Christian Book Review Blog

Litfuse Blog Tour: The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

2012-03-03T22:22:00.002-08:00

"Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?

Observing both brothers as an 'invisible' servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?

On her journey from well-born lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of 'serve one another in love.'"

My Review
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was a delightful read. It thrust me right into the story during the first page and did not let me go until I turned the last page. I would have to say that my favorite part of the book was all the rich details given on the life of a servant. Julie did a wonderful job of placing me there in the story with Margaret as she cleaned her first chamber pot and learned the names of the different types of cleaning brushes.

I enjoyed seeing the transformation of Margaret throughout the book. The way she connected with the other servants and her "vow" to show them more appreciation once she returned to her former life definitely testified to her transformation.

The romance was the sigh-worthy type. I was glad when Margaret recognized Lewis as he really was- despicable- and her slow warm-up to Nathaniel- a respectable man. Of course, I am always satisfied when the romance is completely clean- as this one was.

The added suspense of her stepfather trying to flush her out of hiding and the mystery of who shot Lewis was the icing on the cake. There was even a Poet Pirate! All in all, this book was an enjoyable and enlightening read. I highly recommend it and give it 5 stars! It can be bought at Amazon.

About the Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

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Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire
A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14/12. Winner will be announced at Julie's Fairbourne Hall Book Chat Party on 3/15. Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek of her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack (Seasons 1 and 2)!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for a book chat party.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 15th!

Winner of "Sumatra With the Seven Churches" by Sandra Glahn!

2012-02-28T22:31:00.001-08:00

The winner of a print copy of Sumatra With the Seven Churches is (**drum-roll please**)

Cara Putman!!!

Congratulations, Cara! Please email me your mailing address by using my Contact Me page or leave a comment below with your email so I can contact you. Thanks to all who participated in this giveaway! Remember to enter the current giveaway.

Author Interview and Giveaway: The Vengeance Squad by Sid Frost!

2012-02-27T00:00:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the CBRB, Sid! Thank you for being here! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I have a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Long Beach and worked with computers in one form or another throughout my working life. I retired in May 2011 and have enjoyed having more time for singing, writing and traveling.

I am a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Writers League of Texas, and the San Gabriel Writers' League in Georgetown, Texas.

When did you first discover that you loved writing?

My earliest memory of writing is when my sister decided we would publish a neighborhood magazine. I remember where we were living at the time, so I had to be about twelve years old. The magazine included reviews of movies we’d seen as well as news about our neighbors

I had the writing bug from then on. Aptitude tests showed an interest in creative writing, but my school counselors said I should think of it as a hobby since few people made a living from writing. So, I ended up majoring in computer. I continued to write because I felt compelled to and had a number of articles published over the years.

Why do you write the type of books that you do?

My first book, Where Love Once Lived, is the result of having enjoyed books by Jan Karon. I liked the way she took an older character, sixty-year old Dr. Tim, and presented him as a Christian living a life much like any other person I know. I had a story in mind about a bookmobile librarian, who witnessed to her patrons every day. However, I didn't want my story to come across as being preachy. Jan Karon showed that there could be interesting stories about Christians. Of course I've since learned there are many other examples out there, Dee Henderson, Davis Bunn and Karen Kingsbury, for examples.

I wrote Where Love Once Lived while taking an online class on writing so the bookmobile librarian didn't turn out to be the main character after all. However, she was such a strong character, I gave her a prominent place in The Vengeance Squad. Readers often ask about her and offer suggestions about what she should do in the next book.

As sometimes happens, beyond the control of the author, a theme appears. In both my books, I learned later from reviewers, is a single theme. Both books are about men who face situations so tough they turn away from God. The books are about getting back to the church.

What was your greatest obstacle in writing and how did you overcome it?

I've read novels all my life, but I never knew how to construct one. So, when it came time to write my first one, I realized I had no idea how it was done. I read books on novel writing, but it wasn't until I took an online class that I began to understand how to do it. I was fortunate to get a great instructor, Bonnie Hearn Hill, and I repeated the classes until I finished Where Love Once Lived. All in all, it took about six years to complete the book. The Vengeance Squad took less than a year to write.

Has writing changed your life in any way?

I wouldn't say writing has changed my life outwardly, but I am more aware now of how some traumatic experiences in my life have affected the way I felt about God.

When I began my first novel, I told myself that if what I had to say would lead one person to Christ, all the time it took to write would be a worth it. So far, no one has told me they were saved by reading my books. However, several readers have told me that went through some of the same struggles as the characters and they felt better seeing their experience described in a novel.

What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most?

Romans 8:28 – We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.

Is there a book you’ve read that has been truly spectacular?

Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn is a book I enjoyed reading and am reading again so that I can be the moderator at my neighborhood book club next month when we talk about it. It is difficult to summarize. It has suspense, adventure, characters who come alive, and a story I'd never heard before about Christians in Iraq.

Ohh! That book is currently on my TBR pile:-) What’s the funniest/quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

Perhaps not funny or quirky, but still unusual some say. In a period of 15 years, I sang in the Austin Lyric Opera Chorus. I was in 42 productions and had the opportunity to sing with some international opera stars. My only solo was while playing a pastor in Cold Sassy Tree. I was to say "Please be seated." In rehearsal, my line came on cue, but the congregation was already sitting. I said it anyway, and we got a good laugh so the director left it in for all four performances. I've retired from the opera chorus, but I still enjoy choral singing in church and a community chorus. In addition, my wife and I have joined choral groups in China and Austria.

Please tell us about the featured book.

