Offworld by Robin Parrish, Reviewed
July 28, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Bethany House (July 1, 2009)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Parrish had two great ambitions in his life: to have a family, and to be a published novelist. In March of 2005, he proposed to his future wife the same week he signed his first book contract with Bethany House Publishers. They contracted him for the rights to not only that first book, Relentless — but two sequels including Fearless and Merciless. A trilogy that unfolded in the consecutive summers of 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Robin Parrish is a journalist who’s written about pop culture for more than a decade. Currently he serves as Senior Editor at XZOOSIA.com, a community portal that fuses social networking with magazine-style features about entertainment and culture. He and his wife, Karen and son live in North Carolina.
ABOUT THE BOOK
“Every Person on This Planet Has Disappeared.”
Commander Christopher Burke and his crew are humanity’s greatest explorers. They’ve finished their mission on the red dirt of Mars and now they just want to get back to Earth. To see friends, family, and loved ones. To be home. But even with communication to ground control cut and a perilous landing, nothing could prepare the crew for what they discover when they step foot back on planet Earth.
Everyone…everywhere…is gone.
It’s not a dream. It’s not a trick. Now Burke and his team have one mission:find out who or what is behind the disappearance of all mankind.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Offworld, go HERE
Sally Says: First off, can I say I love the cover? I couldn’t wait to get inside this book and find out what happened to the four astronauts. And if I can be honest, there’s a part of me that wondered what these people (and myself) would do with the world all to themselves.
Offworld is a fast-paced novel that reads like an action-adventure movie. In fact, I can see this being turned into a movie. It’s one surprising turn after another, one question after another raised. At one point, the book even had me looking over my shoulder, and I couldn’t stop reading because I needed answers.
The back cover of the book labeled Offworld as suspense, but I think it’s really speculative fiction. Believe it or not, everything in this crazy future world makes sense, even the absence of every person on earth. The story took so many turns I never saw coming.
There’s not a lot of Christian content in this book, and to me that’s fine. I like a good, clean read, and Offworld delivers bigtime. Don’t let the label of speculative fiction or sci-fi scare you off if that’s not your cup of tea. It usually isn’t mine, either.
But if you like adventure, suspense, and twists and turns in your fiction, I’m pretty sure you’ll love Offworld.
Through the Fire
July 18, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Bethany House (July 1, 2009)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.
Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.
Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.
Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Firefighting burns in Aidan O’Neill’s blood. The son of a fireman, O’Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O’Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.
Called back to Reno, he’s now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Through The Fire, go HERE
Sally Says: This book came the same day as Pirate Hunter so I haven’t yet cracked the cover. I did read the first chapter online a while back and enjoyed it. I’ve heard good things about the book and will post my review when I get it read.
The Winner of the Free Critique Is . . .
July 17, 2009
Did I already tell you all that I’ll be offering these critiques from time to time? My goal is to do one a month, at least. We’ll see how that fits into my schedule. Sometimes the I-can-do-this side of my brain goes into hyperdrive and needs an all-nighter to get recalibrated.
Enough stalling. 
The winner is — Bonnie.
Bonnie, I’ll send you an email with the formatting for the ten pages.
Thanks for throwing your name in the hat, everyone. I always hate that only one person can win. Maybe next time I’ll have two winners. (See? That side of my brain is heading for the cliff.) Regardless, let’s do it again soon.
To the Winner Who Shall Be Named Later . . .
July 17, 2009
Okay, so it’s 12:33 Friday morning and I have to get up early to take the hyper diaper to the doctor.
Just a check-up. Just four needles.
All that to say that someone has won the free critique, but I don’t know who that is yet and will not know until sometime this afternoon.
So come back later today and I promise I shall reveal all. Right now I’m going to bed.
Pirate Hunter, Sorta Reviewed
July 17, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Bethany House (July 1, 2009)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society – Cave Diving Section.
He has launched, edited or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of six novels, including Wind River and In High Places. In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK
High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold West Indies, 18th century Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom…. Key West, 21st century Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he’s as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold…The Hunt Is On! Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men’s quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE
Sally Says: I really hate having to review a book I haven’t finished, but I didn’t get the book in time to finish it. So.
I’m enjoying Pirate Hunter. I think I’m over halfway into the book which is a unique blend of a historical about a pirate and the modern-day treasure seekers whom I assume will find his sunken boat or something.
So far the two stories haven’t really blended. We have Bold Ted who was rescued from a slaver ship by pirate Henry Thatch. His story has one of the most heartbreaking tales of conditions on a slaver ship; but on the plus side, he’s met this girl named Sally (can’t go wrong there, right?) and is trying to make a future for the two of them. Then there’s modern day Greg who’s a marine archaeologist working alongside his dream girl on a historic wreck site.
