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Book Review: The Pelican Bride

2 May

721973It is 1704 when Genevieve Gaillain and her sister board a French ship headed for the Louisiana colony as mail-order brides. Both have promised to marry one of the rough-and-tumble Canadian men in this New World in order to escape religious persecution in the Old World. Genevieve knows life won’t be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of beheading. But when she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer whose courageous stand for fair treatment of native peoples has made him decidedly unpopular in the young colony, Genevieve realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. And a secret she harbors could mean the undoing of the colony itself.

 

313204_b8f0fbd6de603d031772f89385f2f7f1.jpg_srz_268_398_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srzAbout Beth White — I grew up in the South, specifically North Mississippi, which has a rich tradition of fostering writers, storytellers, and musicians. I’m fond of both music and literature, so I amuse myself by teaching chorus and piano in an inner-city public high school by day, while conducting a secret life as a romance writer by night.

Anyway, I find myself, after more than half the years I’ve been alive, still married to my last college boyfriend. He still makes me laugh, he still gives me the warm fuzzies, and he still checks my tires, so I guess I’ll keep him. We somewhat successfully raised two young adults, who are both married and have begun producing amazing grandchildren. My cup runneth over.

Anyone who wants to know more about me should read my books and my blog. I am something of a hermit In Real Life, except in the classroom and on my computer, but I am very much interested in what makes my readers tick. And what ticks them off. And what makes them smile. So please email me here. I promise to answer.

My Impressions:

I have read several contemporary romance novels by Mississippi native Beth White. She always brings a great sense of place to her books, so when I heard she had written an historical novel set in the fledgling Louisiane colony, I knew I had to read it. Filled with rich historical detail, The Pelican Bride is a perfect read for those who love history and romance.

Genevieve Gaillain, along with her sister Aimee and other women from France, is transported upon the Pelican to find a husband among the French soldiers and Canadian craftsmen that have settled into the new Louisiane colony (now Mobile, Alabama). What they encounter definitely does not exceed their expectations. Rough living conditions, even rougher perspective beaus, an unstable political environment and hostile Native peoples combine to create at least a little fear. But their contracts state that they must find husbands, so the courting begins. But Genevieve has secrets that make choosing a husband tricky. Can she trust God to safely lead her in the New France?

Set in 1704, The Pelican Bride was meticulously researched. The peoples and place that was the capital of the French colony in the American South come to life in Beth White’s hands. New-to-me history and an intriguing plot kept me reading. I especially liked the political machinations and the relationship between the French settlers and the Native Americans. There is plenty of political intrigue and detail about the Huguenot persecution to create a well-developed historical setting. The blend of characters, both historic and fictional, was interesting as well. My favorites were Jesuit priest, Father Mathieu and Nika, a native woman integral to the plot. The romance is a bit predictable and perhaps stretches believability. The two main characters, Genevieve and Tristan Lanier. resist their attraction for the first half of the book and then suddenly marry and fall in love. But The Pelican Bride is first and foremost a romance and follows along the prescribed lines for the genre.

All in all I would recommend The Pelican Bride to all who love an historical romance. The little known era detailed in the book makes it a fresh and interesting read.

Recommended.

(Thanks to Revell for my review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Good, Clean Murder

1 May

UnknownLiving on her own for her first time, Bible school student Jane cleans houses to make ends meet. But being independent brings big trials, like falling for a handsome professor, dealing with an obnoxious roommate, and then there’s the dead bodies…

Who knew being housekeeper to wealthy owners of a Roly Burger franchise would mean sweeping up clues to their death, while ministering to the needs of their heirs?

This is one big mess that Jane is intent on cleaning up before things get even worse.

 

DSC_3094-2About Traci Tyne Hilton — When not writing I Facebook too much, knit socks, and accompany my mandolin loving husband on the spoons.

