Lynn Austin’s Though Waters Roar
October 7, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Though Waters Roar
· Bethany House (October 1, 2009)
by
Lynn Austin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Along with reading, two of Lynn’s lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction.
Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn’s novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel.
ABOUT THE BOOK
“Thank goodness you’re such a plain child. You’ll have to rely on your wits.”
So went the words of Grandma Bebe. And for all of my growing-up years, I scoffed at the beauty of my sister and what I saw as her meaningless existence. But my wits hadn’t served me well in this instance, for here I was, in jail. And while I could have seen it as carrying on the family tradition (for Grandma Bebe landed in jail for her support of Prohibition), the truth is, my reasons for being here would probably break her heart.
So how did I end up becoming a criminal? I’ve been pondering that question all night. Perhaps the best way to search for an answer is to start at the very beginning.
Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow in her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O’Reilly, to be the arresting officer.
Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family–and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness–brings Harriet to the discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Though Waters Roar, go HERE
Sally Says: This book didn’t come in the mail until noon on Saturday so I have not had a chance to read much, but so far it’s an entertaining book.
Because of the back cover copy, I did have a hard time getting into the book. If you’ll read what’s written up by the picture, only the italicized text is on the back of the book. Makes it sound like Harriet’s the main character.
Instead, Harriet’s in jail and keeps thinking back to moments with her grandma Bebe that lead to Bebe telling Harriet stories about growing up around the Civil War. I kept waiting for the story to get to Harriet and finally realized the story must be about Bebe instead.
Once I got that straight, I was able to jump into the story and enjoy growing up with Bebe. While she lived during the Civil War, the book is not a Civil War book. So far it reminds me of one of Austin’s early books Eve’s Daughters which was about four generations of women in the same family. And that makes me happy — I loved Eve’s Daughters.
If you’re a fan of any of Lynn Austin’s books, you’ll enjoy Though Waters Roar. Austin does a good job of setting historical stories in believable, vivid settings, and so far this book shows no exception.
Terri Blackstock’s Intervention
October 3, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Intervention
Zondervan (September 22, 2009)
by
Terri Blackstock
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Terri Blackstock’s books have sold six million copies worldwide. Her suspense novels often debut at number one on the Christian fiction best-seller lists, and True Light, published last year, was number one of all Christian books—fiction and non-fiction. Blackstock has had twenty-five years of success as a novelist.
In 1994 Blackstock was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. Since that time, she’s written over thirty Christian titles, in addition to the thirty-two she had in the secular market. Her most recent books are the four in her acclaimed Restoration Series, which includes Last Light, Night Light, True Light and Dawn’s Light. She is also known for her popular Newpointe 911 and Cape Refuge Series.
In addition to her suspense novels, she has written a number of novels in the women’s fiction genre, including Covenant Child, which was chosen as one of the first Women of Faith novels, and her Seasons Series written with Beverly LaHaye, wife of Tim LaHaye.
Blackstock has won the Retailer’s Choice Award and has appeared on national television programs such as The 700 Club, Home Life, and At Home Live with Chuck and Jenny. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country and the subject of countless articles. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Barbara Covington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction, by staging an intervention. But when eighteen-year-old Emily disappears on the way to drug treatment—and her interventionist is found dead at the airport—Barbara enters her darkest nightmare of all.
Barbara and her son set out to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan arrests her for a crime he is sure she committed. Fearing for Emily’s life, Barbara maintains her daughter’s innocence. But does she really know her anymore? Meanwhile, Kent has questions of his own. His gut tells him that this is a case of an addict killing for drugs, but as he gets to know Barbara, he begins to hope he’s wrong about Emily.
The panic level rises as the mysteries intensify: Did Emily’s obsession with drugs lead her to commit murder—or is she another victim of a cold-blooded killer?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Intervention, go HERE
Sally Says: I’ve read most of Terri Blackstock’s books, and Intervention is one of her best recent releases. A fast-paced blend of mystery and suspense, Intervention reads like a great TV crime drama. From start to finish, the story is believable and entertaining.
One of the eye-opening things in the book is that not all rehab centers are legitimate. They can be more about making money than about helping people. And that’s sad to think about.
Blackstock does a great job portraying a family torn apart by addiction. Emily is not the only one suffering — as a mother, Barbara suffers, but so does Emily’s younger brother, Lance. For those of us who haven’t dealt personally with a loved one dealing with addiction, Terri brings home the struggle, pain, and desperate love that family members deal with.
I hope you try Intervention, but once you pick up the book, be prepared to do nothing but read. It’s that good.