Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent by Robin Parrish, with a giveaway

"The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion." --Reverend Billy Graham The Question Is Not If Attempts Will Be Made 
to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When. 
And When That Day Comes, Will You Stay Silent? 

A storm is coming. 

The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther's endorsement as critical. 

But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option--putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation's freedoms.

My review:

   This book was on my wish list, and then I got the chance to review it, so I of course grabbed it. It is based on the movie of the same name that will be releasing later this month. 

  The story wasn't quite what I expected. I was expecting it to be about Christians being persecuted, but it is about one man being in the way of legislation that could open the door for the persecution of Christians. The events in  the book may seem a bit extreme, but with the corruptness of politicians, it isn't that much of a stretch to imagine that politicians could set up and frame someone who is in the way of what they want done. It has been done before, and will be done again.

   I really liked the main character. Sometimes preachers who are well known, have a big church and a large following, can seem shallow and self absorbed, but the preacher in this story was the real deal, and is the kind of people who will be in the way of the government some day.

   This was a very enjoyable read. It had a lot of action and suspense, something I love, and had some great characters throughout the story. It was entertaining, yet also a sobering warning of where we could go as a country, and of where we are heading day by day.

About the author:

Novelist. Journalist. Pop culture guru.

Just a few words to describe Robin Parrish, a culturally-minded writer with a passion for archetypal mythologies and the truths they represent about the nature of our existence.

Robin is the author of Bethany House Publishers' suspense thrillers, The Dominion Trilogy: Relentless,Fearless, and Merciless; the just-released scifi epic Offworld, and the upcoming supernatural thrillerNightmare.

He's been a journalist for more than fourteen years, covering all aspects of pop culture and entertainment. This gives him a unique viewpoint as a novelist: his love for great storytelling across all mediums informs his writing in ways few other novelists can claim. Alongside books, he cites among his most prominent influences television shows, comic books, and movies, and the creative minds behind some of the most innovative fiction being produced today.

Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent is available from Bethany House Publishers.
Thanks to FlyBy Promotions for the review copy and giveaway copy.

Check out the website  and Facebook page for the movie.

Giveaway:

   Courtesy of FlyBy Promotions, I have one copy of the book Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent to give away to one winner.

To enter, do one of the following:
1) "Like" the Facebook page for the movie, and comment on this post saying you did.

2) Watch the movie trailer, comment on this post saying you did.

3) Comment and say if you have read any books by Robin Parrish, and if so, name one.

I will pick a winner using Random.org 2 weeks from today on July 23.

   

Mindwar by Andrew Klavan

Rick Dial has the potential to be a hero. He just doesn't know it yet.

Rick's high school football team couldn't be stopped when he was leading them as their quarterback. He was going to Syracuse on a scholarship. But then his dad abandoned them and a terrible accident left him crippled.

Certain his old life is completely lost, Rick spends months hiding away in his room playing video games. He achieves the highest scores on so many games that he's approached by a government agency who claims to be trying to thwart a cyber attack on America that would destroy the technological infrastructure of the entire country. The agents say that the quick-thinking of a quarterback coupled with Nick's gaming experience make him perfect for this assignment. The problem is that there are no extra lives and this isn't just a game . . . but Rick doesn't have many other options at the moment.

Entering "The Realm" gives Rick the one thing he thought he'd never have again: a body that's as fast and as strong as he ever was before the accident. But the more time he spends in The Realm, the more questions he has. What secrets are these agents keeping from him? What really happened to his father? How many others have gone into The Realm already . . . and failed? And perhaps most important, is he the hero they think he is?

My review:

   I think Andrew Klavan is the best juvenile fiction author writing on the Christian market. Every book he has written for that age group has been a terrific read. 

  This book is the first book in a new trilogy, and he again has hit one out of the park.  The plot is totally different than his other books, using modern technology and gaming to weave an exciting plot. As with his other novels I have read, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting, wishing that the next book was out so I could start it.

  The book isn't overtly Christian, though it does have some Christian content, but it is a clean book that has great moral lessons in it.  The main character is likable and has great character and willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of others.

   I tend to enjoy good juvenile fiction, but this is the kind of books that most adults would enjoy, and definitely teenagers. After I read Mindwar, I passed it onto my fourteen year old niece who loved it and announced she can't wait til the next book comes out.

 Unlike The Homelanders Series, this book did not have an ending that leaves the reader hanging, but has a very cool ending. It is obvious though that the story isn't over and will pick up in the next book.

About the author:

Andrew Klavan has been nominated for the Mystery Writer of America's Edgar award five times and won twice. He is the author of several bestselling novels, including Don't Say A Word, filmed starring Michael Douglas, True Crime, filmed by Clint Eastwood, and Empire of Lies. He is currently writing a series of thrillers for young adults called The Homelanders. The first two novels in the series are The Last Thing I Remember and The Long Way Home. Klavan is a contributing editor to City Journal and his essays have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other places. His satiric video commentaries can be seen on PJTV.com


Mindwar is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

Thanks to BookLookBloggers.com for the review copy.
  

Visible Threat by Janice Cantore

Officer Brinna Caruso wants perfection—perfect justice and a perfect world. She wants to save and protect all the innocents in the world, no matter the cost.

Orphaned and struggling to get by, Ivana and her sister left Bulgaria for America with dreams of a better life. But since they arrived in Long Beach, everything they were promised has turned out to be a lie.

After a dead girl is found in the river with a mysterious tattoo on her hip, homicide detective Jack O’Reilly asks for Brinna’s help. Unaware of the depths of evil that will be uncovered, Brinna finds herself flung into a dangerous frontier—an organized human trafficking ring.


My review:
  I haven't read a lot of Janice Cantore's books because this is only the fifth one she has had published, but I have enjoyed all five of them. This book is a sequel to Critical Pursuit, and the two books should be read in order, as the second one picks up pretty close to where the first left off, and it also refers to events that happened in the first book.

  The plot for this book revolves around human trafficking, and although it isn't the first book I have read dealing with that crime, I still felt a sadness and anger thinking about it being a real problem even here in our United States. Even though the victims in this story were being used in the sex trade, the author didn't give any graphic details or go overboard with any descriptions, which is something I appreciated.

  Also at the heart of the story is the main character's struggle to trust God, especially when bad things are happening. That is what I like about authors like Janice. They can write a great suspense novel that keeps me glued to the book until I finish it, but they can also put a great truth in the book and encourage you through a great suspense novel. My hat is off to authors like her who aren't afraid to keep God in their stories.

  I did love the book and couldn't put it down until I finished it. A truly great read.

About the author:

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her twenty-two years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories. Her Pacific Coast Justice series has met with critical acclaim. Critical Pursuit is the first book in her latest series.

Visit Janice's website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.

Visible Threat is available from Tyndale Publishing.

I did not receive the book for review, but posted my review on my own accord.

Overwhelmed by Perry Noble

Stressed out? Anxious? Overwhelmed? Good news—you’re not alone!

No one ever said life was going to be easy. Between financial struggles, marital issues, health scares, and the regular, run-of-the-mill problems of everyday life, it’s easy to feel weighed down and trapped by your circumstances. In times like these, it’s tempting to just throw in the towel and quit. Well, don’t do it!

Perry Noble has stood at the edge of the abyss himself, and in Overwhelmed, he shares the keys to unlocking the chains of anxiety and despair once and for all. Building on the premise that when we shift our focus from our circumstances to Christ, everything changes, Perry walks readers through a life-altering plan for overcoming stress, worry, depression, and anxiety so we can be free to enjoy the abundant, joy-filled lives we were created for.

God knows we’re frustrated. He knows we’re tired. He knows we’re struggling. But He also knows how things are going to turn out. He is greater than anything you are going through . . . so don’t give up on God. After all, He’s never given up on you. 

My review:
  As someone who has struggled with, and still struggles with depression and discouragement, this book piqued my interest, so I put it on my birthday wish list and received it. I am familiar with the author, but had never read anything by him before.

  He says right up front that he has no quick fixes or easy formula for getting out of depression, but uses his story and Scripture to show it is possible. Not only did he have a lot of good and encouraging things to say, he has a great way of doing so. Although the topic isn't a light hearted one, he addresses it with humor and great insight. I was entertained while encouraged and given new hope for dealing with discouragement and depression. 

  He also addresses things that could be holding us back in our relationship with God, such as greed, not trusting God, and other issues like that. As he said, it isn't a quick fix book, but it really encouraged me and I'd recommend it to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or depressed.

About the author:

Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in South Carolina. The church averages more than 26,000 people during weekend services at multiple campuses across the state. Perry is a gifted communicator and teacher, convicted about speaking the truth as plainly as possible. God has given him a vision and a passion for helping people meet Jesus, and each week he shares God's word and its practical application in our daily lives. His previous book, Unleash!, unleashbook.com, was a New York Times Bestseller and has helped many people learn how to break free from normalcy.

Perry, his wife Lucretia and their daughter, Charisse,live in Anderson, South Carolina.

Overwhelmed is available from Tyndale Publishing.

I did not receive a copy for review, but did the review of my own accord.

The Advocate by Randy Singer

At the trial of Christ, Theophilus, brilliant young assessore raised in the Roman aristocracy, stands behind Pontius Pilate and whispers, “Offer to release Barabbas.” The strategy backfires, and Theophilus never forgets the sight of an innocent man unjustly suffering the worst of all possible deaths—Roman crucifixion.

Three decades later, Theophilus has proven himself in the legal ranks of the Roman Empire. He has survived the insane rule of Caligula and has weathered the cruel tyrant’s quest to control the woman he loves. He has endured the mindless violence of the gladiator games and the backstabbing intrigue of the treason trials.

Now he must face another evil Caesar, defending the man Paul in Nero’s deranged court. Can Theophilus mount a defense that will keep another innocent man from execution?

The advocate’s first trial altered the course of history. His last will change the fate of an empire.

My review:
   Randy Singer has long been a favorite author of mine, and I am always excited to see a new book come out by him.

  This one, I wasn't so sure about. Up until now, he has only written books set in modern times, and they are suspenseful legal thrillers that give John Grisham a run for his money. But I wasn't so sure about a Biblical novel, though the book is actually classified as historical fiction. But Randy did not let me down.

  Although the book has a lot of real historical people in, Jesus included, it still is fiction. Not much is known about Theophilus, other than the books of Luke and Acts both being addressed to him, but Singer makes him the main character in this novel and as all historical fiction and Biblical fiction authors do, take some liberties. Such as Theophilus being present for Jesus' trial and crucifixion, and playing a part in the trial. However, it made for a very fascinating story.

  In the book, Theophilus is an advocate, basically a lawyer, and for not knowing much about the real Theophilus, Singer did a great job of creating a character who it seems like may have really lived.

  I have read a lot about Rome in the first century A.D, the emperors, and what the Christians went through, but I still learned a lot while reading this book. Although I prefer Randy's other books over this one, this was still a great read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Through a fictional story, the reader is given insight into the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, and also into what the legal system may have been like in those days. Randy Singer is a lawyer, and I found the way he portrayed the trials of that day very interesting.

  Something I learned in the book, and I researched it to see if it was true, is that the Romans came up with a word to describe the pain of crucifixion - "excrutiatus". I figured we got our word "excruciating" from that, and we did.

  The book doesn't have a happily ever after ending like I enjoy, but I still enjoyed the book. Not only was it a fascinating look into first century Rome, it was a reminder of where America could end up if we keep marching on the way we are. A good reminder, though sobering.

About the author:

Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned more than 10 legal thrillers and was recently a finalist with John Grisham and Michael Connelly for the inaugural Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction sponsored by the University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal. Randy runs his own law practice and has been named to Virginia Business magazine's select list of "Legal Elite" litigation attorneys. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also teaches classes in advocacy and civil litigation at Regent Law School and, through his church, is involved with ministry opportunities in India. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children. Visit his website at www.randysinger.net.


The Advocate is available from Tyndale Publishers.

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

Auschwitz Escape by Joel Rosenberg

A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz’s beloved Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans—especially Jews like Jacob and his family—are treated like dogs.

When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes horribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare—trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.

As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his “final solution” to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he’s not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi’s atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance. 

My review:
  This was a fantastic, yet sobering read. Rosenberg has again written a masterpiece of a story, this time about the death camp at Auschwitz. Although the story is fictional, it is based on real events and people. I was again horrified as I read of the atrocities done on so many Jews by a madman determined to wipe all Jews off the face of the earth.

  I again found myself wondering how so much of the world sat idly by as these events happened. I wondered why the USA didn't intervene sooner. 

  This was a book that was hard to read. While it described some terrible things that were done at the death camp, it was also interesting and gripping. I liked the characters he created who had to daily deal with the trials of living in a death camp that was intended to kill them all. I saw how evil can so easily prosper when good men do nothing. I saw how easily people can be convinced that evil politicians are not up to no good, when indeed they are.

  Although this is a fictional book, it should be a warning to us all that our own country could be that way some day. We are headed there more and more each day, and just like there were people back then who did not believe the things they heard, there are countless people today who refuse to hear  the bad thing they favorite politician has done and is up to. It is true we are bound to repeat history if we do not repeat it.

  This was a darker read than I normally enjoy, but it was definitely worth reading, and I highly recommend it.

About the author:

Joel C. Rosenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of eight novels—The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The Ezekiel Option, The Copper Scroll, Dead Heat, The Twelfth Imam, The Tehran Initiative, and The Damascus Countdown—and five nonfiction books, Epicenter, Inside the Revolution, Implosion,Israel at War, and The Invested Life, with nearly 3 million copies sold. The Ezekiel Option received the Gold Medallion award as the "Best Novel of 2006" from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Joel is the producer of two documentary films based on his nonfiction books. He is also the founder of The Joshua Fund, a nonprofit educational and charitable organization to mobilize Christians to "bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus" with food, clothing, medical supplies, and other humanitarian relief.

As a communications advisor, Joel has worked with a number of U.S. and Israeli leaders, including Steve Forbes, Rush Limbaugh, Natan Sharansky, and Benjamin Netanyahu. As an author, he has been interviewed on hundreds of radio and TV programs, including ABC's Nightline, CNN Headline News, FOX News Channel, The History Channel, MSNBC, The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Sean Hannity Show, and The Glenn Beck Show. He has been profiled by the New York Times, the Washington Times, the Jerusalem Post, and World magazine. He has addressed audiences all over the world, including those in Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, and the Philippines. He has also spoken at the White House, the Pentagon, and to members of Congress.

In 2008, Joel designed and hosted the first Epicenter Conference in Jerusalem. The event drew two thousand Christians who wanted to "learn, pray, give, and go" to the Lord's work in Israel and the Middle East. Subsequent Epicenter Conferences have been held in San Diego (2009); Manila, Philippines (2010); Philadelphia (2010); Jerusalem (2011); and Albuquerque, New Mexico (2012). The live webcast of the Philadelphia conference drew some thirty-four thousand people from more than ninety countries to listen to speakers such as Israeli Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon; pastors from the U.S., Israel, and Iran; Lt. General (ret.) Jerry Boykin; Kay Arthur; Janet Parshall; Tony Perkins; and Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of one of the founders of Hamas who has renounced Islam and terrorism and become a follower of Jesus Christ and a friend of both Israelis and Palestinians.

The son of a Jewish father and a Gentile mother, Joel is an evangelical Christian with a passion to make disciples of all nations and teach Bible prophecy. A graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in filmmaking, he is married, has four sons, and lives near Washington, D.C.

To visit Joel's weblog—or sign up for his free weekly "Flash Traffic" e-mails—please visit www.joelrosenberg.com.

Please also visit these other websites:

www.joshuafund.net

www.epicenterconference.com

and Joel's "Epicenter Team" and the Joel C. Rosenberg public profile page on Facebook.

 Auschwitz Escape is available from Tyndale Publishing.

I bought the book, and posted a review of my own accord.

Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble, and a chance to win a Kindle

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger's memories . . . before they cost her everything.

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.

But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks---and vivid dreams of being strangled---she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder.

Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked---by a man she's only met in her nightmares.

The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter.

Of course, he doesn't know about that. Yet.

Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there's no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her---before she remembers too much.

My review:

   This has been the best suspense series Colleen Coble has written, and this is the best of  the series. As with the rest of the series, the book was set mostly in the Outer Banks, a favorite location of mine, which made it all the more interesting to me.

  In addition to great suspense and action, this book also explores the idea of people getting organ transplants and taking on some of the likes and dislikes and memories of the person the transplanted organ came from. Although it sounds farfetched, some of it is possible and does happen, at least with dislikes and likes. It made for an interesting plot with that element in the story.

  I had picked up this book with the plan of reading just some of it, but I got into the book so much that I had to read it to the end. I loved every minute of it: the plot, characters, action and suspense. As with the last book, the author brought back some of the characters from the other books, which is always an added bonus for me. I definitely recommend this book, and the whole series. Colleen has done an above par job on all three books.

About the author:

olleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide.Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Connect with Colleen: website,Facebook, Twitter

Seagrass Pier is available from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Thanks to Litfuse and Thomas Nelson for the review copy.

Don’t miss Colleen Coble‘s latest release in the Hope Beach series, Seagrass Pier. The book releases July 1st, and Colleen's publisher is offering the ebook at a special pre-order price of just $4.99 between now and 6/30 everywhere ebooks are sold.

PLUS . . . between 6/9 – 6/30 Colleen will be hosting a Kindle giveaway.

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• Seagrass Pier and the rest of the Hope Beach series by Colleen Coble

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced on Colleen's blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Colleen's blog on July 1st to see if you won!