Fiction Addict

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction

Publisher: Realms

Publication Dates: January 2011

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

When Brian Sinclair was lost at sea, everyone believed he was dead. Little did they know that he was being nursed back to health by a beautiful woman with a scarred face and a painful past.  Unfortunately, this is something that even Captain Sinclair doesn’t realize.  A case of amnesia mixed with blindness that everyone hopes is temporary.

Nurse Lorenna Fields knows that she’s not pretty. She knows that she isn’t marriage material. The horseshoe shaped birthmark that covers the side of her face has assured that. People don’t often see past the birthmark. If they did, they’d see a capable strong woman who is stunningly beautiful through and through. Yet as she cares for her patient, she feels herself drawn to him, not even knowing whether he is a Christian or not.

As Brian Sinclair begins to remember his previous life, he knows that he’s not a good man. He also knows that his accident wasn’t something that happened by chance. The accident at sea that took the life of his mother and his fiancée was something that was crafted by someone. His life and the lives of his family might still be in danger.

Having read several of Andrea Boeshaar’s previous books, I felt that I had a pretty good grasp of what to expect. I was wrong. The characters, the dialogue and the plot twists were all so much better than I’d imagined.  I loved Lorenna Fields needing to explore her own insecurities before she could move forward in her romance with Brian. I enjoyed the experience of Brian, a former scoundrel, leave his past behind and work through his new faith. The writing was easy to read but at the same time, the subject matter challenged. Who doesn’t understand the feeling of not being worthy of the life they’ve been given or the blessings they’re receiving? And all of us know what it’s like to stumble at some point in our faith and perhaps have our past confront us in an unpleasant way.

With each successive book in this series, Boeshaar’s writing seems to strengthen, building to what I’m sure will be a fantastic climax to the series in the next book. I’m excited to see how she draws out the series finale.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Achan Cham has been held captive his entire life, but his heart has always longed to be free. Day after day his master heaps abuse on him, maiming his pride, but never quenching his spirit. When an aged Kingsguard Knight offers to take him as his squire, Achan begins to believe that things are indeed turning around. As Achan takes up the sword to train he also discovers he has the unique gift known as bloodvoicing that allows him to communicate with his mind. Achan’s life is indeed changing, but nothing can prepare him for the journey ahead.

Vrell Sparrow is on the run and has disguised herself as a boy to escape an arranged marriage to an evil tyrant. A strong follower of Arman, the Creator, Vrell longs to serve Him at all cost, even if it means giving up her life of privilege. Vrell also has the ability to bloodvoice and recently she has heard the thoughts of Achan as he tries to master his newfound ability. Even though she doesn’t know him, she can tell he is far more powerful than he realizes. As Vrell sets out on her own journey she begins to sense that Arman has great plans for Achan, and she may be the only one who can help him become who he was born to be.

As a kid I cut my teeth on epic fantasy. Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, even a dash of Piers Anthony here and there. I love sweeping adventure, with complex plots, deep characters, and grand battles of good VS evil. I had high hopes for this series going into book one, but I never expected to enjoy it as much as my childhood favs. Jill Williamson has just pulled the rug out from under me with this highly impressive debut.

Solid characters are the backbone for any great story, and Achan and Vrell more than fit the bill. Williamson effortlessly alternates between their story lines throughout the book giving us a balanced approach that never lags or wanders too far off the map.

The pacing of this story is a wonder to behold. Williamson manages to balance the action, humor, suspense, and emotion in such a way that the reader forgets about the massive page count. Indeed, anyone reading this book on an e-reader will be shocked to know that the hard copy is 500 plus pages.

What I love most about this story is how the spiritual message shines through without seeming forced or manufactured. You will find no squeaky clean characters or glossed over violence in this book. However, the portrayal of darkness only makes the light shine brighter, and Jill Williamson does this with a style and grace that is wondrous.

By Darkness Hid does everything the first book in a series should, giving us heroes to love, villains to loathe, and the promise of great story to come. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Review copy provided by author.

Don’t miss our review of To Darkness Fled and our podcast interview with Jill Williamson.

After devouring the first two books of Jill Williamson’s epic Blood of Kings trilogy, Jake Chism had to get the author on the line to talk about the series so far and what’s to come.

SPOILER WARNING! Major plot details from By Darkness Hid and To Darkness Fled are discussed in this interview.

More about Jill:

Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. She grew up in Alaska with no electricity, an outhouse, and a lot of mosquitoes. Thankfully it was the land of the midnight sun, and she could stay up and read by the summer daylight that wouldn’t go away. But in the winter, there was nothing better to do than daydream. Both hobbies set her up to be a writer. Her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won an EPIC Award, a Christy Award, A Carol Award nomination, and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novels of 2009 byVOYA magazine. Jill has served alongside her youth pastor husband for the past twelve years and loves working with teenagers, especially to encourage young writers. She gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, and churches. Learn more on Jill’s website :www.jillwilliamson.com.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page.

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Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Realms

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Sarah McCabe is ready for a different life than what she’s had. With older brothers who love and adore her, but stifle her just a little and a small town that doesn’t give her room to stretch and grow, she’s ready for adventure. So she takes a job in a big city being a governess for the children of Captain Brian Sinclair.

Captain Sinclair is everything that Sarah’s never experienced before. Handsome to a fault, wealthy, dashing and an adventurer to the core, Captain Sinclair has had little to no time for his children since the death of his young wife. His hope is that Sarah will become not only a governess for his children, but part of his family as well. This is an odd wish considering the state of Captain Sinclair’s family. His mother, striving to be young and beautiful, refuses to be called grandmother and only takes the children once a week. There’s little love and affection in her time with the children and they well know it. Captain Sinclair, a man who reminds me of Captain Von Trapp from The Sound of Music, has little knowledge of his children and what they need, though he does hope the best for them.  All of these things add up to a strange situation that has chased an alarming number of governesses not only away from the Sinclair home, but completely out of town as well. (At one point, she’s offered credit at a prominent store and when it’s discovered that she’s a governess for Captain Sinclair, it’s immediately revoked because there’s no way of knowing if she’ll even be in town next week!)

Sarah is overwhelmed with life in a big town. Saloons populate many more corners than what she’s used to and a home with a housekeeping staff, cook and even indentured servants running around makes her feel out of place and unsure of her position. Yet she promises to do what she can with the children. When they begin to flourish under her tutelage, everyone realizes how special she truly is, including Captain Sinclair’s indentured servant, Richard Navis, who has befriended Sarah. Richard helps Sarah through her transition into big city life and becomes a close friend. But is there a chance he could be more than that? And what about the affections that Sarah feels coming from the Captain? Can Sarah handle all of this or will she have to give in and call to her very protective brothers for help?

Boeshaar’s second outing in the Seasons of Redemption series manages to outdo the initial outing by a long shot. Though I enjoyed reading the first story of Valerie Fontaine and her adventures with the McCabe family, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Full of adventure, romance and the very real question of how one knows who they really love, this book was a delightful journey. In fact, I’ve already purchased a couple of copies of the book for friends of mine as gifts. I loved the voice that Boeshaar gave Sarah and the quandaries in which she found herself. Though it’s historical fiction, the situations can be very easily compared to a dating situation today.

The voice, the plot, the characters and the consequences to Sarah’s choices were all well written and played out with fantastic pacing in this book. If you’re looking for a good romance with Biblical values, Boeshaar has hit a home run with this one. I must admit though, the ending and the tease into the next release has left me chomping at the bit for more.  Thankfully, my advanced copy of Unexpected Love, the next book in the series, arrived this weekend!

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Release Date: November 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

You don’t even have to have ever read a book to know the name Stephen King. Probably more so than anyone in the past generation, King has managed to make his name almost ubiquitous in American society. Because of this, King’s latest offering—Full Dark, No Stars—immediately launched onto the bestseller’s lists. Frankly, King could write a terrible book and get away with it, because he’s earned the respect from previous work that people associate the name Stephen King with great storytelling. Of course, writing a terrible book just does not seem to be King’s style. While there might be some who will have issues with the themes and content of Full Dark, No Stars, they certainly can’t bash it for poor writing. King sucks the reader in from the very beginning and takes them on an extremely dark journey through the blackness of the human soul.

Rather than telling one novel, King uses the long story form to tell four tales of a common theme. The first—and best, in my opinion—is 1922. Set in Nebraska in the years preceding the Depression, 1922 tells the story of a man and his son who must face the awful effects of murdering their wife and mother. Wilfred James and his fourteen year old son Henry didn’t want to murder Arlette, but when she insisted they up and move to the city something had to be done. While Wilfred and Henry are never arrested for their crime, the murder’s affect on the two is extraordinary. A gut-wrenching tale of how one sin can spoil all, told in the form of a first-person letter of confession, 1922 evokes images of Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart while capturing the reader with its vividness.

Big Driver is a drastic change in setting, telling the story of Tess, a female author who is raped and left for dead after being stranded on the side of the road after a book signing. Instead of going to the police, Tess takes matters into her own hands to seek her own revenge. Violent and graphic, this is probably the most overall disturbing of the four stories. King’s point seems to be that evil can invoke evil. Drawing the reader in, King makes us cheer that Tess is seeking revenge and then shatters us with an electrifying plot twist. Even while seeing the evil—or as King calls it “the stranger”—inside Tess we also see how it creeps up in us.

The third story is the shortest and shows off King’s wry humor. In Fair Extension, George, a man with terminal cancer is sold a 15 year extension on life by a shady street vendor named Elvid (you figure it out). The cost is a percentage of George’s annual income, but as a bonus he gets to watch the life of someone he secretly hates—in this case his best friend—be destroyed. Lives flip in an instant as George prospers while his friend’s life, family, and business fall apart. But this doesn’t bother George. After all, he concludes at story’s end: “Life is fair.” Here, the stranger is seen in what seems to be a normal guy whose conscience is not in the least bothered by the knowledge that he is secretly responsible for his friend’s demise.

Full Dark, No Stars concludes with a story called A Good Marriage. Darcy has had a better marriage then most, but that all changes when she discovers a perverted magazine hid by her husband. But that turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg. Her poster boy husband just might be the serial killer who calls himself Beadie. A chilling look into one woman’s discovery that her husband isn’t who she thought he was, A Good Marriage is a fitting conclusion to King’s quartet of stories, for in discovering the stranger inside her husband, she might find that some of it lurks in her as well.

In conclusion, the title really says it all: Full Dark, No Stars. No light. No hope. No redemption. Darkness and darkness alone defines King’s stories. Human depravity plays out on a grand scale and even those trying to right wrongs find themselves ensnared by the Stranger they’re trying to defeat. Such is the human dilemma. King’s content and language are often harsh, which only underscores his theme. For most of the book, my constant thought was “where is the Hope?” After reading King’s afterword, I think I understand the point a bit better. The Hope isn’t in the novel; the Hope lies in us—in the reader’s realization of evil and subsequent shunning of it. Unrequited in the novel, our sense of Hope has to be satiated with how we view life. Taking it beyond the pages, King’s story is intense, gripping, and will leave you thinking about your view of evil long after you turn the last page. It’s not a book for everyone—King takes his reader places many do not want to travel—but for those who don’t mind an uncensored look into the darkness, by all means, Full Dark, No Stars is the thought-provoking and emotions-engaging place to find it. My conclusion? Full dark, five stars.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: April 2010

Tim George’s Review:

In a Star Curiously Singing, author Kerry Nietz introduced us to the world of Sandfly, the debugger. Sandfly lives to obey the will of his masters and fix machines that have malfunctioned. He, like all debuggers, also has been controlled by an implant in his brain that erases free will and ensures his obedience. All that changed when Sandfly was summoned to a space station and introduced to a secret ship by the name of Dark Trench. Something else was out there in the stars, a different voice on the stream of information that flows directly into debuggers’ consciousness. Sandfly’s ordered world of Muslim fundamentalism had been challenged by the possibility there is one greater than the god of his forced obedience.

Now, in The Superlative Stream, Nietz carries his readers on an adventure with Sandfly and his female companion, Hardcandy that is both dazzling and introspective. What they discover when they reach their destination challenges everything they have ever believed and known. The only way to describe the race of beings they discover is to tell you to read the book. With Dark Trench disabled, Sandfly and Hardcandy find themselves on a world of seeming blissful perfection. On this planet the beings all seem to work in perfect harmony with no laws or implants to force them to do anything. But like many things in life, Sandfly comes to wonder if there might some hidden agenda in the beings’ interest in earth. What follows is beyond description.

Once again, written in first person, one is drawn into the story until it seems no more science fiction than the changing world around us. The Superlative Stream expands this method by offering the first person experiences of Hardcandy. The twist is she wanted to become a drone of the Abduls. Seeking to escape a miserable future and ensure her place in Paradise she willing became what she is. Now Sandfly, free of his controlling masters must find a way to free his friend as well.

This is a story about discovery and redemption providing a valuable gateway into deeper issues of faith and redemption. Sandfly calls the people back on earth without implants freeheads. The irony, of course, is all are controlled in more subtle ways than some object implanted in their brain. They are still slaves of their own fallen hearts and the stifling nature of works oriented religion. There can be no doubt another chapter of this story is ahead because Sandfly and Hardcandy have heard the voice of A-A3 on the Superlative Stream and the people of earth need to know what it seems all have long forgotten.

Kerry Nietz writes in a way that makes me wonder what the masters of the genre like Asimov and Heinlein might have written had they known A-A3 (you’ll have to read the story to understand that). And The Superlative Stream also leads me to speculate what C.S. Lewis might have done differently with his Space Trilogy had he better understood the genre. All that is to say this is a masterful piece of fiction because it does what the genre should do; it paints a big picture and asks big questions through a medium that is neither boring nor hard to grasp.

Jake Chism’s Review:

Sandfly’s world has been turned upside down. Life was simpler back when he just performed his duties as a programmer and obeyed the rules that were forced upon him. Back then he didn’t question ideas of religion and freedom. The implanted “stops” from his masters ensured such thinking wasn’t a possibility. However, everything changed when Sandfly encountered a malfunctioning bot that opened his eyes and pointed him toward true freedom. Now Sandfly and his dear friend HardCandy are on an intergalactic mission to find the source of the superlative stream that beckons them towards hope and truth.

Ever since I closed the pages of A Star Curiously Singing, I’ve longed to return to Sandfly’s fascinating tale. Kerry Nietz continues to pour talent onto the page through the engaging first person narrative of Sandfly. There is so much going on inside this character: the search for truth, a budding romance, overwhelming feelings of doubt. Once again I’m pleasantly surprised to find such depth and emotion within the pages of a hardcore sci-fi novel.

Again we are introduced to a splendid supporting cast. HardCandy shares the majority of the spotlight this time around and some of my favorite scenes were flashbacks of how she became a debugger. Nietz effortlessly switches to the female first person narrative in these scenes, so much so that I began to love this character as much as Sandfly. Throw into the mix a sidekick space cruiser and a mysterious alien trio with questionable motives, and we have the makings of some great storytelling.

As the story draws to a close Nietz gives us the right amount of suspense to keep the pages flying. Amidst the tension and chaos we are left with a powerful message of sacrifice and a hint of more to come. I’m head over heels for these characters and their encounter with the One who stoops. This is science fiction like I’ve never experienced and Nietz proves again what a great talent he is.

Review copies provided by author.

Genre: Adventure, Mystery

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Jack is five. When he went to bed yesterday, he was four and then a magical switch flipped and made him five before he woke up. Jack thinks that’s cool and he’s very excited about it. He even gets to make some big boy decisions now because he’s five. He has no idea that he’s going to face one of the biggest and most scary things in the world this year. You see this is the year that Jack will be leaving Room.

Room is where Jack has lived his whole entire life and he’s never once left it. He’s quite comfortable with Bed, Table, Chair and with Ma. He sleeps in Wardrobe and he loves Blanket. Jack’s happy where he is. To Jack, everything outside of Room is Outer Space and it’s not real. There are no other people in the world. There’s no other place. Everything on TV is imaginary. There’s nothing Real but Jack, Ma, Room and Old Nick. Old Nick is the man who built Room for Ma and Jack. He’s the one that visits them almost every night and he’s the one that brings them toys and food and clothes and stuff.

One night when Jack makes the mistake of scaring Old Nick with one of his toys, Old Nick leaves big purple marks that look like hand prints all over Ma. That’s when everything changes and Ma decides it’s time to try to get out of Room. She hasn’t tried since before Jack was born, but now Jack’s big enough to help.

Room is an amazing journey through a life that’s anything but ordinary. The exceptional narrative of a five year old and his journey through the only life he knows captures your imagination immediately. Donoghue has created a masterpiece of a five year old’s understanding that is stunning at its core. With brilliant description, spot on voice of a five year old and plot twists that will have you laughing, crying and cringing, Donoghue is an artisan of the written word. She skillfully weaves us not only through a five year old’s mind, but as an outside reader who understands Jack’s situation, she is able to relay Ma’s horror and fear, and give us our own moments of terror as we live Jack’s story.

When the plot turns in a new direction, we can’t help but ride along with Jack, our hearts in our throats, as this new chapter of his life begins. Donoghue has so fully immersed the reader in Jack’s tale that at times we may want to scream at the callousness of people who don’t understand and we may cringe at normal every day things that we’d never imagined could be frightening or scary.

Incredible. Amazing. Emotional. Powerful. Before I picked this book up from my stack, I knew what it was about. I looked at it with some trepidation. Since becoming a mother, my world has changed tremendously. Movies that would have frightened me earlier in my life are now too terrifying to even consider. You see, I empathize entirely too much with parental characters in stories where bad things happen to children. So when I pulled this book out (on the day that my six year old was having surgery even!) I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to read it. But Donoghue has created not only a suspenseful tale of a little boy’s survival in extreme circumstances, she managed (much like Jack’s Ma) to give us joy, happiness and innocence in the midst of terrible horror. Though we know how difficult Jack’s life is, he doesn’t. He knows what he knows and his mother, in doing whatever it takes to keep him safe, has given him a beautiful childhood with play and adventure.

If you haven’t read Donoghue’s brilliant story, get a copy today. I guarantee that it will change the way you look at life around you and at your children. It’s well worth the price of admission and is, without a doubt, one of the best pieces of fiction to be released in 2010.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Military Suspense/Thriller

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Publication Date:  January 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Colton “Cowboy” Neely is broken. Years of faithful service to the military have shattered his mind. He can’t differentiate reality from the vivid flashbacks. When an episode ends with Colton pointing a gun at his own daughter, he knows something has to change. Hoping to save Colton, a friend recruits him into the covert group Nightshade.

While things look better, Colton has come to grips with the knowledge that he can never share his life with a woman. He is fine with that decision until he meets Piper Blum. Somehow she manages to make the war-weathered soldier’s heart melt. But who would want a broken down cowboy? Definitely, not her. Still, the harder he fights his feelings, the deeper they grow.

When things don’t turn out to be what they appear, Colton finds himself on a mission that will take him to the Promised Land — a place he never wanted to set foot in again. In Israel, Colton must battle more than just bad guys; he must fight for his heart, soul, and mind. Maybe there he’ll find the promise of hope and love.

Just when I thought Ronie Kendig’s books couldn’t get any better, she wows me once more. In Digitalis, the second book of her Discarded Heroes Series, Kendig offers a story full of suspense, love, and faith. Though faith is an integral part of her stories and characters, I never feel preached at. Saying they have faith is like saying they have brown eyes. It’s a part of who they are. Kendig is the Karen Kingsbury of Christian Suspense.

In a world where loving Israel is so unpopular, it is refreshing to find an author who truly values and respects God’s land. I also thoroughly enjoyed that some of the characters were Messianic Jews. As one myself, I could really identify with them.

While Digitalis can stand alone, you won’t want to miss any part of the series. This book is a must read for those who enjoy suspense and romance all wrapped up in one.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: December 2010

Reviewed by Frank Redman

Alton Blackwood is killed after murdering John Calvino’s family when John was 14. John fired the fatal shot. Blackwood’s reign of terror is over.

Over the next two decades, Calvino progresses from the shock and horror of witnessing his family murdered, to starting a family of his own. He lives in splendid happiness with his wife and three children and builds a solid career as a homicide detective.

Then someone copies the Blackwood murders in uncanny detail, killing entire families. Again. Calvino investigates, and clues begin to make him fear for the safety of his own family. He can no longer deny facts suggesting the murderer is a supernatural being. Blackwood has returned, as a ghost.

How do you kill a ghost?

When I learned this novel was Koontz’s creepiest in several years, I was thrilled. I’ve enjoyed his recent stories, but infusing his latest with supreme evil of supernatural origin increases the suspense and the fear you feel for the characters.

Blackwood is completely void of any morale substance, and may be Koontz’s scariest antagonist since Phantoms. His physical description conjures a monster in the imagination, but a monster that was human and now ghost. To me, that is a scarier character type than one that is presented as a genuine monster.

Koontz is phenomenal at characterization. The reader easily cultivates empathy for the characters, feeling emotions as they feel. That is key to really immersing yourself into the story.

If you enjoy scary ghost stories, give this one a read. You’ll find yourself thinking about What the Night Knows well after finishing it.

Review copy provided by author.

Recently Jake Chism caught up with NY Times Bestselling Author Joe Schreiber to talk about his latest novel, Star Wars: Red Harvest. Join us as we discuss horror in Star Wars, the popularity of the zombie genre in pop culture, and Joe’s upcoming YA novel.

More about Joe:

Joe Schreiber is the author of Star Wars: Death Troopers, Star Wars: Red Harvest, Chasing the Dead and several other non-Star Wars titles.   He works as an MRI technologist in Hershey, Pennsylvania where he lives with his wife and two young children.  His favorite Star Wars character is and remains Salacious Crumb.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page.

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Listen in as Jake Chism talks with author Homer Hickam about his new book, The Dinosaur Hunter.

More about Homer:

Homer Hickam is known worldwide for his New York Times #1 bestseller ROCKET BOYS, made into the feature film OCTOBER SKY starring JAKE GYLLENHAAL as Homer.  Hickam is a former NASA engineer and astronaut trainer, nationally known speaker and DINOSAUR HUNTER.  Hickam has authored and co-authored a dozen non-fiction AND fiction best sellers. For more information, visit his official website: http://www.homerhickam.com/.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page.

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Genre: Fantasy, YA

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Dates: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Jacob Reckless never planned to enter another world. Even though this one seemed to be crumbling around him with the disappearance of his father and the subsequent decline of his mother’s health, he still didn’t expect to actually leave the life he’d always known. But when the mirror beckoned to him, the pull was too strong for him to resist.

So now Jacob spends his time as a treasure hunter. Renowned in the other world for his abilities, he now knows that all the fairy tales and children’s stories that he’d heard growing up weren’t just stories. He’s experienced the reality of sleeping beauty and seen the home of Hansel and Gretel’s witch.  Through all that danger, he has learned how to take care of himself. What he hasn’t learned is how to keep his brother, Will, safe. And Will is in a miserable situation right now. He’s turning into a Goyl. That’s a person made of stone for those of us who live on ‘this side.’ Each day Jacob can see more and more of the stone taking over his brother’s body.  Legend says that there’s no way to halt the change, but Jacob also knows that legends aren’t always fact. This is why he sets out to reverse the course of his brother’s existence.

Jacob, known as a famous treasure hunter in this world, relies on some of the contacts he’s made over the years to get information that may help his brother. In the meantime, he’s got to fight off people who want to kill his brother for turning into a Goyl, keep his brother’s girlfriend safe, and work with Fox, a beautiful young woman who can change, at will, into a fox. (Actually she prefers this form over her human form.)

Once again, Cornelia Funke has allowed us a glimpse into a new world. As with previous books, it’s a world that is delightful and frightening all at once. As readers, we can sit comfortably in our homes and experience a world that is populated with familiar fairy tales and stories from our childhoods but isn’t quite as bright and cheery as our big picture books might have led us to believe. There are some dark moments that could be scary in these books. For the appropriate age though, they are perfect.

Cornelia Funke has a talent for creating vividly beautiful settings and worlds that are also exceptionally dangerous. Full of intrigue, adventure and a lot of action, this book is certain to kidnap the imagination of the reader and take it on a journey that won’t soon be forgotten.

Funke’s writing seems to live and breathe on its own. With words that wrap around you and tease you deeper and deeper into the story like a butterfly in flight, this is a definite must read for fans of Funke’s work. And if you’re not already a fan, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Political Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central

Release Date: January 2011

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Picture it. One day you’re an archivist who spends his days with dusty scraps of paper, occasionally unearthing some document of historical significance. Then, with one simple mistake, you’re thrust into history in the making. Only the world will never know it because it’ll never be told.

In The Inner Circle, NYT bestselling author throws National Archivist Beecher White into that very same scenario. When giving an impromptu tour of the archives to his first childhood love, Clementine, the two discover a two-hundred-year old dictionary hidden in the special vault where the President reviews classified documents. Less than five minutes later, the security guard who let them in that room is dead, allegedly by a heart attack.

Beecher and Clementine fall headlong into the mystery, trying to avoid whoever might be after them while at the same time trying to figure out what the importance of a hidden journal might be. As the clues begin to piece together, the noose around them tightens as they discover the indiscretions of the former President’s past. But cover-ups at the highest level were meant to stay covered up, and the Culpier Ring – the president’s informal inner circle – will stop at nothing to make sure things stay hidden.

Brad Meltzer’s been hitting the NYT list for some time now, but this is the first time I’ve ever checked out any of his works. In a word, I think The Inner Circle demonstrates that he belongs there. The story begins at a rip-roaring pace and never lets go as Meltzer develops a plot filled with twists, turns, and sudden revelations that keep that reader on their toes.

As far as thrillers go, Meltzer has written this one in shades of gray. One grows to empathize with the man who’s supposed to be the “bad guy” in the scenario, which raises some important moral questions. My only real complaint with the book is that the one page preface before the prologue doesn’t really fit with the rest of the novel. It’s entertaining. It’s gripping. It also sets the reader’s expectations slightly different than what’s delivered. On the plus side, Meltzer’s conclusion leaves things rather opened ended. Could this just be the beginning of the story for Beecher White? I sure hope so.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: TwelveBooks

Publication Date: December 2010

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

In his debut novel, The Sherlockian, Graham Moore has set the game afoot with one of the best mysteries I have read in many years.  I must confess I am not an avid mystery reader; my tastes run to a few writers only: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers and Barbara Vine.  Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories captured me when I was twelve years old and my appetite for them has not abated.  I am delighted to say Moore’s book satisfies said appetite, and I am now anxious for his next book, though this one will not hit the bookstores until December, 2010.

The Sherlockian gives the reader a double-feature, two mysteries for the price of one.  The technique used is the frame story, and, amazingly, this one works.  The outer layer of the story begins when Harold White is inducted into the prestigious Baker Street Irregulars, one of the youngest members of this secretive organization of Holmes aficionados.  Almost immediately, there is a murder at the convention center.  Alex Cale’s body is discovered in his room where he has been strangled by his own shoe lace.  Cale claimed to have found the missing diaries of Sir Conan Doyle and was slated to give an address to the Holmes experts gathered at the convention.  As Harold begins to use Holmes’ deductive reasoning to analyze the facts, he realizes he is going to be the one to solve this murder.

The interior part of the frame is equally mysterious and is set in the late 1800′s with Conan Doyle helping Scotland Yard solve the murders of several young women, all brides butchered on their wedding day.  As Doyle, along with his pal, Bram Stoker of Dracula fame, uses the powers of logic to solve the murders, Doyle must decide whether or not to take the law into his own hands.  He records the events of his search for the killer in his diary and it is this diary that links the two tales together.

I will not give away how White and Doyle unravel the murders before them, but I will say the writing is quite good, the plot filled with tension and humor and a fine sense of justice.  This is an amazing first novel and I can only hope that Graham Moore will continue to write in the style of the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  In my deepest heart, I hope he will revive Sherlock Holmes so that Holmes fans can once again experience that wonderful logic that makes magic out of simple observation.

In the afterward, Moore gives the reader the historical facts on which his novel is based.  This information adds a great deal to the appreciation of the book, allowing those unfamiliar with the timeline of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life learn about this man of mystery and mental acuity.  I give this book a thumbs up!  It is, after all, elementary, my dear reader.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: October 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Rowan knew from the time that he was a young man that he was destined to wield a sword. Though raised in the mean harsh streets and barely able to make enough money to feed himself, it remained his dream to become an amazing swordsman.  One day, he received a bit of money that he could pocket. Upon asking the soldier from whom he’d received the money if he could pay for the chance to merely hold the sword, he received more than he’d imagined. The chance not only to hold the sword became his, but to be trained under the sword’s owner, a Knight of the Prince.

Just as he knew that he would, Rowan grew in his sword abilities until he became one of the greatest swordsmen in the land. He took his talents to the tournaments and soon he was one of the most famous men in the world. He had crowds following him everywhere and he soon became lost in the praise and trappings of men. This is when things got really bad for Sir Rowan.
Taken hostage, beaten, and left to die, he came face to face with the reality that he’d let his Prince down. He’d taken the praises of men over the code of his King and Prince. He rededicated his life to the mission of His Prince and prayed for his deliverance. Soon, it came.

Rowan’s tale takes an interesting turn at this point when he is nursed back to health by a beautiful young woman, goes home to discover that not only his home, but also his town has been taken over by an egomaniac set out to destroy followers of the Prince.

As Rowan struggles with what to do next, he falls in love with the beautiful young woman and vows to become the man she deserves. He marries her and soon, they find themselves in search of the other Knights of the Prince. When they find the knights, everyone is thrilled to have the famous Sir Rowan set to fight for them. But who is that mysterious man who refuses to fight? Why does he watch everyone and what is it that he has to say to Rowan?

As the final book in Black’s Arrethtrae series, I couldn’t see how this story could possibly be better than the others that I’d already read. Yet with each book in the series, it seems that Black’s writing has taken off into a level of its own. The magnitude of Rowan’s tale seems so much bigger and more fulfilling than the 192 pages of the book. Though partway through, I figured out what Black was doing, I was still absolutely stunned at the ending. I finished this book with tears in my eyes, nearly unable to tell my family how good it was. I was overcome with emotion and I think that Black could have honestly written an entire series just based on the story of Rowan.

The Knights of Arrethtrae is a stunning series. It’s beautiful, entertaining and enjoyable for the whole family. My children are fighting over who gets to read the next book next and my husband has several of them stuck in hidey spots around the house so they don’t get lost in the kids’ rooms before he has a chance to read them.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Lady Carliss has passion for her King and his Son. She has always stood strong for her faith and done whatever she needed to do for them. So when she develops feelings of more than friendship for Sir Dalton and she thinks those feelings aren’t returned, she takes a sojourn to a nearby haven to help with the training of their young students. When she’s supposed to be going back home to visit her brother and Sir Dalton, she takes a detour with a friend from school and suddenly finds herself in her own dangerous and life-threatening adventure.

Soon, when Dalton finds her, his life is in danger as well and only she can bring him the antidote that will keep him alive. Threatened with the death of the man she loves, Lady Carliss vows to do whatever she needs to do to save his life.

Along the way, she gets drawn into a dream world that is eerily reminiscent of escape through illicit drugs in our own. Trapped in a situation that becomes far more than just the life or death of Sir Dalton, Lady Carliss must struggle to defeat the evil growing in the region and threatening to take over control of the land.

