tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141464462024-03-18T18:42:31.798+13:00Illuminating FictionSpotlighting soul-stirring stories.Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-48711844193673054362015-10-26T22:50:00.000+13:002015-10-26T22:50:45.766+13:00CFBA Review: Deadlock by Diann Mills<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414389957">Deadlock</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (October 1, 2015)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.diannmills.com/">Diann Mills</a></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKuEf1LwbkOBacahmyq1fQMOh0WV2gd4vGc3aniIzb9F-Iom4B4u7N16RzYGpOBpFAVL7w9dL1wY1O9cVcn46u81F9MQRd2zRYYA-g8TDZVDXUyrLEBpwBstlyRJkva1odqEFHg/s1600/DiAnn+-+Sec.Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKuEf1LwbkOBacahmyq1fQMOh0WV2gd4vGc3aniIzb9F-Iom4B4u7N16RzYGpOBpFAVL7w9dL1wY1O9cVcn46u81F9MQRd2zRYYA-g8TDZVDXUyrLEBpwBstlyRJkva1odqEFHg/s1600/DiAnn+-+Sec.Large.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. <i>Library </i>Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fictionaward in the Christian Fiction category for <i>Firewall.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at her website.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UbAgq18673EVzqBU5x1J2cxQxJFAg3ek-KBLQyM2hOFd1vHfa-Q33qC3wDHRl9ZwbH6exBkp2-AbeyPB-zrV_asLGspGVo8Owod50PhTvgoxAl0RmDA8i2dVEDDWYrXhhuixlg/s1600/Dead+Lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UbAgq18673EVzqBU5x1J2cxQxJFAg3ek-KBLQyM2hOFd1vHfa-Q33qC3wDHRl9ZwbH6exBkp2-AbeyPB-zrV_asLGspGVo8Owod50PhTvgoxAl0RmDA8i2dVEDDWYrXhhuixlg/s320/Dead+Lock.jpg" width="212" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, an</span>d a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414389957">Deadlock</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/10/deadlock-by-diann-mills.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: white;">Watch the video: <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qhASOh6IrYE?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="400"></iframe></span><br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-65644106795790917372015-10-12T19:58:00.001+13:002015-10-12T19:59:55.805+13:00CFBA Book Review: Lightning by Bonnie S. Calhoun<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Novel-Stone-Braide-Chronicles/dp/0800723775">Lightning</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Revell (October 6, 2015)</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bonniescalhoun.com/" style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">Bonnie S. Calhoun</span></a></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lq4SekRhH01SrTH-aKveoN2xlGOqT5V2ddQSUMgkGIj1_CURIJM547SyZLnqhqDgcQ2F5jXrqx7IpFjr-2WTOlYLr16RM9xB0WOYoL4u28Ra0HV0wRCRlTCJCNEMWykyixivNw/s1600/Dystopia+reg-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lq4SekRhH01SrTH-aKveoN2xlGOqT5V2ddQSUMgkGIj1_CURIJM547SyZLnqhqDgcQ2F5jXrqx7IpFjr-2WTOlYLr16RM9xB0WOYoL4u28Ra0HV0wRCRlTCJCNEMWykyixivNw/s200/Dystopia+reg-small.jpg" width="151" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year.”</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br />
She loves to write with body count, blood, or blowing things up. She also has mad skills at coding HTML, and website design. And she lives in a log cabin in the woods with fifteen acres and a pond full of bass, though she'd rather buy fish at the grocery store. Bonnie shares her domain with a husband and two cats, all of whom think she’s wait staff!</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br />
Her latest series is a YA dystopian with Revell titled Stone Braide Chronicles. The first book <i>Thunder</i> published in 2014. The second book <i>Lightning</i> published Oct 2015. There are also two FREE e-book short stories. <a href="http://amzn.to/1GoW6c3">Tremors</a> is the prequel to Thunder, and <a href="http://amzn.to/1H9ddJT">Aftershock</a> (short story) comes before Lightning.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6ea7DTgK6DpewSl_oYMRnHI_MxrVNrgKgcmitwcF6QiGljaVqz5rHgNImnsZ-bIexyDPZHhbQCaQ1CXJ0swFl9YUrHQ7djiIlIRFLBzMinAqvBC_vvJM_9-1CiZD5abhCdQ2eQ/s1600/Lightning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6ea7DTgK6DpewSl_oYMRnHI_MxrVNrgKgcmitwcF6QiGljaVqz5rHgNImnsZ-bIexyDPZHhbQCaQ1CXJ0swFl9YUrHQ7djiIlIRFLBzMinAqvBC_vvJM_9-1CiZD5abhCdQ2eQ/s200/Lightning.jpg" width="127" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">After she found her real father, life for Selah should have felt settled. But the horrors have just begun. In her broken world of toxic earth and tribal clashes, Selah must battle the forces of nature alongside those in the Mountain who are calling for her blood. Haunted by the pain of mounting losses, she forges on, seeking her lost family and uncovering new mysteries. But the ultimate betrayal of her own body may soon make her quest impossible as it becomes apparent that what has made her new could also drive her to a life of madness.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Novel-Stone-Braide-Chronicles/dp/0800723775">Lightning</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/10/lightning-by-bonnie-s-calhoun.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-87123493987805726592015-09-28T19:17:00.001+13:002015-09-28T19:18:15.684+13:00CFBA Review: The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401690459">The Bones Will Speak</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Thomas Nelson (August 11, 2015)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.carriestuartparks.com/">Carrie Stuart Parks</a></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgTUgZSsdIWgbJIxHoHO6tyYT08qdc-jCah3GQhDEUW7Pit__LC-TF4qc8DnLoYbTqu_SJfGqp6G-ByAz1aHLtHtbFkpfibWh5Rbw4csA9GStO-K4Jd1Q3rIsqThbCSbIgMlWug/s1600/Carrie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgTUgZSsdIWgbJIxHoHO6tyYT08qdc-jCah3GQhDEUW7Pit__LC-TF4qc8DnLoYbTqu_SJfGqp6G-ByAz1aHLtHtbFkpfibWh5Rbw4csA9GStO-K4Jd1Q3rIsqThbCSbIgMlWug/s1600/Carrie.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">Carrie Stuart Parks is an award-winning fine artist and internationally known forensic artist. Along with her husband, Rick, she travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement as well as civilian participants. She has won numerous awards for career excellence. Carrie is a popular platform speaker, presenting a variety of topics from crime to creativity.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Animals have always been a large part of her life. Her parents, Ned and Evelyn Stuart, started Skeel Kennel Great Pyrenees in 1960. Carrie inherited the kennel and continues with her beloved dogs as both an AKC judge and former president of the Great Pyrenees Club of America. She lives on the same ranch she grew up on in Northern Idaho.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl19GQsV2XsDI5YqECtDfJaCyoGv1rV1FNi9dJTUh_98iYgqQEhSujumevC84VnKya_IFrvZ4hvDlWkmCHBCnjLsE2sc3u8iKXS0N0kbLPs8zprXLrS8MFjIqPUb2b8no1gwmiA/s1600/BonesWillSpeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUl19GQsV2XsDI5YqECtDfJaCyoGv1rV1FNi9dJTUh_98iYgqQEhSujumevC84VnKya_IFrvZ4hvDlWkmCHBCnjLsE2sc3u8iKXS0N0kbLPs8zprXLrS8MFjIqPUb2b8no1gwmiA/s320/BonesWillSpeak.jpg" width="209" /></span></a><br />
<b><span style="color: white;">A killer with a penchant for torture has taken notice of forensic expert Gwen Marcey . . . and her daughter.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: white;">When Gwen Marcey’s dog comes home with a human skull and then leads her to a cabin in the woods near her Montana home, she realizes there’s a serial killer in her community. And when she finds a tortured young girl clinging to life on the cabin floor, she knows this killer is a lunatic.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Yet what unsettles Gwen most is that the victim looks uncannily like her daughter.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">The search for the torturer leads back in time to a neo-Nazi bombing in Washington state—a bombing with only one connection to Montana: Gwen. The group has a race-not-grace model of salvation . . . and they’ve marked Gwen as a race traitor.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">When it becomes clear that the killer has a score to settle, Gwen finds herself in a battle against time. She will have to use all of her forensic skills to find the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her—and the only family she has left.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401690459">The Bones Will Speak</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-bones-will-speak-by-carrie-stuart.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-76679585237682329802015-08-25T20:38:00.001+12:002015-08-25T20:38:42.992+12:00CFBA Review: Cold As Ice by M.K. Gilroy<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0991212479">Cold as Ice</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Sydney Lane Press</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.markgilroy.com/">M.K. Gilroy</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlTLGkVUuEavf0EdDffkVEv15NWlrmxlMgMkXRdmGfJocBeg_U42Ask7qTs2qLOwl1CbXOpZ-qLEPd_C1Z0HqVLTjsjNGn2asa-QWoVxI7dcExawi07s1mUXCCp2fWIV5OxIAkA/s1600/Mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlTLGkVUuEavf0EdDffkVEv15NWlrmxlMgMkXRdmGfJocBeg_U42Ask7qTs2qLOwl1CbXOpZ-qLEPd_C1Z0HqVLTjsjNGn2asa-QWoVxI7dcExawi07s1mUXCCp2fWIV5OxIAkA/s1600/Mark.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">Mark won’t claim he has done it all in the world of publishing, but he has packed boxes, edited manuscripts, made sales calls, created marketing plans, directed design and illustration, started companies, consulted, agented the works of others, and written advertising and catalog copy. He’s authored, compiled, and ghost written books that have landed on an array of bestsellers lists and sold millions of copies. His first ghost writing project, The Wal-Mart Way, was done for Don Soderquist, Sam Walton’s longtime right-hand man.