by Jason Joyner | Jun 24, 2009 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
The latest book in the CFBA tour is The Firstborn, by new author Conlan Brown.
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When the Nazarene died on a cross 2000 years ago, the ancient writings record tombs that opened up, and dead who rose to walk again. What was unknown was those who rose awakened with a gift. Some could see the past, some the present, others the future. They were meant to be a guide for those who followed, but the different perspectives led to conflict and separation into three different orders.
When the orders meet to work out issues, one leader dies and another disappears. Three disparate members of the groups must band together to discover the mystery of the battle within the Firstborn, as well as a looming tragedy of a suicide bomber within the United States. Will the different sides find unity in order to thwart the danger, or will an evil they can’t see destroy them first?
Conlan Brown delivers a palpable action/adventure thriller as his first novel. The pages shouldn’t stop turning, as he keeps a fast-paced suspense moving (maybe careening!) along from San Antonio to D.C. and rural West Virginia. The book starts with one of the Firstborn as a kidnapped hostage and the rescue, and the ending provides a capstone fitting for a summer blockbuster.
I think it is fitting that during the summer season of movie thrillers that this book comes out. It is a good distraction and easy, entertaining read. The characters are given various traits to make them stand out, but they don’t come across as deeply developed. There are some themes that are clearly shown, but they almost get drowned out by the bullets and fists that are frequently flying. It also becomes a little disturbing to see these “Christian” groups with fully armed militias running and gunning. I appreciate an exciting adrenaline-fueled adventure, but the premise went a little over the top at points.
Overall, I thought it was a solid debut for the author. The book should appeal to guys who like explosions and lots of action, which doesn’t always happen in the Amish/prairie romances of other CBA fare (I’m sure the inability to use modern detonators hampers an Amish action romp) or other adrenaline junkies. There were problems in characterization and plausability that I’m confident can be developed in further work. I’ll be interested to see what Mr. Brown comes up with next.
If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of The Firstborn, go HERE
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by Jason Joyner | Jun 18, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, christian fiction
Jason says: My wife has become a big fan of Deeanne’s books. Unfortunately with moving she has only just started this book. Maybe I’ll get her thoughts posted down the road.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called “I Did It!® Productions” and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.
Since the debut of those novels, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Wedding Is All Planned…
Someone Just Needs to Tell the Bride
In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.
Joe Denton doesn’t have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride–one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.
Anna Ivey’s journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook–not a bride. When she’s handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride In The Bargain, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Jun 18, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, christian fiction
Jason says: My wife has become a big fan of Deeanne’s books. Unfortunately with moving she has only just started this book. Maybe I’ll get her thoughts posted down the road.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called “I Did It!® Productions” and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.
Since the debut of those novels, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Wedding Is All Planned…
Someone Just Needs to Tell the Bride
In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.
Joe Denton doesn’t have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride–one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.
Anna Ivey’s journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook–not a bride. When she’s handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride In The Bargain, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Jun 9, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, fiction, reviews
The latest book for the CFBA Tour is Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher.
Dennis Shore is the latest, greatest horror writer. His books have sold millions, but since his wife’s death he has been unable to write at all. Desperate to keep up with medical bills, he sends in a manuscript from an undiscovered writer, Cillian Reed, and it becomes his latest smash novel, with critical acclaim. He is already haunted by the guilt of his crime, but the true author begins harrassing Dennis. First with words, then with demonstrations, Dennis becomes caught up in his own horror story. Will he find the way out, or will he become like too many of his characters before him?
There’s been a few books I’ve read on the topic of a horror writer unable to write anymore. From the contemplative (Dave Long’s Ezekiel’s Shadow) to the humerous (Rene Gutteridge’s hilarious Boo series), it seems like a rich theme to mine. Ghostwriter aims for the straightforward suspense/horror aspect.
I had a hard time with this book on several levels. The main character Dennis Shore is not someone I wanted to root for. He stole the manuscript, so he brought things on himself to a degree. There was some mild sympathy in the loss of his beloved wife, but they didn’t tug the heart strings. The antagonist Cillian Reed and his friend Bob were similarly thin, without much to recommend them as fully developed characters.
Suspense is built up at times, but it starts slowly and builds in a disjointed fashion, as Dennis wrestles with his wife’s death. There is a point to this, but in my opinion it distracted from the flow more than it provided emotional punch.
There is a major twist that is handled very well-it surprised me and renewed my interest in the book for a while. It ended up being too little too late. The ending turns quickly and felt pretty contrived to me. Too convenient to bring around a happier ending.
If readers have an aversion to violent imagery, there is some in this book. It seems appropriate for a mild horror novel, and it is not excessive by my reckoning, but sensitive people should be aware.
Overall, I was fairly disappointed and struggled to finish the book. Ghostwriter has an intriguing premise and some moments that work, but overall there weren’t many goose bumps on my arms by the time I hit “The End”.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Ghostwriter, go HERE.
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by Jason Joyner | Jun 9, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, fiction, reviews
The latest book for the CFBA Tour is Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher.
Dennis Shore is the latest, greatest horror writer. His books have sold millions, but since his wife’s death he has been unable to write at all. Desperate to keep up with medical bills, he sends in a manuscript from an undiscovered writer, Cillian Reed, and it becomes his latest smash novel, with critical acclaim. He is already haunted by the guilt of his crime, but the true author begins harrassing Dennis. First with words, then with demonstrations, Dennis becomes caught up in his own horror story. Will he find the way out, or will he become like too many of his characters before him?
There’s been a few books I’ve read on the topic of a horror writer unable to write anymore. From the contemplative (Dave Long’s Ezekiel’s Shadow) to the humerous (Rene Gutteridge’s hilarious Boo series), it seems like a rich theme to mine. Ghostwriter aims for the straightforward suspense/horror aspect.
I had a hard time with this book on several levels. The main character Dennis Shore is not someone I wanted to root for. He stole the manuscript, so he brought things on himself to a degree. There was some mild sympathy in the loss of his beloved wife, but they didn’t tug the heart strings. The antagonist Cillian Reed and his friend Bob were similarly thin, without much to recommend them as fully developed characters.
Suspense is built up at times, but it starts slowly and builds in a disjointed fashion, as Dennis wrestles with his wife’s death. There is a point to this, but in my opinion it distracted from the flow more than it provided emotional punch.
There is a major twist that is handled very well-it surprised me and renewed my interest in the book for a while. It ended up being too little too late. The ending turns quickly and felt pretty contrived to me. Too convenient to bring around a happier ending.
If readers have an aversion to violent imagery, there is some in this book. It seems appropriate for a mild horror novel, and it is not excessive by my reckoning, but sensitive people should be aware.
Overall, I was fairly disappointed and struggled to finish the book. Ghostwriter has an intriguing premise and some moments that work, but overall there weren’t many goose bumps on my arms by the time I hit “The End”.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Ghostwriter, go HERE.
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by Jason Joyner | Apr 29, 2009 | Blog, CFBA, christian fiction, reviews
The latest book for the CFBA Tour is A Vote Of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher.
In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “mans’ world.”
Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life, For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?
But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.
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This is my wife’s type of book, so she provided her opinion. She enjoys Hatcher’s writing, and this romance novel didn’t disappoint. The characters are very believable, as they are developed well. She had a hard time getting into it at first, but after a little while it was one she couldn’t put down. She thought it was pretty straightforward for a while, but some unexpected twists delighted her, leaving her surprised at how the ending comes about. Overall it was a fun story and didn’t disappoint her expectations of one of her favorite authors.
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Vote Of Confidence, go HERE.
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unpredictable with good twists, enjoyed the characters- developed well. fun story
