Death of a Six Foot Teddy Bear By Sharon Dunn

Doesn't that title just grab you? I'm a long time Sharon Dunn fan so I'm always delighted when a new one comes out. This is the second in the Bargain Hunters series, and it's a hoot with a serious side, as usual. Dunn does a fantabulous job of juggling mulitple well-rounded characters and integrating sub-plots with the central whodunnit.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When a man turns up dead in a teddy bear costume, Ginger and the other ladies of the Bargain Hunters Network learn a lesson about trusting in God rather than in wealth as they try to solve the crime and clear one of their own.

BUY THE BOOK NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590526902

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sharon Dunn is the author of Death of a Garage Sale Newbie, book one in the Bargain Hunters Mysteries, and the Ruby Taylor mystery novels including Sassy Cinderella, which was voted Book of the Year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She earned a BA in television production and a master’s in history Sharon lives in Bozeman, Montana, with her husband of twenty years, three children, two cats, and lots of dust bunnies.

Read Excerpts of Good Books!

Have I got some deals for you today!

Fun excerpts from recent releases by your favorite authors! (At least, I hope these are among your favorites.)

Here's the spot to go for an excerpt from Sharon Dunn's new cozy mystery, Death of a Six Foot Teddy Bear:

www.canblog. typepad.com/ youve_got_ books_fiction

And here are a couple more enticing tidbits:

The Whole Truth
by James Scott Bell
Zondervan

"The gritty tale will have readers cheering for Steve as he desperately tries to put the pieces of his life back together. The scenes and characters jump off the page to create a startling, emotionally stirring story." – Romantic Times



The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (#7 in the Yada Yada series)

By Neta Jackson

Turkey dinners, tree trimming, and decking the halls--it's that time of year again! And I, Jodi Baxter, can't wait to celebrate. My kids are coming home for the holidays, and then all of us Yadas are getting decked out for a big New Year's party.

But God's idea of "decked out" might just change the nature of our party plans. A perplexing encounter with a former student, a crime that literally knocks me off my feet, a hurry-up wedding, and a child who will forever change our family . . . it's times like these that I really need my prayer sisters.

This holiday season, we Yada Yadas are learning that no one can out-celebrate God. So let's get this party started!

To read excerpts from these great new titles visit Chapter-a-Week .

Whadaryawaitingfor?!

Audacious Heist Nets $163 Million in Paintings!

Last Sunday, three masked men brandishing guns burst into a Zurich museum and snatched four masterworks in the second art heist in that neighborhood in less than a week. The method was simple, direct, inelegant, and potentially violent. Fortunately, no one was hurt because the many patrons and staff immediately hit the floor when commanded, and the thieves were in and out within minutes. They drove off in a white car with the paintings hanging out of the trunk. How sophisticated!

Media reports call this the largest art theft in Switzerland’s history and one of the largest in Europe. But what—oh, what!—do the thieves plan to do with their loot? Profitably disposing of stolen high profile artwork is notoriously difficult. There is too much media and police attention. A spokesperson from the Art Loss Register says, “From our experience in these big raids, police will either recover the paintings very quickly, or they will disappear for quite a long time.”

The stolen masterpieces were part of a collection that had been put together by Swiss industrialist Emil Buhrle, a man of disputable ethics for his willingness to sell arms to Nazi Germany during World War II and the questionable provenance of some of his paintings. At one point, an independent inquiry ordered Buhrle to return or repurchase 13 paintings that had belonged to French Jews.

Today, the distinguished array of French impressionist and post-impressionist works are housed in a lakeside chateau in Zurich and are available for public viewing. Well, all but the four which were stolen: Poppies Near Vetheuil by Claude Monet, Count Lepic and His Daughters by Edgar Degas, Blossoming Chestnut Branches by Vincent van Gogh, and Boy in a Red Vest by Paul Cezanne.

Of course, the writer in me could make some dashing tale out of this scenario, with Jewish families reclaiming their heritage, but that’s pure flight of fancy. All of stolen paintings are the works of acknowledged masters and quite valuable, but other pieces of greater value were left on the walls. The thieves simply grabbed four paintings hung in a row and escaped, indicating an ignorant, hasty job. The robbers may actually have no idea what they’re going to do with the priceless pieces they snatched so carelessly.

Raw greed, in other words, was the motive, but now they’re stuck with goods that they may never be able to make a profit on, much less get off their hands. Can you say: “dumb-da-dumb-dumb!”

The maddening part, of course, is that now these works are lost to society for an indefinite period of time. Art thieves don’t steal merely from a person or an institution; they rob us all!

My Name is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder

If any of you have read one (or more) of my books, you know I write suspense with plenty of "gasp" moments, but also a healthy dose of humor and relationship issues. Michael Snyder's comic mystery loaded with quirky characters and relationship struggles is right up my alley. Check it out!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Russell Fink is twenty-six years old and determined to salvage a job he hates so he can finally move out of his parents house for good. He's convinced he gave his twin sister cancer when they were nine years old. And his crazy fiancée refuses to accept the fact that their engagement really is over.

Then Sonny, his allegedly clairvoyant basset hound, is found murdered.The ensuing amateur investigation forces Russell to confront several things at once-the enormity of his family's dysfunction, the guy stalking his family, and his long-buried feelings for a most peculiar love interest.

At its heart, My Name is Russell Fink is a comedy, with sharp dialogue, characters steeped in authenticity, romance, suspense, and fresh humor. With a postmodern style similar to Nick Hornby and Douglas Coupland, the author explores reconciliation, forgiveness, and faith in the midst of tragedy. No amount of neurosis or dysfunction can derail God's redemptive purposes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Snyder has spent the bulk of his professional career in sales, has fallen in love, and continues to struggle with the balance between art and vocation. He's never investigated a murder, much less that of an allegedly clairvoyant dog.

BUY THE BOOK NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310277272

Goldeneyes by Delia Latham

I'm hosting lovely Delia Latham today and her upcoming romance release, Goldeneyes. I've even got an excerpt from the book to post, as well as an interview with the author. So read on for a treat!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A man’s eyes are the windows to his soul … if he has one.

Deep in the darkness of a Depression-era night, a man addicted to alcohol sells something precious to obtain it. His vile action impacts the lives of two entire families, and it will be over two decades before the horrible wrong begins to be made right again.

Two young women – strangers to each other – unknowingly enmeshed in a Pandora’s Box of secrets that could prevent them from finding happiness with the men they love. Two adoring mothers who know more than they are willing to say. A newsman with a story he cannot tell. What is their connection, and who is the golden-eyed stranger who moves in the shadows of their broken lives?

EXCERPT:
The old cuckoo clock on the shelf in the front room struck midnight. It’s persistent chirping irritated Jack Kelly’s already frayed nerves as he paced back and forth across the small room.

"Shut up! Shut up!" he growled beneath his breath, casting an anxious look at the crib in the next room. When no signs of disturbed sleep were forthcoming, he breathed a grateful sigh of relief. The last thing he needed right now was a squalling infant to further vex the burning demon within him. He had promised his wife he would not spend a cent on liquor. New babies meant new expenses, and those things must come first.

So far he had kept his promise; he’d had no choice. Every penny he earned with his hoe, day after blistering day in the cotton fields, was swallowed up in scratching out a meager existence. There never seemed to be a penny extra, to say nothing of the few dollars a bottle of whiskey would cost. With the addition of this new offspring, who knew when he would be able to quench the gnawing demon of thirst that drove him insane? He had to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. The arrival of more children would only make that job harder, and it was obvious Annie did not intend to stop at one pregnancy.

Another glance into the small bedroom revealed no unwelcome stirrings from the crib. A bright moonbeam, however, lay across the bed, and Kelly’s tormented gaze fell on the lovely face of the woman he had married. He had considered himself a lucky man when she said yes to his proposal, despite her goody-two-shoes, Bible-thumping parents. If he loved anything on this poor excuse of an earth, he loved Annie. She was a perfect wife.

