Wolves Among Us by Ginger Garrett

The premise of this novel is intriguing and thought-provoking. We are embroiled into the middle ages' society of piety and witch-hunting zealots who are blinded by evil and malicious innuendo.

The characters are very well developed and completely believable. The hovels, the dirt, the plain food and clothes illustrate a world far beyond what we know today. The beliefs are so cursory the priests just say the words without reading the Bible everyday. How can one know God, if one doesn't visit Him, or read His word, or hear His voice in prayerful conversation?

The insights of this novel are still true today. We behave in the same manner as man did during the Dark Ages with suspicion, accusation without proofs, and the deep, underlying desire to "follow the crowd for approval". This story could have been contemporary, although the historic background is incredibly interesting. It's a keeper and I give it four stars out of five.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wolves Among Us David C. Cook; New edition (April 1, 2011) by Ginger Garrett


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.


Focusing on ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, The Harvest Show, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets.


A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater, she is passionate about creating art from history. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.


ABOUT THE BOOK

This richly imagined tale takes readers to a tiny German town in the time of “the burnings,” when pious and heretic alike became victims of witch-hunting zealots. When a double murder stirs up festering fears, the village priest sends for help. But the charismatic Inquisitor who answers the call brings a deadly mix of spiritual fervor and self-deceptive evil. Under his influence, village fear, guilt, and suspicion of women take a deadly turn. In the midst of this nightmare, a doubting priest and an unloved wife—a secret friend of the recently martyred William Tyndale—somehow manage to hear another Voice…and discover the power of love over fear.


Dinfoil, Germany, 1538. In a little town on the edge of the Black Forest, a double murder stirs up festering fears. A lonely woman despairs of pleasing her husband and wonders why other women shun her. An overworked sheriff struggles to hold the town—and himself—together. A priest begins to doubt the power of the words he shares daily with his flock. And the charismatic Inquisitor who arrives to help—with a filthy witch in a cage as an object lesson—brings his own mix of lofty ideals and treacherous evil. Under his influence, ordinary village fears and resentments take a deadly turn. Terror mounts. Dark deeds come to light. And men and women alike discover not only what they are capable of, but who they are…and what it means to grapple for grace.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Wolves Among Us, go HERE

False Pretenses by Kathy Herman

MY REVIEW

The characters are fairly well developed, and except for two are believable. Kathy Herman has a terrific way of designing scenes where you can hear the dishes clinking, and smell the coffee and bacon or the gumbo and fresh bread. It brought back so many good memories for me. She draws a small town community in a loving way, and it is clear that somewhere along the way Herman has experienced small town living, and small town characters. Her descriptions capture the scenery and the mugginess of south Louisiana. It is definitely a vivid  experience.

However...

The back cover promises a terrific read; and Herman has written and published numerous novels, so you'd think this would be a "wowser", and yet somehow this particular novel falls a little flat. Perhaps I was expecting too much, or perhaps because this Cajun-flavored storyline doesn't ring true. The storyline doesn't flow well. Something happens--an event--then all the characters must talk about the event for a few pages and even a chapter or two, then another event, and the characters talk about it, and so on. It is studiously plodding in some parts, but other parts move along quite briskly. For the most part, to me it reads more like a soap opera drama rather than a suspense or finely crafted mystery. However, the end is completely unbelievable for me because I was expecting so much more from this novel.

The first part of my life was spent in Texas, and then we moved to Louisiana where I grew up. For twenty-six years I lived in Cajun country, so my saturation in the culture perhaps has clouded my judgment.

In Louisiana, I spent decades living with, being friends with, and conversing with Cajuns. There is no way a person who is born and raised in Texas can suddenly shed the Texas accent, Texas thought process, and Texas loyalty and suddenly change their name and become Cajun: a believable Cajun with a Cajun accent, and mentality. It would be like someone who grew up in Germany, speaking German trying to become a Southern Bell and speak Southern. Can't be done.

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.

Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock

MY REVIEW

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times bestselling author, and she has tackled one of the leading problems our teenagers face today, actually two of the leading problems. Teen pregnancy and teen drug addiction.

Her sensitivity and love for those caught in this vicious cycle makes this story shine. I found myself praying for the young girl even though I knew this was "just a story". However, I know that so many girls fall into this trap and the web tightens until they strangle. Blackstock also brings home the point that anyone caught in addiction must actually want to be free from it before they can do anything about it; and that it is not just possible but doable when the outstretched hands of hope and help are grasped.