Buy At Amazon

From the back cover: When Chris McCowan's fiancée, 24-year-old Sarah Eason, is killed during a bizarre robbery near Austin, Texas, an unlikely trio teams up to track down those responsible for her death. Chris, a 31-year-old PhD computer science professor, Percy "Tex" Thompson, a 40-year-old wheelchair bound ex-con student at the community college where Chris teaches, and Liz Siedo, the 65-year-old head librarian at the city library where Tex works, pool their talents to find the criminals after local law enforcement agencies give up the chase.

Chris wants an eye for an eye even if that means giving up God and the church where he and Sarah were to be married. He sets out to learn the tricks of the trade from his ex-con student, all while continuing to teach and coming to terms with his grief. Angela, who claims to be an FBI agent, spots the guys at the pistol range and in cities across the country where the FBI is just steps behind Chris and Tex. She soon joins the team to help the three find the killers.

Can you please give us the first page?

Sometimes it worried me because I thought I must be wrong, but there were times I could read her mind. I’d heard stories about couples who had been married for years who experienced a level of silent communication, but Sarah and I had known each other for only two years. Perhaps it was the intensity of love for one another rather than the length of time together that made the difference. Quite honestly, the love we shared was stronger than I believed possible. It was as if God brought us together and blessed the joining of two faithful servants of the Lord. I thanked Him daily for that.

That day, for example, as I sat across from Sarah at the coffee shop’s outdoor table, I knew for a fact she was thinking about our wedding. I knew that didn’t prove I could read her mind. Any bride would be thinking about her wedding if it were coming so soon. But I recognized a deeper expression of happiness than was usually there. Realizing what she was thinking and knowing for sure I was right made me shiver. I took a deep breath and swallowed for fear I would tear up.

I watched as her eyes twinkled, her cheeks puffed out, and her lips quivered ever so slightly. Her lips. I forgot about reading her mind and realized all I could see were her stunning lips. I had to kiss her right then, so I leaned across the table and placed my lips on hers. She didn’t stop smiling as she kissed me back and just barely stopped talking. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was as I thought about how we’d soon be Sarah and Christopher McCowan.

Sarah was a nurse at Georgetown Hospital, and I was a professor of computer science at Austin Community College in Cedar Park. The outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, was a convenient meeting place for us. We sat at one of the outdoor tables at the mall enjoying the mild October weather. I’d grown up in California and she on a farm near Bath, England, so we both had to adjust to the Texas weather at times.

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Giveaway!!!

Sid has kindly offered to giveaway a print copy (or eBook copy- winner's choice) of The Vengeance Squad. To be entered for a chance to win please leave a comment with your email address.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower +1
~Add my button to your blog +1
~Post about this giveaway +2

(please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Giveaway ends Sunday March 11, 2012 at midnight (eastern time).

Free Amazon Ebook Update: Day of War by Cliff Graham

2012-02-25T21:55:00.003-08:00

Buy at Amazon

About the Book
"In ancient Israel, at the crossroads of the great trading routes, a man named Benaiah is searching for a fresh start in life. He has joined a band of soldiers led by a warlord named David, seeking to bury the past that refuses to leave him. Their ragged army is disgruntled and full of reckless men. Some are loyal to David, but others are only with him for the promise of captured wealth.

While the ruthless and increasingly mad King Saul marches hopelessly against the powerful Philistines, loyal son Jonathan in tow, the land of the Hebrew tribes has never been more despondent-and more in need of rescue. Over the course of ten days, from snowy mountain passes to sword-wracked battlefields, Benaiah and his fellow mercenaries must call upon every skill they have to survive and establish the throne for David-if they don't kill each other first."

Praise for the Bestselling Lion of War Series

“Graham creates a seamless pattern of fiction and history that
feels as real as if he were reporting live from the battlefields.”

BookReview.com, ‘Must Read’ Selection

“They call it a war of Biblical proportions for a reason! Cliff Graham
brings history, faith, and fighting to life, all at the same time!”

Lt. Col. (ret) James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.,

“You will enjoy this book on many levels. I strongly recommend it.”

Robert Whitlow, Best-selling author of The List and The Trial

About the Author

CLIFF GRAHAM was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. He has been a Military Police soldier, Army officer, pastor, and author. His first novel, Day of War, about King David's mighty men, has earned him a film option for the entire book series from director David L. Cunningham (Path to 9/11) and producer Grant Curtis (Spider-Man films). A major motion picture franchise is in production. For comments or speaking requests, Cliff can be reached at lionofwarauthor@gmail.com

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Okay, now that you know about the book (Day of War), the author, and the praise Day of War is receiving are you ready to try it out... for FREE? Well, Amazon currently has this eBook for free- remember, for a limited time. So HURRY and grab your copy today. This book promises to be a great read! Just click on the link below to "purchase" it.

Day of War by Cliff Graham

Winner of "To Dance Once More" by Sherri Johnson

2012-02-20T20:13:00.000-08:00

Time has slipped me by! I meant to post this earlier. Although I chose the winner a few days ago using Random.org, I did not have the chance to post it- enough excuses. Time to get down to business:-) The winner of an eBook copy of Sherri Johnson's book To Dance Once More is (** drum-roll please**)...

Digging For Pearls!!!

Please email me (you can use the Contact Me page) telling me where you would like your eBook sent to. I will then email the author and, God willing, you'll have a copy of the book To Dance Once More in no time:-) Thank you to all who participated in this giveaway! If you feel the need to purchase this book, you can buy it at Amazon.

**Winner has two weeks to respond**

A Late Valentines Post

2012-02-17T22:15:00.000-08:00

** Guest post by Kianna Rose

via

Valentines Day. Today, Guys usually give their sweet-hearts chocolates, red roses because any other flower choice would be silly, and some even propose marriage. As you walk along the city streets, it seems like love is truly in the air.

When we hear the word love, our minds usually lead us to biblical characters such as Ruth and Boaz or Jacob and Rachel. These are all examples of human love. The world's love is temporary, usually based on emotions and comes with conditions.

Where can we find an everlasting love? Where can we find an unconditional love?

"I have loved you with an everlasting love."

Jeremiah 31:3

We find that love in God. There is no love greater than the love of God. There is no love as selfless as the love of God. God's love is beyond what we expect or deserve.

In the Bible, we read of a love so deep that it lead to death.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

Instead of my mind being occupied with chocolate bon-bons and sweets, I want to remember the love Jesus has for me. I want to remember the sacrifice He made in giving His life for a sinner, like me. He loved me just the way I am. I also want to remember that:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times...

I know that I am not perfect. I don't always "love my enemies". I don't always love others unconditionally, but I know someone who does and He is willing to teach me.

Spotlight On Michelle Massaro

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

*guest post by April W Gardner

"I often cry when I am in prayer for my children. When eternity breaks through the here and now and the only request left in me is please, God, bring my children into the Kingdom." -Michelle Massaro

*****

It's my immense pleasure to introduce a lovely woman to you today, and offer an opportunity to get to know her! Michelle Massaro is my right arm at Clash of the Titles. I'd be lost without her, but she's so much more than just assistant editor at COTT.

Michelle married her high school honey, Mike, and they now have four amazing children. They are passionate Creationists and attend Living Truth Christian Fellowship in Corona, CA where they have taught Jr High studies and where Michelle is involved in the worship ministry. Michelle is also a homeschooling parent and an aspiring author of contemporary Christian fiction. She loves coffee, peanut butter M&M's, and new eyeshadow. Her blog hosts weekly Story Improvs, where readers are encouraged to jump in and add to the plot. Above all, she is a follower of Christ Jesus, unashamed to stand upon the Word of God from beginning to end.

Michelle, I love your blog's sub-header. It says "Follow my journey toward publication. Laugh, cry, point and stare-- it's all good. I'll leave a trail so that you, my fellow author, may have a straighter path to finding your own elusive publishing contract. Adventure awaits. Let's travel together..."

Like they say in court, you've opened up a line of questioning. So!

Regarding laughter...

Every time I watch Forget Paris, I laugh hysterically over Ellen driving down the road with a pigeon stuck to her head. Which movie makes you laugh hardest?

Michelle: Wow. This was tough because I don't belly-laugh often enough at all. But one movie that comes to mind is Meet The Parents. Some might be offended because there is some inappropriateness in there, but I can't help it. It's funny! There are so many quotes that get me going. Greg's prayer at the dinner table for one: "and we thank you oh sweet sweet Lord of Hosts...for the ...smorgasboard you have so aptly lain at our table this day and each day..by day...day by day by day...". LOL, I'm laughing just remembering all the hysterical lines from that movie!

You have me laughing, too! Visualizing Greg milking a cat... LOL

Regarding tears...

You and I are women. We're allowed to cry anytime, anywhere. It's our prerogative. I cried yesterday at the sight of traffic stopping for children exiting a school bus. It's a touching scene--the world coming to a halt to protect our little ones. When was the last time you cried, and what was it over?

Michelle: It is a touching scene! (Thank you! I feel better now.) I cry all the time. Seriously. Usually nobody is around to see but I probably shed at least a couple tears nearly every day. I often cry when I am in prayer for my children. When eternity breaks through the here and now and the only request left in me is please, God, bring my children into the Kingdom. But I also cry over physical weaknesses, regrets, longings, and even Disney movies. In elementary school I bawled over the movie Annie and begged my mom to adopt some orphans. Today I teared up watching a scene from Mulan (when she resolves to take her father's place in war), and my eyes stung listening to pianist Yiruma's Kiss The Rain for the first time.

Raise your hand if you teared up during that little speech! Must move on to happier thoughts before I drip on the keyboard.

Regarding pointing and staring...

Our lives are so much more exposed now with Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and all the rest. It seems we can hardly say or do anything privately any more, which can be a blessing. And a curse. What's the funniest social networking faux pas you've committed to date?

Michelle: This was hard too. (Great questions, April!) The closest thing would be when a secular writer I know posted about her new release on Facebook. She had some trouble with Amazon tagging because of the somewhat offensive cover image and turned to her FB friends for input on its appropriateness. I commented with a gentle opinion on why I thought Amazon might have tagged it the way they did, hoping to speak for the conservatives out there without being abrasive. What I hadn't considered, was that by commenting, her book image would appear on my wall in my "recent activities" and moments later my MOM left a scathing comment below mine asking why on earth I was posting this image. I messaged her privately to adamantly explain that I wasn't the poster, I was weighing in on the matter. I deleted my comment and told my mom she should do the same because obviously it was then going to be on her wall too. Oy vey! Lucky for me, the incident was small-scale and rather private. I suppose I've gotten off easy so far. But it's never easy being "caught" by Mom.

That's too funny! Mom's are great at catching us with our hands in the cookie jar, no matter our age!

Tell us about that trail you're leaving for other writers. What was the last thing you posted about on Fiction Fridays?

Michelle: I've always posted things I learn and experiences I gain whether that's contest feedback, craft techniques, social networking (alot of that with COTT), or opportunities to pursue. I sometimes use Fiction Fridays for hosting Story Improvs where readers get involved and write a story together one line at a time. Last week I posted an update on where I've been and what I expect in 2012 and I ended with a story prompt. This one is a little different than the Improvs. In this one, I challenged readers to take the prompt and expand it on their own blog, then send me the link. I don't know how many will join the challenge and play the game, but it would be fun to see what different authors do with the same prompt. Wanna play? You can check it out right now: http://michellemassaro.blogspot.com/2012/02/fiction-friday.html

Oh! Sounds like fun. Y'all make sure you head over there and jump in on the action. You've been with COTT since the beginning as a vital staff member, but looking through the eyes of a reader/voter (which you also are!), which part of COTT do you enjoy the most?

Michelle: I'd have to say I most enjoy getting that slice of a story I've often never heard of, and then getting to hear how it came together from the author. It's more personal and more focused than scanning amazon for sample chapters. And I can vote! Most of us love having a say in things and I'm no exception, lol. Being able to interact with the authors of the books I'm voting for makes me feel like I'm stepping into an elite circle of friends and as a reader, that's huge.

I heartily agree! Thanks, Michelle, for being so gracious to open your world to us for a little peek. It's been a blast! And now you must excuse me while I go dig through my DVDs for Meet the Parents. LOL

Michelle: April, thank you so much for this opportunity. I value your friendship and admire your work so much. I'm truly honored to be a part of Clash of the Titles.

We couldn't do it without ya!

Readers, do you have a question for Michelle? And don't forget, you can still comment on the Almost Kiss clash going on right now at Clash of the Titles!

Author Interview and Giveaway: Sumatra With the Seven Churches by Sandra Glahn

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the CBRB, Sandra! Thank you for being here! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I thrive on variety. At Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), my alma mater, I teach Creative Writing and Journalism and I edit the award-winning quarterly magazine, Kindred Spirit. I’m also a PhD candidate in Aesthetic Studies (Arts and Humanities) at the University of Texas at Dallas. Incidentally, folks sometimes wonder what a degree in Aesthetic Studies is. Since I write medical suspense, one reader thought “aesthetic” was a form of anesthesiology. But Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy dealing with beauty, art, taste, creation, and appreciation. My degree is part fiction writing, part first-century history, and part gender studies. The worst part of the program was that I’ve had to read over one hundred wonderful classic novels. Ha! What’s not to like about that?

When did you first discover that you loved writing?

In the second grade. My teacher felt I had some ability so she assigned me to write one story per day.

Why do you write the type of books that you do?

Apparently I like to live dangerously. I believe writing Bible studies is like handling explosives. You have to respect what you're working with. In an oft-quoted observation about Christ-followers, Annie Dillard wrote, “On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, making up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews.”

The Bible says that the Word is “sharper than any two-edged sword,” and handling it requires some serious accountability. When I put together the Mocha on the Mount study, I had to constantly repent of hypocrisy as I challenged readers to eschew their own materialism or to weep over their own sin.

What was your greatest obstacle in writing and how did you overcome it?

My greatest obstacle is always time. I wish I could have eight-hour blocks of uninterrupted life, because I can crank out a lot more writing if I don’t have to “ramp up” after every phone call or email or text that yanks me out of the mental place where I create. As I write this, my child is home on what I had set aside as my writing day. Last month I ended up flying to the West coast to see my parents, because my dad was diagnosed with cancer. This stuff happens to everybody; it’s life. And we can’t do a lot to avoid such “interruptions.” Rather, we should plan for them. I try to negotiate generous deadlines, giving myself at least three months more than I think it will take write, so I have built-in margins.

Has writing changed your life in any way?

My writing affects my Christianity. Some people think it might expect it to go the other way around. But I might have an unsettled conviction about something, whether it’s bioethics or how we interpret a Bible verse. And writing forces me to get precise, to determine exactly what I believe. Writing forces me to clarify my thinking. If I don’t know what I think about something, I certainly can’t communicate to my reader.

Interesting answer, Sandra. What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most?

Job’s statement that “he gives and takes away—blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Life is full of blessings and heartache. That’s the normal way on this planet. My husband and I endured a decade of infertility and pregnancy loss, followed by three failed adoptions before the successful adoption of our daughter. But we’ve also had good health, meaningful work, wonderful friendships, churches, and families. Shall we accept good from God and not adversity?

Is there a book you’ve read that has been truly spectacular?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Lots of people know about it; some have it on their shelves. Few actually read it. I had to read it during my PhD work, and I stood in awe. Great storytelling, terrific humor, deep theology. No wonder it changed the world and sold so many copies!

Oh! I love that book, Sandra. When I read it, I thought I had discovered a rare gem many people didn't know about... until I learned otherwise:-) What’s the funniest/quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

When my husband and I worked with college students, we played a game out on the AIRTRANS rail system at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, with permission, of course. We spelled “Airtrans” backward and called it “Snartria.” It was like one huge night of hide and seek, only spread over miles and including subway cars. We had a blast till some of our guys laid down in the bottom of a car to keep from getting caught, and when the doors opened, they terrified an elderly couple who thought they were robbers. That put an end to our shenanigans.

Oh My! That is funny. I can only imagine the look on that elderly couple's face. Please tell us about the featured book.

Buy At Amazon

Sumatra with the Seven Churches, an eight-week Bible study for individuals or groups, explores the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation--a section of the Bible that contains letters to seven churches in Asia (ancient Turkey). The study focuses on Jesus’ messages to those churches and how His words are relevant to all believers today. Readers encounter Jesus as Alpha and Omega, the one who “is” and who was and who is coming. In Ephesus we remember our first love; in Laodicea we learn what makes Jesus want to spew. In each city we consider background information that helps us understand the message crafted for them. In the process we find timeless truths that apply to our own lives in the here-and-now.

Can you please give us the first page?

Sumatra with the Seven Churches (excerpt, not first page):

Ephesus: The Love-Lost Church

“I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Rev. 2:4–5).

How do we gauge when love is alive? Affection shows itself in actions. Simply put, loving feelings can’t help but show themselves in loving acts.

     Think about it. An acquaintance falls in love, and for a while she won’t even look at another guy. She’s loyal. She looks at his photo constantly. She won’t shut up about him. But then her hot-blooded “love” cools off, and she gets lazy. Before long she’s flirting again. “Sure,” she insists, “I still love my man—but I can look, as long as I don’t touch, right?”
     We don’t buy it, do we?
     It’s similar with our commitment to Christ. Often at the beginning of our faith walk, we act like a fiancée. But then we face tough times, and we get jaded. God’s people wound us. We see people bicker and tear each other apart. And we grow weary. Sometimes when we see new believers’ enthusiasm, we want to warn them to cool off.
     Jesus had a major rebuke for the church in Ephesus. It offended Him that they’d lost their first love. But He didn’t tell them, “Return to your former affection.” He told them to repent and return to their former works.
     Some of us have a knee-jerk reaction to the word “works,” because too often people make deeds a condition of salvation. But that’s not what’s happening here. Christ is assessing the Ephesians’ love by their actions, gauging their devotion by whether they do the works they did at first. Maybe the Ephesians still hated the ways of immoral people, but they got lazy about idolatry.
     The temple of Artemis in ancient Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and considered by some the most magnificent. Acts 19 tells us that Artemis had a huge economic hold on the city. And while we may not go after Artemis and Apollo, our cities have their own idols. Think of Las Vegas with its high-stakes gambling and human trafficking; Dallas with its materialism; and Washington DC’s thirst for power.
     Like the ancient Ephesians, we live in places that love something more than the one true God. And we, His followers, tend to go along with the world—as is evidenced by our actions. We mess around with sin, skirting too close to the edge of temptation. There’s that coworker we’re too friendly with because he or she makes us feel good. Or the lyrics we recite and jam to while insisting we never could memorize Scripture. Or the hold we let material goods have on us while our brothers and sisters around the world ask, “Why isn’t our rich family caring for us?”
     What’s the solution? Twice Jesus says, “Repent.” And repenting goes far beyond mumbling “I’m sorry.” It means by his power “doing a 180.” It means making radical changes, falling on our faces, agreeing with God, and getting serious about throwing out the enemy.

Thank you for the fun and interesting interview, Sandra! Readers, if you would like to learn more about Sandra, you can visit her in the following places:

Twitter:    @sandraglahn
Web:       aspire2.com
Blog:       aspire2.blogspot.com
FaceBook:       Aspire2

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Giveaway!!!

Sandra has kindly offered to giveaway a print copy of Sumatra With the Seven Churches- one of her Coffee Cup Bible Studies book. To be entered for a chance to win please leave a comment with your email address. Giveaway is open for the lower 48 states of the U.S.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower +1
~Add my button to your blog +1
~Post about this giveaway +2

(please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Giveaway ends Sunday February 26, 2012 at midnight (eastern time).

Wayward Son by Tom Pollack, Jim Alves, John Loftus

2012-02-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

Buy At Amazon

"A POWERFUL TREMOR UNEARTHS AN ANCIENT SECRET

Buried near Italy’s Mount Vesuvius is a fortified observatory containing priceless artifacts dating to the earliest record of human events. Only one person—the Getty Museum’s Amanda James—can unlock the mysterious doors that guard the chamber.

But once inside, Amanda is shocked to discover evidence left behind by a notorious Biblical killer—who long ago wandered off the pages of history.
When a strange relic unveils the miraculous truth about this villain, Amanda must confront sinister forces intent on suppressing her stunning revelation—before it alters the destiny of millions!

Wayward Son takes the reader back in time where epic adventures in Egypt, Greece, China and Rome collide with modern-day intrigue and suspense. Journey with Amanda and witness the incredible story of the world’s original Wayward Son."

I did not know what to expect in this book and for this reason, I dreaded reading it. There was no reason for me to stall, however, because it's one of the best books I've read! What I liked the most was that this story is based on Cain- someone who most people are familiar with from the Bible. It was satisfying to think that maybe, just maybe, this story could be true. Even after reading the book of Genesis several times, I've never caught the detail that Cain's death is never mentioned in the Bible. Interesting, right?

I was caught off guard by how intriguing the story was- both the historical and modern parts. I would be fully engrossed in the modern when, suddenly, the authors would transport me back to the past. I would feel the urge to skim the historical part so I could see what would happen in the modern era, when the historical part would catch my attention and the process would start all over again. Both the historical and the modern were equally interesting.

I enjoyed immensely the history that was intertwined with the story. It was interesting to see the known world (at that time) through the eyes of the first man ever born. And It was delightful to take a tour of the Ancient world with Cain. I even traveled to China!

The book did take some liberties with Bible passages. For example, Cain miraculously managed to escape the flood as a stowaway on the ark. However, this was vital to the story. Besides this, there are no other drawbacks to this book.

The ending was a satisfying one. The book finished on a intriguing/chilling note. The authors seemed to set the tone for a sequel- one that I'm eagerly awaiting. This book is a great read for those who enjoy a good page-turner, interesting Biblical fiction, a sprinkling of romance, and history. I highly recommend it! It can be bought at Amazon.

** Thanks to Glass Road Public Relations for offering me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Amish Clash!

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

*guest post by Delia Latham

It's been an edge-of-the-seat, flashing-swords kind of Clash between Vannetta Chapman and Beth Wiseman. These gals elicited some genuine response! It is beyond clear that both authors are well loved, and that their writing touches hearts.

This was an Amish clash, and if you missed it, you'll definitely want to check out the excerpts, as both were excellent examples of GOOD Amish fiction.

Beth Wiseman's The Wonder of Your Love elicits a whole tangle of emotions, with a dreaded meeting between an Amish woman and her deceased husband's Englitscher mistress.

If you missed our interview with Beth, be sure to stop by and check it out.

Vannetta Chapman's Falling to Pieces, on the other hand, paints a poignant picture of loss and confusion after the death of a loved one, all wrapped up in a stack of gorgeous Amish quilts.

And here's our interview with Vannetta.

I'd love to post every reader response, because I didn't see a single negative one in the overwhelming number we received…but in the interest of space, I had to choose just a few:

Please don't stop writing...because your gift transports me to another place, away from all the stresses of life and encourages me!

I love Amish Fiction. Both of these excerpts make me want to dive into these ladies' lives.

Hearing an Amish story takes me back to my childhood in the mountains of Kentucky. We read by lamp, the Bible mostly. Everything we ate we grew in the garden and canned on a wood stove for winter. The outhouse was about fifty yards from the backdoor. Thanks to both of you for taking me back. God Bless.

I love the Amish Clash as I love to read Amish stories. Having been in the homes of Amish people and corresponding so many years, my home has a room with all Amish figurines and dolls. Keep writing Amish fiction.

Keep writing! We all need encouragement to live more simply like the Amish!

I was drawn into the stories immediately, and now those characters are going to be following me around all day!

We are so grateful for this feedback from our readers! It's your involvement that gives Clash of the Titles its purpose.

So, which sword-wielding author came out on top? As much as I'd love to name both of them (since they're so obviously both WINNERS!), we can only have one victor per clash. That victor, this time around, was:

BETH WISEMAN

The Wonder of Your Love

CONGRATULATIONS, BETH!

A brand new clash is now underway, and it's the kind that will curl your toes. Head over to Clash of the Titles and vote for the best Almost Kiss!

Winner of the Great Giveaway!

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

The winner of the giveaway for either a book from my library OR a $10 Amazon gift-card is... (drum-roll please!)

RACHELLE REA!!!

Congratulations, girl! I was excited when Random.org chose your name. Your blog posts are very encouraging! You can either email me using my Contact Me page or leave a comment with your email address so I can get in touch with you.

Thank you to all my followers who entered this giveaway! I already have in mind what my next giveaway for my followers will be... so stay tuned! Also, don't forget to enter my current giveaway HERE.

**The winner has two weeks to respond.**

Interview with April Gardner

2012-02-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

*guest post by Michelle Massaro

(Ms. Davy) was an amazing cheerleader and I lived to make her smile with my stories. Whether I really was or not at that point, she made me believe I was a good writer.

~ Sr. Editor April Gardner, on who inspired her writing.

***

Today we get to spend some time with COTT founder April Gardner. April is an amazing author, good friend, and an inspiration to me. She’s a sometime home school mom, a military wife, a talented writer, and a frugal do-it-yourselfer. So I was excited to get to pick her brain! Below are the questions that I always wanted to ask. I’m sure you will find them just as fascinating as I do.

Michelle: April, what was it like growing up with missionary parents?

April: We never lacked for excitement, that's for sure! Some MKs struggle with change, but I never minded it. I was shy and content merely to be with my family; wherever they were, I was happy, no matter the town or country! Growing up in Spain and learning Spanish was one of God's beautiful gifts to me.

Michelle: That's so cool! Some might be surprised to hear that you are dyslexic. What advice or encouragement would you give to others out there struggling with dyslexia?

April: I'd imagine that most reading this are adults, and by the time dyslexics reach adulthood, they've managed to cope quite well. Having a child with dyslexia, however, was something that took me completely by surprise, surprisingly. LOL From what I hear, it goes through the mother, so odds were pretty good one of my kids would struggle with it. When it comes to dealing with a dyslexic child I've learned three things. 1. Patience is the name of the game! 2. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. 3. There is no shame in being dyslexic or having another learning difficulty.

Michelle: You have now experienced both the public school world and the home school world. What are your observations comparing both?

April: My most important observation is that God's plan for our children's education is 1. God's plan for us in unique! I cannot compare how others chose to educate their children with our own choices. 2. God's plan for us is not set in stone, never to change. What might be His will one year, might not be the next. We must be flexible and keep our ears tuned to Him. He'll speak most loudly through our kids via their progress, contentment, discipline, and attitude.

Michelle: Great insights! Ok, so what began your fascination with history?

April: Laura Ingells Wilder and her Little House books! They were the first "big" books that held my attention well enough to make reading worth all the effort. I haven't looked back since!

Michelle: I love those books too! You are a military spouse--where have you lived, and which was your favorite place?

April: The military first moved us to Germany. We were 19 years old and newly married. Our tour lasted 7 years. Straight from there, we went to England for four years, and we've currently been in Georgia 2.5 years. Germany holds a very dear place in our hearts for many reasons, but I have felt most content and fulfilled right here in Georgia. God bless the USA!! Boy, it's good to be home. :-)

Michelle: Wow, that sounds so adventurous! And now you're a published author--another adventure! Who first inspired you to pursue publication and writing? Who inspires you today?

April: Several people along the path of my life worked together to inspire me to pick up the pen, but the first was my high school creative writing teacher, Ms. Davy. She was an amazing cheerleader and I lived to make her smile with my stories. Whether I really was or not at that point, she made me believe I was a good writer. Today, it's the drive to reach goals that inspires me. I do love a challenge!!

Michelle: Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite and why?

April: True Seeker, the budding Creek Indian warrior from my latest novel, Warring Spirits, is my favorite character so far. His heart is good and true to his name, he seeks wisdom, honor, and a personal relationship with the Giver and Taker of Breath.

Michelle: I like his character too. But of course, they're all good in my opinion! Besides writing excellent historical romance novels, you also have a lot to share on your blog about managing health issues with diet, frugality, and parenting. Any idea what's coming up in 2012?

April: Great question! LOL My blog is ever changing, but yes, I do tend to focus on those topics. Right now, I'm on an all-natural foods kick, so I'm sure my followers will see more of those tips in the future.

