the dead whisper on

The Dead Whisper On by T.L.Hines

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

THE DEAD WHISPER ON

(Bethany House July 1, 2007)
by

T. L. Hines

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tony is the author of the acclaimed Waking Lazarus. He has been an advertising agency owner/principal, a trade amgazine editor, and now a novelist.

He has been a professional writer for more than 15 years with articles appearing in publications as varied as Log Homes, Conservative Theological Journal, and Travel & Leisure. He is also Creative Director at Montana's largest advertising agency.

His long list of past odd jobs includes trimming Christmas trees, sorting seed potatoes, working the graveyard shift at a convenience store, and cleaning cadaver storage rooms.

As a teen he was undefeated in air guitar competitions in which he performed songs by ZZ Top.

He lives in Montana with his wife and daughter,



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Would You Run Into A Burning Building?

Candace "Canada Mac" MacHugh lives a ghost of her former life.

Once a proud Butte, Montana, miner who daily risked her life setting explosives, she's now a garbage collector in her dying hometown.

Her beloves father is dead and she doesn't speak to her mom. More than anything, Candace Mac misses her father. He promised to contact her from the "other side" if he could...but it's been eleven long years. And now even her beloved city of Butte, Montana, seems to be dying off.

Candace Mac is alone. Longing for the past. Dreaming of making a difference.

Until one night when her father's voice speaks to her from the shadows. Bud MacHugh's trademark growl. The dead, it seems, have messages they hunger to share with the world...warnings of impending disasters and grave danger. Of cities doomed to burn.

But they need Canada's help.

T.L. Hines' first novel, Waking Lazarus was named one of the Library Journal's Top 25 Genre novels of 2006. Now he's back with a gripping suspense that brings to light our fears and asks us if we still have the courage to fight for those around us. if we have the guts to be one of those who run into burning buildings.

"Chilling!" Publishers Weekly

"...a well-paced suspense populated by dynamic characters." Kirkus Discoveries

melody carlson books

From WaterBrook—Notes from a Spinning Planet series

                      
Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland   Notes from a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea  Notes from a Spinning Planet: Mexico   

The Notes from a Spinning Planet series follows the adventures of 19-year-old Maddie Chase as she travels around the world with her Aunt Sid, a reporter. Excitement and adventure abound as Maddie learns about the world, different cultures, and herself. In her latest trip to Mexico, Maddie is taken aback to encounter the poverty of the land—and of her own heart. The third book in the Notes from a Spinning Planet series invites young women to explore a love deeper than simple affection—and the beauty of true sacrifice.

From Multnomah—The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor

                      
Bad Connection  Beyond Reach    Playing With Fire      

The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series focuses on 16-year-old Samantha—a girl with a unique spiritual gift. Samantha receives visions from God that help save her friends and family from tragedy. In Playing with Fire Samantha’s brother Zach is just returned from a drug rehab clinic, but Samantha is having violent visions of him in imminent danger and back on drugs. If she goes to her mentor, a police detective, Zach could be in serious trouble with the law. But is this situation too hot for Samantha to handle?

About Melody

Melody Carlson is the winner of the RITA Award and the Gold Medallion and has published over ninety books for adults, children, and teens, including Finding Alice, Crystal Lies, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Carlson is the mother of two grown sons and lives in a "cabin in the words" near the Cascade Mountains in central Oregon with her husband and a chocolate lab retriever. A full-time writer and part-time gardener, biker, skier, and hiker, Carlson can be found on the Internet at www.melodycarlson.com.

the void

The Void by Mark Mynheir

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

THE VOID
(Multnomah Fiction August 21, 2007)
by

Mark Mynheir

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark Mynheir is a cop writer. He has authored Rolling Thunder (The Truth Chasers Book One) and From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Book Two).

During his career as a police officer, Mark has worked as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective. Mark and his wife, Lori, live with their three children in central Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Truth Chasers Book Three

Someone’s trying to play God…and he’s turning Palm Bay into hell.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Robbie Sanchez devotes her life to crime prevention, and it shows: She has no personal life and doesn’t know the meaning of a day off. After all, someone has to be around to clean up the mess crime leaves behind.

So when Officer Brad Worthington is brutally murdered, Agent Sanchez is called to the scene along with Brad’s best friend, Detective Eric Casey. The two turn to Lifetex, the genetics lab near the scene, hoping their elaborate security system might have captured the crime outside.

But what’s going on inside the lab is far worse: a renegade scientist is cloning humans! As Robbie and Eric pursue clues–and a growing attraction–they are caught in a deadly battle as the clones begin to act on their own volition…but this battle threatens to claim more than human life; the clones are vying for human souls.

The Void is nothing short of a page-turner. Mynheir is truly hitting his stride as one of our industry's most notable Christian novelists. This latest book has it all: suspense, humor, intrigue, realistic police action, and one thought-provoking story line.

Creston Mapes
Author of Nobody

the legend of the firefish

George Bryan Polivka has written a fantastic story in The Legend of the Firefish. The story contains pirates, action, adventure, suspense, and even a love interest (no worries, it's NOT a romance story ~ if you've read any of my reviews at all, you know how I feel about romance novels).

Packer Throme sets out on an adventure to hunt down and bring in the Firefish ~ a legendary foe of seamen, worth its weight in gold for its unique abilites imparted on anyone who eats its flesh. Packer stowes away on a ship captained by the infamous pirate Scat Wilkins, but his presence on the ship is soon discovered. Talon, a warrior woman and the ship's security officer, is furious at having been duped by Packer and swears to get even.

I was enthralled with The Legend of the Firefish from the beginning. George Bryan Polivka writes a masterful story ~ he had my complete attention by the time I finished reading the introduction ("A Personal Note from George Bryan Polivka")!

Adventure, suspense, intrigue, sea creatures with eel-like abilities combined with shark-like prowess, swordfights, revenge, love, a mythical kingdom, faith, power, kings, surprises and lots of danger ~ all combined into a fantastic story that takes your breath away and is next to impossible to put down. I loved this book ~ so did my 14 year old son! He took my copy of the book with him on a trip and finished it in 2 days. The second installment of the Tropy Chase Trilogy, The Hand that Bears the Sword, has been released, and my son picked it up in the book store the day it became available. I haven't had the opportunity to read the second book yet, but it's next on my list.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Legend of the Firefish ~ whether you think you like fantasy fiction or not, this is definitely a must read. Besides, it's a story about pirates, adventure, swordfights and sea creatures with tremendous power. What more could a girl ask for?! ;)

Please visit these Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour participants ~ there are lots of reviews of The Legend of the Firefish to read!

Brandon Barr Wayne Thomas Batson Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer Karri Compton Frank Creed Lisa Cromwell CSFF Blog Tour Gene Curtis D. G. D. Davidson Merrie Destefano Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Russell Griffith Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Christopher Hopper Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Lost Genre Guild Terri Main Rachel Marks Karen McSpadden Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Robin Parrish Lyn Perry Deena Peterson Rachelle Cheryl Russel Chawna Schroeder Mirtika Schultz James Somers Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver

Janey DeMeo

off the record

Off The Record by Elizabeth White

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

OFF THE RECORD(Zondervan August 15, 2007)by

Elizabeth White

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beth White is the author of Fireworks and Fair Game, as well as the critically acclaimed Texas Gatekeepers serie from Love Inspired Suspense.

In her own words, she appreciate her most valued roles as wife and mom. Beth is also a second-grade Sunday school teacher, church orchestra member (She plays flute), and artist. She loves to read, crochet, sew, go on mission trips and avoid housework.

Beth lives in Mobile with her minister husband, and is currently on staff at First Baptist Church of North Mobile (fondly known as NoMo), in Saraland, Alabama.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ambition is on a collision course with a secret from the past.

Judge Laurel Kincade, a rising political star, is announcing her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Her aristocratic Old South family, led by her judge grandfather, beams as she takes the podium. Then her eyes light on a reporter in the crowd…and suddenly her past becomes a threat to her future.

Journalist Cole McGaughan, religion reporter for the New York Daily Journal, has received an intriguing call from an old friend. Private investigator Matt Hogan has come across a tip…that Laurel's impeccable reputation might be a facade. Matt suggests that Cole dig up the dirt on the lovely judge in order to snag his dream job as one of the Journal's elite political reporters.

There's just one problem: Cole's history is entangles with Laurel's and he must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he'd have to pay.

A sensational scoop becomes a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Can Laurel and Cole find forgiveness and turn their hidden past into a hopeful future...while keeping their feelings off the record?

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Trish's Take

Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to finish reading Off the Record by Elizabeth White. I've gotten about two-thirds of the way through the book though ~ unless there are some strange twists towards the end that I'm not anticipating, I think I've read enough of it to write a brief review.

Laurel Kincade is a likable, strong, courageous character. She can be a bit stubborn and hard headed at times, but her genuine love for others and her commitment to the people under her juristiction balance out her stubborness.

