Wolves Among Us by Ginger Garrett

Hello All,

This book is riveting. Wolves Among Us is set in Germany, long ago, but it feels as current to me. Mia is a wife and mother. Like many wives, she works so hard to please her husband, but often falls short. She is praying, but she has done all she can figure out to do to be a good wife to him. Bjorn is the Sheriff, so Mia tells herself frequently that she just doesn't understand a man's work, and that she just must try harder to be a good wife. Mia's daughter Alma is sickly, and nothing seems to work. Mia spends most of her time taking care of Alma, and her Mother-In-Law, who is also in horrible health.

Father Stephan is the priest of this small village. He isn't really sure of why he is there, how how to lead a flock of people properly. One morning two dead bodies are left on the church doorstep. This event unsettles the entire town, and Father Stephan is at a loss as to how to deal with the event, or his congregation. Not know what else to do, Father Stephan calls for an Inquisitor, a man "of the cloth" with more experience and wisdom, who can hopefully hear from God and get rid of the evil that seems to be lodged in this tiny village.
The Inquisitor comes, and with him a caged witch, a bag of "tools" of the trade, and many other things that are completely unsettling for everyone while this group of people tries to figure out who is the real wolf among them.

As all different types of evil, sins, or possible sins come to light each of our main characters struggle with knowing who God really is, and what grace is afforded to them. After I read this book, I realized that the way the majority of the women acted and responded is not very much changed from today. It is still easy to shun, to believe lies of another, to accuse or to scorn instead of embracing God's truth, friendship, love and healing.

I really liked how Ginger Garrett handled the victims, living and dead, and the survivors. This is a very  moving  book which I enjoyed reading.

Carol

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK

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

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

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

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0781448859

Vicious Cycle by Terri Blackstock

Hello Dear Readers,

Today's review from CFBA is Vicious Cycle. Mrs. Terri Blackstock takes us on a brisk "walk" through the lives of families who have children addicted to drugs. I can easily see how she has poured herself into Barbara. Barbara is a Christian mother, with a daughter that winds up with a drug addiction. Since I didn't get to read Intervention, you should know that Vicious Cycle still stands on it is own.

This book is going to reach so many! I feel that it should be read by almost all Christian teens. It has become so extremely easy in the last many years for our youth to access things that will ruin their lives. Vicious Cycle shows how addictions effect people long term, short term, and what it does to babies. Lance is 15, and he has no history of addictions. His sister however, is coming out of a one year recovery program. He has made friends with some of the other girls in the program. Jordan leaves the program, while still addicted to meth and other dugs, and she has her child at home. Realizing her mistake she wants to have the baby adopted, but her Mother and half-brother have other plans. They are going to sell the baby to get more drug money! The human trafficking aspect of this book hit me pretty hard. I know it happens, but it makes it very real, it brings it home.

This is real. This actually happens in places in our world right now. It happens in towns and places that you would never expect. One of the places I use to live had more drugs in the area than anywhere else I have ever been. It wasn't behind closed doors, it was live and in the open. The problem with these addictions is the all lead to the same end, death. I was exposed to drugs in school, but I didn't take any. I was way too scared to do that, and my heart was too busy breaking for my friends who were already hooked.

Vicious Cycle is a well written example of how generational curses will go down family lines until the are broken by God and by choice. Until that happens, the cycle just doesn't end.

Carol

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.

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310250676

Watch the Book Video:

The Resurrection by Mike Duran

WOW, wait until you read this one!

This book was non-stop motion, very real, and so very true beyond what most people see. The Resurrection shows, in vidid detail, the war we face daily in the spirit realm, but that most people don't understand. I was impressed with so much in this book. I really liked how Mr. Mike Duran had a three fold cord of prayer partners in this tiny church. Their prayers changed things, even when they didn't think it would. It changed things in ways that they didn't expect. It is like my own Pastor preached two weeks ago, the extraordinary happens as we are being obedient in the ordinary. That is what happened to Ruby in this book. The every day ordinary turned into extraordinary and things changed.

