Tandem by Tracey Bateman

Six months ago, brutal murders shook the small Ozark town—murders that stopped after a house fire reportedly claimed the killer’s life. Lauryn McBride's family auction house has taken responsibility for the estate sale of one of the victims—the enigmatic Markus Chisom. Submerging herself in Chisom’s beautiful but strange world, Lauryn welcomes the reprieve from watching Alzheimer’s steal her father from her, piece by piece. She soon realizes that centuries-old secrets tie Abbey Hills to the Chisom estate and a mysterious evil will do anything to make sure those secrets stay hidden. Even the man who grew up loving her may not be able to protect Lauryn from the danger.

When Amede Dastillon receives an unexpected package from Abbey Hills, she hopes it might be the key in tracking down her beloved sister, long estranged from her family. Visiting Abbey Hills seems the logical next step in her search, but Amede is unusually affected by the town, and when mutilated carcasses begin turning up again in the small community, the local law enforcement isn’t sure if they are confronting a familiar evil or a new terror.

Two women brought together by questions that seem to have no answers. Can they overcome the loss and darkness threatening to devour them—or will their own demons condemn them to an emotional wasteland?

My review:A Christian book about vampires? Seems like a weird idea, but it works. I read the book that precedes this, Thirsty, several months back and found it an intriguing. This is not a review for that book, but vampires coupled with alcoholism made for a very interesting read.

This book, Tandem, picks up where Thirsty left off. The mysterious killings of animals had stopped, but now they have picked up again. Some reviewers have stated they didn't like this one as well. I disagree. I liked it as well. There was a lot of suspense in it, twists and turns, and romance. And like Thirsty, it raises an interesting question - is anyone beyond redemption? Sure, vampires are not for real, but there is a lot of evil in our world, and evil people. A novel like this shows that even the worst are not beyond redemption.

I did have a little bit of a hard time knowing who the book was talking about a few times throughout the book. It was written in the first person, going into the third occasionally, and in my opinion, it would have flowed better and been easier to keep up with the who if it had been written completely in the third person. Regardless of that, I really enjoyed this book, and yes... Christian vampire books might seem out of the realm of normal reading, but it was worth my while. I recommend it and Thirsty for those who like to read something not so normal occasionally.

About the author:

TRACEY BATEMAN is an award-winning author of more than thirty books including Thirsty. Tracey has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers since it began and served as its president for nearly two years. She lives in Missouri with her husband and four children.


Tandem is available from Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishers.

Thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah for the review copy.

Flight Plan by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady

In today’s culture, teenage boys are faced with navigating the turbulent journey to manhood, often without an inkling of what that really means or any direction of how to get there. What does it mean to be a man? Flight Plan: Your Mission to Become a Man offers a vision of godly manhood and a complete and honest guide into the adventures ahead.



Flight Plan, written by Lee Burns and Braxton Brady, is a natural evolution of their original program, Building Boys, Making Men, a curriculum created by the authors for the 630 boys who attend Presbyterian Day School (PDS) in Memphis, Tennessee. Over the years, Burns and Brady, colleagues at PDS, have received numerous requests from youth leaders, pastors, parents, and teachers for access to the curriculum that was only available to the boys at PDS. Flight Plan is the answer to those many requests and the culmination of sixty years of research, mentoring, and ministry to more than 3,000 boys.

My review:
This book is for teenage boys, which I am way past being, but it looked like a good book to review, so here I am reviewing it. And it is a very neat book.

The title is Flight Plan, and the authors liken flying a plane to a teenage boy getting ready for life. Each chapter has something to do with flying, and then the authors take a topic and liken it to something to do with flying a plane. The chapter ends with several questions for thought.

Topics covered include dealing with family/parents, sex and the consequences of sex outside of marriage, friends, getting of course, and many more.

I haven't read many books like this geared for teenagers - at least not lately, but I am impressed with this one. They have a really interesting way of presenting their ideas, and coupled with talk of flying a plane, it is a great combination. This book would be great for individual reading for a teenage boy, or used as a group study for teenage boys. I highly recommend it. Easy reading style, interesting, and very important topics for teenage boys.

About the authors:
Braxton Brady was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Memphis University School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis. He loves both the city of Memphis and the University of Memphis. Before coming to Presbyterian Day School (PDS) in 2004, he worked as Bible teacher, athletic director, and assistant principal at Central Day School in Collierville, Tennessee. Presently, Brady is chaplain of PDS, an independent school serving over 630 boys in grades PK-6 in Memphis.



Brady has served on the boards of various inner city ministries in Memphis. He is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program, a program that helps disciple and develop spiritual leaders in the city of Memphis, and founder of Strategic Dads, a ministry that seeks to provide fathers with practical ways to disciple their sons and lead their families.

Serving and living in the inner city of Memphis has given Brady a unique perspective on the challenges all young men face in their journeys to manhood, no matter their social or economic status. “I’ve learned that there is a void for young men that is not being taught,” says Brady. That void inspired him to develop Flight Plan with co-author and colleague Lee Burns. “I hope to help dads navigate their sons through middle school and high school on their way to adulthood.”

Brady enjoys spending time with his family, serving in the inner city, watching the Tigers football and basketball teams, and playing golf. He is currently completing his master’s degree in theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. Brady is married to Carrie, and they have three children. They are members of Fellowship Memphis Church.

Lee Burns is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee. An avid tennis player, he won six championships as a junior player and was an All-American. Raised in a family of seven children, he learned early on the importance of personal growth and development. Burns discovered a passion for youth while working as a camp counsellor and decided to pursue a career in education. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, graduating cum laude, and went on to receive a master’s degree in educational administration from Harvard University. Burns also studied at the London School of Economics.



Burns worked as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Christ School in North Carolina and then as the director of day student admission at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2000, he was appointed to headmaster at Presbyterian Day School, an independent school serving over 630 boys in grades PK-6 in Memphis.

In addition, Burns is vice-president and on the executive committee of the Elementary School Headmasters Association (a group of approximately 200 headmasters around the country) and is a member of the Country Day School Headmasters Association and the Visionary Heads Group. He served as a task force member to help the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) develop Principles of Good Practice for Middle School Educators. In addition, he has been a presenter at annual conferences of the National Association of Independent Schools, the International Boys’ School Coalition, and the Elementary School Headmasters Association.

Burns still plays tennis and enjoys squash and most any sport, as well as reading and writing. He co-authored the book on a boy’s journey to manhood, Flight Plan: Your Mission to Become a Man, with a vision to “mentor boys not just academically, but from a life perspective.” “It’s important to know the person God wants us to be,” Burns says. “I believe God calls us into authentic manhood as we pursue His purpose and passion for our lives.”


Lee is married to Sarah, and they have three children. They are members of Second Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a deacon.


Flight Plan is available from PDS Publishing.

Check out the website: http://www.theflightplanbook.com/

Read a sample here.

Thanks to B&B Media for the review copy

How I do I love you? Let me count the ways......

How do I love you, sweet, sweet Summer? Let me count the ways........

1. Cooler clothes
2. beautiful blue skies
3. never having to warm up the car, defrost the windows, or clean snow off of it
4. sitting on the porch swing
5. walks on the bike trail
6. visiting the covered bridge
7. beautiful green everywhere
8. no need to worry about bad roads
9. not having to wear jackets
10. windows down in the car
11. windows open in the house
12. bare feet and sandals
13. sunshine
14. the beach
15. cleaner car
16. not as much use for windshield wiper fluid
17. not wasting gas as my car warms up
18. lunch in the park
19. fresh veggies from the garden
20. no sniffling and coughing, except one has a cold
21. less depressed
22. smell of fresh mowed grass
23. warmth
24. reading on the porch
25. easier on the car
26. flowers

City On Our Knees by TobyMac

Amazing, beautiful things happen when people have the courage to live, work, and pray in the spirit of unity and peace. Often, though, to make these amazing things happen, we have to step out of our comfort zone and into a world we find uncomfortable or intimidating. Sometimes that world is physical; other times it can be emotional, relational, or spiritual.



City on Our Knees shows this, encouraging you to take the first step. It offers stories of people who have stepped across lines. Lines of discrimination, persecution, doubt, prejudice, pride, bitterness, self-isolation, and despair. I pray and hope that you will be inspired to see how just one person, or one small group, can be a mechanism for change.


God can use us right here. Right now. All we need is faith that He has our best in mind. And believe me—He does.

My review:
Interesting book. This book could be used as a devotional. Each section begins with an entry from TobyMac's blog, and then has several chapters, each one telling the story of people who got out there and did something for God, stepping across lines that no one else would cross. Each section ends with a prayer.

I found the stories fascinating, and the author writes in an easy-to-read style. The book is also challenging. It is too easy to sit back and try to coast through life, but God wants more than that out of us, and this book tells stories of people who didn't sit back and do nothing. A very challenging and encouraging read.

About the author:

TobyMac is a Grammy Award—winning artist, producer, and song writer. First known as part of the popular group dc Talk throughout the 1990s, he launched a solo career in 2001 and has since won numerous awards, earned three certified gold albums, and had six No. 1 CHR singles. "City on Our Knees," the inspiration for this book, spent thirteen weeks as Billboard's No. 1 Christian song. TobyMac's previous books include Jesus Freaks (with dc Talk) and Under God (with Michael Tait and WallBuilders). TobyMac is married, with five children, and makes his home near Nashville, Tennessee.

 

City On Our Knees is availble from Bethany House Publishers.

 

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV

Discover the life-enriching biblical application you're searching for in The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible. With more than 1,000 "Life Lessons" offering insights straight from Max, the message of God's Word will be more meaningful and impactful than ever. This beautifully designed Bible, available in hardcover and Leathersoft cover options, contains practical application drawn from Max Lucado's entire career—from his first book to his latest release, Outlive Your Life. For the first time, all the devotional material in this fully-revised edition of The Inspirational Study Bible is from Max Lucado and uses the popular and reliable New King James Version® (NKJV) translation! Features include:

•Two-color design throughout

•More than 1,000 insightful Life Lessons

•Christ Through the Bible sidebars

•Topical Index

•New King James Version text

My review:
I enjoy checking out new Bibles, seeing what kind of tools there are to help with the Bible reading/study experience, and this one caught my eye. Anything with Max Lucado's name attached piques my interest.

First off, the translation. I have two favorite Bible versions. One is the New Living, and the other is the New King James, which is the version used here. Easy to read, and without out the out of date words used in the King James.

This Bible is full of "Life Lessons". They are in the margins of the pages. Each one has a situation, observation, inpsiration, application, and ending with exploration - more verses about the topic.

Also scattered throughout are Christ Through The Bible "sidebars". Boxes with portions from Max's books having to do with the topic in the Scripture above, and also with Christ.

Obviously, I have not read this whole Bible or all of the notes, but what I have read, I have liked. I really like the Life Lessons and feel they can be helpful as a person reads through the Bible, though I would classify it as more of a Devotional Bible than a study Bible. And added to it is the great New King James version of the Bible. A great combination.


The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV is available from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the review copy.

Possession by Rene Gutteridge

In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance’s past. In an unforgettable climax, a little boy’s innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees. What is at stake counts for everything, but nothing can prepare Vance for who is behind it.

My review:

I read a couple of Rene Gutteridge's books when she first came on the Christian fiction scene some years ago, and liked her books well enough, but hadn't read anything by her until I reviewed Listen by her last January. I was very impressed by that book, so I jumped at the chance to review her newest book, Possession.

 

Awesome book. Really. The book started out somewhat slowly with the main characters making a long distance move, and then it picks up speed and suspense. The plot was great - kept me guessing, and there were a couple of suprises throughout the book. I was hooked by the first few chapters.

 

In addition to a great suspenseful plot, the book also deals with betrayal, the danger of keeping secrets, and the faith of a young boy. I hadn't been in the mood to read lately, but I devoured this book, and yes - it gets my read-in-one-sitting status. This author has definitely found her footing in the Christian suspense market. I highly recommend this stand alone novel, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

 

About the author:

Rene Gutteridge is the author of seventeen novels, including Listen, the Storm series (Tyndale House Publishers) and Never the Bride, the Boo series, and the Occupational Hazards series from WaterBrook Press. She also released My Life as a Doormat and The Ultimate Gift: The Novelization with Thomas Nelson. Rene is also known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting while earning a mass communications degree, graduating magna cum laude from Oklahoma City University and earning the Excellence in Mass Communication Award. She served as the full-time director of drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writers conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City. Visit her Web site at http://www.renegutteridge.com/.

 

Possession is available from Tyndale Publishers

 

Thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

 

Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingParadise ValleyBethany House (January 1, 2011)byDale Cramer





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dale Cramer was the second of four children born to a runaway Amishman turned soldier and a south Georgia sharecropper's daughter. His formative years were divided between far-flung military bases, but he inherited his mother's sense of place—



He took on small construction projects at night to help make ends meet— "and to preserve the remainder of my sanity," he says. While building an office in the basement of a communications consultant, a debate over labor/management relations turned into an article on mutualism which found its way into an international business magazine. It was Dale's first published article, and he liked the feel of it. He bought books, studied technique, and began participating in an online writers' forum, writing during the boys' naps and after they went to bed at night. Before long he was publishing short stories in literary magazines and thinking about writing a book.



Three storylines vied for Dale's attention when he finally decided to write a novel. His first two choices were commercially viable secular stories, and a distant third appeared to be some kind of Christian saga about a broken-down biker. The process of determining which novel to write was settled by a remarkable encounter with his youngest son, a lost set of keys, and God. His sense of direction was suddenly clarified. In 1997, Dale began work on Sutter's Cross, which was eventually published in 2003.



His second novel, Bad Ground (July 2004), while it is not autobiographical, contains a great deal of material drawn from his own experience as a construction electrician.



He and his wife and two sons make their home in northern Georgia.





ABOUT THE BOOK

An Amish settlement in Ohio has run afoul of a law requiring their children to attend public school. Caleb Bender and his neighbors are arrested for neglect, with the state ordering the children be placed in an institution. Among them are Caleb's teenage daughter, Rachel, and the boy she has her eye on, Jake Weaver. Romance blooms between the two when Rachel helps Jake escape the childrens home.



Searching for a place to relocate his family where no such laws apply, Caleb learns there's inexpensive land for sale in Mexico, a place called Paradise Valley. Despite rumors of instability in the wake of the Mexican revolution, the Amish community decides this is their answer. And since it was Caleb's idea, he and his family will be the pioneers. They will send for the others once he's established a foothold and assessed the situation.



Caleb's daughters are thrown into turmoil. Rachel doesn't want to leave Jake. Her sister, Emma, who has been courting Levi Mullet, fears her dreams of marriage will be dashed. Miriam has never had a beau and is acutely aware there will be no prospects in Mexico.



Once there, they meet Domingo, a young man and guide who takes a liking to Miriam, something her father would never approve. While Paradise Valley is everything they'd hoped it would be, it isn't long before the bandits start giving them trouble, threatening to upset the fledgling Amish settlement, even putting their lives in danger. Thankfully no one has been harmed so far, anyway.



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

I didn't have time to read this book yet, but it looks really good, and I am intrigued by an Amish book written by a man, so it is a must read for me