Shattered

Cleo Neilson's best friend is moving away and she wants to make Lola's last night in town special. For Cleo, that means going to the big Christian concert in the city, but her mom won't allow her to go. She says that area of the city is too dangerous for two unchaperoned teenage girls.

Convinced her mom is just being overprotective "helicopter" mom, she sneaks out of the house. After all, her mom has to let her grow up sometime, right?

Cleo now faces the chilling consequences of her actions and a secret that is eating her up inside. As Cleo fights through her grief and guilt, she learns about faith in God and forgiveness through him.



In Melody Carlson's new novel, Shattered, the reader gets to explore deception and its consequences through the story of Cleo and her overprotective mom. Considered spoiled by most of her friends, Cleo's facing a graduation without her best friend who is moving away. Faced with finding the perfect way to celebrate one final night, what no one knows is exactly what things will be placed in motion by one simple phone call to her mother.

This is such a compelling read for anyone who has teenagers and provides a safe way to experience what happens to one family when things go too far and get out of hand. This is a must read and comes with a 5 out of 5 star rating. It's edgy, controversial, and definitely a wake up call to everyone from parents to teens.

I received this book from Glass Roads Public Relations for my honest review and LOVED it! As a parent, time is so precious and this was a wake up call for me. For more information about this book, the author and where to get a copy, please click on the link below:

Shattered by Melody Carlson

True Courage

Everyone can recall as a young child having the courage to head out the door whether it was to your first day of school, your first little league game, or your first night away from home. Then life takes over and you lose your bravado, giving in to the fears of the world around you.

In True Courage: Emboldened by God in a Disheartening World, best-selling author and Bible teacher, Steve Farrar aids readers in discovering a God who provides incredible courage to us in the midst of uncertainty, even through treacherous, evil days, and the courage to face lions in their den - or an unexpected job loss, the diagnosis of a sick child, or the return of a debilitating cancer.

Farrar takes a look at the courageous life of the prophet Daniel and shares God's process for shaping and molding everyday guys into men He can use. Daniel was a man who was used mightily by God, but he wasn't born bold. He was shaped and molded by a process in which God worked providentially, strangely, and slowly to equip Daniel for his calling.

I received this book compliments of B & B Media Group for my honest review. I believe this is a book to read especially in these tough and turbulent times we find ourselves in where men can begin to question whether or not they have the courage to move forward. This book will aid them in finding out how Daniel dealt with similar circumstances and how he rose to the challenge time and time again.

This book is available in paperback and eBook formats and rates a 4 out of 5 stars. For more information about this book, the author and where you can pick up a copy of this book, please click on the link below:

True Courage: Emboldened by God in a Disheartening World by Steve Farrar

The Lady of Bolton Hill

Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain have been friends since childhood. Their love and passion of music is what drew them together despite their differences in backgrounds and wealth. Clara was from a wealthy family, her father a pastor of a large church and her brother Clyde, a missionary working with the Navajo Indians.

Daniel Tremain came from a difficult upbringing. His father was killed in a boiler accident at the steel mill where they both worked, with Daniel's natural ability to think outside of the box and come up with a solution that would free him. Fortunately it worked, but his father died from burns and injuries from the weight of the boiler. Now faced with raising his three younger sisters and helping his mother cope with the loss, Daniel's only escape is in meeting with Clara to share his gifted love of music.

As they grew older, Clara's father feared that her attachment to Daniel would grow into love and he had her shipped to London to continue her career as a writer and pursue her achievements without the distraction from Daniel.

Daniel struggled with dealing with his mother's suicide, leaving him to care for his sisters and find ways for them not to go hungry at night. Gifted not only in his musical ability, Daniel also found ways to invent new ideas to make the railroad industry more profitable and thus his patents made him a wealthy man.

Now circumstance will bring Daniel and Clara together once more with God having a destiny in mind for them both. For Daniel it will be dealing with his parents death and the bitterness he can't let go of, and for Clara it will be seeing the best in people despite what her family wishes for her.

In the latest novel by Elizabeth Camden, The Lady of Bolton Hill, is a great story that shows just how much bitterness and revenge will ultimately cost some who refuse to allow God to handle judging others. Set in Baltimore, Maryland in the late 1800's, the reader is in for a treat and this one won't rest until you've read the final page.

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and this one hands down receives 5 out of 5 stars. When a book is rated this high it means you will stay up reading it long past the time you need to sleep just so you can find out what happens next. This one you won't want to put down until you see how it all turns out in the end.

Here's even more great information about the book, the author and where to get a first chapter sneak peek.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Lady of Bolton Hill Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Elizabeth Camden



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.