Michelle: Tell us about your recent book releases.

April: Warring Spirits is my latest adult fiction release. It's set in 1816 and is the story of a woman who might be able to hide her African heritage except for her hair, which is a dead give-away. Milly's escape from slavery leads her to the safety of Negro Fort where Major Phillip Bailey, believing her to be white, takes it upon himself to "free" her from the stronghold. At the same time, he's ordered to launch an attack against it. Accomplishing both is a virtual impossibility, especially when the beautiful woman doesn't want to be rescued. Where blood is shed, unexpected love may bloom!

Michelle: I've read it and it's awesome! Head to Amazon you guys, you won't regret it. April, thanks for answering all my hard-hitting questions today, lol.

Readers, check out COTT this week for some of our favorite Amish Excerpts!

Litfuse Blog Tour: The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Buy at Amazo

About the book:
After losing everyone she loves, concert pianist Liesl Bower has nowhere to go but to escape into her music. Searching for the peace she usually finds in her concertos and sonatas, Liesl can’t shake the feeling that she is being haunted by her past . . . and by someone following her. When she spots a familiar and eerie face in the audience of a concert she’s giving for the president in Washington, DC, the scariest day of her life comes back to her with a flash. It has been fifteen years since Liesl watched her beloved Harvard music mentor assaulted on a dark night in Moscow and just as long since the CIA disclosed to her that he’d been spying for Russia. She had seen that man--that eerie face--the night Professor Devoe was attacked. And now he’s back--and coming for her.

On the run and struggling to rely on the protection of CIA agent Ava Mullins and handsome newspaper reporter Cade O’Brien, Liesl learns she is the prey of an underground cell of Russian KGB agents determined to restore their country to its former Soviet might. But what she doesn’t know is that she is in possession of something--a piece of sheet music--that Russian intelligence is now frantic to find. Inside that music is a secret code, the hidden transcriptions of her deceased mentor, that clearly identify a Russian mole operating inside Israel’s Department of Defense, a mole with enough power and access to execute a daring assassination that no one would see coming.

Caught in a deadly conflict between American and Russian undercover agents, this innocent young pianist is just trying to survive her own personal trauma. Through it all, Liesl must learn that no matter how dark her world grows or how fiercely her enemies pursue her, God is still in control--if only she can yield herself to His grace. Read an excerpt HERE

About the author:

Sue Duffy is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in Moody Magazine, The Presbyterian Journal, Sunday Digest, and The Christian Reader. She is the author of Mortal Wounds (Barbour, 2001) and Fatal Loyalty (Kregel, 2010). Sue has also contributed to Stories for a Woman’s Heart (Multnomah). She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children.

Find out more HERE.

My Review:
Sue Duffy has spun an intriguing web of mystery and suspense! She had me guessing until near the end. Once I thought I figured out who the Russian moles were, Sue would throw another surprise my way. And the presence of an additional unknown person amped-up the mystery even more!

Liesl's spiritual journey was heart-warming. I enjoyed seeing Liesl destroy each barrier around her heart that blinded her from the love of God. I also enjoyed the bit of humor splashed around the book by Ian, Cade's grandfather. He had me chuckling quite a bit!

There is only one drawback to this story: the romance. It developed way too quickly. Sue Duffy needed to gradually build it so that me, the reader, had the most emotional impact. Besides this, there were no other drawbacks.

Last but not least, Sue Duffy includes a surprise and impacting ending! It brought me near to tears and filled my heart with gladness:-)

This book was eloquently written and incorporates heart-pumping suspense and mystery. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy a clean, Christian fiction thriller. I heartily give it 5 stars! It can be bought at Amazon.com and so on.

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Win a Kindle Fire from @SueDuffy2 and @KregelBooks in the "Red Returning" Giveaway!

Sue Duffy and her publisher, Kregel Publications, are celebrating the release of The Sound of Red Returning by giving away a Kindle Fire prize package worth over $200 to one lucky winner!!!! (1/23-2/11)

Enter the Sue Duffy’s Giveaway today and you could win:

* A brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi

* The Sound of Red Returning (Book One in the Red Returning series) by Sue Duffy

To enter click one of the icons below. But, hurry! The giveway ends on 2/11. Sue will be announcing the winner of the “Red Returning” Giveaway on February 13th on the Litfuse website!

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Author Interview and Giveaway: To Dance Once More by Sherri Johnson!

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the CBRB, Sherri! I am so glad to have you here! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am Sherri Wilson Johnson. I am a former homeschooling mom, a writer and a speaker. I live in Georgia – born and raised here and I guess I’ll stay here for a while.

My debut novel, To Dance Once More (OakTara), is a special project originating from my love of pure romance. It is set in Victorian-era Florida, bringing the romance of the beach and debutante balls together.

When did you first discover that you loved writing?

Writing has been a hobby of mine since I was a little girl. I have always made up stories in my head. As a young adult, I read secular romances, and soon saw the need for good clean literature. I began writing Inspirational Romances, which quickly became my favorite pastime and grew into a calling.

Why do you write the type of books that you do?

I love to entertain people. So I hope my readers will be entertained by reading one (or all) of my books. But there is a deeper purpose to my writing. I hope to prove that true love still exists and that it is worth the wait. I want my readers to see that God is the best and most faithful love of all. I desire to point others to Jesus through my writing.

What was your greatest obstacle in writing and how did you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle has been finding the time to write when the idea hits me. As a homeschooling mom with a part time job, the best ideas always hit at the worst of times. But I made sure to write down whatever came to me so I didn’t lose it. Sometimes I had to wait until the weekend to write full passages but I made sure to do it. Now that I am no longer homeschooling, I will say that one of the greatest obstacles to writing is marketing. But when you’re a writer, you must market.

Has writing changed your life in any way?

Writing has given me an outlet for expression. I have experienced a good bit of loss and tragedy in my life and writing has helped keep me sane.

What Bible scripture has impacted your life the most?

John 14:1-3 has always been my favorite passage. It comforts me to know there is a new home waiting for me. - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Yes, it is wonderful to know that God Almighty has prepared a place for us where we can spend eternity with Him! Is there a book you’ve read that has been truly spectacular?

I love The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis because it opens the reader’s eyes up to the reality of spiritual warfare.

What’s the funniest/quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

I have answered this question in several interviews and I suppose I need to think of a new response. But this one seems to make people laugh. So I will tell the story again. I have a twelve year old Labrador who at times loves to bark like crazy. A few years ago I bought a bark collar for her to stop her from barking. It wasn’t working so I decided to see if something was wrong with the collar. I placed the little booger on my own throat and barked. To my horror, the collar worked quite well and shocked me ferociously.

Ha! That is funny! Please tell us about the featured book.

Buy at Amazon

To Dance Once More
April 1886 -- Debutante Lydia Jane Barrington lives a carefree, protected existence on Live Oaks Plantation in Florida. But while her sisters happily learn the traditional tasks of women and talk of courting, Lydia dreams of adventure and independence. Even her friendship with handsome Hamilton Scarbrough isn’t enough to hold her back.
Then one day Hamilton opens Lydia’s eyes and her heart to love. But before they can receive permission to court, Lydia overhears a secret conversation about an unscrupulous business deal. Worse, it has everything to do with her and her future. Now she’s faced with the biggest decision of her life—to concede or to fight. Either choice will require great sacrifice…and, perhaps, countless rewards.

Ohh! Intriguing. Can you please give us the first page?

Chapter One
April 6, 1886

The warm sun beamed through the lace curtains covering the whitewashed windows of Lydia Jane Barrington’s bedchamber. Her home at Live Oaks Plantation sat on the outskirts of Gulf Resort, Florida, a modern, bustling port. Outside, the mourning doves cooed, and the bushy-tailed squirrels scampered about the lawn. Chickens clucked while they pecked at the ground eagerly gathering corn kernels. In the distance, cows mooed, waiting for the farm hand to milk them, unaware that summer waited patiently for its chance to scorch the land.

A salty breeze blew across Lydia’s porcelain face and called her from her deep slumber. Her curtains rose with the breeze and jerked down quickly, slamming back against the windowsill. She stretched with a yawn, and as morning nudged her, languorously she opened her eyes. She slid from her bed, cast the covers onto the floor, and sauntered across the sun-drenched room. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled like the sun on the ocean in the morning. Her hair, an auburn-colored cascading waterfall, was a gift from her mother’s side of the family. She went to the window and, pushing back the curtains, looked out at the plantation. The moss-draped live oaks and the towering cypress trees painted shadow puppets on the ground. The sun shone on the land as far as Lydia could see.
Lydia put on the pastel-blue cotton dress her Aunt Rebecca had made for her, then gazed out her window and drank in the scenery. As a child, she had stared out this same window and dreamed, like most young girls, about being the lady of her own manor with many children. However, over the past year, during moments like this, she wondered what else the world had to offer beyond what her eyes could see, away from this vast estate. She did not want to be like all the women she knew who seemingly disappeared in the shadows of their husbands. She feared most of all a betrothal to someone whom her father chose for her; forced into a loveless relationship simply to increase her father’s money pouch. To her, that was nothing more than slavery, and slavery no longer existed, thanks to the Civil War.

She wanted to travel and see the entire world, not simply entertain guests who had come from exotic locations around the world. She knew in her heart that there must be a higher purpose for her life. Therefore, she vowed that she would find her way in this world, like the women about whom the new governess, Kathryn, had taught her.

Soon she descended the oak staircase, ten-feet-wide and slightly curved, and headed for the sweet-smelling breakfast room, where her family gathered for the morning meal. Isabel Ann, the cook, with a delightful smile across her dark, round face, placed the steaming food on the twelve-foot-long oak table, hewed from one of Live Oak’s old trees.

Lydia found her seat next to Kathryn. As usual, she reached for a nibble of biscuit and instantly received a scolding from Isabel Ann as her father, Archibald, began his prayer of thanks. This mirrored almost every other morning Lydia had experienced, except that this morning marked her sixteenth birthday.

“You and Nathan have a good day in the fields, Archibald. Eliza and I are going to prepare the house for tonight’s birthday festivities. Josie, Alexa, and Lydia, you young ladies get off to school now,” Rosalyn, Lydia’s mother, said as she gracefully rose from her seat at the table.

“Oh, Mother, do I have to go today? It is my birthday after all,” Lydia protested, twisting sideways in her chair to face her mother.

“Yes, of course you do. Nathan is working today, and so will you. Now run along,” Rosalyn said, dismissing her with a wave of her delicate hand. Her eyes sparkled with love for her animated daughter.

Lydia’s father looked on in reserved silence. His dark eyes, in contrast to Rosalyn’s, seemed like coal dust. “A good education is something to be appreciated, Lydia,” Archibald chastised in his firm but loving way.

“Yes, Father.” Lydia stood up from her chair and excused herself.

To learn more about Sherri you can go to her website: http://www.sherriwilsonjohnson.com/

*********

Giveaway!!!

Sherri has kindly offered to giveaway an eBook copy of her book To Dance Once More. To enter please leave a comment with your email address. If you do not add your email address you cannot win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower +1
~Add my button to your blog +1
~Post about this giveaway +2

(please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

Giveaway ends at midnight (Eastern time) on Sunday February 12, 2012.