Back Cover Review:

An Invitation To The Supernatural Life

by Michelle Perry

 
Open the Floodgates of Life-Changing Encounters with God

Born without her left hip and leg, Michele Perry is no stranger to overwhelming impossibility. Yet again and again among the vulnerable children in South Sudan, God uses her and her co-workers--and even the children--to accomplish the impossible. Here she shows you, too, how to experience God's supernatural intervention genuinely, fully in your everyday life--wherever you live.

Each chapter includes practical keys, discussion questions and application exercises to show you:

• how you can grow in awareness of God's presence
• how you can be sure of His voice
• what it's like to see a vision
• how to recognize the holy in the ordinary
• how to foster your own supernatural encounters with God
• and more!

Accept His invitation and witness Him moving in miraculous and wondrous ways again and again.
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"A must-read."--Randy Clark, overseer, Apostolic Network of Global Awakening; co-author with Bill Johnson, The Essential Guide to Healing and Healing Unplugged

"A major mentoring tool for your life."--Sid Roth, host, It's Supernatural! television show

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Michele Perry is the pioneering director for Iris Ministries South Sudan, founded in 2006 under Rolland and Heidi Baker. She also founded Nema International in 2007 and has spent the last fifteen years ministering and speaking around the world. A native of Florida, Michele studied at Baylor University and has previously served in Bangladesh, India, and the inner cities of the U.S. She is also an artist, photographer and poet and spends her time between the work in South Sudan and establishing a support structure for its practical needs in the U. S.

About the Author

Michele Perry is a visionary and creative whirlwind. An artist, author and photographer, she travels the world to share the lessons she is learning on this unpaved road into God's heart-- and to keep learning.

After five years of basing in South Sudan, Michele continues to oversee the work there while spreading her time between establishing a Western base of creative support structures for project needs, traveling to speak and being onsite in South Sudan roughly 1/3rd of the year mentoring and encouraging the amazing team of missionaries and indigenous leaders that God is raising up.

She longs to see a supernatural company of people who take walking lessons from Enoch be released to soar into the wildest dreams of God, embracing the audacity of heaven, walking in two realms at once. Michele's first book was Love Has a Face.

She is the founding National Field Coordinator for Iris Ministries, Inc., in South Sudan and is ordained by Heidi and Rolland Baker under Iris Ministries. Michele is also the founder/ director of Nema International, Inc. She writes regularly at fromtheunpavedroad.com and is frequently available for speaking engagements in the West.

 Back Cover Review:

The title honestly says it all...this book is an invitation to hear God's voice, to intimately know Jesus like we were created to and to desire the Holy Spirit (who the Bible clearly says God has sent to help us) to be active in our daily lives.

What does the dictionary say “supernatural” means? of, pertaining to, or being above or beyond what is natural; unexplainable by natural law or phenomena...of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or attributed to God or a deity.

I did discover that the word "supernatural" scares some people. One person literally ran the other way shortly after I told them the title of this book. I went home and asked Chet (my husband) why he thinks that is? He said he thinks it's because many of the things labeled "supernatural" focus on the demonic. I think people confuse the word "paranormal" with "supernatural". Media encourages this confusion further.

Let me assure you, it is clear that Michele is passionately in love with Jesus and that her goal and her aim in this book and in her life is for others to know Him too.

"In this supernatural journey, if I want to walk in the fullness of every promise He has given, I must never reduce my theology or my expectation to the level of my current experience."

God does not fit in any box that man creates. He is an out-of-the-box God and it’s not His desire for us to live “in the box” either. Within what He shows us in Scripture? Absolutely. Within our own limits of faith? No.

This is what is in my heart after reading Michele’s book: Yes LORD, Invitation wholeheartedly, hungrily accepted! I want to hear God's voice. I want to do what God wants me to do. I want to be who God says I am. I want to know Him. Not just in Heaven but Here and Now. I do not believe that I can pick and choose from His Word. I believe that every word of the Bible is true and relevant for today. What the Disciples saw and did, we can do. The Holy Spirit is not less powerful today than He was then. These things are not just for yesterday, they are for today and they are for tomorrow. God can be trusted. Jesus can be trusted. The Holy Spirit can be trusted. Every Person of the Trinity is of God, all safe, all Love in its pure and perfect form. And I will choose to trust anything the LORD wants to do. He is Good. And He is Great. And it is my pursuit to be completely Heavenly-minded so that I can truly be of some good here on earth!




This book was provided for review by Chosen Books but the views expressed in this review are entirely my own (and I already bought a copy for my family to read - mine is too marked up to share!). ;)

Back Cover Review: Raven (The Sewing Circle Series) by Christl Boyd

Years of "entertaining" men at the Urbane Saloon have left Raven Caitlyn Wirth feeling hollow inside. After sneaking away on a train headed west in hopes of finding a place to live where no one will bother her, she stumbles upon the town of Walnut Creek. There she meets Rancher Beau Mason whose steadfast character and unwavering faith in God make her wonder if perhaps she isn't meant to be alone after all. Can Raven heal from the wounds of her past or will her former way of life catch up with her and destroy everything she's ever dared to dream of?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christl Boyd grew up with a fascination for life in bygone eras and a first name spelled so uniquely that her teachers usually said it wrong. (It's pronounced, "Crystal" by the way.) As a teenager, she discovered a love for writing and an awareness of how powerful the written word can be in peoples' lives. The desire to 'breathe life' wherever she goes has translated into opportunities to have two short stories published (Faithwriters: Come Away with Me), author skits and dramatic productions for churches, as well as teaching at women's bible studies, retreats and conferences. She is a pastor's wife, mother and homemaker who enjoys great mexican food, the sound of the ocean and riding roller coasters in her homestate of California.

BACK COVER REVIEW:

Raven is beautifully crafted Historical Fiction. It is a story about grace and restoration. It is also the best self-published novel I’ve read (as good as many coming from a regular publishing house) – VERY well done! I felt emotionally connected to Raven, the main character and I didn’t want to put it down either – it only took me two days to read which is quick at this stage in my life. =D

The punctuation is a little rough around the edges but the story held its own…and you can’t beat 99 cents on Kindle for a great story…

I’ll definitely recommend and will be reading more from the Sewing Circle Series by Christl Boyd.

I purchased Raven (The Sewing Circle Series) with my own ten dimes and the opinions expressed in this review are definitely my own.

Back Cover Review: Freedom's Stand by J.M. Windle

Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, but villagers and authorities in the hills of Afghanistan respond with skepticism . . . and even violence.
Relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization—changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant, Jamil, weighs heavily on her heart.
Former Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson faces off against the riots and corruption of Kabul’s upcoming election. He's looking for something that will give his life purpose but is confident that he won’t find it in Afghanistan.
All three are searching for love and freedom in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant. But when religious freedom becomes a matter of life and death, they discover that the cost of following Jesus may require the ultimate sacrifice.

About the Author:
As the child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Curently based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty. She has more than fifteen books in print, including political/suspense best seller CrossFire and 2010 CBA Award finalist and Christy Award finalist Veiled Freedom.

Back Cover Review:

I took Freedom’s Stand with us on vacation and my husband could barely get my nose out of the book (my review is long delayed due to the difficulty of taking notes on the beach - sand and pens just don’t get along...or laptops for that matter). Freedom’s Stand is the sequel to Veiled Freedom – and my favorite book that I’ve read by J.M. Windle! In fact, it is one of my top two favorite novels that I’ve read this year.

Jeanette has the knack of bringing to life the country and heart of Afghanistan, especially the plight of women and believers. Her characters wrap your heart around their lives and take you for a ride – and it’s well worth the journey.

Title Trakk’s Review and Author Interview – http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/jeanette-windle-interview-2.htm

Freedom's Stand by J.M. Windle

 

FREEDOM'S STAND

A NOVEL BY J. M. WINDLE

Author Interview

  

1.  What led you to write a story set in Afghanistan?

Like so many reading this interview, I believed the 2001 overthrow of Afghanistan's Taliban regime presaged new hope for freedom and peace in that region. Anyone who follows the news is aware that neither freedom nor peace have ever materialized. Instead today's headlines reflect rising violence, corruption, lawlessness and despair. The signing of Afghanistan's new constitution, establishing an Islamic republic under sharia law tolled a death knell for any hope of real democracy.

And yet  so many players I've met in this drama--whether military, embassy, humanitarian--have involved themselves for the most part with the best of intentions. The more I came to know the region and love its people, I was left asking, if trillions of dollars in aid, all the weapons the West can bring to bear, and a lot of genuine goodwill aren't enough to bring about lasting peace and democracy, then what is the true source of freedom? Can outsiders ever truly purchase freedom for another culture or people?  Searching for answers to that question birthed Veiled Freedom and its sequel Freedom's Stand.

2. You have a firm grasp on the plight of the Afghan people, their politics, and their country.  Your realistic writing has prompted government agencies to question you to determine how you’ve received classified information.  How do you go about researching your stories with such accurate details?

Thoroughness is key. I can honestly say that if I missed a single tome dealing with Afghanistan's present or past, as well as Western involvement there, it wasn't on purpose. Add in my own sojourn in Afghanistan (don't ask for details; I went deliberately under the radar), as well as extensive input from contacts on the ground who are real-life counterparts of my characters: Special Ops, private security, humanitarian aid, Afghans, etc.  Additional research tools like Google alerts, local news and blogs, security and embassy info coming out of Afghanistan kept me daily updated during the writing process.

3. Tell us about your own visits to Afghanistan. What did you experience there?

What I found most shocking was how little has changed, despite a decade of American and NATO occupation and trillions of aid dollars. People are still starving, beggars everywhere.  After an initial freedom, most women are back in burqas. Mud-brick hovels are still the norm, while less than six percent of the country has electricity. Afghans express more concern over the corruption and brutality of local police and government officials than the Taliban, while Islamic sharia law trumps any pretence at freedom and human rights.

