When The Soul Mends By Cindy Woodsmall

Hello Friends! 

This book touched me this week. The characters are very real, and the issues of Hanna's sister really impacted me because of some mental illness that has affected other people I know. 

The Amish genre of this book was wonderfully well written, and the plots were gripping enough to keep page after page turning for quite a while.  

Carol :) 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
When The Soul Mends
WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008)
by
Cindy Woodsmall


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cindy Woodsmall is a veteran homeschool mom. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

Her first novel, When The Heart Cries, released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a Christian Book Association best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin.

Her last book, When the Morning Comes, hit the New York Times best-sellers extended list and the Christian Book Association best-sellers list.

Cindy’s real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity.

Cindy, her husband, their three sons and daughter-in-law reside in Georgia. Her husband is a registered land surveyor and a vice president at an engineering firm. Their oldest son has a bachelor’s degree in nuclear medicine and works at a local hospital. Their second son and his wife are both students at the University of Georgia. Their teen-aged son keeps the household energized with his love of music, books, and writing.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Returning to the home she fled in disgrace, will Hannah find healing for the wounds of the past?

After receiving a desperate and confusing call from her sister, Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community of her Pennsylvania childhood.

Having fled in disgrace more than two years earlier, she finally has settled into a satisfying role in the Englischer world. She also has found love and a new family with the wealthy Martin Palmer and the children she is helping him raise. But almost immediately after her arrival in Owl’s Perch, the disapproval of those who ostracized her, including her headstrong father,                                         reopens old wounds.

As Hannah is thrown together with former fiancé Paul Waddell to work for her sister Sarah’s mental health, hidden truths surface about events during Hannah’s absence, and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she heed the call to return to the Plain Life–and perhaps to her first love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of When The Soul Mends, go HERE

“A skillfully written story of forgiveness and redemption. Woodsmall’s authentic characters illustrate beautifully how wounded souls can indeed be mended.”
–Susan Meissner, author of The Shape of Mercy

“Like the stitches on a well-loved quilt, love and faith hold together Cindy Woodsmall's When the Soul Mends, the brilliantly written third story in the Sisters of the Quilt series. With deft plotting and characters that seem to jump off the page, this novel offers the timeless truth that forgiveness is the balm which heals all wounds and a blanket for the soul.”
–Kathleen Y’Barbo, author of Beloved Castaway

“What a vibrant, strong, emotional story! When the Heart Cries will grip you and not let go, I promise. Highly recommended!”
–Gayle Roper, author of Allah’s Fire and the Seaside Seasons series

“Reaching deep into the heart of the reader, Cindy Woodsmall pens a beautifully lyrical story in her debut novel When the Heart Cries.”
–Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of Rekindled

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373442726

The Bride Bargain by Kelly Eileen Hake

Hi All! 

This was a nice little read. It was fast and easy to read. A cute quick story, with just enough depth behind it to not get bogged down! 

Carol :) 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Bride Bargain
Barbour Publishing, Inc (September 1, 2008)
by
Kelly Eileen Hake


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Life doesn't wait, and neither does Kelly Eileen Hake. In her short twenty-three years of life, she's achieved much. Her secret? Embracing opportunities and multitasking. Kelly received her first writing contract at the tender age of seventeen and arranged to wait three months until she was able to legally sign it. Since that first contract five years ago, she's reached several life goals. Aside from fulfilling fourteen contracts ranging from short stories to novels, she's also attained her BA in English Literature and Composition and earned her credential to teach English in secondary schools. If that weren't enough, she's taken positions as a college preparation tutor, bookstore clerk, and in-classroom learning assistant to pay for the education she values so highly. Currently, she is working toward her MA in Writing Popular Fiction. No matter what goal she pursues, Kelly knows what it means to work for it!

Kelly's dual careers as English teacher and author give her the opportunity explore and share her love of the written word. A CBA bestselling author and dedicated member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kelly is a reader favorite of Barbour's Heartsong Presents program, where she's been privileged to earn numerous Heartsong Presents Reader's Choice Awards; including Favorite New Author 2005, Top 5 Favorite Historical Novel 2005, and Top Five Favorite Author Overall 2006 in addition to winning the Second Favorite Historical Novel 2006!

Her Prairie Promises trilogy, set in the 1850s Nebraska Territory, features her special style of witty, heartwarming historical romance.
ABOUT THE BOOK

Set down upon the wild American plains during the 1850. Clara is desperate for a home and a future for herself and her aunt. When Clara Fields and her aunt are kicked off their wagon train, a store owner in Buttonwood offers a chance at redemption. If Clara is able to wed his grandson off to any of the local girls within a month, he'll sign over his two-story house.

Desperate to provide for the woman who raised her, Clara agrees to find a bride for the man's son--a stalwart bachelor. How hard can it be to find a bride for one handsome Doctor? Apparently more difficult than she imagined when Saul Reed seems determined to ramain single.

Will Clara's faith and wits help her wrangle a resolution to The Bride Bargain. Striking a bargain with a lonely trader to fool a head-strong doctor could lead Clara to an unexpected avenue of romance.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Bride Bargain, go HERE

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602601755

Isolation by Travis Thrasher

HEY EVERYONE,

This book was AWESOME! I really liked Isolation. I can see the influence of Mr. Thrasher's favorite writer, who's movies my husband and I started really liking about 2 years ago. Before that, yes, I grew up under a rock! LOL! The characters were strong, the pace non stop, I only put this book down when I was forced to do so! I can't wait to read another one of Mr. Thrasher's books that are written like this one!

Carol :) 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Isolation
FaithWords (September 12, 2008)
by
Travis Thrasher


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

It was during third grade after a teacher encouraged him in his writing and as he read through The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis that Travis decided he wanted to be a writer. The dream never left him, and allowed him to fulfill that dream of writing fulltime in 2007.

Travis Thrasher is the author of numerous works of fiction, including his most personal and perhaps his deepest work, Sky Blue, that was published in summer of 2007. This year he has to novels published, Out of the Devil’s Mouth, and a supernatural thriller, Isolation.

Travis is married to Sharon and they are the proud parents of Kylie, born in November, 2006, and Hailey, a Shih-Tzu that looks like an Ewok. They live in suburban Chicago.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Trapped

Exhausted

Terrified

. . . Alone

When a missionary family moves into a secluded mansion in the mountains of North Carolina, they think they are escaping their nightmares. But when a snowstorm hits and they are trapped inside their new home, their worst fears become reality. As they fight to stay alive, they will be tested in ways they never imagined. Can their love for one another and their faith in God save them from the dangers lurking here?

A masterfully written story that will grip you from its mysterious beginning to its chilling end.

From Publishers Weekly:

"In this dark chiller, Thrasher (Sky Blue; The Promise Remains) demonstrates a considerable talent for the horror genre. Like Stephen King, Thrasher pits flawed but likable characters against evil forces that at first seem escapable but gradually take on a terrifying ubiquity.

The Miller family has recently returned to suburban Chicago after a harrowing experience on the mission field. Hoping to get away from the busyness of suburban living, they travel to the mountains of North Carolina for an extended stay in an enormous, remote lodge where husband and father Jim plans to write a book while trying to reconnect with his family.

When a snowstorm isolates them further and spiritual attacks make them feel they are losing their minds, both Jim and his wife, Stephanie, begin to wonder if God can rescue them and their two young children. Aside from sharing too many plot points with The Shining, this novel hits very few false notes and should appeal to fans of Christian fiction, the horror genre and all who enjoy well-crafted and suspenseful stories."

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

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446505544

Wounded: A Love Story by Claudia Mair Burney

This book showed up late late to me, so look for my comments soon!

Carol :)

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Wounded: A Love Story
David C. Cook (September 2008)
by
Claudia Mair Burney

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Claudia is the author of the popular Ragamuffin Diva blog and the David C. Cook novel Zora and Nicky: A novel in Black And White. She is also the author of Death, Deceit, and Some Smooth Jazz, and the Amanda Bell Brown Mysteries and the Exorsistah series for teens. Her work has appeared in Discipleship Journal magazine, The One Year Life Verse Devotional Bible, and Justice in the Burbs.

She lives in Michigan with her husband, five of their seven children, and a quirky dwarf rabbit.


ABOUT THE BOOK

SHE HAD A VISION OF CHRIST PLACING TWO PERFECT RED ROSES IN HER HANDS...AND THEN SHE WAS WOUNDED!

If a miracle happened to you, wouldn't you tell everyone? What if they thought you were crazy?

Gina Merritt, poor in health and rich in faith is the last person to expect a miracle to happen to her. As she sits in a pew on Ash Wednesday with throbbing pain in her knees and a raging migraine, she turns her concentration elsewhere and silently prays, "Share with me, Jesus."

