it.