A word from Elizabeth: I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.



As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.



When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.



But time has changed them both.



Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.



Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts, and lives, hang in the balance?



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lady of Bolton Hill, go HERE.

Desert Gift

Jillian Galloway was on top of the world. A successful radio host of Recipes for Marriage, an author about to start her first book tour for She Said, He Heard, as well as a wife and mom. What she didn't expect as her and husband, Jack, were planning to get ready to leave on her first debut whirl wind book tour, was an announcement from Jack asking for a divorce.

How could this happen? She had devoted her life to making sure everything in Dr. Jack Galloway's life flowed smoothly from running the house, paying the bills, and being what she thought was the perfect wife. She thought their communication was excellent since Jack was her source of inspiration for helping other married couples through their difficulties. How can she possibly move forward in her career as a marriage expert when her own was falling apart?

In the book, Desert Gift by Sally John, Jillian is faced with a choice between fighting for her career or her marriage. Yet how do you fight for your marriage when your husband won't talk to you, tells you that he doesn't love you any more and has moved out? Jillian is struggling with these decisions while her agent Gretchen keeps her working on her book tour as she becomes more sad and depressed as she discovers more about herself than she would have imagined through a series of encounters with the most delightful cast of characters.

Faced with blunt honesty at times, Jillian is forced to face the reality that God has bigger plans for her, and the more she resists Him, the longer her road to recovery will take. This book is a great way to look at how marriages will come to a crossroads at a midway point that most call a mid-life crisis. The things that Jillian will learn along her way will help us look deep within our own marriages and see them through a new pair of eyes.

I received this book compliments of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review and can honestly say, there were a few areas within my own marriage I was able to give a hard look at to make sure we keep our foundation strong. Desert Gift rates a 5 out of 5 stars and a must read for any marriage. This book is available in paperback and eBook formats.

For more information on this book, the author and where to purchase a copy, please click on the link below:

Desert Gift by Sally John

You can also visit her at her website by clicking here.

The Trigger

Josh McGuire, Scott Cunningham and Chief Yang all have a very important role to play in becoming the Trigger for Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They will be the team that will preach the final message to the last group of people who need to hear the message about Jesus Christ. Their prophetic message is "Do Not Fail".

While the forces of good and evil battle unseen in the fulfillment of the age old prophecy found within the final book of the Bible, Revelation, we see the wrath of the trumpets and bowls being poured out upon the Earth in God's judgement.

Josh McGuire is the pastor/missionary team member of a vast church that has grown with God's blessing over the years. In between conducting underground church movements in China and other countries, he is faced with being arrested in China by Chief Yang, who controls the MSS or equivalent of the CIA in China. They have evidence that he knows the names of Christians and their underground churches in China. Without disclosing that information he will be placed in one of China's prisons. Seeing the opportunity to preach the message of Jesus to the Chief, he discovers that he has been possessed by demons for three years. Only when he is free, does Chief Yang become the newest believer.

Scott Cunningham works with his church group in Australia conducting missionary work as well, and when the three men converge through prayer, they are provided with God's last remaining remnant that needs to here the message of redemption. Only the enemy isn't about to let that happen. Under the guise of reorganizing the United Nations, French president Dominic Dubois, takes over leadership of this new group in hopes of restoring the economies of the world, eliminating terrorism, and providing hope to a fallen world. He becomes the anti-christ of the Bible and thus the prophecies of the book of Revelation come to life in the pages of the latest novel by Hon Hoh, The Trigger, A Novel on The Revelation.



This action packed book unveils the consequences of the trumpet blasts and subsequent bowls of God wrath being unleashed through the fictional story of the coming Apocalypse on Earth. Time is running out for the final few to make their decision for Christ or accept the mark of the beast and face God's judgement on man. While Michael and Gabriel work to help the saints on Earth along with a multitude of angels, Satan and his legion are about to make sure he prevents the Trigger from being unleashed.

This book rates a 5 out of 5 stars for me and I received this book compliments of B & B Media Group for my honest review. This is another great book that uses the events describe in the book of Revelation from the Bible and shows a possible way it could take place in a fictional way, much like the Left Behind series did. This one portrays the rapture of the church coming after the Great Tribulation and shows what could happen if believers are on Earth when God's prophecy comes to the ultimate fulfillment in the year 2035. I couldn't stop until I read the final page. It's that good and a must-read. Every believer and non believer should read this book!

For even more great information on this book, the amazing author and where to pick up this book, click on the link below:

The Trigger: A Novel On The Revelation by Hon Hoh

In Grandma's Attic and More Stories From Grandma's Attic

As a little girl Arleta never would have guessed what her grandma was up to when she was her age. That is, until she discovered the secrets hidden in her grandma's attic. Everything she found sparked a tale of Grandma's life in simpler times and a life lesson her grandma had learned. A quilt square reminded her grandma to avoid pride. A shoe button inspired a story about honesty. And what was that wire thing Grandma wore?

But the most amazing thing Arleta discovered? Grandma had been a little girl just like she was, trying to be good but often getting into trouble, sometimes without even meaning to! Filled with fun and laughter, Grandma's stories will whisk you away to another time and place.

In the first book of Grandma's Attic Series, In Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson, the reader is taken back to the joys and treasures that await a tale of an adventurous life that her grandma couldn't wait to share. Within each object lies a story from the cloth squares that hold a special memory bound up in each one, to an interesting button basket she acquired from an Indian one bleak winter's day. My favorite was Pa and the Dishwater and the fun adventures that happen when a little girl would rather play on a hot day than do her chores. Learn what happened and what she learned in the process. Great conversation starters for us to have with our children to inquire what they would do in these situations!



In the second book, More Stories From Grandma's Attic, the journey continues with the much loved series. In this one, we learned about an old slate, a heart-shaped locket, a rusty trunk and a misspelled sampler. What happens when a pig wears doll clothes? How did Mama escape the cellar when Pa accidentally locked her in? And what exactly was stuffed inside the doll that Grandma found?

I received these books compliments of B & B Media Group for my honest review and LOVED this series. Much like Little House on The Prairie books, this series takes the readers along with a unique blend of story telling when the granddaughter finds objects in the attic and grandma begin to weave the story that lies behind each one. Much like my own children do when they visit with their grandparents this is such a beautiful and heart-warming series, I can't wait for my daughter to read the rest. In each story there is a lesson to be taught and one our children can relate to.

This series is available on paperback and for your favorite eReader, and rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. These books are perfect for children ages 5 and up! For even more information about the books, the author and where you can purchase a copy of these books, please click on the link below:

In Grandma's Attic and More Stories From Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson

The Fine Art of Insincerity

Three sisters who have grown up in the Grandmother Lillian's cottage now find themselves back together again but not for a family reunion. It seems that their realtor finally had someone who was willing to purchase the house and they have through Labor Day to take what they want out of the house and clean it out.

On Monday, the realtor will stop by to have them sign the final paperwork, and each of them will receive a check for $200,000 each. Their inheritance as they see it.

Penny plans on using this money to divorce her 5th husband whom she finds as dull and boring. She finds an attractive doctor at lunch who seems more than interested in her, and she seems willing to part ways with husband now she has money to live on and start a new life. She sees herself as her Grandmother Lillian who was married seven times before finding the right one.

Rosemary is married to a wonderful man named Wort who loves riding Harleys, while she tends to all the stray animals she comes across on their ranch. Her latest venture is a racehorse rescue. However when she miscarried her only child, her grief has driven her to seek out her own death and leave the world a much better place now that she won't be in it anymore. Now that she can also leave Wort money from the sell of her grandmother's house makes the invitation all the more inviting.

Ginger is the oldest and most reliable. She's been married for twenty seven years to Michael, a professor and even though they have seemed to have lost most of the passion and romance, Ginger believes they still have love. However, when she needs to contact Michael to have a financial paper signed for their son Ross in college, she is provided with a phone number to reach him. What she discovers will shattered her world when another woman answers the phone and tells Ginger, "I knew you'd find us."



In the novel, The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt, the three sisters are at odds and none of them, except for Penny and Ginger will confess what is truly going on in their lives, no matter how they may be judged by the other sisters. Only Rosie, keeps her grief and depression buried and only seeks the solace in spending time with her aging Jack Russell that is on it's last legs. It's a sad story that has brought them together, but will it be enough to heal them?

I received this book compliments of Glass Roads Public Relations for my honest review. This novel is filled with sadness that each of these women feels to need to keep their personal lives from one another at one point in the book. Each of them finds justification in what they believe they are doing but deep down inside know they are all hurting in an emotional and physical way. Their perceptions they have of one another is a far cry from who they really are inside and it will take something life changing for them to finally open up. This one rates 5 out of 5 stars because I could honestly see this happening especially in our culture and generation today, and it's interesting to see how each of them view their situations in their own eyes.

This book is available in paperback and eBook formats. For even more information about this book, the author and where to purchase a copy of this book, please click on the link below:

The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt