Blog Tour | The Reunion by Dan Walsh (Giveaway!)

The Reunion
by Dan Walsh
Christian Fiction
Available September 2012
Revell
304 pages

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About the Book
Everything lost can be found. Aaron Miller knows a thing or two about loss. He's lost love. Dignity. Second, and even third, chances. Once honored for his heroism, he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park.

But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is searching for him.

With deep insight into the human heart, consummate storyteller Dan Walsh gently weaves a tale of a life spent in the shadows but meant for the light. Through tense scenes of war and tender moments of romance, The Reunion will make you believe that everyone can get a second chance at life and love.

My Thoughts
I'm not sure how I've missed out on Dan Walsh until recently. After reading The Discovery earlier in the year, I jumped at the chance to review The Reunion. Dan Walsh is an absolute master at taking bits and pieces of stories and weaving them together into a powerful novel that leaves you emotionally drained and uplifted at the same time.

The Reunion was a powerful tribute to our Vietnam veterans. I didn't realize the extent to which these heroes were mistreated upon returning home, and the novel was quite eye-opening on that level. Walsh did a wonderful job creating characters that pulled me into the story and wrapped me up in the drama. At one point (very late in the night, I might add!), I had to stop reading to go in search of tissues as I was doing a full-on ugly cry, complete with hiccuping sobs. Let me just say it's been a long time since a book has affected me so deeply. This is a must-read! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Author
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.

Dan Walsh Online

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

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Giveaway
For the for the next week, starting today and running till next Monday, September 17th, Dan Walsh is celebrating the release of his new novel, The Reunion, with a 10-book giveaway contest! Five winners will each receive a signed copy of The Reunion, as well as his third novel, The Deepest Waters. (He’s  including this book because it was named a finalist for an ACFW Carol Award for book-of-the-year). Click on this link to see how easily you can enter the contest!

BBAW Day 1: Appreciation!

Appreciation! It can be hard to navigate the huge universe of book blogging. Share with your readers some of the blogs you enjoy reading daily and why.

I follow a few tons of bookish blogs, but these are a few that I make sure to check in on every day. They always have great recommendations and usually have a few other fun and creative things to post about! Be sure to stop by when you can!

Legacy of a Writer: Katie posts tons of great reviews and has recently branched out to feature some etsy shops.
Relz Reviews: I especially love Rel's "coming soon" posts. Just when I get my TBR pile down to a reasonable size, she posts and adds about 10 new books to my wish list!
Christian Bookshelf Reviews: Melanie always has great recommendations and thoughtful reviews!
Christian Novels: I am in awe of how much Abbi reads! It's always interesting to see her weekly wrap-ups to see what she's read and which are her favorites.
The Overweight Bookshelf: I love Lydia's reviews!
Writing for Christ, the Audience of One: Casey's reviews are always great, plus she posts features from time to time that I've really enjoyed.

BBAW 2012

Tomorrow kicks off the start of Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2012. I've never taken part before but thought it would be fun! There are a lot of fun things going on this week—daily blogging topics, guest posts, interview swaps, giveaways, and more!— so be sure to check it out. AND . . . if you want to participate, there's still time to join in the fun!

Over-committed much?! Probably, but it's going to be a fun week!

TCF National Family Literacy Week Read-A-Thon

Yep, I just signed up for another read-a-thon! I'm setting my goal a little lower than last time, but it should be a lot of fun!

Come join us at the The Challenge Factory group for a Literacy Week Read-a-Thon. We hope you will invite your friends and family to join us and help us promote literacy.

Many of the ills plaguing the USA, for example, are directly related to illiteracy.

• Literacy is learned. Illiteracy is passed along by parents who cannot read or write.
• One child in four grows up not knowing how to read.
• 43% of adults at Level 1 literacy skills live in poverty compared to only 4% of those at Level 5
• 3 out of 4 food stamp recipients perform in the lowest 2 literacy levels
• 90% of welfare recipients are high school dropouts
• 16 to 19 year old girls at the poverty level and below, with below average skills, are 6 times more likely to have out-of-wedlock children than their reading counterparts.
• Low literary costs $73 million per year in terms of direct health care costs. A recent study by Pfizer put the cost much higher.

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Dates: September 10-16, 2012

My Goal: 1000 pages

Books to Read

The Key on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson (160 pages remaining)

A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus (382 pages)

Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley (304 pages)

A Texan's Choice by Shelley Gray (320 pages)

Updates

I'll post daily updates on the blog.

I'll also post updates on Twitter (@iblog4books) and progress on Goodreads.

The Chase by Diann Mills

I've read several books this year for the Just For Fun Challenge that I haven't posted a review for. Instead of posting a full review, I thought I'd just feature them and share my overall good, bad, or ugly.

The Chase was on my "Most Anticipated" list for 2012. It was a good book but not as great as I was hoping. It's the first book in a series, though, so it may have helped to set up the series. I'll definitely check out the next in the series, though. A solid 3-star book!

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About the Book

The Chase
by Diann Mills
Crime Scene: Houston series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Suspense / Romance
Available March 2012
Zondervan
368 pages

To the FBI it's a cold case. To Kariss Walker it's a hot idea that could either reshape or ruin her writing career. And it's a burning mission to revisit an event she can never forget. Five years ago, an unidentified little girl was found starved to death in the woods behind a Houston apartment complex. A TV news anchor at the time, Kariss reported on the terrifying case. Today, as a New York Times bestselling author, Kariss intends to turn the unsolved mystery into a suspense novel. Enlisting the help of FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, Kariss succeeds in getting the case reopened. But the search for the dead girl's missing mother yields a discovery that plunges the partners into a witch's brew of danger. The old crime lives on in more ways than either of them could ever imagine. Will Kariss's pursuit of her dream as a writer carry a deadly price tag? Drawing from a real-life cold case, bestselling novelist DiAnn Mills presents a taut collage of suspense, faith, and romance in The Chase.

About the Author
Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books published.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

Diann Mills Online

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Blog Tour | Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Love's Reckoning
by Laura Frantz
The Ballantyne Legacy, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Historical / Romance
Available September 2012
Revell Books
432 pages

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About the Book

On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Liege Lee in York County, Pennsylvania. Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west. But because he is a fast worker and a superb craftsman, Liege endeavors to keep him in York by appealing to an old tradition: the apprentice shall marry one of his master's beautiful daughters.

Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning. But are they truly who they appear to be? In a house laced with secrets, each sister seeks to secure her future. Which one will claim Silas's heart--and will he agree to Liege's arrangement?

In this sweeping family saga, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.

My Thoughts
After reading Courting Morrow Little, I declared myself a fan of Laura Frantz. After reading The Colonel's Lady, I knew I would read anything she wrote. Sadly, I had to wait longer than I would have liked for the release of Love's Reckoning, but it was definitely worth the wait!

When Liege Lee takes on a new apprentice, he decides he will follow the old tradition of marrying off one of his daughters to the apprentice. In his mind, this is the perfect plan. It will relieve him of the responsibility of one of his two grown daughters and assure him of long-term help in his blacksmith shop. When Silas Ballantyne arrives, though, Liege gets more than he bargained for with an apprentice who is devoted to the Lord and to seeking His plans. With two sisters as different as night and day, one tries to woo Silas with overt advances, while the other tries to stay out of the way and unwittingly develops a solid friendship with the apprentice. Silas must decide if he will continue with his plans to move west or if he will allow himself to fall in love and trust the Lord to work out the details.

Love's Reckoning is so much more than a romance novel. Instead, it is an epic drama rife with sibling rivalry, troubled family relationships, secrets, betrayal, love, and faith. Frantz's descriptive writing style drew me into the story in a way that at times made it feel more like watching a movie than reading a book. The characters, settings, and conflicts really came alive.

Silas was a magnificent character. He's tough and one hundred percent masculine, but he is also kind and gentle. I loved the way he pursued the Lord above all else without coming off as soft or weak. It was obvious that the Lord was the source of his strength. Elspeth and Eden were completely opposite and made for some interesting dynamics throughout the book. At times I was so frustrated with Elspeth's antics and Eden's submissiveness that I could hardly keep reading. But I just had to know what would happen next! There were a number of other characters that helped round out the story, providing friendships, mentors, and other deep relationships that helped me as a reader learn more about the main characters.

I wasn't ready for the book to conclude but was satisfied with how the author wrapped up many of the loose ends—tidy enough for some closure but definitely left me anxious for the next book in the series, which won't release until next September.

Love's Reckoning is in many ways different from Frantz's previous novels but still showcases her incredible talent for telling a beautiful, emotional story! Highly, highly recommend! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Author
Laura Frantz is a lover of history, is the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel's Lady, and currently lives in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.

Laura Frantz Online

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook

Blog Tour | Proof by Jordyn Redwood

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Proof

by

Jordyn Redwood

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About the Book
Proof
by Jordyn Redwood
Bloodline Trilogy series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Suspense
Available June 2012
Kregel Publications
304 pages

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

My Thoughts
Jordyn Redwood's debut novel Proof blew me away! I was impressed with how tight the writing was. She created an extremely intricate plot with tons of twists and surprises and kept me guessing as to the outcome and the logic behind it until the last few pages.

Lilly is a unique character. She's hard and tough and I wasn't sure that I was going to like her at first, but she sort of wormed her way in and I found myself really caring about her. I appreciated the way she grew and matured throughout the book too.

The crime and the details were a bit gritty at times. And if you're easily freaked out, I wouldn't recommend it for right-before-bed reading. (I definitely yelped when Hubs came into our bedroom one night while I was reading it!) BUT, it was so good—and worth leaving all the lights in the house on while I was reading it. :)

The only aspect of the novel that was a little disappointing was the romance aspect. I loved both of the guys that were helping Lilly solve the case, but things just wrapped up a little quickly for me. Minor detail, though, in the scheme of things.

Proof was a fantastic read, and I'm so excited about reading Poison in February! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from CFBA and Kregel Publications in exchange for my fair and honest review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Proof, go here.

About the Author
Jordyn Redwood has served patients and their families for nearly twenty years and currently works as a pediatric ER nurse. As a self-professed medical nerd and trauma junkie, she was drawn to the controlled chaotic environments of critical care and emergency nursing. Her love of teaching developed early and she was among the youngest CPR instructors for the American Red Cross at the age of seventeen. Since then, she has continued to teach advanced resuscitation classes to participants ranging from first responders to MD’s.

Her discovery that she also had a fondness for answering medical questions for authors led to the creation of Redwood’s Medical Edge at http://jordynredwood.com/. This blog is devoted to helping contemporary and historical authors write medically accurate fiction.

Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters, and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting, and cross-stitching.

Jordyn Redwood Online

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Endorsements
“Jordyn Redwood makes quite a splash with her debut novel. PROOF is a hard-edged mix of medical thriller and crime chiller that grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. This one will keep you up way past your bedtime.”
—Rick Acker, best-selling author of When the Devil Whistles

“From the very first chapter, the first page even, Jordyn Redwood pulls the reader into a story that won’t let go. PROOF is proof enough for me that Jordyn is the real deal: an author who knows how to weave a tight story, write descriptive, authentic prose, and deal with some pretty hefty issues. I’m a fan!”
—Mike Dellosso, author of Frantic and Rearview (a 7 Hours story)

“Debut novelist Jordyn Redwood has used her experience as an ER and ICU nurse to craft a blend of medical thriller and police procedural with twists and turns to keep fans of either genre turning pages.”
—Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Lethal Remedy and the Prescription for Trouble series

“A rollercoaster of a story. Jordyn Redwood’s PROOF has everything you could want in a thriller—believable characters, a villain who makes your skin crawl, a touch of humor, and a twisting plot—all bound by fascinating medical and scientific details. What a fabulous debut!”
—Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series

“Jordyn Redwood may be new on the scene, but she writes like a seasoned pro. PROOF is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time with well-drawn characters including a villain I despised and a hero and heroine I rooted for. I thought I would just take a peek at the first chapter and finish the story later. I thought wrong. I read late into the night, lost sleep, and put off my own writing to finish this book. I’m eagerly awaiting Jordyn’s second book and will be first in line to purchase it the day it releases.”
—Lynnette Eason, best-selling author of The Women of Justice series

“I love a great medical thriller and I’m glad to add another author to my list. Jordyn Redwood writes like the medical insider she is. A gripping tale laced with realism, sleep-robbing excitement, and something every reader loves: hope.”
—Harry Kraus, MD, best-selling author of The Six-Liter Club

“PROOF by Jordyn Redwood is a gripping medical thriller written with vivid detail from an author who knows her subject firsthand. A serial rapist is at large in the town—in the hospital, even? Can Lilly trust anyone? Even her closest friend? And just when you think you can relax, the stakes get even higher.”
—Donna Fletcher Crow, author of The Monastery Murders

“Jordyn Redwood’s debut novel is a page-turner with an ingenious premise and solid Christian values. A satisfying read.”
—Frank J. Edwards, Medical Director, Delphi Emergency Physicians,
author of the medical thriller Final Mercy