Their home might be barely more than a shack, but it sparkled, and she was a real wonder in the kitchen. He could not remember her voice ever raised in anger, even when he had fallen through the front door, dog drunk, a week after she married him.

Kelly’s fevered mind wandered to his conversation with the poor fish in the cotton field. Had it only been eight or nine hours ago? It seemed an eon; every moment without the drink he craved was an eternity.

Poor fella don’t know how lucky he is. Only has to worry ‘bout that pretty little gal and hisself. I bet he could buy a bottle of whiskey if he wanted one!

With the thought, an idea was born, full-blown and itching for action. He actually stopped pacing for a moment, shocked to the core by the undiluted vileness of the seed taking root in his mind. He stood staring at the crib against the far wall and shook his head as if to toss out the evil thought.

"You’re crazy," he whispered. His heart pounded painfully against his chest; little beads of sweat dotted his forehead and chin. "You’ve done gone stark, starin’ mad!"

And perhaps he had, for suddenly he found himself across the room, gazing down into the hand-me-down crib. He was horrified at the darkness within his imagination, yet knew full well he hadn’t the strength of mind or will to resist its powerful pull.

One more almost desperate glance at his wife’s face … if she would only wake up he would have to forsake this notion, and perhaps he could rid himself of the unforgivable intent. Indeed, Annie did stir a little and drew a deep sigh, almost as though she heard his desperate mental cry. But hers was the sleep of utter exhaustion and she slumbered on.

A few moments later, Kelly slipped silently out the back door of the little shack, clutching a tiny pink bundle in his arms and blinking back the tears of shame and self-loathing that sprang unbidden to his eyes.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR:
Q. Who is Delia Latham?
A: I’m a Christian wife, married to a Pentecostal minister. My husband is the assistant pastor at our church, and I’m involved in the music ministry. I play piano and sing. I have four grown children and four beautiful, absolutely perfect granchildren – no, really, they are! We all live in Bakersfield, California. I was born here and have resided in or around this desert town my entire life.

Q: What inspired you to write Goldeneyes?
A: I grew up in Weedpatch, the little farming community where Part One of Goldeneyes is set. I’ve always wanted to write something using that location as a backdrop. This story has been brewing in my mind for several years, but it was hard for me to get past the reality of Weedpatch in my own life and get on with turning it into a fictional tale. I prayed a lot! Once God gave me the go-ahead, He also gave me the inspiration, and I’m very pleased with the completed product.

Q: Which authors have most influenced your own writing?
A: Too many to possibly mention here! As a child, I devoured just about every book I could get my hands on: Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, the Bobbsey Twins – even the Hardy Boys; I wasn’t gender specific as to reading material. As I got older, I graduated to romance and found Grace Livingston Hill, Barbara Cartland, Emilie Loring, and oh, yes – I discovered Harlequin Romance (oh, my!). Now some of my favorite writers are Joy Fielding, Lori Wick, Lori Copeland … the list goes on for miles. My favorite book of all time is Swan Song, by Robert McCammon – rather surprising for an inspirational author, I know, but it’s a beautifully written epic account of good vs. evil. Unforgettable!

Q: What other projects are you currently working on?
A: My current work-in-progress is surprising me by actually creating a connection between my debut novel and Goldeneyes, which I wasn’t expecting at all. I’ve also just completed something completely new - at least for me. While it’s still Christian romance, it will fit more easily into the Chick Lit genre, bringing in a touch more humor and lightheartedness than is in my other works.


Visit me at my website: http://www.delialatham.com/
My blog: http://www.themelodywithin.blogspot.com/

Awaken My Heart by DiAnn Mills

Awesome author DiAnn Mills is guestblogging here today about her dynamite new release, Awaken My Heart.

So here's DiAnn!

When I was a kid, I used to get spanked for lying. Now I get paid for it! Ah, such is the life of a fiction writer. Hi, I’m DiAnn Mills, and I’m excited about Awaken My Heart, my new historical novel published by Avon Inspire.

I live in Texas, the Lone Star State, where history and adventure are carved out of ordinary people and presented in novels and across the screen. Texas provides the perfect setting for tales of adventure. Here you can find cowboys and rodeos, deserts and mountains, bluebonnets and cactus, rattlesnakes and alligators, trail rides and space exploration. The romance and intrigue of those who helped build this State weave powerful stories. You name it, and Texas has it. But it’s the stories about the courageous people who stand tall and make this state what it is today that captures the readers’ attention.

Let me introduce you to my February release!

Awaken My Heart is set in 1803, when Texas was Tejas, a colony ruled by Spain. Indians, Mestizos (native-Spanish lineage), and the elite ruling class of the Spanish lived and died here. The priests living in the Catholic missions helped educate and train the people in various crafts and how to serve God. From this culture was born my story of forbidden love.

Which brings me to one of my greatest heroes—Zorro. Who can forget the handsome, daring masked man who championed the poor and fought the injustices of his people? His flashing sword, generous smile, and chivalry would bend the strongest woman’s resolve. It also helped Zorro’s cause to be portrayed by Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro (1998) and The Legend of Zorro (2005).

Is it no wonder that I call Awaken My Heart my Zorro book? My hero, Armando Garcia, is passionate about the cause of his poverty-stricken people, but his passion also extends to Marianne Wharton, the daughter of a wealthy American rancher. The wealthy and the peasant. The Diablo and his angel. And her daddy ain’t happy. Oops! I mean Marianne’s father is out for blood.

This isn’t the first book I’ve written about historical Texas. The Texas Legacy Series was set in the period of the Old West when lawlessness and unscrupulous characters crawled out from under rocks and attempted to claim the state. I chose unlikely heroes and heroines who made a courageous stand for what they believed in.

Hop into the saddle and grab the reins. This ride will keep you up all night.

http://www.diannmills.com/ Let me hear from you!

BUY AWAKEN MY HEART NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061376019

Heads up on a couple more great reads. Excerpts are posted on Chapter a Week. You can get there by clicking on the link at the end of the post.

For Better or For Worse by Diann Hunt

She's a wedding coordinator. He's a divorce attorney. She begins marriages. He ends them. How could these two possibly find common ground?

Oooh, this has got to be one romance that sizzles with sparks!

Diann's web site is http://www.diannhunt.com/.

The Max & Me Mysteries by Patricia Rushford

You'll enjoy meeting Jesse Miller and Max Hunter, both twelve, who form a deep but unlikely friendship. Jesse is thin and frail and has leukemia. Max is wild and adventurous, with spiked hair that changes color from day to day depending on her mood.

Jesse has no real friends until Max comes along. She sees Max as being very brave and adventurous and tries to keep Max out of trouble. Then Jesse discovers Max's dark secrets and must lead Max into danger in order to set her free. There are three books in the series, The Trouble With Max, Danger at Lakeside Farms, and Secrets of Ghost Island.

Patricia's web site is http://www.patriciarushford.com/.

To read an excerpt from For Better or For Worse and The Trouble with Max visit
Chapter-a-Week .

My friend, Molly Noble Bull, just released a wonderful historical romance that explores the era of the French Huguenots and the persecution that drove them from their native country. Molly throws in an even more persecuted group, the Jews, to make this a tense international chase, as our hero and heroine flee for their lives from an obsessed French army captain. Isn't the cover gorgeous?

You can pick up this fascinating read on-line at amazon.com, christianbook.com, bn.com, and other on-line outlets, as well as fine bookstores throughout the US.