What’s really cool about the story is that Morrisey uses a movie technique to connect the two stories. I’m sure there’s a name for this technique, but I don’t know it so here goes — it’s when a scene ends with an object or person and the next second opens with the same object or person in a different locale or years later. In the first chapter Thatch is teaching Ted about pirating, and he asks Ted what was so important about the year 1623. End of chapter. Chapter two opens with Greg wracking his brain over why 1623 is so important because he’s just been asked this same question on a job interview. I thought it was a pretty cool method of moving back and forth between the two stories.
The one thing I think some people might not like is that there’s a lot of diving technology explained throughout. Maybe a bit too much in places. But I didn’t mind; I was able to follow what was going on, and frankly, I love a good search for sunken treasure.
But since I don’t know yet how Greg’s story will combine with Bold Ted’s life as a pirate in the Caribbean, I must say goodbye. I have a treasure to find.
A Week of Firsts
July 13, 2009
We’ve got a lot of firsts going on in our busy house.
Tomorrow my oldest goes to camp for the first time. He’s my cautious, must be comfortable and have done it a couple times already before he wants to do it child. Which is just like me. Sorry, dear boy.
So we’ve been getting comments like, “I hope Monday doesn’t come,” and “Can you all go with me?” He’s going with a couple friends, and since he’s only forty-five minutes away, my husband plans to swing by and say hi to him on Tuesday, but nervous son just won’t be excited until he finds lots of other boys who play sports too. Then he’ll forget all about us.
So there’s that. While he’s gone, my daughter is going to have her first overnighter with a friend. She’s my daring, laughs in the face of danger child that has my husband and I most on edge. Talk about opposites, huh? She’s dying for older brother to leave so she can get this overnighter started already.
Even my ten-month-old, the hyper diaper as we call him, has a first. He’s giving kisses! To my husband. Only. 
Of all the nerve.
Still, it’s adorable. Steve asks him, “Kiss?’ and the hyper diaper puckers up and leans half an inch toward him. I tell you, it’s a real “Awww” moment.
The sad thing about firsts is that they soon become the norm — and routine. Before long, my oldest boy won’t be so sorry to leave Mom and Dad. My daughter will want to do sleepovers more and at our house (I’m so not ready for that!). And the hyper diaper will give so many kisses that we’ll forget their charm.
That just makes me want to savor these moments even more. Tomorrow I’ll give long hugs, enjoy a quiet evening with my husband, and do my bestest to get the hyper diaper to give ME a kiss.
I’ll let you know when I get my first.
Win a Free Fiction Critique
July 10, 2009
Besides reading fiction and writing my own stuff, one of the things I love doing is helping other novelists polish their work.
So I’m offering a free ten-page critique to one person.
Interested?
Leave a comment on this post by midnight of July 16th, and I’ll randomly pick a winner the next day.
If you don’t win this week, stay tuned. I’ll be doing this often.
Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer, Reviewed
July 7, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Kregel Publications (March 5, 2009)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Adam Blumer lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia.
He works full-time as a freelance writer and editor. A print journalism graduate of Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC), he served in editorial roles for fourteen years at Northland Baptist Bible College (Dunbar, WI) and Awana Clubs International Headquarters (Streamwood, IL).
He has published numerous short stories and articles. Fatal Illusions released by Kregel Publications (Grand Rapids, MI) is his first novel.
ABOUT THE BOOK
An amateur magician, an unassuming family . . . a fatal illusion Haydon Owens wants to be the next Houdini. He has been practicing his craft and has already made four women disappear. All it took was a bit of rope and his two bare hands.
The Thayer family has come to the north woods of Newberry, Michigan, looking for refuge, a peaceful sanctuary from a shattered past. But they are not alone. Little do they know that they are about to become part of Haydon’s next act. Time is running out and already the killer has spotted his next victim. Who will escape alive?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Fatal Illusions, go HERE
“Fatal Illusions is an engaging, fast-paced read with a captivating storyline that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Highly recommended!”–Mark Mynheir, homicide detective and author of The Night Watchman
“An awesome ride!”–Rosey Dow, Christy Award winning author of Reaping the Whirlwind
“Adam Blumer tells a fast-paced story that weaves together a serial killer, a physically wounded pastor and his spiritually wounded wife. The twists and turns will keep readers guessing.”–Rick Acker, author of Blood Brothers
Sally Says: Fatal Illusions is one of those thick, meaty novels we don’t see a lot of anymore.
This first book from novelist and editor Adam Blumer was hard to put down. The plot lines and characters were well-developed and intriguing. As a pastor’s wife, I found Marc and Gillian very believable, even down to the struggles of pastoring in the Chicago area.
What I think I enjoyed the most were the different plot lines that linked together. Blumer did a good job of keeping them fast-paced and interesting, even before they merged into the main conflict. And what a conflict it was!
Fatal Illusions is an excellent first offering, and I hope there’ll be many more books coming from this new author.