Blood Ransom is a thrilling trek through the Republic of Dhambizao. Lisa Harris’ vivid portrayal of the African jungle, tribal villages, and the capitol city of Bogama – by plane, boat and taxi – from the tin huts of the everyday people to the exotic homes of those in power and their plush offices – the portraits enthralled me.
This story kept a strong pace and locked me to its pages – I read this book in record time (for this stage of my life). I thought her conflict between characters was very realistic – and loved the chemistry between her hero and heroine. The dialogue did get a little preachy at times, but for the most part it worked. There was also a scene near the end where it was a bit of a stretch when the characters explained some details to each other about what had happened, but I’m nit-picking, I loved the storyline and writing! In Blood Ransom, Lisa Harris takes to task the issue of modern slave trade. It’s a horrifying thought and I believe that those being oppressed need a voice - and Lisa Harris definitely has a beautiful voice!
You can visit her website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/ and her blog at http://www.myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/.
This book was provided for review through the CFBA.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Spring's Renewal by Shelley Sheperd Gray (with a Back Cover Review)
Avon Inspire (April 2010)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold twenty-six novels to numerous publishers. She has written a seven book contemporary series for Avalon books. She also published The Love Letter, a western for Avalon. Five Star Expressions published Suddenly, You in February of 2007. This novel is a historical western set in the mountains of Colorado.
Shelley has written nine novels for Harlequin American Romance. Cinderella Christmas, her first novel with them, reached number six on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list. Her second book with them, Simple Gifts won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice award for best Harlequin American Romance of 2006. The Mommy Bride, was chosen by Romantic Times Magazine as one of their TOP PICKS for May, 2008.
Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for Harper Collins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. HIDDEN and WANTED the first two novels of her ‘Sisters of the Heart’ series, were chosen to be Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/ Literary Guild Book Club. FORGIVEN, book 3, has received glowing reviews. Avon Inspire will release four novels by Shelley in 2010.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two teenagers, and is an active member of her church.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Tim Graber arrives in Sugarcreek to help his aunt and uncle with spring planting. At first, Tim doesn't fit in with his many cousins and their crowded lifestyle. But when he meets Clara Slabaugh, the local school teacher, he understands why the Lord brought him to Sugarcreek.
Clara is shy and quiet. Scarred from a fire when she was small, Clara has resigned herself to living alone and caring for her mother, who tells her that no man will ever see past her scars, and that Clara needs to keep teaching in order to make ends meet.
Her father passed away years ago, and her mother depends on her. But the scars mean nothing to Tim. He appreciates her quiet nature and her wonderful, loving way with children. Yet Tim has a sweetheart back home in Indiana. As these two hearts struggle to determine their path, tragedy strikes, and every other worry seems insignificant in comparison.
Though they now face a life they never imagined, will Tim and Clara have the faith to step out and risk everything for a chance at true love?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Spring's Renewal, go HERE.
Back Cover Review:
Spring’s Renewal gives a taste of Amish lifestyle, thoughts and expectations that is intriguing to outsiders like me. The characters are endearing and their motivations and struggles authentic. I do wish that there was less “telling” in this story and that the characters “murmured” in dialogue less often, but I still found myself thoroughly enjoying Spring’s Renewal.
My Tangent (about the Amish in our area, but not directly related to this book)…
In Pennsylvania, there are areas where you see the black horse-drawn buggies traveling up and down the road with the ladies in long dresses and bonnets. In fact, just today on the way to Reading there was a buggy coming and going at the same time as us!!!
When my family came to visit, we went to Lancaster and toured an Amish farm that is open to the public. It felt more like a tourist-site than authentic. I think it was their way of meeting outsiders’ curiosity more than allowing them into their world. It is intriguing to what great lengths they go to not use electricity and automated equipment. Maybe if we really want to be “green” we should live more like them, but there it is…do I really mean what I say? Hmm…I don’t think that I’m on a “green” crusade, but I do think that we have a responsibility to take care of our environment.
Their way of life is interesting. They seem very devout to God and living “Plain,” but closed off from the world. I don’t think that encouraging people to live like them is part of their motivation – its more about being separate – and to me, they are missing an important element in what God has called us to do…to tell everyone we know about the good news of Jesus Christ. Just think, what if you had won a Grand Prize of 20 million dollars and learned that anyone who simply asked could win this same amount, would you tell your friends? Duh. I would hope so! (Only selfishness and greed could hold us back). Well, do we believe that we’ve been told the way to live forever in Heaven or not? I do. And I believe that Jesus is the only answer. Am I acting that way though? These simple questions and living this – I make it so much more difficult than it is.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Back Cover Review: Unveiled Freedom by J.M. Windle
What would it be like to be a single American woman living in Afghanistan? I’ve wondered this because there is someone dear to my heart that desires to live there - which (honestly) scares me. This story brought that experience to life and took some of the mystery out of it for me. It could be after all! In Unveiled Freedom, I was plunged into the middle of that experience right along with Amy Mallory, J.M. Windle’s main character.
J.M. Windle brought to life in vivid detail the country of Afghanistan (I loved the sentence: “the same dun hue as unpaved streets”)…the contrast of poverty and wealth…of hope and irony. With a keen sense for building suspense and an astonishing understanding of the motives and politics of the military and non-profit organizations, and the perspective of Christians and Muslims alike – the writer weaves a plot thicker than the dusty streets of the Middle East.
You can learn more about J.M. Windle and this book (or her other books) at http://www.jeanettewindle.com/.
This book was not provided by the publisher. I bought it with my own nickels and dimes. The opinions stated in this review, as usual, are entirely my own.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
From Lisa:
Have you ever noticed how God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things? In writing Blood Ransom, I wanted my heroes and heroines to be ordinary people, faced with extraordinary circumstances. Chad and Natalie’s lives were changed not only through the challenges they faced, but also through their reliance on God. And when they set off on their journey to the capital to save Joseph’s family, they never imagined that God would call them to a task that was beyond the scope of their own power.
But while this story is fictional, the issue of a modern day slave trade is very real. It is estimated that there are currently more than 27 million slaves on the world today from Africa, to Eastern Europe … to the United States of America. The fact is, we don’t have to travel around the world to see people hurting and exploited. They’re real people we pass every day, living in our neighborhoods, and attending our churches and schools. They’re empty and broken, searching for freedom and hope in an often hopeless world.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Meanwhile, things are unraveling in Dhambizao. Joseph Komboli returns to his village to discover rebel soldiers abducting his family and friends. Those that were too old or weak to work lay motionless in the African soil. When Chad and Natalie decide to help Joseph expose this modern-day slave trade---and a high-ranking political figure involved in it---disaster nips at their heels.
Where is God in the chaos? Will Chad, Natalie, and Joseph win their race against time?
Romance and adventure drive Blood Ransom, by Lisa Harris, a powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare to challenge it.
If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of Blood Ransom, go HERE.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Sword by Bryan M. Litfin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bryan Litfin was born in Dallas, but lived in Memphis, Tennessee and Oxford, England, where he discovered that the house of his favorite author, J.R.R. Tolkien, was only five doors down from his own. Bryan still enjoys epic adventure stories, as well as historical fiction. However, most of his reading these days is taken up by academia.
After marrying his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (a true Southern belle), he went on to study for a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. From there he went to the University of Virginia, taking a PhD in the field of ancient church history. He is the author of Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction (Brazos, 2007), as well as several scholarly articles and essays.
In 2002, Bryan took a position on the faculty at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago, where he is a professor in the Theology Department. He teaches courses in theology, church history, and Western civilization from the ancient and medieval periods.
On the morning of January 6, 2007, Bryan woke up with an epiphany. Having finished writing his primer on the ancient church, he had the idea of trying his hand at fiction. The thought occurred to him that the writer of speculative fiction typically has two options. He can create an imaginary land like Middle Earth (which offers great creative freedom but is unrealistic), or he can delve into genuine history (which is realistic, yet limted to what ‘actually occurred.’) However, if a writer were to create a future world as in the Chiveis trilogy, it could be both realistic and creatively unlimited.
This little dream stayed in Bryan’s mind while he researched how to write fiction, and also researched the European landscape where the novel would be set. He planned a trip to the story locations, then went there in the summer with a buddy from grad school. Bryan and Jeff rented a Beemer and drove all over Europe from the Alps to the Black Forest with a video camera in hand. With that epic setting fresh in his mind, Bryan returned home and began to write.
Today Bryan lives in downtown Wheaton in a Victorian house built in 1887. He is blessed by God to be married to Carolyn, and to be the father of two amazing children, William, 11, and Anna, 9. For recreation Bryan enjoys basketball, traveling, and hiking anywhere there are mountains (which means getting far away from the Midwest – preferably to his beloved Smokies).
ABOUT THE BOOK
This novel of page-turning action and adventure poses the question, "If a society had no knowledge of Christianity, and then a Bible were discovered, what would happen?"
Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snowcapped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.
With that discovery, this work of speculative fiction takes readers on a journey that encompasses adventure, romance, and the revelation of the one true God. Through compelling narrative and powerful character development, The Sword speaks to God's goodness, his refusal to tolerate sin, man's need to bow before him, and the eternality and power of his Word. Fantasy and adventure readers will be hooked by this first book in a forthcoming trilogy.
Visit the book website at The Sword to see amazing videos and a wealth of information about the trilogy!
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sword, go to HERE
(Mini) Back Cover Review:
A futuristic story with a fantasy-novel feel - what a clever idea! I enjoy Bryan M. Litfin’s writing style and found his story equally intriguing.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Win a free copy of Texas Roads by Cathy Bryant
Go to Cami's Books to enter to win a copy! http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-review-and-giveaway-texas-roads.html
Friday, April 16, 2010
Back Cover Review & Giveaway: Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Comment by midnight tonight (April 16, 2010) to enter to win a copy!
No overseas entrants please.
...however, in my opinion, this novel was more of a mystery-genre rather than suspense…it begins like any good roller-coaster with an upward climb, but the tension of it didn’t build intensely for me. Part of the reason for this, I think, was that the characters figure out each other’s motives very accurately and consistently. It didn’t leave me asking questions and guessing about the characters’ next moves…although I still didn’t know the answers to the “big questions” of the plot - and it is an amazing web of a plot! Also, although there was plenty of good writing in this novel, it seems like there was a lot of “telling” for me. But I want to know…what do you think? Comment to win a copy and give me your opinion, please!
This was book was provided for review and giveaway by WaterBrook Multnomah.
Sworn To Protect by DiAnn Mills
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.
Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.
She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.
ABOUT THE BOOK
If you would like to read the first chapter of Sworn To Protect, go HERE.
Watch the book trailer video:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze: enter to win a copy!!!
Enter to win a copy: enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog (see link on the side bar) and leave a comment by Friday, April 16th at Midnight.
OR,
in honor of the debut of Back Cover Reviews Fan Page on Facebook, become a fan there and leave a comment here.
I'm sorry, no overseas entrants please.
A mother who cannot face her future.
THEIR ELUSIVE ENEMIES TOOK EVERYTHING. NOW THEY WANT MORE.
Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.
Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.
The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?
ABOUT Vicki Hinze:
Vicki Hinze is an award-winning author of twenty-three novels, three nonfiction books, and hundreds of articles. Selected for Who’s Who in America in 2004 as a writer and educator, Hinze is active in Romance Writers of America and serves as a Vice President on the International Thriller Writers Board of Directors. Vicki lives in Florida with her artist husband, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Visit http://www.vickihinze.com/ to learn more about Vicki’s books, blogs, and writing programs.
This was book was provided for review and giveaway by WaterBrook Multnomah.
Later this week: a Back Cover Review...
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ABOUT THE BOOK
But truth is hard to come by in the fall of 1943, when Copenhagen is placed under Martial Law and Denmark’s Jews—including Hanne—suddenly face deportation to the Nazi prison camp at Terezin, Czechoslovakia. Days darken and danger mounts. Steffen’s faith deepens as he takes greater risks to protect Hanne. But are either of them willing to pay the ultimate price for their love?
To read the first chapter of Wildflowers of Terezin, go HERE.
Friday, April 09, 2010
This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano with a Back Cover Review
CONGRATULATIONS
to Salem Christian School's Kindergarten Class
the proud recipients of this giveaway!!!
Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.
Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”
This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.
ABOUT Anthony DeStefano & Mark Elliott:
Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.
Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.
Back Cover Review:
I read this book to my daughter's kindergarten class. As soon as I said the name of it, a boy starting singing the title to the tune of "This Little Light Of Mine." Very cute! They were thoroughly engaged to the rhyming words of this easy-to-read and easy-to-listen to story - and equally fascinated with the fun and vivid pictures that entertained their eyes on each page. This storybook covers everything from nighttime fears to making wise decisions at school. My 3 and 5-year-olds daughters were equally fascinated when I read this book at home and at class - LOL, I think I'll be reading this one often...and what a great way to start a frequent conversation about prayer!!!
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.
Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.
Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries.
When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her marriage at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.
If you would like to read the first chapter of She Walks in Beauty, go HERE.
Back Cover Review:
Siri Mitchell’s She Walks In Beauty rivals any Jane Austin book! It may even surpass comparison to classics like Emma and Pride and Prejudice. Siri’s secret? Her thorough research; she writes about the intricate details of daily life in 1800s high society, details that were so everyday for Jane Austin that she probably didn’t think to include them – such as the daily complications of wearing a corset, the cultural perception of beauty at the time, the uses of numerous pieces of silverware unfamiliar to most of us and an obsession with relational checks and balances within their social circles - to name a few. She captured the formality of the dialogue of the time without being stiff or stuffy and her characters speech flows eloquently. She also confronts her heroine with the problem of the poor in her city. People living in deplorable living conditions – thoughts that were consider “unpleasant” and best to be avoided – perhaps not so different from today, but that must have risen to their attention nonetheless.
She Walks In Beauty is woven with “timeless truths” and lots of romance (tastefully done!) – and a Heroine that I adored!!!
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