by Jason Joyner | Dec 31, 2007 | Blog, books, fantasy, favorites, fiction, reading
Ah, the time of year where we are all allowed to climb up on our individual pedestals and pontificate on our favorite movies/books/albums/etc. for the year.
OK, so I’m a little cynical about this. But – not cynical enough to avoid participating in such an event. Heh.
Without further ado, I give you my favorite books for 2007:
5. Wedgewood Grey by John Aubrey Anderson. Book 2 of the Black or White Chronicles continues an amazing tale of spiritual warfare from Mississippi. He continues a great beginning with a strong second effort.
4. Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead. Another second in a series. I enjoyed the start of the King Raven trilogy with Hood, but the voice for Scarlet was just perfect. No one does historical fiction quite like Lawhead.
3. Fearless by Robin Parrish. Hmm. As I write this post, I see I had a weakness for sequels this year. Anyway, I gushed plenty about the amazing suspense in Fearless. I’m still waiting for a copy of the next book to proofread for Mr. Parrish, so I don’t have to wait until July ’08. Still waiting… (Oh, and this book inspired this essay by me – shameless self-promotion)
2. Try Dying by James Scott Bell. Ha! It isn’t a sequel. Mr. Bell is a prolific writer, but I had only read a How-to book on fiction by him. Well, this taut legal thriller caught my interest in both his writing and the legal thriller genre in general. I definitely will check out more of his work.
1. Abiding Darkness by John Aubrey Anderson. I read this book early in 2007, and it stayed my favorite book throughout the whole year. This was a book that had me crying at one point, and a couple chapters later I was laughing out loud. The description, the characterization, the setting, and the plot all caught me in a strong way. It was an amazing first book for Mr. Anderson, and it started the Black or White Chronicles off on very firm footing. If you haven’t read it yet, you are certainly missing out. Just a note: I received an email from the author recently asking for prayer, as his latest book is being considered by a publisher. I hope it is the fourth book of B or W, as it was intended as a 6 book arc.
A few honorable mentions:
Snitch by Rene Gutteridge – still the best comedic writer I’ve come across. Fun characters with whimsy and a catchy read.
The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock – a bold start for the very enjoyable Legend of the Guardian King fantasy series. This Christy award winner is a must read for fantasy fans.
In High Places by Tom Morrisey – a touching book from a man who knows his adventure.
To Dance in the Desert by Kathleen Popa – a literary women’s fiction book that drew in this action and mayhem man. Great first book!
—
Anyone else have a great read this year they’d like to mention? I’m always up for hearing about books (affording to buy them is a different story…)
Oh, and Happy New Year everyone!
by Jason Joyner | Dec 3, 2007 | Blog, fiction, reading
I’m taking a little break from reviewing books for blog tours. The biggest thing was that the books for December and January weren’t ones I was interested in reading or reviewing. However, I have been in a mode of continually having reading obligations. I enjoy the reading of a variety of things, and it is great to participate and get books. I found that I wasn’t able to read other books that may interest me due to my commitments.
I’ll keep highlighting books for the CFBA and CSFF tours here through those months, so I can add to the internet buzz. I’ll continue to post relating fiction. I just want to branch my reading out a little bit.
There’s several books I already know I want to read. I have Gilead, always touted as a must read. I would like to start Rene Gutteridge’s Boo series. I have an adventure by Tom Morrisey. I need to get into Fugitives of Chaos by John C. Wright. To borrow a quote from a friend, “my to-be-read pile threatens low-flying aircraft.”
I’m also looking to read some other books outside of areas I’m not usually reading. Can you believe I’ve never read Dean Koontz? I’d like to check out one of his. Anyone have any recommendations regarding him? I’d prefer more on the suspense side than horror. I’ve had one person recommend Odd Thomas. Any other suggestions for Koontz? How about general fiction overall? I’m actually trying to stay away from CBA books for a month, to see what else is going on in publishing.
