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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Less Than Dead by Tim Downs


This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Less Than Dead Thomas Nelson (September 9, 2008) by Tim Downs


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tim Downs is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University. After graduation in 1976 he created a comic strip, Downstown, which was syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate until 1986. His cartooning has appeared in more than a hundred major newspapers worldwide.

His first book, a work of non-fiction, was awarded the Gold Medallion Award in 2000. His first novel, Shoofly Pie, was awarded the Angel Award in 2004, and his third novel, PlagueMaker, was awarded the Christy Award for best suspense novel of 2007. First The Dead, the third book in this Bug Man series came out earlier this year.

Tim lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife Joy.


ABOUT THE BOOK


Some secrets just won't stay buried.
When strange bones surface on a U.S. senator's property, the FBI enlists forensic entomologist Nick Polchak to investigate the forgotten graveyard. Polchak's orders are simple: figure out the mess.

But Polchak, known as the "Bug Man" because of his knowledge of insects and their interaction with the dead, senses darker secrets buried beneath the soil.

Secrets that could derail the senator's presidential bid.

Secrets buried in the history of a quaint Virginia town.

Secrets someone is willing to kill to protect.

With the help of a mysterious local woman named Alena and her uncanny cadaver dogs, Polchak sets out to dig up the truth.

But with a desperate killer hot on his trail, he'll be lucky to wind up anything less than dead.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Less Than Dead, go HERE

My Review

I'm reading the novel now and hope to have a review up within the next week. Check back soon.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers by Susan K. Marlow

About the Novel

When a winter flood submerges the streets of Fresno, the town has no choice but to close the school for repairs. Andi couldn't be happier. She plans to spend her unexpected holiday out on the range with her palomino mare, Taffy. But Andi's dreams are dashed when she's sent to San Francisco—doomed to spend the rest of the winter at Miss Whitaker's Academy for Young Ladies.

Andi doesn't know how she'll endure two months of city life until she's introduced to her new roommate, the untamable Jenny. She also meets Lin Mei, a small, mistreated servant girl who works at the school. When Andi and Jenny discover a dreadful secret that endangers Lin Mei, they rush to her rescue, only to find themselves trapped in the dark alleys of Chinatown.

Can the girls outwit their captors and escape a terrible fate?

About the Author

Susan K. Marlow, like Andi, sometimes finds herself in bizarre situations—usually while trying to help others. Susan is a freelance editor, teacher, and homeschooling mom. In addition to writing her Circle C Adventures series for tweens, she speaks at young author conference and teaches writing workshops for kids. She and her family make their home in Washington State. Visit Susan's Web site at http://www.susankmarlow.com/.

My Review

I've always loved juvenile fiction and have several bookshelves crammed with favorite Hardy Boys and Sugar Creek Gang novels. So when I met fellow Kregel author Susan Marlow and learned that book four in her Circle C Adventures series was about to come out, I was eager to get my hands on a copy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading book four. Even though I hadn't read the first three novels in the series, I quickly found myself engrossed in Andi's escapades.

What kid wouldn't relate to Andi's excitement to learn that school is closed and then her disappointment to learn that she'll be attending an "Academy for Young Ladies" instead? Spunky Andi, who could benefit from a few rules in etiquette, is more comfortable riding the range on her palomino and doesn't exactly warm up to the idea; but she quickly realizes that she has no choice. Her worst fears come true, particularly manifested in the prickly and severe Miss Whitaker, and Andi wishes she had stayed home. But God clearly has a reason for her being at the academy, and those reasons factor into an exciting plot sure to win over young readers.

Andi makes a new friend in her roommate Jenny, and most importantly she meets Chinese servant Lin Mei, whom Andi learns is actually a slave. When Andi learns that Lin Mei is to be sold and will have to leave the academy, she does what she can to thwart the sinister plan, resulting in an action-packed and satisfying tale featuring several escapes and rescues. I had never heard about childhood slavery in that era before and found the plot element fresh and engaging. The Historical Note at the end of the novel was particularly informative.

San Francisco Smugglers was a refreshing change of pace for me. The novel is an enjoyable, wholesome story I'm happy to recommend. When Andi and her friends find themselves trapped in a dark warehouse with the prospect of being shanghaied in the morning, Andi reminds them that God is with them and will help them through her predicament. It's a pleasure reading an entertaining novel that also provides a spiritual challenge for young readers through Andi's example.

To receive more information about the novel or to purchase a copy, please go here.

Murder on the Ol' Bunions by Sandra D. Moore


This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Murder on The Ol' Bunions Barbour Publishing, Inc (2008) by S. Dionne Moore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SAndra has been writing for years with historicals being her main focus. By the time she had a polished manuscript in hand, historicals were unpopular. She didn't give up though and decided to try her hand at writing a mystery. A cozy mystery.

Her first book, Murder on The Ol' Bunions , released in April of 2008. Book two of the LaTisha Barnhart Mystery series, Polly Dent Loses Grip, and book three, Eat, Drink and Be Buried will follow in April 2009 and 2010, respectively.

She's almost always running a contest, so drop by her Website, you just might win a free gift!

ABOUT THE BOOK


LaTisha Barnhart’s bunions tell her something’s afoot as she delves deeper into the murder of her former employee, Marion Peters. When LaTisha becomes a suspect, the ante is upped, and she is determined to clear her name and find the culprit.

She’s burping Mark Hamm’s bad cooking to investigate his beef with Marion. . .getting her hair styled at a high falutin’ beauty parlor to see what has Regina Rogane in a snarl. . .playing self-appointed matchmaker between the local chief and a prime suspect. . .and thinking Payton O’Mahney’s music store lease might be the reason he’s singing out of tune when discussion of Marion’s murder arises. LaTisha’s thinking she just might use the reward money to get her bunions surgically removed. But she’s got to catch the crook first.

Small town intrigue, a delightful, vivid cast, and a well-crafted mystery make S. Dionne Moore’s debut novel a must-read! I loved it!~Susan May Warren~Award-winning author of Reclaiming Nick

“S. Dionne Moore has the rare quality of pulling together great characters and compelling plots.”
~Kelly Klepfer~ www.novelreviews.blogspot.com


If you would like to HEAR the first chapter, go HERE and click on the bookcover trailer box!

If you would like to READ, the first chapter of Murder on The Ol' Bunions , go HERE.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Homeland Favorite by Bill Barton and Henry O. Arnold


This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hometown
Favorite
Revell (September 1, 2008) by Bill Barton and Henry O. Arnold.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Bill Barton is a business partner with Compass Technologies. An active member and volunteer at his church, Hendersonville Chapel, Barton is a regular speaker at services and other events. He lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with his family.

Henry O. Arnold has been a professional actor, writer, and director in theatre, film, and television. He co-wrote and produced the film The Second Chance starring Michael W. Smith and wrote the screenplay for the first authorizedfilm documentary on evangelist Billy Graham, God's Ambassador. Arnold livesin Portland, Tennessee.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Talented, handsome, and personable, Dewayne Jobe rose from humble beginnings in rural Mississippi to play college football in Southern California and beyond. One of the best wide receivers in college ball, Dewayne is assured a promising career in professional football as one of those rare athletes whose exceptional abilities place him in a league of his own. He easily finds success both on and off the field. Dewayne's got a beautiful, intelligent wife running his lucrative endorsement business and carrying his child and the pristine white picket fence to boot.

The only thing lacking is a road sign confirming his address on Easy Street. But catastrophe looms right around the corner and ultimately strikes with a crushing vengeance. Will Dewayne's faith and character stand the test of such tragedy? Or will he lose everything—including the love of his life? This modern retelling of the story of Job will capture readers with the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people—and how good people can survive.

Combining realistic sports action and a deadly serious challenge to faith, Hometown Favorite is a story that won't let you up off the turf until the game clock hits zero.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Hometown Favorite, go HERE.

"An amazing story of betrayal, forgiveness, redemption and hope. The characters are vibrant and alive. Barton and Arnold have a rare and keen understanding of human nature, making the spiritual truths of this story both profound and compelling."
—Michael W. Smith, recording artist

"Like a close game and a score that just won’t turn around, Dewayne’s true fans and Hometown Favorite readers will appreciate the daunting odds fate doles out and this story’s hard-won outcome."
Darnell Arnoult, author of Sufficient Grace

Win a free copy of Shoofly Pie by Tim Downs

Sign up for my e-mail mailing list. By doing so, you will be automatically entered in October's drawing for a free copy of Shoofly Pie (Bug Man Series #1) by Tim Downs. I read this wonderful Christian suspense novel a few years ago and absolutely loved it. You'll learn things about forensic science—and flies—that you never knew before. Here's a synopsis of this terrific read:
In a remote county of North Carolina, Kathryn Guilford receives the news that her long-time friend and one-time suitor is dead.  She turns to Dr. Nick Polchak, the Bug Man (a forensic entomologist), to help her learn the truth—and she is introduced to a mysterious world of blood-seeking flies and flesh-eating beetles.  But there’s a problem . . . Kathryn Guilford has a pathological fear of insects. Now she must confront her darkest fears to unearth a decade-long conspiracy that threatens to turn her entire world upside down.
Invite family and friends to sign up today!

October Newsletter

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF MY AUTHOR WEBSITE


Adam Blumer
October 8, 2008

Dear Reader,

The last time I contacted most of you, I was anticipating the release of my Christian suspense novel this fall. Welcome to the world of publishing! Plans changed, and now the novel is scheduled for release in spring 2009. So much has happened since the last time I contacted you. The novel's title changed from Now You See Him to Fatal Illusions. The manuscript went through three rounds of revisions. I also recently saw the cover. I realized that I may finally be reaching the end of my journey when I stumbled across my novel page at Amazon.com and saw that the novel is now available for pre-order. With that thought in mind, I am pleased to announce that my author's Web site is now live at http://www.adamblumerbooks.com. Now you can read about the novel and check back for updates as the launch date draws closer.

In conjunction with the official Web site launch and the beginning of a monthly newsletter, I'm conducting a book giveaway during the month of October. Those who sign up for my e-mail mailing list will be automatically entered in a special drawing to win a free copy of the Christian suspense novel Shoofly Pie (Bug Man Series #1) by Tim Downs. If you are the original recipient of this e-mail newsletter, that means you are already on my mailing list. Please invite your family members and friends to sign up! The winner of the drawing will be announced in my November newsletter. Looking forward to seeing you at my official Web site!

May the Lord receive all the glory!