This book deals in a big way with vices and the disaster that can occur when they take over the mind. Parallels to drugs, alcohol and even gambling and sex can be found in this book. The dangers are not glossed over. Clearly visible in the books is the corruption that comes when these things begin to take over people’s lives and visions.

Chuck Black’s use of Lady Carliss, a female heroine, to visualize the consequences of these vices is fantastic. Lady Carliss is a brilliant young woman who has many of the same thoughts that young girls today have. Am I good enough? Pretty enough? Will I be found lacking? Once again, Chuck Black boggled my mind with the depth and spiritual brilliance to this story. I was delighted with this venture into Arrethtrae and literally nearly devoured this book. Once finished, I couldn’t wait for my eleven year old daughter to dig in to this one. For young people today, I cannot highly enough recommend these books. Brilliantly handled Mr. Black!

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: Feb 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

In the second book of Chuck Black’s Knights of Arrethtrae series, we meet Sir Bentley. He’s a young man with a passion for life and a compassionate heart for others.

Sir Bentley’s tale starts from the gripping perspective of a young man who has been raised to kill and destroy those who serve the King and his Son. His father lived through the death of the great imposter (the Son of the King) and has definite feelings about those who follow him. When Sir Bentley gets into a life and death situation the very men that he was sent to kill step up and defend him. This is when he knows that the life he’s been leading is wrong and he wants to change. In a dramatic twist, he becomes a follower of the prince and, in doing so, becomes an enemy of everything that his father has taught him.

He leaves his family’s fortune to follow the path that the Prince has set before him and soon becomes an invaluable help in a small farming community that’s being run by a tyrant. He learns to farm and sees firsthand how difficult the lives of these simple people are. When he comes before the ruler of the land, he does his best to try and change things for the people. He also meets a beautiful maiden whose heart seems as cold as ice. Is it?

Sir Bentley learns much in this book about appearances, wisdom and loyalty. Closely mirroring the life of Joseph, Bentley shows a brilliant example of what we, as Christians, should be when looking at the suffering around us.

Once again as we dive into Black’s world, we are transported with adventure, beautiful descriptions and most of all, fantastic life lessons. The characters we meet in this book are young, brave and smart, but faced with a lot of the same issues that we deal with today. Appearance, kindness, wisdom…these are lessons that all of us can benefit from as we go through each day. Black’s creation of this universe to share these lessons is spot on, brilliant and relevant.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Dates: June 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

A long time ago there was a Kingdom that had lost its way. The King, able to see his people and see what they were doing, decided to send his son to the Kingdom to bring them the message of his love to his people. The people in the kingdom didn’t recognize the son. They believed that he was an imposter and they killed him. You would think that the story would end there, but the King, who was mighty in power, raised his son from the dead and promised that he would send his son once again in the future to redeem his people. Sound familiar? Indeed. This is the story of the Knights of Arrethtrae.

Pledged to the King and his Son, they travel the land, spreading the good news of his word and battling the evil forces who are determined to destroy all the King holds dear.  Each of the six books in Chuck Black’s series resounds with beautiful allegorical tales that are given new life and breath in the setting of a kingdom with knights and fair maiden poised in battle. And along with each tale is the chance to learn a valuable lesson about life as a member of the King’s family.

Sir Kendrick’s tale comes first in the series and he must take under his wing a young and impetuous new knight, Sir Duncan. The two take off on a mission to investigate Lord Ra and his mysterious festivals where young men and women disappear from neighboring villages.  When Sir Duncan disappears, Kendrick must try to save him. In order to do this, he tries to enlist the aid of a mysterious warrior that he meets not far from Ra’s castle. With this warrior, he learns the truth of Ra’s rise and what he does with the young people who stay with him. But more than that, he also must confront some of his own agonies and hurts from the past.

Kendrick’s battle with his own history, loyalty and faith is an epic one and is bound to enrapture readers with its climactic and stunning ending. This book teaches valuable lessons across the board and is packed with scriptural lessons that anyone of any age can use in their lives.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Literary

Publisher: Bellevue Literary Press

Released: January 2009

Reviewed by Jonathan Schindler

It has been two weeks since I finished the Pulitzer Prize–winning Tinkers by Paul Harding, and I’m still not quite sure what to say about it. I suppose I’ll start with what I know to say and move on from there: Tinkers is a beautiful and poignant book with stunning language and well-defined scenes. The book is a gift, and readers should look forward to Harding’s future efforts.

Now I’ll try to explain that view, which is the hard part. Tinkers begins with, “George Washington Crosby began to hallucinate eight days before he died.” From there, the book follows a disjointed path through Crosby’s past and present as he remembers his father and sees his family gathered around his death bed.

I’ve mentioned before that I think the best fiction is seamless, that is, that it makes you feel something but the reason is somewhere offstage. A good writer doesn’t need to be heavy-handed. This seamlessness is the opposite of some TV shows or commercials that make you feel something, but you feel manipulated afterward. Tinkers is a wonderful example of this kind of seamlessness. The book has a wintry air, with death always looming throughout the book, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why I felt so affected by the book or when I started to care about the characters.

And care I did. Harding has crafted a family of characters that are simple, believable, and utterly human. These are not the characters who sally forth and perform great deeds. They are characters of the home, and they have a simple elegance about them. They do not make epic speeches, and Harding’s style is terse; it is often what isn’t said—filling in the gaps—that allows the reader to understand and empathize with the characters. Tinkers is a book that operates in the everyday life of real human beings and finds beauty in their experiences.

Tinkers is a book of scenes, not really of plot. Crosby experiences snapshots of his life as a fixer of clocks and of his father’s life as a peddler, and the connections between them are not always clear. It took me a while to become accustomed to this method of storytelling, especially when I was enjoying one character’s thread and pulled jarringly to another’s. As the book went on, however, I was just grateful to experience the scenes at all. Harding’s gift, I think, lies in his powerful descriptions. There isn’t much to tie together the scenes at first glance (except Crosby’s imminent death), but the scenes themselves glisten like the snowy atmosphere. Each one is a jewel.

I’ll give one example. My favorite scene involves George’s father, Howard, and a strange hermit who is rumored to have been a schoolmate of Nathaniel Hawthorne. He lives on his own in the woods, and most people never see him, but once a year, after the snow has melted, he comes to Howard to replenish his store of goods that was exhausted in the long winter, mostly tobacco. The hermit has no money, so he normally trades some useless or smelly animal pelt or carving for the goods, but Howard graciously accepts such offerings and presumably pays for the goods out of his earnings. On one occasion, though, the hermit is in pain from a toothache, and Howard helps him pull the tooth. He never sees the hermit again, but he finds on his doorstep a first edition of The Scarlet Letter, pages still uncut, inscribed to the hermit by Hawthorne.

Tinkers is full of scenes like this (and much better described, too). They (and the characters that occupy them) carry the book. The plot may seem meandering, but it isn’t aimless. And it makes sense: many times as we reflect on our own lives, we remember scenes and not necessarily the metanarrative that gives them meaning. That being said, readers who have little patience for a book without a strong overarching plot may want to look elsewhere for their next read. But if you like thoughtful, beautiful prose and don’t mind an examination of the everyday experiences of normal human lives, Tinkers may be the book for you.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Genre: Literary, Apocalyptic

Publisher: Random House

Released: July 2010

Reviewed by Jonathan Schindler

America’s financial system has collapsed, the country is on the brink of becoming a dictatorship, and High Net Worth Individuals are able to live forever—if the technology advances as it should, that is. The world is at war, consolidated corporations are scrapping over the last pieces of American civilization, and a person’s credit score can cause deportation. And in the midst of all of this, a love story develops between Post Human Services geek Lenny Abramov and spendthrift drifter Eunice Park.

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart is set in a near-future version of New York, where every person is plugged into their äppäräts, texts are scanned, books are smelly artifacts of the past, and everyone is always connected and streaming someone else. What makes Gary Shteyngart’s vision of the future so engaging—and so terrifying—is how believable it is.

The story is narrated through the diaries of Lenny Abramov and the GlobalTeens (a far more comprehensive and less private version of Facebook) account of Eunice Park. Lenny is nearing his fortieth birthday; Eunice is in her twenties. The way they experience the world—Lenny almost an outsider, Eunice completely immersed—helps the reader to navigate the strange events that must have occurred to bring the United States from the present into this dismal future. Shteyngart is a great writer, and he masterfully creates a new world for the reader without being heavy-handed or intrusive. The characters tell their story in a believable manner, and the details are slowly revealed to the reader as the story unfolds.

I mentioned that the book takes place in the “dismal future,” but it is to Shteyngart’s credit that the book does not become bogged down with ominous predictions. The book is, as its title suggests, primarily a love story, even if it is a love story gone awry (that is, super sad). The dark future is the setting, but the characters carry the story. The book does not feel like an excuse to give the author’s vision of the future, the characters and plot an afterthought to serve these greater ideas. Rather, Super Sad True Love Story feels like a good story first, its characters well-defined, its setting incidental. The plot, characters, and setting work well together, forming a cohesive unit that is surprisingly light.

One thing that provides the levity is the main narrator’s (Lenny’s) voice. He is an optimist and seems undaunted by the new ways of the world. He owns an old version of the äppärät (“What is this, an iPhone?”), his prized possessions are his books, and he still keeps a private diary despite the world’s demand for full exposure (literally and figuratively). He thus represents enough of what we’re used to that becoming accustomed to the story’s setting is a gradual revelation (as opposed to, say, A Clockwork Orange, which works in a different way by completely disorienting the reader). The reader feels as though Lenny is discovering this brave new world too, and that makes the reading experience more immersive and less like a high school homework assignment.

The book is well-written, but readers should be advised: Shteyngart’s vision of the future has, like the source material in the present, a good deal of sex and profanity. The future, according to Shteyngart, is a time when women are degraded to sex-object status even more than in the present, and while these details are key to creating the atmosphere of the story and rarely seem gratuitous, sensitive readers may want to pass on the book.

But for readers who can stomach those details and who like well-written, intelligent fiction; believable predictions about the future; commentary on the way technology mediates our relationships; or a good love story, Super Sad True Love Story is sure to please. I can’t be certain of this, but I predict it is a book that will stay with me long after having read it, and that is not a bad thing.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Tandem picks up shortly after the end of Thirsty, with characters in the same town still dealing with the fallout from Thirsty. Months events of Thirsty, Tracey Batemen’s book Tandem reenters Abbey Hills, Missouri, this time following the parallel plots of Lauryn McBride, who is with the auction house in charge of the late Markus Chisom, and Amede Dastillion, whose interest in Abbey Hills and Markus is tied to a history she’d rather not disclose.  Amede’s interests are bound up in finding her long-lost sister, and Lauryn’s found more questions than answers, as well as a new trail of mutilated carcasses.

Bateman maintains the same voice and tenor as she did in Thirsty—keeping true to her writer’s voice: A first person flashback, first person, present, third person from other key figures. It was a good “Tracey Bateman rhythm” if you will.

Moreover, I was surprised to find myself empathetic toward one particular vampire, especially after Thirsty (she’s completely sympathetic, I think, if you’re reading out of order).  Bateman has succeeded in building a world where vampires have a choice in how they live. They can be good, evil, or somewhere in between—very human, if you will, even empathetic. In Bateman’s world, even the monsters have a shot at redemption.

Plot-wise, Mrs. Bateman threw in several curves I didn’t see coming—despite that, looking back, the hints were there. I enjoyed the parallel stories of Lauryn and Amede, the recurring characters, and the rich history of each of them. Bateman has a lovely way of bringing the past back to the surface to be dealt with—and using the destructive addiction vampires have for blood to paint a portrait of human addictions, hidden demons, and the monsters lurking behind the door.

One piece of advice: If you’re getting into Bateman for the first time, the opening chapters might be a little confusing until the point of view characters are identified. But each has a unique enough personality that once the rhythm of the story sets in, it’s easy to tell.

I found Tandem equally as enjoyable as its predecessor, and am looking forward to book three.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Bestselling novelist Andrew Klavan joins us to talk about his two new releases: The Truth of the Matter (Book 3 of The Homelanders series) and The Identity Man. More about Andrew:

Andrew Klavan has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Allan Poe Award five times and won twice. He is the author of a dozen previous novels, including such internationally best-selling crime novels as True Crime, filmed by Clint Eastwood, and Don’t Say A Word, starring Michael Douglas. His latest novel for adults is the thriller The Identity Man (2010).  The Last Thing I Remember (May 2009) was the best-selling debut to Klavan’s new Homelanders series for young adults and garnered much media attention. It’s follow-up The Long Way Home was equally well received and has become a featured read in many high schools across the USA.

As a screenwriter, Klavan adapted Simon Brett’s novel A Shock to the System for the film starring Michael Caine. Klavan also wrote the script for the 2008 horror film “One Missed Call,” starring Ed Burns.

Klavan’s journalism has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, and elsewhere. He is a contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute think tank’s City Journal, where he published a trilogy of stories on Hollywood’s mistreatment of the war on terror, concluding with a report on Klavan’s own trip into the Afghanistan war zone, “Five Days at the End of the World.”

Klavan makes frequent personal and media appearances and has been a guest on Glenn Beck’s television program, Fox and Friends, The Sean Hannity television program, The Laura Ingraham radio show, Mike Gallagher’s radio show, The Fred Thompson show and dozens of others.

Born in New York City, Klavan grew up in Long Island and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. While at Berkeley, he picked up a hitchhiker named Ellen Flanagan, who became Mrs. Klavan in 1980. Before becoming a full-time novelist, Klavan held a number of jobs. He worked as a radio reporter in Berkeley, where he covered the Patty Hearst kidnapping. He covered small town crime and politics for a newspaper in upstate New York. He later returned to New York City, where he worked as a reader for Columbia Pictures and as a radio newswriter for WOR Radio and the ABC Radio Network. Klavan and his wife later lived in London for several years. They returned to the U.S. in 1999 and now live in Southern California. They have two grown children, Faith and Spencer.

This interview is also available on iTunes.

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Genre: Romance

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Holden Harris is different. He looks normal, but he is withdrawn and only speaks through flashcards. Holden is autistic. His classmates don’t understand him and consequently bully him. When popular Ella Reynolds spots him watching one of the rehearsals for the school musical, she requests permission for him to sit in on their practices. As their friendship grows, Ella learns that Holden is indeed freer than his seemingly “perfect” peers.

Through their unlikely friendship, Holden learns to interact more with those around him, culminating in the breakthrough no one ever thought possible. With each victory, people catch a glimpse of the beautiful soul inside the imperfect shell.

Karen Kingsbury delivers yet another heartwarming story in Unlocked. Though I’ve never interacted with autistic people, Holden seemed very believable. The young man at the end is very different from the forlorn teenager we meet at the beginning, but the changes occur so subtly they creep up on the reader unaware.

Holden’s pure faith in God and love for others — even those who bully him — blessed me greatly. He is such a refreshing character in a world where forgiveness is sparse. Kingsbury tackles issues very real issues such as bullying and the fatal effects it can have.  I found this especially poignant because as a teacher I see bullying every day among my students. In the end, I don’t want to look back like the drama teacher and wonder if I could have done more.

Unlocked is only for readers willing to be challenged. I strongly recommend keeping a box of tissues nearby.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi

Publisher: Putnam Adult

Publication Dates: November 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Eve Dallas is back. Well, technically, she’s on a vacation. After her last investigation and subsequent close call, she and Roarke decided that they might want to get away from the Big Apple for a little while. So this book opens with Eve Dallas, hard core detective of the future, lying in a bed in Ireland wondering if roosters crow every day, if cows are dangerous walking too close to the house and, most of all, if this is what it’s really like to have a family. They’re visiting Roarke’s family and though it’s awkward at times, it’s still a generally comfortable visit.

When she arrives back in New York (after her vacation and helping with a murder investigation in Ireland…after all crime doesn’t take a vacation because she does) she’s greeted with an unusual murder. A man has been murdered, seemingly without any reason, by a crossbow. Being 2060, crossbows are even more rare than they currently are in 2010. So when another murder pops up with a leather whip and later, a harpoon, she knows she’s got a tough one on her hands. It’s especially touchy when the connections between the cases lead back to high society and a lot of money. Not a lot of money like Roarke has. His money is new. This is old money. The kind that has been in the family for generations and that also allows people to feel like they are untouchable. As you can imagine, this sets Eve on the case with even more determination.

J.D. Robb’s thirty plus books into this series now and she shows no signs of slowing down. With fascinating crimes, witty dialogue and some of the most interesting scenarios I’ve ever read in a mystery series, this book is once again, a delight.

I had the joy of reading this book while I was on a business trip. Twenty hours on planes in less than two days gives someone a lot of reading time. I finished the book and even though my bag was full of more books that I needed to review, I didn’t want to move on. I just wanted to savor the fact that for a little while, I’d gotten to visit Eve Dallas and her universe again. I love the romance between Roarke and Dallas. It’s hot, romantic, sweet and realistic. They argue. They disagree. But they always have each other’s backs and they always care about each other more than you might imagine at first glance.

This book had some dialogue and the nature of the crime might cause some people to be uncomfortable. There were sexual acts described in the book, but once again, Robb handles them with grace and style. They’re details. Not gory or passionate, though they might rattle you. They add to the case, the mystery and the characters. When Dallas can take a statement about a wife who has had to deal with a variety of things that most would consider deviant and she doesn’t even blink, you know she’s seen it all. But in the same breath, she can reach out, touch that wife and urge her to safety in the most comfortable way possible.

Once again, I was left wanting more and wondering when I would get to experience the next book. Thankfully, the ARC for the next release, Treachery in Death, was waiting for me when I got home.  I’m just sorry you have to wait for it. But from my experience with everything J.D. Robb, the wait is definitely worth it.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date:  November 2010

Reviewed by Jen Roman

Alex Cross returns from his latest crime-fighting adventure to settle down and ask Bree Stone to marry him.  Of course, just as they begin to plan the wedding, a new murderer arrives on the scene.  This one is a sure-shot sniper, who hunts down the “fox in the henhouse” as a vigilante.  He leaves little clues for Alex to find him, but he still stays elusive and hard to track down.  In the meantime, there is a copycat sniper and the return of Kyle Craig, Alex’s mentor-turned-arch nemesis.  Using a very sophisticated disguise, Kyle manages to slink around Alex’s home and work areas undetected, until he creates a showdown with Alex.  As always, Alex manages to do some pro bono counseling on the side, providing a slight side plot.

James Patterson is a prolific writer, but unfortunately, it’s just too much.  He needs to take his time to come up with solid storylines that truly are as intriguing as the book jacket would lead one to believe.  In this case there are THREE “bad guys,” and there’s no real focus on any one of them.   Compared to his earlier books, Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, Patterson seems to just throw things together and hope it works.  There’s none of the in-depth psychology that makes the first books in the Alex Cross series so good, and the villains aren’t as evil as they used to be.  Alex seems to have adopted a god-like persona somewhere along the way, and he thinks he can save the world.  In his quest to do so, his family pays the price.  He claims to be a loving family man, but he puts “the job,” as he calls it, ahead of the ones he loves.  All in all, it’s apparent from reading Cross Fire that Patterson is just writing to put books on the shelves at bookstores.

Cross Fire is not the most violent of Patterson’s books, but it does contain some grisly scenes.  The murders are described in detail, as are injuries that he sustains while searching for the killers.  Of course, there is some serious profanity as well.  Alex has settled down with Bree so he is not as promiscuous as he once was, but there are still some sex scenes (out of wedlock) one must consider.  This definitely does not qualify as a “squeaky-clean, nice” book, but for those tolerant of sex, murder, and foul language, it would be fine.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Political Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Grand Central

Publication Date: November 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

David Baldacci is a perennial New York Times bestselling author. The Camel Club is the series most beloved by his fans. Now after taking a year away from Camel Club stories, Baldacci has heard his fans clamoring for the return of Oliver Stone and penned a story that puts Stone the Club to their greatest test yet – dealing with Hell’s Corner.

It all begins on a peaceful night that’s way too peaceful. Stone is strolling through Lafayette Park, across from the White House. Something just seems wrong. Gunfire rattles and is quickly followed by an exploding bomb. And then chaos descends. Ostensibly, the attack was meant to take out both the American President and the British PM, and although it failed, everyone wants in on the action of finding out who was behind it.

Oliver Stone gets back in action officially and teams up with MI-6 agent Mary Chapman to get to the bottom of it all. But in this high-stakes game of chess, their opponents are always five steps ahead. Misdirection follows misdirection and people are dying in the wake. Oliver Stone and the Camel Club find themselves in the middle of their most dangerous and difficult journey yet.

In typical fashion, David Baldacci has weaved intense action scenes with great plotting to create a story that keeps you turning pages. In many novels, an abundance of unexpected twists and turns can leave the reader mentally struggling to catch up; but if the reader expects the twist then the suspense fades. Baldacci manages to make the twists completely unexpected but completely plausible. More than once I found myself going, “What the…how the…OF COURSE!”

Hell’s Corner is a rush from beginning to end. Well-written and with a plot that never lets up, it takes you through the red tape involved when the FBI, metro police, NIC, Secret Service, and a host of other agencies are all on the scene. With all the people involved, nothing is as it seems and Stone can trust no one except those he knows to be his friends. And it all comes down to a last-second harrowing conclusion.

Hell’s Corner is sure to enthrall devoted Camel Club fans and new readers alike. There are enough references to the past to sufficiently tie things in, but Baldacci does it well so that new readers won’t feel left out of the loop. Fans have long said that the Camel Club represents Baldacci’s best and – at least until next book – Hell’s Corner proves that.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Political Thriller

Publisher: Threshold

Release Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

We’ve all heard the story about the frog in the boiling water. Throw a frog into a pot of boiling water and he jumps out. Slowly raise the temperature with him already in the water and he’ll never notice the change until it’s too late and, well, croaks. That the layperson rendition of The Overton Window, a concept that underlies and serves as a title for Glenn Beck’s foray into the realm of political thriller. The concept is that ideas that seem radical can begin to be more accepted over time by slowly moving in the direction of the radical. Slow change is imperceptible change…until it’s too late.

Noah Gardner is the son of the world’s richest man, Arthur Gardner. The older Gardner is the mover and shaker behind many major world events, using his PR firm to bring his model of change onto the world. By leveraging hopes and feeding fears, he has established himself as the master manipulator. And he’s about to unleash his ultimate plan.

Noah, on the other hand, is just an overly paid exec in Daddy’s company, the one person Arthur knows he can trust to get the job done and not ask too many questions. He’s comfortable with his opulent lifestyle and sees no reason to live life any differently. But then he meets Molly Ross and his world almost instantly changes. Ross, fighting for freedom and democracy in a world quickly becoming more controlled by the government, finds herself hopelessly outnumbered and overpowered, but her group of patriots will not be silenced.

After hanging out in Molly’s circles, Noah finds himself conflicted between the two sides. Maybe his father is wrong. Maybe power does belong in the hands of the people. Maybe they aren’t all conspiracy theorist nut jobs. Just maybe.

The Overton Window is one of those books that clearly has a political agenda. Clue #1: Glenn Beck wrote it. But honest and refreshing Clue #2: he admits it in his introductory note, and discusses it at length in the afterword. Despite this, I am assured that Beck will be lambasted for writing a fictional story with an overtly conservative message. Truth is, politics aside, this is an enjoyable novel to read. The beginning of the novel starts shaky, with long dialogues that border on the non-fiction side, but once the story settles in it takes off in a hurry.

The plot is solid, making Beck’s underlying point all that more plausible. Fortunately for Beck, he shies away from some of the outright rhetoric he is occasionally known for, keeping things on the moderate scale. The focus also remains on the story, not the agenda, which helps bring out Beck’s political foundations in a very natural way. The afterword of the novel is also an incredible resource and contains instances of real-life events referred to in the book.

With The Overton Window, Beck creates solid characters and sends them on a thrilling journey full of conspiracies, nuclear bombs, and plots to take over the country. But it’s tempered with an intellectual basis that just might serve to teach as well as entertain. For a debut thriller, it’s a great read.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Political Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Alan Dershowitz is rather well-known in the areas of American law and Middle Eastern political commentary and has written extensively on both topics; with books such as Is There a Right to Remain Silent? and Why Terrorism Works. Infrequently throughout his career, he’s turned to writing fiction. The Trials of Zion is his third fiction attempt after The Advocate’s Devil in 1994 and Just Revenge in 1999. All three novels chronicle the exploits of top-notch lawyer Abe Ringel.

The Trials of Zion begins with a shock. Just as peace – and a Palestinian state – is about to be created in the Middle East, a bomb explodes killing both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders, along with the US President who engineered the peace process. In the immediate aftermath, Emma Ringel, the daughter of famous criminal defense attorney Abe Ringel, joins the defense team of the Palestinian arrested for the attack.

It doesn’t take long, however, for Emma to find out that the Middle East is a dangerous place. Kidnapped and held for ransom, she is told that her kidnappers want only two things – the man accused of the bombing to be freed and her father to lead the defense. If Abe loses this case, her daughter will die. But, as always, the effort to prove someone’s innocence – even though their Palestinian friend wants to be a martyr – leads them towards the guilty party. And it is not who they expect.

First of all, I wish I’d known of Dershowitz’s previous novels before reading the book. It somewhat explains the flyby treatment the characters were given in regards to backgrounds and descriptions. Dershowitz probably should have considered that it’d been ten years since the last Abe Ringel book and the fact that most readers probably hadn’t read the previous books. You begin by feeling like you’ve missed out on something and it takes a while for you to catch up.

Dershowitz advances the plot haphazardly, constantly resorting to dues ex machina to solve his character’s predicaments or rushing over important events too quickly. Complicated questions are solved by a phone call and special favors called in and the smallest clues are extrapolated into gigantic paradigm-shifting revelations. While I’m all for suspending disbelief, Dershowitz just makes his story too unrealistic to believe, and writes the scenes in such a way that don’t help me believe it.

Where this book shines is in the courtroom scenes. Abe Ringel’s defense is stunning and I enjoyed learning of the differences between American and Israeli law. The courtroom drama is top-notch and Dershowitz would have done well to have written many more of these. The book also stands out for its political and religious commentary. He begins with a completely plausible scenario and then looks at how different sides would react to it. While critical of aspects of both Judaism and Islam, Dershowitz seems to take an absolute disdain for Christianity and evangelicalism in particular in the novel. While not being offensive (to me, at least) in that commentary, he is very inconsistent at well it is integrated into the novel.

In the end, I think there was a good reason Professor Dershowitz didn’t write fiction for over a decade. The Trials of Zion had great potential and the first few chapters started off really strong, but poor plot development really killed a story filled with fascinating characters. If you’re looking for a great take on Middle Eastern events, check out anything by Joel Rosenberg. If you want a good courtroom drama, then I’m going to recommend Randy Singer. As for Dershowitz, while he had all the elements of a good story, he doesn’t pull it together. I had expected a lawyer to tell a more believable tale than this.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Dates: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Miriam Walker has a problem. She’s an American living in Saudi Arabia and her husband has disappeared. She can’t go out in public alone without harassment. Her husband’s co-workers, mostly Saudi Arabian themselves, won’t speak to her. The one American she does know is angry and seems to have a chip on his shoulder when it comes to her husband. Her dilemma is frightening, horrifying and surreal for an American woman to even begin to imagine.

Katya is a police officer in Saudi Arabia. Like the rest of the country, the police force offers a completely new set of rules that women must follow, with one of the important ones being that she must be married. Katya is not, but she still wears the ring from a previously broken engagement. This helps her fly under the radar such as it is.

Populated with the most amazing characters that I’ve come into contact with in a long time, City of Veils reaches beyond mere entertainment. This is a book to be devoured and enjoyed, yet at the same time you’re delighting in the mystery; it’s also giving you insight and knowledge into a world that so many here in the U.S. do not understand. Its amazing how intricately woven the plot remains as it’s threaded with rich details and understanding that could only come from someone who understands the cultures of both America and Saudi Arabia.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up City of Veils, but a taut, thrilling murder mystery was certainly not it. Ferraris introduced me to an alien world that exists only a plane trip away yet is as different as if it were another planet. Where women must hide every part of themselves and punishable offenses are as easy to commit as looking the wrong way at the wrong time. Into this world she injected a crime of passion wrapped up in a religious mystery.

This book was amazing and stunning well beyond what you would expect from the title or the cover. With intense plotlines that move at a lightning pace, a mystery that seems impossible to solve and fantastic glimpses into Saudi society, there’s not a single thing more than one could ask from a story such as this. Highly entertaining, richly beautiful and stunningly crafted, City of Veils was a book that was difficult to imagine at the same time that it was impossible to put down.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Religious, Romance

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Dates: October 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Allison Chamberlain is a Christian. She knows Jesus and she knows all about the stories throughout the Bible, but the reality is, she doesn’t quite know what to do with them. Or with her faith. She goes to church faithfully every Sunday and she’s got her little group she meets with to do a Bible Study. She even has some men who are interested in her, one in particular, a really nice man named Bonner.

Still, Allison has no interest in doing anything new or exciting. She’s as content as she can be with her job as a carriage driver/tour guide in her small town and when the pastor suggests that she take on some new responsibilities, she’s not interested in the least. That is until the day she feels the Nudge.

The Nudge is this thing that she can’t explain. A voice in her head or sometimes a physical shove, the Nudge puts these ideas out there that Allison knows for certain are not coming from her. For example, why on Earth would she ever tell herself to buy a Harley? Then again, why would God tell her to buy a Harley? No idea. But she’s certain that’s who it is. Because suddenly words are coming out of her mouth that she’s never imagined and (go figure) she’s buying a Harley.

Where the Harley (and the Nudge) takes her is a completely different story and an amazing new chapter of her life. One day she’s chauffeuring tourists around the city and the next she’s riding her Harley into the darkest deepest drug pits to save a prostitute because the Nudge sent her there.

Allison’s journey is heart-wrenching, emotional, and painfully real. The dialogue that Rue peppers through the story is honest and at times, stunning. This is the third book of Rue’s that I have read and in each one, I’m amazed at how deftly she slices through the religiosity and gets to the heart of the matter. I love that her books shake away the chaff of so many things that churches and Christians seem to focus on these days. It’s not the kind of clothes you wear or the words you speak. It’s what God wants you to do and share that’s important and vital to what we are supposed to be doing here on Earth.

I loved this book. That’s what everything boils down to for me. The characters, the dialogue and the plot twists meld together to create a beautiful story in which nearly everyone can find themselves. Whether it’s the desperate prostitutes who step out of a life of sin and into redemption to help others or the reluctant prophet herself who refuses to acknowledge her past pain and sin, someone will touch your life. If you’re a Christian, it’s also likely you’ve also met some of the church members who aren’t quite ready to embrace radical change.

Nancy Rue’s book is beautiful, deep and rich. It may also be life changing. I think that many things and people in this world would likely be better if they were to listen a little closer to The Nudge and follow what God has told them to do.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Historic, Religious, Romance

Publisher: Moody Press

Publication Dates: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Rahab the Harlot. Most people know the story of this woman who sold her body for a living but ended up changing her life drastically to become one of the only women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ.  Rahab saved her family and herself from the destruction of Jericho by the Israelites. Mentioned throughout the Bible as having great faith and having been saved by that faith, Rahab saved two Israelite spies prior to the fall of Jericho and in return, they saved her and her family.

This story has always intrigued me though. There are only a few short verses in the Bible about Rahab, but they are always significant and filled with impact. Rahab is mentioned in the New Testament as a woman of great faith. She’s also mentioned in the gospels for her significance in the lineage of Christ.