I’m also the author of The Mitzy Neuhaus Mystery Series, The Plain Jane Mystery Series, and one of the authors in The Tangle Saga series of science fiction novellas. I was the Mystery/Suspense Category winner for the 2012 Christian Writers of the West Phoenix Rattler Contest, a finalist for Speculative Fiction in the same contest, and have a Drammy from the Portland Civic Theatre Guild. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Portland chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association.

I have a degree in History from Portland State University and still live in the rainiest part of the Pacific Northwest with my goofy family and two small dogs.

 

My Impressions:

Good, Clean Murder is a cozy mystery with a new adult twist. Filled with a few crazy characters, an earnest Bible student/house cleaner/amateur sleuth, and an integral faith message, Traci Tyne Hilton’s novel will appeal to those who like cozies.

Jane Adler is a Bible school student trying to find her place of service. Her world is a bit out of control, but she has faith that God will direct her course. But discovering two dead bodies just adds to the upheaval that faces her. Evicted from her apartment, involved with a new romantic interest, and the discovery that her Bible school education doesn’t matter, Jane has to face her decisions with a critical eye.

While I enjoyed the mystery, it was Jane’s struggle with pleasing man, herself and God that I found kept me turning the pages. While Jane desires to serve God on the mission field, she has to face whether she is motivated by God’s love or pride in her pursuit of her dream. Overall, I liked Good, Clean Murder and look forward to more in this series.

Recommended.

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

To purchase this book, click on the image below. The Kindle version is free!

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Book Review: Body and Soul

30 Apr

731051Bethany Hamilton has become a fitness expert by virtue of being a professional athlete who has excelled—and she’s done it while overcoming incredible challenges. Whether you know Bethany or not, whether you surf or not, everyone has challenges, and in Body and amp; Soul, Bethany shares some of her core experiences with body, mind and spirit. Sharing her expertise as an athlete, Body and amp; Soul helps young girls develop a healthy lifestyle, understand their changing bodies, gain confidence, and establish a pattern of healthy living starting at a young age. This book includes workouts specially developed for young girls by Bethany’s personal trainer, recipes and information on healthy eating based on “Bethany’s food pyramid,” which follows the Mediterranean diet, and advice on deepening your spiritual health, for a total body wellness book perfect for growing girls. This isn’t a book about Bethany, this is a book about wellness, becoming your best “you,” through physical and spiritual balance, because spiritual health is just as important as physical health

 

UnknownBethany Meilani Hamilton is an American professional surfer. She is known for surviving a shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off, and for overcoming the injury to ultimately return to professional surfing.

 

My Impressions:

Girls face so many lies about what makes them valuable, what they should look like and who they should be. It is great that Bethany Hamilton has written a guide for girls to look and feel better, in light of God’s word and purpose. Body & Soul: A Girl’s Guide to A Fit, Fun And Fabulous Life is a the perfect book for the teen or tween girl in your life. It is filled with lots of information for healthy living — exercises, recipes, establishing routines and healthy eating. Bethany also makes sure to include God’s views on a healthy lifestyle by focusing on what He says about it. I think this would be a great book for moms and daughters to work through together — what a great way to establish and reinforce a healthy lifestyle for the whole family.

Recommended.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Defy The Night

29 Apr

443213In the midst of war, one teenager is determined to make a difference.

If no one will do anything, she’ll have to do it herself.

In 1941 France is still “free.” But fifteen-year-old Magali is frustrated by the cruel irony of pretending life is normal when food is rationed, new clothes are a rarity, and most of her friends are refugees. And now the government is actually helping the Nazis. Someone has got to do something, but it seems like no one has the guts—until Paquerette arrives.

Smuggling refugee children is Paquerette’s job. And she asks Magali to help.

Working with Paquerette is scary and exhausting, but Magali never doubts that it is the right thing to do. Until her brash actions put those she loves in danger.

 

 

HeatherOp1Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in southern France where her parents were missionaries like their parents before them. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and now lives in a Christian intentional community in rural Illinois, where she and her husband, Paul, host free spiritual retreats for the poor, especially those transitioning out of homelessness or addiction. When not writing or hosting, she works on the communal farm.