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">In early 2012 he put on a new hat as a fiction author. His debut novel, Cuts Like a Knife, was released in April 2012 and was met with rave reviews from USA Today, Fresh Fiction, Publishers Weekly, and other leading national reviewers. His second novel, Every Breath You Take, second in the Kristen Conner Mystery Series, released in Fall 2012 to similar acclaim. Kristen Conner returns in Cold As Ice, which releases in Fall 2014.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Gilroy has extensive writing credits. He scripted and served as creative consultant for a two-hour training video that was honored with the Award of Excellence by the International Television Association. He has compiled and written close to fifty books and penned hundreds articles and curriculum pieces for a variety of periodicals and publishers.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Gilroy and his wife Amy reside in Brentwood, Tennessee. Their six children are Lindsey, Merrick, Ashley, Caroline, Bo, and Zachary—the youngest has now headed off for college, so he and Amy are officially empty nesters.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQMANEz92VlP3wje81VuYZ36aBtt7taJpSjJJz2b3pjEDdrT2QGmSMZLqLOmDXmkjv9njngCoeyxPju2hatDN9WRQElKdzsDbys_l-s3Cy5jgzblaOIWbnAtfxjfsdC-vc4jgA/s1600/ColdAsIce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfQMANEz92VlP3wje81VuYZ36aBtt7taJpSjJJz2b3pjEDdrT2QGmSMZLqLOmDXmkjv9njngCoeyxPju2hatDN9WRQElKdzsDbys_l-s3Cy5jgzblaOIWbnAtfxjfsdC-vc4jgA/s320/ColdAsIce.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white;">Detective Kristen Conner is back on a new murder case. She’s still fighting with her sister—and no surprise, someone new wants to kill her!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">He was a pillar in his Chicago neighborhood: popular school teacher, devoted father and husband, political activist on behalf of underprivileged children—and a master gardener who liked to plant flowers in his neighbor’s yards. What wasn’t to love about him? Who would want him dead?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">When Detective Kristen Conner lands the case she knows from day one who the key suspect is. That’s simple. The person most likely to kill you is someone close that you know and love. But the wife? She was always at her husband’s side and just as passionate about his causes as he was. No way could this loving wife and mother of three be a killer. Right?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Mix in her on-again, off-again relationship with FBI Agent Austin Reynolds, a quick trip to New York City where Kristen helps her media-star sister for a new apartment—only to discover the body of a man who appears to have been executed by a professional killer on a run through Central Park—and Kristen Conner is once again swept into a world of danger, intrigue, and a confusing love life.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">What she doesn’t know just might kill her.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0991212479">Cold as Ice</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/08/cold-as-ice-by-mk-gilroy.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-2963225795877008422015-07-28T20:07:00.001+12:002015-07-28T20:07:32.715+12:00CFBA Review: Dead Dog Like Me by Max Davis<div align="center">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1617955248" style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">Dead Dog Like Me</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Worthy Publishing (June 23, 2015)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.maxdavisbooks.com/">Max Davis</a></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUntLimZwFWP9gQCgRxWgdDVLKcmNTBKBolfgxos06gC4cK3rD1SU9oUAw4Wfdu7Vd-QnDlZpTAvg6nkgRaH_cLgZTqyH7UoNIYEWDzvOx2Y6Z92xRFi_AfVz93qek-hKgjSIy4w/s1600/Max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUntLimZwFWP9gQCgRxWgdDVLKcmNTBKBolfgxos06gC4cK3rD1SU9oUAw4Wfdu7Vd-QnDlZpTAvg6nkgRaH_cLgZTqyH7UoNIYEWDzvOx2Y6Z92xRFi_AfVz93qek-hKgjSIy4w/s320/Max.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Max Davis is the author of over twenty books, has been featured in USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly, and has appeared on The Today Show and The 700 Club. He holds degrees in journalism and biblical studies. In addition to his own works, he’s done a variety of ghostwriting and collaboration projects. Max and Alanna have three grown children and a grand baby.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bTFugPNKBeGlw0RO_0jjtU5GFJ94lge6tdXYfiUogfGwMPm3KRPHJZZVW-VSKvUmLq1AwXLUYYb-ZQox8ZAgreDB6pOAJmjqB6uRxW-DabZzjIFY21LpSQdbjJYnycaLy9wObg/s1600/Dead_Dog_Like_Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bTFugPNKBeGlw0RO_0jjtU5GFJ94lge6tdXYfiUogfGwMPm3KRPHJZZVW-VSKvUmLq1AwXLUYYb-ZQox8ZAgreDB6pOAJmjqB6uRxW-DabZzjIFY21LpSQdbjJYnycaLy9wObg/s320/Dead_Dog_Like_Me.jpg" width="206" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Nick Gregory regains consciousness after a horrific car accident to find he’s been transported back in time and that he has become Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son and King Saul’s grandson. Aware that he’s experiencing another man’s life, he has to learn fast. When mega-church pastor, Nick Gregory, regains consciousness after a horrific car accident, he’s on the ground in agonizing pain. Nick realizes he is in a bizarre place – a foreign, parched, ancient land, having been transported back in time to 800 B.C. Unbelievably, he is in the body of a prince named Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan and King Saul’s grandson. Nick is fully aware of who he is and that he’s now living in Mephibosheth’s body, strangely able to speak and understand Hebrew. This experience helps him see that he, like Mephibosheth, is a broken man desperate for God’s outrageous grace and healing (2 Samuel 9:8). Returning to present day, Nick’s experience motivates a changed life.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1617955248">Dead Dog Like Me</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/07/dead-dog-like-me-by-max-davis.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-90595370031135155052015-04-21T17:07:00.001+12:002015-04-21T17:07:48.778+12:00CFBA Review: Double Cross by Diann Mills<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414389949">Double Cross</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 1, 2015)</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.diannmills.com/">Diann Mills</a></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKuEf1LwbkOBacahmyq1fQMOh0WV2gd4vGc3aniIzb9F-Iom4B4u7N16RzYGpOBpFAVL7w9dL1wY1O9cVcn46u81F9MQRd2zRYYA-g8TDZVDXUyrLEBpwBstlyRJkva1odqEFHg/s1600/DiAnn+-+Sec.Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKuEf1LwbkOBacahmyq1fQMOh0WV2gd4vGc3aniIzb9F-Iom4B4u7N16RzYGpOBpFAVL7w9dL1wY1O9cVcn46u81F9MQRd2zRYYA-g8TDZVDXUyrLEBpwBstlyRJkva1odqEFHg/s1600/DiAnn+-+Sec.Large.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. <i>Library </i>Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fictionaward in the Christian Fiction category for <i>Firewall.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at her website.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHRlvMNz_LXFGAq_Uh4eR54Uvy_IhUIZEAJYjaQePOHqwz1XPLqGMXbWyBRON208wuOPEjOAgv77jxh1G7K126crwCOJvsUwV-jOAKcnbqXleJr3-qU2IL-8q2fgixBu1h5gHpQ/s1600/DoubleCross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHRlvMNz_LXFGAq_Uh4eR54Uvy_IhUIZEAJYjaQePOHqwz1XPLqGMXbWyBRON208wuOPEjOAgv77jxh1G7K126crwCOJvsUwV-jOAKcnbqXleJr3-qU2IL-8q2fgixBu1h5gHpQ/s1600/DoubleCross.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414389949">Double Cross</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/04/double-cross-by-diann-mills.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e082nqLrGRU?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" width="400"></iframe>
Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-28040528328561862912015-03-23T17:47:00.000+13:002015-03-23T17:47:21.876+13:00CFBA Review: The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1451689128">The Tomb</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">Howard Books (March 17, 2015)</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.stephanielandsem.com/" style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">Stephanie Landsem</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aaZWp8BPrmg1vRz7mCemW6dPPnORHJW7L1hAj4ucV2-q7Ncm_pdYm4fGQU5e3J4j2IRUjYE7BSWOiTRPXknbv-QBs4tt4svB4Q_dJhZOYA4n85klv6gETtAlH-HG9vQjtpKMfw/s1600/Stephanie-Landsem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aaZWp8BPrmg1vRz7mCemW6dPPnORHJW7L1hAj4ucV2-q7Ncm_pdYm4fGQU5e3J4j2IRUjYE7BSWOiTRPXknbv-QBs4tt4svB4Q_dJhZOYA4n85klv6gETtAlH-HG9vQjtpKMfw/s1600/Stephanie-Landsem.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></span></a><br />
<b><span style="color: white;">A word from the author:</span></b><br />