Discover more about Molly and her books, including the opportunity to read an excerpt from Sanctuary, at www.mollynoblebull.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91 1 By 1740 hatred and persecution that so blackened France in an earlier era has almost vanished from the land. Rachel Levin, a Jewess pretending to be a Christian and secretly engaged, feels safe. But when her fiance and her parents are murdered by a vicious French army captain, Rachel fears for her life. She flees her village with a young Huguenot, Pierre Dupre, and Rachel and Pierre take refuge in a church. Dressed as a nun and a monk, all goes well until the captain who killed her loved ones arrives. Captain Vallae is rich and powerful. He wants Rachel as his mistress, or he wants her dead. After the captain leaves, Rachel and Pierre agree to a marriage of convenience and manage to escape. Furious that Rachel refused his advances, Captain Vallae demands revenge. Will Rachel and Pierre reach Scotland in time? Or will the captain make good on his threat to end their lives on an English countryside?

Endorsements:

"Set in France in 1740, Sanctuary by Molly Noble Bull is a romantic adventure story about the Huguenots. If you liked Molly's heartwarming historical, The Winter Pearl, you will enjoy Sanctuary as well." -Kristin Billerbeck, top selling author of Split Ends and Trophy Wives Club

"Molly Noble Bull is synonymous with heart-warming and spirit-lifting fiction." -Linda Windsor, award-winning author of Blue Moon and Wedding Bell Blues

"Can the unforgivable be forgiven? With timeless insight, Molly Noble Bull's SANCTUARY depicts the struggle with this question during an era of great excitement and danger in historic France. A must-read!: -Tamela Hancock Murray, author of VIRGINIA HEARTS

"An intriguing story of a courageous Huguenot man and Jewish woman enduring one hardship after another--making it hard for the reader to put down! Laced into it is a tender romance--a marriage of convenience no less!, a theme of forgiveness that inspires one's faith, and an authentic historical backdrop--all elements that capture a reader's heart. I loved it!" -Kristy Dykes, author of The Heart of the Matter and Kiss the Bride

"Molly Noble Bull pens a fast-paced adventure of love, tragedy, courage, and redeeming hope. Her smooth prose lifts the curtain on a fascinating slice of history. A must-read for lovers of historical romance spiced with danger every step of the way." -Jill Elizabeth Nelson, former reviewer for Romantic Times magazine and author of Reluctant Burglar and Reluctant Runaway

"Molly Noble Bull has crafted a story rich in history with characters that tug your heartstrings." -Lena Nelson Dooley, award-winning author of Pirate's Prize and Minnesota Brothers

"I loved the Winter Pearl and I was looking forward to getting my hands on Sanctuary, Molly Noble Bull's newest release. A taut, emotional ride, Molly skillfully pulls you into the action and makes you feel everything her characters feel. A great read delivered by a gifted storyteller." -Mary Connealy author of Petticoat Ranch and Golden Days.

Check Out This TOP PICK Title by Cheryl Wyatt

TOP PICK IN ROMANTIC TIMES MAGAZINE!
"Cheryl Wyatt infuses A Soldier's Promise (4.5) with kindness, compassion and love. Plus, each character in this strong story is multilayered. When young Bradley, a boy dying of cancer, writes to the Air Force Pararescue team, he gets to meet jumper Joel Montgomery, who connects with Bradley and feels an instant and shared attraction to the boy's teacher, Amber Stanton. This absolutely fantastic debut novel proves that while challenges and boundaries are not always easily resolved, they're definitely worth the work." ---Robin Taylor-Romantic Times Reviewer

ABOUT THE BOOK

"My name's Bradley. I'm eight and have cancer. I want to meet a Special Forces soldier more than anything. Well, almost anything. Having a family would be nice."

U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper Joel Montgomery promised to make a sick child's wish come true. Well, not the family part—not with Joel's past. And so despite vowing never to set foot back in Refuge, Illinois, Joel parachuted onto the boy's school lawn to a huge smile. But another smile unexpectedly stole Joel's heart: that of Bradley's beautiful teacher, Amber Stanton, who was trying to adopt the boy. And trying to show Joel it was time for new vows.

BUY A SOLDIER'S PROMISE NOW! http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=874668&netp_id=507385&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=details

A WORD FROM CHERYL ABOUT WHY SHE WROTE THIS BOOK:

I had two friends lose their daughters to leukemia after valiant battles. The thing I kept thinking all through their heart-wrenching plight and flight was how incredibly courageous their little girls (ages 8 and 9) were, even up to the moments of their deaths.

Talking to their mothers, who were literally living every mother's nightmare, I realized one thing: If courage could cure cancer, these two girls' faith and fight alone would have eradicated it from this earth.

So, to honor these girls' memories and their courage in the face of this devastating illness, I decided to write about a little boy with cancer. Only in my story, I could control the outcome. You'll have to read the book to find out the ending, but suffice it to say that I'd hoped and prayed with everything in me that Brandy and Nanette's precious girls' story would have ended as happilly as did Bradley's, Joel's, and Amber's in A Soldier's Promise. In fact in a sequel, I have a secondary character mention that very quote, only he says it in regards to Bradley, the child suffering cancer in the book.

If courage could cure cancer, that child's fight and faith alone would have eradicated it from the earth.

I wrote this book from my heart for every family and every child who has had to face childhood cancer.

ABOUT CHERYL:

Cheryl Wyatt's closest friends would never dream the mayhem she plots during announcements at church. An RN-turned-SAHM, joyful chaos rules her home and she delights in the stealth moments God gives her to write. She stays active in her church and in her laundry room. She's convinced that having been born on a Naval base on Valentine's Day destined her to write military romance.

Prior to publication, Cheryl took courses through Christian Writers Guild. An active member of RWA, FHL and ACFW, she won numerous awards with multiple manuscripts. Visit her on the Web at http://www.cherylwyatt.com/. Sign up for her newsletter for news and chances to enter contests with great prizes. Hang with her on the web at http://www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com/. You can also find her skittering around Steeple Hill's message boards as "Squirl" at http://www.steeplehill.com/.

Hannah Alexander always serves up super suspense, so I'm proud to introduce the newest release on behalf of the Chapter A Week Club! Don't forget to click on the link at the end of the post to read an excerpt.

DOUBLE BLIND

A Hideaway Novel by Hannah Alexander

A deadly outbreak opens old wounds…

A virus is sweeping the Navajo reservation, and two of Sheila Metcalf's childhood friends are dead. For Sheila, that's a call to leave Hideaway, Missouri, and return to Arizona. Neither her father's objections nor the arguments of Preston Black, the man who loves her, can stop Sheila from returning to the land of her youth. Her nursing skills are needed, and it's past time she found out the truth about her mother's long-ago death.

There's a medical mystery to unravel, secrets about the past to uncover and questions about the future to explore. Along the way, Sheila will need courage and strength—and faith that God will protect her and lead her to where she belongs.

To read a chapter of this exciting new title go to Chapter-a-Week!

What Lies Within by Karen Ball

I've been waiting for this one! Isn't the cover superb? But "what lies within" is even better. Karen Ball never disappoints. Her stories are edgy, heart-tugging, spirit-moving, and well-crafted.

When I was so blessed to have her as my hands-on editor for the first two books I ever published, her insights took me to a whole new level of write-craft. I will be forever grateful. Her techniques feature large in the workshops I teach to other writers.

So now I can only recommend heartily that you grab yourself a copy of this new release by a seasoned author. Savor the read!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing’s going to stop Kyla…

until the ground crumbles beneath her feet.

Kyla Justice has arrived. Her company, Justice Construction, is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful companies in the Pacific Northwest. And yet, something is missing. Not until she’s called on to build a center for inner-city kids does she realize what it is: her sense of purpose. Now nothing can stop her, not the low budget, not supply problems, not gang opposition, not her boyfriend’s suggestion that she sell her business and marry him–and most especially not that disagreeable Rafael Murphy.

Rafe Murphy understands battle. Wounded in action, this Force Recon Marine carries the scars–and the nightmares–to prove it. Though he can’t fight overseas any longer, he’s found his place as a warrior in the civilian world. So he soldiers on, trusting that one of these days, God will reveal to him why Rafe survived the ambush in Iraq. That day has arrived.

Kyla and Rafe both discover that determination alone won’t carry them through danger and challenges. When gang violence threatens their very foundations, there’s only one way to survive: rely on each other, be real–and surrender to God. In other words, risk everything…

BUY IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590524152

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Ball , bestselling novelist, is also the editor behind several of today's bestselling Christian novels. Her love for words was passed down through her father and grandfather - both pastors who shared God's truth through sermons and storytelling. Blending humor, poignancy, and honesty, Karen's writing style is a powerful force for revealing God's truth. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, and their "kids," Bodhan, a mischief-making Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-terrier mix who should have been named "Destructo."

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck

"In a fierce struggle for survival, don't mess with a mom." from the Nav Press web site

This is one awesome book for readers who enjoy fantasy and those who don't usually read it. Hinck has infused her Sword of Lyric series with universal appeal. Her wonderfully drawn characters remind us of people we know . . . or maybe of ourselves. The world of her imagination bears eerie parallels to our own, leaving us with lessons that impact our daily lives.

Book One of The Sword of Lyric series has garnered critical praise for its unique blend of fantasy genre and contemporary women's fiction voice, and went into a second printing only a few months after releasing. The story unfolds the adventure of a modern-day mom pulled through a portal into another world where a nation grappling for its soul waits for a promised Restorer.

To read a chapter of this exciting new title go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChapteraWeek/message/318.

Buy It Now! http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1029877&item_no=061318

Got Time to Meet a Christian Superhero?

Batman. Superman. Spiderman. The Incredible Hulk. The Fantastic Four. Ever wanted to read a book about Christian super-heroes for once? Well, Frank Creed has granted your wish in his sci-fi novel, Flashpoint.

Picture Michael J. Fox cast as a Neo-like figure (a la The Matrix) fighting for righteousness in a Christian-hunting fascist society, and you will have a rough idea of the main character in Flashpoint. And this dude is surrounded by others like him but with different gifts, including his cyber-whiz sister. Special effects techs would have a field day making this one into a movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its high tech action spiced with glimpses of the supernatural realm of the spirit that surrounds us and plays big in the outcome of our every day lives, much less in the lives of freedom-fighters in this potential world of the future. Little wonder Creed's book won an Elfie award for best sci-fi novel of 2006.

You can find out more about the author and the book at http://www.frankcreed.com/.
Buy It Now! http://www.thewriterscafe.com/authorandbooks/flashpoint.html

Bluegrass Peril by Virginia Smith

Yippee! My friend Ginny's new Steeple Hill Romantic Suspense is out! This is a keeper. Loads of fun, and it's a quick read for the bus commuter or the busy mom or the day-worker wanting to unwind. Ginny did a lot of research for this novel, which shows in the details of the horse racing world she puts into the story. After she wrote the manuscript, news reports came out that established one of her key scenarios as more fact than fiction!

Read to the bottom of this post for book giveaway information.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

WHO KILLED HER BOSS?

Local police had tagged single mom Becky Dennison as their prime suspect. But she'd only been in the wrong place at the wrong time...admittedly, with her boss's lifeless body. Sure it looked bad, but Becky had no motive for killing...even if she had opportunity.

When the director of the retirement farm for thoroughbred champions is murdered, Becky Dennison teams up with the handsome manager of a neighboring horse farm, Scott Lewis, to find her boss's killer. Soon the amateur detective are hot on the trail of the murderer...even as their feelings for each other deepen.

The amateur sleuths uncover a trail of clues that lead them into the intricate society of Kentucky's elite thoroughbred breeding industry. They soon find themselves surrounded by the mint julep set - jealous southern belles and intensely competitive horse breeders - in a high-stakes game of danger, money, and that famous southern pride.

And for Becky and Scott, this race on the Kentucky tracks has the greatest stakes of all: life or death!

Romantic Times awarded Bluegrass Peril* * * * FOUR STARS! * * * *

Buy It Now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373442726

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker in the summer of 2005. Since then she has contracted eight novels and numerous articles and short stories.

She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including her debut, Just As I Am (Kregel Publications, March 2006) and her new release, Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007). Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines.

An energetic speaker, Virginia loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”

I just happen to have a spare copy of Bluegrass Peril on my shelf. (No, I'm not giving away my own copy.) If you'd like your name in the hat for it, make a comment about this book or one of the others featured in this blog and BE SURE TO LEAVE CONTACT INFORMATION. I can't tell you that you've won if you don't tell me how to let you know.

In recent months, I've posted lots of good info on great reads for every taste! Don't let the knowledge go to waste!

Oh, yummy! A new one from Kristen Heitzmann! I've been waiting for the final installment in this fantastic series . . . and waiting . . . and waiting. Now it's here!

ECHOES is the conclusion to SECRETS and UNFORGOTTEN.

Even in the midst of her affectionate and chaotic Italian family, Sofie Michelli feels alone. For too long, she has been caught in a net of loss and despair. It is time to let go, to start again.

Rese is not sure what to make of Lance Michelli's healing gift, but she feels protective of this humbled version of the swaggering man who turned her life inside out. As they find new footing, the Sonoma villa she renovated becomes a refuge for the downtrodden—including Lance's sister Sofie.

Driven to protect the innocent, Child Protective Service worker Matt Hammond reserves judgment on the unconventional caregivers of the abandoned infant—who both concern and fascinate him—but he is especially drawn to Sofie, the mesmerizing woman with a dancer's poise, eyes like dark copper pennies—and scars on her wrists.

To read a chapter from this new title go to ChapterAWeek .

Buy It Now! http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1029877&item_no=228308

Brave New Fantasy! Check Out Auralia's Colors

ABOUT THE BOOK:

As a baby, she was found in a footprint.

As a girl, she was raised by thieves in a wilderness where savages lurk.

As a young woman, she will risk her life to save the world with the only secret she knows.

When thieves find an abandoned child lying in a monster’s footprint, they have no idea that their wilderness discovery will change the course of history.

Cloaked in mystery, Auralia grows up among criminals outside the walls of House Abascar, where vicious beastmen lurk in shadow. There, she discovers an unsettling–and forbidden–talent for crafting colors that enchant all who behold them, including Abascar’s hard-hearted king, an exiled wizard, and a prince who keeps dangerous secrets.

Auralia’s gift opens doors from the palace to the dungeons, setting the stage for violent and miraculous change in the great houses of the Expanse.

Auralia’s Colors weaves literary fantasy together with poetic prose, a suspenseful plot, adrenaline-rush action, and unpredictable characters sure to enthrall ambitious imaginations.

Visit the Website especially created for the book, Auralia's Colors. On the site, you can read the first chapter and listen to jeffrey's introduction of the book, plus a lit more!

PRAISE
"Film critic and author Overstreet (Through a Screen Darkly) offers a powerful myth for his first foray into fiction. Overstreet’s writing is precise and beautiful, and the story is masterfully told. Readers will be hungry for the next installment."--Publishers Weekly

“Through word, image, and color Jeffrey Overstreet has crafted a work of art. From first to final page this original fantasy is sure to draw readers in. Auralia's Colors sparkles.”-–Janet Lee Carey, award-winning author of The Beast ofNoor and Dragon's Keep

“Jeffrey Overstreet’s first fantasy, Auralia’s Colors, and its heroine’s cloak of wonders take their power from a vision of art that is auroral, looking to the return of beauty, and that intends to restore spirit and and mystery to the world. The book achieves its ends by the creation of a rich, complex universe and a series of dramatic, explosive events.”-–Marly Youmans, author of Ingledove and TheCurse of the Raven Mocker

BUT IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400072522

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jeffrey Overstreet lives in two worlds. By day, he writes about movies at LookingCloser.org and in notable publications like Christianity Today, Paste, and Image.

His adventures in cinema are chronicled in his book Through a Screen Darkly. By night, he composes new stories found in fictional worlds of his own. Living in Shoreline, Washington, with his wife, Anne, a poet, he is a senior staff writer for Response Magazine at Seattle Pacific University.

Auralia’s Colors is his first novel. He is now hard at work on many new stories, including three more strands of The Auralia Thread.

For Parents Only - Book Giveaway!

"For every bewildered parent, there's a kid longing to be understood."

Shaunti Feldhahn is a name that's long been known for her relationship help books. Now this nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker has teamed up with Lisa A. Rice, associate editor of Christian Living magazine, to bring parents a vital communication manual. FOR PARENTS ONLY: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid is a compact stick of dynamite that will blow down communication barriers between you and your kids.

And I've got two copies to GIVE AWAY! Read on to find out how you can qualify for the drawing.

Check out these great chapter teasers:

Taking a tour inside your kids head and heart.

Why even good kids go crazy for freedom and how to restore sanity.

Why your child suddenly treats you like an alien--and acts like one too.

The Good Thing About Being a Bad Guy: Why your child secretly hopes you'll stand your ground.

Don't these just wet your appetite for more? One of the niftiest things about this book is that it's short, sweet, and to the point. The authors present their well-researched material concisely, clearly and with compassionate passion for their topic. Keep reading to find out how you can win one just in time to head off unneeded extra holiday hassle with your kids.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Shaunti Feldhahn is the author of For Women Only and numerous other books, with sales totaling nearly one million copies. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker, Feldhahn earned her master’s degree at Harvard University. She and her husband, Jeff, have two young children. Lisa A. Rice is the associate editor of Christian Living magazine, the mother of two teenage girls, and a screenwriter and producer.

Buy it now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529324

Win it now! Reply to this post with either a typical hassle between you and your kids (one you'd like help with) OR an example of a way that works for you in communicating with your kids. Simply responding with "count me in the drawing" won't cut it. Let's get some communication going!

I'm Jazzed Today!

I just discovered that one of my books has finally been reviewed in the Library Journal!

The reviewer, Tamara Butler, said cool things about my upcoming January release, Reluctant Smuggler. Stuff like, “worthy third series entry,” and “This is a smart, fast-paced suspense title with enough relationship drama to please both fans of thriller and romance genres.” Hey, I’m smart! Well, she thought the book was smart anyway. She even mentioned that this is the third in a series, and the previous two are Reluctant Burglar and Reluctant Runaway. Whoo-hoo!

Maybe you’re thinking, “What’s the big deal?” To me, it’s a milestone. Librarians across the country pay attention to the Journal’s opinion when ordering books to stock. Library placement equals increased readership. Increased readership means more people potentially touched by the faith and hope I infuse into every novel. It also means increased sales, and increased sales leads to a happy publisher, which tends toward more book deals for a smiling author. . . Well, you get the picture.

My next big goal is to get the attention of the grand poobah of publishing industry opinion, Publisher’s Weekly. But I am still left with a burning question: When I’m reviewed in PW, does that mean I have at last “arrived” as an author?

How about for you, dear reader? What events in your life have made you feel validated in your endeavors?

To celebrate my personal milestone, I'm giving away several books from my own library. Not Smuggler. That one hasn't released yet, and not even moi, the author, has a finished copy.

However, if you'd like to get started on the To Catch a Thief series, I have a copy of Reluctant Burglar that I'd love to put someone's name on. Also, if you like chic lit, I'd be happy to bless someone with a copy of Splitting Harriet, a hilarious romp by fellow Waterbrook/Multnomah author, Tamara Leigh. And how about a set of suspense novels? I've got a copy of Ever Present Danger and one of Never Look Back, also by a fellow Waterbrook/Multnomah author, Kathy Herman.

What do you need to do to get your name in the hat? Just reply to this post with a moment of personal validation--very appropriate for this season as we count our blessings. Don't forget to include your contact information so I can let you know if your name is drawn!

Oh, and all three To Catch a Thief books can be ordered/pre-ordered from my books page on this site. http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/tcatbooks.shtml

Excellent blessings on Thanksgiving and always!

Jill

Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh

Chic lit lovers will have a blast with this one--or anyone who needs to be reminded that walking with the Lord is fun!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Once upon a time, I was a rebel . . . And I have the tattoos to prove it.

Did I mention I'm also a preacher's kid? That's right. And like the prodigal son after whom I model myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold. Today my life is all about "lead me not into temptation." When I'm not serving as Women's Ministry Director at my father's church, I'm working at Gloria's Morning Cafe. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the cafe, keeping my Jelly Belly habit under control, and never again hurting the people I love. No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You'd think I was finally on the right track.

But since my dad's replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our "dying" church, things aren't working out as planned. And now this "consultant" says I'm in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is? With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants--the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that's missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought . . . but if he thinks he's going to tkae me for a ride on that 1298cc machine, he can think again.

Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she's going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!

Buy it now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529286

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tamara Leigh’s first novel, Warrior Bride, was published in 1994 and was followed by six more bestselling, award-winning historical romances for Bantam, HarperCollins, and Dorchester. Leigh’s inspirational chick lit debut, Stealing Adda, was published in 2006 to great critical acclaim. Leigh has also written for Romantic Times magazine and been a guest speaker for WaldenBooks’s corporate conference. Leigh lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two sons and enjoys time with her family, volunteer work, faux painting, and reading.

Try Dying by James Scott Bell

I'm always excited when a new James Scott Bell book releases. Talk about tight writing and riveting plot, Bell does it for me. Check out his latest!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On a wet Tuesday morning in December, Ernesto Bonilla, twenty-eight, shot his twenty-three-year-old wife, Alejandra, in the backyard of their West 45th Street home in South Los Angeles. As Alejandra lay bleeding to death, Ernesto drove their Ford Explorer to the westbound Century Freeway connector where it crossed over the Harbor Freeway and pulled to a stop on the shoulder.

Bonilla stepped around the back of the SUV, ignoring the rain and the afternoon drivers on their way to LAX and the west side, placed the barrel of his .38 caliber pistol into his mouth, and fired.His body fell over the shoulder and plunged one hundred feet, hitting the roof of a Toyota Camry heading northbound on the harbor Freeway. The impact crushed the roof of the Camry. The driver, Jacqueline Dwyer, twenty-seven, an elementary schoolteacher from Reseda, died at the scene.

This would have been simply another dark and strange coincidence, the sort of thing that shows up for a two-minute report on the local news--with live remote from the scene--and maybe gets a follow-up the next day. Eventually the story would go away, fading from the city's collective memory.But this story did not go away. Not for me. Because Jacqueline Dwyer was the woman I was going to marry.

In Try Dying, this fast-paced thriller, lawyer Ty Buchanan must enter a world of evil to uncover the cause of his fiancee's death--even if he has to kill for the truth.

"Bell is one of the best writers out there...he creates characters readers care about...a story worth telling."~Library Review~

Buy it now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1599956845

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Scott Bell is a former trial lawyer who now writes full time. He is also the fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine and adjunct professor of writing at Pepperdine University.

His book on writing, Plot and Structure is one of the most popular writing books available today. The national bestselling author of several novels of suspense, he grew up and still lives in Los Angeles, where he is at work on his next Buchanan thriller.

Novella Lovers Unite!

Craving some fun, fast holiday reads? These four awesome authors have crafted just the treat to satisfy your hunger. Check out Big Apple Christmas by Carrie Turansky, Gail Sattler, Lynette Sowell, and Reyes Acosta.

ABOUT THE BOOKS:

Moonlight and Mistletoe by Carrie Turansky -- Christmas plans are set askew when professional organizer Sarah Montgomery meets free-spirited poet Justin Latimer. As they work together on a project for her neighbor, romantic sparks fly - but will new revelations douse them?

Shopping for Love by Gail Sattler – Two tourists try to lose themselves in the holiday shopping crowds. But when Bryan Evans literally knocks Emily Jones off her feet, her heart's secrets are spun even more off balance.

Where the Love Light Gleams by Lynette Sowell -- Christmas in Rockefeller Center puts a widow's spruce tree on center stage. Professor Theophilus Stellakis volunteers to host Gwynn Michaud, and they both find new dreams in the glow of the holiday lights.

Gifts of the Magi by Vasthi Reyes Acosta -- The gift of the Magi comes full circle for two lonely Latinos when Cecilia Montes takes time out of her busy schedule to help an old friend with youth group activities. But can she trust her heart to Elias Perez?



THE AUTHORS TALK ABOUT THEIR BOOK:


Readers often say that memorable characters are what make a book enjoyable. Describe the hero and heroine in your novella.


Vasthi: Cecilia Montes is a grad student dependant on her own strength and wisdom. Elias Perez, the youth pastor, was a childhood friend of Cecilia.


Carrie: Sarah Montgomery is a professional organizer who likes to feel she has everything under control in her life. Justin Latimer is a free-spirited children’s poet who is spontaneous and fun loving.


Lynette: Gwynn Michaud is a nontraditional Grandma with a big heart for her family. She's not looking for love. Then her surroundings change, and her family must do without her for the holidays. Theophilus Stellakis loves his ordered life and teaching college chemistry. When Gwynn comes to stay with him and his daughter, she brings a delightful splash of color to his life.

Gail: Emily has made some big changes in her life, and she thinks New York City is the perfect place to get lost in the crowd and regroup. Bryan needs some vacation time.

How do these characters grow and change in your novella? Or what do they discover about themselves or others?


Vasthi: Cecilia discovers that her old childhood friend, Elias, is not the sickly boy she remembers. And as she begins to fall in love with him she learns to rely in God's wisdom and strength not her own.


Carrie: Sarah has put up a protective wall around her heart, and she must learn that faith is the remedy for her fear. Justin discovers how important honesty is in building a strong relationship.


Lynette: Gwynn realizes during her time in New York that she's let herself slide, and that her family can function without her for a while. Not that she loves them any less, of course. Theo realizes how he's pushed people away, but he needs people to enrich his life, and that God often uses people to show us how much He loves us.


Gail: They both discover companionship and friendship is best found in unexpected places, and helping a stranger, or being willing to be helped, can be the best way to find a new friend.

What other books have you written?


Vasthi: I've written a trilogy based on a contemporary adaptation of the story of Ruth with Latino characters, titled MANGOES AND APPLE PIE. It is not yet published.


Carrie: I have written two other novellas, “Wherever Love Takes Us” and “Tea for Two” which is a finalist for the ACFW Book of the Year Contest. I’ve also written ALONG CAME LOVE, for Love Inspired. I just finished SURRENDERED HEARTS and hope it will be published soon.


Lynette: I have novellas in three other anthologies, plus my first two cozy mystery novels release in 2008, A SUSPICION OF STRAWBERRIES and THE WILES OF WATERMELON.


Gail: Too many to list here. You'll have to go to my website at http://www.gailsattler.com/, then you can see everything, including the covers.


Tell us something fun about yourself that we might not know.


Vasthi: I love to ride roller coasters. If I'm lucky enough to get a seat in the front, I sit back and watch the sky as the car climbs up and up and up and then when its at the tip just about to take the plunge I throw my arms up and scream all the way down. Yes! It's exhilarating.


Carrie: I love Africa! Our family spent a year in Kenya as missionaries, and I left a big piece of my heart there. I love to see what God is doing there through missionary friends and Christian organizations like Charity is:, and Samaritan’s Purse.


Lynette: Like my heroine Gwynn, I have an art degree and I love to paint...but I haven't done it in years. I'm thinking of picking up my brushes again.


Gail: I belong to a local jazz band, and I'm just taking on a new project - an electric upright bass.


We hope you will stop by the special new web site we created for this book. You can read excerpts of each novella, learn more about the authors, see some of our favorite Christmas recipes and enjoy photos of New York City. http://www.abigapplechristmas.com/.


You can learn more about the authors at their websites:
Gail Sattler: http://www.gailsattler.com/
Lynette Sowell: http://www.lynettesowell.com/
Carrie Turansky: http://www.carrieturansky.com/

Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Sam's estranged step-father dies, she inherits his ocean-front cottage in Nantucket--not because he kindly bequeathed it to her, but because he neglected to ever create a will. Sam returns to the island she left 11 years ago with her daughter Caden to fix up the house and sell it, but she isn't counting on is the fact that Landon Reed still lives two doors down from her childhood home.

As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she really left the island. Will the secrets she's hidden all these years tear them apart? Or is Landon's love really as unconditional as he claims?

"I've always thought Denise Hunter was an amazing writer but this wonderful story sets her firmly at the forefront of compelling love stories. How Landon breaks down Samantha's determination that she is unworthy of love kept me glued to the pages. An amazing story!"--Colleen Coble, author of Fire Dancer (Smoke Jumper Series)

BUY IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1595542574

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped.Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

In addition to Surrender Bay, the second Nantucket book releases in April 2008. The title is The Convenient Groom and features Kate Lawrence, a relationship advice columnist, whose groom dumps her on her wedding day. Denise is currently at work on the third Nantucket book (Oct 2008) which is untitled so far.

Boo Humbug!

What a great title for a book! Leave a comment, and you'll be entered to win one of two copies I'm giving away.

If you like giving fun and offbeat Christmas gifts, this is a super choice for the readers on your list. Queen of quirky comedy, Rene Gutteridge returns with a new and hilarious holiday saga in her popular series from Skary, Indiana. Like the cover says: Christmas is scarier than you think!

BUY IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073537

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Readers have come to love the eccentric characters from Skary, Indiana, in Rene Gutteridge’s popular Boo! series. Now, in Boo Humbug! they’re back – and they’re stirring up a large amount of holiday havoc.

It’s Christmastime in Skary, and the town is planning an original production of A Christmas Carol with a horror spin. As showtime approaches, things go very awry for director Lois Stepaphanopolis. She panics when she discovers that her marketing director loathes Christmas and that the audience has been promised not Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but the real Christmas story. Can the actors pull off the improv of all improvs and convince their community to embrace the true meaning of the Christmas season?

Boo Humbug! offers readers a delightful glimpse into small town, community life with heartwarming humor and winsome characters. And in the end, the true meaning of Christmas shines out bright and clear, in a decidedly un-Skary way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rene Gutteridge is the author of 10 novels, including the Boo series, the Storm series, The Occupational Hazards series and My Life as a Doormat, a Women of Faith selection for 2006. She has been published over 30 times as a playwright, and holds a degree in screenwriting, graduating magna cum laude from Oklahoma State University. Rene is married to Sean, a musician, and they have two young children. They make their home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Matt Bronleewe's Illuminated

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt Bronleewe is a recognized producer, songwriter and author. The former member of the band Jars of Clay, has earned numerous awards producing and co-writing albums that have sold a combined total of over 20 million copies. His songs have recently been recorded by Disney pop sensations Aly & AJ, American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, and more. Bronleewe has worked with Grammy Award-winning artists such as Michael W. Smith, International pop singer Natalie Imbruglia and Heroes star Hayden Panettiere.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Bronleewe was raised on a farm in Kansas, where he lived until he left for college in 1992. At Greenville College in Illinois, Bronleewe formed the band Jars of Clay with his dorm roommate and two neighbors, and the group soon found success. Though Bronleewe opted to leave Jars of Clay early on to pursue an academic career, he soon found himself in Nashville, co-writing, producing, and playing music professionally.

To add to his list of accomplishments, Bronleewe has expanded his love of story telling beyond music into authorship. He is currently penning a 5 book series for Thomas Nelson Fiction. Illuminated, in stores now, begins the adventurous series about rare manuscripts and the mysteries within.

Bronleewe currently resides in Brentwood, Tenn., with his wife and three children. He continues to write and produce music, and he also volunteers through his church to help disadvantaged youth in the community. Bronleewe enjoys reading, taste-testing good food and watching sports, as well as indulging his interests in art, architecture, design and science.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

IT'S BEEN 500 YEARS IN THE MAKING...PREPARE TO BE ILLUMINATED...

August Adams has failed his family before. He's sacrificed relationships in pursuit of adventure, fame, and money. Now the very lives of those he loves depend on his ability to decipher a centuries-old puzzle encrypted in the colorful hand-painted illuminations that adorn three rare Gutenberg Bibles.

It's a secret that could yield unimaginable wealth, undermine two major religions, and change the course of Western civilization. Two ruthless, ancient organizations are willing to do anything to get their hands on it. And August has the span of one transatlantic flight to figure it out.

If he fails, those he holds most dear will die. If he succeeds, he'll destroy a national treasure.The clock ticks, the suspense mounts, and the body count rises as August pits his knowledge and his love for his family against the clock, secret societies, and even Johannes Gutenberg himself.

"...this rare breed of suspense thriller combines mysterious hidden clues, secret societies, buried treasure, double agents, and the Knights Templar...if you turned National Treasure into international treasure, traded DaVinci codes for Gutenberg Bibles, married it to Indiana Jones, and added the pacing of 24 you'd be in the neighborhood of Illuminated...on a scale of one to 10, this one goes to 11."-Aspiring Retail Magazine

BUY IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1595542493

New Release by Kathy Herman!

Never Look Back is vintage Kathy Herman. This author has a knack for combining tense suspense with emotionally wrenching issues a la Karen Kingsbury. She's also skilled at handling a large cast of characters that become more and more like family with each page turned. This is the second book in the Phantom Hollow series, but it could be read alone. The first one is Ever Present Danger.

Buy the book now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590529227

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The day Ivy Griffith walks out of jail after serving her sentence for withholding evidence in the Joe Hadley murder case, she is ready to put her years of pain and drug abuse behind her. A new job at her parents’ Christian camp in Colorado promises stability in this new season, but she is unprepared for her brother’s indifference toward her and her son, Montana. When camp worker Rue Kessler takes an interest in Montana, Ivy hopes the attention will make up for the rejection her son is feeling—and she doesn’t mind the attention Rue directs her way either.

Then a rash of crimes turns deadly, and Ivy suspects that Rue isn’t all he appears to be. But how can she condemn another when she knows the pain of accusation? The mysteries increase as Ivy struggles to move beyond the secrets of her past. Along the way, she discovers that the hardest person to forgive might be herself.

This fast-paced suspense novel continues the Phantom Hollow series with a rich exploration of the risks and possibilities of starting over.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author Kathy Herman has been on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and at Better Books Christian Center in Texas. She has conducted educational seminars at CBA conventions in the U.S. and Canada, served as a judge for the Gold Medallion Book Awards, and worked as an independent product/marketing consultant to the CBA market. She is the author of twelve novels, including the bestsellers Tested by Fire and All Things Hidden. Kathy and her husband, Paul, live in Tyler, Texas. Visit Kathy at http://www.kathyherman.com/.

Crimson Eve - Not to be Missed New Release by Brandilyn Collins

Wow! What an exciting book! I devoured this read from thrilling start to nailbiting finish. Crimson Eve is Brandilyn Collins in high form. Suspense-lovers should NOT pass this one by.

About the Book:

Carla stared at the gun and David Thornby—or whatever his name was. Her mind split in two, one side pleading this was some sick joke, the other screaming it was all too real.

“Please. You must have the wrong person. There’s no reason for someone to want me dead. I don’t have any enemies.”

“Then you’d best rethink your friends.”

Realtor Carla Radling shows an “English gentleman” a lakeside estate—and finds herself facing a gun. Who has hired this assassin to kill her, and why?Forced on the run, Carla must uncover the scathing secrets of her past. Secrets that could destroy some very powerful people...

Brandilyn Collins fans and reviewers are saying Crimson Eve is her best book yet:

“Collins tops herself by creating a suspenseful nonstop thrill ride … Truly the best Christian Fiction suspense title so far this year.”– Library Journal, starred review

“Crimson Eve is Collins at her very best. It left me feeling as if I’d climbed Mount Everest without oxygen … I didn’t think Brandilyn could outdo herself after reading Coral Moon. She did.”–TitleTrakk.com

“I’ve never edited a more tightly crafted, deftly woven, compellingly written book.” –a Crimson Eve editor, with 20 years experience

“This is your best book! I could not stop reading!” – one of many readers with similar responses

Buy it now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310252253

About the Author:

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense™. These harrowing crime thrillers have earned her the tagline “Don’t forget to b r e a t h e…® ”

She’s so well known in the industry there’s actually a club for her non-readers. That’s right. The Big Honkin’ Chickens Club (BHCC) members are proud of the fact that they’re too wimpy to read Brandilyn’s intense fiction. Now and then one of them tries. Bribing works pretty well. (Just ask Deb Raney.) Somehow they live to tell the tale.

Brandilyn writes for Zondervan, the Christian division of HarperCollins Publishers, and is currently at work on her 17th book. Her first book, A Question of Innocence, was a true crime published by Avon in 1995. Its promotion landed her on local and national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows.

She’s also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons), and often teaches at writers conferences. Brandilyn blogs at Forensics and Faith.

Visit her website to read the first chapters of all her books.

Read about Violet Dawn and Coral Moon, books one and two in the Kanner Lake series.

Do you know someone who’s never read a Brandilyn Collins novel? Surely no such person exists. However, should you scrounge up such a friend—someone who enjoys suspense—here’s a special offer from Brandilyn. Be among the first 50 people between now and October 21, 2007 to e-mail her assistant at gayle.brandilyncollins@gmail.com with the person’s name, e-mail address and street address. (Due to exorbitant overseas mailing costs, United States residents only, please).

A signed copy of Crimson Eve will be sent to your friend—free—along with an e-mail from Brandilyn announcing the book is on its way, courtesy of you. (Don’t worry. Brandilyn won’t spam these email addresses. She just wants your friend to know who to thank.) No worries that this story is third in the Kanner Lake series. Each book stands alone. Brandilyn is convinced your friend will so love Crimson Eve, he/she will surely reciprocate with expensive chocolate.

My Life Unscripted

This is Tricia Goyer, a fine author of historical and young adult fiction. She's also just released an excellent non-fiction book for teenagers called My Life Unscripted. Tricia bares her heart and her past as she writes powerfully for young people, inspiring them to approach life with planning and forethought--to script their world into its fullest potential.

The concept for the book and the way she writes portions in actual script is awesome. This is a great book for your teenagers or youth group.

Let's hear Tricia tell about the book in her own words:

"With real-life scripts, screewriting terms, and timely topics, My Life, Unscripted helps teen girls explore their own inner struggles and outward relationships. It's my hope they'll learn the importance of "scripting" their own responses BEFORE challenging life-situations arise. By contrasting real life with TV/movies, it's my hope that teen girls will understand they don't have to get caught up in the drama. They don't have to face situations as they arise, but rather they can think about, pray about, and consider hoe to face these situations before they hit the big screen of their lives.

Q: Is it true that much of YOUR story shows up in these pages?

A: Gulp. Yes, I'm afraid so. In fact, I shared parts of my story that I swore I'd never tell a soul. My teenage script (portrayed in the book as Trish Valley) wasn't one I'd suggest my daughter, nor my readers to copy.

Q: Why did you decide to share these stories?

A: First, because I want girls to understand the heartache of unwise decisions. I want them to be able to relate to me . . . relate than feeling preached at. Also, I wanted to share my stories because many young women have faced the same type of situations, or they know friends who have. And finally because they are great object lessons for the importance of following biblical truth.

Q: What does your daughter think about this book?

Although it was hard to talk about my past mistakes, I knew this wasn an ideal opportunity to share real-life truths with my daughter. Each person walking this earth has regrets. Our talks showed me that instead of hiding my past troubles (and hoping my kids didn't find out), sharing my mistakes could actually give my daughter a better understanding as to why values and wise decision-making skills are important.

For those moms out there . . . maybe your teen yearts were not as drama-filled as mine. Of, if they were, maybe you are fearful of sharing them with your teen. The truth is, teens learn best not with information and knowledge, but rather by hearing life examples and understanding how decisions can affect all parts of our lives. So, time to get brave, Mom. Open your heart and share what worked and what didn't. It just might help your daughter write a better script for herself.

Oh, yes, and consider buying your daughter, My Life, Unscripted. Hopefully, every teen girl can get some take-away to scripting a bright future!

Here's the link to purchase from Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&P=1029877&item_no=310524

NOBODY by Creston Mapes

Mapes' new release grabs the reader by the gut and compels them to plunge through the pages to a surprising and yet fitting conclusion.

This was a very fun read from an author who loves to dish up the unusual plot and illuminate the seamy sides of life on this stricken planet with the gentle, yet powerful beam of hope.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Not everything that happens in Vegas has to stay in Vegas!

They said, “He’s a nobody.” They were dead wrong.

When reporter Hudson Ambrose hears an early morning call on his police scanner about an injured person at a bus stop on Las Vegas Boulevard, he rushes to the scene to get the scoop.His world is blown off its axis when he discovers a murdered homeless man with a bankbook in his pocket showing a balance of almost one million dollars. Should he wait for the police, knowing the case will get lost in reams of red tape, or swipe the bankbook and take the investigation–and perhaps a chunk of the money–into his own hands?

With sirens bearing down on the scene, Hudson makes an impulse decision that whisks him on a frantic search for answers, not only about the mysterious dead man, but about the lost soul lurking within himself.Uncovering bizarre links between a plane crash, a Las Vegas pit boss, a dirty cop, and a widowed Atlanta business mogul, Hudson is forced to find out: who was Chester Holte, what was he doing on the streets, and why are his homeless friends convinced he was an angel in disguise?

“Nobody was absolutely riveting from the opening scene to the final page. With compelling characters, a plot that surprised me at every turn, and a subtle, yet profound message that moved me to tears, this book goes straight to the top of my highly recommended list.”- Deborah Raney, author of Remember to Forget and Within This Circle

“A taut, entertaining novel of mystery, intrigue, and spiritual truth. Creston Mapes delivers a winner in Nobody.”- James Scott Bell, bestselling author of No Legal Grounds and Try Dying

“Nobody had me fascinated from the first paragraph and kept the surprises coming to the very end. Somehow, as the pages flew by, it also managed to convey a beautiful picture of faith the size of a mustard seed. From now on I’ll read anything by Creston Mapes the instant it hits the shelves.”- Athol Dickson, Christy Award—winning author of River Rising and The Cure

Buy it NOW! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590526244

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston Mapes is a talented storyteller whose first two novels, Dark Star and Full Tilt, made him a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year awards and the Inspirational Readers Choice awards. Creston has written for major corporations, colleges, and ministries, including Coca-Cola, TNT Sports, Oracle, Focus on the Family, and In Touch Ministries. Committed to his craft and his family, Creston makes his home in Georgia with his wife, Patty, and their four children.

He's been married for twenty-one years to the girl he first loved way back in fourth grade. They have three lovely girls and a boy in a very close-knit family, spending a lot of time together - watching old classic movies, going on outings, and taking in various school and community events and activities. Creston loves to go for morning walks with his dog, read, paint watercolors, meet friends for coffee and Bible study, watch hockey, take his wife on dates, and spend time in God's Word.

$65 Million "Ten Most Wanted" Painting Recovered

Last year, when Reluctant Burglar (book one in my To Catch a Thief series) released, Leonardo da Vinci's "Madonna with the Yarnwinder" was among the stolen art featured in my Stealth and Wealth contest. "Madonna" has been listed among the FBI's Ten Most Wanted missing pieces for the past four years, but now it can be removed from the roster.

Officers in Glasgow, Scottland, raided an address where the theives were meeting for apparent negotiations about a sale for the painting. Three Englishman and a Scott have been arrested. The lead investigator in the case credits cooperation between Scottish police, national crime agencies and the public with the successful recovery.

According to the Art Loss Register, the da Vinci is valued at $65 million dollars. So why did the thieves hang onto the painting since the August 2003 theft?

As is true of many art thefts, conducting a sale for high profile art on the black market is a gazillion times harder than the actual grab--something would-be art snatchers should think about before they pull a heist. In this case, the thieves posed as tourists and overpowered a tour guide to escape with the painting from Scotland's Drumlanrig Castle, but then they've had to sit on the multi-million dollar loot every since. How frustrating is that! For them, anyway. But good for the patient, methodical work of the law enforcement team.

On a sad note, the recovery comes a month after the death of the painting's owner, the Duke of Buccleuch. His son inherits the title, the castle, and one of the finest private art collections in Britain. Now "Madonna with the Yarnwinder" returns home to that collection.

DiAnn Mills' books set in the Sudan and based on a very real and horrid conflict are outstanding. You'll miss soul-stirringm reads if you pass by this book and the other one in this series, When the Lion Roars.

When the Nile Runs Red

by DiAnn Mills

Two men, one woman.War-torn, disease-ridden Sudan.One powerful God.Paul Farid, who once persecuted the southern Sudanese, now loves the weary people whose lives have been destroyed by war. Colonel Ben Alier has led his battle-hardened soldiers for two decades against the North, yet he pursues a relationship with his son even as his own demons pursue him. Dr. Larson Kerr Farid works long hours caring for the sick, but fatigue and worry about her husband, are taking their toll. And she's just learned something that will make everything more complicated.

These three friends face constant danger as tensions escalate between the north and south, and as Paul's family schemes to kill him and Larson. Will Paul and Larson bridge the gap that seems to grow between them? And will Ben find peace as more than a soldier?

DiAnn Mills introduces her many fans to the current struggle facing Sudan in this riveting account of war, ancient hatreds, love and God's power. Sudan's beauty and tragedy will pierce the soul of every reader.

To read a chapter of this intriguing new title go to ChapterAWeek or order it online at Amazon.com.

Sushi for One

For a hilarious romance with a "kick of Wasabi," pick up Camy Tang's debut chic lit novel. This author's got the "write" stuff to make you laugh all the way to fresh insights on God, people, and yourself.

About the Book:

Lex Sakai’s family, big, nosy, and marriage-minded, is ruled by a crafty grandmother. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the OLDEST SINGLE COUSIN in the clan, a loathed position by all single female family members.
Lex has not dated for years.

Grandma homes in on this fact and demands, bribes, and threatens Lex to bring a boyfriend (not just a date) to her cousin’s wedding.

Lex does not want to date ... not since that terrible incident a few years back ... but, Grandma doesn't give her that choice.

Lex's options are slim because she has used her Bible study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the PERFECT man (and the more she dates, the more she adds to the list).
The one man she keeps running into (and is completely attracted to) doesn’t seem to have a single quality on her list.

It’s only when the always-in-control Lex loses control and lets God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.

Buy the Book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310273986

About the Author:



Camy Tang is a member of CFBA and is a loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick-lit. She grew up in Hawaii, but now lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and rambunctious poi-dog. In a previous life she was a biologist researcher, but these days she is surgically attached to her computer, writing full-time. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service.

Sushi for One? (Sushi Series, Book One is her first novel. Her second, Only Uni (Sushi Series, Book Two) comes out in February 2008!

To celebrate the launch of her debut novel, she's got a huge contest going on. Camy is giving away baskets of Christian novels and an iPod Nano! Only her newsletter YahooGroup subscribers are eligible to enter, so join today.

For more information about the contest, visit her website. Contest ends October 31, 2007!