January 31, 2008
Interviews, Jill Elizabeth Nelson
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Summary of Reluctant Smuggler:
Looting of archaeological sites is big business in a thriving art and antiquities black market. When a desperate foreign government hires Desiree Jacobs’s security company to stop the hemorrhage, she runs afoul of a deadly art-for-drugs operation. Tony Lucano risks his rising career in the FBI to dive into the international underworld after her. Before either of them can come up for air, they must navigate through a deepening murk of ruthless looters, hair-trigger DEA agents, crooked government agents, and innocent bystanders caught up in an illegal trade beyond their understanding. Even if a miracle delivers Desi and Tony from evil, will their love survive the test?
Complete with a reader’s guide, this third book in the To Catch a Thief series explores the power of hope in the darkest of circumstances.
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Popularity: 15% [?]
January 29, 2008
Non-Fiction
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I’ve always been a bit of a social butterfly with lots of friends. When I became a work at home mom I noticed that I was having a hard time keeping up on my friendships in the ‘offline’ world. My friends have always been a huge part of my life so when I noticed that I was failing in keeping these relationships going I knew I had to take action.
Tracy Klehn’s Growing Friendships came into my hands at the perfect time! I knew I had to get connected to those that mattered most to me again but I didn’t know how to make that reconnection. With the help of Klehn’s book I’ve been able to reconnect with old friends and connect with new people in my life. I’m actually finding that after going through this book, and applying some of the practical concepts Klehn shared, I’m connecting on a much more intimate/deeper level than I ever have!
At the end of each chapter there is a ponder, pray and apply section. These resources are easy to follow, easy to understand and easy to apply. In the busyness of my life I needed suggestions that weren’t going to be huge time commitments. I know building friendships take time but with the help of Growing Friendships I’ve also learned that it’s not all about the quantity of time spent with the ones that matter most but also quality!
If you are looking for ways to connect on a more intimate level with friends I suggest you take the time to not only read Klehn’s book but to be active and follow the suggestions she makes.
Review By:
Tishia Lee
Tishia Saves Time
Popularity: 1% [?]
January 28, 2008
Articles, Deborah Raney, Nikki Arana
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Deb Raney is at work on her seventeenth novel. Her books have won the RITA Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Readers’ Choice Award and the Silver Angel from Excellence in Media. Playing by Heart was also a finalist for the Christy Award. Deb’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. She also serves on the advisory board of American Christian Fiction Writers.
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Popularity: 1% [?]
January 24, 2008
Chick-lit, Melody Carlson
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Melody Carlson, author of more than 200 books, returns with a new book, I Heart Bloomberg which will be released in April. Set in Portland, Oregon, the book is the first in the 86 Bloomberg Place series. Carlson takes a look into the lives and friendships of four new roommates. As you’ve probably guessed, the girls live at 86 Bloomberg Place.
Kendall, who received the house as a gift from her grandmother, has decided to take in renters in lieu of getting a job. Who wants to work when you can pay for your shopping sprees by collecting rent? She sets out to find three roommates, going so far as to ask for resumes in her newspaper ad.
After Kendall decides upon her new tenants, the fun really begins. Megan, Lelani and Anna each have their own reasons for moving in to Kendall’s house. And once they’ve moved in none of them is sure the arrangement is gong to work. Can they learn to live together or will Kendall’s big plans fall short?
I Heart Bloomberg is a fun read. It focuses on the friendships of the girls and not so much on any romance. I have a feeling the upcoming books will go more into each of the girls’ romantic relationships. Carlson gives a glimpse into each characters life by writing from one girl’s perspective for each chapter. I enjoyed getting the chance to read from each character’s point of view. It was interesting to see the dynamics develop and to see how things affected each girl’s life.
Review By:
Jill Hart
CWAHM
Popularity: 1% [?]
January 23, 2008
Other Fiction Authors
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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fallen
(Kregel Publications February 29, 2008)
by
Matthew Raley
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Popularity: 1% [?]
January 22, 2008
Lit, Neta Jackson
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I’ve been a fan of the Yada Yada books for quite awhile now. Each time a new one comes out I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I always think that a new one cant be better than the last one but Neta Jackson has a way of bringing something new, exciting and better than the previous one. So once again she has done it in her new book – Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out.
Come along with Jodi Baxter and the rest of the group as they are ready to celebrate the Holiday season. And celebrate is just what they did. The Manna House becomes a temporary shelter to some Hurricane Katrina refugees and the Yada Yada prayer group know that there is nothing better than helping those in need especially during the Holidays and that’s exactly what they do.
In an unexpected turn of events Jodi finds herself face to face with a former student that ends up being part of a crime that knocks her off her feet. She is faced with her son’s wedding that needs to be pulled off in a quicker time frame than she was prepared for and then there’s baby Gracie, the baby that changed the family forever. Jodi is reminded that it’s times like this that she truly needs the support of her Yada Yada sisters and that’s exactly what they give her.
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out is a perfect example that what we have in mind for the way to celebrate and what God has in store for us are two very different things. When things don’t go as we think they should, especially during the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, it’s easy to let ourselves get stressed out and maybe even upset but let yourself be reminded (from reading the book) that God’s plans are always for the best anyways!
Review By:
Tishia Lee
Tishia Saves Time
Popularity: 15% [?]
January 21, 2008
Articles, Nikki Arana, Sharon Dunn
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I first met Sharon Dunn about four years ago at a writers’ retreat. Sharon is the author of the award winning Ruby Taylor mysteries. Her books can be summed up as: A little mystery, a little romance, a whole lotta fun. The first book, Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves was a finalist in the Inspirational Novel of the Year and book two, Sassy Cinderella and the Valiant Vigilante, won the Book of the Year award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her newest release Death of a Garage Sale Newbie is the first in the Bargain Hunters mysteries. Sharon lives in Montana with her husband of 20 years, three children, three cats. When she isn’t writing, she is taking kids to activities, making pets out of the dust bunnies under her furniture, and working part time at a college.
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Popularity: 1% [?]
January 21, 2008
Articles, Nikki Arana
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Author Wanda E. Brunstetter’s books are wildly popular, have been on numerous bestsellers lists, and have won many very prestigious national awards. I’ve done book signings with her and can tell you she has a huge following of devoted readers. She enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda and Richard take every opportunity to visit Amish communities around the country and have become friends with several Amish families. Wanda hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does. Wanda has written more than 25 novels, as well as several hundred articles, stories, poems, and puppet plays. She’s also written an Amish devotional and an Amish cookbook!
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Popularity: 1% [?]
January 18, 2008
Chick-lit, Julie Carobini
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I liked Julie Carobini’s first novel, Chocolate Beach, but her sophomore release, Truffles By The Sea, greatly surpasses it. I thoroughly enjoyed Carobini’s second book and felt her writing was much stronger throughout. The characters are deeper and yet funnier – a great combination.
Readers met Gaby Flores, in Chocolate Beach, but she takes center stage this time around. The story begins as Gaby moves in to a new apartment (by the sea). She’s had a rough year. She’s lost her apartment in a fire, her business in floundering due to a thieving former employee and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Gaby isn’t sure how much more she can take.
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Popularity: 1% [?]
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