TOUCHED BY A VAMPIRE, by Beth Felker Jones

This isn't what I expected. To be absolutely truthful I've been on the lookout for a really good novel that is deals with vampires in such a way as to teach the truth of the Gospel. Without going into all of that, however, let me get into this review. As I stated, this isn't what I expected. I expected a novel, not an expose of the works by Stephanie Meyer. Yet, since I had committed myself to writing a review I read the book so I could at least give the author a fair shot. Receiving a book and not doing a review in my opinion is stealing. So here I was with this piece of non-fiction and an obligation to both read and write a review. Not a good place to start. Beth caught me right from the start, however, with her clear, precise and humble take on the Twilight saga. Her writing was crisp, for the most part, and gentle. Not once did she say these works were "of the devil", which would have scored low with me. I went through that with the Christian rock bands of the 70s. People have to stop being religious and start being Christian, and that is exactly the way Beth Felker Jones handled this work, as a Christian. Without a desire to put down another author she felt the need to toss up several red flags and caution people, parents in particular, about the many errors found in Ms. Meyer's saga.

Lessons to be learned. I have never read any of the Twilight saga, but feel that TOUCHED BY A VAMPIRE was fair in its treatment non-the-less. While it is all too familiar for a girl, or any high schooler, to feel ordinary, and therefore less than ordinary, we must see ourselves as God sees us, His creation. Would God have become a man and died for you if you were not special to Him? Of course not, and this is one of the key points in the book. We forget about the way God sees us, especially if we are Christians, and look to others for acceptance. That usually ends up blowing up in our face. For Bella it meant "falling in love" with a vampire to the extent that she gave up everything, including her soul, to become a vampire and live forever with her beloved Edward. Now, aside from the fact that Edward is not going to live forever, but must one day face judgment by the very God who now offers mercy, should give us pause. Although Meyer's vampires, as most vampires in novels, live to be centuries old, this does not mean they live forever. They do have an end. Their life is marked along a time line of past/present/future, just as yours and mine are. God, on the other hand, is eternal. He has no beginning, no end. He is not confined to a timeline, but in fact created the timeline for us. So if we trade God's love for the love of anyone else, even a vampire with extraordinary powers and long life, we are condemning ourselves to a fate that was reserved for the devil and his angels.

That is the overview. Beth Felker Jones goes further to show how such a love actually damages a person's day to day life. Probably my favorite section is where she lists symptoms of an abusive relationship and shows us how both Bella and Edward fit that profile. Moms, Dads, is this what you want for your little girl? Do you want her to grow up making wrong choices and ending up in abusive relationships? Spousal abuse is on the rise and Jones tells us why, we have no understanding of what real love is. We are told what love is supposed to be by movies, music, comercials, TV shows, and so on, but those people acting and writing those things haven't a clue as to what love is either, and yet they go on teaching others about how romantic love is an end in itself. I was reading her book and thought of something comediane Chanda Pierce said. "Here's this pretty young woman, doing all the cooking, cleaning and everything else for these seven dwarves, and she's singing. That's sick." She's right. That is sick. Find me a woman who joyfully picks up her husband's dirty laundry and cleans it, while simultaneously cooking meals, vaccuming the floor and changing diapers, and you've either found an extremely wonderful woman, or she's plain demented. Love is not about feelings. Oh sure we like the feelings that many times come with love, especially those first few years. True love is a commitment to someone other than themselves. Jesus spread out His arms and died on the cross because He loves you and He loves me. Why? There's absolutely no reason for Him to love us. Yet He chose to love us. That's the miracle. That's what true love is. That's what we should be teaching our children.

I give TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, by Beth Felker Jones 4.75 stars, and that's only because it's a work of non-fiction. Had this been a work of fiction I would easily give it 5 stars. I have already given this book to 2 other people, one of them my pastor, because I felt it was just that good. So get your copy today. This is especially true if you have a young person in your home who has been intrigued by the Twilight saga. Use this book and Twilight to get them into the truth of God's Word and find His love. For that romance is never ending. Teach your children to become the bride the King of kings is coming for at the end of the age (which may be sooner than you think).

Although I was unable to find a website for Beth Felker Jones you can find her book on sale at the following websites.

Links:

Waterbrook/Multnomah

ChristianBook.com
Amazon
Random House

Disclaimer
This site receives books, free from the author, for review and tour. This in no way takes away from the excellence found in these works. There are times when this site will promote a book even though the site owner has not read it. In this case there will be no review, nor will we have received a copy for a review. If we receive a copy from the author/publisher we will write and post our review.

TALKING TO THE DEAD, by Bonnie Grove

This month the Christian Fiction Review Blog tours TALKING TO THE DEAD, by Bonnie Grove. I have to say this has been one of the most difficult books to review, but not because it is bad and certainly not because it is poorly written. TALKING TO THE DEAD is both interesting and written well. It's just that, well, how do you write a review about a book that has so much going on, so many changes throughout the book and not give away the story? Here's the blurb she has on her site about TALKING TO THE DEAD:

Twenty-something Kate Davis can’t seem to get this grieving widow thing right. She’s supposed to put on a brave face and get on with her life, right? Instead she’s camped out on her living room floor, unwashed, unkempt, and unable to sleep—because her husband Kevin keeps talking to her.

Is she losing her mind?

Kate’s attempts to find the source of the voice she hears are both humorous and humiliating, as she turns first to an “eclectically spiritual” counselor, then a shrink with a bad toupee, a mean-spirited exorcist, and finally group therapy. There she meets Jack, the warmhearted, unconventional pastor of a ramshackle church, and at last the voice subsides. But when she stumbles upon a secret Kevin was keeping, Kate’s fragile hold on the present threatens to implode under the weight of the past … and Kevin begins to shout.

Will the voice ever stop? Kate must confront her grief to find the grace to go on, in this tender, quirky story about second chances.

That's what Bonnie writes about her book, so I guess if I stay within these parameters I'll be safe.

The book starts out with Kate Davis overseeing a funeral held in her home, wondering why all these people bothered to show up, and bother her like this. Her mom holds her tongue, understanding that newly widowed women don't need or want the chit-chat of others. When everyone leaves she can't bring herself to go up the stairs to where she shared her bed with her late husband, Kevin. To make matters worse Kevin starts prattling on about things that she's doing, when she least expects him to. Well, who would expect a dead person to be speaking in the first place? Yet on top of all her grief now she has to put up with a voice she loves, and yet can't deal with. I mean he's dead. Since when do dead people start talking to others? Weeks pass and she's still living on the sofa in the living room. She rarely goes upstairs for anything anymore. This dead husband of hers is driving her nuts. So she seeks out help. It's really weird where people will look for help when they are hurting. Either it's in a place that doesn't care about her, not really, or in a place that cares about her, at least superficially, and offers the most ridiculous advice. It's like while she can hear Kevin speaking to her, all these people who say they can help her don't really hear her.

The last straw is group therapy, where everyone seems to have their own agenda that has little to do with getting down to the problem. She shrinks into the background as much as possible, actually made more possible by the leader of the group with her seemingly arrogant need to show everyone how well she's been constructed. Kate's sure she'll never go back, that is until she runs into Jack, after the therapy session, in the gym down the hall from where the group meets. He's kind and suggests she join them for some basketball. She promises to do so another time, and realizes that this guy, Jack, is a pastor of a church. This gets her thinking in different directions.

As Kevin's voice becomes more intolerable, and at one point he starts yelling at her, Kate is plunged into a world of depression that goes beyond just the sorrow of losing a loved one. A secret from Kevin's past unravels her life, stripping her of almost every good memory she's had, and practically everyone she's known...except for Jack. He won't go away, and she doesn't have the strength to tell him to, but she's basically spent her time burning bridges. Past friends aren't allowed in her life any more. But Jack won't quit. In him she finds the one answer that has eluded her all this time. It isn't Jack himself, but something that he has, that she wishes to have that pulls her from the abyss.

If you can read this book and truthfully say it isn't well-written and that this plot doesn't make you wonder what's around the next bend then you are one special person. I am not a big fan of romances myself. I'm a mystery writer. As such I know you have to keep the reader on their toes. With mysteries you more or less expect the twists and turns. With romances you more or less expect a guy and a girl to find each other and by the end find "eternal bliss", all of which makes me want to vomit. Bonnie Grove, on the other hand, handles her romance like I would a mystery. You never know what's around the next bend. You're never really sure how things are going to work out (although you get several huge hints). I think of all the people I identified with in this book it would have to be Blair. Keep your eye on him. Although not really central to the story there are things about him that make the grief all that much more real, and radiating from Kate to others.

The Bible teaches us to "Mourn with those who mourn, weep with those who weep, and to rejoice with those who rejoice." Unfortunately I think most of us skip over the first part of that verse and go right to the last part. We want to rejoice with others who rejoice, but we don't want to be around those who are hurting, because it makes us hurt too. This is the challenge, as I see it, of Bonnie's work, to go to those who are hurting, to let yourself be hurt along with them so that together you can help each other heal. In his process lies some wonderful truths that lie about like forgotten gemstones. Unless we are willing to travel that path of mourning with those we love who are hurting, we will never find those gemstones, simply because they can only be found on a path that leads through a dark valley, and they can only be found when that path is walked by others of their own accord to help people who are in that valley already. All in all TALKING TO THE DEAD, by Bonnie Grove is more than just another novel, it's a challenge to live life the way God intends us to live it.









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IMPORTANT

This site receives books, free from the author, for review and tour. This in no way takes away from the excellence found in these works. There are times when this site will promote a book even though the site owner has not read it. In this case there will be no review, nor will we have received a copy for a review. If we receive a copy from the author/publisher we will write and post our review.

IF ONLY YOU KNEW, by Mags Storey

It's been a pleasure working with author Mags Storey, and her book IF ONLY YOU KNEW has managed to touch several heartstings in this little man. I know Laura Davis has posted an interview already, but I'd like to close the week out with an interview of my own. Just as Karen Slaughter has a mystery to tell, so also does Mags Storey have a story to tell, so let's begin.

CMW: You have an interesting name. I kept thinking that IF ONLY YOU KNEW was Mag’s Story. Where did you manage to get such an interesting name? People who know me know I love interesting names.

MS: Thanks! It’s my real name! My parent’s named me Margaret, but I’ve had the nick-name Mags since I was a teenager. Storey is my husband’s last name. (Actually, I’d always felt really conflicted about changing my last name – but for a name like Storey I couldn’t resist!)

CMW: Where did you get the idea of IF ONLY YOU KNEW?

MS: A thousand different places – but the initial idea came to me in a dream actually! I dreamed a couple of scenes involving three of the main characters. Then slowly, over time, imagined and invented a story to go with them. Oddly the ‘secret’ of Nate’s accident didn’t click for me until I’d already written three drafts of the book! The characters definitely came first, and then the plot grew up around them.