What say you people? Can you help me out?
by Jason Joyner | Dec 3, 2007 | Blog, fiction, reading
I’m taking a little break from reviewing books for blog tours. The biggest thing was that the books for December and January weren’t ones I was interested in reading or reviewing. However, I have been in a mode of continually having reading obligations. I enjoy the reading of a variety of things, and it is great to participate and get books. I found that I wasn’t able to read other books that may interest me due to my commitments.
I’ll keep highlighting books for the CFBA and CSFF tours here through those months, so I can add to the internet buzz. I’ll continue to post relating fiction. I just want to branch my reading out a little bit.
There’s several books I already know I want to read. I have Gilead, always touted as a must read. I would like to start Rene Gutteridge’s Boo series. I have an adventure by Tom Morrisey. I need to get into Fugitives of Chaos by John C. Wright. To borrow a quote from a friend, “my to-be-read pile threatens low-flying aircraft.”
I’m also looking to read some other books outside of areas I’m not usually reading. Can you believe I’ve never read Dean Koontz? I’d like to check out one of his. Anyone have any recommendations regarding him? I’d prefer more on the suspense side than horror. I’ve had one person recommend Odd Thomas. Any other suggestions for Koontz? How about general fiction overall? I’m actually trying to stay away from CBA books for a month, to see what else is going on in publishing.
What say you people? Can you help me out?
by Jason Joyner | Nov 30, 2007 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, CFBA, fiction, reading, reviews, speculative fiction
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Auralia’s Colors (WaterBrook Press September 4, 2007) by Jeffrey Overstreet.I am almost done with this book. I will have more to say about it for a later blog tour since I’m not quite to the end yet. What I do want to point out is that this book is the most unique piece of fiction that I have read in my 1 1/2 years of actively reading/reviewing novels.
The description of this book before I received it was that it was a beautifully done literary work, with language that paints a vibrant a picture as Auralia’s Colors do in the story. Jeffrey takes time painting with words a very vivid description, full of metaphor and using the power of language in a formidable, haunting tale. In the recent Novel Journey interview with Dean Koontz, the famous author described the importance of using rich figures of speech in such a way – I would suggest that this book is what he had in mind when he talked about it.
The book takes a little more effort to read – it is suspenseful, but not in a way that zings the reader along. It takes a little more effort to mine the riches here. Sometimes the book suffers in the way it changes point of view characters in chapters – I got a little lost at times with the overall “where is this going?” Still, I am highly enjoying this story, and am looking forward to completing this particular thread.ABOUT THE BOOK:
As a baby, she was found in a footprint.
As a girl, she was raised by thieves in a wilderness where savages lurk.
As a young woman, she will risk her life to save the world with the only secret she knows.
When thieves find an abandoned child lying in a monster’s footprint, they have no idea that their wilderness discovery will change the course of history.
Cloaked in mystery, Auralia grows up among criminals outside the walls of House Abascar, where vicious beastmen lurk in shadow. There, she discovers an unsettling–and forbidden–talent for crafting colors that enchant all who behold them, including Abascar’s hard-hearted king, an exiled wizard, and a prince who keeps dangerous secrets.
Auralia’s gift opens doors from the palace to the dungeons, setting the stage for violent and miraculous change in the great houses of the Expanse.
Auralia’s Colors weaves literary fantasy together with poetic prose, a suspenseful plot, adrenaline-rush action, and unpredictable characters sure to enthrall ambitious imaginations.
Visit the Website especially created for the book, Auralia’s Colors. On the site, you can read the first chapter and listen to Jeffrey’s introduction of the book, plus a lot more!
by Jason Joyner | Nov 30, 2007 | Auralia's Colors, Blog, CFBA, fiction, reading, reviews, speculative fiction
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Auralia’s Colors (WaterBrook Press September 4, 2007) by Jeffrey Overstreet.I am almost done with this book. I will have more to say about it for a later blog tour since I’m not quite to the end yet. What I do want to point out is that this book is the most unique piece of fiction that I have read in my 1 1/2 years of actively reading/reviewing novels.
The description of this book before I received it was that it was a beautifully done literary work, with language that paints a vibrant a picture as Auralia’s Colors do in the story. Jeffrey takes time painting with words a very vivid description, full of metaphor and using the power of language in a formidable, haunting tale. In the recent Novel Journey interview with Dean Koontz, the famous author described the importance of using rich figures of speech in such a way – I would suggest that this book is what he had in mind when he talked about it.
The book takes a little more effort to read – it is suspenseful, but not in a way that zings the reader along. It takes a little more effort to mine the riches here. Sometimes the book suffers in the way it changes point of view characters in chapters – I got a little lost at times with the overall “where is this going?” Still, I am highly enjoying this story, and am looking forward to completing this particular thread.ABOUT THE BOOK:
As a baby, she was found in a footprint.
As a girl, she was raised by thieves in a wilderness where savages lurk.
As a young woman, she will risk her life to save the world with the only secret she knows.
When thieves find an abandoned child lying in a monster’s footprint, they have no idea that their wilderness discovery will change the course of history.
Cloaked in mystery, Auralia grows up among criminals outside the walls of House Abascar, where vicious beastmen lurk in shadow. There, she discovers an unsettling–and forbidden–talent for crafting colors that enchant all who behold them, including Abascar’s hard-hearted king, an exiled wizard, and a prince who keeps dangerous secrets.
Auralia’s gift opens doors from the palace to the dungeons, setting the stage for violent and miraculous change in the great houses of the Expanse.
Auralia’s Colors weaves literary fantasy together with poetic prose, a suspenseful plot, adrenaline-rush action, and unpredictable characters sure to enthrall ambitious imaginations.
Visit the Website especially created for the book, Auralia’s Colors. On the site, you can read the first chapter and listen to Jeffrey’s introduction of the book, plus a lot more!
by Jason Joyner | Oct 17, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reading, reviews
This week the CFBA Tour is highlighting the latest release from Brandilyn Collins, book 3 in the Kanner Lake series entitled Crimson Eve.
The book again focuses on one of the characters that hang out at the Java Joint in fictional Kanner Lake, Idaho. Through the fictional, yet real Scenes and Beans blog, we’ve come to know the crowd at Java Joint. However, we may not know very much about all of the posters. This time, realator Carla Radling is showing off a high-end house on the lake shore when the prospective buyer levels a gun at her. A mystery from her past has come back to haunt her, and powerful people want her dead.
Crimson Eve is part of a series, yet it is easy to read it on its own without having read the prior books, Violet Dawn and Coral Moon. Brandilyn is known for Seatbelt Suspense™, and this book does not disappoint. She is a master at taking plot twists and spinning the reader around until they have no idea what to expect. Crimson Eve starts in the first chapter by grabbing a hold, and the book doesn’t let up until the final chapter – really! There are surprises through to the very end.
Brandilyn continues with her strength of characterization as well. Her characters have believable motivations, and you find yourself torn even on behalf of the bad guy. The audience will be invested not only in what happens in the roller-coster plot, but in caring about what happens to the citizens of Kanner Lake.
There are a couple of plot twists that are a litte unbelievable, but the enjoyment of the read keeps you engaged throughout the book. I recommend this book heartily to fans of well-written books, but especially to those looking for some great suspense.
“Collins tops herself by creating a suspenseful nonstop thrill ride … Truly the best Christian Fiction suspense title so far this year.” – Library Journal, starred review
Also, Brandilyn has a special offer that you can’t beat. Check this out!
Do you know someone who’s never read a Brandilyn Collins novel? Surely no such person exists. However, should you scrounge up such a friend—someone who enjoys suspense—here’s a special offer from Brandilyn. Be among the first 50 people between now and October 21, 2007 to e-mail her assistant at gayle.brandilyncollins@gmail.com with the person’s name, e-mail address and street address. (Due to exorbitant overseas mailing costs, United States residents only, please).
A signed copy of Crimson Eve will be sent to your friend—free—along with an e-mail from Brandilyn announcing the book is on its way, courtesy of you. (Don’t worry. Brandilyn won’t spam these email addresses. She just wants your friend to know who to thank.) No worries that this story is third in the Kanner Lake series. Each book stands alone. Brandilyn is convinced your friend will so love Crimson Eve, he/she will surely reciprocate with expensive chocolate.
