The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance featured book this week is:
If you’d like to read the first chapter of Timescape, go here.
July 17, 2009 By 2 Comments
Through the Fire by Shawn Grady
I have been with the CFBA from the first featured book and I haven’t read many of them at all because, while I think there’s an audience for Christian fiction, frankly, most of the stories sucked and they weren’t well done. (I’m hard to please, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.) So I’ve stuck to the pre-written posts and just put books on my blog I thought my readers might enjoy.
However…Through the Fire is very well written. It’s not all surface, white-picket-fence stuff. There was an underlying theme–and it was good. The author didn’t spell out what it was, he let the story tell it’s story which indicates a maturity level that gives credit to his readers.
Two things made me read the book. First, the personal correspondence from Shawn. He made an effort. That is huge. Second was the fact he was named “Most Promising New Writer” at Mt. Hermon. When I got the book, I wanted to know who his editor was. Dave Long. I knew at that point, after the alignment of those ingredients that I’d probably finish the book. I knew for sure I’d finish the book when I couldn’t stop reading and I was five chapters in. Usually, I get to the third (if I’m lucky) and that’s that. Through the Fire was different, though.
The characters were real–which to me is the first thing a story needs to have. None of them seemed cardboard, stereotypical, or out of place. And I didn’t roll my eyes once. Not once!
The story was fantastic. It certainly wasn’t contrived. I wasn’t ever sure of anything and that’s a good thing. I shouldn’t be able to guess who the culprit is. The tension was great. The internal tension, external tension to the main character’s situation, and physical tension with “the girl.”
And there were tequila drinking scenes. Wow!
There were a few scenes that didn’t forward the story, but considering the fast pace of this book, a break here and there was not annoying.
The use of scripture–really, I loved it. I loved that it wasn’t just stuck in there because it had to be. It was part of the story. It is the story.
I have to admit, I thought I’d read this and not be able to give it a good review. There was very little I didn’t like. Good job, Shawn!
If you would like to read the first chapter of Through the Fire, go here.
July 15, 2009 By 1 Comment
Phil is reading Pirate Hunter right now. He’s a little less than halfway through so he doesn’t really have an opinion yet, but he’s still reading…so that says something. Morrisey has delivered in the past, Phil’s read everything of his so far. So hopefully this one will measure up.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go here.
June 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment
If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of The Firstborn, go here.
Scream by Diner Alumni Mike Dellosso
If you would like to read the first chapter of Scream, go here.
April 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Elisha’s Bones by Don Hoesel.
If you would like to read the first chapter go here.
April 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Painting Revelation by Debby Topliff
When asked to review this DVD, I jumped on it. I mean, with my focus on Visual Prayers and my Art Scripture Journal how could I resist taking the time to study another artist’s work?
And wow. I liked this.
Debby Topliff was intimidated by the book of Revelation and issued herself a challenge–to study it. She came away with notes and drawings–and put paint to canvas. A 5-foot by 7-foot canvas to be exact. (OH what fun that would be!!)
Her DVD, Painting Revelation is broken into easy to watch sections that can be done as weekly studies or watched all at once (as Zane and I did.) Debby narrates the DVD and starts in her woodsy yard talking about what the Bible says and then moves to zooming in on the portion of her painting while she explains her interpretation.
This is such an incredible experience.
As I’ve been doing my Scripture Journal and Visual Prayers, I’ve been basically doodling, drawing or painting or whatever I feel led to do. I haven’t ever set out to do something, interpret something. So this process was very interesting to me.
In addition to what I’ve already talked about, there is bonus material…
Resources included:
- Study: Download the 6-week study guide with worksheets, charts, visual key, Scripture references, and easy-to-use leader’s guide — for personal or group use.
- Fellowship: Watch the DVD with your small group, youth group, or retreat and choose from the discussion questions to explore topics you’re interested in.
- Teaching: Show the DVD in segments to present an overview and set the context for preaching and teaching on Revelation.
- Worship: Project images from the DVD to enhance singing and praise.
- Family: Share the DVD with your children to introduce them to the book of Revelation.
You can preview the DVD here. You should. It’s beautiful! (and it’s only 3 minutes!)
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to review this.
April 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Boneman’s Daughters by Ted Dekker.
If you would like to read the first chapter go here.
April 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Admittedly, I won’t ever read this. I’ve never read Beverly Lewis and can’t see myself liking the world of Amish romance. The reason I chose to highlight it is I know I have readers who would enjoy this book.
The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Secret by Beverly Lewis.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Secret, go here.
April 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I didn’t read this one yet, but thought it was a good one to highlight.
John Hutchinson thinks it’s no coincidence that Brendan Page runs this modern Praetorian Guard, and that the billionaire military industrialist must have had something to do with the atrocities his son Declan committed in Canada. The Canadian and U.S. Justice departments disagree, but Hutch has been digging for dirt ever since.Brendan Page has some dirty not-so-little secrets. he’s built an empire on supplying futuristic weapons and highly trained soldiers to the world’s most powerful armies. But he’s saved his most destructive weapons for himself.
When Hutch discovers the secret of Page’s success, Page decides to teach him a lesson. But the operation goes terribly wrong, and Hutch’s son is kidnapped. While a lone man stands little chance against the best black op soldiers ever issued M-16s, Hutch manages to survive longer than Page anticipated. As far as Hutch is concerned, high-tech helmets, machine guns, and hand grenades are nothing compared to a man determined to save his son. It’s a lesson he sets out to teach Page-and one that he can only hope works as well in the real world as it does in his heart.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Deadlock, go HERE
January 27, 2009 By 3 Comments
I met Jeanne Damoff (pronounced DAM-off) a few years ago on a message board. Yep, she’s one of those friends. I have a lot of them, but Jeanne is a bit different.
At first, I thought she didn’t like me. She might not know that, but she does now. But seriously, now I understand it was my overactive imagination and nothing more.
We first met at the ACFW conference in Dallas in 2006. I remember laughing with her in the lobby, but what I remember most is feeling overwhelmingly sad when she got a call that someone close passed on. I felt the need to pray and she doesn’t know but I was praying silently when I hugged her. I had also signed up to take a shift in the prayer room, I prayed for her family then, as well.
I really got to “know” Jeanne reading her blog and her every-other-Thursday posts at The Master’s Artist. Then I found out she takes photographs (like really outanding ones!) And though Jeanne’s words are phenomenal, down to earth, and always seem to leave you with an unexpected sense of hope and peace, her photography spoke its silent language to my heart.
This picture of Natalie, Jacob, and baby Lawson Jacob touched me deeper than I realized at first. When I saw it, all I knew was that Jeanne was a great writer, a funny gal who gave points to people who made her laugh, a great photographer, and a woman who loved her family deeply. I sort of knew that Jacob had brain damage, but I didn’t know the story and I was didn’t want to appear rude by asking. Little by little, the pieces came together. Jacob had an accident, he nearly drowned. He lived. He has brain damage. The photos of him are always stunning, there’s so much in his eyes, they speak that silent language, too.
This was my first chapter in the story that is Jacob Damoff.
In August of 2007, I found out that Natalie was Jacob’s best friend. I found out she named her baby Lawson Jacob. Soon after, Relief published selections from Parting the Waters.
And this photo then meant more…look at Natalie. I know that feeling of–what do you call it? Blessed pain? Or as Jeanne appropriately called it: Beauty in Brokenness?
Those moments in life, we all have them, or maybe not everyone does?
I have had them. When my grandma died. It was so hard to watch her go, yet knowing she was finally in peace was peace for me. When my uncle committed suicide. The single most painful event in my life, yet knowing the demons no longer could taunt him and that he’s resting in Jesus now–overwhelming pain and relief simultaneously.
Is that a taste of what Jesus felt when he commanded His spirit to His Father?
My mind captures images and holds them, the first photo is one that comes to the forefront of my mind often. This is the other one.
There’s something in Jacob’s smile that commands attention.
I often find myself wondering what it’s like to be that happy. Then I remember I am, I have only let life drag me down.
Parting the Waters is so brutally honest. The reality of it all is bitter and heartbreaking, yet through it all there is a hope bigger than explanation.
My mind captured an image from the book and will not let go. Jeanne and George had just brought Jacob home after a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Jacob, at this point, was not able to speak. They were at a special chapel service and the pastor, “…at one point said ‘God,’ Jacob pointed first to his own heart and then straight up in the air. “
Imagine that.
Jeanne continues, “After that day, when someone mentioned the Lord, Jacob pointed. Always to his heart first, then to the sky. He hadn’t uttered a single word, but his actions preached a thousand sermons.”
* * *
Another aspect of Jacob’s story that I appreciate, one that helps me in my own life, is hearing everything the family and community did with Jacob while he was in a coma. I mentioned above that my grandma’s recent death has affected me. She was not conscious for a week or more towards the end. I posted the story of the last minutes I was blessed with sharing with her. As Jeanne put it, “What a precious memory you’ll always have of singing her into eternity.” I still struggle with the last breath she took, at such a meaningful moment. I feel like God gave me a piece of this Beauty in Brokenness we’re talking about.
My friend Elaina, said this to me, “Reading Parting the Waters reminded me that we understand so little of the way our brains work and to presume that someone doesn’t comprehend is not a good plan. Even in dementia and Alzheimer’s, they’re still themselves. They just have trouble piecing everything together. I believe she heard you, Michelle.”
Jacob has given me so many gifts, I can only imagine the crowns in heaven adorning his head, and I bet he’ll have that big smile each time another is placed for the blessing he’s been to a number so great, only God can know.
Order Parting the Waters here.
Join Parting the Waters on Facebook (and send Parting the Waters Flair!)
Visit others blessed by Parting the Waters:
5 Minutes for Books
A Little Whine and Cheese
A Peek at My Bookshelf
A Spacious Place
Alien Dream
Arkansas Dreams
Ashley Evans Boone
Aspire2 Blog
Bible Dude
Blame it on the Loud Mouth Gene
Blog Tour Spot
Bluebonnet in the Snow
Book Nook Club
Canadian Prairie Writer
Christy’s Book Blog
Conversations with a Stranger
Davis Family of 6
Fictionary
Five Bazillion and One
Gatorskunz and Mudcats
Getting Down with Jesus
Good Word Editing
i don’t believe in grammar
iamhealed.net
Kells Creative Musings
La Vida Dulce
Life with Missy
Lift My Noise
Lighthouse Academy
Marc Whitman’s Blog
Michelle Pendergrass
Musings from the Windowsill
Mystery, Suspense, and God, Oh My!
Net’s Book Notes
One Voice in a Big World
Portrait of a Writer . . . Interrupted
Relevant Blog
Restore
Sherry Kyle
So You Wanna Be Published
The Friendly Book Nook
the mcgill’s
The Writing Road
They Hang Like Paper Lanterns
This Present Joy
Tooles in Virginia
What I Learned Today
Wide-Eyed Fiction
Word Vessel
Write Brained
Write by Faith
