Monday, October 24, 2011

Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Attracted to Fire
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (October 1, 2011)
by
DiAnn Mills

For me this book was a bit of a disappointment. It was a great story, but there were some parts that seemed a little forced and some of the plot moved a little too quickly for my liking. The book was still a pretty good read and I would still recommend picking up a copy and reading it. I think I have just read so many books that I pick up on the slight nuances a little more easily than others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010. DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops. DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website at: www.diannmills.com or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills





ABOUT THE BOOK



Special Agent Meghan Connors’ dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president’s rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he’s also after the same promotion as Meghan. But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a single suspect—it’s part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it’s too late.



Watch the book trailer:







If you would like to read the first chapter of Attracted to Fire, go HERE.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Just Between You And Me by Jenny B. Jones

About the Book
“The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.
Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.
Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.
Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.
As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.
To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?"

My Thoughts
I love the antics of Riley and how Maggie sees herself in her niece. A great character the back failed to mention is Beth, Maggie's former-best-friend-turned-new best-friend. Beth is one of the few people initially kind to Maggie upon her return to Ivy, since her actions in high school alienated her from her peers.
The hero, Conner is one of those great guys that you wish would jump out of the book and into your life to sweep you off your feet, but at the same time you want him to stay with his girl (yes, I do get emotionally attached to fictional characters!).
So yeah, I definitely think if you haven't read this already you should find a copy. And the great thing about this being an old release is that you have a better chance at finding it on sale!

About the Author
Jenny B. Jones is a four-time Carol-Award winning author who writes YA and Christian Romances with
equal parts wit, sass, and untamed hilarity. When she's not writing, she's living it up as a high school speech teacher in Arkansas. Visit JennyBJones.com and SouthernBelleView.com. Twitter @JenBJones

Monday, October 17, 2011

Love On The Line by Deeanne Gist


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love on the Line
Bethany House (October 1, 2011)
by
Deeanne Gist

My Thoughts
Love On The Line was, like all Deeanne Gist's books seem to be, an easy read, but that's not to say it is a simple story. The plot was believable with plenty of twists, and many parts of the story were steeped in historical facts if not completely based on them. The characters were fun and great in their parts. I personally enjoyed all the German words thrown in due to that fact that it is set in a predominately German town. All in all, it was a great read and if you get a chance, grab a copy and enjoy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm--all from the comforts of home.
Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.
After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a "corporate executive" was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.
Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, three RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
Her latest releases, Beguiled, Maid To Match, and Love on the Line are now available.
Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-eight years and their border collie. They have four grown children. Click here to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.
Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love on the Line, go HERE.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Hey All!

Hi, I'm Abbi. My full name is Abigail, but I think it sounds stuffy and I really don't like it so I just go by Abbi.

I am a 17-year-old 2011 homeschool graduate. My favorite hobbies are reading, babysitting, and crocheting. I also enjoy hanging with friends and watching TV shows (but those aren't really hobbies), and I have a spoiled cat named Ziva (after NCIS"s Ziva David.

Well, as Katie said, I've had a lifelong love of reading, (and she should know since she taught me how) and it has continued growing as I got older. Whenever I ran out of things to read, I would literally read CBD's fiction catalog, I was that desperate.

I am constantly looking to enlarge my library, though being the major cheapskate that I am I usually wait a few months after a book is released and get it on sale!

Well that's me in a random nutshell! God Bless!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Please Welcome Abbi Hart!

I'm pleased to announce that my sister, Abbi Hart, will now be joining me as coauthor of this blog! She has a lifelong love of reading and has recently been adding her comments to some of the book tours on this blog.

I'll allow her to tell you a bit more about herself in her own post, but first, let me explain some of the reasons she is joining me.

It's no secret that I'm reading fewer books these years. Most of the novels I do read relate to my FamilyFiction writing. I also rarely review books anymore. I've written so many reviews in the past that it's hard for me to find fresh words to praise the books I love. It's easier to bash books I hate, but a) I don't come across very many, and b) I don't want this blog to become a negative place.

I would like to get into blogging more about writing Christian novels, the other topic I founded this blog on. An overabundance of writing instruction still is hampering the act of getting scenes down on paper, but I am breaking through. So instead of focusing on how-tos and dos-and-don'ts, my posts will be more about suggestions, tips, and experiences.

Abbi is still reading Christian novels voraciously, and I already pass along many of the books I request for blog tours to her. Having her join me on this blog will let her share about them directly, as well as learn more about blogging. And I'm sure you all will appreciate additional fresh content!

Please welcome her, and offer any tips you have for her blogging success!