Blackstock also delves into the realm of environment shaping the behavior. I'm not convinced it is solely environment, although I strongly resist the thought environment never influences behavior. I've seen it too often the results the smoking parent, the alcoholic parent, the abusive parent create in their children. Not that it cannot be overcome or the lifestyle is not rejected, that happens very often as well. The psychology of it is extremely interesting to me, although Blackstock only subtly touches on it, so never fear that it interferes with the storyline because it only enhances it greatly.

Excellent read. I give five out of five stars.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Vicious Cycle Zondervan (February 22, 2011) by Terri Blackstock



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over six million copies sold worldwide. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.


Besides entertaining her readers, Terri tackles issues that she hopes will change lives. Her recent book, Predator, was inspired by her experiences on Facebook and Twitter, and her concern that people posted too much personal information about themselves. The book deals with an online predator who uses social networks as his playground. She hopes the book will change readers’ online habits. Her New York Times best-seller, Intervention, was inspired by her own personal struggles with a daughter on drugs. In the book, a mother hires an interventionist for her drug-addicted daughter. But on the way to treatment, the interventionist is murdered, and the daughter disappears. Barbara, the mother, sets out to search for her daughter. Terri modeled Barbara after herself, and poured many of her own emotions and experiences into that character. As a result, many families experiencing drug addiction have written to thank her for telling their story and giving them hope. Vicious Cycle, Book Two of the Intervention Series, releases February 22, 2011. She’s currently working on Book Three.


Other recent books include a stand-alone novel called Double Minds, as well as Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light (from her acclaimed Restoration Series). She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 Series and Cape Refuge Series. Terri makes her home in Mississippi, where she and her husband Ken are enjoying their empty nest after raising three children.

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. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When fifteen-year-old Lance Covington finds an abandoned baby in the backseat of a car, he knows she's the newborn daughter of a meth addict he's been trying to help. But when police arrest him for kidnapping, Lance is thrust into a criminal world of baby trafficking and drug abuse.


His mother, Barbara, looks for help from Kent Harlan---the man whom she secretly, reluctantly loves and who once helped rescue her daughter from a mess of her own. Kent flies to her aid and begins the impossible work of getting Lance out of trouble, protecting a baby who has no home, and finding help for a teenage mother hiding behind her lies.


In this latest novel of suspense and family loyalty, bestselling author Terri Blackstock offers a harrowing look at drug addiction, human trafficking, and the devastating choices that can change lives forever.


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


Watch the Book Video:

The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley

I admire Andy Stanley as much as I admire his dad. What an amazing understanding he has of godly principles.

The major problem I had with this book is the "getting to where you want to be" factor. Stanley words this in such a way that I'm arguing with him, "But what about trust? What about faith? What about wanting what God wants instead of what I wanted when I was sixteen?"

As he slowly explains what this discovery is all about and that it includes much more than a little trust in God (think David cutting Saul's prayer shawl zit zit), I finally understand the bottom line of this principle is letting go and letting God do His thing in your life and you will ultimately be exactly where God intended you to be all along. Embracing the principle helps you to avoid wrong turns and dead ends.

The trouble with this principle is that is makes perfect sense to mature Christians, but to the newbie Christians, or the immature Christians probably won't get it because trusting God is not as easy as it sounds.

I give it four out of five stars. A worthy read for teens and adults. Great life principles study.

We Be Big by Rick Burgess & Bill "Bubba" Bussey

MY REVIEW

I absolutely adore hearing stories about grown men getting right with God, listening to Him, doing bonehead things and finally bending their knees to the LORD God Almighty. That is what this book is all about.

Good writing, leaving in the aroma and flavors of real Southern talk. You walk with them through each step of success and each hard lesson learned. There is just something good about that. The back cover blurb is right on target and sets the scene very well for what you'll find inside the red covers.

I can just see the pretend radio station Rick Burgess set up when he wasn't even knee-high to a grasshopper. I can hear him doing a DJ thing, and I can hear his heart sing for Jesus.

This one is a five-star out of five. Well worth the money, and you can't go wrong with this one.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The story of two unlikely radio hosts and what happened when they followed their faith and instincts.

Rick & Bubba are the most unlikely broadcast stars imaginable, yet hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners start their day with them every morning. Beyond that, they break the biggest no-no rule for secular radio as they openly share their faith in Christ and their common-sense way of looking at the world. Now, in We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How We Became Rick & Bubba, readers learn how this unlikely pairing came about. Alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, this is also the highly personal story of two men who—like most of us—resisted stepping through the doors God opened for them, opting for the easier path when tested. When they finally decided to follow their instincts and their faith, though, not only did they became amazingly successful, but also a truly powerful platform became theirs.

A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

MY REVIEW

Frankly, this isn't one of Siri Mitchell's best efforts. It does have charm and excitement as well as being an excellent period piece, but when an author has multiple character stories, character development is difficult to weave into an excellent plot and story line.

Mitchell takes the time to develop each character and to develop each plot, then weaves each plot line into the whole. However, just as you begin to care about the characters in one story line, you are drawn into another which takes considerable time to get all the ends tied together before the story can actually move forward. This results in a bit of confusion as to who the protagonist actually is, the one character which is the catalyst for the story in the first place. The story begins with one character and ends with a completely different character. For most readers, that doesn't matter, but for me it is not a completely satisfying ending. It is much like singing a cantata for Easter or Christmas that is beautiful through out most of the songs then the last note is sour. It just isn't as satisfying as it could be, nor what previous performances have promised.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heart Most Worthy Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Siri Mitchell


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.


But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.


Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.


Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.


Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."


ABOUT THE BOOK

The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times.


Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.


Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heart Most Worthy, go HERE.

A Conversation With God by Marcia Ford

MY REVIEW

Besides a beautiful cover and some insightful thoughts one some very relevant questions, this book has some true faults that can lead some new Christians astray. One such fault is the advice given by Jesus to the question of obedience to an ungodly boss.

We are to give genuine respect to the authorities in our life. So far so good, however that is not tempered with the first command to be obedient to God in all things. Ford completely sidesteps the issue broached initially and answers a tangent issue. This isn't the only place, but happens to hit an extremely sore spot for me since I experienced this very thing not once, not twice, but three times in my work history.

On a different note, I find it quite presumptuous to answer questions  for God and Jesus without utilizing the Holy Spirit's voice as well. It just hit a nerve in me. I don't think this was a wise choice for me to review because of this, therefore please take this review with a grain of salt.

ABOUT THE BOOK
A front row seat to a fascinating conversation with God, Jesus, and other biblical characters answering important questions women have regarding life and faith.

A Conversation with God for Women allows readers a one-on-one dialogue with God, Jesus, and other important biblical characters as they respond to questions and concerns relevant to the Christian faith. The often challenging questions address issues and tensions specifically felt by women. Each answer, designed for both believers and seekers, is based on Scripture and written with the warmth and intimacy of a Heavenly Father relating to His child.

Categories and sample questions include:
*God, why don't You just reveal Yourself? *Jesus, why was a virgin birth necessary? *The Bible, what can it teach women? *Life, what about women in ministry? *Prayer, can it really make a difference? *Relationships, how can we trust after betrayal? *Good and evil, how can they coexist?

Angela Hunt's contest

Angela Hunt has a NEW book coming out soon. I'm so excited! 

Go dig out your favorite photo of you and your sister and send it in!

Share It With a Sister

We have waited a long time for the arrival of a new Angela Hunt novel, so in honor of the soon-coming release of The Fine Art of Insincerity, she's having a "Share it with a Sister" contest!

Since Insincerity is about three sisters, you can enter the contest by showing off your sisters. To enter, simply email a digital photo of you and your sister(s) (they don't have to be biological sisters) to aehcontest@gmail.com.  

Enter as many times as you wish between March 1 and May 1, but only one entry per day, please.  If you don't have a photo of you and your sister handy, you may enter simply by sending an email to that address with "Contest Entry" in the subject line. 

Each week she'll be taking some of submitted photos and inserting them into the "Sisters" video that will play at http://www.angelahuntbooks.com.  So check the website often--you may see your smiling face! 

The grand prize winner of the random drawing will receive a tote bag filled with Angela Hunt books for herself and ten copies of Insincerity for her book club.  (If you don't have a book club, call some friends.  There's no better way to get started!)  

Five first place winners will receive an autographed copy of The Fine Art of Insincerity, which officially releases on May 3.  And yes, the first video playing is made up of pictures of Angela and her younger sisters!  Watch the video here:  http://www.angelahuntbooks.com