by Jason Joyner | Apr 25, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews, suspense
Athol Dickson won a lot of acclaim and awards for his last book, River Rising. I didn’t read that one, so when his latest work, Winter Haven, was available for review, I didn’t want to miss out.
Winter Haven is the name of an island off the coast of Maine. Vera Gambles, a 24 year old accountant, travels there because the body of her long-lost brother, Sigmund or “Siggy”, had washed up on the north shore of the island. In the midst of the opening of old wounds, the question of how an autistic savant made it from Texas to the Atlantic is her main concern.
When she sees his body and finds he hasn’t aged from thirteen years ago, new questions arise.
What is the connection between this appearance, the strange fog over the north part of the island, the legend of a lost Puritan colony, a figure clothed in black, and Siggy’s body? Vera struggles with the strangeness of the island, her own demons, and the mysterious Captain Evan Frost in her journey to discover the secret of Winter Haven.
The characterization is probably the strength of the book. Vera is mousy and flawed – she’s not the gorgeous and confident heroine we see in so many other books, and to me, the change is welcome. She has a lot to overcome, and you’re not sure if she can rise to it. Evan Frost is very hard to pin down, and even the cranky widow has her moments of sympathy.
The book is an easy read, and it is fairly engaging. The book is written in first person, from Vera’s perspective. This allows the author to introduce a lot of suspense that she has problems figuring out, but some sections where she is wrestling with her past were confusing. I got bogged down a couple of times in these spots. The suspense is gripping at times, and overall I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t my favorite in this genre.
I recommend the book, but honestly I would wait for paperback if I were to buy it for someone.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 10, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews, suspense
I have a special place in my heart for Brandilyn Collins’ Kanner Lake Series. First of all, I started following her blog in early 2005, and heard about the conception of the series and various tales from its development throughout reading her blog. Then in 2006 I had the great opportunity of being chosen as one of the
“Scenes and Beans” bloggers. We would blog as the characters from Kanner Lake, telling humorous stories from their perspectives. I was one of the writers for Pastor Hank, which was good fun as well as a writing challenge. It is hard to keep up with one of CBA’s top suspense writers!
This being said, I am saddened in a way to be participating in the blog tour for
Amber Morn, the 4th book in the Kanner Lake series. Since I had a tiny part in helping it along, I’m bummed that the ride is almost over. The good news, for fans of suspense in general and Brandilyn in particular, is that the end of the ride is a catch yer breath, hold on to your seat, not gonna stop fer nuthin’ thrill that will keep your heart pumping until the end. Her trademark is is “Seatbelt Suspense,” as in you better fasten yours. And she’s not kidding in this one.
Amber Morn again features Kanner Lake, but instead of focusing on one person, it is an ensemble piece. The Scenes and Beans bloggers are gathering at the local coffee shop Java Joint for a special celebration. However, three desperate men have other plans, and soon a hostage crisis unfolds. The men want the truth told, and the only way Police Chief Vince Edwards can communicate with them is through the comments on the blog itself.
Brandilyn is a great teacher. She has poured herself out on her blog
Forensics and Faith, spending a lot of time helping aspiring writers with their craft. The proof is in the pudding though, and she proves herself as such a strong suspense writer through this series and in particular this book. Her last book,
Crimson Eve, was very well received, but it was a little more character driven.
Amber Morn, with its multiple viewpoints, can’t quite match that intimacy. It makes up for it with white knucle action. There were several times when I had to put the book down very reluctantly to do things like go to work. Just when you think there’s a little hope, she turns a different screw to put pressure on her characters, and when you think it can’t get worse…oh ho ho! You have to read it for yourself.
All of the books of the series (#1 was
Violet Dawn, #2
Coral Moon) were very good reads and fascinating suspense. Brandilyn Collins closes the series with a real bang in
Amber Morn. This book does rely on the past books more than any of the others, although you can still pick it up and read it alone. However, I would simply suggest buying the whole series! Just be careful that you don’t forget to b r e a t h e…
Oh, and check out the very special dedication at the front of the book. Thank you Brandilyn. You are truly a gracious and special woman, and such a gift to the world of Christian fiction.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 10, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews, suspense
I have a special place in my heart for Brandilyn Collins’ Kanner Lake Series. First of all, I started following her blog in early 2005, and heard about the conception of the series and various tales from its development throughout reading her blog. Then in 2006 I had the great opportunity of being chosen as one of the
“Scenes and Beans” bloggers. We would blog as the characters from Kanner Lake, telling humorous stories from their perspectives. I was one of the writers for Pastor Hank, which was good fun as well as a writing challenge. It is hard to keep up with one of CBA’s top suspense writers!
This being said, I am saddened in a way to be participating in the blog tour for
Amber Morn, the 4th book in the Kanner Lake series. Since I had a tiny part in helping it along, I’m bummed that the ride is almost over. The good news, for fans of suspense in general and Brandilyn in particular, is that the end of the ride is a catch yer breath, hold on to your seat, not gonna stop fer nuthin’ thrill that will keep your heart pumping until the end. Her trademark is is “Seatbelt Suspense,” as in you better fasten yours. And she’s not kidding in this one.
Amber Morn again features Kanner Lake, but instead of focusing on one person, it is an ensemble piece. The Scenes and Beans bloggers are gathering at the local coffee shop Java Joint for a special celebration. However, three desperate men have other plans, and soon a hostage crisis unfolds. The men want the truth told, and the only way Police Chief Vince Edwards can communicate with them is through the comments on the blog itself.
Brandilyn is a great teacher. She has poured herself out on her blog
Forensics and Faith, spending a lot of time helping aspiring writers with their craft. The proof is in the pudding though, and she proves herself as such a strong suspense writer through this series and in particular this book. Her last book,
Crimson Eve, was very well received, but it was a little more character driven.
Amber Morn, with its multiple viewpoints, can’t quite match that intimacy. It makes up for it with white knucle action. There were several times when I had to put the book down very reluctantly to do things like go to work. Just when you think there’s a little hope, she turns a different screw to put pressure on her characters, and when you think it can’t get worse…oh ho ho! You have to read it for yourself.
All of the books of the series (#1 was
Violet Dawn, #2
Coral Moon) were very good reads and fascinating suspense. Brandilyn Collins closes the series with a real bang in
Amber Morn. This book does rely on the past books more than any of the others, although you can still pick it up and read it alone. However, I would simply suggest buying the whole series! Just be careful that you don’t forget to b r e a t h e…
Oh, and check out the very special dedication at the front of the book. Thank you Brandilyn. You are truly a gracious and special woman, and such a gift to the world of Christian fiction.
by Jason Joyner | Mar 27, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
Shifting gears, here’s what my wife thought about the latest book for the CFBA – For Pete’s Sake.
“I really liked this book. The setting was described so well, I felt I was there. I wish I could meet the characters, I felt I knew them so well. The author was so natural in describing each one. Overall a great book, quick read, and I highly recommend it.”
The synopsis:
ABOUT THE BOOK
For Pete’s Sake is a remarkable story about the unlikely live between a grown-up tomboy and the millionaire next door.
Ellen Brittingham isn’t sure true live exists until she contracts to do the landscaping of the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface, He’s engaged to a beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he’ll soon have a mom for his troubled son Pete.
Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin façade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have his own sites set on Ellen – as his new mom.
As Ellen’s friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is about to marry the wrong woman for the right reasons. And despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only” with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into her heart, drawing Ellen and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete’s sake!
But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he’s engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn’t. When Ellen’s three best friends see she’s been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian’s love.
But Ellen must ask herself whether she’s ready to risk the heart that she’s always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God’s plan and her one true chance at love?
by Jason Joyner | Mar 27, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
Shifting gears, here’s what my wife thought about the latest book for the CFBA – For Pete’s Sake.
“I really liked this book. The setting was described so well, I felt I was there. I wish I could meet the characters, I felt I knew them so well. The author was so natural in describing each one. Overall a great book, quick read, and I highly recommend it.”
The synopsis:
ABOUT THE BOOK
For Pete’s Sake is a remarkable story about the unlikely live between a grown-up tomboy and the millionaire next door.
Ellen Brittingham isn’t sure true live exists until she contracts to do the landscaping of the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface, He’s engaged to a beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he’ll soon have a mom for his troubled son Pete.
Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin façade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have his own sites set on Ellen – as his new mom.
As Ellen’s friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is about to marry the wrong woman for the right reasons. And despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only” with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into her heart, drawing Ellen and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete’s sake!
But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he’s engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn’t. When Ellen’s three best friends see she’s been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian’s love.
But Ellen must ask herself whether she’s ready to risk the heart that she’s always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God’s plan and her one true chance at love?
by Jason Joyner | Mar 13, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
The CFBA blog tour for Monday – Wednesday this week is the latest book from Robin Lee Hatcher, A Perfect Life. Robin is a highly prolific and talented author. When I asked my wife if she would like to read one of her books for the tour, I got the most enthusiastic response from any time I’ve asked her.
So without further ado, a special review from my wife, Beccy:
Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to get to read this book (in one day!) For a start, I loved this book because it was set in Idaho – a place I’m familiar with. It talked about a good Christian woman who had ministered to so many ladies with broken marriages and lives, and she was now thrust into the same type of situation.
This book is about heart issues. When faced with the same things she had said to others, she didn’t believe what her own advice had been. She had to come to the bottom of despair to realize that God was there for her, as well as the other women she had counseled. It made her a stronger, wiser woman.
The characterization was great. The reader knows the characters from the inside out. The realism in these people kept me interested enough to finish in one day. I don’t know what more to say, because it was a well written, enjoyable story.