CMW: Was there a specific goal you had in mind when you wrote this book, or were you just trying to write a different kind of romance novel?

MS: I think the only goal I had at the outset was to write a good story – with characters I could love and identify with. But during the rewriting process, I realized it was also really important to me that my characters remained people the reader could hopefully identify with. I wanted to make sure my characters remained “real” and that their questions, their crushes, their doubts and even their mistakes were things my readers could identify with.

CMW: Tell us something about the characters. How did they evolve and become major players in your story, beginning of course with Jo, and including Kat, Sam, Kevin, Lisa and Nate?

MS: What a huge question! I tend to say all my characters are each inspired by half-a-dozen different people.
There is a lot of me in Jo. Although on the surface we are *very* different people, her insecurities, her fears and her failures are definitely reflections of my own. And all of Jo’s klutzy moments are based on real life embarrassing moments! (Though usually well disguised!)
Kat is inspired by several ‘older sister’ type women I was able to rely on in my life. At times, in real life, we are touched by the kindness, love and generosity of people who do not share the same beliefs. I am sure the man who was attacked by robbers on the road to Jerusalem did not expect his savior to be a Samaritan.
Sam is inspired by several different people – some in big ways, some in tiny ones that I only I would notice. There is a strong Sam-streak in me as well. He is an example of someone who always has a lot to say – but tends to hide what he is really feeling and thinking. (I should also add that Sam’s hellish ex-girlfriend Traci is slightly based on me too. Or at least she is a caricature of my worst faults!)
Kevin, on the surface, is based on the kind of guy I kept finding myself attracted to as a teenager and his name comes from my very first crush. However his struggles with faith were inspired directly from the stories of friends who have touched my life. Often I borrow pieces from a lot of different people, meld them together in my imagination, and out comes a unique character who is as real to me as the people he sprung from.
Lisa, on the surface, is inspired by various female friends. But again – she is me! :) I am definitely as talkative – and have said equally thoughtless things. Although my life story is completely different from her own, I did grow up in the spotlight of being a “missionary’s daughter” and know all too well the pressure to “be perfect”.
Nate… Oh how I love Nate! But he is the hardest character to write! Ironically, a guy I once dated inspired both Kevin and Nate. In some ways, I think of them as two sides of the same coin. There is a fierce strength and honesty to Nate’s relationship with God. To me he is the strongest example of true sacrificial love. Yet God put him through a lot – and Nate is struggling with the reality of that.

CMW: What one lesson would you hope readers would take away with them when they’re done reading this story?

MS: That God loves, and uses, and works through real people! J We, as Christians, behave sometimes like we have to hide the cracks in our own lives for fear that people will reject us if they know our true selves. But God cannot use us if we are busy hiding parts of ourselves from Him. And we can’t build significant relationships when we are busy hiding part of ourselves from each other either.

CMW: As a writer, where do you get ideas for your stories?

MS: I find stories from moments in my own past (especially my own mistakes) and then find a way to retell those through fiction. Although normally by the time I have rehashed the story in fiction no one would recognize it but me. I’m also really inspired by the stories of other people and by honest song lyrics by bands like Jars of Clay. Raw, honest emotion always touches me.

CMW: Have you any more stories like this? Do you follow any of these characters into another book? Or are future books merely similar in genre?

MS: I have recently finished writing an action-packed adult suspense novel. Again, it has romance, violence, plot twists, broken people and the honest search for God in the midst of it all. I’m now currently writing my third book – but of course it is all up to the publisher! There is a sequel to If Only You Knew – but it only exists in my own mind at the moment. Let’s just say I intentionally left some loose ends at the end of the first book. We will see some of the characters struggle with the consequences of their actions in the first book, and am also planning on bringing Traci back in a big way! I just hope enough people enjoy If Only You Knew that I get the chance to delve more into my character’s struggles and relationships. There is a lot of growing certain characters still need to do and hopefully, the readers will be taken by surprise by what happens next.

CMW: Thank you for your time. We've been talking to Mags Storey, author of IF ONLY YOU KNEW. It's been great having you here. Drop by and say "Howdy!" whenever you want.


Don't forget to visit Mags' site. I visited it and although I'm not big fan of the romance genre, she has a really great site and talks about some really interesting things. She doesn't preach at anyone...except maybe herself. You'll find her site HERE

Some of the places you can purchase her book are:

ChristianBook.Com

Amazon.Com

Barnes & Noble

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.
Careful now. You might just find some people posting more than once, also you can visit any CFRB member's site and, hopefully, you will find a standard post. The links below indicate that you will find special posts.

IMPORTANT
The Christian Fiction Review Blog (known as CFRB) is a ministry that promotes quality Christian fiction in order that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be shared with others who might otherwise not hear it, at least in a context that they would appreciate and understand. Each book is "previewed" in order to maintain the quality and content of the book. Books that are accepted for blog tours are given to the members by the author to review, according to the number of members requesting a copy. It is the belief and practice of CFRB to post positive reviews as a type of payment for these books. However, I want to emphasize again that these books first go through a preview stage where they are deemed of a high enough quality to tour.

IF ONLY YOU KNEW, by Mags Storey

The Christian Mystery Writer's Forum welcomes you to another Christian Fiction Review Blog tour, this month, IF ONLY YOU KNEW, by Mags Storey.

Maybe because I'm old, maybe because I'm a guy and romances aren't really my thing, the book just didn't seem to come together like I wanted it to. It is well-written in every other aspect, but I found the pacing a bit off. Some things seemed a little predictable, although this was twisted a bit so you weren't really sure if your first instincts were correct.