<span style="color: white;">I write historical fiction because I love adventure in far-off times and places. I’ve traveled since I was a teenager—backpacking through Germany and Eastern Europe, studying German in Salzburg, eating gelato in Italy, and riding camels in Morocco were some of the highlights. Travel kindles my imagination, fuels my love of history, and introduces me to one-of-a-kind characters. It’s the best kind of research.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">When I can’t travel, I read. I love fiction, of course, but I’m often found behind a stack of history books or searching the web for historical tidbits. How people lived together, worked, and what they ate (I love food!) is usually what catches my imagination. No matter where or when we live, people are more alike than they are different. I love to find the similarities between our lives and those of the men and women of the ancient world.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">I make my home in Minnesota with my husband of 22 years, four children, three fat cats, and a tortoise named Moe. When I’m not writing Biblical fiction, I’m feeding the ravenous horde of kids and their friends, volunteering at church and school, battling dandelions, and dreaming about my next adventure – whether it be in person or on the page.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8IXm9f9khLPjk2Why0VKetm9u_Hj8QnIZxXRNnKP70uRO2TxbcnbdWJwdFgD9hHD3PIKNYbRY_DxoZjqeAhaWoWZWkIT6SniTTi0R3DxLPisqSBuj9mJ5bEKIhaozO5CaUjWHw/s1600/Tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8IXm9f9khLPjk2Why0VKetm9u_Hj8QnIZxXRNnKP70uRO2TxbcnbdWJwdFgD9hHD3PIKNYbRY_DxoZjqeAhaWoWZWkIT6SniTTi0R3DxLPisqSBuj9mJ5bEKIhaozO5CaUjWHw/s1600/Tomb.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">In this captivating retelling of a classic biblical story, Jesus shocks the town of Bethany with Lazarus’s resurrection from the dead, leading Martha—a seemingly perfect woman trapped by the secrets of her past—to hope and a new life.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Everyone in Bethany admires Martha—the perfect Jewish woman. She feeds and clothes her loved ones, looks after the family farm, and meticulously follows every precept of the Pharisees’ strict laws. But Martha is hiding a secret. At her sister’s marriage feast, she gave her heart and her innocence to a young musician who promised to return and marry her, but instead betrayed her love and abandoned her.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Seven years later, only two people in Bethany know of Martha’s secret sin: her brother, Lazarus, and Simon, the righteous Pharisee to whom Martha is betrothed. When Lazarus falls ill, Martha is faced with a choice: send for Jesus to save her dying brother—risking the wrath of Simon who threatens to betray her—or deny Jesus’ healing power and remain trapped in her tomb of secrecy and lies.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Meanwhile, on the shores of Galilee, Isa roams the wilderness, tortured by demons and knowing only that someone is waiting for him. When he is healed by Jesus, he finds that seven years have passed since his descent into madness. Isa journeys home to Bethany only to find he is too late to win back Martha’s love.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">When Martha risks all to heal Lazarus, will Jesus arrive in time, or will he—like Isa—come too late?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1451689128">The Tomb</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-tomb-by-stephanie-landsem.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-76437162741866185622015-03-09T18:42:00.000+13:002015-03-09T18:47:05.355+13:00CFBA Review: Spy of Richmond by Jocelyn Green<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/%200802405797">Spy of Richmond</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">River North (March 1, 2015)</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jocelyngreen.com/" style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">Jocelyn Green</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDm5EIvRSXx1bcTjSWIowQUEViMRXdW9SlGOdfd_PzpUdI8mkPwo4Y-mFQWcz5MSqxL25kC-i6b-vTFsJGUPeVNg9gpXpaKrlslpsifJJ84w7AYO0Bhez6t03R0vxsH4pvtCL2A/s1600/Jocelyn+Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDm5EIvRSXx1bcTjSWIowQUEViMRXdW9SlGOdfd_PzpUdI8mkPwo4Y-mFQWcz5MSqxL25kC-i6b-vTFsJGUPeVNg9gpXpaKrlslpsifJJ84w7AYO0Bhez6t03R0vxsH4pvtCL2A/s200/Jocelyn+Green.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AQZRu01mfI1sBjZc_q-O5UW56VN8IDJORwaukU_-m3ApnrawjZyzG6ffNWI6Ncfr1RPX8qTRYLUNp1Rx7AdL5S90H2lTcXl_0eAVpHEUzS5ejCI4HOXAzyam0HZaz2lxYdH4EA/s1600/Spy_of_Richmond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AQZRu01mfI1sBjZc_q-O5UW56VN8IDJORwaukU_-m3ApnrawjZyzG6ffNWI6Ncfr1RPX8qTRYLUNp1Rx7AdL5S90H2lTcXl_0eAVpHEUzS5ejCI4HOXAzyam0HZaz2lxYdH4EA/s1600/Spy_of_Richmond.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">Trust none. Risk all.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><i>Richmond, Virginia, 1863.</i> Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can't do it alone.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie's home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city's fortifications.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">As Sophie's spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father's position as newspaper editor and a suitor's position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything-and everyone-she holds dear?</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/%200802405797">Spy of Richmond</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/03/spy-of-richmond-by-jocelyn-green.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-54051129517868500712015-03-02T19:19:00.002+13:002015-03-02T19:20:59.131+13:00CFBA Review: Then Sings My Soul by Amy Sorrells<div align="center">
</div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><span style="color: white;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434705455">Then Sings My Soul</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">David C. Cook (March 1, 2015)</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amysorrells.wordpress.com/" style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">Amy Sorrells</span></a></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BZlWhq2Osqs_r3mFbansanQxCu-EiFV3EbUxdNNWKaJ-o30OCbZL5FThu5eNcG7q1WuVpx-8ROvx1lv_NA8jcL9hnlI6vUsc84TJL0xb8ZDIW0a8UN-yp0ED_OgQlqpyrmQfQA/s1600/Amy+Sorrells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BZlWhq2Osqs_r3mFbansanQxCu-EiFV3EbUxdNNWKaJ-o30OCbZL5FThu5eNcG7q1WuVpx-8ROvx1lv_NA8jcL9hnlI6vUsc84TJL0xb8ZDIW0a8UN-yp0ED_OgQlqpyrmQfQA/s1600/Amy+Sorrells.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband, three boys and a gaggle of golden retrievers in central Indiana. After writing and editing for her college newspaper, she combined a nursing degree with journalism and creative writing, which led to publishing and editing a wide array of medical and nursing writing and multimedia projects over the past 21 years, a position as director of communications of her church’s children’s ministry, as well as a weekly column for a local newspaper which ran from 2009-2012. She has been a two-time semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis awards, and was the winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">When she’s not reading or writing, Amy loves spending time with her three sons; spicy lunches and art gallery walks with her husband; digging in her garden sans gloves; walking her dogs; up-cycling old furniture and junk; photography; and friends.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIlDKqJlN76AF-EdZ8_rU-T4iHzaMYIzdUzJiOizo_4R-CuJ1eErWeuij3iEx9BB-_9_Oe8Izq6Qbsa_bKkEbc91TEXBML5H6g4xTYpjNPaxbkAwy77o3EH4M9D0cWryKKeMXHg/s1600/Then_Sings_My_Soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIlDKqJlN76AF-EdZ8_rU-T4iHzaMYIzdUzJiOizo_4R-CuJ1eErWeuij3iEx9BB-_9_Oe8Izq6Qbsa_bKkEbc91TEXBML5H6g4xTYpjNPaxbkAwy77o3EH4M9D0cWryKKeMXHg/s1600/Then_Sings_My_Soul.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: white;">When Nel Stewart returns home due to the sudden death of her mother, she realizes her beloved father, Jakob, is struggling with dementia.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">With the reappearance of a high-school sweetheart, deliveries from Ukraine addressed to her, and the discovery of a mysterious, vintage aquamarine gemstone, Nel senses God is pulling her into the past to restore their faith and their futures. Told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of fleeing genocide-ridden eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel combines elements of mystery, history, faith and romance to reveal how God redeems the broken years ... and our future.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434705455">Then Sings My Soul</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/03/then-sings-my-soul-by-amy-sorrells.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-24616798835746333502015-01-20T20:57:00.000+13:002015-01-20T20:57:21.276+13:00CFBA Review: Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080072223X">Blind Trust</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Revell (June 17, 2014)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://sandraorchard.com/">Sandra Orchard</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXVMzfPjQOySmbnLiN3zx50PowH0o-5OaaJyCfVyKBYzV-9czDt_6UQAWKvBZvT9MitELY7KpNIYPWAl4yU7ZoynETeMB3PIyY_24PqzNsH2zpk7pjfNmz1e5DH7eNF4xgHHq-A/s1600/Sandra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXVMzfPjQOySmbnLiN3zx50PowH0o-5OaaJyCfVyKBYzV-9czDt_6UQAWKvBZvT9MitELY7KpNIYPWAl4yU7ZoynETeMB3PIyY_24PqzNsH2zpk7pjfNmz1e5DH7eNF4xgHHq-A/s1600/Sandra.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a><br />
Sandra Orchard is a multi-award-winning author of mysteries and romantic suspense with Revell Publishing and Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and writes full time . . . when not doting on her young grandchildren.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVXz6MKYMHHMSsd4Cy3BJsJl4612NQTTDrvCKm977ToG3SPozr3nuqjAl7oghBG3BuJeoYOKSmDH7WtNJOvTBn8S8YLJ9_MTb7cj7_HbD0fyfUT6VNpQR2mX5s1M4EsacF8jfQA/s1600/BlindTrust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVXz6MKYMHHMSsd4Cy3BJsJl4612NQTTDrvCKm977ToG3SPozr3nuqjAl7oghBG3BuJeoYOKSmDH7WtNJOvTBn8S8YLJ9_MTb7cj7_HbD0fyfUT6VNpQR2mX5s1M4EsacF8jfQA/s1600/BlindTrust.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a><br />
Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can't believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker's investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor's innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation--and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world--and her budding romance with Tom--begin to crumble. To Kate, it's clear that she won't be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster's secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080072223X">Blind Trust</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2015/01/blind-trust-by-sandra-orchard.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-18852052854058091162014-11-11T11:05:00.002+13:002014-11-11T11:06:22.454+13:00CFBA Review: Dreaming on Daisies by Miralee Ferrell<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781408105">Dreaming on Daisies</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David C. Cook (October 1, 2014)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://miraleeferrell.com/">Miralee Ferrell</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16px;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cSP9nynPCMKarMWGzcMs8Z91kEtCsxifJfJDA6d1FXdaa9GY_YL2Uu2ZSOTcG1fKIDZxxsJDkqg6FrdEmSx45itVg2QUc3b-7TvNycDusOPVMi2KlZXnS5Ue6XrHSTS3oeyI3g/s1600/miralee_horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cSP9nynPCMKarMWGzcMs8Z91kEtCsxifJfJDA6d1FXdaa9GY_YL2Uu2ZSOTcG1fKIDZxxsJDkqg6FrdEmSx45itVg2QUc3b-7TvNycDusOPVMi2KlZXnS5Ue6XrHSTS3oeyI3g/s1600/miralee_horse.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><br />
Miralee and her husband, Allen, live on 11 acres in Washington State. She loves to minister to women (as a certified Lay Counselor with the AACC) or through her writing, riding her horse, working in her flower beds and playing with her dogs—her 7 lb, long-haired Chihuahua, Lacey, spends a lot of time on her lap while Miralee is writing. Miralee speak at various women’s functions and has taught at writers’ conferences. She’s been writing since 2005, and her first book released in 2007. Since then, she’s had 10 more books release, both in women’s contemporary fiction and historical romance, and she’s had the honor of being a best-selling and award-winning author.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsBTAKIxkxBSl-U97JpN617WekUC4Bhl4NItY6jo8m4FFeTYZhW16DCzb0BkOxHTwQE4LDl02xzL1HaA8qBFp0LI4bCZoPiqwy7UpjgxoKrxYf7_ZiWRYjkVaVkfWM4fLbyynfA/s1600/Dreaming_on_Daisies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsBTAKIxkxBSl-U97JpN617WekUC4Bhl4NItY6jo8m4FFeTYZhW16DCzb0BkOxHTwQE4LDl02xzL1HaA8qBFp0LI4bCZoPiqwy7UpjgxoKrxYf7_ZiWRYjkVaVkfWM4fLbyynfA/s1600/Dreaming_on_Daisies.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
When her father's debts, brought on by heavy drinking, threaten Leah Carlson's family ranch, she fights to save it. When handsome banker Steven Harding must decline her loan request, he determines to do what he can to help. Just as he arrives to serve as a much-needed ranch hand, Leah's family secrets—and the pain of her past—come to a head. They could destroy everything she's fought for. And they could keep her from ever opening her heart again.<br />
<br />
<br />
This is western historical romance that offers hope and healing to the deepest wounds in a woman's past.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781408105">Dreaming on Daisies</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/11/dreaming-on-daisies-by-miralee-ferrell.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-3428044052470591472014-10-21T17:50:00.000+13:002014-10-21T17:50:34.519+13:00CFBA Review: Finding Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781408709">Finding Mercy</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David C. Cook (October 1, 2014)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.michaellandonjr.com/">Michael Landon Jr.</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.r.kelley.3">Cindy Kelley</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B5d2UUrho11R1xfcYEgv0Li2uHDQQPMMF_q57ORVOzKcGFrk8KvlZOuAP9P39snzGk7gy6z8jJ0o9INBKftSPgYKbe5tUwgU_BzXXlrOAIXO6nnY37QXljaSQyGaRNMcedPK2A/s1600/Michael_Landon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B5d2UUrho11R1xfcYEgv0Li2uHDQQPMMF_q57ORVOzKcGFrk8KvlZOuAP9P39snzGk7gy6z8jJ0o9INBKftSPgYKbe5tUwgU_BzXXlrOAIXO6nnY37QXljaSQyGaRNMcedPK2A/s1600/Michael_Landon.jpg" /></a><br />
Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<br />
****<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_qwh3GXElElERHEY-xaJYLMIXewy90PmV8VDTetIKv39OjTaLjJYknAZJJk4i_Qmn7hyphenhyphenKFTTI4rNfTTfz7ToJ8EQ3jb_rqjzDFNq9ac5TwYZSNh0Kv0orOfPwMLx_k6tS3qeQg/s1600/Cindy_Kelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_qwh3GXElElERHEY-xaJYLMIXewy90PmV8VDTetIKv39OjTaLjJYknAZJJk4i_Qmn7hyphenhyphenKFTTI4rNfTTfz7ToJ8EQ3jb_rqjzDFNq9ac5TwYZSNh0Kv0orOfPwMLx_k6tS3qeQg/s1600/Cindy_Kelley.jpg" /></a><br />
Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel <i>The Silent Gift</i>, and <i>Traces of Mercy</i>. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, <i>The Velveteen Rabbit</i>, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably <i>Love Comes Softly</i>, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmnjKV_VKlcgP6P7k_UDGZ-eYxUzGBkEAJ9_KXe_2MaIw5uTv4xY-7HfrJBnqQV0MXuNIxhzzNUuHnE7jsfdzsZOWogQtaqxitK-kAPGZ0uqw2a5itb2tx6-Sptj0l4QNWyu1Gw/s1600/Finding_Mercy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmnjKV_VKlcgP6P7k_UDGZ-eYxUzGBkEAJ9_KXe_2MaIw5uTv4xY-7HfrJBnqQV0MXuNIxhzzNUuHnE7jsfdzsZOWogQtaqxitK-kAPGZ0uqw2a5itb2tx6-Sptj0l4QNWyu1Gw/s1600/Finding_Mercy.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
When Mercy abandons Captain Elijah Hale to search for her true identity, he goes after her. With the threat that bounty hunters might be hot on her trail, Mercy does all she can to stay ahead of the danger, frustrating both the bad men who are after her—and Captain Hale who wants to find her and escort her safely home. But when she stumbles upon clues that help her learn who she is and where she's from, the danger escalates and she has to learn to keep her friends close and her enemies even closer—if she can determine which is which!<br />
<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781408709">Finding Mercy</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/10/finding-mercy-by-michael-landon-jr.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-62151761707459499062014-10-13T17:56:00.000+13:002014-12-30T17:45:13.884+13:00CFBA Review - Thunder (Stone Braide Chronicles) by Bonnie S. Calhoun<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800723767">Thunder (Stone Braide Chronicles)</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Revell (October 7, 2014)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bonniescalhoun.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Bonnie S. Calhoun</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkJ7tvkRVTwXeIAvuW5D7GlsuWBGIJ1Q3ShpnSXiYqM-yLX5eX-uSYhKF1DqwOibju1pIbguZ9DLjTbkjlWQwp-HAu3qW-fhtMlx7RD15mAKNb0MJc-K1-Jv4YP3KAu2W-2NsdA/s1600/Dystopian+reg+grnfilter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkJ7tvkRVTwXeIAvuW5D7GlsuWBGIJ1Q3ShpnSXiYqM-yLX5eX-uSYhKF1DqwOibju1pIbguZ9DLjTbkjlWQwp-HAu3qW-fhtMlx7RD15mAKNb0MJc-K1-Jv4YP3KAu2W-2NsdA/s1600/Dystopian+reg+grnfilter.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year.”<br />
<br />
She love to write, but it doesn't make her happy unless there are the three B's...body count, blood, and blowing things up. She also have mad skills at coding HTML, and website design. And she lives in a log cabin in the woods with fifteen acres and a pond full of bass, though she'd rather buy fish at the grocery store. Bonnie shares her domain with a husband, a dog, and two cats, all of whom think she’s waitstaff!<br />
<br />
Her sites are:<br />
<a href="http://bonniescalhoun.com/">http://bonniescalhoun.com</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bscalhoun">https://www.facebook.com/bscalhoun</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bonniescalhoun">https://www.facebook.com/bonniescalhoun</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/BonnieSCalhoun">https://www.goodreads.com/BonnieSCalhoun</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bonniecalhoun/">http://www.pinterest.com/bonniecalhoun/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BonnieCalhoun">https://www.youtube.com/user/BonnieCalhoun</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPs62iB4Wdj2UmUZna83PRMIn0T3PoHXajJxpTENK-i-QL6-HI_1NkyBmk5wLvP1tggWdZtmDlka7xgXXHzojc938ShpXyC_FNc_1MeWW-fHhTErSVeSxQI3bF_nV6Z9intDg8g/s1600/Thunder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPs62iB4Wdj2UmUZna83PRMIn0T3PoHXajJxpTENK-i-QL6-HI_1NkyBmk5wLvP1tggWdZtmDlka7xgXXHzojc938ShpXyC_FNc_1MeWW-fHhTErSVeSxQI3bF_nV6Z9intDg8g/s1600/Thunder.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a><br />
In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.<br />
<br />
Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOh7m8h2ayEw_wPFKzpxi6UbV_RVPWVkVbox0UucPPJdobYnWKBnXAkUcnG-varmUqL6e-AB_r9ktgjakWv7BJBtfqljfizOMwnli20JpKjpXNYhTwvDQ08GS06DF3o52nT3wOw/s1600/Tremors4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOh7m8h2ayEw_wPFKzpxi6UbV_RVPWVkVbox0UucPPJdobYnWKBnXAkUcnG-varmUqL6e-AB_r9ktgjakWv7BJBtfqljfizOMwnli20JpKjpXNYhTwvDQ08GS06DF3o52nT3wOw/s1600/Tremors4.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a><br />
With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of scientific advances, political intrigue, and wilderness survival, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a world more like our own than we may want to admit.<br />
<br />
You can read Tremors, the prequel to the series for FREE on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tremors-Stone-Braide-Chronicles-Story-ebook/dp/B00KQS1DLG">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800723767">Thunder (Stone Braide Chronicles)</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/10/thunder-stone-braide-chronicles-by.html">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Illuminating Fiction Review</span></b></div>
<br />
I was introduced to Bonnie’s dystopian world via Tremors, the free prequel to Thunder. Tremors introduces readers to Selah Rishon Chavez and her family, who are struggling to make a life in a barren world destroyed by catastrophic event 150 years prior, known as the Time of Sorrows. I was immediately drawn Selah’s life and her struggle to be accepted by her father and brothers as an adult and escape her upcoming arranged marriage.<br />