LydiaOp1Lydia Munn, daughter of missionary parents, grew up in Brazil. She received a BA in literature from Wheaton College, and an MA in Bible from Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions. With her husband, Jim, she has worked in church planting and Bible teaching since 1983, notably in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France which forms the background of How Huge the Night. The Munns now live in Grenoble, France.

 

 

My Impressions:

Sharing the little known story of courageous French citizens determined to save the children caught in the brutality of the Nazi regime, the mother daughter writing team of Lydia and Heather Munn have created a deeply moving and very personal novel. The second book to focus on the Losier family, Defy The Night can be read as a stand alone novel. Perfect for a book discussion group or a mother/daughter read, I highly recommend Defy The Night.

girls in Rivesaltes campMagali Losier is a young woman determined to make a difference in a world that seems to have gone crazy overnight. Although living in the free zone of France, Magali’s community is caught up in the realities of war following the German invasion of France. All around her, she senses the fear that grips her friends and family, but she wants to be a hero. When she begins traveling with Pacquerette, an aid worker who transports children from detention camps to safe homes, Magali believes she has found her calling. But the brash cleverness she sees as her greatest asset puts many in danger.

Defy The Night is told in the first person voice of Magali. She holds nothing back in her examination of friends and family. Her attitudes, of course, reflect on their character, but also expose the flaws in her own. The reader can see the danger that awaits Magali as she does most things in her own power without the healthy fear that Pacquerette says is necessary for their work. It is the evolution of Magali that keeps the reader engaged.

Le ChambonThe historical importance of the story is also significant. The amazingly brave work that the town of Chambon (the real-life town the story is based on) did on behalf of Jews, especially children is one that all should know. The time of the story, 1941-1942, is described as a softer period in the course of WWII. The inhumane treatment of people during this time was just a taste of what was to come.

Gripping, moving, thought-provoking — all terms I would use to describe Defy The Night. The target audience is young adults, but I would recommend this book to anyone.

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

(Thanks to Kregel for a review copy and to Heather for sharing the pictures. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below. The Kindle version is only $1.99!

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Book Review: Burning Sky

28 Apr

731472“I remember the borders of our land, though I have been gone from them nearly half the moons of my life. But who there will remember me? What I have seen, what I have done, it has changed me.

I am the place where two rivers meet, silted with upheaval and loss.

Yet memory of our land is a clear stream. I shall know it as a mother knows the faces of her children. It may be I will find me there.“

Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.

Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage–the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?

 

Headshot3smbwLori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.

When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband – often scouring the brush for huckleberries, which overflow the freezer and find their way into her signature huckleberry lemon pound cake.

 

My Impressions:

Burning Sky is Lori Benton’s debut novel. If I had not known that, I would never have suspected that Benton was not an author with several novels to her credit. This novel is just sooo good! Great sense of place, lyrical writing, complex characters, wonderful plot, thought-provoking themes — you just can’t get any better than this. And while Burning Sky is labeled an historical novel, it easily transcends the genre. If you have to categorize it, I would say it is literary fiction. Interested yet? Then go out and get it! You won’t be disappointed.

Willa Obenchain was abducted by the Mohawk Indians at the age of fourteen. Twelve years later she returns to her former home as changed as the settlement of Shiloh is. The Revolutionary War is over, her parents are missing and the status of their homestead is to be determined by a magistrate. Having faced loss repeatedly over almost half her life, Willa is determined to live alone, without any chance of getting hurt again. But of course life takes over — a wounded naturalist lays across her path, as do two orphaned half-breed children, and her Mohawk brother. There are also those who cannot let the past remain in the past and are determined to drive Willa from her land.

Burning Sky is a novel with many strengths. Benton has created a world long past, but very real to the reader. The frontier of New York in the 1780s is depicted with historical accuracy. The characters, major as well as minor, are well-drawn, having a complexity that adds depth to their motives and actions. Willa is perhaps the strongest female character I have experienced this year. Benton’s writing style is beautiful, especially in the conversation of Neil MacGregor. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man who talked like that!

There is a lot to discuss with Burning Sky as well. My book club meets tonight, and I anticipate great conversation to come from this novel. Is love without loss possible? How does God shape families? Is a gentle spirit more desirable than physical strength in times of crisis? And then there is the whole topic of slavery vs Indian abduction — is there any difference?

Burning Sky is one of those books I will think about for a long time. And one I will recommend over and over.

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

(Thanks to Waterbrook for an ARC of this novel. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Critical Condition

26 Apr

687403Dr. Frasier couldn’t save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she’s fighting for her own life.

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier’s colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.

Her “almost-fiancé” Dr. Mark Gilbert’s support only adds to Shannon’s feelings of guilt, since she can’t bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he’s just been diagnosed with leukemia.
Shannon thought it couldn’t get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, “What did he say before he died?”

With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.

 

RMabry-120A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader’s Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.

 

My Impressions:

For fast-paced suspense novels, one go-to author is Richard Mabry, M.D. I have enjoyed his books in the past and was please to be included in the tour of his latest, Critical Condition. There’s a little bit for everyone — romance, suspense, a puzzling mystery, medical drama and characters that grapple with real life problems, questions and doubts. A quick read that will keep you turning the pages, Critical Condition is a good choice for your next book.

Shannon Frasier has dedicated her professional life to saving people. An accomplished surgeon at a teaching hospital in Texas, her past has informed her present. Unfortunately, it is the unresolved things of the past that keep cropping up that keep her from fully committing to life. When a man is gunned down on her front lawn, a series of events occur that make her a target not just for the bad guys, but for the police. Not knowing whom to trust, Shannon and almost-fiance, Mark, are determined to get the answers they need.

While I have never faced shootings and threats against my life, I could really identify with the main character’s doubts about God’s presence in all circumstances. When heartfelt prayers go seemingly unanswered it is easy to believe God just doesn’t really care. Even with the examples of calm and steady faith of her parents and boyfriend, Shannon has to learn to trust all by herself. That’s a lesson for us all. While another person’s walk truly does speak volumes, an individual really has to experience faith for themselves. Shannon is also a fixer (something I struggle with) and has to be reminded that some things you just have to turn over to God (page 212).

With just the right mix of suspense and romance, real life drama and the message of hope, Critical Condition is a good choice for your next read.

Recommended.

For other reviews, click HERE.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Thomas Nelson for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below.

 

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Richard Mabry Critical Condition

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Book Review: The Merciful Scar

25 Apr

689223Kirsten has spent her life trying to forget. But mercy begs her to remember.

When she was in high school, a terrible accident fractured her family, and the only relief Kirsten could find was carving tiny lines into her skin, burying her pain in her flesh. The pain she caused herself was neat and manageable compared to the emotional pain that raged inside.

She was coping. Or so she thought.

But then, eight years later, on the night she expects her long-time boyfriend to propose, Kirsten learns he’s been secretly seeing her best friend. Desperate to escape her feelings, she reaches for the one thing that gives her a sense of control in the midst of chaos.

But this time the cut isn’t so tiny, and it lands her in the psych hospital. Within hours of being there she knows she can’t stay—she isn’t crazy, after all. But she can’t go back to the life she knew before either.

So when her pastor mentions a treatment program on a working ranch, Kirsten decides to take him up on the offer and get away from it all. But the one thing she can’t escape is herself—and her shame.

The ranch is home to a motley crew, each with a lesson to teach. Ever so slowly, Kirsten opens herself to embrace healing—even the scarred places that hurt the most. Mercy begs her to remember the past . . . showing her there’s nothing that cannot be redeemed.

 

UnknownRebecca St. James is a Christian pop rock singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actress. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991.

Unknown-1Nancy Rue is an American Christian novelist, writing for tweens and adults. She is known for the Lily Series of novels featuring 12-year-old Lily Robbins. She is also known for the Sophie series.

 

 

 

My Impressions:

The Merciful Scar by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue is what some would call New Adult Fiction (the target audience is 18-24 year olds and the subject matter is adult in nature). However, my church book club, Page Turners, chose it for our April discussion based upon a radio interview of Rebecca St. James that one of our members heard. And though our youngest member is almost 20 years above the target audience and the rest of us are considerably more senior than that, we thoroughly enjoyed the novel. Well-written, with complex characters and situations, it definitely opened our eyes to the realities of cutting.

Kirsten is a graduate student with a secret. Her well-covered body does not disclose the cutting she has been doing for years. The physical scars may be hidden, but it is the emotional ones that come out when she has an accident during a cutting episode. Involuntarily admitted to the hospital for a supposed suicide attempt, Kirsten is desperate to get out and to get on with the rest of her life. The only way out is to agree to a 30-day treatment with a former Anglican nun as counselor/spiritual advisor. The ranch and its way of life seem alien to Kirsten, but soon its rhythms and the ways of God become part of her.

Though Kirsten is a self-injurer (cutter), other characters face deep emotional trauma. Guilt and forgiveness are major themes in the novel. Most of our members found the first part of the book hard to get into, but when Kirsten arrives at the ranch, the story really took off and took hold. We found the metaphors of the sheep and shepherd touching and insightful.  The characters were easy to connect with and we cared about what was going on in their lives. And there were a few scenes that brought tears. It also brought from us a deep discussion of past experiences and the hope that God can give to His people. Moving and thought-provoking, The Merciful Scar is one we heartily recommend.

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs (especially young women)

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Irregardless of Murder

24 Apr

438181Amelia Prentice, a forty-something high school English teacher comfortable in her predictable routine, regains consciousness after tripping over the corpse of a former student in the safest of places, the public library. Returning to the classroom, she tries to pretend nothing happened. But when it becomes obvious that the victim’s death wasn’t an accident and she is now a murder suspect, she realizes that her cozy small-town life in New York’s Adirondack region will never be the same.

Crazy things begin to happen: The victim’s mother disappears. Amelia’s friend Lily is thrown overboard from the Lake Champlain ferryboat. A mysterious millionaire from Montreal seems determined to buy Amelia’s house. The school nurse is viciously attacked by a student. Amelia’s old beau Gil suddenly seems determined to rekindle their romance. Amelia is carjacked, and of course, there’s the Lake Champlain Monster . . .

It will take all Amelia’s wisdom, humor, and faith to figure out what’s going on and embrace the new life that lies ahead. If she survives.

 

ellen-kennedy-300x240(From Goodreads) As a teen, E.E. Kennedy nursed the dream of being a Broadway star, but since she couldn’t stand rejection, she chose being a writer instead. (Who knew?) Life has been kind to E.E. She’s married to an inventor who understands the creative process. She’s the grandmother of 5 children whose cuteness really cuts into her writing time!

She decided to start writing when she ran out of Agatha Christies and couldn’t find anything else she wanted to read. “Okay,” she said, “I’ll write something I’d want to read.” And she did. On alternate days, she thinks her work is brilliant and miserable, but she keeps at it and is grateful for her gracious publisher, Sheaf House, who seems happy to publish her mysteries. Her mission statement is a hokey one: “wholesome entertainment.”

 

My Impressions:

Being a grammar nerd, the title of E. E. Kennedy’s first cozy mystery, Irregardless of Murder, piqued my interest. Who could resist a book with a main character and amateur sleuth who is a high school English teacher!? 😉 What I found was a fun and twisting ride through a small New England town filled with real folks. If you like cozy mysteries, be sure to check out Irregardless of Murder.

Amelia Prentice, known to townspeople of all ages as Miss Prentice, is a 40-something, single teacher. Having devoted herself to family, she finds herself the unwilling owner of a cat and living alone in a big, historic house. When had she become the town’s old maid? Yet as she literally stumbles upon a dead body in the library, she becomes first the main suspect and then the target of the real killer. With the help of Vern, a taxi driver/reporter and old flame Gil, owner/editor of the newspaper, Amelia gets to the bottom of the mysterious goings on.