Okay, now that I've gotten the negatives out of the way I can get right to this really great work. Romance writers always fight an uphill battle with me, so the above comments should be taken with about a bag or so of salt. IF ONLY YOU KNEW is about the life of Joanne Mackenzie. It's summer and she's between high school and the rest of her life. As she looks around she feels like everyone else has their lives mapped out, but Jo doesn't have a clue. She's living with her cousin, jobless, and not all that interested in getting a job. (I remember those day). She doesn't think she's ugly, but less than average. If the short end of the stick were given out as a prize she would be sure to win it...every time. Her perception of herself doesn't change after meeting this gorgeous guy who asks her out. Of course his ability to meet her at the appointed place and time may have had something to do with that, as well as her falling off a railing into the lake below, then being escorted out by a guy she saw earlier get dumped by a "psycho".

IF ONLY YOU KNEW is filled with personal insights into the conflicting emotions of a young woman trying find her bearings in life. At times it is humorous, and other times you just want to slap some sense into her. One of the absolute best things about this book is Mags Storey's ability to make you feel your way through. That is to say, she draws you so far into the characters that you experience their emotions, their feelings, their triumphs and failures, that you feel like you know these people. I know I'm probably supposed to say things like, "Jo meets a guy she saw run down a year ago and now has to deal with the fact that he not only survived, something she totally thought impossible at the time, but someone who ends up becoming a key figure in her life." I'm choosing to take another route, because this isn't so much about who did or did not get run over as it is about a young woman so lost she will turn against herself if she happens to have a good day. She's a real person in this sense.

Apart from the pacing problem mentioned at the outset, IF ONLY YOU KNEW is an amazing story that deserves your consideration. You will be delighted in Mags Storey's story telling abilities. You will find yourself wondering why such and such happened, or why she just doesn't get this or that. It's fun to read, exciting and fresh. Check out the links below and get your copy today.

Now don't forget to visit Mags' site. I visited it and although I'm not big fan of the romance genre, she has a really great site and talks about some really interesting things. She doesn't preach at anyone...except maybe herself. You'll find her site HERE

Some of the places you can purchase her book are:

ChristianBook.Com

Amazon.Com

Barnes & Noble

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.
Careful now. You might just find some people posting more than once, also you can visit any CFRB member's site and, hopefully, you will find a standard post. The links below indicate that you will find special posts.

IMPORTANT
The Christian Fiction Review Blog (known as CFRB) is a ministry that promotes quality Christian fiction in order that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be shared with others who might otherwise not hear it, at least in a context that they would appreciate and understand. Each book is "previewed" in order to maintain the quality and content of the book. Books that are accepted for blog tours are given to the members by the author to review, according to the number of members requesting a copy. It is the belief and practice of CFRB to post positive reviews as a type of payment for these books. However, I want to emphasize again that these books first go through a preview stage where they are deemed of a high enough quality to tour.

MOHAMED'S MOON, by Keith Clemons

This month the Christian Fiction Review Blog tours Mohamed's Moon, by Keith Clemons. I have a personal reason for loving this story, which I will share with you in a bit. As a summary I might write something like; Two religions, two brothers, two nations, one love. Mohamed's Moon is a suspense novel about the clash between two different ways of thinking, and what happens to one man who finds himself in this deadly clash. Mohamed doesn't know he has a brother, but then neither does Matthew. Interestingly enough they are both in love with the same woman. The story begins in Egypt and ends in the United States. Clemons has not gone out to paint all Muslims as evil, even if they are in some way or another linked to what we would call terrorism. He also does not pull punches when talking about Christians who make the mistake of putting themselves first, or not loving their enemies. The characters are realistic, the plot very believable, the danger we face, almost prophet, and the refuge we can have Scriptural. With my old tired eyes I was able to read through this twice before posting and will probably read it again. This is one of those books that deserves to be read again and again. You can do so with Mohamed's Moon and not be disappointed. The action at times is fast, other times it slows down just enough so you can catch your breath. Even then you find yourself bracing for the next downward lurch or speeding turn, because just as surely as someone in a roller coast may rest on the ride up the steep tracks, knowing that beyond lies downward plunges with twists and turns all at a breakneck speed, so also does the reader of Mohamed's Moon realize that any rest along the way is only a temporary reprieve. This is a must read book for more than one reason. Keith Clemons handles the story with brilliance, his characters with clarity and the subject matter with care. This is not just a page turner, but a page turner that has depth.

OK, now my personal reason for loving this particular story. In 2003 during prayer, God revealed to me that He was going to pour out His wrath upon the Islamic nations, but not to kill them off and destroy them so much as drive them back to Him. You may be wondering how I can entertain such a thought. Well, what if I told you that the Seven Thunders spoken of in the Book of Revelation were these plagues? They will be severe and many will die, but the intent is not to kill them off, but drive them from Allah to the True and Living God. The Arab people are the offspring of Abraham by Ishmael. Didn't God promise to bless Abraham's seed? Didn't the household of Abraham follow after this one God, even Ishmael? So God, who is the embodiment of love, seeks to bring ALL His children back to Himself. This includes not just those who call themselves Christians, nor does it only include those born of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It also includes those born of Ishmael and of Esau. These too are His children. So the way Keith Clemons handled this topic in Mohamed's Moon did something I am unable to do, provide a story about these people and God's love for them. I hope you read it and enjoy it and pray for those caught in the web of Islam.

For more information on KeithClemons and his writings go HERE

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NOT FAR FROM THE TREE, by Ruth Smith Meyer

The Christian Fiction Review Blog is proud to tour NOT FAR FROM THE TREE, by Ruth Smith Meyer. What's it about? Well, perhaps the best way of explaining this would be to those who have read the book or seen the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. In that story a woman shares her past with a younger woman that happens to be visiting. The story becomes part what is going on between the aging woman and they younger woman and part what had made the older such an extraordinary person. The difference between Fried Green Tomatoes and Not Far From the Tree is that Ruth Smith Meyer's story is much better.

What does that title mean? I'm always interested in titles. Well, in this one we find Ellie Kurt, Rina's mother, telling her daughter some things about herself she really doesn't want to admit. She shares with her how she was a rebellious and independent young lady in her time. Now God has "blessed" her with a daughter who is so much like her that she exclaims, "The apple hasn't fallen far from the tree." And this is where we get the title from. Meyer expands on that, however, and we find that Rina's children, even grand children, haven't fallen far from the tree either. In this case it's good, because Rina has provided them with a good strong example of having a relationship with the Living God, just as her mother had done for her.

God plants us in His garden and looks for us to bear fruit unto Him. All too often we are just as rebellious as young Rina, and many times this follows us well into adulthood. Yet God is patient. He knows that without Him we are nothing, so He keeps working with us, prodding us, working the soil. He sends people to speak the Word to us so that faith may come alive in us and we might come to Him and bear fruit. However long it takes God is patient. For it's the process and how we handle it that He is more concerned with rather than what we do or do not do. Yes He wants us to learn to be obedient, to be disciplined. He wants us to walk in love, to show patience and gentleness, kindness, mercy and self-control, but He also knows what struggles we have to deal with. He knows all about us and has know that since before He made the world. So rather than get all bent out of shape when we don't "snap to it" when we hear the Truth the first time, He remains patient. He leads us through green pastures, by still waters, through dark places too. It is the process, the journey that is most important to Him. Some, Jesus tells us, will play the game and make believe we have gone on this journey only to hear Him say, "Sorry, I never knew you." Others will get it right the first time and bear much fruit. Still others will take a long time to work out their salvation. Yet they still bear fruit, and that fruit is precious, but not as precious as the time we spent with Him on our journey home. It never was about being perfect, but about letting His perfection work in us. What a wonderful God we serve. He wants us to have a legacy like Rina, to be able to look back and see all the good things He has brought into our lives, then handed them down to our children too. That is what pleases Him.


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The 3rd Covenant at super low prices

For those of you who have wanted to get my book but didn't want to shell out $25 (and I don't blame you) there is good news. Read on:

Dear Author,

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CFRB Tours Stephanie Reed

The Christian Fiction Review Blog is touring Stephanie Reed's books, ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER and THE LIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER. Although I have both books I've only read the one, the 2nd as it turns out. When I finish the other book I'll put up a review of that book, but for now can only speak about THE LIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER.

While sometimes she seems to fly through the year at the speed of a 747, she does get down to business when she lands on the important parts of the story. I'd rather have this than a story that drags along hoping that you are getting all the picturesque foundation that they want to lay. Reed seems quite capable of getting enough description to the reader while allowing the story to keep its pace. If something isn't important in her mind she simply doesn't include it, which is a real joy for the reader.

I found her characterization really marvelous. Her descriptions of Johnny, the son of Rev. Rankin, and Eliza, the slave around whom the story is built, are ingenious and even moving. I can identify with Johnny, trying to just get alone, then having his little secret place invaded. I can identify being unjustly accused of something I didn't do, just as Johnny was. Her introduction of Johnny here is nothing short of wonderful. There is a definite shift when she introduces us to Eliza. Although I cannot identify with Eliza I can picture her and think of people who may be like her. It was easy for Eliza to come alive for me in this book. Her husband George also adds a marvelous touch. I didn't quite get Beulah, Eliza's daughter at first, but if you stick with her you'll understand. It's her grandson Shad that sparkles, even as a secondary character.

Reed has found a way to bring history to life. I want you to know that I am not normally a fan of historical fiction. They usually come off dry and boring. Let me assure you, there is very, very little about her works that can be considered dry or boring. From gazing out at the sun setting to a dangerous crossing on the breaking ice of the Ohio River she finds ways to make it all interesting. These books are good for all ages but may well take the place in young adult readings of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls-Wilder. In fact, while the Little House TV show was excellent, I found the books a bit dry. You won't find that here. These books are moving, filled with wonder, surprises, and color at every point along the way.


Be sure to check out Stephanie's site here.









You can purchase LIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER AT:

Christian Books

Amazon

Target

And Yahoo.


Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

CFRB Tours Stephanie Reed

The Christian Fiction Review Blog is touring Stephanie Reed's books, ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER and THE LIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER. Although I have both books I've only read the one, the 2nd as it turns out. When I finish the other book I'll put up a review of that book, but for now can only speak about THE LIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER.

I read these in reverse order because of a communication mix-up on my end. However, I did read both books. I was able to get ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER finished in time to put up a post before my post for THE LIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER (a title that would have been suitable for both books).

In any event ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER follows the eldest of the Rankin boys, Adam Lowery Rankin, better known as Lowery, through his social and spiritual growth. There are places that I think Reed rushed things a bit. She seemed desperate to get the story out and in doing so I feel forgot to tell us some of the story. Having said that, it is a moving story of one young boy who, during a crucial time in American history, has to come to grips with his own feelings about slavery and whether or not God has called him into the ministry. The wavering back and forth I felt was realistic because I do it myself. Some of the more potent parts of the story are going to spring up at the most unexpected times, so brace yourself for a good read.

The Ohio River cuts a wide swath between Ohio and Kentucky, but there's a much bigger gulf that separates the sinner from God. There is, in fact, only One way across this river. Those of us on the free side are to help those running from the bondages and those that would drag them back into bondage. Sometimes we need to come face to face with these "slave hunters" in order to appreciate the Love of Jesus and be useful to Him. So pray up, saddle up, light your candle, and wait to help the next refuge to safety. "By this shall all men know you are my disciples, that you love one another."


Be sure to check out Stephanie's site here.









You can purchase ACROSS THE WIDE RIVER at:

Christian Books

Amazon

Target

And Yahoo.


Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

ANGEL OF WRATH, by Bill Myers

People from a church begin to die. The police can't call in accidental death or death by natural causes, because either on the person or at crime scene, and sometimes both, there is a note accusing them of committing a specific sin. These people attend Rev. Thomas Harmon's megachurch. His son Will, has been hanging around the wrong people trying to fit in. He just can't stand the hypocracy in the home anymore.

Former FBI agent Lisa Harmon, the pastor's brother, is called in to look at the case unofficially. She recognizes the work of a top assassin and calls upon a friend (who wants to be more than a friend) to help her check it out. Charlie Madison had his share of killing when he was in Special Ops, and now would like nothing better than to enter the ministry and settle down. He cares for Jasmine or "Jaz", his hearing-impaired niece. Together with local law enforcement officials they begin working on a case that seems to grow and get more confusing by the moment.

On the other side of this coin are a group of teens that have, for one reason or another, gotten into the occult. They hold sacrifices and black masses in a nearby woodland area. Their leader is thrilled at the appearance of a black-winged creature...until it nearly snatches away one of the girls from this group, and manages to carry away Will. The Angel of Wrath has come only it isn't what they expected. Only how do you fight a foe like this? Is this creature responsible for the deaths of the others, or are they working together somehow?

In Bill Myers' new release, ANGEL OF WRATH, we are introduced to spiritual warfare as only he can describe it to his readers. This is a follow up of his best-selling novel THE VOICE, so if you don't like to come in the middle of something (even though this can be read by itself quite well) you may want to get THE VOICE first, the start in on THE ANGEL OF WRATH. Either way ANGEL OF WRATH is worth your time.

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.




On Saturday, June 13th check out Laura's site for an interview with Bill Myers.

And don't forget to visit Bill Myer's site here.

To purchase ANGEL OF WRATH you can do so at the following sites:

ChristianBook.com
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Books a Million

Amish Love - with Cindy Woodsmall

Amish Love

What’s all the hubbub about Amish fiction? Major media outlets like Time and ABC Nightline are covering it, and authors like Cindy Woodsmall are making the New York Times bestseller list regularly. What makes these books so interesting?

Check out the recent ABC Nightline piece here (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=7676659&page=1) about Cindy and her titles When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and When the Soul Mends. It’s an intriguing look at Amish culture and the time Cindy has spent with Amish friends.

And don’t forget that Cindy’s new book The Hope of Refuge hits store shelves August 11, and is available for preorder now

The Night Watchman, by Mark Mynheir

I had the extreme privilege of reading yet another of Mark Myheir's fantastic novels. This one, THE NIGHT WATCHMAN, features ex-cop Ray Quinn, as he is drawn into investigating a suspicious death in the Condo where he is working as a night watchman (hence the title).

We meet Ray on his way to work, and in doing so find out why he is no longer a detective with the Orlando Police Department. Seems that a year ago he was ambushed when approaching the home of a suspect. He sustained two wounds that left him almost paralyzed. He gets around with a cane these days. His partner wasn't as lucky. Quinn works with an over-anxious guard named Crevis. Motor-mouth would be a better description of him. Tall, thin, and supremely naive, Crevis wants, more than anything, to be a cop. Quinn becomes his hero, much to Ray's annoyance. When he lets in a woman to check in on her brother his world begins to come crashing down on him...again.

Pam, the sister of the now dead minister David (and dead stripper also found in his room), hires Quinn to clear her brother's name and to clear the ministries name. That would be a simple thing if it weren't for a few things. Quinn no longer is on the force, the case has been closed by the lead investigator, his life remains in danger, and everything he does seems to not only bring him closer to the truth, but in a way, further from the answers he needs. To make matters worse, Ray doesn't believe in a God that would let things like this happen. Prayer isn't something he holds of any value. So he resorts to human logic (albeit twisted in some areas). Ray has also grown from a somewhat cynical cop to a downright rude ex-cop. He begins to push away every means of help. Oh, and there's someone on the force that's dirty, so it's not like he can walk in and come clean with anyone on the force.

Quinn has 2 constant friends, "The Duke", whose portrait has a place of honor in his home, and Jim Beam, his strength and pain killer respectively. In this sense it reminds me of an old seedy detective story. Lots of whiskey, pretty women, people who want him dead, and even a sidekick.

The story has plenty of style, reality, action and real life application. I better stop before I give too much away. Just remember, not everything is as it appears. I give Myheir credit for not getting this guy saved somewhere between the pages of this first Ray Quinn book. It would have been too pat, and so out of synch with who Quinn is. Instead Mynheir stays true to his characters. This is a must read for all mystery fans. If I forget to post this on Amazon, just realize that my personal rating would be just above a 4.5, and from me that's more than excellent.

