Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: The Dead Whisper On by T.L. Hines

About The Book

Would You Run Into A Burning Building?

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

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

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

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

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

But they need Canada's help.

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

About The Author

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

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

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

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

He lives in Montana with his wife and daughter.

Visit Tony’s Web site to learn more about him and his books: http://www.tlhines.com/

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Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: And If I Die by John Aubrey Anderson

About The Book

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

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

Visit John’s Web site at http://www.johnaubreyanderson.com/

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Spotlighting: Going For Broke by Melanie Dobson

About The Book

Leia has it all; a husband who adores her, a successful career, and a chance to finally fly with a major carrier. Just as she is about to reach her pinnacle of fulfillment, it all crashes down around her when she is involved in an accident on the ski slopes of Colorado. An afternoon filling in time at a casino introduces Leia to a whole new level of excitement. When she finds herself unable to work and confined to her house for weeks on end, Leia surrenders to the excitement of beating the game, only to find herself falling deeper and deeper into its grip.

Ethan begins to worry when his ambitious, risk taking wife starts to dissolve into a reclusive shell. Showering and dressing have become optional daily activities for Leia. Ethan is at a loss as to how to help his wife, so when she offers to take over the finances, Ethan is pleased to give her something to occupy her mind. After all, she knows how important it is to pay the bills on time and keep to their tight budget as they save toward their goals.

Tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and her options almost at zero, Leia realizes she has gone too far. Revealing the truth to Ethan could be disastrous. Having witnessed the financial destruction of his sister’s family due to her husband’s gambling addiction, Ethan couldn’t understand anyone being so reckless with their hard earned finances. Would Ethan ever forgive her?

Illuminating Fiction Comments

Melanie Dobson takes a very real look at the addiction and financial ruin gambling can cause in her latest release, Going for Broke. Although readers may want to shake Leia at times, Melanie creates enough empathy for her lead character to keep readers hooked on her destructive plight. Leia goes through the traits many addiction victims develop, including rationalizing thoughts and withdrawal. When Leia finally hits rock bottom, she soon discovers there are no quick fixes for the mess she finds herself in. Although she must be held accountable for her mistakes, Leia discovers God’s endless grace and forgiveness.

Melanie also did a great job of surrounding Leia with a cast of memorable characters. There’s Ethan’s friend, Derek, the womanizer, who discovers Leia’s secret and offers help, with strings attached, of course. Living next door is flirty Misty, who is prone to gossip and behind-the-back cutting remarks. And then there is faithful Jenny, forgiving, loving, and committed to helping people through their weaknesses.

I only had one concern within the book. Several characters lacked a balance of good and bad traits, which made them appear one dimensional. Although characterized well, I found it hard to connect with them on a personal level.

Going for Broke is an addictive read laced with tension from start to finish. Leia’s story remained in my heart long after I closed the book.

About The Author

The former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, Melanie Dobson has worked in the fields of journalism and publicity for more than twelve years. As the daughter of a commercial pilot, Melanie is no stranger to travel and adventure. She and her husband, Jon, currently live in Oregon with their two daughters, Karly and Kinzel.

Visit Melanie's Web site at: http://www.melaniedobson.com/html/main.html

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Spotlighting: Coach's Midnight Diner

There's a new kid on the Christian anthology block.

This kid has edge. So hang on to your chair, turn on the floodlights, and try not to get spooked.

Story Blurbs

Jesus Vs. Cthulhu

In R'lyeh, Jesus Walks--Chris Mikesell--Winner of the Jesus Vs. Cthulhu Category - Take a romp through space and time with Jesus and Lucifer to the sunken city of R'lyeh by way of a comic book convention. Filled with humor and poignancy, Mikesell puts a fascinating twist on the Cthulhu mythos that will keep you laughing and thinking the whole way through.

Work and Worship--Neil Riebe--Paul Carter's parents are so keen on making sure he grows up to be a devout man they abandon the harmful influences of city life to set up a wholesome homestead out west. What Paul and his parents don't realize is that this action has attracted the attention of forces from the Mythos universe, both good and evil. An authentic Lovecraftian tale, Riebe exposes conflicts within Christianity in a unique and graceful fashion, and adds a new facet to a familiar Dream Cycle hero.

Bavel--Jens Rushing--In the near future, asteroid mining becomes big business. A crew of miners discovers a peculiar asteroid that starts to affect them in strange and odd ways. Told through ship logs and transcriptions, Rushing's amazing prose will keep you guessing all the way to a shocking ending.