Tessa Afshar brings this story to vivid and brilliant life. She delves into the idea that Rahab was not a common prostitute and that she was sold into slavery. She creates a back-story for Rahab that is rich and deep with understanding. Instead of choosing prostitution (which may be the case in reality- I don’t believe it’s mentioned in the Bible why she’s a prostitute) as a way of life, Rahab is sold into prostitution by her parents in order to keep the family afloat. It’s horrible and painful, but it helps lead to Afshar’s journey of faith in Rahab’s life.

Unlike other authors who have tackled Rahab’s story, Afshar doesn’t end it with ‘happily ever after’ upon the pronouncement of Salmone’s marriage to Rahab. She delves into the process of how it may have been that Rahab and Salmone met and came to the point of marriage and then beyond that, what might marriage between a prostitute and a leader of the Israelites looked like. Certainly there wasn’t some magical Disney type ending where everything became perfect with the words ‘I love you.’ There must have been some trust issues, concerns, and fear to work through on both sides of the equation.

I love how realistically Afshar portrays the feelings and emotions of both Salmone and Rahab. With heart-wrenching twists in the story, vivid descriptions and beautiful moments guaranteed to remind you of your own faith, Afshar breathes modern day relevance into a story that shapes the image of the greatest story ever told.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Graphic Novel, Contemporary, Thriller

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by James Andrew Wilson

Odd and the gang are back with another graphic novel adventure. Odd is on Our Side is a second prequel to the 2003 classic Koontz novel: Odd Thomas. The first graphic novel featuring our favorite fry cook (In Odd We Trust) was released in 2008 to great success. It only makes sense to revisit Pico Mundo for another outing, right?

Well, almost.

Like a new dollop of pancake batter in the pan, Odd is on Our Side begins with syrupy potential. Unfortunately, someone forgot to add the extra special ingredient to the mix, and the book comes out tasting bland.

It’s not all bad. After all, this is still Odd Thomas, and any amount of time in his world is bound to be enjoyable. We get to see the first visual representation of bodachs, and they certainly do not disappoint—neither does our time with the famous character Ozzie Boon, or the banter between Odd and the always lovely Stormy Llewelyn. Queeni Chan’s artwork is wonderful and she does a brilliant job of capturing the small details and the over all feel of the story world.

The main problem with the book is the motivation of the villain. It would be giving away too much to explain exactly why this aspect of the story doesn’t work—but suffice to say that the nasty individual responsible for attracting all the bodachs to Pico Mundo is four eggs shy of a three-egg omelet when it comes to brains.

All in all, if you’re a fan of Odd Thomas, you’ll enjoy yourself with Odd is on Our Side, but I suspect in the end it will frustrate you more than anything. These little graphic novels are a fun diversion, but it’s time we moved on to the main course. Mr. Koontz, please serve us up a new grand slam Odd adventure—we’re hungry and waiting!

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance, Medical

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Claire Boehning is at a turning point in her life. Her husband’s brilliant career as a research scientist has just taken a sharp downhill turn. Some might liken it to falling off the side of a cliff. Now she and her daughter Jory are relegated to moving to the cabin that they’d previously only enjoyed for getaways and vacations, it’s more than a lifestyle shift. Everything she’d known and become comfortable with in life is now gone. It’s more like a reboot of her life. She’s starting over.

A long, long time ago, when she met her husband, she was a promising young doctor. Sidelined by a bad decision that she let take over too much of her life and a surprise pregnancy, Claire never finished her exams or qualifications to become a doctor. Now, all these years later, she’s desperate to find a job and wishing she could have found a way to follow through.

Cassella’s story covers so many facets it’s impossible to categorize. A story about marriage under duress, financial difficulties, parenting a teenager, the reality is that at its core, this is an a-typical coming of age story.  Claire has lived an abundant life with her daughter and her husband but now she must switch gears and take a completely different direction. This new direction takes her down a path of discovery. Beyond wife and mother, who is she? What are her goals in life? How do you take a step backwards? Is this a step backwards? Or could it finally be a step in the right direction? Claire’s journey of self-discovery is sometimes painful, sometimes joyous and at once brilliant in its direction.

I love the plot twists, the characters and the descriptions. One particular segment about a teenage girl’s life as a revolving door was brilliant. The idea that you have to wait for the right opening to jump in and be involved stuck with me as a mom of a pre-teen. She hit the nail on the head with so many things about love, marriage and career that it was hard to absorb all at once. After I closed the cover, it still stuck with me and I found myself thinking about each of the characters and where they may be now.

Cassella’s tale is beautiful, brilliant and agonizingly real in its depiction of family, marriage and career. Definitely not a fast or overnight read, Cassella’s story will tangle your heart and your mind together at the same time it entertains and delights.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Kit Livingstone is having a hard time believing everything he’s being told. He’s bumped into his great-grandfather in the middle of an alley in London and now he’s facing the reality of ley lines. These ley lines, the stuff of myth and legend, are pathways to other worlds and it’s possible to use them to bounce back and forth between alternate worlds. Kit doesn’t want to believe it, but after a trip of his own, it’s something he has to accept.

When Kit sees his girlfriend later that evening and realizes how very black and white his world is in comparison to the world he saw by following the ley lines, he knows that he has to prove it to her himself. So he takes Mina back to the alley and that’s where things get really interesting. Mina disappears, Kit tries to follow her. His grandfather shows up. And adventure begins.

Stephen Lawhead is a virtuoso of fantasy. His previous fantasy series, The Song of Albion Trilogy remains one of my favorite reads ever. It’s a series that feels like a friend when you open up the books. Laced with familiar characters, dense mythology and lush descriptions that beg to be read aloud, it remains a hallmark of Lawhead’s writing career.

The Skin Map, the first book in his new series, Bright Empires, has the potential to rival The Song of Albion series.  Lawhead has created a way for his characters to travel anywhere in his imagination. There are no limits or boundaries. The worlds can be traversed easily and yet, rather than keeping it wide open with nothing to pull it all together, Lawhead gives his reader a grounded thread to tie the worlds together. A map created by another ley traveler who realized early on that his travel between the worlds was vital enough to tattoo his journey on his own skin.

The characters in this book are quirky, fun and well rounded enough not to be two dimensional caricatures. In parts of the book, the logic and reasoning behind the ley lines can sometimes be overwhelming. This is not a simple afternoon read on the beach. But I think that the dense description and the grasp that Lawhead has of this story (even when sometimes I felt like I didn’t) helped me to identify with Kit more. After all, he’s been dumped into this world just as quickly as and even more unceremoniously than I was. I mean I knew when I sat down and opened up the book that I was in for a wild ride with Lawhead at the helm. Kit had no idea.  So even though in places it’s difficult to follow and I felt a little slow on the uptake, it didn’t matter. Lawhead was taking me on a journey and I wasn’t about to complain or ask him to slow down so I could keep pace.

The descriptions remain so vivid that you feel like you can taste, touch and hear the worlds in which the characters find themselves. Rich vibrant journeys, witty dialogue and a fast paced adventure all partner to make this one of Lawhead’s more delightful journeys yet. My biggest issue with The Skin Map at this point is that I have no idea when to expect the next installment. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later. If not, I may need to go searching for my own ley lines so I can hop into a world where the series is already complete.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Military Suspense/Thriller

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Former U.S. Navy SEAL, Max Jacobs has lost everything to his quick and violent temper. When his wife, Sydney, files for divorce, Max becomes a threat to himself and those around him. One night, after a near fatal accident a man offers him a second chance. Someone is putting together a secret group that will silently and invisibly clean up messes the government cannot be involved with. This presents the ticket Max needs to place his life back on track — if only he can keep his temper in check.

Journalist, Sydney Jacobs loves her husband, but his tours of duty have changed him. Max is no longer the same man she married. When a brawl between her husband and one of her co-workers ends badly, Sydney finds she fears the very man meant to protect her. She requests a restraining order and files for divorce. In an attempt to put her life back together, she pursues a story with leads that take her abroad. She soon learns that uncovering the truth can prove dangerous and even deadly.

With her second novel, Nightshade, Ronie Kendig demonstrates that her first novel wasn’t beginners luck. Kendig knows how to offer page-turning suspense and characters the reader will care about. While they are flawed it is their mistakes that make them real. Nightshade provides action, romance, and suspense. For those of you who like me think those are the best combinations in novels, you will not be disappointed. As with her first novel, Dead Reckoning, a quality novel thriller doesn’t come at the expense of vulgar language or sex. I strongly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the second installment in Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

When the book’s protagonist is a computational demonologist who works for a secret British intelligence agency called the Laundry, you can have a pretty good idea that the book’s going to be…intriguing…and The Fuller Memorandum is certainly that.

Bob Howard lives life as a typical ordinary everyday computational demonologist, that is, he’s a type of mathematical exorcist who uses advanced and secret technology to battle the paranormal. It all begins when things go wrong, and everything spirals down from there. He’s already in hot water with the bureaucracy for accidentally killing a civilian during an exorcism, but things get worse when his boss goes missing. Like, end of the world worse.

The Fuller Memorandum was an ultra-above-top-secret document written by the Laundry’s founder describing the process of binding a demon known as the Eater of Souls to a human body. Back in the day, those who had bound the demon to a body had wanted to use it as the ultimate weapon. And now it looks like someone else wants a chance to tame the beast. Russians? Maybe. Cultists? Perhaps. Russian cultists? Don’t be silly. But it’s clear that they’re all involved somehow. As Howard searches for the memorandum, he finds himself drug into a middle of a battle that puts him face to face with the Eater of Souls.

Written in a sometimes-snarky, rarely-serious, tone, Charles Stross’s The Fuller Memorandum is a mishmash of science fiction, witty humor, outlandish happenstances, and social satire. The plot doesn’t go much of anywhere for about the first 100 pages or so, but once I acclimated to Stross’s storytelling methods – and once the story finally got itself rolling – I began to enjoy it. Stross seems to enjoy snarky humor more than plot sometimes, and occasionally the witticisms distract rather than enhance the plot (I get it dude. The iPhone is shiny. Calling it the JesusPhone every single time you mention it is a bit over the top.). Stross also has no problems with breaking the fourth wall on occasion, and most often this is effective.

So my conclusion is that I’m conflicted. It takes the reader a while to get used to Stross’s style and takes Stross even longer to begin focusing on where the story is going to go (though to his credit, Stross manages to tie in earlier events later on). I understand part of his goal was to satirize, and he does so to some effect, but at times the satire takes precedence over the actual story. The book’s second half blends the humor and plot a bit better and gets to the crux of the plot. No doubt this is something that sci-fi fans will want to read, and it was something I ultimately enjoyed, despite its flaws.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Algonquin

Publication Date:  August 2010

Reviewed by Marianne Peters

Barnacle Love has haunted me for weeks. I thumb through it almost against my will, revisiting the visceral prose and atmospheric stories, tales of immigrants’ dreams and the realities that quench them.

Manual Antonio Rebelo is a man who straddles two cultures, but who feels at home in neither one. The first half of the book tells how he came to Canada from the Azores to find wealth and success, away from the immediate reach of his mother. Maria Rebelo is a cruel, selfish woman who openly prefers Manual to his other siblings and whose evil influence corrupts their lives, even from across the sea, as eventually all his siblings follow him to Canada in part to escape her. Maria’s tainted love creates conflict between the characters and in Manual, who craves his mother’s approval, but feels guilty that he has all of it.

Despite his acquired patriotism, Manual does not blend into his adopted country. The close-knit community of Portuguese immigrants and, eventually, alcohol, ease his loneliness, but do not restore his dreams. The second half of the book follows Manual’s son Antonio, who feels only his father’s disappointments, not his hopes, and who is bewildered by the superstitious island culture he knows only through his parents. He is a loyal son who longs to see his father succeed, but he eventually chafes under “the Dream” his father has tried to pass along to him.

Like tiles in a mosaic, each story-chapter adds to the tale of the Rebelo family, whose members are connected through layers of tradition and loyalty, but also through self-sacrifice and revenge – a “barnacle love” that clings to, but also damages, its host. The latter chapters are set in 1970’s Toronto, imagined through specific details that transport us to that time and place. Images from the stories reveal themselves like folklore: a fish called “Big Lips”, a bed full of broken seashells, a bloody wedding gown, a statue of Mary with chipped toes, and a lonely dory adrift in the ocean. The characters are starkly, but compassionately drawn, especially Manual, who is by turns noble and helplessly inept. We are left asking, how much of his ruin was his own, and how much of it was the humiliation he suffered trying to become Canadian and leave his past behind?

Barnacle Love is a beautifully written tale of an immigrant’s experience in a new land and the aftermath, as Manual finally understands that “a dream is not responsible to the one who believes it.”

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

War with Venezuela. Oil shortages. Global warming. Riots. And that’s just the beginning in Suzanne Weyn’s new novel Empty. Gwen Jones lives in rural Sage Valley, a small town near the Hudson River, and things are starting to get interesting. Gas prices have soared beyond most people’s budgets, and even worse, gas is in short supply everywhere. And as the oil crisis continues, people are only getting edgier. Soon they’re going to grow desperate – especially as the grocery store shelves look emptier and emptier. Can Gwen and her friends survive in this new and changing world? Or will they succumb to the panic and end up destroying themselves?

Weyn has crafted a truly frightening tale set in the near future, all based on the premise: what would happen if oil actually ran out? What would be the ramifications for regular people trying to live day to day? And she sets out to tell us a story centering around three high schoolers, Gwen, Tom, and Nikki, to challenge thinking and deal with a hard topic in a realistic way.

Going into the book, I knew what it was basically about, and that worried me in a way. I was afraid that this would turn into another environmental treatise, just trying to tell me a bunch of facts and that I should change the way I lived. Of course I don’t mind trying to live in a way that doesn’t affect nonrenewable resources, but it almost seems like media in the past few years can’t find another subject to beat to death. From movies and books to documentaries, the message of green living is always around. And while at times it did feel like Weyn was trying to give me a lesson or two on not wasting resources, most of these discussions were limited to a paragraph, and even then I only found about two sections in the whole book that really seemed preachy.

The characters are fairly well done, and their way of speaking felt true to life. Weyn also throws in some interesting plot twists that really made me gasp out loud and want to keep going. The book itself was fairly quick and easy to read, and the ending comes around in a good way. I was wondering how on earth she could end the novel – since things kept getting worse and worse as it went along. But the ending is realistic and well-brought together, without feeling like I had just read an article on green living.

Overall, while preachy at a couple quick spots (which were easy to get past), Weyn does a good job of crafting a solid story around a realistic and ominous idea. There was plenty of suspense and action to keep things moving, and Empty is definitely one that I would recommend for someone looking for a book that goes a little deeper than others.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Drama, Suspense

Publisher:  Atria

Publication Date:  March 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

Jodi Picoult has a reputation for making readers think while being entertained, and she has accomplished that again with House Rules.  The protagonist, Jacob Hunt, is an eighteen-year-old with Asperger’s.  He is on the high end of the spectrum, meaning he can function very well considering his situation.  He is verbal and highly communicative.  He loves CSI-type shows and never misses an episode of his favorite television show: Crime Busters.  Jacob likes to create crime scenes and have his brother or mother try to solve the “crimes.”  When his tutor’s death becomes a real-life crime scene, Jacob is arrested and put on trial for her murder.  His brother, Theo, already feels as though he is pushed out into the cold because their single mother spends all of her time taking care of Jacob’s needs.  When the trial comes, Theo is even more alone.  He struggles with feelings of guilt over resenting all of the time, attention, and money that their mother must put into Jacob’s care.  Emma, their mother, struggles to hold down a job and lead a somewhat normal life while taking care of a child with a disability.  Everyone struggles after the arrest and at the subsequent trial trying to get Jacob a fair chance when his disability makes him look guilty.  One must consider if the penal system should make any accommodations for people with special needs.

The book is entertaining because even though the reader is told up-front what happens and “who done it,” the rest of the characters don’t know and have to figure it out.  Each chapter progresses the story, but each one is told in a different person’s perspective.  Just when the reader thinks he has something figured out, someone else comes along and tells things from a different angle.  This makes the book flow smoothly while keeping the reader interested.  One may have certain opinions or preconceived notions when starting the book, but by the end the opinions may change, or at least will stop to consider someone else.  Picoult really hits the mark in this one because she gives Jacob’s perspective as well, which is very hard to do with someone who is on the Asperger’s spectrum.  Even if the reader is not interested in Asperger’s, there is enough happening throughout the story to keep one entertained.

This book has a mixture of clean and “caution” moments.  Emma is raising two boys and is trying to be a good role model for them, but now and again she slips and uses profanity.  Jacob doesn’t necessarily understand it so he repeats it.  Theo, in his rebellion, uses it frequently.  There is a murder, and the scene is described in some measure of detail.  Emma has a sexual relationship with Jacob’s attorney, and while it is not described in detail, it IS a casual relationship.  These are things that might be typical in one reader’s perspective but that may cause another reader for concern.

After reading House Rules, I am torn between my original perspective on Asperger’s and what has been shown to me.  Picoult opens up a new scenario, a new world, without being preachy or without pushing her opinions onto anyone.  She effectively makes the reader think and put himself into the shoes of the characters that could easily be the family across the street.  The book is well-written and perfect for someone wanting a good read WITH a thought-provoking insight.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I was really excited to see that Margaret Peterson Haddix was going to be writing the final installment in The 39 Clues series. I had always been a backstage fan of Haddix’s books, and I knew she would be able to bring book ten, Into the Gauntlet, right where it needed to be to finish strong. And I definitely wasn’t disappointed — it took me just a few hours to devour the book, as I was insanely anxious to see how everything would finally end.
Things have not been easy for Dan and Amy. They’ve been close to death numerous times, betrayed by both close friends and evil relatives, and they’ve discovered one shocking secret about their family after another. And now, it’s coming down to the wire. Who will come away with all the clues and become the most powerful people in the world? To make things even worse, Isabel Kabra will stop at nothing — even if it means the death of her own children — to get her hands on the final clues. Can they stop her before it’s too late? Can Amy and Dan save the fate of the entire world? Or will everything crumble to pieces here at the very end?

The writing is just as strong as any other Haddix book. And she brings an extra something to the series that makes it really shine — the characters have become deeper than some of the early cardboard-cast relatives from the earlier books. And this one is the longest yet — coming in at a hefty 300+ pages, there’s plenty of action, humor, and heartache to keep things really going. More secret messages are hidden in the book, and the one at the very end will make readers really on edge. Because perhaps the race for The 39 Clues isn’t over…

** SPOILER WARNING **

One thing that did kind of bother me in a sense is the fact that the series doesn’t actually end. The story arch that is created here in these ten books does end, but things twist around at the very end and leave things hanging for another book or perhaps another whole series to come. I wasn’t ready for the series to end, but in some ways I wanted things to tie up nicely. To actually end. A lot of books in the children’s market aren’t quite ending anymore — making room for possible sequels, which is great sometimes, but it’s also nice to see something end. And end well.

** END SPOILER WARNING **

Overall, The 39 Clues series is worth the investment. It’s fun, it’s easy to read, and it’s challenging in some aspects as we travel with Amy and Dan and watch their character growth over the course of the books. Rick Riordan and Scholastic definitely came up with something well done and conceived, and it was nice to read something for the younger market that wasn’t just another book.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Young Adult / Children’s

Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books

Publication Date: May 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

I had never read a John Grisham novel before Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer. But, since it seemed like everyone I knew had read at least one of his books and enjoyed it, I thought I’d give his first young adult novel a chance. I wish I hadn’t. I tried to enjoy the book, but in the end, Grisham really just let me down.
On the jacket, the story sounded great. Amazing even: a huge murder trial. And it seems as though the only person who knows the truth is Theodore Boone, a local kid who dreams of being a lawyer someday. But today his dreams might be happening because he has to show Honorable Judge Gantry that he really does know who committed the murder. But something’s holding him back — there are people who would love to see Theo silenced. Forever.

** SPOILER WARNING **

Based on what seemed like a good plot, I dived in. And I kept waiting for something to happen. Anything even. And it wasn’t even until page 109 when Theo actually becomes involved in the plot. It turns out that an acquaintance of Theo has a cousin who was at the golf course when the murder took place in the up-scale Waverly Creek neighborhood. And this cousin saw the murder go down. Only problem is that said cousin happens to be an illegal immigrant, and if he goes to the police with the truth, he might be deported. Theo soon becomes obsessed over whether to say anything about these facts to anyone. And it soon goes beyond overboard with his worry. There is never any physical danger to Theo, or this cousin, and by the time the book starts to wrap up, still nothing significant has really happened. The idea behind the plot is definitely a good one, but it had virtually no direct bearing on Theo’s life. There just wasn’t enough of a threat hanging over Theo to hang an entire story on.

Even with the ominous and ever-present villain Omar Cheepe hanging around, nothing happens. There is plenty of foreshadowing that Theo might get hurt — that this cousin might be found out — but nothing ever does happen. It almost felt like I spent the whole novel waiting and waiting, and by the time I reached the end, I couldn’t wait to be done.

** END SPOILER WARNING **

One other thing that really bothered me about the whole book were the characters themselves. It seemed like everyone had been cut out from cardboard — Theo was a goody-two shoes kid, who never did anything wrong. Mr. Mount was the typical mentor / teacher to Theo, who for some reason called all of the boys in his class, “Men.” The parents felt like they were barely there and barely involved at all, and of course there was the estranged Uncle Ike, gruff and off-putting at first, but willing to help later on. I never really felt like I connected with anybody, and to be honest, Theo never experienced any sort of character development. He’s pretty much the same kid we meet at the beginning and the same kid who exits the book.

The writing itself was not bad. Grisham definitely knows how to turn out good sentences and paragraphs and even describe the judicial system without being boring. But at times, I felt like I could have had more fun reading a text book on law written by Grisham instead of this poorly conceived young adult novel. I was half-curious if Grisham has been reading anything current in the young adult / children’s market. Because he sounds highly out of touch with this generation and the way they interact and think.

All said, I’m not ready to dismiss Grisham as an author. I would love to read one of his novels that have good plot twists and well-thought out characters. But Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is definitely not, and never will be, that novel.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Date: June 2010

Genre: Historical, Romance

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Sometimes, I break out of my “comfort genres.” I’ve read one of Linda Windsor’s Moonstruck books, and I know she tends to bounce back and forth between historical and contemporary romance. So I accepted the book because, my preferences aside, the woman can write. That, and what’s not to be intriguing about a book that combines Celtic lore, Arthurian lore, a lost line of Davidic kings (yes, King David), and Joseph of Arimathea?

Oh, but then it gets complicated: A family feud began when an enchantress came between two brothers and one brother became so angry he massacred the woman’s clan. She prophesied that, by way of her daughter, the end of their hate would come—then killed herself. The daughter escaped. Twenty years later, a young healer named Brenna and her wolf rescue a prince from an attack that would have killed him. She nurses him back to health, alone in a cave, while the rest of the world faces the repercussions of a supposedly murdered prince.

I liked the story. It was difficult to put down. And I really don’t want to criticize it too much.  The characters are inviting and quite amusing at times.  Ronan, the prince, is quite ill for a good portion of this story—which means Brenna is left to talk to the wolf or to a nightmare-riddled patient bound by fever and tormented by inner demons for  several chapters of the book.

Now, and it may just be that I really read mostly fantasy and suspense (or a good old adventure story), but I will say, the problem was, there was no real fear of how things would turn out, because I was told in advance and the characters don’t ever fully question it. (Ronan does, to a degree, but he lives off Brenna’s faith sometimes.) Moreover, I had a hard time believing Ronan or Brenna could fall in love so quickly. Sure, he was with her for months—but mostly at death’s door during those months. To me, that was far too quick, and a bit forward for a young healer squeamish about having a man in her cave (even unconscious and . . . drugged).  Likewise, Brother Martin is a likeable character, but pages of sermon slow it down.

On top of all this, I counted at least three exorcisms as a means of ending the conflict. An exorcism by itself isn’t the issue. I believe demons exist and that they can oppress and possess people, and I believe that they can be exorcised. The problem is that exorcisms are a bit like faked death or resurrection scenes: You can pull it off once, pretty much, with little to no complaint. Its okay to trick the audience into thinking a character is dead, but if you do it with five characters you break the suspension of disbelief. Likewise, an exorcism is a perfectly legitimate option (and, in dealing with oppressive spirits, not a bad option in this book), but if too many conflicts peak with an oppressing or possessing demon that much be extracted, you’ve effectively broken the fourth wall.

And yes, I understand that’s part of who Brenna is: She can heal body and soul. She’s a restorer of sorts. She purges evil the same way she purges infection from a wound.  But I needed something there.

I suppose, in the end, my thought is this: Brenna is a woman of immense faith. She’s a prophetess and a healer, and she’s a unique breed who understands both her strengths and her weaknesses, knows when to take up her bow and when to become the peacemaker.

But as a believer myself, I don’t need explanation. Ronan’s struggle between faith and pride, between his old life and his new, don’t need exposition.  The story stands on its own without it, and if everyone accepts the deceased prophetess’ oracle as deeply as Brenna, then it releases some of the tension and doesn’t allow her to stand out quite as much as she should.

I will say, when Ronan’s ultimate enemy was finally revealed, I had dismissed him from the list, even though he made sense, so I was as surprised as everyone else. Like I said, Windsor can keep you reading.  She writes believable characters, puts a ton of research into her novels, and can pull you along as long as she wants.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Recently Jake Chism and Tim George sat down with Jeff Gerke, the founder of Marcher Lord Press. Listen in as we discuss the origin of MLP, the upcoming MLP titles, and the status of Christian speculative fiction in today’s market.

More about Jeff:

Jeff Gerke has been called the de facto gatekeeper of Christian speculative fiction. After his own six novels were published (under the pen name Jefferson Scott) and his time spearheading the launch of a fiction imprint dedicated to Christian speculative fiction at a major Christian publishing company, Jeff branched out on his own to launch Marcher Lord Press, an Indie publishing house billing itself as the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction. His popular fiction how-to book The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction is available through Amazon or Marcher Lord Press and his new craft book from Writer’s Digest Books, Plot versus Character, releases in October 2010. Jeff lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, teenage daughter, 10-year-old son, and 2-year-old adoptive daughter from China.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Jake Chism and Tim George share the line with novelist T.L. Hines to discuss his new book, The Falling Away. Listen in as we talk about the theme of addiction in the story, the idea behind “the killbox”, and zombie love stories.

Check out our reviews of The Falling Away.

More about T.L Hines:

Author T.L. (Tony) Hines mixes mysteries with oddities in a genre that has been dubbed “Noir Bizarre”.  In books such as The Unseen, Waking Lazarus, and The Dead Whisper On and his latest THE FALLING AWAY (due in September from Thomas Nelson Books),  Hines leads readers into areas that are often unexplained but always intriguing.  As such, Waking Lazarus received Library Journal’s “25 Best Genre Fiction Books of the Year” award.  Now In THE FALLING AWAY, T. L. Hines delves into issues ranging from teen homelessness to post-traumatic stress disorder in order to peel back greater truths about redemption

Tony L. Hines has been a professional writer for more than 20 years, with articles appearing in publications as varied as Log Homes, Food & Wine, and Travel & Leisure. In 2001, Tony authored his first published book, the nonfiction Billings: A Shining Star in Big Sky Country (CCI Publishing), a historical portrait of Montana’s largest city.

In 1995, Tony founded H2O Advertising with his wife Nancy. In 2003, after eight years of growth, they merged their company with Wendt Advertising (www.iwendt.com) to create the largest advertising agency in the Northern Rockies. From 1995 to 2002, Tony was also the Managing Editor and a contributing writer for Locations magazine, a publication published by the Association of Film Commissioners International (www.afci.org) to promote on-location film production around the world. Locations is distributed to the feature film and commercial production industries.

Tony’s writing has received numerous awards, including state and regional Addys, Silver Microphones (national radio advertising), Tellys (national television), Golden Spikes (PR writing awards) and the Print Magazine Regional Design Annual. He was also selected for the inaugural edition of the “40 Under 40” awards, presented by Western Business News to influential Montana business leaders 40 years of age or less. Today, Hines is recognized as an opinion leader on social networking and new media.

Tony’s long list of past odd jobs includes trimming Christmas trees, sorting seed potatoes, selling strawberries, and cleaning cadaver storage rooms. As a teen, he was undefeated in air guitar competitions (a record of 3-0), in which he performed songs by ZZ Top.

To interview T.L. Hines or request a reviewer copy of THE FALLING AWAY, contact Allen Media Strategies Aaron Leistner at (703) 589-8960 or aaron@allenmediastrategies.com.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Thriller, Political

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication date: September 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Power Down marks the emergence of a major new talent in the political thriller genre—no small feat in a field already packed with big names like Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and David Baldacci. In terms of sheer entertainment value, author Ben Coes and his hero, the unusually but memorably named Dewey Andreas, are easily and immediately competitive with the very best the thriller field has to offer.

When Islamic terrorists simultaneously attack a U.S.-owned oil rig off the coast of Columbia and a huge hydraulic dam in the wilderness of northern Canada, the world waits in fear for the repercussions of such a devastating blow dealt to America’s power supply and infrastructure. But while politicians and bureaucrats tremble and wring their hands, rig boss and former Army Ranger Andreas steps forward to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that nothing like this will ever happen again. Working with industry insiders who truly understand the ramifications of the deadly attacks, Andreas quickly makes progress toward identifying the true nature and origin of the remaining threat. But first he has to get himself out of harm’s way and avoid ending up the victim of an assassin’s bullet. With a mole in the CIA working against him and dozens of viable targets still at risk, time is short. And the consequences of failure are unthinkable.

Power Down is a straightforward, fast-paced, and exciting story in the tradition of Tom Clancy and Stephen Coonts. The central threat is realistic and dramatic and feels like it could appear in tomorrow’s headlines. Coes uses a creative mixture of research and imagination, the result of which is a mostly realistic and believable terrorist scenario that is as frightening as it is plausible.

Coes, who used to be a White House speechwriter, demonstrates good command of language and has a sense of story pacing that is surprising for a first-time fiction author. The characters are likeable, if a bit formulaic, and there are a few welcome surprises in the cast, such as the patriotic head of the American energy conglomerate, and the villain, whom Coes paints with a decent back-story motivation rather than resorting to cartoonishness. Objectionable material is minimal but not absent; sensitive readers should be prepared for lots of violence and some inexplicit sexual content.

In an uncertain—not to say depressing—real-world economic and political environment, it’s refreshing to read a story where the characters, for the most part, respond the way you wish people would in real life. Power Down is a great debut and should easily secure a place on the best-seller lists and atop the thriller market.

Review copy provided by St. Martin’s Press.

Listen in as Jake Chism, Lori Twichell, Josh Olds, and James Andrew Wilson analyze and dissect Ted Dekker’s latest novel, Immanuel’s Veins. What did we think about Dekker’s use of the first person? Is this a Books of History Chronicles novel? Vampires or no vampires? We’re tackling all of these questions and lots more. Enjoy!!

SPOILER WARNING!!!! This podcast review contains spoilers throughout. If you have not read the book proceed at your own risk!

Check out our recent podcast interview with Ted Dekker and our print reviews of IV.

(NOTE: The interview with Ted Dekker referenced in this podcast was recorded in March 2010 and can be found here).

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

Dylan Runs Ahead has left behind a war that maimed his body and scarred his soul. As time goes by the only solace that can be found is in pain medication and troubled relationships. The tragic past of his sister’s loss haunts him at every turn, and he is basically an outsider to the reservation he grew up on. When Dylan meets Webb, he knows he has found a kindred spirit, someone who knows the pain of loss, and more importantly someone who knows how to hide from it.

Before he knows it, Dylan is involved in a drug deal gone bad and is now the target of both local law enforcement and jilted criminals. What Dylan doesn’t know is that there is an even greater plan for his life, something beyond mortal comprehension. A mysterious girl names Quinn is also on his trail and she must reach him first to open his eyes to the unseen and the true destiny that awaits him.

T.L. Hines has always been bold in his writing, giving his audience truly bizarre characters, plot twists, and story devices. The Falling Away continues this trend and once again Hines gives us another story that really works. The strong characters carry this novel, and I was especially drawn into Dylan’s relationship with his sister, Joni. I won’t give anything away here, but the way that Joni is introduced into the novel is both unique and brilliant.

The Falling Away will spark a lot of discussion amongst Christian readers about the elements of demon possession and spiritual warfare that Hines explores here. Authors like Frank Peretti and Eric Wilson have put highly original spins on these elements in the past, and yet in typical Hines fashion he has found away to blaze his own trail through familiar territory.

The end of this novel takes bizarre to a whole new level, and I imagine some readers will see genius while others will see confusion and possibly disappointment at how easily the major conflict was resolved. While I’m not sure I completely “get” some parts of the ending, all I know is that I couldn’t put this one down. Days after reading I am still contemplating the final pages, and I’m not so sure that is a bad thing. In this case I think there is beauty behind the bizarre and I had a blast experiencing it.

Hines seems to be oozing with talent and ideas and I’m anxiously looking forward to more from this author who deserves much more attention than he has received.

Tim George’s Review:

Like so many returning from war Dylan Runs Ahead brought a lot of baggage back with him. And like some, the experience is all the worse because he was carrying much of that baggage long before he landed in Iraq taking out roadside bombs. Dylan ended up in the Army trying, unsuccessfully, to run from the inner voice of a missing sister. The sister whose loss he feels responsible for. But the ghost of her memory is not alone. He ran to the Army to escape his guilt and now he has limped home with a mangled leg and yet more guilty memories, those of a soldier who died in his place. Now, living on the outskirts of the Crow Nation reservation in Montana, Dylan and his only friend, Webb, find themselves on the wrong end of a drug deal gone bad. They are marked men with drug suppliers on both sides of the deal looking to kill them and the law hot on their trail.

So far The Falling Away sounds like a fairly standard story. But the author is T.L. Hines and ordinary isn’t in his dictionary. Enter Quinn into Dylan’s life. She tells him a story that is incredibly hard to accept yet increasingly evident to be true. She is a member of a group she calls The Falling Away and her calling in life is to root out evil of the most insidious sort imaginable. Dylan is one of “the Chosen”, something the soldier who died for him used to say. What she doesn’t tell Dylan is her job is to keep him from falling under the influence of a cult whose leader spreads evil like a virus. She must prevent that at all costs.

Hines tackles a story line that Frank Peretti used over twenty years ago in This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness to practically reinvent Christian fiction. Both authors make us think about things most would rather pretend belong in horror movies rather than the real world. But as always T.L. Himes does it in his own distinctive “Noir Bizarre” style. No cross waving exorcists or Bible pounding preachers in sight. Instead, we have Quinn who amounts to a female spiritual enforcer determined to carry out her mission at all costs. That mission leads her and Dylan to a cult called The Hive which just also happens to supply wind generated electricity to much of the surrounding area along with some other darker commodities.

But in the end, it is Dylan Runs Ahead who must defeat evil or be possessed by it. And in that confrontation he finally comes to understand why his friend took his place in Iraq and why he is called a “chosen”. The Falling Away is a story about facing demons both figurative and literal. In many ways, this is one of Hines’ most spiritual stories as he uses dialogue between Dylan and the friend who died for him to explore powerful truths about life, death, and redemption.  Yes, it is a strange story. Hine’s fans would be disappointed otherwise. But it is a powerful story, a tale about running to the battle rather than away from it. Only in encountering the enemy head on does Dylan find everything he has been running from.

If you have never read T.L. Hines I couldn’t think of a better place to start.

Don’t miss our recent podcast interview with T.L. Hines.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Jake Chism and Lori Twichell share the line with NY Times Bestselling Author Ted Dekker to discuss his new novel, Immanuel’s Veins. Listen in as we discuss whether or not this is a vampire story, his move to a new publisher, and his love for his amazing fans.

You can listen to our podcast review of IV here and read our print reviews  here.

More about Ted Dekker:

Ted Dekker is the New York Time best selling author of more than 25 novels. He is known for stories that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil. You can find him online at TedDekker.com and Facebook.com/teddekker.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed  by Jake Chism

It’s been five hundred years since the Gypsy Morph, Hawk, led a diverse group of survivors out of the destruction of the Great Wars into a safe haven hidden by magic. Since that time the magic has kept the Men, Elves, Spiders, and Lizards safe from the world beyond. Many have forgotten their roots and distanced themselves from the magic that saved them.

Sider Ament is the last known Knight of the Word and he’s just discovered that the magic barrier has been breached. Now he must team up with two Trackers, Panterra Qu and Prue Liss, to convince an unbelieving people that their safe haven is about to be discovered. The Old World they’ve forgotten is about to collide with their own and nothing can prepare them for the danger that waits.

Continuing his massive undertaking to give us the full history of The Shannara series, Terry Brooks delivers another exciting installment full of new characters, trademark fantasy elements, and heartfelt emotion.

Typically in Brooks’ writing, characters don’t last longer than a book or two, very few having lived through multiple series. This is to be expected since this series in particular takes place over thousands of years. Nevertheless, Brook continues to craft characters that readers can’t help but fall in love with. Sider, Panterra, and Prue certainly fit the bill and readers will be moved and captivated by their journey. We’re also treated to some strong supporting roles throughout that would make fascinating main characters themselves.

As a long time fan of Terry Brooks it has been fun to see how the Shannara history is built, and Bearers of the Black Staff feels more like the Shannara books of old and less like the apocalyptic Genesis of Shannara novels that came previously. Some key elements of the series are revealed here that will satisfy hard core fans, while at the same time piquing the interest of new readers.

While there are still plenty of stories to be bridged, this is continually proving to be a journey that is well worth the ride.

Review copy provided by Del Rey.

Genre: Literary

Publisher: Touchstone Books

Publication Date: August 2010

Anne Barnhill’s Review:

Susan Gilbert-Collins’ debut novel, Starting from Scratch, promises to examine grief and give the reader “insight into the grieving process itself,” according to the promotional materials. That’s a lot of weight for this first novel to carry.

The book begins when Olivia Tschetter, the youngest of four children raised in South Dakota, passes her dissertation defense, yet keeps her achievement a secret from her family.  Only her mother knew Olivia was going to defend, but her mother dies suddenly on the very day Olivia completes her ordeal.  With the funeral and her own grief to manage, Olivia never gets around to letting the others know that she has successfully defended her dissertation, though they keep badgering her about completing it.  The more her brother, Dave, and her sisters, Annie and Ruby, badger, the less Olivia wants to tell them she’s already finished the hard part.

This family of intellectuals is an interesting mix, high-achievers all.  Olivia, the youngest, still has a lot to prove to herself.  After her mother’s death, she stays with her father, cooking him meals from her mom’s old recipes.  She also takes it upon herself to complete her mother’s last newsletter, an epistle which is part-Hints-from-Heloise and part-Dear-Abby.  As Olivia begins to piece together the final edition, she makes a shattering discovery about her mother and the rest of her family.

As Olivia tries to find out the details of this, heretofore, unknown episode in her family’s history, she learns to look at herself and her siblings in a new way.  Rather than whine about being the youngest in the family, which she does throughout the novel, she begins to appreciate herself and the others.

The sections of the novel dealing with food preparation and the inclusion of recipes add to the story.  Gilbert-Collins’ use of mid-western dialect and culture seems authentic.  However, there are a few problems with the book. First, to begin a novel discussing an arcane dissertation does not produce a page-turner.  The bits about the scholarly life fall particularly flat.  But the main problem with the novel is Olivia herself.  She tells the reader over and over how sad she is about losing her mother.  However, there is not real evidence of her grief in the story itself.  It doesn’t feel real.  What is more palpable is the resentment Olivia harbors against all of her siblings, an anger that seems whiny and childish.  Vivian, Olivia’s mother, is the most carefully drawn character in the book and she’s dead–not a good balance.

However, there is much here to be commended as well: believable dialogue, interesting relationships among the siblings, and a setting that is unusual.  It will be interesting to see what Gilbert-Collins does next.

Jaci Miller’s Review:

Olivia Tschetter just finished her doctoral dissertation early and can’t wait to share the news with her family. But a phone call cracks her world apart like a broken egg. Vivian, her mother, has died of a stroke.

As she struggles with her grief, her three overachieving older siblings push her to return to the world of academia. Instead Olivia finds comfort in her mother’s recipes. Stalling for time, she finds a part-time job at a Meals-on-Wheels center and continues work on her mother’s unfinished cooking newsletter. In the process, Olivia uncovers old family secrets and faces new surprises from her siblings. Ultimately, this family “baby” must find the strength to cope and to grow into her place in the family.

Starting from Scratch by Susan Gilbert-Collins transports readers from the world of academia to the gentler, familial world of food—a shift as healing as it is heartening. At the same time, the novel tackles issues of grieving, pain and family dynamics. A very full plate for one novel but Gilbert-Collins handles it smoothly and gracefully. Softly literary and lacking in pretension, the narrative and tone soften as Olivia’s character similarly softens.

Refreshing language lights this book without becoming self-absorbed in flowery prose. Gilbert-Collins offers a fine example on pages 79-80. “Doris … reminded Olivia of the pioneer women she had had to study growing up: large-boned, spare-fleshed women with humorless lips and the grim light of survival in their eyes, with gaunt cheeks and big strong hands that could build log cabins and beat out prairie fires and toss rattlers out of their babies’ beds. Women who could do anything as long as it was hard enough: shoe a horse, or shoot one, or eat one, as circumstances demanded.”

The book also includes recipes of some of the dishes discussed within its pages, written in the style of Vivian’s newsletter.

Review copies provided by Touchstone.

Listen in as Jake Chism talks with Randy Singer about his new novel, Fatal Convictions, his upcoming project, and the challenges of balancing the busy life of a writer, pastor, and lawyer.

You can read our review of Fatal Convictions here.

More about Randy:

Randy Singer believes it’s important to simultaneously hold a number of different jobs so that if he gets fired by two employers the same day, he can still avoid the unemployment line. He splits his time and divides his personality between Randy Singer, critically- acclaimed author, Randy Singer, attorney, and Randy Singer, ministry leader and preacher. When he grows up, he will decide what he really wants to do.

Singer has authored nine novels, including his newest release, Fatal Convictions, The Justice Game (a CBA Bestseller), the Christy-Award nominee By Reason of Insanity, the 2003 Christy-Award winning Directed Verdict, Irreparable Harm, Dying Declaration, Self Incrimination, The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney, and False Witness as well as the novella, The Judge Who Stole Christmas. He has also authored or co-authored three nonfiction titles, including The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ. His books have won critical acclaim from numerous review outlets, including Publishers Weekly, which said, “ … Singer proves himself to be the Christian John Grisham.”

Randy is an adjunct professor at Regent University Law School and also has his own law practice. For several years, he was a litigation partner and head of the trial section at Willcox & Savage—one of Virginia’s largest and most prestigious law firms. He also has served as president of FamilyNet Television and General Counsel of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta. He received his law degree from the College of William and Mary School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Houghton College.

Randy has tried numerous cases in state and federal court, and holds the ignominious distinction of participating in the longest bench trial in Virginia state court history. He also served as lead counsel in the first jury trial in Virginia that ever received gavel-to-gavel television coverage. That case, arising out of a shooting spree by a student at the school attended by Randy’s children, also became the subject matter of the book Fatal Passage by award-winning author Erik Larsen (author of National Book Award finalist Devil in the White City).

In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, VA. He calls it his “Jekyll and Hyde thing”—part lawyer, part pastor. He also serves on the Board of Legal Advisors for the American Center for Law and Justice. Randy and his wife, Rhonda, have two adult children and live in Virginia Beach, VA, even though Randy is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.

More information on Randy is available at: www.randysinger.net.

You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

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Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

Toma Nicolescu has fought many brave battles for the Russian Empress, yet nothing can prepare him for the battle on the horizon. Toma sets out with his trusted confidant, Alek, for the Cantemir estate in Moldavia. There he is charged with protecting the family at all costs, for political reasons no doubt, yet Toma concerns himself not with such things. Duty and honor drive him and he will proudly do whatever his Empress requests.  However, one look at Lucine Cantemir, one of the daughters under his charge, flings Toma head over heels into an inward war between duty and desire.

Matters spend madly out of control when the charming, yet mysterious Vlad van Valerik begins to court Lucine. This union would solidify relations between Russia and Moldavia, and it is Toma’s responsibility to ensure it happens. When Vlad and his minions begin to show their true colors, Toma finds himself in a race against time to save the one he loves and to stop darkness from sweeping the land.  Torn between duty and love, Toma rushes headlong into the greatest battle he has ever known.

Immanuel’s Veins marks a significant milestone in Ted Dekker’s illustrious career. After ten years and twenty-eight novels he is saying goodbye to Thomas Nelson and moving on to Hachette and the mainstream market.  As Dekker’s fans might expect, he refuses to leave quietly, and does so with one of the most unique and powerful stories he has ever penned.

Have you ever wondered what a Ted Dekker novel would be like written in the first person? Wonder no more! Toma Nicolescu’s first person narrative is absolutely brilliant throughout and the perfect device to effectively tell this story that is full of passion, seduction, and heartache. Toma himself might just be Dekker’s most endearing character and his fight to win Lucine’s love will have readers on the edge of their seats, ready to stand and cheer.

Dekker wastes no time in connecting Immanuel’s Veins to the massive Books of History Chronicles. The prologue alone will have die hard fans foaming at the mouth and postulating “otherworldly” theories. Fortunately, new readers will have no trouble following this story. There is plenty here to keep them churning the pages, even if a few references are lost on them. As a fan, it was fun to see the connections and get one final (?) taste of the redemptive history Dekker created years ago in the Circle Series. We even get a nice peek at a huge part of Dekker lore that some of his readers would gouge their own eyes out to behold.

Fantastic characters, gripping storylines, breathtaking imagery. Might as well go out on top right? As Dekker leaves one journey behind to start another, he leaves us with a story that will resonate in our hearts long after reading.  Immanuel’s Veins will spark much discussion amongst readers about such things as vampires, seduction, blood books, and familiar dungeons. I’ll leave that thunder for other reviewers to steal. This one is special to me (and will be for many others) as it reminds me of how great the journey has been and it assures me that the best is yet to come.

Thanks for the journey, Ted. Let’s do it again soon.

Lori Twichell’s Review:

Toma Nicolescu is a warrior for Catherine the Great. He and his friend and fellow warrior, Alec, are sent to protect two young women in a very prominent family. The family is, in fact, key to the power of Catherine’s reign, so their mission is vital. Alec is a lover more than a fighter. Toma is the other half of this equation.  When they arrive at the home of their charges, it’s to find two incredibly delightful and beautiful young sisters named Natasha and Lucine. If these were the only major characters in the book, it would be easy to see where things are headed. Unfortunately, they aren’t. There’s Vlad. And Sofia. And a whole house full of other characters that bring this book to new levels that run far beyond those of simple romance and passion.

Prim. Proper. Perfect. Toma’s always been the warrior who spent more time fighting than considering anything to do with women or romance. Much as Fitzwilliam Darcy has no idea what to do when he meets Elizabeth Bennet (Yes, I did just dare to make a Jane Austen reference in a Ted Dekker review.  And it’s well deserved. So there.) Toma is also plunged into a level of inner conflict and confusion when he meets his beautiful Lucine.  Painfully aware that his duty requires him to not only keep his beloved Lucine safe, but to also keep suitors away from her, Toma struggles with his feelings for her. At the same time, he’s confused by what’s happening with Natasha and Alek. Something very strange and very dangerous is happening. Is it something that he’s even able to fight? Or is it something from beyond this world? And how can Toma juggle his feelings, his duty, and his beloved’s safety? This is far more than just a love story. There’s something deeper and darker hiding within its depths.

Ted Dekker freely admits this is new territory for him. It’s unlike anything he’s ever done before. But honestly, this is Ted Dekker. Very little about Ted is ever like anything that’s been done before. Even when Dekker writes something that’s considered ‘inside the box’, it seems that he likes to take that box, smash it into bits and then warm his hands by the fire built from the parts. So when we venture into this new territory with him, instead of being something odd or uncomfortable, Dekker makes the journey heart achingly rich and beautiful. As Toma stumbles away from his hard line on duty and honor and begins to explore the feelings that are growing and opening within him, you can’t help but feel your own heart squeeze. As you’re reading, it makes you wonder if you, as an outside observer, are feeling this much emotion, what sort of depths could the characters possibly be feeling? At times it threatens to overwhelm the reader and yet you know that this is what Dekker wants to convey. He wants you to feel the overriding overwhelming passion that can nearly drown you with its intensity.

Dekker is a modern day master of the written word. Too often in modern literature, words are forced into creating the visual that the author wants to share. In sharp contrast, Dekker owns every word he uses. The words line up and melt willingly into his creation, eager to play their part in his vision. The story flows so smoothly through your mind that it feels as if the words have flown directly from the Technicolor depths of Dekker’s mind to the page with little effort. Dekker’s style submerges you in the story and even if it feels like you may be drowning in it at times, there’s still few other places you’d rather be.

If you have even a passing interest in Dekker’s work, don’t miss this book. If you’ve never read Dekker, this is a brilliant place to start. If you ever were a Dekker fan and got lost somewhere along the way, this is the book that will bring you back. And if you want mindless entertainment that doesn’t affect you, won’t challenge you, and that you can walk away from unchanged, move along. This isn’t the book for you.

Don’t miss our recent interview with Ted Dekker and our podcast review of Immanuel’s Veins.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Superhero Thriller

Publisher: Ace

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Novelizing Final Crisis is in itself a challenge of epic proportions. Greg Cox has taken the 7 issue crossover mini-series and the year-long 51 issue prelude from the comics and given it the form of a novel, portraying in text the evil Darkseid’s attempt to overthrow all reality. In order to make sense of it all, you have to understand a bit about the uber-complicated maze of universes within DC Comics. I’m no expert, but here’s the sum of it all:

Darkseid is the ruler of the evil planet Apokalips, and he’s gunning for total control of Earth. Human – and alien – free will shall all fall under the power of Darkseid. All shall be indwelt with the evil of Darkseid. All shall be evil. And there is nothing the superheroes of the world can do to stop it.

One by one Darkseid corrupts and takes over the souls of a litany of superheroes and those remaining find themselves warring against their colleagues and friends. As the future of the universe succumbs to the power of Darkseid, Superman and the few remaining heroes must find a way to counter the demon of Apokalips. But an even greater crisis is playing out in the Multiverse. Hushed words that the fallen Guardian Mandrakk has returned just might make this the epitome of the Final Crisis.

Complicated? Yes. Confusing? At times. Like all DC universe crossovers, Final Crisis is written as an epic. Hundreds of superheroes and supervillains converge on the scene, the plot shifts not just between cities, but between time and realities, there is just way too much information to take in – way too much unnecessary information if you ask me. Unless you an absolute DC comics freak, you’re not going to understand it all, so I recommend you just do what I did and just accept it.

At times, the novel sounds like Cox is merely narrating to the reader a description of the comic panels, and at other times his vocabulary gets a little…well…quintessentially florid. All in all, the writing is good. My personal opinion would’ve been to tighten the plot and avoid excessive characters, but I’m sure that would’ve elicited a feral reaction from comic book purists, so perhaps it was best for Cox this was not the case.

Like all modern mythology, the theologian in me searches for the Truth within, and it is that seed of Truth that, to me, makes Final Crisis fascinating. The idea of the removal of free will, the imposition of the will of an evil spirit named Darkseid, and its eventual defeat, primarily orchestrated by the Christic figure of Superman captures me on a thematic level. However, if you’re neither a fan of finding theology in comics, or of the comics themselves, then this is just a decently written book you may or may not enjoy.

Review copy provided by Ace.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date:  August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

All over Europe young couples are being murdered and no clues are left behind. In every city, the killers send a postcard to the local paper before each slaying, but the police remain baffled and confused as the murderers run free. NYPD Detective Jacob Kanon lost his daughter to these monsters and is desperately traveling from city to city hoping to find one more piece to the puzzle. In Stockholm, Sweden, reporter Dessie Larsson has received the latest postcard indicating the murderers are about to strike again. Larsson and Kanon must now team up to stop this insurmountable foe and uncover the darkness that lies beneath.

What do you get when the #1 Bestselling Author in the U.S. (James Patterson) meets the #1 Bestselling Author in Europe (Liza Marklund)? According to the front cover of the book we get “the scariest vacation thriller ever.” While that may be clever marketing, I think the more appropriate tagline would be, “the most disturbing vacation thriller ever.”

Patterson and his co-authors often resort to over the top gimmicks in their writing that amount to nothing more than shock value. The Postcard Killers is a prime example with loads of graphic content, distasteful sex scenes, and an incestuous relationship thrown in our faces to really make us squirm. All these elements are just loud distractions attempting to cover up the fact that the story is mediocre at best.

As always, Patterson’s tight writing and relentless pacing keep the pages flying, but by the end I was just ready for this one to be over. Had more effort been made into fleshing out the characters or actually making this book scary this could have been a fun story. Sadly, the gimmicks and overall lack of depth drag this story down making this hyped collaboration a sore disappointment. Luckily for Patterson fans, after finding a dud we only have a couple of months at most to wait for his next attempt. I’m hoping the upcoming continuations of the stellar Alex Cross and Michael Bennett series will reflect the talent and creativity that Patterson is more than capable of.

Review copy provided by Little, Brown and Company.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Kaci Hill

Venom & Song picks up immediately where Curse of the Spider King left off. Our beloved Elves have returned to Allyra, but the immediate problem is getting seven disoriented middle schoolers to safety. (And don’t be fooled: These are some tough little teenagers.) The enemy is, of course, still on their heels (literally), and our band of heroes doesn’t know how to fight yet.

Book two keeps a steady pace, but it’s also paced differently from book one. I know a few people had a hard time with some elements, and a few caught some flaws I missed, but, really, I was pleased with this second installment. As I said, the book takes a natural progression in my estimation.

Whereas Curse dealt with themes of the intricate nature of the past and present, Venom is more concerned with loyalty and self-sacrifice, turning children into men and women, and trust: both in each other and in Ellos. Again, these themes develop naturally from the characters and situations themselves, continuing the same style as its predecessor. Venom & Song does come with its own twist at the end, and, I’ll admit, I can count on one hand the number of books that have struck me as emotionally as this one did.

As always, I’m going to stop before giving any spoilers. I look forward to book three (which, to my knowledge, is at least a year away and, I trust, will answer the questions left at the end of Venom & Song) and whatever Mr. Batson and Mr. Hopper bring next. A word of warning: Make sure you read these books in order…and be prepared.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Dutton

Publication date: June 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Priests are the evil antagonists and outlaws are the heroes in this inconsistent fantasy debut from British film censor Paul Hoffman. The Left Hand of God displays the elements readers expect in a non-supernatural fantasy—warring regimes, a brooding hero, political intrigue, romance, all set in a familiar-seeming but fictional world. But it overreaches in portraying organized religion, complete with a “Hanged Redeemer” who died to save his followers from their sins, as the primary evil of the age.

Fourteen-year-old Thomas Cale is a prisoner at the Sanctuary, a religious school where the instructors, called “redeemers,” regularly beat their students within an inch of their lives. The school, basically everyone’s worst stereotype of an abusive Catholic boarding school, is just one part of the redeemers’ “ministry”—which ultimately boils down to world domination. When Cale, who as the result of a childhood head injury has a mysterious ability to physically dominate any opponent, discovers a secret being carefully hidden deep within the Sanctuary’s stone walls, he teams up with an unlikely group of buddies and flees. From there, the book follows Cale and friends as they do their best to elude the pursuing redeemers, make nice with the ruling elites in the nearby city, and try to stop the religious conquerors before they can carry out their sinister plans.

While not anywhere near the level of Robert Jordan or George R. R. Martin or Tolkein, Hoffman still does an admirable job creating the world in which his story takes place. The characters are for the most part believable, and the various cultures explored, particularly within the Great City of Memphis, seem to fit well with the genre and tone of the book. The two main problems are the rather meandering story line (though the plot speeds up and becomes genuinely tense right at the end) and the author’s apparent grudge against religion, which is somewhat peculiar in a genre that typically relies so heavily on moral justice as a theme. The fact that the main characters are all young teenagers might make the book seem like a YA title, but the dark themes of abuse and desperation are probably inappropriate for most younger readers.

The book features a couple of sex scenes and plenty of violence, though nothing over the top or out of the ordinary for modern fantasy literature. The cliffhanger ending sets up book two quite well for readers who identify enough with the ambiguously heroic Cale to want to participate in his continuing story. Fantasy fans will find things to enjoy in this book, but The Left Hand of God seems unlikely to generate the kind of loyal following commanded by top-tier fantasy series.

Review copy provided by Dutton.

Genre: YA

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: May 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The America we know lies in tatters; earthquakes have caused whole coasts to slide into the ocean, global warming has caused the oceans to flood the land and people live stacked practically on top of each other. But below the sea in Benthic Territory, life thrives and the resident farmers move, live and work freely there.

This Dark Life, far below the surface, is the only life teenager Ty has ever known. But outlaws threaten to destroy his family’s subsea existence with their marauding and pillaging. While his new Topside friend, Gemma, seeks her long-lost brother, the outlaws attack Ty’s home. As he tries to help Gemma and preserve his way of life, Ty confronts not only the outlaws, but secrets as deep and dark as the canyons that swallowed the States.
Kat Falls’ first novel, Dark Life, offers a mesmerizing account of a futuristic life on the ocean floor with a nod to the past—the Wild West and frontier life are clearly represented in the book. But the story is as much about survival in a harsh political climate as it is about life in an aquatic one. The new colony faces over-taxation and abuse from the Commonwealth, the governing system after the earthquake.

The book feels a little raw in some scenes—as though something deeply emotional is missing from its straightforward prose—but the fast-paced plotting and the wonder of the ocean engage readers so thoroughly that this sensation quickly passes. Abundant twists pepper this exciting tale, propelling the reader from one chapter to another.

Dark Life is an enjoyable read for teen and tween lovers of science fiction and adventure.

Review copy provided by Scholastic.

Genre: Legal Thriller

Publisher: Tyndale

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Pastor Alex Madison always enjoys killing two birds with one stone. Whenever he makes hospital visits to his church members, he never overlooks the opportunity to gain some new clients for his law practice. You never know what big case is lying in the next hospital bed and Alex even has the double sided “pastor/lawyer” business card for such occasions. During one such visit Alex meets a Muslim woman suffering from a closed head injury after being run off the road. After some reluctance from the woman’s husband, they agree to hire Alex’s firm for the personal injury case.

Meanwhile, a local murder has the nation in an uproar. A Muslim leader’s wife is brutally murdered after converting to Christianity, along with the American man who taught her. As the evidence pours in, all leads point to the husband of Alex’s client, who just happens to be a respected imam in a local mosque. Alex must now decide whether he wants to help a man he feels is wrongfully accused, or give in to the pressures of his community and congregation and walk away.

Randy Singer is at the top of his game with Fatal Convictions. Backed by meticulous research and likable characters, this story is a tightly woven gem that challenges the reader to question stereotypes and perceptions. For readers whose knowledge of Islam is based solely on United States news reports, Singer provides a balanced and in depth look into the Muslim faith and the different factions within. It’s rare to find a novel in the Christian market portraying Christians and Muslims working together, much less a story featuring a Christian pastor standing up for an imam. Singer handles these potentially controversial elements with an honesty and boldness that I can only admire, giving this market a much needed dose of relevancy.

Randy Singer doesn’t set out to provide easy answers or token solutions; rather he focuses on bringing us a story that engages the reader on every level. The courtroom drama, the disturbing honor killing scenes, even the hints of an unlikely romance. All of it works together to only prove what so many have said for years. Randy Singer is hands down one of the best legal thriller writers around. I truly hope the CBA appreciates the talent Singer consistently brings to the table with each offering. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if a “big fish” mainstream publisher scoops up Singer soon and makes him a household name. He is simply that good.

Don’t miss our interview with Randy Singer.

Review copy provided by Tyndale.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

When a Congressman’s daughter is found brutally murdered in Washington D.C., FBI Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to help make sense of the madness. Bowers has a knack for catching high profile killers thanks to his controversial use of geospatial investigative techniques. However, this time around Bowers continually runs into dead ends despite his best efforts. Catching one killer is hard enough, but now all the evidence hints at two.

In Patrick’s personal life things are no less complicated. Tessa’s birth father is back on the scene, Bowers is caught in a dizzying love triangle, and a psychopath from his past pays an unwanted visit. Despite all the obstacles in his path, Patrick Bowers must find a way to do what he does best: catch killers.

Steven James continues his impressive run with his fourth Bowers Files novel.  Series of this nature often run the risk of becoming repetitive and overdone. After awhile familiar characters become stale and the plot twists become less surprising and more manufactured. Steven James shows no signs of falling into these traps, and it only seems his writing is better with each offering.

As always, this novel’s strengths lie in the characters. The first person narrative of Patrick Bowers is nothing short of exceptional, as is James’ depiction of the father/daughter relationship between Patrick and his step-daughter, Tessa. Indeed, Tessa has become a fan favorite of the series with her quick wit and intelligence coupled with a vulnerability that surfaces at just the right moments. This beautifully flawed relationship has been the glue that holds these stories together and that’s certainly the case once again.

The Bishop takes place primarily in the Northeast and its fun to see Patrick working in different locations in each novel. No matter where he finds himself the reader feels like they are there, only proving the level of research that goes into each story. If that wasn’t proof enough, readers will be captivated by the intricacies of geospatial investigative techniques and the procedural elements of FBI investigations. Everything about the story feels real and the reader can’t help but be drawn in.

Steven James continues to impress me with his ability create genuine twists and revelations. While there is nothing mind blowing about the plot execution here, I was still caught off guard by the killer’s identities in the end. James is a master of presenting so many possible angles that it makes it almost impossible to accurately foresee the outcome.

The Bowers Files is in full swing and I am thoroughly enjoying this journey. Up next is The Queen, and I have no doubt it will be well worth the wait.

Don’t miss our recent interview with Steven James.

Review copy provided by Revell.

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Patrick Davis had it all—a beautiful wife, a Hollywood home, and a screenplay that was picked up by a major studio and made into a movie with an up-and-coming star. But just when he’s seemingly poised on the brink of serious success, he’s suddenly on the verge of losing everything. With his marriage on the rocks, his career in jeopardy, and a six-figure lawsuit pending against him, his formerly storybook existence has turned into a horror movie. When he starts getting DVDs showing footage of him going about his daily life, he’s at first confused, then alarmed, then angry. