Seek And Hide by Amanda Stevens - Haven Seekers Book 1

Hi Folks,

I'm rather "tough" in some areas. Most "horror" type books don't scare me. The "horror" in Christian genres tends to fascinate me or I go, "Oh yeah! That." It does not scare me. This book is an exception! Having the Bible or Christian thoughts be illegal and punishable by loosing your family, your freedom, or being reprogrammed is not an unheard of  in our world today. I have read and watched documentaries and movies about what happened to the Jews when Hitler was in power. We know this is happening now, in China and other places. Reading it the way that Amanda Steven's put it forth is terrifying. I don't know if it is because it is close to some other things that are deep inside of me, which I might write about later in my own book, or if it is because she made this so tangible. I read the first 1/4 of this book and made the mistake of falling asleep. I was NOT dreaming soundly with this in my head.

Marcus is trying to protect Christians. He is a recovering alcoholic and he is in contact/friendship with a cop. Not just a cop law and order, he is a con-cop. This man's job is to harass, jail, and reprogram those who think "wrong", aka Christian thinking. Owning a REAL Bible is a trip to jail with felony charges in this book. The problem is that Marcus sees a bit of himself in Jason.

Meanwhile, Aubrey was already re-conditioned from being in trouble for being a Christian. She has a baby boy, she loves, and a Mom who is not supportive of her transgressions of spouting Christ like things. The Con-Cops are going keep harassing her, and now they have taken her baby. What is she going to do now?

When she winds up meeting Marcus in the most horrific circumstances, things are going to keep changing.
This book will keep you turning pages, and keep you awake or dreaming of things that are scary enough to pray for this to never get this far in our current world. Once you can breath - you will want to stay tuned for the next book in this series!

Carol :)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Seek and Hide

David C. Cook (September 15, 2014)

by

Amanda Stevens

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


As a child, Amanda G. Stevens disparaged Mary Poppins and Stuart Little because they could never happen. Now, she writes speculative fiction. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and has taught literature and composition to home-school students. She lives in Michigan and loves books, film, music, and white cheddar popcorn. Amanda's first novel, Seek and Hide, will be available September 15, 2014 from David C Cook.






ABOUT THE BOOK


Six years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect his church family from imprisonment--including risk his own freedom to gain the trust of a government agent.

Aubrey Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice. But she's targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If only she'd never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help.

When Aubrey and Marcus's lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus's life in a way he'd never expect, turning a loner into a leader.


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Seek and Hide, go HERE.

Amanda can be reached through the Contact link on her Website 

The Crimson Cord by Jill Eileen Smith - Daughters of the Promised Land

God's love never fails, but that is something that Rahab is learning, it is new to her this One True God. While our Bible doesn't tell us all about Rahab's past, this author gave us a plausible past for her. Her husband addicted to gambling, Rahab doesn't feel loved, or worthy, nor even wanted. Her pain is so clearly felt and has been felt by many women. One mistake and her whole world changed.  Is there forgiveness for such sinners? (YES!) Living through war time only made things harder, and soon it is time to decide - help the "enemy" the Israelite and cast her lot and her faith, even her very life into the hands of a God who cares.

Beautifully woven, well told, full of emotion and strength I really enjoyed this book. It's my favorite of Jill Eileen Smith's so far!

Carol :)

About The Book

"Rahab's story is one of the most moving redemption accounts in Scripture. The Crimson Cordperfectly captures all the drama of the original, fleshing out the characters with care and thought. Jill's storytelling skills kept me reading late into the night. A beautiful tale, beautifully told!"--Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the NightWife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution, she despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime.

In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.

Under Jill Eileen Smith's talented hand, the familiar story of Rahab bursts forth in high definition. Immerse yourself in a world of dark and dusty streets, clandestine meetings, and daring escapes as a mysterious biblical figure claims her full humanity--and a permanent place in your heart.


Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and The Desert Princess, first in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

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Endorsements

"Rahab's story is one of the most moving redemption accounts in Scripture. The Crimson Cordperfectly captures all the drama of the original, fleshing out the characters with care and thought, and following the biblical account every step of the way. Jill's thorough research and love for God's Word are both evident, and her storytelling skills kept me reading late into the night. A beautiful tale, beautifully told!"

Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night

Jill Eileen Smith

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and the ebook novella The Desert Princess, book 1 in the Loves of King Solomon series. Her research has taken her from the Bible to...

Continue reading about Jill Eileen Smith

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   © Amanda Matilla Photography

   
   

Reviews

Praise for the Wives of the Patriarchs SeriesRachel
"A faithful portrayal of the story of Jacob and his two wives, Rachel will make you feel the agony of two sisters in love with the same man. Jealousy, betrayal, heartache, and deceit cannot prevent the invisible hand of God from leading His people inexorably toward the fulfillment of their destiny. Smith has the knack of making her fiction feel truly authentic to the world of the Bible."--Tessa Afshar, award-winning author of Harvest of Gold
Rebekah
"In her second Wives of the Patriarchs book, Smith makes biblical fiction unforgettable and worthy of our attention. This incredible author's ability to re-create biblical settings and transform dialogue delivers a God-given message that is just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago."--RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

"With attention to detail in every aspect of her writing, Jill makes this story sing with love, human frailty, and triumph. Rebekah is a powerful story that supports the biblical account and proposes a reasoned and moving story of what could have been. Rebekah is biblical storytelling at its finest and is well worth adding to your shelves."--Rel Mollet, Relz Reviews

Sarai

"The scriptural account of Abraham and Sarah is not only a testament of God's faithfulness to His promises, it's a story of love. Smith skillfully captures both, and the essence of living in Old Testament times, by combining biblical facts with research-based interpretation and her own imagination to create a detailed drama that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the second book in the series."--CBA Retailers+Resources

"Smith is at her best in handling the triangulated relationship between Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar . . . Smith breathes new imaginative life into a well-known sacred story."--Publishers Weekly

Deadly Echos by Nancy Mehl - Finding Sanctuary Book 2

Sarah Miller is taking don't give up and look out you are in danger to a whole new level!

Settled into the town of Sanctuary, she is really about to need just that! Her re-connection to her long lost sister has started leading her places she never dreamed or had nightmares about. Hannah has been murdered and has left behind her daughter, Sarah's niece. That is hard enough in and of it's own, but it turns out Hannah's murder could be tied to their parent's murder. Now Sarah has to decide who to trust, how to pray her way through this, was her sister off base or did she find out who the killer really was? Can she figure out how to trust before she or her niece find themsleves removed  as well?

A good next book in this series, I enjoyed it. It was quite mysterious for a little while.

Carol :)

About The Book

After a youth filled with tragedy and upheaval, Sarah Miller's life is finally settled with all echoes of the past silent at last. She happily calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school.

Sarah's joy at her recent reunion with her sister, Hannah, and meeting the niece she didn't know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed. 

As she learns more about Hannah's death, the circumstances are eerily similar to their parents' murder. Sarah enlists Paul's help in digging deeper into the murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul's concern encourages Sarah's growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one person will do anything to hide--even if that means coming after the last remaining members of the Miller family.

Nancy Mehl is the author of eighteen books and received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Missouri where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their... Continue reading about Nancy Mehl

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   Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

Reviews

Mehl is an amazing author who gives fans what they want and more in every book. The believable, smooth-running storyline features suspense, mystery and family tragedy with characters who are kind and charming...and a few who are not what they appear to be.

RT Book Reviews

When Rivers Part by Kellie Coates Gilbert (Texas Gold Series book 2)

Hi Everyone!

It's time for a review of this author's second book I have read. This is the second book in this series.
Dr. Juliet Ryan's job is clean water. It is her whole life, working to keep water safe and clean. When disaster strikes, e.coli included, Juliet is in trouble because now she has to deal with her Father. He has caused her so very much pain and suffering. However, a scandal is brewing and she must with with her Dad if she is going to get to the bottom of the issues at hand. Will main stream, bit time corporations pull her apart, or will she find a way to forgive her Dad and find God in all this mess? Where will she turn when she learns the truth about her boyfriend and so much more?

This book is a reality check type book. It is not a fluffy romance or a "cozy mystery". Don't just by pass it though, because this book has a strong Christ centered message that is very good.

My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Carol :)

About The Book

Success too often comes with a price. Juliet never imagined it could be so high.
Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her considerable scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions--and affording her plenty of perks along the way. It's not the path her estranged father would have her take, but then Juliet finds it difficult to maintain respect for a man she cannot trust. She's on her way up in the world, and she's not going to let anything drag her down.

But when a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal, lives are at risk--including those of some of the people closest to her. As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with the one who has hurt her most in order to expose a far-reaching conspiracy.

Like a mighty river with twists and turns and hidden rocks, this engrossing story will sweep you relentlessly along as it fearlessly explores the seduction of success, the fear of giving up control, and the redemptive power of learning to forgive.

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   Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal who investigated the largest cattle fraud case in US history. Her legal experience gives her an insider's view into how people react under pressure. Gilbert explores the complexity of...

   Continue reading about Kellie Coates Gilbert