That One That Happens In A Diner

The Way Station--Kevin Lucia--Winner of the That One That Happens In A Diner - Author Andrew Slater has a problem- he's about to be dumped by his publisher. But problems he doesn't know about force him to make a choice that will determine his destiny. Featuring a cameo by everyone's favorite tentacled dreamer, Lucia's lucid storytelling brings out the choices that so often happen in those little out of the way places that have a reality all their own.

Sanctuary--Linda Gilmore--Ned has a favorite diner, but one night he discovers that this diner isn't what it seems to be on the surface. A story that could have very easily been showcased on the original Twilight Zone, Gilmore beautifully examines the synchronicity that can only happen in an all-night diner.

Elvis Lives--Jennifer Edwards--On her way back to Iowa, Celine just stopped in to grab a cup of coffee. But a conversation with an Elvis impersonator may change the course of history. Edwards dips into Rod Serling's sugar bowl of the possibilities and probabilities in life, and shows how easily we might alter the vectors a life may take.

Horror/Weird Fiction

Gargoyle--J. Mark Bertrand-- College students and professors start to behave strangely when a stone gargoyle shows up under mysterious circumstances at a campus art exhibit. A classic horror tale, Bertrand walks you right up to the edge-- and then gives a little push.

The Looking Glass--Melody Graves-- An Episcopal priest's obsession with an opera diva leads him to a dark realization after indulging in absinthe. An eerie, moody work, Graves' prose will command your senses and lead you straight into darkness and redemption.

The Water Rises--Nathan Knapp-- A man trapped in a white room experiences a series of beautiful and strange events, but is terrorized by an unseen tormentor. Knapp's surreal narrative will entrance you as he moves towards the horrific conclusion.

The Demon--Robert Jennings-- Otis starts visiting the town whore who moonlights as an exorcist when his wife Billie starts to become abusive. But when Otis leaves her, Billie decides to confront her nemesis. A twisted tale of failed redemption and horror, Jennings' gut-level writing style and unrelenting commitment to authentic dialog will thrill and surprise even the most jaded critic.

The Thief at the Altar--Caroline Misner-- A thief who has the intention of stealing from a church is apprehended by a most unusual guardian. Misner will delight fans of the mystical morality tale with her subtle prose and carefully placed twists.

Suspense/Intrigue

Night Train to Berlin--Suzan Robertson--Just prior to World War II, a reporter-turned-spy is assigned to follow a beautiful woman in order to discover her connection to the Nazis. But is she what she appears? Robertson's wonderfully voiced writing will call you back to the days of Bogart and Bacall in this romantic and suspenseful work.

Hardboiled/Mystery/Crime

Last Trip to Crystal Moon--R.M. Olivier--In the pursuit of an acquaintance who raped one of the dancers in his charge, a bouncer at a strip club finds a much bigger quarry. Blending hardboiled fiction with sensibility, Oliver's fiction helped to inspire the inception of Coach's Midnight Diner when it was first submitted to Relief.

Door to Door--Charles Browning-- When an evangelist falls off the edge of sanity, hilarity ensues as he accosts a random citizen with the gospel- and a gun. Browning will have you laughing and crying as he walks you through the mind of a misguided zealot in this first-person narrative.

Blind Dog Detective--S.J. Kessel--When two hottie sorority girls walk into P.I. Ace Jackson's office, he hoped they would just go away. But he needed the work, and they were willing to pay, and like always, the case is more complex than the hotties first let on. Kessel's debut work will keep you wondering who the real culprit is from start to finish.

Almost a Hero--Mike Dellosso--A young gas station attendant begins dreaming of a girl's demise, and is completely wrecked by the experience. But when he sees the girl show up at the gas station, he is faced with a choice that alters his destiny. Dellosso's terrific craft will keep you on the edge of your seat as he rockets you through a harsh reality.

American Angel--Mike Medina--In the near future, bounty hunter James Vega takes on a tough case- find the head of a child porn and trafficking operation. But this case hits closer to home than he realizes. Medina's hardboiled edge comes through in this satisfying tale that makes Dirty Harry look like Strawberry Shortcake.

The Paranormal/Archetypal Exploration

Polly's Muse--Mike Duran--What’s a demon gotta do for a promotion? For Brichard and his band of bumbling imps, it’s as simple as keeping a lid on Polly. With her muse imprisoned, this assignment should be a cakewalk. But little do they know, Inspiration is everywhere … and so is the Adversary. Duran's brilliant writing takes us back to the days of Screwtape as he illustrates some surprising truths.

The Salvation of Sancho--Robert Garbacz--In the pub in a place called the Abyss, where stories outlive their authors, a young man with a bullet wound stumbles in to tell his tale. With cameos by Lewis, Chesterton, and Chandler, Garbacz's wonderfully textured storytelling will suck you in to a reality just next to our own.