<br />
Thunder picks up the story on the eve of Selah’s 18th Birth Remembrance. Desperate to prove she is just as good a hunter as her brothers, Selah hides on the shore and waits for a small boat to crash onto the beach. Nestled in the bottom of these boats are a prized catch—a Lander.<br />
<br />
Landers who keep the markings they arrived with are a sort after commodity by the Company, a business colony deep underground in the Mountain. If Selah could catch a Lander, she would prove she was an asset to her family and not just a bargaining chip for her father to gain favour with another Borough.<br />
<br />
Selah’s plans unravel when her brothers arrive shortly after she gains her first Lander, Bodhi Locke, and claims him as their own catch. To make matters worse, Selah wakes the next morning to discover she too now carries the Lander marking on her skin. Suddenly Selah is worth more to her family than ever before.<br />
<br />
Carrying a family secret, Selah goes into hiding. Determined to find out the truth behind the Landers, Selah vows to rescue Bodhi Locke from her brothers before they reach the Mountain.<br />
<br />
What makes the Landers so valuable to the Company? And why are they never seen again once they enter the Mountain? These are questions Selah is determined to answer as she struggles to find her place and acceptance in her new life as a Lander.<br />
<br />
Thunder is the first book of the Stone Braide Chronicles and leaves enough unanswered questions to keep readers waiting for the next instalment. I already have the second book, Lightning, on my Can’t-Wait-To-Read list.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-86691549357021688532014-09-23T14:11:00.000+12:002014-09-23T14:12:02.256+12:00CFBA Review: Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1426773609">Hidden in the Stars</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abingdon Press (September 16, 2014)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.robincaroll.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Robin Caroll</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16px;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7maiX6TNFZBwWvm_t5GRCH-S7XZFh7wxIpmTMjr0NPZQu3hlNHTd_tdMViQJfQ_Ba6PCN3rPBtIbfmSkgsiQICB4veKnnEQuELtx4CmMmU5ulee21PoEekwkJQgGSGxb548C5Rw/s1600/Robin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7maiX6TNFZBwWvm_t5GRCH-S7XZFh7wxIpmTMjr0NPZQu3hlNHTd_tdMViQJfQ_Ba6PCN3rPBtIbfmSkgsiQICB4veKnnEQuELtx4CmMmU5ulee21PoEekwkJQgGSGxb548C5Rw/s1600/Robin.jpg" height="174" width="200" /></a><br />
Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books.<br />
<br />
When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her 3 beautiful daughters, 2 precious grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16px;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjsMqR5_iAlGjxwFfGAw33UK0J1fbLhQj2okMoDyDVpa0qPRtW8kQ_cr6woi-71PRMtmdr6LT_ekNryQLucqXKgE_rwjSs8HhKCOz2z4HlL-vBWgN69xGfQhpXCIIUd72oh3iaw/s1600/Hidden_in_the_Stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjsMqR5_iAlGjxwFfGAw33UK0J1fbLhQj2okMoDyDVpa0qPRtW8kQ_cr6woi-71PRMtmdr6LT_ekNryQLucqXKgE_rwjSs8HhKCOz2z4HlL-vBWgN69xGfQhpXCIIUd72oh3iaw/s1600/Hidden_in_the_Stars.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.<br />
<br />
Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1426773609">Hidden in the Stars</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/09/hidden-in-stars-by-robin-caroll.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-41624876074824993362014-09-16T14:37:00.000+12:002014-09-16T14:37:13.756+12:00CFBA Review: The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead by Diane Noble<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434704971">The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David C. Cook (September 1, 2014)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dianenoble.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Diane Noble</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16px;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20YcF_B6SfnLufZJRO45dK0D93mLA1WLUZ6w3vX95eddQKf9NqrrdkTajMmUoK3jE11Mmmzh1pNeKxOyZAZGaPSbBCTlLgsyjczg4P4gUpEh_s3lDoDzZFltxfBqNHJGQGvmSnA/s1600/DianeNoble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20YcF_B6SfnLufZJRO45dK0D93mLA1WLUZ6w3vX95eddQKf9NqrrdkTajMmUoK3jE11Mmmzh1pNeKxOyZAZGaPSbBCTlLgsyjczg4P4gUpEh_s3lDoDzZFltxfBqNHJGQGvmSnA/s1600/DianeNoble.jpg" height="200" width="162" /></a><br />
Award-winning novelist Diane Noble writes stories that tap into the secrets of the heart.<br />
<br />
With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane feels incredibly blessed to be doing what she loves best—writing the stories of her heart.<br />
<br />
For the last three years Diane has been honored to be lead author for the popular Guideposts series, <i>Mystery and the Minister’s Wife </i>(Through the Fire, Angels Undercover), and has recently returned to writing historical fiction. She recently finished writing book two of her new historical series, <i>The Brides of Gabriel</i>. Book one, <i>The Sister Wife</i>, and book 2, <i>The Betrayal</i>, which are published by Harper Collins/Avon Inspire, are now in bookstores.<br />
<br />
Now empty nesters, Diane and her husband live in the Southern California low desert, near a place known for the lush and beautiful gated communities of the rich and famous.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 16px;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL69xFYpzEBSYY5HoG2iMlAeIFeFDiHO1uIRyAEREGctMpCib28Jai11eOhonGe9CrMBp0E51XOPUYSwL_dPzz2iZZfP1uYaO8boNWr-KEjFErZSBolZGaAcxu9PMiRQa8YKOgCA/s1600/Curious_Case_Missing_Figurehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL69xFYpzEBSYY5HoG2iMlAeIFeFDiHO1uIRyAEREGctMpCib28Jai11eOhonGe9CrMBp0E51XOPUYSwL_dPzz2iZZfP1uYaO8boNWr-KEjFErZSBolZGaAcxu9PMiRQa8YKOgCA/s320/Curious_Case_Missing_Figurehead.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
She’s Passionate about Solving the Case ... with the Town’s Life-Long Bachelor<br />
<br />
El Littlefield runs The Butler Did It catering. It’s the perfect cover for her to solve “who-done-its” (nothing too dangerous, please!) in this small university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While catering her most important event yet—a fancy retirement dinner for Dr. Max Haverhill, life-long bachelor and history dean—countless guests fall ill, a 200 year-old relic is stolen, and her best friend vanishes. All in the first hour.<br />
<br />
As El and Max race to solve the mystery, they discover there’s more to their relationship than simply solving the case. Welcome to Eden’s Bridge—the perfect small town setting for big intrigue, romance, and humor.<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434704971">The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-curious-case-of-missing-figurehead.html">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Illuminating Fiction's Comments</b></div>
<br />
The Curious Case of the Missing Figurehead is a fun read packed with twists and turns to keep readers guessing. I feel in love with the cast of characters, especially El Littlefield and the determined Hyacinth Gilvertin. If you are looking for a light, fun read, then this is the book for you.Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-22113969388976488822014-09-09T15:56:00.002+12:002014-09-09T15:56:50.764+12:00CFBA Review: Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307446492">Thief of Glory</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WaterBrook Press (August 19, 2014)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sigmundbrouwer.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Sigmund Brouwer</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZh5d8x1iMKxDlEen3qjPlC0TMrTU6szwUrvSgh7PCqpc3z0h-zzV_4nEPbUBpj5-8Pfb_R_W4j8dELIy_9bznrA1CYl7NUrsNhwimZmhvDdDWqoPdN_ZlJIZiXhsYk4sP5WcTg/s1600/SigmundBrouwer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZh5d8x1iMKxDlEen3qjPlC0TMrTU6szwUrvSgh7PCqpc3z0h-zzV_4nEPbUBpj5-8Pfb_R_W4j8dELIy_9bznrA1CYl7NUrsNhwimZmhvDdDWqoPdN_ZlJIZiXhsYk4sP5WcTg/s1600/SigmundBrouwer.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a><br />
Sigmund Brouwer is the best-selling author of nearly thirty novels, with close to 4 million books in print. Based on his inspiration for Thief of Glory, which Sigmund wrote as a way to learn and honor the his parent’s stories, especially of his father’s boyhood in a Japanese concentration camp, Sigmund leads The Chapters of Our Lives memoir seminars across the United States and Canada. Sigmund is married to recording artist Cindy Morgan and has two daughters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9c2jV94IWJgu8Kksl2kVYO0pOzltrjS2cOI8xLh5O8-SY-7RALkQNVY-Ssg-62r9f5XwZt-Btqj1bdGVSS2ehrJKoAfCANFMHwcQbZNwtWKnNa0e88vWZBFycBrKW3snFXejXQ/s1600/Thief_of_Glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9c2jV94IWJgu8Kksl2kVYO0pOzltrjS2cOI8xLh5O8-SY-7RALkQNVY-Ssg-62r9f5XwZt-Btqj1bdGVSS2ehrJKoAfCANFMHwcQbZNwtWKnNa0e88vWZBFycBrKW3snFXejXQ/s1600/Thief_of_Glory.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
<b>A boy coming of age in a time of war…</b><br />
the love that inspires him to survive.<br />
<br />
For ten year-old Jeremiah Prins, the life of privilege as the son of a school headmaster in the Dutch East Indies comes crashing to a halt in 1942 after the Japanese Imperialist invasion of the Southeast Pacific. Jeremiah takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings when his father and older stepbrothers are separated from the rest of the family, and he is surprised by what life in the camp reveals about a woman he barely knows—his frail, troubled mother.<br />
<br />