You can purchase his book online at:

ChristianBook
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Random House

He also has a personal site that you might want to check out. When I reviewed THE VOID, by Mark Mynheir, I knew I'd stumbled upon a truly great writer. It was great revisitng him. You can visit him at his site by clicking on his picture below.

The Ark, the Reed, and the Firecloud, by Jenny Cote

Who among us wouldn't love to re-enter history to see exactly how God worked things out that we have read about in Scripture? I know I would. I doubt that I would have picked the Flood, simply because staying aboard a ship with all those animals for a year would drive me nuts. Yet I've thought about walking around with Jesus during His earthly ministry, or following David from shepherd to king of Israel. I think I'd have enjoyed being part of the "battle of Jericho", and these are only a few of the many riviting stories that come to mind. Wouldn't it truly be great to re-enter history during one of these stories? Jenny Cote has found a way to do so in an imaginative way (that's what reading fiction is, right?) and added a little plus to it. What if, instead of seeing things unfold from Noah's point of view, we were able to see it all unfold from the animals' points of view? What if we could experience the trials it took to get to the ark, not knowing where they were heading? What would it be like on the ark itself? How did they get along with one another. (Max has a definite thing against wolves). There's so much packed in here that It's really hard to find a starting point. Yet just the idea of seeing it all through the eyes of the animals gives the story a new life all its own. To do this Jenny had to create some rather amazing, and sometimes rather not so amazing and predictable, characters. There are several underlying teachings that aren't really spoken, but come through anyway. One of those is all these animals, or at least most of them, got along with each other, so why can't we as people. It's a rather embarrassing thing to admit that animals can be more tolerant than we can, without giving up their own standards. So there is a message of learning to live at peace that isn't really stated, but it's in there. I challenge you to get yourself a copy and mine the other "precious gems" out of this wonderful novel. Get it for your kids and read it to them if you're embarrassed to buy it for yourself. Wise people realize that the children have much to teach them, while children who are wise realize they need us grown ups to help them learn. If we work together at this we can figure our how we are to train up our children, because they are teaching us all the time. For a period they are open to what we say. If they like what they hear they remain open much longer. If we fail them as parents, then that opportunity slips by and neither the child nor the adult are blessed by the wisdom of the other. So get it for your kids, or nephews and neices, or cousins, and read THE ARK, THE REED, AND THE FIRECLOUD to them. As you do learn from them as they learn from you.

Another thing I should mention is that THE ARK, THE REED, AND THE FIRECLOUD is being made into an animated movie. In my opinion it's about time Christians have more respectable movies and animations. Personally Veggie Tales just doesn't do it for me, and don't get me started on Bibleman. If done properly this would have the look of a professional animated movie that would appeal to children of all ages.

The following CFRB members will be posting reviews and/or interviews this week. We're gonna be sneaky though and not tell you who is posting when. So you'll just have to click on each of the buttons throughout the week and find out for yourselves. It's what we call a Tag Team Tour. In this way you will be able to discover new and exciting blogs even if they haven't put up their post for THE ARK, THE REED, AND THE FIRECLOUD yet.




Visit Jenny's site to learn more at JennyCote.Com













You can purchase this book at:

Jenny's Store

Amazon

ChristianBook.Com

ENDURING JUSTICE, by Amy Wallace

WaterBrook Press/ Multnomah Books is proud to present Enduring Justice, by Amy Wallace.

In Enduring Justice, Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her thoughts.

Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. And when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.

A racist’s well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. When the attack turns personal, is healing still possible?

This thought-provoking novel deals with healing from sexual abuse, the balance of justice
and mercy, and maintaining mixed-race friendships in the midst of racial tension. Readers
who enjoy investigative thrillers by Dee Henderson, Colleen Coble, and Catherine Coulter,
and who watch crime dramas like Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and Without a Trace will
love this book—and the entire series.

Author Bio:
Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, a homeschool mom, and
self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy
and a contributing author of several books including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken
Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. She lives with her husband and three
children in Georgia.

My Review:
Unlike Dee Henderson who tries to pair people up in a single book, usually a non-Christian becoming a Christian and marrying the Christian "love of their life" Amy Wallace takes a more direct and realistic approach. Both key characters, Hannah and Michael, are Christians, but they are flawed Christians (aren't we all?). She works Hannah's desire to re-enter a normal life despite her tortured background, while Michael is willing to wait for her to come around. That sounds dull, doesn't it? Well, it is far from dull. When Hannah is forced to face her past and protect those she loves she finds many obstacles in her path, specifically those thrown there by a white supremest group. Michael, on the other hand, finds obstacles being thrown in his direction as well, and by the same person. He becomes a driven person, driven to find justice...or revenge. They begin to learn the necessity of Christian fellowship, and prayer. I don't want to give too much away as this is a truly great novel (one that really belongs here on the Christian Mystery Writers blog for a change) Sometimes you will want to slap these heroes to get some sense into them. Other times you will cower with them under the dread that has come over them, or feel the rush of adrenaline to take justice into your own hands. You will totally be awestruck at how perverse this white supremest group can be. Like all truly great works this novel takes you on a journey. Being a Christian work it takes you on a journey through darkness and pain into light and peace, but the road is always what we make of it. It could be a straight road with few bumps, but our lack of faith always seems to get things all twisted up. We wrestle with things that we really don't need to...if we were truly walking by the Spirit. In the end, though, it offers us hope that even the most emotionally worn out and downtrodden can find victory. Be sure to pick this book up. If you can't buy it, check to see if your library has it. If it doesn't, request that they order the book (you really can do that. As a library clerk I outta know).

For those wishing to purchase the book online, here is the link you'll want:

Random House

SAVE MY CHILDREN, by Emily Wierenga

Christian Mystery Writers is pleased to include the following interview with Emily Wierenga, author of SAVE MY CHILDREN. This has been one really interesting read. I have to tell you, I would not have chosen to read this book on my own, however after having read it, I am so glad that I did. Please take the short time it takes to read this story. Let it get into your heart and mind and challenge you to greater heights in Christ Jesus. Now for the interview:

CMW - Could you tell us something about yourself, your family, what you are doing now?

EW - I am an author, a journalist, a painter, a songwriter, a follower of Jesus, a wife to a math teacher, a daughter to a pastor-father and a beautiful mother who has brain cancer, a older sister to three outstanding siblings, a mentor for teenagers, an art teacher, and a soon to be mother. Currently I am freelancing, and finishing a book commissioned by a family wanting to commemorate their daughter who died of Leukemia


CMW -Wow! That's quite a mouthful, and painfully descriptive answer. When did you first come in contact with Bethany House for Children?

EW - I first came in contact with Bethany Homes for Children while editing Living Light News (www.livinglightnews.org); they were advertising, and I became interested as my husband and I were working with youth and saw this as a great solution. I ended up on the board of directors, initially with the hopes of starting a teen home. Then, they asked me if I would consider writing a book about their organization, to commemorate their 60th anniversary. I agreed. My husband and I moved to Korea for a year, but following that I worked for 6 months writing the book. I wrote it in novel-format, as I wanted to protect the children of Bethany and to make it a story which would appeal to everyone.

CMW - What do remember most about Bethany House?

EW - I remember their heart: Bethany is an integrous organization which does what it professes. It loves children because of Jesus. No ulterior motive.

CMW - SAVE MY CHILDREN seems to be all non-fiction, but you state that it is a fictionalized account. Can you tell us what is fiction and what is not? or would that spoil things?

EW - Fiction is anything which isn't pure fact. Every story is based on fact, no matter how fictionalized it is, and similarly, this book is also based on fact. I have altered the details of the story, making up conversations which never happened, creating characters which never existed (based on the children who actually attended) and imagining up a story, based on the bare bones of what actually happened. The only names I didn't change were Harvey and Elsie's, but their characters and personalities, words and actions are all invented

CMW - I'd have to say you achieved your goal to the point where it's unknown which is which, and I suppose that's a very good thing. Which is your favorite chapter in SAVE MY CHILDREN?

EW - My favourite chapter is the one about Stormie. I really felt for her character. It was entirely fictionalized, as were all the characters, but I know the Jespersens helped girls like her, and that broke my heart

CMW - Which is your least favorite chapter.

EW -I don't like the one where Elsie dies. A part of me dies in it, as well.

CMW - You did that so well, I felt as if part of me died as well. If you had Harvey die as well I may have thrown the book away. It would have been just too painful. Do you wish you could have made this a longer, more in depth book?

EW - In many ways I wish I could have taken more creative license with this, and made it longer and more in-depth. But, because Bethany could only afford to pay me for six months, and all proceeds are going towards Bethany, in order to keep my career progressing I had to move on.

CMW - Did you really know the Jespersen's? What were they like? Did they inspire you in your walk with the Lord?

EW - I have met Harvey a few times; I never met Elsie (who has long passed away). Harvey is an unforgettable character; strong of stature and faith. His heart easily melts when he talks about children past; he recalls every name of every girl and boy that were ever in his care (over 800). I obviously based the fictional character on the real him, but I had to imagine how he'd respond to every situation, and carry himself in general. He has inspired me in my prayer life; despite being 91, and living in a retirement home, Harvey spends every day praying for missionaries around the world, for the children who've passed through Bethany, as well as the future of Bethany.

CMW - You were truly blessed to know the Jespersons. I can think of some people in my own life that have altered it to God's glory in much the same way. If you could ask one thing of God for Bethany House, what would it be?

EW - If I could ask one thing of God for Bethany Homes, it would be that He'd continue to give the directors faith. Harvey inspired thousands with his George-Mueller attitude: Don't ask; pray. He would pray, and receive. Such faith is hard to pass on. I pray God might give them the strength to believe.

CMW - That's an excellet motive. I think many people either have forgotten what faith is, or simply do not have living examples in their lives. It's good that you would have more Christians become those examples. Do you plan on staying with fiction or going into non-fiction?

EW - I have written both fiction and non; I've written a fiction based on a girl who had an eating disorder, and a non-fiction memoir on my mother entitled Mum's Dance. The book I'm currently writing is a novel inspired by the story of a girl's life, entitled The Girl Who Became A Butterfly. I am open to whatever the Lord has in store.

CMW - Thank you Emily. These are some really great answers. I pray that God continues to rain down His blessings on you and your household as you continue to serve Him. It has been a real pleasure touring SAVE MY CHILDREN, and getting to know you.


You can find additional information, reviews and so forth by visiting the following sites:




Emily Wierenga, in additon to being a freelance writer, was once deeply involved in Bethany House for Children.

Learn more about Emily Wierenga by visiting her own website.

You can find informaton on purchasing her book at the following locations:

Amazon

Target

Castle Quay Books

Emily also has a links to Bethany House and Castle Quay Books on her homepage.