Cole McGaughan was a little harder for me to immediately adore ~ I guess mainly because I have a hard time with men who let women run all over them. But he eventually grew on me.

Off the Record is not my usual type of book. I will admit that I enjoyed it, though. I learned a lot about the way the politial-behind-the-sceens works ~ you'll never catch me within 5 miles of a political campaign! Even though Off the Record leaned a bit too much towards the romanitc side for me to give it a whole-hearted, "You've GOT to read this book!", I definitely give it a "This is a great book for a long weekend at the cabin."

and if i die

And if I Die by John Aubry Anderson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

AND IF I DIE

(Faithwords August 2007)
by

John Aubrey Anderson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John grew up in Mississippi cotton country. After graduating from Mississippi State, he received an Air Force commission and has recently retired after flying twenty-eight years for a major airline. He lives in Texas with his wife, Nan.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

AND IF I DIE is the third book in the Black and White Chronicles. The first was Abiding Darkness (August, 2006), the second was Wedgewood Grey (February, 2007).

In 1945, a spirit voice told Mr. A. J. Mason to “Be ready.”

In 1960, the spirit drew near and said the same words to the same man. “Be ready.”

On both occasions Mason ended up in bloody battles with the forces of evil. On both occasions, he saved the life of a young girl named Missy Parker. And on both occasions good people died.

It’s 1968.Missy Parker has been married to Dr. Patrick Patterson for nine years; they live in Denton, Texas. Missy plays tennis and golf; Pat is chairman of the philosophy department at North Texas State University.

Mose Washington, a black man Missy refers to as her almost-daddy, is hiding behind a new name—Mose Mann. Mose and the young black man who poses as his grandson have spent eight years successfully evading the FBI, a murderous congresswoman, and creatures from the demonic realm. They now live in Pilot Hill, Texas—fifteen miles from Pat and Missy. Mose is committing the autumn of his life to the pursuit of the knowledge of God and the protection of his “grandson”. His “grandson” is interested in honing his skills as a bull rider.

Close friends see portents of danger in events of the early summer and converge on Pilot Hill to warn the two black men that yet another confrontation with malevolent beings may be looming.

In the pre-dawn hours, on the second day of the North Texas Rodeo, the voice of an invisible being speaks to Missy Parker Patterson. The voice warns her that it is now she, not A. J. Mason, who has been chosen as the person who needs to “Be ready” . . . and Missy doesn’t want the job.

return to me

Return To Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

RETURN TO ME byRobin Lee Hatcher

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin is the author of over fifty novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by Library Journal.

Winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Robin, who is also one of our CFBA members, lives in Boise, Idaho.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Discouraged and destitute, her dreams shattered, Roxy Burke is going home. But what lies beyond the front door?

Rejection...or a bright future?

A lot has changed since Roxy Burke escaped small town life to become a Nashville star. Her former boyfriend Wyatt has found Christ and plans to become a minister. Her sister Elena, who comforted Wyatt when Roxy ran away, is now his fiancee. Her father Jonathan, a successful businessman, is heartbroken over the estrangement of Roxy from the family.

Now Roxy...her inheritance from her grandmother squandered, her hopes of stardom dashed...finds her way home...not by choice but because it's her only option. Her father's love and forgiveness surprise her, but her very presence throws the contented Burke family into turmoil, filling Roxy with guilt and shame.

Elena is shocked to discover doubt and resentment in her heart after her father's easy acceptance of Roxy into the family circle. Wyatt wrestles with doubts about marrying Elena. And Roxy struggles to accept forgiveness. Isn't she more deserving of rejection? As the story of the prodigal plays out, each member of the Burke family must search for and accept God's grace.

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Trish's Take

I'm still in the process of reading Return to Me. It seems to be basically a modern-day retelling of the Prodigal Son parable. While I'm enjoying the basic story, there's a bit too much what I call "the 'Oh, what if?' factor" for my taste. In my opinion, this is one of those books that is supposedly targeted for the Christian women's crowd ~ marketers see us Christian women as in need of fluffy, emotional "Oh, what if?" stories where everyone worries, wrings their hands, and has conflicts that if they would just be normal people and take the time to talk to each other and actually work out their problems everything wouldn't be so fluffy.

Personally, I think the marketers for the Christian fiction market have it all wrong. I don't enjoy fluffy books that are meant to play on emotions. They're little better than soap operas with a Christian spin on them. So, am I going to finish reading Return to Me? Probably not. The story itself is good, but I've had a hard time not throwing the book across the room screaming, "Get a grip!" at the characters.