The Deluge--Matt Mikalatos--A missionary comes into contact with a reality outside of his belief, and is forced to confront a truth he is not ready to accept. Mikalatos weaves a tale of spiritual warfare that is both surprising and realistic in its scope.

The Gift of the Magi If The Magi Had Been Big Idiots--Paul Luikart--What would happen if a young, poor couple so stupidly in love took what each other had and made something completely- useless? A twist on the O'Henry classic, Luikart will have you laughing and banging your head against the table at the same time.

To read a sample edition and order your copy, click here: http://www.reliefjournal.com/SampleSizeCDiner.pdf

Spotlighting: Coach's Midnight Diner

Coach’s Midnight Diner: The Jesus Vs. Cthulhu Edition
A Hardboiled Genre Anthology with a Christian Slant

A hardboiled anthology of horror, mystery, and paranormal fiction, Coach's Midnight Diner is the faith-based anthology readers have been waiting for. With full allowance for artistic freedom, Diner authors pull no punches.

Entrees of Jesus Vs. Cthulhu Fiction by Chris Mikesell, Kevin Lucia, Neil A. Riebe, and Jens Rushing highlight the first edition of Coach's Midnight Diner, but there's so much more on the menu.

We'll server up horror fiction by Editor's Choice Award winner Robert N. Jennings, J. Mark Bertrand, Melody Graves, Nathan Knapp, and Caroline Misner.

Side orders of Crime, Mystery, and Detective Fiction by Charles Browning, Suzan Robertson, R.M. Oliver, S.J. Kessel, Michael Medina, and Mike Dellosso will have you trying to guess who the culprit is until the very end. We'll quench your thirst for Paranormal Fiction with stories from Mike Duran, Robert Garbacz, Matt Mikalatos, and Paul Luikart.

And for dessert, Jennifer J. Edwards and Linda Gilmore bring stories from That One That Happens in A Diner.

Coach's Midnight Diner will satisfy your appetite for thrills and quench your thirst for something a little deeper than your average fare.



“Long before the rise of Christian publishing, marketing departments, and book committees domesticating content to appeal to the sensibilities of evangelical audiences, Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote novels filled with profound Christian truths. However, his characters were a dark and colorful bunch including murderers, the mentally challenged, gamblers, seditionists, and prostitutes. Fyodor's painted his characters with such a dark brush that one wonders if "The Possessed", "Crime and Punishment", or "The Brothers Karamazov" would be publishable in today's Christian market.

Coach Culbertson and the creative minds at ccPublishing are hoping to change all that with COACH'S MIDNIGHT DINER, an anthology of "horror, mystery, crime, and paranormal goodness." Like Dostoevsky's universe, the pages of the diner are filled with murders, strippers, demons, debauched pastors, trolls, alcoholics and a host of other unlikely purveyors of divine truth.”
-Larry Shallenberger, Author of Divine Intention

Book Details:

Title: Coach’s Midnight Diner: The Jesus Vs. Cthulhu Edition
Editors: Coach Culbertson, Vennessa Ng
Category: Horror, Mystery,
ISBN: 978-0979228445
Format: Trade paperback
Publication Date: Aug 2007
Pages: 276
Cover Price: $20.00
Trim: 9.4 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
Available from: Ingram’s, Baker and Taylor

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Spotlighting: A Shred of Truth by Eric Wilson

About The Book

“Violence has long been my way of life. For years, rage coursed through my veins like a poison . . . last October it all began to change.”

In The Best of Evil, Aramis Black uncovered family secrets and historical conspiracies, hoping that his own dark past had come to certain resolution. But now, in the dark of night, he finds his brother unconscious and tied to a statue in Nashville’s Music Row . . . with the initials AX carved into his back.

A shadow from his former life has reappeared, casting threats of violence and retribution. And soon the attacker is swinging his blade of self-righteous judgment directly at Aramis, calling upon him to “face his sins.” Can Aramis finally break free from the guilt of his old ways . . . or will he succumb to the vengeance of an arrogant sociopath?

Illuminating Fiction Comments

Eric Wilson’s latest novel is wonderfully crafted, weaving a number of issues into a complex mystery that will keep readers guessing right until the end. Just when I thought I had the culprit figured out, Eric delivered yet another twist to deflect suspicion.

Readers will identify with Eric’s multifaceted characters. Their struggles and inner conflicts are very real, and many have well balanced good and bad aspects.

Themes contained in the book include determining fact from fiction and racism. A Shred of Truth explores the impact of urban legends in today’s society and highlights how gullible we can be to all forms of media.

