by Jason Joyner | Jul 29, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, Robin Parrish
Jason sez: Stay tuned for a feature of the book in August, with the Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy blog tour. Just finished the book, and am digesting what to write!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Parrish had two great ambitions in his life: to have a family, and to be a published novelist. In March of 2005, he proposed to his future wife the same week he signed his first book contract with Bethany House Publishers. They contracted him for the rights to not only that first book, Relentless — but two sequels including Fearless and Merciless. A trilogy that unfolded in the consecutive summers of 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Robin Parrish is a journalist who’s written about pop culture for more than a decade. Currently he serves as Senior Editor at XZOOSIA.com, a community portal that fuses social networking with magazine-style features about entertainment and culture. He and his wife, Karen and son live in North Carolina.
ABOUT THE BOOK
“Every Person on This Planet Has Disappeared.”
Commander Christopher Burke and his crew are humanity’s greatest explorers. They’ve finished their mission on the red dirt of Mars and now they just want to get back to Earth. To see friends, family, and loved ones. To be home. But even with communication to ground control cut and a perilous landing, nothing could prepare the crew for what they discover when they step foot back on planet Earth.
Everyone…everywhere…is gone.
It’s not a dream. It’s not a trick. Now Burke and his team have one mission:find out who or what is behind the disappearance of all mankind.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Offworld, go HERE
—
by Jason Joyner | Jul 18, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Through The Fire Bethany House (July 1, 2009) by Shawn Grady.
Jason sez: I got this one too late to review for the tour, as the publisher had some trouble shipping to the tour. I am looking forward to a new author and will read and review soon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.
Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.
Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.
Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Firefighting burns in Aidan O’Neill’s blood. The son of a fireman, O’Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O’Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.
Called back to Reno, he’s now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Through The Fire, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Jul 18, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Through The Fire Bethany House (July 1, 2009) by Shawn Grady.
Jason sez: I got this one too late to review for the tour, as the publisher had some trouble shipping to the tour. I am looking forward to a new author and will read and review soon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.
Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.
Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.
Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Firefighting burns in Aidan O’Neill’s blood. The son of a fireman, O’Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O’Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.
Called back to Reno, he’s now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Through The Fire, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Jul 17, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, pirates
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Pirate Hunter, Bethany House (July 1, 2009) by Tom Morrisey.
Jason sez: I got this book too late to have finished in time to review for the tour. I will review it shortly, and so far I am greatly enjoying the first 6 chapters or so. Morrisey has a great back and forth tale going so far!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society – Cave Diving Section.
He has launched, edited or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of six novels, including Wind River and In High Places. In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK
High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold
West Indies, 18th century Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom….
Key West, 21st century Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he’s as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold…
The Hunt Is On!
Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men’s quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Jul 17, 2009 | Blog, books, CFBA, pirates
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Pirate Hunter, Bethany House (July 1, 2009) by Tom Morrisey.
Jason sez: I got this book too late to have finished in time to review for the tour. I will review it shortly, and so far I am greatly enjoying the first 6 chapters or so. Morrisey has a great back and forth tale going so far!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society – Cave Diving Section.
He has launched, edited or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of six novels, including Wind River and In High Places. In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK
High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold
West Indies, 18th century Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom….
Key West, 21st century Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he’s as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold…
The Hunt Is On!
Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men’s quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE
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.
–
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
—
