This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Masquerade Bethany House (August 1, 2010) by
Nancy Moser

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty inspirational novels. Her genres include contemporary stories including John 3:16 and Time Lottery, and historical novels of real women-of-history including Just Jane(Jane Austen) and Washington’s Lady (Martha Washington). Her newest historical novel is Masquerade. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Sister Circle Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at
www.nancymoser.com and www.sistercircles.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

1886, New York City: Charlotte Gleason, a rich heiress from England, escapes a family crisis by traveling to America in order to marry the even wealthier Conrad Tremaine.

She soon decides that an arranged marriage is not for her and persuades her maid, Dora, to take her place. She wants a chance at “real life,” even if it means giving up financial security. For Charlotte, it’s a risk she’s willing to take. What begins as the whim of a spoiled rich girl wanting adventure becomes a test of survival amid poverty beyond Charlotte’s blackest nightmares.

As for Dora, it’s the chance of a lifetime. She lives a fairy tale complete with gowns, jewels, and lavish mansions–yet is tormented by guilt from the possibility of discovery and the presence of another love that will not die. Is this what her heart truly longs for?

Will their masquerade be discovered? Will one of them have second thoughts? There is no guarantee the switch will work. It’s a risk. It’s the chance of a lifetime.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Masquerade, go HERE.

View the book trailer:

Sally Says: I really loved the premise of this story — a high-society English girl and her maid switch places so that the spoiled English girl can have a life of her own and marry for love. Lately, New York’s Gilded Age has fascinated me, and I’ve read a lot of novels set during that time.

The one negative about that era is that the heroines all seem the same in the beginning of the books. They’re rich, spoiled, and live only for their debut. That was initially true of the heroine in Siri Mitchell’s She Walks in Beauty and also true of Charlotte, the heroine of Masquerade.

Fortunately, the story was deeper than the initial shallowness Charlotte portrayed. And while the switch didn’t come right away in the book like I’d expected, Moser’s storytelling was strong enough to still make the part leading up to the switch intriguing.

Masquerade was a very fun, somewhat light twist on the usual Gilded Age plot. I enjoyed the journey with Charlotte and Dora and found myself sure of what would happen to one yet very unsure of what would happen to the other. If you like historical fiction or romance, I think you’ll enjoy Moser’s Masquerade.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Gathering Storm Summerside Press (August 1, 2010)
by Bodie and Brock Thoene

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 50 works of historical fiction. Over twenty million of these best-selling novels are in print. Eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered—the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both history and education, Brock has, in his role as researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classrooms.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As Nazi forces tighten the noose, Loralei Kepler, daughter of a German resistance leader, must flee her beloved Germany. But is any place safe from Adolf Hitler’s evil grasp? Loralei’s harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives, and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.

Explore the romance, the passion, and the danger of the most anticipated series of the last twenty years.

Born from the highly acclaimed and best-loved novels of three generations of readers — The Zion Covenant series and The Zion Chronicles series — Zion Diaries ventures into the lives of the inspiring and intriguing characters who loved intensely, stood up for what was right, and fought boldly during Hitler’s rise to power and the dark days of World War II.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Gathering Storm, go HERE

Sally Says: I’m a long-time fan of the Thoenes’ WWII-related fiction and was sad when they moved away from that era. But now they’re back, picking up where their previous books left off and letting some of my favorite characters have cameos.

If you’ve never read a Thoene book, you’re in for a treat. It’s like watching a movie — a top-notch, perfectly crafted movie. Of course the pre-WWII era helps since that era is so easy to see and hear. Reading one of their novels is like being implanted in that time period, and that’s still true of The Gathering Storm.

But this book had a unique twist, the ancient secret the back of the book promised. Personally, I didn’t buy it, but it made for an interesting story, a pretty cool “What if?” I can’t say more or risk spoiling it! It does have a bit of a different feel from their Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant feel, but I still flew through it.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction or World War II fiction, run out and buy The Gathering Storm. I think you’ll enjoy it.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Refuge on Crescent Hill
Kregel Publications (March 11, 2010)
by
Melanie Dobson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master’s degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they’ve been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn’t writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jobless, homeless, and broke, Camden Bristow decides to visit the grandmother she hasn’t seen in years. But when Camden arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother has passed away, leaving her the 150-year-old mansion on Crescent Hill. The site of her happiest summers as a child, the run-down mansion is now her only refuge.