Irregardless of Murder has all the traits of a cozy mystery — small town setting, charming and intelligent amateur sleuth, quirky townspeople and a puzzling mystery. It also includes the hope of love and second chances, and a lake monster! A natural faith message is woven throughout; subtle and never preachy. I had my suspicions about the true murderer, but did not guess the motive. Kennedy’s novel is perfect for weekend or vacation reading or when you just want a little light and entertaining read.

Recommended.

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Book Review: Numb

21 Apr

The folks at the Christian Science Fiction And Fantasy Blog Tour are featuring John Otte and his sci-fi novel, Numb. A bi congrats goes to John for Numb being named a Christy Award finalist in speculative fiction! The CSSF Tour is always a great mix of reviews, so I encourage you to check out all the participants’ blogs. You will find the list at the end of this post. Meanwhile, here is the info on Numb and John.

Numb-Front-Cover-Smaller-194x300Save the girl…or his soul?

Crusader is numb. He feels neither emotion nor pain, a divine gift that allows him to be the Ministrix’s best assassin.

Whether it’s heretics from within or heathens from without, Crusader is the sword in the True Church’s hand. And if he remains obedient to his superiors, he will be able to let go of his guilt.

But then he’s ordered to kill Isolda Westin. It shouldn’t be a problem. A target is a target. When Crusader sees Isolda’s image, though, something strange happens. He experiences a moment of panic, a wave of emotions–the first he’s felt in as long as he can remember.

In that moment, he realizes he can’t fulfill his mission. He can’t kill Isolda Westin, even if it means he’ll be condemned as an enemy of the Ministrix.

Soon Crusader and Isolda are on the run. Will they be able to learn why the Ministrix wants Isolda dead? Or will they both soon face the harsh justice of the “True Church”?

 

John-W-Otte-200x300John Otte is a PK, a pastor’s kid. He grew up in Columbia Heights, a suburb of Minneapolis, with his parents and younger sister and brother. They were the terror of their local library because, every few weeks, they would come and check out crates full of books, increasing the workload of the poor librarians. In high school, though, John worked at the same library, so it balanced out.

After high school, John attended Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he majored in theatre. Upon his graduation in 1996, he moved on to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated with his Masters of Divinity in 2000. He served as a Lutheran minister in Blue Earth, Minnesota, before moving to South St. Paul, Minnesota, where he currently serves as the pastor for Concordia Lutheran Church.

John married his wife in 2002 and they now have two wonderful boys who are well on their way toward being geeks. John couldn’t be prouder.

John is a life-long writer. He started with badly drawn comic books in the fifth grade. When he realized that he was a lousy artist, he moved on to badly written novels in middle school. He’s tried his hand at screenplays (don’t ask), stage plays (a little better), fanfic, teen mysteries, and religious fiction. But his first love has always been speculative fiction.

His debut novel, Failstate, was published by Marcher Lord Press in April of 2012, and was a finalist for the Christy Awards in 2013. He has gone on to publish two more novels with Marcher Lord Press. John looks forward to telling even more strange tales that point people back to God and His incredible grace.

 

My Impressions:

If you like tech-heavy, futuristic sci-fi and want a story that is also faith-heavy, check out John Otte’s novel, Numb. Well-imagined societies and well-developed characters help to create a story that will keep you turning the pages. The faith message is strong and will make you think about your own stance on religion and freedom. Numb would be an excellent choice for a youth discussion as well.

Crusader believes he has been created with no emotions and no feelings of pain so that he can administer the justice of the Ministrix, the theocratic society that demands strict adherence to its dogma. But lately, he has had fleeting feelings and that, along with guilt, is upsetting his black and white world. When given an assignment to assassinate an enemy of the state, Crusader finds that he has questions, doubts and yes feelings that keep him from fulfilling his assignment. Isolda Westin, a member of a remnant of true believers has to decide whether to fear Crusader or trust him to preserve her life. Racing from planet to planet to asteroid and back, the pair face everything from betrayal by friends and help from enemies as they seek answers to long held secrets.

I had a bit of trouble getting into John Otte’s novel. I connected with the characters immediately, especially the assassin, Crusader. But I needed a little more information about the two main societies that ruled. I discovered much along the way, but would have preferred more detail at the first. As I said, I felt a connection to the characters, and it was that that kept me turning the pages. I really cared what was happening to them. The technological aspects of Numb were fun and inventive, but being mostly tech-challenged, I read them at face value without trying to figure out the hows of the science. That really worked for me; I would love to hear what the tech-junkies thought. Most of the plot lines are wrapped up at the end, but enough loose threads are left to make me think we might see Crusader and Isolda again. Romance, adventure, gadgets, and interplanetary/galactic travel all provide something for everyone.

I found the theology behind Numb very intriguing. You have two ruling societies, one that has embraced secular tolerance and one that has developed a theocracy based solely on God’s wrath and judgment without grace and love. Adherents of true faith were persecuted by both. I saw a lot of things that reminded me of our present day. That is why I think Numb would be good for a youth or college aged discussion. You have got some great sci-fi combined with what it means to be truly free. I also felt that Crusader was much like the Apostle Paul before his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. Completely devoted to his church and his role within it, Crusader, like Paul, found out just who God really is.

Make sure to check out what the other participants on the tour have to say. Their links are at the end of this post.

Recommended.

(I received and ebook in conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase Numb, click on the image below.

 

Tour Participants:

Julie Bihn
Jennifer Bogart
Keanan Brand
Pauline Creeden
Vicky DealSharingAunt
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Nikole Hahn
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Jennette Mbewe
Amber McCallister
Shannon McDermott
Shannon McNear
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Faye Oygard
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Jojo Sutis
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White

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Book Review: A Sandy Grave

18 Apr

A Sandy Grave coverThe anticipation of summer vacation can put anyone in a great mood with the excitement of adventures to be had–especially at the beach. But what is a group of friends to do when they discover mysterious men poaching whale teeth at the beach?

 

EXCERPT:

The lifeguards had their arms extended and attempted to move the crowd back. The tallest lifeguard said, “People, please stay back. The authorities will arrive to examine the whale to determine the cause of death within the hour. The whale must have died at sea and washed ashore.”

 

 

Giveaway

 

Donna McDine HeadshotDonna McDine is an award-winning children’s author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions, Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books ~ The Golden Pathway. Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna’s 2013 releases of Powder Monkey and Hockey Agony and the 2014 release of A Sandy Grave will be joined by an additional book to be published by Guardian Angel Publishing, Dee and Deb, Off They Go. She writes, moms and is a personal assistant from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Children’s Literature Network, and Family Reading Partnership.  Visit Donna online at http://www.donnamcdine.com or her blog at http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com.

 

My Impressions:

Looking for a way to keep your tweenager (ages 8 – 12) reading this summer? Then try A Sandy Grave by author Donna McDine and illustrated by Julie Hammond. Filled with interesting facts and a little bit of a mystery, this book has a beach setting that is perfect for vacation reading.

Leah is on vacation with her family at the beach. She and her friends are eager to enjoy the sun and sand, but are surprised to find a crowd surrounding a large whale that has been beached. The attentive Leah also notices suspicious goings-on and follows her grandmother’s advice to trust her instincts. A mystery is solved and Leah and her friends are heroes.

I can easily see this book leading to further reading and discussion, with the new words and concepts presented — a plus while trying to keep readers engaged over the summer months. Kids interested in wildlife or the ocean will enjoy the setting and the facts surrounding whales and the threat of poachers. And while Leah takes things into her own hands to solve the mystery, the book can foster a discussion of the best time to talk to parents and authorities to avoid dangerous situations.

All in all, a quick read that is well-researched and written for middle readers.

Recommended.

(Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

 

 

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