Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Synapse by Steven James

About the Book

Book: Synapse

Author: Steven James

Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi

Release Date: October 8, 2019

Thirty years in the future, when AI is so advanced that humans live side by side with cognizant robots called Artificials, Kestrel Hathaway must come to terms not just with what machines know, but what they believe. Is hope real for them, or merely an illusion?

Soon after experiencing a personal tragedy, Kestrel witnesses a terrorist attack and is drawn into a world of conspiracies and lies that she and Jordan, her Artificial, have to untangle. With a second, more brutal attack looming on the horizon, their best chance of stopping it is teaming up with federal counterterrorism agent Nick Vernon.

But the clock is ticking—and all the while, Jordan is asking questions that Artificials were never meant to ask.

Deftly weaving suspense and intrigue into a rich, resonant tale that explores faith and what it really means to be human, Steven James offers us a glimpse into the future and into our own hearts.

Synapse is an unforgettable, gripping story of dreams shattered, truth revealed, and hope reborn.

Get your copy HERE!

My Review:
The opening was strong but painful. It's just 30 years from now. Pastor Kestrel decided to have a baby, minus the usual methods. Those must not have been working for her, though we don't have the backstory on what happened or why. However, her baby didn't make it. This was a hard thing for me to deal with for an opening. Her brother decides to help her copy by giving her a humanoid robot. More like I-Robot than any other famous one, this one hails to more an of Asimov type robot, but then going to some extra levels due to the Christian content of the book.

So while Kestrel is having a major crisis of her faith, Jordan is dealing with all too human issues. He has questions that open up more questions and discussion and thinking for the characters and hopefully more humans; the ones reading this novel. As an Artificial, Jordan tends to steal the "show". I love all the questions he asks about being human as we go on this journey with him. Oh, and not to leave out, there's tons of action happening too because of some bombings and Kestrel's being a witness to that. There's more to that, so much more, but I'm not telling you because I want to you read this book! What I will tell you is that I didn't want to put this book down, I didn't want it to end. I would read an entire series with this premise. I think James did a fantastic job with this story. I can see it being a format for so many group discussions if it's used for that.

5 Stars

About the Author

Steven James is the critically acclaimed, national bestselling author of sixteen novels. His work has been optioned by ABC Studios and praised by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, the New York Journal of Books, and many others. His pulse-pounding, award-winning thrillers are known for their intricate storylines and insightful explorations of good and evil. When he’s not working on his next book, he’s either teaching master classes on writing throughout the country, trail running, or sneaking off to catch a matinee.

More from Steven

“James is a pro at creating suspense.”

Criminal Element

“stimulating tale…thrilling story of greed and corruption”

Publishers Weekly STARRED review

Read my op-ed on robots and faith in the New York Times

I grew up reading and loving science fiction stories. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of artificial intelligence, but as I’ve thought about it over the years, I’ve realized that our lives are not based just on what we know, but also what we believe. So, I started asking myself, “What would the world look like if machines developed artificial belief?” Within a few decades, advanced AIs might very well have consciousness and self-awareness. At that point, what will they choose to believe about the meaning of live, God, and the afterlife?

All of these questions were in my mind as I wrote Synapse, a story that takes place 30 years from now in a world very much like our own. This is a cautionary tale with implications that are both chilling and revealing and I think that if you like suspense, you’ll love this near-future thriller.

—Steven

Learn more at stevenjames.net

Facebook and Twitter: @readstevenjames

Buy the book: https://www.tnzfiction.com/synapse-a-novel/

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 8

Just Your Average reviews, October 9

Emily Yager, October 9

amandainpa , October 10

Wishful Endings, October 10

Just the Write Escape, October 11

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections, October 11

Pause for Tales, October 12

Mary Hake, October 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 13

For The Love of Books, October 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 14

Hallie Reads, October 15

Blogging With Carol, October 15

Remembrancy, October 16

Through the Fire Blogs, October 16

Simple Harvest Reads, October 17

Texas Book-aholic, October 18

Rebekah Jones, Author, October 18

janicesbookreviews, October 19

Bigreadersite, October 19

A Reader’s Brain, October 20

Inklings and notions , October 21

By The Book, October 21

Sunday, October 13, 2019

The Glittering Web by Richard & Linda Nathan

About the Book

Book: The Glittering Web

Author: Richard & Linda Nathan

Genre: Christian fiction/futuristic

Release Date: July 1, 2019

What if everything you thought was true and good — wasn’t?

Stripping away years of deception doesn’t come easily—especially to Loren and Eve Montcrest. They believe they’re following the true path as initiates in Seattle’s Arcane Institute, their society’s elite training academy for the New World Order in 2050.

Pursuing spiritual power despite enormous dangers, they are caught up in a fiery, fast-paced succession of intrigues and adventure that rocks their love for each other and even their sanity.

Only a shocking, last-minute intervention can strip away the veil of deception and rescue them from
destruction—but will they give up everything for it?

Click here to get your copy.

My Review:
This book is not dull, even though the cover is not one that I would have been drawn to. The future set up was a good backdrop for somethings that I have seen happening in today's world. This story is very real, very gritty and "in your face". The book can be gripping and shines light on how people can be deceived.

I liked the title, The Glittering Web, and how it was worked into the book. Evil has always been real, and often sneaky. The book is very anti certain groups, such as New Age and Wiccan. While I do understand that to an extent, I also know people who are seeking and we don't want to throw them out with the "bathwater". We are called to be wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove. It takes a lot of prayer and discernment. I did see a few flaws in this novel, but they aren't bad enough to cause me to not read or finish it.

4 Stars

About the Authors

Whether writing apologetics or page-turners, Richard and Linda write together. The Glittering Web is their first novel, a thriller rooted in their own lives and the occult. Richard has a master’s in Christian history and a B.S. in biology and has worked in psychiatric units for over 25 years. Linda has a B.A. in psychology. She has managed Logos Word Designs, LLC, since 1992, providing professional writing, editing, and publishing consultation services. She is also a staff freelance editor with Redemption Press. Together and singly, they have taught and spoken at conferences, seminars, churches, and on the radio. #glitteringweb ~ www.theglitteringweb.com

More from Richard and Linda

What if everything you thought was true and good—wasn’t?

That’s what we painfully learned from our years in the New Age / psychedelic movement in the San Francisco Bay Area during the ’60s and ’70s–years in which we almost lost our sanity, our souls, and our lives.

Like our characters Loren and Eve who are initiates in Seattle’s Arcane Institute in the year 2050, we pursued spiritual power into a glittering web of dangers and deceptions.

Although true to our own inner trials and temptations, The Glittering Web is a fast-paced thriller and sci-fi fantasy with a life of its own, an evangelistic thrust, and a call to Christians to wake up to this huge mission field all around us where today a New Age practitioner is running for President. As it exposes the deceitfulness of this popular movement, it also glorifies the great love and power of Jesus Christ to reach the lost.

See our author video at www.theglitteringweb.com and join the Insider’s Club for our free quarterly newsletter, articles, contests, drawings, Q&As, and much more. There’s also a glossary of over 60 New Age terms to help you.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 11

Older & Smarter?, October 12

Blogging With Carol , October 13

CarpeDiem, October 14

Rebecca Tews, October 15

For the Love of Literature, October 16

Wishful Endings, October 17 (Author Interview)

Just the Write Escape, October 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 20

Texas Book-aholic, October 21

janicesbookreviews, October 22

A Reader’s Brain, October 23

Inklings and notions , October 24

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Richard and Linda are giving away, to TWO winners, the grand prize of a paperback copy with a membership to the Insider’s Club (see www.theglitteringweb.com).

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/ed7a/the-glittering-web-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, October 11, 2019

No Turning Back by Katie Vorreiter

About the Book

Book: No Turning Back

Author: Katie Vorreiter

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: December, 2016

Chronic panic attacks have stolen Livvy Fischer’s classically trained soprano voice and derailed her life. Due partly to a mix-up, partly to her crush on Pastor Lucas, Livvy joins a worship team bound for the chapel at San Quentin. But when a full-scale riot breaks out, she is separated from Lucas and the rest of her group. Survival becomes this song bird’s sole focus.

Snatched from the chapel by an inmate, Livvy doesn’t know who to trust. Tobin says he’s protecting her, but she’s been blindsided before. She struggles to put her trust in God, while all too aware that free will can wreak horrible consequences. Tobin wants her to hide and ride out the prison storm, but Livvy becomes the obsession of another inmate who is a serial killer. Will God protect her? Will Tobin?

It’s one thing if Tobin is turning his life around behind bars. It’s quite another to fall for him.

Get your copy HERE!

My Review:

Livvy is a trained soprano. I connected to her right there. We share that trait. She has a stalker. I also know how that feels. Now her past is going to feel like it was easy compared to what she is dealing with now! Poor dear, all she did was go with the pastor she's attracted to to help with some prison ministry. It's singing, in a prison. That seems harmless and a helpful ministry thing. It's something many of us have done, but her whole world is about to be irrevocably altered again. Forget the panic attacks. This is way beyond that. If Tobin, a inmate, isn't one of the good guys, one of God's kids... well you have to read this. How much forgiveness, grace and healing can happen in a mega crisis? Livvy, Tobin and Lucas are all about to learn new truths. I liked all of them. It's a really great debut book that I'm glad I didn't miss. It's gripping romantic suspense with drama and faith.

5 Stars

About the Author

Katie Vorreiter is an award-winning writer and copyeditor. She makes her home in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two children rapidly morphing into young adults, and a ridiculously adorable cockapoo. No Turning Back is her debut novel.

More from Katie

I’m often asked where on earth I came up with the premise of No Turning Back. My good friend and pastor had me spellbound with his stories of taking softball teams into San Quentin, the maximum security prison for men. What a ministry! He had a few funny tales, but what stood out to me were the cautions the team was given upon entry: they had to sign a form acknowledging that in the event they were taken hostage, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would not negotiate for their release.

Say what?

That got me thinking about what it would be like for a woman in such a situation. There are female corrections officers, certainly, as well as woman food service workers and volunteers in a range of capacities. But I wanted a true fish-out-of-water character, and thus Livvy was born. Because of a terrible event in her past, she’s hypervigilant about her personal security. She’s also tiny and, of all things, an opera soprano.

Once I had my Livvy, I threw her into a full-scale riot at a men’s correctional facility. Poor thing. But, of course, she’s got God on her side, and he tends to tip the scales. Yet, as all Christ followers are aware, prayer, even unto the God of the universe, is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Pun intended. We know—all too painfully sometimes—that Jesus was right when he said we’ll have troubles here on earth. God is with us through the storm and works all things together for good, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll remove the storm and it’s often hard to see the good when we’re in the middle of not-so-good.

What role, then, does prayer have in the face of the free will of a person intent on evil? If you want to know the answer, read the book. Just kidding. The story is a fast, fun ride and delves into some deep areas, but I don’t pretend to answer the questions of the ages. If you like chewing on these kinds of issues—on your own or with friends—check out the No Turning Back discussion questions on my website.

Don’t worry: the story isn’t all dark. In most situations, I can’t stay serious for long, so you’ll find some humor, as well as not one but two hunky romantic options. I really hope you like it. If you want to chat, drop me a note on Facebook or on my website.

Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, October 5

Betti Mace, October 5

Remembrancy, October 6

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 6

Through the Fire Blogs, October 7

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections, October 7

Quiet Workings, October 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 9

Just the Write Escape, October 10

Sara Jane Jacobs, October 10

Blogging With Carol , October 11

Emily Yager, October 11

Godly Book Reviews, October 12

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, October 12

amandainpa, October 13

Bigreadersite, October 13

Pause for Tales, October 14

For The Love of Books , October 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 15

Older & Smarter?, October 16

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

janicesbookreviews, October 17

A Reader’s Brain, October 18

Inklings and notions , October 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Katie is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/eb99/no-turning-back-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, October 10, 2019

The Vacant House by Tamara G. Cooper (Sophie O'Brion Mysteries #1)

About the Book

Book: The Vacant House

Author: Tamara G. Cooper

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 3, 2019

She knows she didn’t do it, but everybody thinks she did.

It all begins when best-selling author Sophie O’Brion is the last person to see a murder victim alive. She looks even more guilty when a woman from her church is beaten, and Sophie was seen with her just hours before. Suddenly, people she has known her entire life begin pointing accusing fingers at her.

Marine Master Sergeant Burke Maguire, an old flame who dumped Sophie years ago, has recently been hired as a police officer in Forman Falls, Texas, and is assigned her case. She doesn’t want his help.

As she gets deeper and deeper into trouble, though, she must rely on him, but trusting him is another matter.

Will they be able to work together, maneuver dangerous twists and turns, and finally clear her name?

A clean romantic suspense novel that grips you from the very beginning and won’t let you go! The Vacant House is an unforgettable adventure. Read it today, if you have plans to stay up all night.

Get your copy HERE!

My Review:

A new to me author, who I now plan to follow! Here is a book that has a sense of humor, of realism, with murder, mystery and romance as well. I'm exited when you can keep me going with a plot twist, and this book did well enough with that.

I loved the characters and the addition of new ones throughout the novel. I was tickled that Sophie was just writing murder mystery books when she got accused of such a crime herself.

Meanwhile, God isn't left out at all, the core themes are all in place. Cooper did a nice job of showing prayer at work. Happily, this book didn't make itself stale by not using dialects. The Texas "flavor" was retained and I thoroughly appreciate that. From neighbors with wagging tongues to cats who have had something happen to them, or maybe not... I just want another book in this series with these fun folks included!

5 Stars

About the Author

Tamara G. Cooper lives in Texas with her husband, three sons, five dogs, and loves writing mysteries with a touch of romance.

More from Tamara

Book 1 of Sophie O’Brion Mysteries introduces us to Sophie O’Brion, a quirky, funny, and reclusive mystery writer who lives in a small town in East Texas. Because Sophie looks at life through a lens of humor, funny moments appear often. There are frightening moments, too, in her quest to clear her name from pointing fingers accusing her of murder and attempted murder. Sophie is vulnerable, yet strong; reclusive, yet kind; funny, yet serious. And she is determined! It doesn’t help that added to all this is the return of her high school sweetheart who dumped her 12 years before to join the Marines. As a new police officer, Burke is assigned her case, but she doesn’t want his help. Sparks fly, trust doesn’t, and love stays comfortably in the past. Will Sophie and Burke be able to save her reputation and re-ignite their love for each other? I hope you enjoy this book! Happy reading!