When Camden finds evidence that she may not be the mansion’s only occupant, memories of Grandma Rosalie’s bedtime stories about secret passageways and runaway slaves fuel her imagination. What really happened at Crescent Hill? Who can she turn to for answers in this town full of strangers? And what motivates the handsome local Alex Yates to offer his help? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camdem uncovers deep family secrets within the mansion’s walls that could change her life─and the entire town─forever.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Refuge on Crescent Hill, go HERE.

Sally Says: I have found a new favorite author.

I picked up Refuge on Crescent Hill because of the contemporary mystery surrounding the Underground Railroad. What I found was a grown-up version of Nancy Drew — and I do mean that in the best way possible. I knew that the different subplots were all going to converge at some point, but I wasn’t sure how that would happen. And just when I thought I knew what was coming, something else entirely popped up and surprised me.

Refuge on Crescent Hill is a great summer read — it has mystery, suspense, a little bit of romance, and historical elements. If you’re heading out on vacation, make sure to pick this one up.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Maid to Match Bethany House (June 1, 2010)
by Deeanne Gist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm–all from the comforts of home.

Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.

After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a “corporate executive” was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.

Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

Her 2010 books, Beguiled and Maid To Match are now available for order.

Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-seven years and their two border collies. They have four grown children. Visit her blog to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Falling in love could cost her everything.

From the day she arrived at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled, by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack’s rugged behavior by tutoring him in proper servant etiquette, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie’s efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt’s lady’s maid, After all, the one rule of the house is no romance below stairs.

But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangles in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs, their aspirations…their hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maid to Match, go HERE.

Join this SPECIAL GETAWAY (Click on the Button):

Sally Says: A few years ago, my family visited the Biltmore in North Carolina. As I walked through the rooms, swept back in time, I thought the mansion would make a great setting for a book.

Deeanne Gist has written that book.

And as always, the conflict between the characters was believable. In order to reunite his family, Mack works at Biltmore — solely for the money. He’s a rough, tough, outdoorsy kind of guy, and serving dinner to the Vanderbilts and their guests is about his worst nightmare. Tillie has the high pressure job of teaching him how to act and what to do, and their time together shows them they’re made for each other.

But Tillie can’t have a family AND the dream job she’s worked so long for. While I had a bit of trouble believing she’d choose a job over love, I did understand how a hundred years ago, in a different culture, she might have made that choice. And with the added pressure of certain family members, one could see why Tillie would struggle with her choice.

Other than that, Maid to Match was a well-written, fun historical romance. Fans of historicals and romance will enjoy it.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
PredatorZondervan (May 25, 2010)
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

The murder of Krista Carmichael’s fourteen-year-old sister by an online predator has shaken her faith and made her question God’s justice and protection. Desperate to find the killer, she creates an online persona to bait the predator. But when the stalker turns his sights on her, will Krista be able to control the outcome?

Ryan Adkins started the social network GrapeVyne in his college dorm and has grown it into a billion-dollar corporation. But he never expected it to become a stalking ground for online Predators. One of them lives in his town and has killed two girls and attacked a third. When Ryan meets Krista, the murders become more than a news story to him, and everything is on the line.

Joining forces, he and Krista set out to stop the killer. But when hunters pursue a hunter, the tables can easily turn. Only God can protect them now.

Enter the Terri Blackstock iPad CONTEST: http://www.terriblackstock.com/contests/.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Predator, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer video!

Cut Here

Sally Says: I’ve been a Terri Blackstock fan for a long time, and Predator is, in my opinion, her best book to date.

When I first heard about Predator, I wondered how the subject matter would be handled. I’m not one for anything graphic, and since I’ve had children, I’ve had a hard time reading about kids being hurt in any way. But as always, Terri handled the horrible details well, giving us only what we needed for the story and nothing more. Nothing gratuitous.

But she didn’t shy away from anything the family dealt with. Krista and her dad each struggled in their own way, each steps away from making terrible decisions because of their grief and anger. She brought up aspects of their loss that I had never thought through before.

One of the great things that comes from the book is a reminder to be careful what we share with strangers in today’s cyber world. By no means was this a message driven book, but before the book was over, I was thinking through the information I was publicly sharing and deciding what my kids will be sharing online once they’re old enough.

All that aside, Predator is a super fast, super entertaining read. I read the entire book in just over twenty-four hours. If you’re looking for a great weekend read, Predator is it.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Crossing Oceans Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2010)
by Gina Holmes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. To learn more about her, visit May 2010’s issue of CFOM at Interview with Gina Holmes or Novel Journey.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Crossing Oceans, go HERE.

Sally Says: I’ve been looking forward to Gina Holmes’ debut novel Crossing Oceans, and it’s finally out. And it’s just as good as the hype.

This is well-written women’s fiction with authentic and flawed characters. Jenny and her family were real people who struggled and made some big mistakes. But every now and then, they did things right too. There were times when Jenny was faced with some very unappetizing choices, and while her human nature fought for what she wanted, she made some amazingly good choices that I wondered if I would be able to make in her shoes.

Yes, I know this is fiction, and Jenny isn’t real. But you read the book for yourself and tell me you haven’t met these people somewhere, haven’t crossed paths with them somewhere. Holmes did a wonderful job of capturing the best and worst of people in the most difficult of times and putting it on paper in a way that made it hard to stop reading.

A number of reviews I read said to keep Kleenex nearby. Don’t let that scare you off – I only needed a couple. Someone else said the book reminded them of Karen Kingsbury, and I think I would agree. Fans of women’s fiction and realistic, authentic situations will love Crossing Oceans.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
She Walks in Beauty

Bethany House (April 2010)by
Siri Mitchell

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city’s most eligible bachelor.

Debuting means plenty of work–there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity’s spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.

Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries.

When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it’s not just her marriage at stake–the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.

If you would like to read the first chapter of She Walks in Beauty, go HERE.

Sally Says: For historical fiction, Siri Mitchell is my favorite writer. She takes a time period, fills it with intriguing characters and the perfect amount of detail, and creates a larger-than-life drama that’s relevant for today. Her novels don’t feel like history.

All of that is true of She Walks in Beauty. Set in New York’s Gilded Age, the book appears to take us on an innocent journey with a reluctant debutante, but the deeper into the season we go, the more we realize the game Clara must play is far from innocent. And Franklin De Vries, the man her father and aunt say she must marry, doesn’t quite seem like the kind of man she’d want to spend her life with.

Then there is the constricting corset Clara must wear even when she sleeps, the rules she must learn — how to cut someone, how to use her fan to send a message, and how to convince her young man that he needs to marry her. All so seemingly innocent. All far from it.

As the story developed, one thing that jumped out at me over and over were the ridiculous and even dangerous things women did to make themselves beautiful in society’s eyes. As much as we make jokes of the corsets of those days, there are ridiculous things society today says we have to do to be beautiful. Amazing what a hundred or so years of hindsight does for us, right?

I did have a little trouble getting into the first few chapters. There didn’t seem to be much at stake, but I knew that would change. And it did. In a big way. Before the halfway point of the book, She Walks in Beauty had turned into a page-turner filled with secrets and deception. Not to mention a realistic, satisfying ending. Whether you’re a fan of contemporary or historical fiction, you’ll find She Walks in Beauty a fascinating read you won’t be able to put down.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
As Young As We Feel
David C. Cook; New edition (March 1, 2010)
by
Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults–with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her “Diary of a Teenage Girl” series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Is there room in one little hometown for four very different Lindas to reinvent their lives … together?

Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever. But that was forty-seven years and four very different lives ago. Now a class reunion has brought them all together in their old hometown—at a crossroads in their lives.

Janie is a high-powered lawyer with a load of grief. Abby is a lonely housewife in a beautiful oceanfront empty nest. Marley is trying to recapture the artistic free spirit she lost in an unhappy marriage. And the beautiful Caroline is scrambling to cope with her mother’s dementia and a Hollywood career that never really happened. Together, they’re about to explore the invigorating reality that even the most eventful life has second acts … and friendship doesn’t come with a statue of limitations.

If you would like to read the first chapter of As Young As We Feel, go HERE.

Watch the Video:

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Here Burns My Candle
WaterBrook Press (March 16, 2010)
by
Liz Curtis Higgs

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In her best-selling series of Bad Girls of the Bible books, workbooks, and videos, Liz Curtis Higgs breathes new life into ancient tales about the most infamous—and intriguing—women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Mary Magdalene. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, these popular titles have helped more than one million women around the world experience God’s grace anew. Her best-selling historical novels, which transport the stories of Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, and Dinah to eighteenth-century Scotland, have also helped her readers view these familiar characters in a new light. And her nonfiction book, Embrace Grace, winner of a 2007 Retailers Choice Award, presents her message of hope in an engaging and personal way, speaking directly to the hearts of her readers.

A veteran speaker, Liz has presented more than 1,600 encouraging programs for audiences in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries: South Africa, Indonesia, Germany, France, England, Canada, Ecuador, Scotland, Portugal, and New Zealand. In 1995, she received the Council of Peers Award for Excellence from the National Speakers Association, becoming one of only 32 women in the world named to their CPAE-Speaker Hall of Fame.

Feature articles about Liz have appeared in more than 250 major newspapers and magazines across the country, as well as online with Salon.com, Beliefnet.com and Spirituality.com. She has also been interviewed on more than 600 radio and television stations, including guest appearances on PBS, A&E, MSNBC, NPR, TBN with Kirk Cameron, CBC Canada, BBC Radio Scotland, Rhema Broadcasting New Zealand, Radio Pulpit South Africa, LifeToday with James Robison, Focus on the Family, Janet Parshall’s America, 100 Huntley Street and Midday Connection.

Liz is the author of twenty-six books, with more than three million copies in print.

Her fiction includes two contemporary novels, one novella, and four historical novels. And she has written five books for young children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A mother who cannot face her future.
A daughter who cannot escape her past.

Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.

Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.

His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.

One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.

A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candle illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

Watch the book trailer.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Here Burns My Candle, go HERE.

Sally Says: This is the first of Liz Curtis Higgs’ historical novels that I’ve read, and I’ve decided I need, need, need to go back and read the others.

When I think of novels set in Scotland, I think of  stories set in lonely castles overlooking the sea, you know? Here Burns My Candle is set in Edinburgh, Scotland, a city very crowded for its day. And I can feel the tight quarters. That unique Scotland setting surprised me.

The main characters surprised me as well. We find out very quickly that Elisabeth, our heroine, is not a Christian and follows what we’d call a pagan religion. Her husband, Donald, is not a faithful husband, and yet Higgs does an amazing job in making him a character we root for.

As for the plot, the events fit the characters and kept me reading. Edinburgh is caught in the middle of bonny Prince Charlie’s Jacobite rebellion, and thankfully my history is fuzzy enough that I’m not sure how everything turns out. Right now I’m halfway through the book, due to this one arriving at the same time as the previous one I had to review. But I’m sure I’ll finish it by Sunday. Maybe even Saturday.

Okay, probably tonight.

I’ve said before that as a rule I’m not a fan of historical fiction, but  Higgs’ latest book has that epic feel that I love. With the perfect touch of historical detail and events and flawed but lovable characters, Here Burns My Candle will keep you saying, “Just one more chapter.”

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Dead Reckoning
Abingdon Press (March 1, 2010)
by
Ronie Kendig

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ronie has been married since 1990 to a man who can easily be defined in classic terms as a hero. She has four beautiful children. Her eldest daughter is 16 this year, her second daughter will be 13, and her twin boys are 10. After having four children, she finally finished her degree in December 2006. She now has a B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Getting her degree is a huge triumph for both her and her family–they survived!

This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her characters
and how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they’ll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series begins in July from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Underwater archeologist Shiloh Blake is consumed with passion for the water and inflamed at the injustices of life. When her first large-scale dig traps her in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she flees for her life.

When she spots a man trailing her, the questions are, Who is he? And how is he always one step ahead? Is the man trailing her an enemy or a protector sent by her CIA father?

Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL and now serves his country as a spy. His life is entangled by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai, India. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is to join forces with Reece. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become involved in her father’s web of intrigue and mystery? Will she reconcile with her past and with him? Will she allow God to help her throught this ordeal of danger, mistrust and uncertainty?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dead Reckoning, go HERE.

Sally Says: Can I just say how glad I am that I asked for this book? I’m glad I asked for this book. Really.

From the very beginning, the action was non-stop. Dead Reckoning has to be one of the best page-turners I’ve read in quite a while. There was always something going on that I had to find out, another question raised before the previous one was answered. The story just didn’t stop.

I like that in a book.

There were a couple things that did create some confusion. There were a handful of times where we’d be with one character and then in the very next scene, we’d hear immediately that something bad had happened to the character we’d just been with. That was confusing, because, well, I’d just been with them! I think making it clear that time had elapsed might have helped.

And I still haven’t quite gotten why our heroine Shiloh was being chased in the beginning. She found something early in the book but was never able, as far as I could tell, to get it back. So I was confused as to why everyone was after her when I didn’t think she had anything to be after. But that may be something I missed in reading. I’ll give that disclaimer.

Other than that, Ronie Kendig’s first book is a very entertaining adventure. I’m no spy so I can’t tell you how true-to-life the book was, but whether you read plot-driven stories or character-driven dramas, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in Dead Reckoning.