Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Dark In the City of Light by Paul Robertson



This week, the




Christian Fiction Blog Alliance




is introducing




Dark In The City Of Light
Bethany House (July 1, 2010)




by
Paul Robertson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and the author of The Heir. He is also a former Christian bookstore owner (for 15 years), who lives with his family in Blacksburg, Virginia.






ABOUT THE BOOK
What Evil Haunts the Shadows of 1870s Paris?

Baron Ferdinand Harsanyi — After his wife's mysterious death, this Austrian attaché holds control over mines whose coveted ore could turn the tide of war.

Therese Harsanyi — Swept up in new romance and the spectacle of Paris, the Baron's daughter is blind to the dangers stalking her family and the city she loves.

Rudolph Harsanyi — Unsure whom to trust, the Baron's son's grief over his mother's death twists into growing anger and a desire to break free.

As France and Prussia plunge toward war, one family is caught in a web of deceit, political intrigue, and murder that threatens to tear them apart.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dark In The City Of Light, go HERE.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Family-friendly fiction by Diane and David Munson... and a giveaway

A while back, I won a book titled The Camelot Conspiracy by Diane and David Munson. The book is Christian mystery/suspense, my favorite genre'. I had never heard of these authors, so I researched them and found out they had two previous books, and a fourth that had just came out. On faith that I would like the series, I found the first two cheap on Amazon, and ordered the fourth new.

I was not disappointed. As you will read in their bio, this husband and wife team have the knowledge from their careers to write about the stuff they do. And they cover a lot: the FBI, CIA, ICE, terrorism, espionage, courtroom scenes, and take the reader all over the world.

First there is Facing Justice, then Confirming Justice, The Camelot Conspiracy, and the fourth, which I just finished, Hero's Ransom. The books can be read in any order, though for the sake of keeping up with the individual's personal lives in the book, the authors recommend reading them in order. Each book introduces some new characters, but some of the characters from the other books also make appearances.

I enjoyed the authors' writing style. They go into a bit more detail than the average suspense author, so in my opinion, they are a little deeper read than some, but not in a bad way. There is a lot of action, suspense and excitement, and they really held my attention. Here is a description of the fourth book in the series, Hero's Ransom:

CIA Agent Bo Rider (The Camelot Conspiracy) and Federal Agents Eva Montanna and Griff Toppng (Facing Justice, Confirming Justice, The Camelot Conspiracy) return in Hero's Ransom, the Munsons' fourth family-friendly adventure. When archeologist Amber Worthing uncovers a two-thousand-year-old mummy and witnesses a secret rocket launch at a Chinese missile base, she is arrested for espionage. Her imprisonment sparks a custody battle between grandparents over her young son, Lucas. Caught between sinister world powers, Amber's faith is tested in ways she never dreamed possible. While Bo races to stop China's killer satellite from destroying America, danger escalates, and Eva and Griff must secure an unexpected ransom.

Sounds good, doesn't it? I think this was the best of the series, but all four were excellent, and as the title of this blog post implies, their books are family-friendly, and advertised as such. That means none of the curse/swear words that are appearing in some books of this type, and no pushing the boundaries of appropriate content - and yet, they write realistic suspenseful fiction. For that reason, I am featuring their books on my blog and encouraging readers of suspense to check their books out. You will not be disappointed.

About the authors: ( a bit long, but impressive)

Diane Munson, an attorney of more than twenty-five years, developed a love for writing when she was a young child and experienced a major twist of genres. She transitioned from writing briefs for judges to writing inspiring fiction for readers. She served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Department of Justice, where she argued cases before juries and judges. Prior to being a federal prosecutor, she was appointed by Attorney General Edwin Meese III as an official in the U.S. Department of Justice. Diane enjoyed working with Congress and the White House on policy issues. More recently, she has flown solo in a law practice specializing in mediation, family law, and representing children and parents in neglect and abuse cases. As a lawyer, she has written book reviews and articles for the Christian Legal Society of which she is a former National Board member. She is also a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers.

David Munson had a dangerous career for twenty-seven years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Treasury, and Justice, concluding with the Drug Enforcement Administration. As an undercover agent, he infiltrated international drug smuggling organizations, helping fly plane loads of drugs to the U.S. from foreign countries and then feigning surprise when they were arrested. In one case, David arrested four associates of former Panamanian President Manuel Noriega, who then testified against the dictator. David spent two years on Capital Hill. He served as a Congressional Fellow for the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations where he investigated the government’s efforts to co-opt foreign spies and other classified military operations.

Diane and David’s first three suspense thrillers, Facing Justice, Confirming Justice, and The Camelot Conspiracy were published by FaithWalk Publishing. All three were released again in late 2009 by Micah House Media, which also released the Munson’s fourth thriller, Hero’s Ransom, in February 2010. The Munsons are busy working on their next novel. They speak to men and women’s events and appear at libraries, book clubs and churches to talk about how God put a call on their hearts to write fiction, blending their exciting careers with stories of God’s faithfulness in times of crisis.


David and Diane worked together as Christian mediators in their own firm and helped many people seek forgiveness and restoration in their relationships by applying Scripture to their lives. They have seen that justice and forgiveness are possible, no matter the circumstances. Based on the success of their first suspense novel, they placed their mediation service on hold to pursue their writing career. As they travel to research and cloister to write, they thank the Lord for the blessings of faith and family. A verse they hold dear is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you a hope and a future.”

The giveaway:

The authors have been gracious to agree to give a book away to a lucky winner. To enter, just comment as to whether you ever heard of these authors before. The winner can pick whichever of their four books that they want. I will pick a winner 10 days from today, August 6, and the authors will mail the book out.

Thanks to the authors for doing the giveaway, and for writing such great books.

This review was done on my own.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Demon, A Memoir by Tosca Lee

Book description:

Recently divorced and mired in a meaningless existence, Clay drifts from his drab apartment to his equally lusterless job as an editor for a small Boston press--until the night Lucian finds him and everything changes with the simple words, "I'm going to tell you my story, and you're going to write it down and publish it."What begins as a mystery soon spirals into chaotic obsession as Clay struggles to piece together Lucian's dark tale of love, ambition, and grace--only to discover that the demon's story has become his own. And then only one thing matters: learning how the story ends.

My review:
First off, as I have stated before, I much prefer the third person point of view over the first person point of view, as this book is written in. However, the first person point of view worked very well for this story and was probably the best way to go.

This book was proviously released by Navpress, and now has been re-released by Broadman & Holman.

Now, onto the book. What did I think of it? It was excellent, enlightening, informative, and much more. I have never read anything by this author, but I love her style. The book is about Clay, a book editor, who is approached by a demon in a human form, wanting him to write his story. In doing so, the demon goes back to the beginning - Satan's fall - and works up through the fall of man, the birth of Christ, the death and resurrection of Christ, and beyond.

Using the Biblical narrative, Tosca Lee wove quite a narrative of what that was all like. She truly has a way with words. I could almost see the events unfold as she told them - and though she took some literary license and added to the Biblical story we have, I feel she only enhanced it, and didn't stray from what it was probably like.

I walked away from reading the story with a few new insights. It never occurred to me that one of the reasons Satan fights us so hard and seeks to destroy mankind, could be rooted in jealousy. A stretch? I don't think so. Read the book and it will leave you wondering the same thing. Another: Satan does fight to take us down by any means necessary, and he may appear in inoccent forms and use distractions to take us down and ruin us.

And lastly, even though this author did a fantastic job of weaving the story of everything from Satan's fall up through modern times how he fights us, none of us will truly grasp the depth of God's sacrifice, nor how it has affected Satan's plans.
So, if I had a star rating, this book would get 5 out of 5. I do also give it my read-in-one-sitting book, for it pulled me in and kept me reading til the very end. I highly recommend this book. It is one that will make you think for sure.

About the author:

Tosca Lee is the critically-acclaimed author of Demon: A Memoir--Christy Award finalist and ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Silver Award winner--and Havah: The Story of Eve, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and 4.5 stars from Romantic Times.


Tosca's highly-anticipated third novel,   Iscariot, releases January of 2012.

A former first runner-up to Mrs. United States, Tosca received her B.A. from Smith College in Massachusetts. She also studied at Oxford University.

Demon, A Memoir is available from Broadman & Homan Publishers.

Thanks to the author for the review copy.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff

Description:

Using the same humor and honesty that galvanized more than a million online readers from more than 200 countries, blogger Jonathan Acuff brings his insightful take on Christianity to the book world with Stuff Christians Like. From prayer shot blocks to Metro worship leaders, no stone is left unturned in this hilarious look at faith.
Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship. Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.”


Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny.


This is that stuff.

Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. In it you’ll learn the culinary magic of the crock-pot. Think you’ve got a Metro worship leader—Use Acuff’s checklist. Want to avoid a prayer handholding faux pas? Acuff has you covered.


Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized more than a million online readers from more than 200 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.

My review:

I ran onto Jonathan Acuff's blog, stuffchristianslike.net, a while back, and visit it often. He has a unique way of looking at things, and also a very unique sense of humor.

I was happy to get his book, named after his website/blog, Stuff Christians Like, to review. What did I think of the book? I loved it. I don't agree with him on everything, but he takes a humorous look at the way Christians act. From things such as the "after church sprint" to complaining about your problems in front of missionaries, he not only makes the reader smile and laugh out loud, but also gets a message across in a non-preachy way.

The book is full of randomness - he bounces from one subject to the next from one paragraph to the next, but it works for him and for the book. This is one of those books that you take your time with. Take it with you on your visits to your "reading room". (And if you don't get why that is in quotes, you need to get out more).

Anyway, I highly recommend this book. It is amusing, yet causes you to examine your motives and actions, which is probably what the author is trying to do.

About the author:

For the last ten years, Jonathan Acuff has written advertising for clients ranging from the Home Depot to Chick-fil-A. In addition to his many day jobs, he also writes a blog called http://www.stuffchristianslike.net/. He and his wife live with their two daughters outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Stuff Christians Like is avaiable from Zondervan Publishing.

Thanks to Zondervan for the review copy.

Jimmy Carter Cake

Several years back, one of my aunts experiemented with a dessert, added stuff, took stuff out, etc, and came up with the following awesome dessert. She gave it the dubious name of Jimmy Carter Cake. My mom submitted it to a recipe book under some other name that had pudding in the name, but not Jimmy Carter. Anyway, I had to type it up to email to a co-worker, so decided I'd share it here. And fat free/sugar free ingredients can be used.

Ingredients (fat free and sugar free things can be used)


First layer:
1 3/4 cups of flour

1 1/2 sticks of oleo

3/4 cup of crushed/chopped peanuts

Second layer:
1 cup of powdered sugar

1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened

1 small container of Cool Whip

2/3 cup of peanut butter

Third layer:
1 package of instant chocolate pudding

1 package of vanilla instant pudding

3 cups of milk

Fourth layer:

1 small Cool Whip

1 Hershey Bar, or other chocolate

Instructions:

First layer:
Mix together and spread in a 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Cool completely.

Second layer:
Mix sugar, cream cheese, and Cool Whip, and peanut butter. Spread on the crust.

Third layer:
Beat the 2 puddings together with the 3 cups of milk. Spread on top of the last layer.

Fourth layer:
Spread one small Cool Whip on top and sprinkle with grated chocolate.

Refrigerate 2-3 hours.

Country....... the songs that impress me

There are some people who are totally against listening to secular music if you are a Christian. I'm not one of them. I do, however believe it should not be your main genre' if you're a Christian. I have run across Christians who rarely listen to Christian music, and I don't understand that. Anyway, I do believe we should we careful what we listen to, and who we follow.

I don't listen to country music much - too much of it talks about drinking, running around on people, etc - plus too much of it nowadays has cursing in it, which I'm not a fan of. Over the years, I have run across some country songs that impress me, so I do have some on my Ipod/Itunes. I thought I'd share some of the ones that impress me the most. See if any of your favorites are here, or tell me if there are some that should be. Click on the titles to see video where applicable.

1) Live Like You Were Dying: Tim Mcgraw. I love this one - talks about a guy getting bad news from the doctor and how he handles it - by living differently and doing things he wished he had done - including reading the "Good Book".

2) Heroes: Paul Overstreet. This a fairly old song. Talks in the first verse about a man rushing home from work so he can watch his kid play ball. The second verse talks about a mother up with her baby and encouraging her husband. The chorus talks about everyday heroes such as these. A cool song.

3) He Ain't The Leavin' Kind: Rascal Flatts: The "He" in the song is actually referring to God. This song could actually be classified as Christian, though recorded by a country group. Great message.

4) I Saw God Today: George Strait. A cool song talking about how God's fingerprints are everywhere, if we stop to look.

5) Check Yes or No: George Strait. Can I use the word "cute"? That describes this song. A 3rd grade boy is given a note by a girl asking if he loves her, and to check yes or no - goes on in the second verse that they are married. I always loved this song. :-)

6) Don't Laugh At Me: Mark Wills. This one stands out to me since I was picked on so much as a kid. The song talks about people with difficulties, or who aren't like you. One problem I do have with the song, is it sounds like it gives the idea that we are all going to Heaven with the line "some day we will all have perfect wings."

7) Grandpa, Tell Me Bout The Good Old Days: The Judds. A song talking about how it used to be - when lovers fell in love to stay, promises were kept, families bowed their heads to pray, and daddies never went away. A truly great song - too bad all country songs aren't like this one.

8)  I Hope You Dance: LeeAnn Womack: This song isn't necessarily talking about dancing, but about seeing the good in life, having good things happen, and being positive - at least that is what I get out of it. :-)

9) Amarillo Sky: Jason Aldean. I heard this song for the first time at a John McCain rally in 2008 and loved it. The song talks about a farmer trying to make it. A neat song. Chorus:
 He just takes the tractor another round

And pulls the plow across the ground
And sends up another prayer
He says Lord I never complain I never ask why
But please don't let my dream run dry
Underneath, Underneath this
Amarillo sky

10) Watching You: Rodney Atkins. A neat song to remind dads that their little boys are watching them and will pick up their habits, whether good or bad.

11) He Didn't Have to Be: Brad Paisley. Though this one doesn't really relate to me, it is still a neat and touching song. The song tells a story of a little boy who doesn't have a dad. His mom gets asked out a lot, only to be dropped when the men discover she has a little boy, until the day she meets a guy who wants the little boy to come along on a date, and becomes the dad that he didn't have to be. Again I say, too bad all country songs aren't like this. I shouldn't admit it, but this song makes me a bit misty-eyed.

12) One Boy, One Girl: Collin Raye. Another "cute" song. I always enjoy hearing it.

13) Love Me: Collin Raye. Another cool song by this artist. The first verse talks about a young couple who are eloping. He gets to the meeting place first and finds a note telling him that if he gets there first, not to give up on her, that she would meet him when her chores are through, and it is signed "love, me". In the second verse, she has gone on, and he is speaking the words to her. A neat song.

14) He Gets That From Me: Reba McEntire. This a somewhat sad song, but neat. Sung from a mother's viewpoint talking to her husband, she is saying things their boy gets from her, and other things from the father, who has died. The best part of the song is the final bridge:

Last night I heard him pray

Lord,help me and mama make it through
And tell daddy we'll be okay
He said he sure misses you
He sure misses you
He really misses you
He gets that from me

15) Something Worth Leaving Behind: LeAnn Womack. A good reminder of what is important in life.

These are the ones I enjoy most and that impress me the most. Any you would add?

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Drunk driving...... the unseen picture

I think we'd all agree - there needs to be tougher laws on drunk driving. In most cases when a drunk driver takes the life of someone else, he has had previous DUIs.

I recently saw the other side of things. And don't get me wrong.... I am in no way advocating easing up on the laws we already have, nor am I defending drunk driving. I am 100% against alcoholic beverages and wish they didn't exist. Anyway......

I get along great with all of my co-workers - and like them all. One of them is a very sweet-natured and nice lady. I have found in talking to her that she has been affected by drunk driving also, but in another way: her husband has had one too many DUI's. How is it affecting her? The police confiscated the vehicle he was driving, their better vehicle - and they may or may not get it back. He is on house arrest, so that means she has to do everything that requires a vehicle. They are moving soon and the court has allowed him one day only to help her move.

I am sure it has caused her more problems and difficultlies that I don't know about. Our choices don't always just affect us - they affect our family and others.

Christians especially don't look at the whole picture - the drunk is punished severely - and should be - and we cheer. The pastor is caught in his infidelities and we are glad it came to light, but what about his family? The immoral person gets AIDS or some other disease, and we sit back and think smugly that they deserve to get it - but what about the people who love them?

As I stated, I'm not trying to excuse DUIs or say we need to ease up - not sure what I'm trying to say, but I have seen the bigger picture and that we all need to be more compassionate and less judgemental.