This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing
Wedgewood Grey
(Faith Words, February 2007) by John Aubrey Anderson.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


John Aubrey Anderson

John was born five miles north of the setting for Abiding Darkness, a cotton country town within a rifle shot of two rivers, a bayou, a double handful of lakes, and endless acres of woods.

After graduating from Mississippi State, he flew six years in the Air Force then twenty-nine years for a major airline. And now he gets to write.

He and his wife have been married for forty some-odd years and live in Texas—about twenty miles south of the Red River. He spends the biggest part of his time writing; she’s immersed in leading a comprehensive, women’s Bible study.

They like greasy hamburgers and Dr. Peppers, most species of warm-blooded creatures (the kind that don’t normally bite), and spending July in the mountains.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Wedgewood Grey is the second book in the Black and White Chronicles. The first was Abiding Darkness (August, 2006).

Mississippi cotton country . . . in the spring of 1960.

The War At Cat Lake is fifteen years in the fading past . . . but the demonic beings who launched that first battle, are alive and well at Cat Lake. Waiting.

Late on a Friday night, on a muddy little road a mile east of Cat Lake, a ten-year-old black child is forced to watch while a gang of white men beat his mother to death. Aided by Mose Washington, an old black man, the boy exacts a measure of his own revenge. When the sun comes up on Saturday morning, Mose and the boy are fugitives.

Missy Parker Patterson, who as a child stood at the epicenter of the first war, is married and living in Texas. In the aftermath that follows Mose Washington’s disappearance, she goes back to Cat Lake to discover that the demonic beings have been anticipating her return . . . and so begins the second battle of The War At Cat Lake.

In 1962, an old black man and his grandson move into the country near Pilot Hill, Texas. The people in the local area are told that the old gentleman’s name is Mose Mann—his grandson introduces himself as Bill.

However, the lives of the new arrivals are not as peaceful as they seem. The unassuming old black man and his grandson are being pursued by a triad of formidable and unrelenting adversaries . . . a ruthless political leader, an enduring lie, and an invisible army allied beneath the banner of a hatred for God.

Wedgewood Grey is a story about the impact of choices that real people—people like you and me—are sometimes forced to make.

The Author's Website: http://www.johnaubreyanderson.com/

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446579505

Christian Writer's Market Guide - by Sally Stuart

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Christian Writer's Market Guide
by Sally Stuart.
WaterBrook Press; Pap/Cdr edition (January 16, 2007)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sally E. Stuart is the author of thirty-four books and has sold more than one thousand articles and columns. Her long-term involvement with the Christian Writers' Market Guide as well as her marketing columns for the Christian Communicator, Oregon Christian Writers, and The Advanced Christian Writer, make her a sought-after speaker and a leading authority on Christian markets and the business of writing. Stuart is the mother of three and grandmother of eight.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For more than twenty years, the Christian Writers’ Market Guide has offered indispensable help to Christian writers. This year, for the first time, this valuable resource comes with a CD-ROM of the full text, so you can search with ease for topics, publishers, and other specific names.

The 2007 edition also includes up-to-date listings of more than 1,200 markets for books, articles, stories, poetry, and greeting cards, including information on forty new book publishers, eighty-three new periodicals, and thirty-four new literary agents. Perfect for writers in every phase, this is the resource to get noticed–and get published.

It contains listings for: 695 periodicals, 228 poetry markets, 355 book publishers, 133 online publications, 29 print-on-demand publishers, 1185 markets for the written word, 321 photography markets, 31 e-book publishers, 122 foriegn markets, 112 literary agents,and 59 newspapers.

It also gives you comprehensive lists of contests, writers groups and conferences, search engines, pay rates and submission guidelines, editorial services and websites.

Christian Writers’ Market Guide is a "must have' for any serious Christian writer that is looking to get published!


The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400071259

Sally's website is: http://www.stuartmarket.com/

LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS - Day 3

Light at the Edge of Darkness - Day Three
compiled by Cynthia MacKinnon

So, how are we doing? Everyone enjoying this wonderful book? What? You didn't get it yet? Shame on you. You have to the end of the week before C.E. Lavender sends the Takers out to get you. Only kidding

That is the short story I'd like to talk about today. “Protected”, by C.E. Lavender is an amazing story where the hero learns what it means to be a hero late in the story. In the beginning he's a cross between someone trying to make a quick buck and someone trying to run from another above him. It involves the Takers, who are sent out to, well, take people. Our hero is sent to find a shield for his boss and falls in love with the woman he's suppose to set up to be taken. You can picture this out in the old west, up in the mountains, almost anywhere that seems remote. Make your own scenery, but don't miss out on what's going on. Our reluctant hero has learned something from the woman he's fallen in love with. What can it possibility be and can he really find himself “Protected” by it if he uses it in his own life? Well, you'll have to read it to find out. I'm not telling. Daniel I. Weaver has several stories in this anthology, this is one of the less graphic, yet somehow it is more poignant that the others. Well, at least in my opinion. - David Brollier (I apologize to all for not getting the rest of the CFRB blogtour posts on this book up, but frankly I've been busy trying to get it on the CFRB site. Visit one of the links below and then click back to see the CFRB site

Visit Grace Bridges for some more views and perspectives on LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS Grace Bridges

Don't forget to visit Dan I. Weaver's blog at: http://www.danieliweaver.com/blog/

Also don't miss THE LOST GENRE GUILD blog where these writers came from; Their blog is at http://lostgenre.blogspot.com/

THE LONGING SEASON by Christine Schaub

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducting The Longing Season (Bethany House July, 2006) by Christine Schaub.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christine Schaub is the author of the MUSIC OF THE HEART series, including Finding Anna, the rest of the story behind the writing of the hymn It Is Well With My Soul (October 2005) and The Longing Season, the story behind Amazing Grace (July 2006) with Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Books.

In 2003, Christine won the On the Page screenwriting contest at Screenwriting Expo 2 in Los Angeles. Her one-page story, written on-site in 24 hours for Jacqueline Bisset, was selected by the actress as the best Oscar Wilde-type comedy for her persona.

While working in freelance corporate communications, Christine completed three feature-length screenplays, including a drama/comedy, romantic comedy, and sci-fi action/drama; developed four biopic teleplays for the stories behind the hymns; and published an online column for the MethodX website (Upper Room Ministries).

Christine honed her writing skills after more than 15 years in corporate communications for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and entertainment companies. She has also been a featured conference speaker on working with at-risk youth and changed lives in the classrooms with her creative presentation style.

Christine's love for the arts and creativity have taken her from church platforms to civic and professional stages, performing classics and dramas from her own pen.

Christine graduated from Anderson University with a bachelors degree in Mass Communications. She has served on numerous boards and committees, usually as Communications Chair, and has received both regional and national awards in writing and design.

ABOUT THE BOOK

All of the books in the MUSIC OF THE HEART series are based on a hymns and their histories. The Longing Season is about one of the greatest redemption stories of all time: John Newton and his song, Amazing Grace.

Nature conspires against him, tossing the ship like a toy. Directionless--just like his life. It seems his odyssey will end here, in the cold Atlantic.Grief and terror grip his heart, but he will not surrender...not yet.She reads the sentence again and again.The first day I saw you I began to love you.He'd written the words, sealed and posted them, then vanished.
She has a choice--turn toward the future, or wait, wating and hoping.
And so begins her season of longing.

Christine's website link is: http://www.christineschaub.typepad.com/

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764200607

GERM, by Robert Liparulo

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducting GERM(WestBow Nov 1, 2006) by Robert Liparulo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert's novel paints a scenario so frighteningly real that six Hollywood producers were bidding on movie rights before the novel was completed. His acclaimed debut novel, Comes A Horseman, is being made into a major motion picture by producer Mace Neufeld and his short story "Kill Zone" was featured in the anthology Thriller, edited by James Patterson.

Robert is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly. He has sold or optioned three screenplays.

Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colorado with his wife and four children.

He is currently working on his third novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

If you breathe, it will find you...

The list of 10,000 names was created for maximum devastation. On it are business leaders, housewives, politicians, celebrities, janitors, children. None know what is about to happen...but all will be part of the most frightening brand of warfare the world has ever known.

The GERM...a more advanced form of the Ebola virus...has been genetically engineered to infect only those people whose DNA matches the codes embedded within it. If your DNA is not a match, you simply catch a cold. But if your DNA is a match, within days your internal organs liquefy and you die a most painful death. There is no cure.

The release of the virus would usher in a new era of power...one in which countries are left without any form of defense, where one person or millions could be killed with 100% accuracy yet result in no collateral damage to property or those not targeted.

That time isn't coming...It is now!

GERM is coming. Pray the assassins get you first.

Bob's website link is: http://www.robertliparulo.com

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785261788

Light at the Edge of Darkness - a review

Immerse yourself in a collection of Christian Speculative Fiction that you will never forget. LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS, edited and compiled by Cynthia MacKinnon is nothing short of a gathering of the masters. In some tales the events are so graphic you may want to keep this away from young children. In others the events may seem silly or filled with so much love it can hardly be contained. If you've never read speculative fiction before you need to treat yourself to this collection of wonders. In fact, even if you have read speculative fiction this book belongs on your shelf as well. I make the following challenge. I dare you to read this book and come away feeling that Christians are somehow weaker, less intelligent, more timid or unimaginative. Go ahead. Read this book. I dare you. I dare you to find Christianity so marvelously described as here, other than the Bible. I dare you to read LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS and not come away with a special appreciation for the writers, their stories, Christianity and what it means to be a true follower of Christ. - David Brollier; author of THE 3RD COVENANT

CFRB Author Chat

Thanks to Karina Fabian, who has opened up her website to CFRB for author chats, we are not able to offer this feature to all our members. We'd like to have the author run a short (yeah right) chat a week or two before their book goes on tour. Then sometime during the blogtour of their work have another author chat. During these chats all CFRB members are welcome as is the general public, so if you have a book coming up, but it's down the road a bit you may wish to join in with us and have some fun.

Last night we had a "trial run" with Cynthia MacKinnon, editor for LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS as the guest host. It was a total blast. After the "designated" chat time ended we stayed on for a while. I have no idea how long the others stayed on, but I bowed out at around 10:40 PM. I knew if I didn't get off I'd be up all night. It was so much fun talking, joking and learning from each other.

Any CFRB member who would like to schedule an author chat needs to contact Karina Fabian, either through the yahoo site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CFRB or through emailing her personally at karina@fabianspace.com

Join us and join the fun.

If the Shoe Fits

By M. C. Pearson
on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 12:00 PM. 

---

No, you aren't seeing double. This month we are reviewing not one, but two books by Marilynn Griffith! This prolific writer has TWO books coming out this month! This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about If the Shoe Fits (Steeple Hill Cafe', 2007) by Marilynn Griffith (fellow CFBA member, blogger, writer, and mother of seven)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marilynn Griffith is wife to a deacon, mom to a tribe and proof that God gives second chances. Her novels include Made of Honor (Steeple Hill, Jan. 2006), Pink (Revell, Feb. 2006), Jade (Revell, June 2006), and Tangerine (Revell, January 2007). Her other credits include Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul, Cup of Comfort Devotionals and her Shades of Style series (Revell, 2006). She lives in Florida with her husband and children. To book speaking engagements or just say hello, email: marilynngriffith@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Have Glass Slipper, Need Prince...

If the Shoe Fits is the second book in the Sassy Sistahood Novels. The first in the series was Made of Honor (Steeple Hill, Jan. 2006).

In all my thirty-five years, I, shoe designer Rochelle Gardner, have never had so many men interested in me! My teen son's dad is back in my life after suffering from amnesia (yes, really). The church deacon has had his eye on me for years (and never said a word). And the young waiter (from the restaurant I've visited for singles' events) is trying to steal my heart. I've been struggling with my faith, trying to figure out which man God has chosen for me and wondering if I have the courage to step forward, on my not-so-pretty feet, to accept love. It's almost too much for the Sassy Sistahood to handle, but my girlfriends always have my back!

The book link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373785763

Marilynn's website link: http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/rhythmsofgrace/

Arms Of Deliverance (CFBA tour)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about Arms of Deliverance (Moody Publishers, 2006) by Tricia Goyer (fellow CFBA member, blogger, writer, and homeschooling mom!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tricia Goyer is one the members of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (Tricia's Blog, "It's Real Life" Tricia's Parenting Blog, "Generation NeXt") and we are pleased to be able to review her exciting historical fiction book, Arms of Deliverance. She was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference "Writer of the Year" in 2003. Tricia was also a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award and won ACFW's "Book of the Year" for Long Historial Romance in 2005 AND in 2006. She has written hundreds of articles, Bible Study notes, and both fiction (three other WWII novels, From Dust to Ashes, Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights. Night Song, the second title in Tricia’s World War II series, won ACFW's Book of the Year for Best Long Historical Romance.) She's and non-fiction books. married to John, and they have three great kids whom she homeschools: Cory (17), Leslie (14), and Nathan (12). They make their home in Northwest Montana with their dog, Lilly.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The fourth and final novel in this exhilarating series capturing the tales of men and women swept into World War II.

EUROPE, 1944

Katrine, a Czech Jew, is so successful in her attempt to pass as an Aryan that she finds herself dating a Nazi officer. Having convinced him of her genetic purity, the officer sends her to stay at a Lebensborn home--a Nazi breeding program in which children are raised and indoctrinated by the state.

Meanwhile, two friends, Mary and Lee, one a socialite, the other a working class girl, land similar reporting jobs at the New York Tribune on the eve of the war’s outbreak. Now rivals with assignments on the frontlines of war-torn Europe, Lee joins troops sailing for Normandy, while Mary's destiny lies in the cramped quarters of a B-17 bearing down on Berlin. Before the presses roll, their lives will be indelibly marked by a caring American navigator, brave French resistors, and a maniacal Nazi officer. Arms of Deliverance is a story of unexpected redemption.

Read Chapter One on Tricia's Blog.

The link for the book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802415563

Tricia's blog: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/

Dear CMW Forum Friends

I apologize for the huge silence that seems to have settled over this blog, and in our user group. The fact is that I have been working with Jackie Moore to set up CFRB (Christian Fiction Review Blog). We're not anywhere's near done (and I hope it stays that way), but we have gone "live" on Nov. 14th. Right now we're waiting for enough blog hosts to volunteer before we move towards the actually promotional aspect of this blog. You can check us out at
http://christianfictionreviewblog.blogspot.com
If you decide you'd like to get involved in any area please go to http://freewebs.com/sonburst and fill out our application form. (There's a link that will send you to the CFRB site on the Freewebs site. We had to move the form to Freewebs because it wouldn't work on the blog. There are actually 4 categories in which you can join with us and get involved:
1) Authors - obviously without authors and their published works we'd have nothing to review.
2) Reviewers - Likewise to be a review blog we need to have these wonderful people to help the authors get the word out about their works.
3) Blog Hosts - These people we are presently in short supply of, but truly need. These are the people who make CFRB's dynamics so widespread. So far our "widespread" only covers 3 blogs. If you have a blog you can help us, and the authors, here.
4) Other - That's right. There is a lot of work, some of it not even writing-related that people can help us with. Things like artwork, file transfers, "Think Tanks", people who know HTML, people in these and other areas who would be willing to field technical questions recieved by the oher members. And of course you can, and should, pray. We need the power of God, His Voice and direction in this.
If you can help in any of the four areas mentioned above, or in more than those areas please go to http://freewebs.com/sonburst and fill out the application. We'll get back to you when we receive your form.

So what does all of this have to do with CMWForum? CMWForum is specifically designed for Christian mystery writers. As such we need an outlet to display and showcase our talents (published achievements). CFRB is that outlet for many of you. If you can go with CFBA then do so. If you wish to go with both CFBA and CFRB realize that our structure is slightly different so that we can meet different needs. We are not in competition with them nor they with us. We are two different types of outlets. At this time we probably look a bit on the lean side. That's because we're justs starting out. We have plans to:
1. Eventually include audio and e-books.
2. Post booktrailers with our blog tours, possibly even assisting in creating them (at no charge)..
3. Provide some internal chatter:
a) Writing tips from pros
b) Marketing your excellence
c) How can I help you?

As you can see our vision isn't limited. In fact it's open to wherever God wishes to lead us. Now fiction is a very large category. We've already received some submissions and they all look very interesting. I was surprised not to see as much romance submitted. Anyway, as Christian mystery writers this is a specialized form of fiction that is included in CFRB. CFRB is for all forms of Christian fiction, but as founder of CMWForum I wanted you guys to know you weren't left out. If anything you were in the forefront of my thoughts. David

The Cubicle Next Door

The Cubicle Next Door by Siri Mitchell

15 Comments



By M. C. Pearson
on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at 12:00 AM. 

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell.

If you like blogging...which you must if you are reading this...you will think this book is blogarific. After each chapter, there is a blog entry. The book is written in first person and contains some hilarious blog antics.

Imagine that you are an anonymous blogger, one who uses a silly name instead of your own, then imagine blogging about your work. Now imagine blogging about your cubicle mate of the opposite sex and calling him by an anonymous name.

I know some who have done just that.

But now imagine that your cubicle mate has discovered your blog and begins to read it out loud to you. EVERY MORNING.

The Cubicle Next Door is set in a civilian's view of working on a military post. That in itself is funny enough...then add that the main character is a tree hugging, anti-SUV lover, with a thing for Bollywood movies. (Her favorite it Bride & Prejudice.) Suddenly this civilian hippie is thrown into a cubicle next to an Air Force Pilot/Teacher who drives...yep...an SUV. Can't you feel the love?

Also, The Cubicle Next Door has some wonderful moments of self discovery.

A delightful read...here is an excerpt for you:

The Cubicle Next Door

by Siri L. Mitchell Released Aug 06

Excerpt from Chapter 1:

“So what do you think, Jackie?”

What do I think? Funny Joe should ask me that. He’s just finished reading my blog. He’s just quoted me to myself. Or is it myself to me? Do I sound surreal, as if I’m living in parallel universes?

I am!

The blog—my blog—is all about Joe. And other topics that make me want to scream. But the clever thing is, I’m anonymous. When I’m blogging.

I’m Jackie, Joe’s cubicle-mate when I’m not.

And that’s the problem.

Joe is asking Jackie (me) what I think about the Mystery Blogger (also me). And since I don’t want Joe to know the blog is all about me and what I think of him, I can’t tell him what I think about me.

My brain is starting to short circuit.

So if I can’t tell him what I think about me, I certainly can’t tell him what I think about him, so I’m going to have to pretend not to be me. Not me myself and not me The Cubicle Next Door Blogger—TCND to my fans.

I have fans!

If I were clever I’d say something like, “Look!” and point behind him and then duck out of the room when he turned around to look.

But there’s so much computer equipment stacked around my desk and so many cables snaking around the floor that I’d break my neck if I tried to run away. So that option is out.

I could try pretending I didn’t hear him. “What?”

“SUVs. So what do you think about them?”

But then we’d basically end up back where we started.

So how did I get myself into this mess?

It was all Joe’s fault.

Fake PayPal email alert!

If any of you have a PayPal account you know that they do their best to make it secure. There are those, however, who would try to gain access to your account by posing to be from PayPal. I received the following from a fraudulent PayPal "service" account:

Dear Customer:

You have recently Added the below email to your account:
ripper@mail.com
If you did not request this change of email, just click on the link below. You will
be asked to Login to your account Confirm your Confidential Information you
have with us on record and the added e-mail will be automatically deleted and
account security upgraded.

https://www.paypal.com/?customer=CA&profile=7025DDACAB

PayPal Team
Online Customer Service.

Please do not reply to this message
To speak with a representative about your online PayPal service,
or if you are unable to log on to Online Account, call 1.800.933.1717
The first thing to notice is that it is not address the customer by NAME. This PayPal (and I believe Amazon) will always do. If you EVER receive an email that claims to be from PayPal but addresses you as "Customer" be very wary.

Second, look at what the body of the message is asking you to do. It is asking you, for the sake of your own security, to go in and GIVE THEM your confidential data. Hint. Next time you want to be poor and you're getting ready to enter a bank to make a deposit, just give the money in your hands to the nearest person and be done with it. If, however, you want to utilize the gray matter between your ears and the wisdom God gives you do NOT click on any link in such an email. Instead, go out and log in directly to your account and see if there's anything weird going on. If you can't find anything tell them about this email and send them a copy. They will get right back to you. The email address for reporting this is spoof@paypal.com

Third, as Christian writers the money we have belongs to God. We are just custodians of a small portion of it from time to time. So be good stewards of His money and check these things out. Never, ever allow the enemy to come in and "steal, kill and destroy," because that's exactly what he's going to try to do.

David Brollier

James Somers: The Chronicles of Soone

James Somers: The Chronicles of SooneTHE CHRONICLES OF SOONE: HEIR TO THE KING, by James Soomers is for sale at http://www.breakneckbooks.com

Visit Soomers' blog and read more about this marvelous epic of good verses evil.

Day One for THE ELECTION by Jerome Teel

Trying to learn HTML as I go alone here folks, so bear with me. Today 10-25-06 is day one for THE ELECTION by Jerome Teel. This sounds like one fantastic book, especially with all that's going on in the world around us now. Please check it out and add your comments to the page.

David Brollier

THE ELECTION by Jerome Teel

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is reviewing Jerome Teel's latest book, The Election..

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

Jerome Teel is a graduate of Union University, where he received his JD, cum laude, from the Ole Miss School of Law. He is actively involved in his church, local charities, and youth sports.

He has always loved legal-suspense novels and is a political junkie. Jerome and his wife, Jennifer, have three children-Brittney, Trey, and Matthew-and reside in Tennessee, where he practices law and is at work on a new novel.

The book: THE ELECTION

They seek ultimate power.

Nothing can stand in their

way.

Ed Burke has waited a lifetime to become president of the United States. He's not about to let his nemesis, Mac Foster, stop him now...especially when he's sold his soul for the Oval Office.

Claudia Duval has lived a rough life. And finally, things have turned around for her after meeting the wealthy Hudson Kinney. But is all what is seems?

When a prominent citizen is murdered in Jackson, Tennessee, attorney Jake Reed doesn't want to know the truth. He just wants to get his client off. But as he investigates, he uncovers a sinister scheme. A scheme that would undermine the very democracy of America...and the freedom of the entire world.

The Election, by Jerome Teel, is a fast-paced, highly readable mystery filled with suspense, intrigue, and political conspiracy. Teel skillfully weaves together themes of faith, family, suffering, and providence in a way that not only compels, but enlightens."
David S. Dockery-President, Union University

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about Karen Kingsbury's latest book, Like Dandelion Dust.

About the Author:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's #1 inspirational novelist. There are nearly 5 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including more than two million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 30 novels, nine of which have hit #1 on national lists, including award-winning Oceans Apart, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, the Redemption Series and Firstborn Series, and several other bestsellers, one of which was the basis for a CBS Movie-of-the-Week and Gideon's Gift, which is currently in production as a major theatrical release for Christmas 2007.

Karen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Don, and their six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti.

About the Book:

A PEACEFUL TOWN...

AN IDYLLIC FAMILY...

A PHONE CALL THAT THREATENS THEM ALL.

Jack and Molly Campbell enjoyed an idyllic life (great house in a fancy neighborhood, high-paying job, and a beautiful little boy) in their small hometown outside Atlanta with their adopted 4-year-old, Joey. Then they receive the phone call that shatters their world: a social worker delivers the news that Joey's biological father has been released from prison and is ready to start lifeover with his son. (It's discovered that Joey's birth mother forged the signature of Joey's birth father, making it a fraudulent adoption.) When a judge rules that Joey must be returned to his father (a man who cannot separatee love and violence), the Campbells, in a silent haze of grief and utter disbelief, watch their son pick a dandelion and blow the feathery seeds into the wind.

Struggling with the dilemma of following the law, their hearts, and what they know to be morally right, the Campbells find that desperation leads to dangerous thoughts. What if they can devise a plan? Take Joey and simply disappear....LIKE DANDELION DUST.

Review by Mimi Pearson

PCFW 10/14 Brunch and Book Signing

We had a bit of a struggle getting out on the road and I left my Google map directions on the table, but we were able to get to our destination safely and even enjoy some time with my daughter in Bloomsburg, PA before going all the way down to Chester, PA. Everyone we met was great. The following moring I asked for directions to Springfield, PA and they were really helpful.

We got to Denny's about a half hour early and should have passed the book store but we didn't see it. So I decided to ask one of the restaurant patrons as he was leaving. He was so nice and said that his wife would know. Yes, his wife did know (she was as sweet and kind as he was), but it seems all the old landmarks had changed and she was having difficulty explaining it to us, even though it was just over a block away. So he said he could drive my wife and I up there to see where it was, then drive us back. We took him up on the offer and it was, just up on the right past the light. (It was on our left when we came to Denny's). After he pointed it out to us they drove us back, we thanked them. It meant so much to be helped out like that. We invited them to the book signing, but didn't see them.

Originally there were supposed to be 9 of us, but one of the woman took sick and had to cancel so I signed up for a table of 8. Then Terri showed up with a friend (hey Cathy) who wasn't on the original list and we were back up to 9. We had a great time. Going by just first names there were Gary, Corey, Terri, Tiff (Amber), Carrie, Cathy, Barb (my wife) and myself. Mindy was at the book signing, but not at the brunch. The only published authors were Carrie, Mindy, Cathy and myself. The others have things in the works and it was great to hear of all the different directions Christian fiction was taking us. They were a great encouragement to me and I hope I was an encouragement to them as well.
I sold ONE book, praise the Lord, but I also traded copies with Carrie, Mindy and Cathy. Here are some highlights.

Kiss the Bride Cook, by Carrie Turansky is a collection of 4 romances about romance after marriage. I got that one for my wife.
William Henry is a Fine Name, by Cathy Gohlke is a story of the underground railroad in 1859 and two boys, friends, who must come to terms with the social problems facing them since one is black and the other white.
A Penny for Your Thoughts, by Mindy Starns Clark is the first of "The Million Dollar Mysteries". A choice to investigate a certain business plunges Callie Webber into a series of event where she must choose to depend on her own wits or the mercy of God.

Okay, I haven't read these yet, but knowing the author I can only guess wonderful things. I'll keep you posted. If I can get my wife to help me I'll try to do a review of each before the end of the new year. In any events these are no longer names at the end of an email, not even fellow writers and authors (and here I include Terri, Tiff, Gary and Corey as well, but friends, dear friends. I'll say right off it may be difficult to do an objective review because I know these wonderful people. Then again I tend to lean hardest on those I believe have greater talent.

And if you are ever in Springfield, PA (just west of Philly on 154 Baltimore Pike) you have to visit The Vine Christian Shoppe. This is truly an amazing place run by amazing people. In all the secular places where I've had book signings I have not been treated as royally as I have here. The love of Jesus shines through these people and the community around them knows it too. Pray that God would support them so that they might remain as His light in that community.

Time for Another Tour

42 Comments



By Bonnie Calhoun
on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 6:54 PM. 

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It's that time of the week! Time to do a blog tour! This week's tour is Violette Between.

Between Here and the PAST,

THERE LIES A PLACE...

a place of longing for what has been rather than hoping for what could be!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alison Strobel graduated with a degree in elementary education, and in the summer of 2000 she moved from Chicago to southern California where she taught elementary school for three years. It was in Orange County that she met her husband, Daniel Morrow, and the story developed for her first novel, Worlds Collide.

Violette Between is a poinant story of a true artist. When the love of Violette's life, Saul suddenly died, she died too. Then she meets Christian, who also is morning the loss of a loved one.

As Violette and Christian begin to feel something that they both thought was impossible. Tragedy strikes again. Christian finds Violette on the floor of his waiting room, that she had been painting to look like a New York rooftop restaurant.

As Christian holds a vigil at her bedside, begging her to come back to him, Violette is in a coma, traveling to a place where she meets her beloved Saul. And she finds that she may not want to come back!

What would it be like to choose a place between the past and the present?

Violette Between is a powerful character study of a woman finally relinquishing the past to move on, only to be thrust into the quandry of reliving that life and needing to make a choice.

For Christians, this will definitely make you think about heaven and the consequences of eternal life.

"Delving into the underside of complicated relationships, Alison Strobel takes readers to unexpected places, but doesn't hesitate to deliver redemptiom when needed."
---Melody Carlson, author of Finding Alice

New to CFBA

My name is David Brollier, and like almost everyone here, I'm a writer. Some of us are published, others are still working towards publication. I've proof read work by Chandra L. Smith, who at my insistance, has expanded her work. She's an awesome writer and I can't wait to get her stuff at the store. I'm currently proofing one of several works by Michelle Sutton. Again an amazing writer. I can hardly wait until these two (and there's got to be more) get published and I have the privilege of reviewing their works for CFBA.

You can find out more about me on my Christian Mystery Writer's blog, a spinoff from my Yahoo group.

http://cmwforum.blogspot.com (for the blog - like you didn't know that already)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cmwforum for the Yahoo group

If I'm ever doing something I'm not supposed to do PLEASE email me at davidbrollier@yahoo.com and tell me so I can correct things. You'll find me very teachable, and as far as being critiqued is concerned, thick skinned.

God bless one and all.
David Brollier
author of THE 3RD COVENANT
http://freewebs.com/sonburst

DARK HOUR goes on blog tour

It is time for another Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Tour! This week's feature author is GINGER GARRETT and her novel, Dark Hour!

Guess what? The publicists for Ginger have agreed to a book contest for each CFBA member's blog post on Dark Hour! It is up to the member on how they judge which commenter wins the free book...so, comment and you might become a winner!

And now, a special Q&A with Ginger Garrett:

1.) First, tell us a bit about Dark Hour.

I was praying about what book to write after Chosen, and accidentally left my open Bible on the kitchen table. (A dangerous thing, since in my house, small children and large dogs routinely scavenge with dirty hands and noses for snacks!) As I walked past it, I saw a caption about someone named Athaliah and a mass murder. I stopped cold. I knew it was my story.

Athaliah was the daughter of Jezebel--a real woman in history--who tried to destroy all the descendents of King David in a massacre. God made a promise that a descendent of King David would always sit on the throne, and one day a Messiah would come from this line. If Athaliah succeeded, she would break the promise between God and the people, and destroy all hope for a Messiah.

One woman, her step-daughter, Jehoshebeth, defied her. She stole a baby during the massacre and hid him. Between them, the two women literally fought for the fate of the world.

2.) What drew you to write biblical fiction?

The similarities between the lives of ancient women and our lives. We get distracted by their "packaging," the way they dressed and lived, but at heart, our stories are parallel.

3.) How much time is spent researching the novel versus writing the novel?

Equal amounts, and I don't stop researching while I write. I have a historical expert, probably the best in the world in his field, review the manuscript and point out errors. The tough part is deciding when to ignore his advice. He pointed out that most everyone rode donkeys if they weren't in the military, but a key scene in the novel involves riding a horse to the rescue. It would have been anti-climatic to charge in on a donkey! :) So I ignored his advice on that one.

4.) Dark Hour takes its reader deep into the heart of palace intrigue and betrayals. Were parts of this book difficult to write?

I left out much of the darkest material I uncovered in research. It was important to show how violent and treacherous these times and this woman (Athaliah) could be, but I tried to be cautious about how to do it. The story was so powerful and hopeful--how one woman's courage in the face of evil saved the world--but the evil was depressing. I tried to move quickly past it. I wanted balance. Our heroine suffers and some wounds are not completely healed in her lifetime. That's true for us, too.

5.) What would modern readers find surprising about ancient women?

They had a powerful sense of the community of women. They also wore make-up: blush, glitter eyeshadow, lipstick, powder, and perfume! They drank beer with straws, and enjoyed "Fritos": ground grains, fried and salted. Many of our foods are the same today, but they loved to serve pate made from dried locusts, finely ground. Ugh!