Not that all Afghans have failed to benefit. Partially finished aid projects from police stations and schools to power plants sit empty and crumbling from shoddy construction all over Afghanistan. But there are entire neighborhoods of brand-new turreted, gabled and towered mansions, built by the elite who've profited from both the aid windfall and opium boom, too many of them government ministers.

4. What real-life situations or people in Afghanistan inspired this story?

Ironically, the real-life story that most inspired Freedom's Stand had not yet happened when I began writing it. Even as I answer these interview questions, Afghan father of six and amputee Sayed Mossa has now spent six months in a filthy Kabul prison cell, without legal representation or formal charges, enduring horrific abuse, for the sole crime of choosing faith in Jesus Christ. His arrest came after cell-phone images of Sayed and other Afghans praying in Christ's name and being baptized were publicized. His situation reflects so closely the story of Freedom's Stand, I might have been reporting on it. In actuality, though Sayed's arrest came afterwards, conditions on the ground were such that I knew it was only a matter of time before my fiction became reality.

The plight of Afghan women also inspired this story.  If fictionalized, all events and bios I included are based on true-life experiences. Including some of my own. Riding a bike, for instance, with another expatriate from their humanitarian compound to another a few blocks away, a faster, therefore safer, trip for expat women than walking. Though swaddled head to toe in headscarf and chapan despite intense summer heat, we drew the attention of some Afghan male passersby. Their automatic reaction was not curiosity or even disdain for our daring to be on a bike, but to begin stoning us. My companion was knocked from her bike, left with a serious knot on the head. The next day bike transport was placed out of bounds for the expat female personnel, one more small freedom lost. It was one of many lessons in what Afghan women experience every moment of every day--and they can't get on a plane and fly away!

My characters are themselves complete fiction. But they definitely reflect their many true-life counterparts I've come to know, whether humanitarian, private security, embassy, military, or Afghan.

5. Some readers might think that your stories are anti-Afghanistan or anti-Muslim.  How would you respond to that accusation?

On the contrary, it is because I have come to love so much the Afghan people that I find myself angry at the oppression and injustice I've witnessed there or under any other Islamic totalitarian regime. Whether Muslim, Christian, or any other religious belief, faith should be a matter of heart choice, not government imposition. Women should have the right to live free of abuse and to have equal representation under the law. The poor and underprivileged should have equal access to justice and fair governance as those who can afford bribes. It is a misnomer that Muslims do not want these things as much as any other human. Across the Islamic world, it is Muslims who are rising up to agitate for personal freedom. And it is Muslims who are being crushed by their own governments for those demands. I am as passionate about human rights and freedom for every Afghan and Muslim as for Christian believers thrown in prison for daring to exercise personal choice of faith.

6. When it comes to cultural differences, how should we distinguish between moral (or human-rights) issues and traditional practices?

An excellent question without any black-and-white answer. Every individual may draw the line differently. But tradition and culture have too long been used as justification for unjust practices, whether slavery, abuse of women and minorities, government imposition of religion. Two Scriptural principles that helped propel civil rights movements still offer the best guideline: "Love your neighbor as yourself"(Mark 12:31) and "Do to others as you would have them do to you"(Luke 6:31).

7. What do you want readers to come away with after reading this story?

I would like readers to close this book with a better understanding of Afghanistan and the entire Muslim world and how vital and interconnected events there, especially such issues as freedom of worship, speech, human rights, are to our own country's future and security. Even more so, I want every reader to understand what is the only true source of freedom. Bottom line, when enough individual hearts change from hate to love, cruelty to kindness, greed to selflessness, their society will be transformed as well. Change a heart, change a nation. And how does one change hearts? Hopefully, by the last page of Freedom's Stand, the reader will have an answer to that as well!

8. How can your readers help meet the needs – material, political, and spiritual – of people in Afghanistan?  Where can they find more material on this subject?

They can help by raising their voice on issues of human rights and freedom of speech and worship, especially in countries receiving our tax dollars and military aid. Organizations like Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs offer great resources on how to get involved. To learn more about Afghanistan itself, my own website and blog (www.jeanettewindle.com) has a list of recommended reading and other material. To donate, there are wonderful humanitarian groups serving in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, there are also less reputable startups milking the aid bonanza. While security cautions do not permit offering specific recommendations here, longevity of service in Afghanistan and a trustworthy reputation as a non-profit are two good qualifiers a basic Google search will show up.

From http://www.jeanettewindle.com/Freedoms%20Stand%20Author%20Interview.htm. Used with permission from the author.

A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Marriage Carol Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011) by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman



ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the bestselling Five Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars, and his radio program airs on more than 400 stations.





ABOUT THE BOOK

On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm.   This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they’re traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer’s office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow , spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Paul is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.



The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs—and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose?



If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Marriage Carol, go HERE.

Proof of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett with a Back Cover Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Proof of Heaven William Morrow Paperbacks (November 1, 2011) by Mary Curran Hackett

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Curran Hackett is the mother of two children, Brigid Claire and Colm Francis, and is married to Greg Hackett. She received an MA in English Literature from the University of Nebraska and a BA from the University Honors Program at Catholic University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Danbury, CT, she has traveled extensively and lived in various places throughout the U.S., but her favorite place in the world is home with her kids, husband, and her stacks of books. Like her character Colm Magee, Mary suffers various heart and brain ailments, but thanks in part to her brother, a physician, as well as her own doctors, she now has a pacemaker and a heart that beats on its own at least most of the time. This is her first novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A mother’s faith, a child’s courage, a doctor’s dedication—a moving and thought-provoking tale of hope, love, and family.

He might be young, but Colm already recognizes the truth: that he’s sick and not getting better. His mother, Cathleen, fiercely believes her faith will protect her ailing son, but Colm is not so sure. With a wisdom far beyond his years, Colm has come to terms with his probable fate, but he does have one special wish. He wants to meet his father who abandoned his beloved mother before Colm was born.

But the quest to find the dying boy’s missing parent soon becomes a powerful journey of emotional discovery—a test of belief and an anxious search for proof of heaven.

A magnificent debut novel, Mary Curran Hackett’s Proof of Heaven is a beautiful and unforgettable exploration of the power of love and the monumental questions of life, death, and the afterlife.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Proof of Heaven, go HERE. 

Back Cover Review:

Overall, this book disappointed me which is unfortunate because (for the most part) the writing and plot were very good. One chronic problem that made reading it frustrating was that the Point of View changed paragraph by paragraph throughout the whole book, and sometimes more often than that.

Also,  the book contained a lot of profanity. If in the end I felt that this would be a story that would draw an unbeliever to God as an outreach tool that might have helped to justify it...maybe. Also, it started out with just the brother, who didn't want anything to do with God, swearing, but later on some of the other characters joined in. Cathleen struggled to hold on to her own faith and perhaps this was to emphasize her crisis of belief? But it didn't seem necessary.

The ending too confused me - I think it was supposed to be the "proof of Heaven" for all of the characters - but I just didn't understand what exactly happened.

So all that to say, I thought the author was a good writer but I'm sorry to say that I did not enjoy this book.

The views expressed in this review are obviously my own.

Church: What Was God Thinking? by Bruce Isom

Ekklesia = Church — What is it supposed to look like?

Fellowship = Participation — What is my Role?

Ministry = Service — What is my Gift?

Have you ever wondered…

• If church today is how it was meant to be?
• What the church would look like if we put aside the traditions history has added and simply follow what is clearly written in the New Testament?
• What people in the early Church would say about modern ministry?
• If you have a place in the Body of Christ, and if so, what is it?

Do you hope that Heaven will be much better than your Sunday morning
service? Does it even have to be on Sunday?  Does your church feel like a left shoe on a right foot — something that just does not seem to fit right? Maybe there is a reason. Have you ever longed to see something more, something different, something extraordinary come out of your church?


In Church: What Was God Thinking? Bruce Isom:  

• Gives a refreshing perspective from Scripture on what Church is meant to be: Including what the Bible says that God likes and dislikes in a Christian community
• Focuses on principles that can be applied to any church structure, whether traditional church, cell church, house church or any other type of gathering.
• Describes what spiritual maturity is and what it is not, and ways the believer can mature
• Describes how Christians from different maturity levels can bless each other.
• And so much more!

 In this thought provoking book, Bruce Isom shares insights that will challenge your perspective of Church. It will help leaders rethink how they approach ministry and believers to view Church like  they never have  before.  He gives a picture of Christian Community that is vastly different from many churches today.

Since committing his life to the Lord in 1974, Bruce Isom has had a passion to see church become all it was meant to be. In 1988 he became a missionary in Hong Kong serving the Lord with his family in various types of ministry, including church planting. He longs to see all believers in the Body of Christ become mature, living out their full potential and fulfilling their God-given roles in the Church.

Thomas Nelson Survey - Chance to Win $10,000

From Thomas Nelson:



One of the highlights of our days in the Fiction department at Thomas Nelson? Receiving reader letters—either directly addressed to us or passed along from our talented authors. It’s critical to be reminded that at the end of our long days acquiring, editing, designing, selling, marketing, and publicizing books, those stories are reaching readers, striking nerves, changing lives. We want readers’ feedback. How stories have given you hope. Which authors’ series you can’t help from sharing with everyone you meet. We want to know what makes you stay up late in the night to finish a story, and conversely what turns you away.



We’re conducting a series of surveys—seeking answers from readers who love Christian fiction. Up for grabs is a free ebook for every respondent who completes the survery, as well as a $10,000 prize for one entrant. The responses we gather will help shape the future of the books we publish for years to come. As well as the data we’re collecting here, we’ll also seek more in-depth feedback from a panel we’ll develop over the next year. More details to come. The note below from one of authors gives a specific picture of how reader feedback shapes her work. In short, your opinion matters! We thank you for your time and appreciate your responding.



--Thomas Nelson Fiction

Dear Friends—



Publishing books is a team effort, and there are a lot of players—authors, editors, cover designers, marketing staff, and a host of other behind-the-scene folks who help get the books on the shelves. And readers are also a large part of the process. Your input matters, probably more than you know.



When I hear from readers, I really listen to what they want. This is particularly true with my series books. For example, Seek Me With All Your Heart (book #1 in the Land of Canaan series) wraps up nicely at the end, but one of my minor characters (Katie Ann) was left pregnant after her husband left her. I received lots of emails about Katie Ann from readers, so book #2 in the series—The Wonder of Your Love—is Katie Ann’s story.



With the popularity of social media resources such as Facebook, it has allowed me to keep in close contact with readers and to seek opinions and advice. Several times, the publisher and I couldn’t decide on a cover, so we posted the cover options on Facebook and let readers decide. And if you’re posting anywhere on my Facebook Fans Page, your name could end up in a book. I often scan the names there, so you are unknowingly helping me just by being on the site.

Readers also made it clear that they wanted books in digital format, large print, and audio versions. Authors and publishers listened, and most (if not all) of my books are available in multiple formats.



As an author, I hope to write entertaining stories that will be enjoyed for many years. As a reader, I have favorite authors, and I’m not afraid to let them know what I want in future books. We listen to the likes and the dislikes in our effort to bring you the best stories we can, so don’t be shy. Tell us what you think!



Warmly,

Beth Wiseman

Back Cover Review: Vigilante by Robin Parrish

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Vigilante Bethany House (July 1, 2011) by Robin Parrish



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Parrish wants to take you on a ride.



A wild ride -- which is exactly what you're in for when you pick up one of his books. And he's adamant that it will never be the same kind of experience twice.



Robin's stories mix, mingle, and meld various genres together to create thoroughly original suspense/thrillers. His Dominion Trilogy, for example, mashed up superhero action, secret societies, ancient myths, and an apocalyptic setting to create an entirely new take on the classic "hero's journey." Offworld mixed science fiction and an end-of-the-world scenario with high-octane action. Nightmare, his 2010 novel, is a spine-tingling examination of the world of the paranormal, paired with can't-put-it-down mystery. His 2011 novel, Vigilante, is an action-packed story about a soldier who sets out to change the world. Later this year, he's releasing his first ever Young Adult novel, titled Corridor.



Always pushing the envelope, ever on the edge of where modern storytelling is going, Robin Parrish will gladly and unapologetically tell you that he's an entertainer, a weaver of stories that ignite the mind and delight the heart. Defying labels and refusing pigeonholes, his imagination is fueled by the possibilities of asking "What if…?", and as anyone who's read his work knows, he has a very big imagination.



His influences as a novelist range from television and film storytellers like Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrams, to masters of the modern myth like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Akin to Philip K. Dick's search for the meaning of identity, most of what Robin writes about boils down to his own ponderings and examinations of just what this thing we call "existence" is.



Robin is a full time writer. He and his wife Karen and two children live in High Point, NC.



"Robin Parrish is a keen-eyed, passionate pop cultural savant,

whose writing is as incisive and insightful as it is entertaining."

- Allan Heinberg, Executive Producer, Grey's Anatomy







ABOUT THE BOOK

Nolan Gray is an elite soldier, skilled in all forms of combat. After years fighting on foreign battlefields, witnessing unspeakable evils and atrocities firsthand, a world-weary Nolan returns home to find it just as corrupt as the war zones. Everywhere he looks, there's pain and cruelty. Society is being destroyed by wicked men who don't care who they make suffer or destroy.



Nolan decides to do what no one else can, what no one has ever attempted. He will defend the helpless. He will tear down the wicked. He will wage a one-man war on the heart of man, and he won't stop until the world is the way it should be.



The wicked have had their day. Morality's time has come. In a culture starving for a hero, can one extraordinary man make things right?



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

BACK COVER REVIEW:
I would call Vigilante a "man's man" novel. It is fast-paced, movie-thriller-type stuff. Nolan Gray is a vigilante on a crusade with a heart of gold - most of the time... He is a wounded man with a past that motivates him.

It was well-crafted and very well-written...there did seem to be a portion three-quarters of the way through that received less editing (there was less showing and more telling)...all that said, it seemed like a strong mainstream-style story.

Back Cover Review: Over The Edge by Brandilyn Collins

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Over the Edge B&H Books (May 1, 2011) by Brandilyn Collins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and 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, A Question of Innocence, 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 is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is now working on her 20th book.

In addition, Brandilyn’s other latest release is Final Touch, third in The Rayne Tour series—young adult suspense co-written with her daughter, Amberly. The Rayne Tour series features Shaley O’Connor, daughter of a rock star, who just may have it all—until murder crashes her world.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns—and powerful truths about today's medical field.

Janessa McNeil’s husband, Dr. Brock McNeil, a researcher and professor at Stanford University's Department of Medicine, specializes in tick-borne diseases—especially Lyme. For years he has insisted that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't exist. Even as patients across the country are getting sicker, the committee Brock chairs is about to announce its latest findings—which will further seal the door shut for Lyme treatment.

One embittered man sets out to prove Dr. McNeil wrong by giving him a close-up view of the very disease he denies. The man infects Janessa with Lyme, then states his demand: convince her husband to publicly reverse his stand on Lyme—or their young daughter will be next.

But Janessa's marriage is already rocky. She's so sick she can hardly move or think. And her husband denies she has Lyme at all.

Welcome to the Lyme wars, Janessa.

“A taut, heartbreaking thriller. Collins is a fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages.”
--Publishers Weekly

“Tense and dramatic. Holds its tension while following the protagonist in a withering battle.” –NY Journal of Books

“A frightening and all-too-real scenario. Very timely and meaningful book.” –RT Reviews

“If you know someone who suffers from Lyme, you need to read this compelling novel.” –Lydia Niederwerfer, founder of Lyme-Aware

If you would like to read the Prologue of Over the Edge, go HERE

Watch the book video:



BACK COVER REVIEW:

I really enjoyed this novel! The book does everything that “seat-belt suspense” promises – keeps you gasping for air and holding on through the twists and turns. The characters were real-to-life and the plot could happen to anyone.

 I have some minor complaints but overall thought this book was excellent. The information about chronic long-term Lyme's seemed lengthy – although moving and heart-rending – and to know that people are actually suffering through this?! And the author has suffered with this terrible illness TWICE! ...I felt certain that I knew who the villain was halfway through the book…the result of too much NCIS? I don’t know. But still wanted to read on to confirm my strong suspicions and it continued to be worth the read.

MY LYME'S STORY

I requested this book because, well, I really like Brandilyn Collins’ writing but also because I had Lyme’s Disease when I was 16.

I had the unwilling honor of being the first person to contract Lyme’s from the state park that my family camped at (or was it in the state of Kansas?). I forget which but either way it didn’t feel like a great honor. My case was typical. We knew that a tick had bitten me and three months later the symptoms of achy joints and a rash started – the doctors said it was either Lupus or Lyme’s. My Mom kept me from experiencing any worse or chronic symptoms by insisting that they test for Lyme’s and start me on medication right away. Even so, I spent the better part of a year in pain and sleeping because of the Benadryl. It was several years before my energy levels were normal again.

Back Cover Review: He Said, She Said by Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing He Said, She Said Lighthouse Publishing (February 14, 2011)

by Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are the cofounders of Christian Devotions Ministries. Their He Said, She Said devotions are syndicated in a number of newspapers across the eastern seaboard and they host the weekly He Said, She Said Radio, Friday nights at 6:00 p.m. est. on Blog Talk Radio. Eddie and Cindy are popular speakers and teachers at Writers Conferences across the country.

Eddie is the author of five non-fiction books and his newest fiction release, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, a middle grade book. While Cindy is the author of one non-fiction and two compilations.

Together they teach writing with WritersCoach.us. Eddie and Cindy have been writing the He Said, She Said devotions since 2008, taking one scripture weekly and looking at it from two perspectives--His and Hers, with the idea that learning more about scripture from two perspectives helps one to delve deeper in God's word and know Him better.

ABOUT THE BOOK

He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion, or How Newlyweds, Couples and Singles Can Draw Closer to God and Their Mate Through Daily Devotions

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children and God? Are you easily distracted by the busyness of life and left feeling drained, bored, and discouraged? Do you sense you were meant to enjoy the richness of life, but spend your days feasting on crumbs? This heart-warming collection of stories (54 in all) will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God.

These deeply personal (and sometimes humorous) devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the unique perspective of one man and one woman. Learn to cultivate a life of passion. Perfect for your quiet time, these moments of meditative reflection illustrate the importance of allowing God to work within you and speak through you. No matter if you are newlyweds or newly retired, this book of devotions will help you put the spark back into your love life and explore the precious relationships God desires for you. He Said, She Said touches the heart, tickles the funny bone and brings you to your knees in worship.

If you would like to read an excerpt from He Said, She Said, go HERE.

Watch the book video:

Cindy and Eddie are not only good friends of mine, but a regular source of my spiritual renewal. It's a great idea, the he-said/she-said concept and I always enjoy their devotionals. Both are not only grounded spiritually, and super nice people but they both keep me laughing. It's that humor and heart that makes the spiritual more relatable in the most practical sense.
~Gina Holmes, author of Crossing Oceans~

I've know Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles for a few years. Each has a way of tickling my funny bone, so I wondered what a devotional book by them would be. I can heartily recommend it. The humor is there, but it's coupled with deep truths that go straight to the heart of the problem. You'll find a path that winds closer to God through He Said, She Said.
~Ane Mulligan, Editor of Novel Journey~

Back Cover Review:

Its official! He Said, She Said is the first couples’ devotional book that I like! I really should let my husband read it to see what he thinks, haha, but I can tell you this – we have about 5 books of the same genre sitting on our bookshelf and they’re excellent dust collectors. There’s nothing specifically wrong with them, but we tried reading them together and they didn’t seem that helpful for us. Those devotionals are written by authors that you would probably recognize and they’re all very similar.

Perhaps its He Said, She Said’s uniqueness that sets it a part. The layout of this book is unusual (one devotional is written by him, the next is written by her – thus the title of the book). The authors are painfully honest about their marriages (and you know, most of us need painful honesty – it gives us the assurance that our struggles are not unique).

Their thoughts and insights into marriage, children and the church are moving, witty and funny. And ultimately, they based their conclusions were on the one powerful truth – to make it and succeed we need God. It’s really all about Him! If our relationship is right with Him, He gives us wisdom for all of the other areas of our life.

The book isn’t without its minor flaws – there are a decent number of typos – which usually aggravates me, but the style of the book appealed to me so much that this seemed minor. Also, the introduction written by Eddie Jones contains some confusing dialogue but the rest of his writing is great.

Perhaps it is a matter of style, but I think I’ve found a couples’ devotional that could make a big difference in our marriage. Of course, I should probably ask my husband, lol… ;D

Back Cover Review: Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock

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

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

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

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

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as “The 700 Club” and “Home Life,” and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

ABOUT THE BOOK 

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

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

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

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

Watch the Book Video:



Back Cover Review:

“…And I’ve learned that Christ has funny ways of sweeping up the crumbs of our lives and making them into huge feasts.”

Isn’t that the truth?! This quote from Terri Blackstock’s novel Vicious Cycle begs to be repeated!

This book can be read as a standalone novel or as a continuation to Intervention (many of the characters are the same and the story begins about a year later in their lives). I felt like it got to a slow start although there was plenty going on but about half way through, the pace took off like a jet plane. It’s been awhile since I read Intervention and I forgot that one of the characters really makes me crazy. Lance, a good teenage boy, consistently dives headfirst into trouble for all of the right reasons. Also, several sudden point of view changes occurred throughout the novel – much to my surprise.

Terri Blackstock is a proven writer with a good track record…and Vicious Cycle proved to be a fun read (especially the second half)…her characters are solid, her descriptions just right and she clearly has a relationship with the LORD that solidly shows in the story (without being preachy, I think). Her Restoration Series sounds incredible – I’m going to have to read those!

LCW Super Saturday 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
LANCASTER CHRISTIAN WRITERS SUPER SATURDAY SLATED FOR MARCH 19, 2011
 
Whether you are an aspiring novelist, rookie journalist, experienced freelancer, or just have that personal experience or memoir you'd like to get into book form, then Lancaster Christian Writer's 2011 SUPER SATURDAY SEMINAR is for you. Join us March 19, 2011, from 8:30AM-4:00PM at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church, 419 Pierson Rd., Lititz, PA 17543, for a full-day mini-conference taught by top professionals. The early registration price of $40 includes lunch ($50 after March 16 or walk-ins) PLUS an added bonus of LCW membership.
Speakers include award-winning novelists TRACY HIGLEY, JOYCE MAGNIN and WANDA DYSON, children's author CAROL WEDEVEN, marketing expert and freelance editor HANA HAATAINEN CAYE, inspirational speaker and author TERRI GILLESPIE, fantasy writer CRAIG ALAN LOEWEN, and youth conference speaker and author EMILY CHASE.
Workshop topics cover fiction, non-fiction, children and youth writing, marketing, , and more. MARLENE BAGNULL will also be hosting a full bookstore of writer resources. Attendees may sign up for personal consult on space-available basis. 
Lancaster Christian Writers welcomes writers of all churches and denominations and of all levels and genres. Monthly meetings offer opportunity for manuscript critique, networking with other writers, and occasional workshops and guest authors. More info including list of workshops and flyer with registration form can be found at: http://lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com/.
Mail Super Saturday 2011 registration and check or money order to:  Lancaster Christian Writers, 121 East Woods Dr., Lititz, PA 17543.  For unanswered questions, email LCW Chapter President Jeanette Windle at jeanette@jeanettewindle.com (preferred)   or call 717-209-0011 after 4 PM.

Chet: Talking Tom AUCTIONEER

The Mayan Apocalypse by Mark Hitchcock and Alton Gansky

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing
The Mayan Apocalypse Harvest House Publishers(September 1, 2010)


by Mark Hitchcock & Alton Gansky


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Mark Hitchcock is the author of more than 17 books related to end-time Bible prophecy, including the bestselling 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World. He earned a ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary and is the senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has worked as an adjunct professor at DTS and has served as a contributing editor for the Left Behind Prophecy Club for five years.











Alton Gansky is the author of 30 books—24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christie Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.


ABOUT THE BOOK

On the heels of Mark Hitchcock’s prophecy bestseller 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World comes a suspenseful novel (coauthored with bestselling novelist Alton Gansky) about the supposed expiration date of planet earth—December 21, 2012.


Andrew Morgan is a wealthy oil executive in search of the meaning of life. In his quest for answers he encounters the ancient Mayan predictions that the world will end in 2012. That the claims seem supported by math and astronomy drives him to check on them. Then he meets Lisa Campbell, an attractive Christian journalist also researching the Mayan calendar. When he learns that she is a Christian, he quickly dismisses what she has to say.

As the time draws closer to December 21, 2012, a meteorite impact in Arizona, a volcanic eruption, and the threat of an asteroid on a collision-course with earth escalate fears. Are these indicators of a global apocalypse? Will anyone survive? Does Lisa’s Christian faith have the answers after all? Or has fate destined everyone to a holocaust from which there is no escape?


Watch the book trailer:




If you would like to read the first chapter of The Mayan Apocalypse, go HERE.

Judgement Day by Wanda Dyson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Judgment Day WaterBrook Press (September 21, 2010)


by Wanda Dyson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Wanda Dyson – "a shining example of what Christian fiction is becoming..." (Christian Fiction Review). She's been called a "natural" and a "master of pacing," but her fans know that whether it's police thrillers, suspense, or bringing a true story to life, Wanda knows how to take her readers on a journey they'll never forget.

Wanda is a multipublished suspense author, currently writing for Random House/Waterbrook. Her one attempt at a nonfiction book was picked for an exclusive release on Oprah. In addition to writing full time, she is also the appointment coordinator for the CCWC, Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers, and ACFW conferences.

Wanda lives in Western Maryland on a 125-acre farm with a menagerie of animals and when she's not writing critically acclaimed suspense, or away at conferences, you can find her zipping across the fields on a 4-wheeler with Maya, her German Shepherd, or plodding along at a more leisurely pace on her horse, Nanza.

With the release of her newest hit, Judgment Day, Wanda is heading back to the keyboard to start on her next high-octane thriller, The Vigilante.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Sensational journalism has never been so deadly.

The weekly cable news show Judgment Day with Suzanne Kidwell promises to expose businessmen, religious leaders, and politicians for the lies they tell. Suzanne positions herself as a champion of ethics and morality with a backbone of steel—until a revelation of her shoddy investigation tactics and creative fact embellishing put her in hot water with her employers, putting her credibility in question and threatening her professional ambitions.

Bitter and angry, Suzanne returns home one day to find her deceased boyfriend, Dr. Guy Mandeville’s nurse, Cecelia Forbes unconscious on her living room floor. Before the night is over, Cecelia is dead, Suzanne has her blood on her hands, and the police are arresting her for murder. She needs help to prove her innocence, but her only hope, private investigator Marcus Crisp, is also her ex-fiancé–the man she betrayed in college.

Marcus and his partner Alexandria Fisher-Hawthorne reluctantly agree to take the case, but they won’t cut Suzanne any slack. Exposing her lack of ethics and the lives she’s destroyed in her fight for ratings does little to make them think Suzanne is innocent. But as Marcus digs into the mire of secrets surrounding her enemies, he unveils an alliance well-worth killing for. Now all he has to do is keep Suzanne and Alex alive long enough to prove it.

Watch the book trailer:




If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of Judgment Day, go HERE.


BACK COVER REVIEWS:

Judgment Day was one of those books that I just sat back and enjoyed. Wanda L. Dyson is an excellent writer with a great style. Of course suspense is one of my favorite genres. Suzanne Kidwell is completely despicable and yet likeable enough to want to see her change. I liked the investigative team of Marcus and Alexandria. Their connection and chemistry was genuine!

It never ceases to amaze me: women authors who write fantastic guy-characters and male writers that write heart-touching women’s stories. How do they do that??? Wanda especially caught my attention when she taught a class at the March Madness Writer’s Day with the Lancaster Christian Writers. Her session was fantastic and this novel served to enforce my opinion of her expertise.

More Than Words by Judith Miller

This week, the 
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
More than WordsBethany House; Original edition (September 1, 2010)
by
Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history....

With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series. Please check those out on the "My Books" page on my website.

God's design on the lives of His people never ceases to amaze me! Because I am eternally grateful for my own forgiveness and salvation, I strive to share God's desire to pull us from the mire of sin and set us free to live exciting lives for Him. Through His abundant grace and love, God gifts and equips each of us to share the story of salvation and eternal life. Won't you share His story using the special gifts He has given you?

ABOUT THE BOOK

Journey to the charming villages of the Amana Colonies, 1885

Gretchen Kohler is an Amana storekeeper's daughter with a secret passion for writing. But artistic pursuits are frowned upon in her conservative Amana village, so she confines her poems and stories to her journals, letting only close friends read them.

When a young reporter comes into her store, she believes she's found a kindred spirit. She shares a few of her stories with him--only to have her trust betrayed in the worst of ways, resulting in trouble for her entire community.

The scandal is made even worse by the fact that gypsies have camped nearby and seem to be preying upon the Amanans' compassionate, pacifist nature. Will Gretchen lose her job, her reputation, and the love of her childhood beau all because of one bad decision?

Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, two of which have placed in the CBA top ten lists. In addition to her writing, Judy is a certified legal assistant. Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

If you would like to read the first chapter of More than Words, go HERE.

Back Cover Review
I first chose this book because the heroine’s name is Gretchen – how could I not get it? Then when it arrived I saw that the author is from my hometown of Topeka, Kansas, how cool is that?!

Judith Miller knows her craft and the story is well-told. There were times when I wanted to talk some sense into Gretchen Kohler and to help her make some smarter choices, but her naiveté at times and the struggles she had within her cultural constraints were understandable believable nonetheless. The suspicion and distrust as the Amana villagers and a band of Gypsies fascinated me. All in all, an enjoyable read!