Instantly she has a holy vision of the Son of God kneeling before her. As tears fill her eyes, Christ kisses Gina's hands, leaving two perfect red roses. When the vision fades, Gina's hands are bleeding.

Anthony Priest, the junkie sitting beside her, instinctively touches Gina when she cries out, but she flees in shock and pain. A prizewinning journalist before drugs destroyed his career, Anthony is stunned that he is suddenly overcome with a sense of well-being and he instantly knows that he is cured of his addiction. Wanting an explanation, Anthony follows Gina home.

Is it a miracle, or just a religious delusion? It seems like everyone who knows of the mysterious stigmata has an opinion, and it's not always favorable. Putting aside their difference and their mutual distrust, Gina and Anthony embark on a search for answers. Along the way they encounter an uncertain evangelical pastor, a gentle Catholic priest, a certifiable religious zealot, and a transvestite drug dealer, all of whom lend their voices to the tale. It's a quest for truth, sanity, and grace…and an unexpected love story.

If you would like to read an excerpt from Wounded: A Love Story, go HERE

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1434799387

Up Pops The Devil by Angela Benson

Hello readers,

Another great book. I really enjoyed that the author is living in Tuscaloosa! I was riding through there while I was reading the book. Angela Benson did a wonderful job with Up Pops The Devil. It was well paced, with good plots and the Atlanta and Georgia settings were perfect. The characters were very real, the situations very very true to life and God ever present and nicely woven throughout the book. Read a copy!

Carol :)

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Up Pops The Devil
Avon A (July 29, 2008)
by
Angela Benson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Angela has published nine novels, one novella, and a nonfiction writing book. Her books have appeared on national, regional and local bestseller lists. She has won several writing awards, including Best Multicultural Romance from Romantic Times magazine and the Best Contemporary Ethnic Romance from Affaire de Coeur magazine. She was also a finalist for the 2000 Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in Multicultural Romance.

Awakening Mercy is the first book in her Genesis House series from Tyndale House Publishers. Awakening Mercy was a finalist for both the RITA Award given by Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction. The second book in the Genesis House series, Abiding Hope, was published in September 2001. Abiding Hope was awarded the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance presented by the Romance Slam Jam. The third book and final book of the series, Enduring Love, is not yet scheduled.

BET Books, now Harlequin's Kimani Press purchased the mass market rights to Awakening Mercy and Abiding Hope in 2000 and released mass market editions of the titles in June 2002 and June 2003, respectively.

Angela's first hardcover title, The Amen Sisters, was released in September 2005 by Walk Worthy Press. The Essence bestselling title won the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance. The trade paperback edition was released in November 2007.

Up Pops the Devil, published by HarperCollins (Avon A) in August 2008, is Angela's tenth novel.

Angela has a diverse education and work history. She majored in mathematics at Spelman College and Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and worked for fifteen years as an engineer in the telecommunications industry. She holds Masters degrees in operations research and human resources development. Her most recent degree is a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Georgia. Dr. Benson is now an associate professor of educational technology at The University of Alabama.


ABOUT THE BOOK

This is the story of Wilford "Preacher" Winters and the four women—his fiancee' Tanya, his sister Loretta, his old girlfriend Serena, and his new friend Natalie—who complicate his re-entry into society as a law-abiding Christian man after being incarcerated for two years for drug trafficking. Two hard years in prison have changed Wilford "Preacher" Winters for the better. He did his time, now he's going to "do the right thing." But the women in his life have other ideas.

Tanya, the sleek and sexy mother of his two kids, is much too comfortable with her pearls-and-Porsche lifestyle, and she'll do whatever it takes to maintain it. His sister, Loretta, kept "the business" running smoothly while Preacher was inside, and she can't believe he'd trade Easy Street bling for a nickel-and-dime dead-end job. His one-time girlfriend Serena, now married to his main man Barnard, is hiding a secret—and if past sins come to light, they'll ruin several lives and a very new, very precious friendship between Preacher and Barnard's beautiful-inside-and-out sister, Natalie.

With his world about to explode all around him, Preacher's going to need every ounce of his new-found faith to remain strong. Because it takes a lot to become a new man, sometimes even a miracle.

If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of Up Pops The Devil, go HERE


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061468509

A Passion Redeemed By Julie Lessman

Hey Readers,

WOW! This was such a *major* improvement over the last book! I am pleased that I gave it a try. The last one just didn't do well with me. But everything that A Passion Most Pure lacked, was made up for in A Passion Redeemed! I had not realized that A Passion Most Pure was Ms. Julie Lessman's first novel, that does explain things to me. I think the first ones are hardest, but I do think that this book is so much stronger that it made having read the first one worth it! This book was worth reading. Check it out! 

Carol :) 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

A Passion Redeemed
Revell (September 1, 2008)
by
Julie Lessman


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Lessman is a debut author who has already garnered writing acclaim, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She is a commercial writer for Maritz Travel, a published poet and a Golden Heart Finalist. Julie has a heart to write “Mainstream Inspirational,” reaching the 21st-century woman with compelling love stories laced with God’s precepts. She resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever, and has two grown children and a daughter-in-law. A Passion Most Pure was her first novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

No man can resist her charms. Or so she thought. Charity O'Connor is a woman who gets what she wants. Her stunning beauty and flirtatious ways have always succeeded with men. Until Mitch Dennehy, that is.

Brilliant and dangerously handsome, Mitch is a no-nonsense newspaperman who wants nothing to do with her. Charity burned him once, destroying his engagement to the only woman he ever truly loved. He won't play with matches again. But Charity has a plan to turn up the heat, hoping to ignite the heart of the man she loves. And she always gets what she wants--one way or another.

Or does she? Will her best-laid schemes win his love? Or will her seductive ways drive him away forever? Book 2 in the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Redeemed will captivate your heart and stir your soul with a story of faith and redemption rising from the ashes of temptation, desire, and shame.

Praise for the first book in the series:

"Full of romance, humor, rivalry, and betrayal, A Passion Most Pure will captivate readers from the first page." --Historical Novels Review "Superb! Incredible!

"I loved Julie Lessman's A Passion Most Pure from the second I picked it up until the very last moment I stopped reading." --Armchair Interviews

"I devoured this book and loved every single page. . . . This is a thick, juicy read, and one I would pick up again in a heartbeat." --christianreviewofbooks.com

If you would like to read an excerpt from A Passion Redeemed, go HERE.

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080073212X

Broken Angel By Sigmund Brouwer

Greetings Everyone! 

I was privilged to wind up with this book on my review list for a second time. As time has passed, I have grown to like this book more and more. It is very thought captivating. I wasn't sure what to do about having a book in my "Queue" for a second time, so I was thrilled to find out that I could do an e-mail interview with Mr. Brouwer!

Below is that interview, which I must add, was a wonderful experience for me. Thank you Mr. Brouwer!

Carol :)

Q: This is is the first book of yours that I have had the opportunity to read and I was thrilled to find that you are such a well published author with over 90 novels already! When and how did you know that God had called you to write? 

A: Well, first, I love the sound of ’90 novels’, and I’d like to take credit for doing as much work as that sounds, but in terms of full disclosure, I need to reluctantly admit that many of those books are kids books in a few different series, and the kids books are so much shorter than a a ‘real’ novel. It’s been 18 full novels so far, and I also have to admit I’m a reluctant writer. I love being a published author and I love talking about the process and I love seeing books in print, but the actual writing process is difficult for me.

As for knowing when and how, I guess I wasn’t going to quit until I was published. I started writing in my early twenties and plugged away until my first kids book was published in 1990. Then about three years later, my first novel. 

Q: What was your greatest motivation for writing Broken Angel? 

A: I love your question, because it lets me talk about my little girls. This is really a daddy/daughter story, with the genetics and politics as a backdrop.Although my primary concern was to tell a story, I also wanted to explore the idea that there are some dangers to mixing faith with politics, as I'd like to suggest that Jesus was more concerned with transforming individuals than legislation, and that he declined the chance to become a powerful political figure and instead chose the suffering of the cross.

I'd also like to suggest that when people of faith give authority to a leader, as they did when the Israelites requested a king, or when the early church elected a pope, that this authority can also lead to danger. Because with authority comes power, and to retain power means maintaining control.  We see that the Old Testament kings soon became more concerned about power than serving God, and the disasters that followed. Same with the religious leaders in the temple in the time of Jesus. Same with the Catholic Church and worldly popes, whose abuse of authority led Martin Luther to begin a reformation; as an example, in efforts to maintain control, the church leaders of the early 1500s banned English translations of the Bible, and burned William Tyndale for ignoring the ban, because they did not want laypeople to be able to read the Bible for themselves. 

Given this, I wonder where American politics might be in a generation or two, as evangelicals discover the power of bloc voting and continue to give authority to a select few leaders to represent them. The innocence and good intentions of the last decade may well disintegrate to a control grab by unscrupulous leaders. Broken Angel, of course, is that speculative world. 

Q: I found this web site, http://www.brokenangelsong.com/ with a wonderful song by your wife, Cindy Morgan. You know I have to ask, are the two beautiful little girls in the video your daughters?     

 

A: YES!

Q: Cloning and DNA manipulation is currently an issue among dog breeders. Do you feel that time is quickly approaching, or that it has already arrived where alterations on the genetic level, like the ones that Caitlin was born with, are a real possibilities in our current world? 

A:Unfortunately, it’s more than a feeling. The science is advanced enough to make it a reality in the near future.

Q: How far into the world that you created in Broken Angel do you feel that America has already reached?

A: Thankfully, I don’t feel it’s close to  Broken Angel’s world, and I believe credit must be given to the First Amendment. For Broken Angel to happen, would take a major world-changing event like global war, that would shake America's political foundation, and the disappearance of the First Amendment. While my political philosophy is much different than many who like the ACLU, and I’m not in agreement with all that it does, I’m in full support of the ACLU’s efforts to separate religion from public institutions. America is a democracy, not a theocracy. Those who wish otherwise need look no farther than the Inquisition to see the importance of the First Amendment. Faith is very important in our family, but my wife and I have the freedom to share that with our daughters at home or church.  The First Amendment ensures me that our children are protected from people of other religions trying to impose those views upon them in a public setting.

Q:If you would have your readers carry one thing from this book what would it be?

A: I think one of God’s greatest gifts to us is that he allows us freedom to choose our beliefs. We see that in the garden, when Adam and Eve were permitted to choose. With this, of course, comes heartache. The father in the parable of the prodigal son respected the son’s freedom, but was always waiting for when the son chose to come home. We are born free creatures; God wants us to fly.

Q: I saw great openings for sequels from this book! Do you think you will write a sequel to Broken Angel?

A: Already started! I’m working on it right now. Broken Angel has too many loose ends; and I couldn’t find a natural place in the novel to answer those questions without disrupting the story. In the sequel, as Caitlyn is Outside learning more about the events that forced Jordan to flee to Appalachia with Caitlyn while she was a baby, Caitlyn as an adult is about to discover there is a far greater secret hidden from her than the one in Broken Angel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen best-selling novels for children and adults. His newest book is Fuse of Armageddon and his novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC’s Good Morning America. A champion of literacy, he teaches writing workshops for students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Her birth was shrouded in mystery and tragedy.
Her destiny is beyond comprehension.
Her pursuers long to see her broken.
She fights to soar.

A father's love for his daughter…a decision that would change both their lives forever. But who is she really─and why must she now run for her life?

Caitlin's body has made her an outcast, a freak, and the target of vicious bounty hunters. As she begins a perilous journey, she is forced to seek answers for her father's betrayal in the only things she can carry with her─a letter he passes her before forcing her to run, and their shared memories together.

Being hunted forces Caitlyn to partner with two equally lonely companions, one longing to escape the horror of factory life in Appalachia and the others, an unexpected fugitive. Together the three will fight to reach a mysterious group that might be friend or foe, where Caitlyn hopes to uncover the secrets of her past...and the destiny she must fulfill.

In the rough, shadowy hills of Appalachia, a nation carved from the United States following years of government infighting, Caitlyn and her companions are the prey in a terrifying hunt. They must outwit the relentless bounty hunters, skirt an oppressive, ever-watchful society, and find passage over the walls of Appalachia to reveal the dark secrets behind Caitlyn’s existence–and understand her father’s betrayal.

Prepare yourself to experience a chilling America of the very near future, as you discover the unforgettable secret of the Broken Angel.

In this engrossing, lightning-paced story with a post-apocalyptic edge, best-selling author Sigmund Brouwer weaves a heroic, harrowing journey through the path of a treacherous culture only one or two steps removed from our own.

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

Featured book, Broken Angel http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400070325 .

Featured author, Sigmund Brouwer: Web site – http://www.coolreading.com/ .

Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Margaret
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Sean Slagle
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams