Stress Test by Richard Mabry, and win a Nook HD

They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left his last shift in the ER have no such plans-they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt's only thought is escape. He does so, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he's being charged with murder.

Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors. But when Matt calls, she knows she can't walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.

Matt's career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he's a murderer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth-and the faith to keep going-will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

My review:
    Richard Mabry is not a new author to me. He has written 4 books previous to writing this one, and I enjoyed each one that I read. With this book, he has changed publishers and I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but he hit one out of the stadium with this book. If his others had 4 star ratings, this one would get 10. Its that good.

  I loved this book and enjoyed every page of it. Mabry came up with a very likable main character and wove a teriffic plot around him. There was a lot of suspense in the book, and I never knew what was going to happen next. It wasn't very predictable, which is great. And though this is a great suspense novel, it can definitely be filed under Christian. No cursing or inappropriate content in itm which is not surprising after reading the author's other books.

  Mabry writes medical suspense novels, so his books are always set around hospitals and his main characters are always in the medical profession, but he does a tremendous job of using laymen's terms for medical procedures and makes the hospital and medical stuff interesting and easy to understand.

  This is by far his best book yet, and that is not to diminsh his others. He has just outdone himself with this one, and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

About the author:

A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader's Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

 Visit his website at http://www.rmabry.com

 

Stress Test is avaiable from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

 

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy.

 

 

 Richard Mabry is celebrating the release of Stress Test with a Nook HD Giveaway! Enter today.

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Nook HD
• A $15 gift certificate to BarnesandNoble.com

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 27th. Winner will be announced on 4/29/13 at Richard's blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Geckenberger, and win an Ipad mini

Ben and Joseph lose their mothers, but find a family looking just for them. Antonio is rescued from what seems like a hopeless situation. Caitlyn dares to trust that truth will set her free. Jorani is delivered from slavery into the arms of grace.

Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to foreign places and extreme struggles. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver - our Defender God shielding and defending the defenseless in the amazing ways only he can. These are the tales of the ones left wounded and weak-ones made whole and strong . . . 


My review: 
    No offense intended, but this is an example of not judging a book by its cover. The cover of the book didn't really grab me, but it sounded worth reading, so I requested it. This is not a fictional title, and is labeled as juvenile, but I wouldn't necessarily consider it for that age.

   The book is a very interesting, sad, and also exciting read. It is sad because it shows the poor conditions facing so many people in other countries, and how hopeless it is for some of them. It is exciting because of the way God worked in the lives of the children whose stories are told in the book.

  It is obvious the author has a heart for kids like the ones mentioned in the book, and has done an excellent job of telling their stories. I enjoyed reading the book. It made me more thankful for what I have and made me wish I could do more. It isn't a long book, but it gives a great glimpse into life in third world countries and of what people are doing to reach the lost and hurting there.

About the author:

     Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries. Beth travels and speaks regularly at women's and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. Her topics include orphan care, missions, parenting, marriage/intimacy, and faith. Her story-telling style captures audiences, and she draws from her field experience as a missionary and parent for illustrations to biblical concepts. In addition to her latest release, Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing 2012), Beth has written Relentless Hope (Standard, 2011) and Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008). The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico where they have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted additions to their family, Beth and Todd are raising nine children.

Learn more about Beth at http://www.bethguckenberger.com

Tales of the Forgotten is available from Standard Publishing.

Thanks to Litfuse for the review copy.

Beth Guckenberger is celebrating the release of her new book in the Storyweaver series, Tales of the Defended Ones, with an iPad giveaway and Facebook party {4/25}. 

 One fortunate winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Tales of the Defended Ones small group kit (books and DVD)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 24th. Winner will be announced at the "Storyweaver" Author Chat Party on April 25th. Beth will be chatting with guests, answering questions, and offering tips about beginning a dialog with children and youth about the orphans around the world, the basic needs of children living in poverty, and what we can all do to help. (It’s okay if you haven’t read the book – who knows, you might WIN a copy!) Beth will also be hosting a fun trivia contest and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, and more!)

So grab your copy of Tales of the Defended Ones and join Beth and friends on the evening of the April 25th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 25th!

What's Your Mark by Jeremy Cowart

Who was Jesus? What was his story? What mark did he leave? What's your story? What will be your mark?Join celebrity photographer and social artist Jeremy Cowart as he presents 16 compelling stories of people who are making their mark today. Their stories are just a sampling of the stories that all followers of Jesus can tell---stories from those in all walks of life whose inspiration is rooted in the truths found in the Gospel of Mark. And you’ll be inspired to make your mark---whether through your occupation, your talents or your selfless love and giving to others. Your mark may be teaching children at a school or at home, helping the homeless, or providing food to the hungry. Your mark might be an accidental mark, a reluctant mark, or an intentional mark. Whatever your mark, you’ll be inspired by the stories inside this new book, What’s Your Mark?Become a mark-maker today, and make every moment of your life count.This book includes:* 112 full-color pages of Scripture, stories, and photography by renowned photographer Jeremy Cowart* 16 photos and stories of people---some names you’ll recognize, others not so well known---making their mark* Scripture text of the Gospel of Mark from the bestselling New International Version (NIV) Bible.

My review:
    I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested this book. It sounded like a book just full of pictures, but it is not. The book is pretty neat. It is easy to read, and is pretty much Scripture from the book of Mark and bios of ordinary people who are accomplishing something for God. I enjoyed reading it, and it should help those who read it to be encouraged that they can accomplish something also in life and make their mark.

About the author:

Jeremy Cowart is a celebrity photographer who has worked with clients including Taylor Swift, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Clive Owen and Britney Spears. He is the founder of the non-profit, Help-Portrait, a global movement of photographers using their time, gear and expertise to give free portraits to those less fortunate. He divides his time between Nashville and Los Angeles.


What's Your Mark is available from Zondervan Publishing.

Thanks to B&B Media for the review copy.

The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Love’s recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs-a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she’s too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons-something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn’t anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him-starting with himself.

My review:
   My favorite genre' of books to read is suspense/mystery. Dan Walsh's books do not fall into that category, but he has still quickly become one of my favorite authors. When I know he has a new book coming out, I cannot wait to read it and devour it in one sitting, just as I do with a great suspense book. This book was no exception. I did read it in one sitting.

  The Dance is the first book in the Restoration Series, a set of four books that will revolve around one fictional family and their relationships. This one dealt with the marriage of a couple who has been married for twenty-seven years. I'm not married, but I still loved the story and found it to be very moving. Dancing has a big part in the book, and I thought it was very neat how the authors compared a marriage relationship to dancing in quite an ingenious way. I really liked the characters and situations/plot they have come up with for this book series.

  With Gary Smalley's relationship expertise, this is more than a love story. Any married couple would benefit from reading this book, but especially those who are in a rut and one or both of them feel neglected or unloved by the author. I am firm in the belief that a story can often help and do good where a sermon or "help" book would not. And Jesus proved that with parables.

   Dan Walsh has hit another home run with this story. If it is an indication of what the whole series is going to be like, this series will be up there with the popular Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury. And might I add, Dan Walsh is giving her a run for her money. If you have never read his books, you definitely should, and this one would be a great one to start with. Awesome book, and a great message.

About the authors:

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of several books, including The Discovery and The Reunion. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

Gary Smalley is one of the country's best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of 16 books, along with several popular films and videos. He has spent over 30 years learning, teaching, and counseling, speaking to over 2 million people in live conferences. Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Extra, The Today Show, and The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 40 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children and six grandchildren.


Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Landmarks by Bill Delvaux

 The well-worn rut that most of us live in is safe, comfortable . . . some would call it dead. By contrast, coming alive requires a willingness to journey into the unknown. Following Jesus is just such a path -- one that takes us deep into His death and then lifts us up into His resurrection.

There are some risks involved, and there are no point A to point B maps. But there are landmarks, places we must pass along the way if we are to keep following Christ into real life.

Landmarks describes these breakthrough places of the heart and mind in the general order in which they tend to show up. Long-time teacher and first-time author Bill Delvaux shares his landmark story and takes read- ers through nine different spiritual markers that must be encountered in order to live the full life that Jesus has planned for us.

Some of the landmarks include letting go of idols, overcoming scars, walking away from sexual sin, grasping your identity, fighting your battle, bonding with Christ, and choosing God first.

So, if you feel stuck out there on the highway of humanity and need some tried and true spiritual direction, look for Landmarks.

 

My review:

    This was a very easy to read book. I don't read enough non-fiction, but if all non-fiction was as interesting and easy to read as this, I would read more of it.

 

   The author takes nine landmarks in our life and gives each one a chapter each. He shows how each one affect us and our walk with God in either a positive or negative way. In addition to a lot of helpful advice and food for thought, the author also uses a lot of personal stories about him or others to prove his point. This is a book that can be helpful if you think about what you're reading, and is worth reading some sections over again.

 

About the author:

 

Bill Delvaux taught Men of the Bible classes for two decades at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds degrees from Duke University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is now a full-time speaker and retreat minister. Landmarks is his first book.

 

Landmarks is available from Broadman & Holman Publishing.

 

Thanks to B&B Media for the review copy.

 

 

  

Scorned Justice by Margaret Daley

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Scorned Justice Abingdon Press (April 1, 2013) by Margaret Daley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold eighty-three books to date.

Margaret was the president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of Christia writers with over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.

Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.

On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Texas Ranger Brody Calhoun is with his parents in west Texas when an unexpected attack injures the brother of Rebecca Morgan, Brody's high school sweetheart. The local sheriff, a good friend, asks for Brody's help. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case. However, as Brody digs deeper, he realizes the attack may be related to an organized crime trial Rebecca will be overseeing. With Rebecca's help, he compiles evidence which involves cattle rustlers, bribery, and dirty payoffs that shatter the entire community and put Rebecca directly in the line of fire.

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

My review:
   The only books I have read by Margaret Daley have been in this series. This book, which is the third, was the best one so far. I really enjoyed the plot and characters, and this story had some unexpected twists that I did not see coming. This book had plenty of mystery and suspense to make me happpy, and I did read it in one sitting. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. An excellent read.

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Guardian Bethany House Publishers (March 26, 2013) by Beverly Lewis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

ABOUT THE BOOK

When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak a word of English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow--and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?

If you would like to read teh first chapter of The Guardian, go HERE.