Amidst starvation, brutality, sacrifice and generosity, Jeremiah draws on all of his courage and cunning to fill in the gap for his mother. Life in the camps is made more tolerable as Jeremiah’s boyhood infatuation with his close friend Laura deepens into a friendship from which they both draw strength.<br />
<br />
<br />
When the darkest sides of humanity threaten to overwhelm Jeremiah and Laura, they reach for God’s light and grace, shining through his people. Time and war will test their fortitude and the only thing that will bring them safely to the other side is the most enduring bond of all.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307446492">Thief of Glory</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/09/thief-of-glory-by-sigmund-brouwer.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-68744257408762401442014-09-05T20:08:00.006+12:002014-09-05T20:08:54.351+12:00CFBA Review: Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414366426">Driftwood Tides</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2014)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.ginaholmes.com/">Gina Holmes</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoBSqjbRHCWW2SMUtC3WoAErq-51hEEJExuTaufoPfqauq88vyIM7rzxWB_d0RWVv4RXVyLik6NlRxG7EN2xzsElZThbs9UMjlJqzHW8frqIriKTGygb4IchqbuhOadjFMLAD-w/s1600/GinaHolmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoBSqjbRHCWW2SMUtC3WoAErq-51hEEJExuTaufoPfqauq88vyIM7rzxWB_d0RWVv4RXVyLik6NlRxG7EN2xzsElZThbs9UMjlJqzHW8frqIriKTGygb4IchqbuhOadjFMLAD-w/s1600/GinaHolmes.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a><br />
Gina Holmes is the founder of Novel Rocket, regularly named as one of Writers Digest’s best websites for writers. Her debut, <i>Crossing Oceans</i>, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW bestseller. Her sophomore novel, <i>Dry as Rain</i> was a <i>Christy Award finalist</i>. Her latest novel, Wings of Glass has been named as one of the best books of the year by Library Journal and was a SIBA Okra pick and a finalist for Romantic Times’ Reviewers Choice Award. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXYc4GkLAOcwqxTB2U2KY3BxSbeztiqnos7o0WiTE0GBy9yGdadCnhOfvawCErqVFDVo8cGS0bM9tAk-ssueEaza6xD3G7-pcVK3W1QBaH1QODDsK3h3LcJnN93rIjQwTZ5AWUg/s1600/Driftwood_Tides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXYc4GkLAOcwqxTB2U2KY3BxSbeztiqnos7o0WiTE0GBy9yGdadCnhOfvawCErqVFDVo8cGS0bM9tAk-ssueEaza6xD3G7-pcVK3W1QBaH1QODDsK3h3LcJnN93rIjQwTZ5AWUg/s1600/Driftwood_Tides.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
<b>He made himself an island until something unexpected washed ashore.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
When Holton lost his wife, Adele, in a freak accident, he shut himself off from the world, living a life of seclusion, making drifwood sculptures and drowning his pain in gin. Until twenty-three-year-old Libby knocks on his door, asking for a job and claiming to be a friend of his late wife. When he discovers Libby is actually his late wife’s illegitimate daughter, given up for adoption without his knowledge, his life is turned upside down as he struggles to accept that the wife he’d given saint status to was not the woman he thought he knew.<br />
<br />
<br />
Together Holton and Libby form an unlikely bond as the two struggle to learn the identity of Libby’s father and the truth about Adele, themselves, and each other.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414366426">Driftwood Tides</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/09/driftwood-tides-by-gina-holmes.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-60867376166046006132014-08-12T15:10:00.002+12:002014-08-12T15:10:58.265+12:00CFBA Review: Sky Zone by Creston Mapes<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781408172">Sky Zone</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David C. Cook (June 1, 2014)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.crestonmapes.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Creston Mapes</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVCCQPwdB5GIYO62AamGDhu9QnVMwOes_CUkZ8EURX1DO12-Gt8Is9RTZldIJB28om8qtf-fSIvV0mrvHM_5Crvt0UnSpCC9114Z3sfHQvgaCwMSmbrR0-KKiegr7aWnlhEIVWA/s1600/CrestonMapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVCCQPwdB5GIYO62AamGDhu9QnVMwOes_CUkZ8EURX1DO12-Gt8Is9RTZldIJB28om8qtf-fSIvV0mrvHM_5Crvt0UnSpCC9114Z3sfHQvgaCwMSmbrR0-KKiegr7aWnlhEIVWA/s1600/CrestonMapes.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><br />
Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."<br />
<br />
Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhQLCxK26ry1JgSyUF_GNGiZnp-HPQoEpyvW6MU5wRTn-jwrc-9i3KaDx2pvLX4Y_TCkTXmLrs8f53zlGEHRaJiMouqo6Rn4Nlau29dleWYSlreaD1TAnvbypzk3xpSdoOJhxtA/s1600/Sky_Zone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhQLCxK26ry1JgSyUF_GNGiZnp-HPQoEpyvW6MU5wRTn-jwrc-9i3KaDx2pvLX4Y_TCkTXmLrs8f53zlGEHRaJiMouqo6Rn4Nlau29dleWYSlreaD1TAnvbypzk3xpSdoOJhxtA/s1600/Sky_Zone.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
<b>A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.</b><br />
A terrorist threat.<br />
A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions. <br />
<br />
Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work full-time while eight months pregnant. Having her recently widowed mother on hand isn't making matters any easier.<br />
<br />
With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for controversial presidential candidate Martin Sterling where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save their own lives--and the lives of thousands of innocent people.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781408172">Sky Zone</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/08/sky-zone-by-creston-mapes.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-20065872078206087272014-07-28T20:38:00.001+12:002014-07-28T20:38:07.925+12:00CFBA Review: In The Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802410979">In The Field of Grace</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2014)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tessaafshar.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Tessa Afshar</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNPBd4ZRph7eXiJlBjXsissMb3QdIVWk9nkRAsINJPsxSblp154AQ8-J-HX2hHit7VSlBaREciag8fs81o6tx193_NboTR9YD-doW3uEBWDpkVnMgHTzk0dsC8H1VIjZIQvZ9JQ/s1600/tessa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNPBd4ZRph7eXiJlBjXsissMb3QdIVWk9nkRAsINJPsxSblp154AQ8-J-HX2hHit7VSlBaREciag8fs81o6tx193_NboTR9YD-doW3uEBWDpkVnMgHTzk0dsC8H1VIjZIQvZ9JQ/s200/tessa.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
TESSA AFSHAR was voted "New Author of the Year" by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader's Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDn8ZK35pJyXHcQaSNu4evrCzYrXbNcTuIPH5JapauKK-gVcsPlGCNt2fDK9xKFCfhPjPckONX9RVRaY6I9GhBnF5XRMlg3w30QJLIVuHSGakxKkBxlKaioad8lGB8BiIsaqztg/s1600/In_the_Field_of_Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDn8ZK35pJyXHcQaSNu4evrCzYrXbNcTuIPH5JapauKK-gVcsPlGCNt2fDK9xKFCfhPjPckONX9RVRaY6I9GhBnF5XRMlg3w30QJLIVuHSGakxKkBxlKaioad8lGB8BiIsaqztg/s1600/In_the_Field_of_Grace.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a><br />
Destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation.<br />
<br />
But God has other plans for her life. While everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.<br />
<br />
<br />
Based on the biblical account of Ruth, In the Field of Grace is the story of a love that ultimately changes the course of Israel's destiny and the future of the whole world.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802410979">In The Field of Grace</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/07/in-field-of-grace-by-tessa-afshar.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-3432356472854358322014-07-21T19:20:00.001+12:002014-07-21T19:20:16.444+12:00CFBA Review: Firewall by DiAnn Mills<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414389930">Firewall</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2014)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.diannmills.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">DiAnn Mills</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FAM2eg4fz06EB3Yq91IwgOZf_JedQprGq37ri9D2tmF_Atjn1caBWFCrQubAgrHnDdyp-zMT6E7DccbQd_rBKu2W6vAfnK2ITmz0s3w0DuMYRg3482a2DAIYTUulP8iQotxSNg/s1600/DiAnn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FAM2eg4fz06EB3Yq91IwgOZf_JedQprGq37ri9D2tmF_Atjn1caBWFCrQubAgrHnDdyp-zMT6E7DccbQd_rBKu2W6vAfnK2ITmz0s3w0DuMYRg3482a2DAIYTUulP8iQotxSNg/s200/DiAnn.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><br />
DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.<br />
<br />
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops. <br />
<br />
DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/diannmills" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/diannmills</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BPaVt9LMDJHKziUrekBP3rG4uDxcN3PvGNuBNYkeyuUjVBGyxucZ5iYB8hsG2JOyUJUdQS70xzrtxnWWQUKH1QSRYl4dAN8jEp2M7gSukTaEHVgNUZ5QzpoLyUuiI_Og6i_JPA/s1600/Firewall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BPaVt9LMDJHKziUrekBP3rG4uDxcN3PvGNuBNYkeyuUjVBGyxucZ5iYB8hsG2JOyUJUdQS70xzrtxnWWQUKH1QSRYl4dAN8jEp2M7gSukTaEHVgNUZ5QzpoLyUuiI_Og6i_JPA/s1600/Firewall.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.<br />
<br />
Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?<br />
<br />
With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414389930">Firewall</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/07/firewall-by-diann-mills.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-42393879044702121782014-06-02T19:44:00.000+12:002014-06-02T19:44:36.997+12:00Illuminating Fiction Review: Again by John Leatherman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFkeWki-vYohJbUL5HRbU8a40voli8DsAN-tK2oQHNIdrZSbMv3pW5uOuPlJNF0-OgFZV2fTxa9dDR1k7NEz4ZylcHaQxcu2XpGYxuaU1IPn7U5Vdxwrv_ZeOKG2MZi2TBe4/s1600/again+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFkeWki-vYohJbUL5HRbU8a40voli8DsAN-tK2oQHNIdrZSbMv3pW5uOuPlJNF0-OgFZV2fTxa9dDR1k7NEz4ZylcHaQxcu2XpGYxuaU1IPn7U5Vdxwrv_ZeOKG2MZi2TBe4/s1600/again+pic.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Again</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
by </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
John Leatherman</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Ever had a conversation go terribly wrong and wished you could do it
all over again? What about a nightmare day you wanted to wipe from history and
do differently? I’m sure we've all wished we could start over again at some
point in our lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Chance Trifle gets to do that every day, and not just once. Chance
experiences each day three times. His third attempt at each day is the day that
is set in history, the day everybody else remembers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
As an intern at a television station, Chance sees his gift as a ticket
to fast track his career as a journalist. When pop star Prima is murdered by
her ex-boyfriend record producer, Sam Mason, Chance videos the murder in an
attempt to impress the studio boss and make some fast money. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
However, his first attempts at securing his own stardom go terribly
wrong. Not to mention his attraction to two fellow interns, Danielle and Trish.
To make matters worse, while Chance focuses on the Prima case, he misses the opportunity
to save five-year-old Mandy Starnes from abduction. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
With two high profile stories battling for his attention, Chance soon
finds himself in a tangle as he triplicates each day in search of the perfect
third day. As he juggles Danielle and Trish, trying to keep them both from
discovering his interest in the other, he must dodge hired bullies, determined
detectives, and a crazed Latina obsessing over a cult and the end of the world.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Again </i>is a fun read, sure to
keep the reader on their toes as they try to keep the versions of each day straight
in their minds. If you’re looking for a light read, this is definitely a book
for you. Although there is a sprinkling of Christianity throughout the book, it
lacked a strong theme, which left me finishing the book feeling a bit flat.
With a nice twist at the end, I wouldn't be surprised to see further adventures
in the life of Chance Trifle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Again-John-Leatherman-ebook/dp/B00J7EUP14/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401694936&sr=8-1&keywords=again+by+john+leatherman">Find Again on Amazon</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-87964126922812235032014-03-18T16:28:00.001+13:002014-03-18T16:28:12.724+13:00CFBA Review: Poison Town by Creston Mapes<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="color: white; font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: white;">is introducing</span></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434704874">Poison Town</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">David C. Cook (February 1, 2014)</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;">by</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.crestonmapes.com/" style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">Creston Mapes</span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVCCQPwdB5GIYO62AamGDhu9QnVMwOes_CUkZ8EURX1DO12-Gt8Is9RTZldIJB28om8qtf-fSIvV0mrvHM_5Crvt0UnSpCC9114Z3sfHQvgaCwMSmbrR0-KKiegr7aWnlhEIVWA/s1600/CrestonMapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVCCQPwdB5GIYO62AamGDhu9QnVMwOes_CUkZ8EURX1DO12-Gt8Is9RTZldIJB28om8qtf-fSIvV0mrvHM_5Crvt0UnSpCC9114Z3sfHQvgaCwMSmbrR0-KKiegr7aWnlhEIVWA/s1600/CrestonMapes.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: white;">Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbEHC3RL14OYH9IuDcd7s1E792v4-cdmRjp5Fga4TDu9xzCe5USMCQCuDglde_SlnzoNzFkuqv4CnlMNJRTkJjaI2Z0MPJ3mEKd4qd7HAuqzW4-sN4FB0go2J45nROJ-GbT2zSw/s1600/PoisonTown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbEHC3RL14OYH9IuDcd7s1E792v4-cdmRjp5Fga4TDu9xzCe5USMCQCuDglde_SlnzoNzFkuqv4CnlMNJRTkJjaI2Z0MPJ3mEKd4qd7HAuqzW4-sN4FB0go2J45nROJ-GbT2zSw/s1600/PoisonTown.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: white;">There's More Than One Kind of Poison in This Town</span></b><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">People are sick and dying. Rumors are swirling. Some claim chemicals leaking from a manufacturing plant are causing the cancer that's crippling people on the poor side of Trenton City, Ohio. Yet nothing at the plant appears amiss.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">The problem remains a mystery until reporter Jack Crittendon's long-time mechanic falls ill and he investigates. Soon Jack becomes engulfed in a smokescreen of lies, setups, greed, and scandal.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">The deeper he digs, the more toxic the corruption he uncovers. As he faces off with the big-time players behind the scenes and tries to beat the clock before more people die, he realizes the chillingly unthinkable--he knows too much.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;">If you'd like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434704874">Poison Town</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2014/03/poison-town-by-creston-mapes.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Illuminating Fiction's Review</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Whenever I pick up a novel by Creston Mapes, I know I am in for a wild joy ride; one I never want to finish.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Mapes has outdone himself with<i> Poison Town, </i>the second book in The Crittendon Files series. In the first book, F<i>ear Has A Name</i>, report Jack Crittendon faced the kidnapping of his wife by an obsessed ex-school friend of hers. In <i>Poison Town</i>, Jack must come to terms with the fact that the kidnapper is now out on parole, and living in the same town as them.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>As Jack battles his unforgiveness and mistrust, he uncovers a story that not only puts his family in further danger, but also the lives of many others. When Galen Randall, the father of Jack’s mechanic, becomes sick, Jack learns of the rumors surrounding Demler-Vargus, a fiberglass manufacturing plant. Many of Trenton City’s residents close to the factory have been falling ill from mysterious illnesses and dying. But not all the deaths appear to be from sickness.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>The deeper Jack digs, the more suspicious circumstances come to light. But someone is out to stop him from learning the truth. Galen is poisoned while in hospital, a neighbor with inside information on Demler-Vargus goes missing, and Jack is unable to contact an ex-work colleague who abruptly left town while working on a story about the plant. When someone tries to run his wife off the road, it becomes much more personal to Jack.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>In his pursuit of the truth, Jack comes under attack from all angles; the highest offices of Demler-Vargus, his editor, and even his own wife. Can Jack bring justice to the corporate giant while saving both his marriage and his job?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: #141414; clear: both; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #141414; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Mapes blends gritty characters, nonstop action, and high pressure tension throughout a well-crafted novel that will keep readers glued until the grand finale. Woven beautifully throughout the bumper ride are themes of fear, forgiveness, and justice. By the time you finish reading this book, I am sure I will not be the only one eagerly awaiting the third instalment of The Crittendon Files. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-63139204117336945612014-03-03T20:04:00.004+13:002014-03-03T20:07:51.047+13:00Poison Town by Creston Mapes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>Poison Town</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>by</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b>Creston Mapes</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IaBrmHBdB0AYmjMWsbVzU_Vz9oinvA9wkDNPmQlqza8TGkZ6r2zo_n-YBP3atdwB2VO0qe8CgojdZ3pRU8Yilx9TUsLbYAYjaI27buga0rrigts5r-XsAbaCMf7WQM6FAbk/s1600/Poison+Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IaBrmHBdB0AYmjMWsbVzU_Vz9oinvA9wkDNPmQlqza8TGkZ6r2zo_n-YBP3atdwB2VO0qe8CgojdZ3pRU8Yilx9TUsLbYAYjaI27buga0rrigts5r-XsAbaCMf7WQM6FAbk/s1600/Poison+Town.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: white;">Whenever I pick up a novel by Creston Mapes, I know I am in for a wild
joy ride; one I never want to finish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: white;">Mapes has outdone himself with<i>
Poison Town, </i>the second book in The Crittendon Files series. In the first book, F<i>ear Has A Name</i>, report Jack Crittendon faced the kidnapping of his
wife by an obsessed ex-school friend of hers. In <i>Poison Town</i>, Jack must come to terms with the fact that the
kidnapper is now out on parole, and living in the same town as them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: white;">As Jack battles his unforgiveness and mistrust, he uncovers a story
that not only puts his family in further danger, but also the lives of many
others. When Galen Randall, the father of Jack’s mechanic, becomes sick, Jack
learns of the rumors surrounding Demler-Vargus, a fiberglass manufacturing
plant. Many of Trenton City’s residents close to the factory have been falling
ill from mysterious illnesses and dying. But not all the deaths appear to be
from sickness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: white;">The deeper Jack digs, the more suspicious circumstances come to light.
But someone is out to stop him from learning the truth. Galen is poisoned while
in hospital, a neighbor with inside information on Demler-Vargus goes missing,
and Jack is unable to contact an ex-work colleague who abruptly left town while
working on a story about the plant. When someone tries to run his wife off the
road, it becomes much more personal to Jack. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: white;">In his pursuit of the truth, Jack comes under attack from all angles;
the highest offices of Demler-Vargus, his editor, and even his own wife. Can
Jack bring justice to the corporate giant while saving both his marriage and
his job?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: white;">Mapes blends gritty characters, nonstop action, and high pressure
tension throughout a well-crafted novel that will keep readers glued until the grand
finale. Woven beautifully throughout the bumper ride are themes of fear, forgiveness,
and justice. By the time you finish
reading this book, I am sure I will not be the only one eagerly awaiting the
third instalment of The Crittendon Files. </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-32925998891096105912013-10-22T13:53:00.003+13:002013-10-22T13:54:42.276+13:00CFBA Review: Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433676893">Greetings from the Flipside</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B&H Books (October 15, 2013)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.renegutteridge.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Rene Gutteridge</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiSKNzizetyC7XK9or1siAPOLOdPvyxmdWiZrDMboN_Cn04JiZ9nZ4mYQHKtQBmbqgJZaMb8iJvY_Vz2HSSgOi9UAqTZepyKUsSv0iIRAMHiVQl9UYroL9V1wlTv3Ynu_Hti3WA/s1600/renegutteridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiSKNzizetyC7XK9or1siAPOLOdPvyxmdWiZrDMboN_Cn04JiZ9nZ4mYQHKtQBmbqgJZaMb8iJvY_Vz2HSSgOi9UAqTZepyKUsSv0iIRAMHiVQl9UYroL9V1wlTv3Ynu_Hti3WA/s1600/renegutteridge.jpg" width="143" /></a><br />
Rene is the author of seventeen novels. She also has extensive experience writing comedy sketches, and worked for five years as the director of drama for a church. She has a degree specializing in Screenwriting, for which she earned the Excellence in Mass Communication Award, and graduated magna cum laude.<br />
<br />
She is married to Sean, a musician and worship leader, and has two children. They reside in Oklahoma, where Rene writes full time and enjoys instructing in college classrooms and writers conferences.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyfFzediSN2sWgJMg_yio-sFROpgeNaSIqrwIpmOxDDMsIrSCY_fInr0nvVnp7GLIdKaN8T9ZVzHGZOSmjp4mFHpoPaPQLoRIttbO3lr27ykFYT99uG1i49KUS68mC0Ihle968Q/s1600/Greetings_From_the_Flipside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyfFzediSN2sWgJMg_yio-sFROpgeNaSIqrwIpmOxDDMsIrSCY_fInr0nvVnp7GLIdKaN8T9ZVzHGZOSmjp4mFHpoPaPQLoRIttbO3lr27ykFYT99uG1i49KUS68mC0Ihle968Q/s1600/Greetings_From_the_Flipside.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
Hope Landon has been rewriting other people's greeting cards since she was six years old -- there's always a funnier caption. She's all set to chase those creative dreams with her musician fiance in New York City until he leaves Hope at the altar, deciding he must not really love this girl if he can't write a song for her. That may give her something to write about . . .<br />
<br />
Hope disappears alone on what was supposed to be the couple's month long honeymoon. Upon returning she learns of her funeral -- everyone in her life concluded Hope must have killed herself after being jilted. Needing a fresh start more than ever, she heads for the Big Apple only to discover it's not that easy to rent a place when you've been declared dead.<br />
<br />
Taking shelter at the YWCA, Hope soon lands a job at a Christian inspirational greeting card company as an assistant to Jake, a guy who shut down his organization's humor department. She has lost her faith in love; he needs to find something or someone that will make him laugh.<br />
<br />
Is there anything in the cards for these two? Find out in the truly original <i>Greetings from the Flipside</i> by authors Rene Gutteridge (<i>Boo</i>) and Cheryl McKay (screenplay for <i>The Ultimate Gift</i>).<br />
<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of ><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433676893">Greetings from the Flipside</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2013/10/greetings-from-flipside-by-rene.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14146446.post-70051031636895795132013-10-08T14:18:00.000+13:002013-10-08T14:18:04.435+13:00CFBA Review - Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/1600/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5500/1432/320/CFBAreviewer_gif.0.gif" style="cursor: hand; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433679531">Dark Justice</a></span></div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
B&H Books (October 1, 2013)</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.brandilyncollins.com/" style="font-size: 130%;">Brandilyn Collins</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsjWVD6c9hq7fwhuKt6LXhAaRZko6_8efv3U-cAB9tTCPsCpOD5Re6-jg4EzAwILjU-xWM2OQG9sVA144um2GYK7Rhq3rDNlLD3CNx06na6DIrCjcaxBthv42klZx3AHdlvsMsA/s1600/Brandilyn+Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsjWVD6c9hq7fwhuKt6LXhAaRZko6_8efv3U-cAB9tTCPsCpOD5Re6-jg4EzAwILjU-xWM2OQG9sVA144um2GYK7Rhq3rDNlLD3CNx06na6DIrCjcaxBthv42klZx3AHdlvsMsA/s1600/Brandilyn+Collins.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Brandilyn Collins is a 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, <i>A Question of Innocence</i>, 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's awards for her novels include the ACFW Carol Award (three times), Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice.<br />
<br />
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, <i>Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors</i> (John Wiley & Sons). The Writer magazine named <i>Getting into Character</i> one of the best books on writing published in 2002.<br />
<br />
When she's not writing, Brandilyn can be found teaching the craft of fiction at writers' conferences.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAOyarsZMefir8wTnCll45eh4YBvCh04Ip8O1UKrq9fGNmzMRuwmsLOz2jFR0LcGpfmL-_UUQMJRsQcSUcPE7-9X-EwXOodmfn-JLBGbLaCuGjJaVhyphenhyphenF86Ox-TJLmH6caDWyFUw/s1600/DarkJustice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAOyarsZMefir8wTnCll45eh4YBvCh04Ip8O1UKrq9fGNmzMRuwmsLOz2jFR0LcGpfmL-_UUQMJRsQcSUcPE7-9X-EwXOodmfn-JLBGbLaCuGjJaVhyphenhyphenF86Ox-TJLmH6caDWyFUw/s1600/DarkJustice.jpg" width="130" /></a><br />
If I’d had any idea what those words would mean to me, to my mother and daughter, I’d have fled California without looking back.<br />
<br />
While driving a rural road, Hannah Shire and her aging mother, who suffers from dementia, stop to help a man at the scene of a car accident. The man whispers mysterious words in Hannah’s ear. Soon people want to kill Hannah and her mother for what they “know.” Even law enforcement may be involved.<br />
<br />
The two women must flee for their lives. But how does Hannah hide her confused mother? Carol just wants to listen to her pop music, wear her favorite purple hat, and go home. And if they turn to Hannah’s twentyseven- year-old daughter, Emily, for help, will she fall into danger as well?<br />
<br />
Pressed on all sides, Hannah must keep all three generations of women in her family alive. Only then does she learn the threat is not just to her loved ones, but the entire country . . .<br />
<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1433679531">Dark Justice</a>, <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2013/10/dark-justice-by-brandilyn-collins.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Illuminating Fictionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.com0