I read this whole book in two days. I have to say though, the first night I had lots and lots of dreams having to do with this book, and things that weren't. Reading it alone was enough to shift things in the spirit realm for me. I am one who is not easily effected, it takes something very strong to effect me so much. I want you to know, The Resurrection is that strong!

I have to say I was excited to find a Professor Benjamin Keen. My last name is Keen. I don't see it in a book or anywhere else often. I have a cousin  named Benjamin, and my brother is a Professor. At that point, all the similarities stopped.

I just found out that some are thinking this is a horror story. I don't see that. To my mind horror movies are all blood, guts, killing and hatred, Satan and no God, no redemption. There is plenty of redemption in this book. There is enough forgiveness to cover the worst of sins, but also consequences to those who choose to not follow Christ.

I plan to be back on here to add more to this review. I am not sure how to do it to make it count in the top blog review, but that almost besides the point. This book has a mission, and I am glad that Mike Duran wrote it, and I am glad that a publisher had eyes to see and published it!
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Part 2....
There is just so very much to discuss about The Resurrection. I was just thinking about it more today, and I wondered how many Christians have run into occult members. When they did, did they know it, and did they know how to fight in the spirit realm? Like Ruby and her friends, Vinyette, and Marje I have had some experiences with people that lost. I did like Crank though. I believe all God's creatures are His, even if some are not the ones I care for the most.  I had though it would be a much scarier creature than it was, but the food it was eating was a give-a-way.

I also have to tell my readers that this is not the kind of book that you can tell exactly what is going to happen next. I like that a great deal. I have watched countless movies and read many books where I can tell you how it will end, or what the next thing in the plot will be. I appreciate the freshness that Mike Duran wrote with.

I have already decided what I want to add to this tomorrow!
--------------
Part 3

Tonight is my third post. Tonight I want to post in this one that I appreciate the character Mr. Cellophane being in this book. Yes, this is a "grey" area that people are scared of. It is an area I can't answer totally, but that I have seen occur. What do you do with a ghost? What is a ghost really? There ARE things that don't respond to being bound, rebuked or exorcized. I do not know why, but I know that it is so. What I really did like is that Mr. Duran did something with this "character" that made sense to me, mostly. This will remain a grey area until we get to Heaven, but I do like how it was used in this book.

The Resurrection is a wake up call, and a wonderful book to read.

Carol

About the Book: 

When Ruby Case, an unassuming crippled woman, inexplicably raises a boy from the dead, she creates uproar in the quiet coastal town of Stonetree. Some brand her a witch, others a miracle worker. Yet Reverend Ian Clark could care less. Dogged by demons and immersed in self-pity, Clark is being unwittingly drawn into a secret religious order--one that threatens his very life. But he's about to get a wake-up call.

Together, Ruby and Reverend Clark are thrust into a search for answers... and a collision with unspeakable darkness. For behind the quaint tourist shops and artist colonies lies a history of deceit. And a presence more malignant than anything they can imagine. Yet a battle is brewing, the resurrection is the first volley, and the unlikely duo are the only ones who can save them. But can they overcome their own brokenness in time to stop the evil, or will they be its next victim?

About the Author:

Mike Duran was a finalist in Faith in Fiction's inaugural short story contest and was chosen as one of ten authors to be published in Infuze Magazine’s 2005 print anthology. He is author of the short story “En Route to Inferno,” which appeared in Coach’s Midnight Diner: Back from the Dead edition, and received the Editor’s Choice award for his creative nonfiction essay titled “The Ark,” published in the Summer 2.3 Issue of Relief Journal. In between blogs, he also writes a monthly column for Novel Journey and has served as editor on the Midnight Diner’s editorial team. Duran is an ordained minister and lives with his wife of 29 years and four grown children in Southern California.

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. 
Book link - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/161638204X
Author’s web site - http://mikeduran.com/

Participants’ links:
Brandon Barr
Red Bissell
Book Reviews By Molly
Keanan Brand
Kathy Brasby
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
Christian Fiction Book Reviews
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Wanda Costinak
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Janey DeMeo
Cynthia Dyer
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Katie Hart
Joleen Howell
Bruce Hennigan
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emily LaVigne
Shannon McNear
Matt Mikalatos
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
John W. Otte
Gavin Patchett
Sarah Sawyer
Andrea Schultz
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Dave Wilson

In The Shadow Of Evil by Robin Caroll

Hello Out There,

It is wet and dreary today. Good thing we have plenty of books to read and review when it rains. Frankly it has been raining here almost as much as it does in the state this book is set in, Louisiana. I have been there many times, and for a while that was my neighboring state. So when I tell you that Robin Caroll knows how write about Louisiana when she writes about Eternal Springs  In The Shadow Of Evil, you can be sure it is realistic and very much like the real bayou.

When this book opens with one of our main characters, Maddox getting home late from a date. His Mother had chided him time and time again to make his midnight curfew, but she would sort of let him slide a bit. Only this time, he got home in time for her to die, in his arms, murdered. He was just a little bit too late.

Next we meet two sisters, Layla and Alana. They are very different women. Layla is held back by things in her past hurting her and her sister has already dealt with some of the issues, and others she just doesn't have. Layla is a strong woman in her own right, she creates buildings, works with contractors, and on the other hand, she is a graceful ballroom dancer.

Amidst the mud, the murder of a building inspector in one of the homes that Layla was overseeing, the pain in all their lives, Maddox finds he is falling for Layla. Her sister a suspect to the whole big sticky mess, and Maddox has never forgiven himself for being too late, because he let a woman get in the way, and he is going to find the truth no matter what the costs. They are also going to have to find where God is in all this mess.

I haven't quite finished, but I never tell you the end anyway. I can tell you that I am enjoying how strongly these women are portrayed, and how guilt, forgiveness, and Christ are shown.

Carol

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing In The Shadow of Evil B&H Books (March 1, 2011) by Robin Caroll

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty years, her three beautiful daughters, one precious grandson, and their four character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?

Robin gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for ACFW. Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as RT Reviewer's Choice, Bookseller's Best, and Book of the Year. An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy plus devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil casts the modern day story of a building rebound scam exposed. It begins when the body of a property inspector is found among the ashes of a burnt out Homes of Hope house. Wrapped up in this mounting case of unethical practices, supply shortages, and murder, top Louisiana homicide detective Maddox Bishop is losing his heart to a charitable contractor, Layla Taylor, whose own sister is under suspicion. He’s also about to discover a deep secret about his tragic past.



If you would like to read the first chapter of In The Shadow of Evil, go HERE.

Watch the trailer:


The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805449795

A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

Hey Readers,

I am so glad you kept working your way through all those rejections Ms. Siri Mitchell! A Heart Most Worthy is a wonderful book. I was sucked right into it in the first few pages. I have not been to big on romance novels of late, but I am well pleased with the romance, adventure, and the over all writing style of this book. I really like how the Author makes comments from time to time. I  felt like it was being read to me, watched on TV, or sent to me in a personal letter from a friend. Those comments are extremely well written and it is something I haven't seen that done in a long long time.

I also enjoyed following the lives of three young ladies, instead of it just being all about one main character. In that aspect it was more like keeping up with the lives of more than one main character like we do in our favorite TV shows, or our real lives.

A Heart Most Worthy is about three young women, from three different cultures, who all work in the same dress maker's shop. All three of these young ladies are immigrants, all are poor, though one was not poor before a horrible incident took her father's life and left her destitute and desperate.

Their families have expectations of them that don't fit with the calling from inside their heart. Love is either a game, a disaster, or rather feared. There are some dashing young men, you have to read to find out them. The historical parts are lovely, and so far I have nothing bad that I could say about this book!

Carol

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THE BOOK

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

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

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

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

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764207954