As in his previous books, Eric incorporates historical fact into the storyline, creating an entertaining yet enlightening novel.

For readers who love suspense and mystery, I recommend a cup of your favorite coffee, a cosy chair, and A Shred of Truth.

About The Author

Eric Wilson is the author of Dark to Mortal Eyes, Expiration Date, and the first book in the Aramis Black series, The Best of Evil. He lives with his wife, Carolyn Rose, and their two daughters in Nashville, Tennessee.

Find out more about Eric by visiting his Web site: http://www.wilsonwriter.com/

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Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: Fearless by Robin Parrish

About The Book

Book Two of the Dominion Trilogy:

The world changed after that terrible day when the sky burned, and now every heart is gripped by fear...

Earthquakes, fire, disease, and floods pummel the earth, and its citizens watch in horror.

But in the darkness there is hope -- an anonymous but powerful hero whom the public dubs "Guardian." He is Grant Borrows, one of a chosen few who walk the earth with extraordinary powers. But while Grant enjoys this new life, signs of a dangerous ancient prophecy begin coming true, and those closest to Grant worry he may be hiding a terrible secret.

A search for answers brings Grant and his friends to London, where an extraordinary discovery awaits that will challenge everything they thought they knew. With a deadly new enemy dogging his steps, Grant realizes that the world's only hope may come from unraveling the truth about himself once and for all. But what he comes face-to-face with leaves even this most powerful of men shaken with fear.

Secrets will be revealed.

Friends will make the ultimate sacrifice.

And destiny will not be denied.

The story continues...

About The Author

Robin Parrish had two great ambitions in his life: to have a family, and to be a published novelist.

In March of 2005, he proposed to his future wife the same week he signed his first book contract.

Born Michael Robin Parrish on October 13, 1975, Robin's earliest writing efforts took place on a plastic, toy typewriter, and resulted in several "books" (most between 10 and 30 pages long) and even a few magazines.

By the age of thirteen, he had begun winning local writing awards and became a regular in his high school's literary magazine. In college, he garnered acclaim from his English professors and fellow students while maturing and honing his skills.

After college, he entered the writing profession through a "side door" -- the Internet. More than ten years he spent writing for various websites, including About.com, CMCentral.com, and his current project Infuze Magazine, which is a unique intersection between art and faith which he also conceived of and created.

One of his more "high concept" ideas for Infuze was to return to his love for storytelling and create a serialized tale that would play out every two weeks, telling a complete, compelling story over the course of nine months. That serialized story eventually came to the attention of several publishers, who saw it as a potential debut novel for Robin Parrish.

In 2005, Bethany House Publishers brought Robin full circle by contracting him for the rights to not only that first book, Relentless -- but two sequels. A trilogy, to unfold in the consecutive summers of 2006, 2007, and 2008. One massive tale -- of which that first, original story would form only the foundational first volume of the three -- spread across three books.

Robin is the Editor in Chief and creator of Infuze Magazine. He and his wife Karen reside in High Point, North Carolina. Karen works for High Point's First Wesleyan Church, where Robin and Karen are members and Small Group leaders.

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Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: The Divine Appointment by Jerome Teel

About The Book

"They aren't hiding just one something, but a bunch of somethings . . ."

Small town southern lawyer, Elijah Faulkner is a dying breed . . . an attorney that actually takes pleasure in fighting injustice by working hard for the little guy. But when he takes on a case to defend a philandering doctor with a pregnant wife in a seemingly open-and-shut murder trial, Eli is not so sure he is on the “right” side.

Back in Washington D.C., supreme Court Justice Martha Robinson has died, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for conservative President Richard Wallace to impact the direction of the highest court in the land. He believes God put him in the presidency for just such a time as this . . . to make a Divine Appointment. Not everyone is thrilled with the president's nominee, however. And some will stop at nothing, including murder, to prevent his confirmation by the Senate.

A lobbyist with a vendetta, a small-time Mafioso, an investigative reporter with a Watergate complex, and a powerful Washington political machine combine to create a fast-paced suspense novel that explores the anatomy of a murder, and the ripple effect that it creates across the country.

About The Author

Jerome Teel is a graduate of Union University, where he received his JD, cum laude, from the Ole Miss School of Law. He is actively involved in his church, local charities, and youth sports.

He has always loved legal-suspense novels and is a political junkie. He is also the author of The Election, another political thriller that we reviewed November of '06.

Jerome and his wife, Jennifer, have three children...Brittney, Trey, and Matthew . . . and they reside in Tennessee where he practices law and is at work on a new novel.

Find out more about Jerome Teel by visiting his Web site: http://www.jerometeel.com/

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Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: SNITCH by Rene Gutteridge

About The Book

Old School meets New School meets Homeschool

Just shy of retirement and a well-earned pension, Las Vegas Police Department Sergeant Ron Yeager's definition of "active duty" involves shifting his bad leg into a more comfortable position. But when he's requested from his mind-numbing desk job to head an undercover auto theft task force, the former narcotics officer determines to prove he's still got the right stuff.

That is...until he meets his unlikely team of officers.

As Yeager soon finds out, not all the crazies are on the street. An undercover rookie, the audaciously honest Mackenzie "Mack" Hazard sends Yeager's blood pressure skyrocketing by wearing her faith like an ever-present badge. Then there's Jesse Lunden, a maverick undercover officer who refuses to learn anything from an old guy with a cane. Can this tangle of egos and eccentrics be trained into a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine...even while they are being drawn into something much bigger and more dangerous than anyone imagined?

In her trademark style, Rene Gutteridge blends zany, original characters, sincere faith, and surprising plot twists into one hilariously addictive read.

About The Author

Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels, including Ghost Writer (Bethany House Publishers) The Boo Series (WaterBrook Press) and the Storm Series, (Tyndale House Publishers. She will release three novels in 2006: Storm Surge (Tyndale) My Life as a Doormat (WestBow Press, Women of Faith)Occupational Hazards Book #1: Scoop (WaterBrook Press).

She has also been published over thirty times as a playwright, best known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting under a Mass Communications degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University, and earned the "Excellence in Mass Communication" award. She served as the full-time Director of Drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writer's conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City.

To find out more about Rene and her books, visit her Web site: http://www.renegutteridge.com/splash.html

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Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: TRIBULATION HOUSE

About The Book

IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD—WHICH COULD BE A PROBLEM...

Mark Hogan has it all. The job. The family. A position on the board at church. All he’s missing is a boat. Not just any boat—a 2008 Bayliner 192.

When Reverend Daniel Glory announces that the Rapture is taking place on October 17 at 5:51am, Hogan realizes his boat–buying days are numbered. So he does what any man in his situation would do—he borrows a load of money from the mob.

Not that there’s any risk involved: After all, when the Rapture comes, Hogan will be long gone. The mob will never find him.

But when Jesus fails to come back on schedule, Mark Hogan finds the mob is in no mood to discuss the finer points of end–times theology...

Chris Well’s laugh–out–loud Christian thrillers appeal to the millions of readers who gobble up the rollicking crime fiction of Janet Evanovich and Elmore Leonard. TRIBULATION HOUSE does not disappoint!

About The Author

Chris Well is a fellow member of the CFBA and founder of its sister organization, FIRST. He is an acclaimed novelist and award–winning magazine editor and has previously written the “laugh–out–loud Christian thrillers” Deliver Us from Evelyn and Forgiving Solomon Long (one of Booklist’s Top 10 Christian Novels of 2005). He has also contributed to 7ball, Infuze, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Chris and his wife live in Tennessee, where he is hard at work on his next novel.

Visit his Web sites at http://chriswellnovelist.blogspot.com/ and chriswellnovelist.blogspot.com

Illuminating Fiction Comments

Despite having Chris Well’s previous novels on my bookshelf, I’m ashamed to say this is the first one I have read. It certainly won’t be the last.

Tribulation House took me totally by surprise. Categorized as suspense, I didn’t expect a laugh out loud novel, but that is precisely what I discovered.

Memorable characters include a bumbling cop, two mismatched mobster heavy men, and Mark Hogan, who is looking to fulfil his dreams before the Rapture occurs.

Unfortunately, things don’t quite go according to plan for Mark. As the appointed time for Jesus’ arrival draws closer, Mark realises his boat buying dream might not become a reality. With his options running out, Mark turns to the mobster heavy men for the needed cash. Once Jesus returns, all will be fine. Mark will have enjoyed his boat for a few days, would then be swept away in the Rapture, thus leaving behind his money worries.

Perfect plan.

Well, it would have been if Jesus had bothered to show up when predicted. But he didn’t.

Mark soon finds money isn’t his only problem.

This book gripped me from start to—well, nearly finish. I was a little surprised to find a seemingly unrelated plotline develop late in the book. This rogue plotline eventually tied in on the last few pages to leave readers hooked for a continuation.

Tribulation House not only entertains, it also packs a morality punch.

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Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: RECLAIMING NICK

About The Book

RECLAIMING NICK is the first of The Noble Legacy series. Book Two, Taming Rafe, will be available January 2008.

A Modern Day Prodigal Comes Home...

NICK NOBLE HADN'T PLANNED ON BEING THE PRODIGAL SON.

But when his father dies and leaves half of Silver Buckle--the Noble family ranch--to Nick’s former best friend, he must return home to face his mistakes, and guarantee that the Silver Buckle stays in the Noble family.

Award-winning journalist Piper Sullivan believes Nick framed her brother for murder, and she’s determined to find justice. But following Nick to the Silver Buckle and posing as a ranch cook proves more challenging than she thinks. So does resisting his charming smile.

As Nick seeks to overturn his father’s will--and Piper digs for answers--family secrets surface that send Nick’s life into a tailspin. But there’s someone who’s out to take the Silver Buckle from the Noble family, and he’ll stop at nothing--even murder--to make it happen.

Illuminating Fiction’s Comments

From the moment I finished Happily Ever After, Susan May Warren had me hooked. Her stories are a pure delight to read, and I was eager to pick up Reclaiming Nick and dive into another romantic suspense.

Reclaiming Nick contains Susan’s trademarks—unforgettable characters and a setting that draws the reader in. The only thing to mar my reading pleasure was the predictable aspects of the plot which downscaled much of the suspense. That aside, readers looking for an enjoyable romantic read set in cowboy country will love this book.

About The Author

Award winning author SUSAN MAY WARREN recently returned home to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods. Visit her Web site at www.susanmaywarren.com.

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Spotlighting: Skin by Ted Dekker

About The Book:

In the tradition of Thr3e comes the most twisting, unpredictable Ted Dekker novel yet . . . a story of revenge with a shocking premise and numerous reversals.

A radically countercultural story, Skin asks the question "what is beauty?" Far more than a philosophical question, it's a matter of life and death when a serial killer blazes into Summerville, Nevada. What makes the beautiful ugly and the ugly beautiful? The answer will shock—and haunt—you long after the last page of Skin.

Illuminating Fiction's Review:

“Hello, Colt. It’s payback time. Red”

The red words painted on a gray door plunge police officer Colt Jackson into battle with Sterling Red, serial killer. But Colt isn’t the only person Red has a personal agenda against.

As a freak storm ravages Nevada, traveler Wendy Davidson is waylaid on her journey to Utah when she comes across a stranded brother and sister seeking emergency medical care. Wendy takes Carey and Nicole Swartz to Summerville, only to find the town under siege with a killer on the loose.

Waved down by Wendy, Colt takes the trio to the doctor’s house. Relief is short-lived however when a tornado hits Summerville and the four find themselves trapped in the basement.

Morning arrives, and with it comes a few surprises.

Colt, Wendy, Carey, and Nicole are soon joined by Jerry Pinkus. Thrown together by circumstance, the random group find themselves targeted by Red, and soon discovers a commonality ties their fates together.

As Red manipulates them and what they perceive as reality, the five must overcome their differences and suspicions to save themselves and the townsfolk.

Ted Dekker’s latest offering isn’t for the faint-hearted. More cutting edge than SHOWDOWN or HOUSE, Dekker takes readers on a ride which twists and turns to the very end.

Following on the heels of SHOWDOWN, HOUSE, and SAINT, all of which contain supernatural elements, SKIN is Dekker’s first novel since THR3E that twists its way to a natural, yet unpredictable, ending.

This is Dekker’s first general market release, which is probably a good thing. His delivery is sure to raise voices within CBA. As SKIN explores the question of true beauty, bodies pile up and ensure that this isn’t a cozy read. Despite the general market release, Dekker is quick to assure readers that SKIN isn’t much different from his previous books. It contains a strong metaphoric message, but without the obvious Christian labels. As a Christian reader, I found SKIN’s theme to be just as powerful as Dekker’s earlier books. There is no watering down here.

Readers of Dekker’s previous works will notice each book from the Circle Trilogy series on contain subtle tie-ins. SKIN is no different. Although the connection to the earlier books is minimal, Dekker has revealed in recent interviews that SKIN shares a mirror scene with an upcoming young adult book, part of a series which will expand on the Circle Trilogy. If you haven’t read any of Dekker’s previous books, then don’t fear. SKIN is a complete standalone which can be enjoyed as such. However, delving into the Circle Trilogy, SHOWDOWN, SAINT, and HOUSE will give you added enjoyment to the experience.

If you’re looking for a book with strong characters, snappy dialogue, and a mind-bending plot, then SKIN is just the book for you. Putting it down late at night will be your only problem.

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Other Links:

Ted Dekker's Web site:
www.teddekker.com

YouTube Promotional Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ZachandDan

Read a Sneak Peek of SKIN:
http://skinbook.groundforcenetwork.com/SKIN_SneakPeek.pdf

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Review: GERM

About GERM

If you breathe, it will find you . . .

The list of 10,000 names was created for maximum devastation. On it are business leaders, housewives, politicians, celebrities, janitors, children. None know what is about to happen . . . but all will be part of the most frightening brand of warfare the world has ever known.

The GERM—a more advanced form of the Ebola virus—has been genetically engineered to infect only those people whose DNA matches the codes embedded within it. If your DNA is not a match, you simply catch a cold. But if your DNA is a match, within days your internal organs liquefy and you die a most painful death. There is no cure.

The release of the virus would usher in a new era of power . . . one in which countries are left without any form of defense, where one person or millions could be killed with 100% accuracy yet result in no collateral damage to property or those not targeted.

That time isn't coming . . . It is now!

GERM is coming. Pray the assassins get you first.

Illuminating Fiction’s Comments

If you are looking for a novel that will leave you meditating on a biblical truth for days to come, then this isn’t the book for you. As Robert will tell you (click here to read), he is a Christian who writes purely to entertain. GERM accomplishes that goal by keeping readers enthralled from start to finish with car chases, gun fights, assassins, and a deadly virus.

Despite the fast pace, I did feel the book could have been tightened further. I found several scenes were either underdeveloped or irrelevant, and a subplot involving Julia felt forced and failed to add to her characterization realistically.

These points aside, GERM is a recommended read for those looking for escapism and thrills.

About The Author

Robert is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly. He has sold or optioned three screenplays.

Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colorado with his wife and four children.

He is currently working on his third novel, titled DEADFALL.

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Spotlighting: Thr3e - The Movie

Ted Dekker's award winning novel, Thr3e, is about to hit theaters in select US cities.

Thr3e is a psychological thriller which pitches a psychopathic killer against a seminary student named Kevin. Kevin joins forces with a psychologist whose brother was murdered by the same madman and the two must solve the killers riddles before he strikes again.

If the movie is as exciting as the book, then hang on to your seats! This is one ride you won't want to miss. The book twists and turns right up to the last few pages. Thr3e the movie is bound to thrill even more.

Author Ted Dekker gives the following description of the movie:

This film is an exploration of Romans 7 in which Paul describes the struggle with sin we all face on a daily basis by stating, "The good that I would, that I do not, but the evil I would not, that I do." It struck me while setting this story up that there are 3 personalities in this sentence, the good, the evil and the 'I', that soul struggling between good and evil. Much like the age old picture of a person with an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, Thr3e seeks to show two primary truths.

1) That struggle is very real and 2) Man is powerless to win that struggle on his own.

Like all good stories, this one uses a paradigm familiar to contemporary audiences. A serial killer is hunting our protagonist who only has three days to flush him out before he himself is killed. But the truth of the matter is that he can only survive by facing the truth about himself by listening to that which is good over that which is evil.

This is a movie for the general market and seeks to enlighten the nature of the struggle we all face rather than providing instruction on how to convert to Christianity, so don't expect the four spiritual laws here. The point is to raise questions in a godless age, not line out doctrine.


Thr3e is rated PG-13 for suspense and thematic elements

To find out what theaters Thr3e is playing at near you, and for sneak peak footage, visit the official Web site:
http://www.foxfaithmovies.com/thr3e/

Author Spotlight: Brandt Dodson

Brandt Dodson has breathed new life into the classic Private Investigator formula with his Colton Parker Mystery series, and added a dash of hope.

In the first book of the series, Original Sin, Dodson introduces us to Colton Parker, a former FBI agent turned P.I. Colton’s life spiraled downhill six months previously when he lost his job at the FBI, his wife died, and his teenage daughter went to live with her grandparents. Now struggling to keep afloat financially, Colton’s first client arrives at his office. But this case is anything but straight forward. The client’s boyfriend is accused of murdering a local school guidance counselor, who also happens to be the aunt of the accused. Through illicit means, Colton soon discovers a missing computer and connections to an online pornography group in the dead woman’s apartment. Further investigation leads to Colton confronting members of an organized crime syndicate.

In book two, Seventy Times Seven, Colton is hired to find the missing wife of pottery entrepreneur Lester Cheek. What first appears to be a simple case of desertion soon develops into a complex investigation involving an international hit man. As Colton races to stop a murder for hire and save a marriage, he comes face to face with his past and must learn to reconcile his feelings of loss and abandonment.

Throughout the two books, Colton also struggles with his wife’s death and the resulting effects on his daughter, Callie. Colton must learn to balance work and essential time with a daughter who resents him and holds him responsible for her mother’s death. Can Colton connect with his daughter and seek her forgiveness before it’s too late?

Dodson has created a realistic cast of characters in his debut series. The reader is drawn to Colton and the issues he faces. Although a hard-nosed investigator, Colton has a vulnerability about him that leads to him helping the underdog, even at the risk of his own life. The only drawback in these two books is the stereotypical pastor who comes across as a little preachy.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful mystery with a touch of faith, forgiveness, and hope, then pick up a Colton Parker Mystery. You won’t be disappointed.

January 2007 sees the release of the third book in this series, The Root of All Evil.

Six Questions With: Brandt Dodson

What would be a typical day for you? If you have a job besides writing, how do you juggle your responsibilities?

I’m a practicing Podiatrist, with a subspecialty in peripheral nerve surgery, so my day typically begins in the office or hospital, between 7-8 am.
I usually arrive home around 5:30 -6, have dinner, spend time with my family (which is getting harder to do since the kids are growing up and have lost interest in dad), then begin writing around 9 pm. I’ll usually write until 11.
On weekends, I can usually get more time in at the keyboard. If I’m under deadline I write on my lunch hour - if I get one - and then all day on Saturday and Sunday.

How did you get started in writing?

This is a question that I’ve asked other writers and I find that their answer is very similar to mine. I got started in writing because a good teacher encouraged me.
When I was in grade school, I learned pretty quickly that I had no gift for singing, dancing, drawing, or painting. In fact, I remember my second grade art teacher holding up one of my paintings for all of the class to see. I was jazzed. I thought she was going to hold it out as a shinning example of what a young mind can do that is truly committed to the arts. Instead, she said, “this is an example of what we don’t want.” I was crushed.
On the other hand, my English teachers would always read my short stories as an example of “good writing.” In college, I got my final push from a creative writing instructor who said that I could go far, “if you put your mind to it and work hard.” His comment nurtured a growing love - and need - to write.

I’d like to be able to tell you that the sky opened up, and heavenly muses began to descend on me with divine inspiration. But it didn’t happen.
I wrote for twelve years, off and on, before I got my break with Harvest House.

What inspired you to write this series of books?

The old adage is, “write what you know.” The problem is that I don’t know much. So I went with the second adage that says, “write what you love.” And that’s what I did.
Dean Koontz once said, “You’ve got to write to entertain yourself. You’ve got to write what you can’t find in the bookstore.” I took his advice, and wrote to have fun. To let my mind wander and explore the things in fiction that I’ll never get the opportunity to explore in my real life.
I’m a fan of Chandler, Hammett, Parker, and Spillane. I wanted to see what I could do with my own character(s), and do it from a Christian perspective.

You were once employed by the FBI. How has this helped you with the Colton Parker series?

My experience with the FBI has given me an appreciation for a job that’s about as tough as they get. I served with many good men and women who would lay down their life for each other, and there aren’t too many places where that can be said about the employees who work there.
I wanted Colton to have a feeling for people that underlies his hard exterior. Although he’s cynical, tough, and weather-beaten, he still can’t walk away from someone who’s in trouble. He’s willing to sacrifice his own needs, wants and safety, to help a total stranger. But if you told him that, he’d be embarrassed, if not angry.
He sees himself as a “tough cookie,” but knows he isn’t. He cares, and sometimes that sense of caring can put him at risk.
That element of Colton is what I gained from my time with the employees of the FBI. In a way, they are hard. Tough. But underneath it all, they do what they do because they care.

What do you hope readers will take away with them after finishing this series?

Well, first, I hope they don’t finish the series. Plans are to produce a Colton Parker novel for as long as readers want them. But I do hope they come away from each novel with three things:

First, I hope they are entertained and come away with a desire to read more of the series.

Second, I hope they can personalize some of the issues that Colton wrestles with, as well as personalize the theme of the book. I want them to come away wondering just how they would’ve handled the same situation, then apply it to their own lives.

Third, I want resonance. I want the story to linger with them for years after they’ve read it. I want something from the novels to pop up in their heads at just the right time. And I want my work to drive them to the scriptures. If I can do all of that, then the novels will fulfill the challenge for which they were written.

What do readers have to look forward to in the future from Brandt Dodson?

Novels that will entertain and that will raise questions in the reader. Then I want them to go back to God’s word for the answers to those questions.
There are more Colton Parker novels in the works, and there will be some police procedurals as well. I’m also hoping to issue some standalone suspense, along with novels that could be classified as “thrillers.”I love to write. I hope that God will provide me with that opportunity for as long as He sees fit.

Learn more about Brandt at http://www.brandtdodson.com/

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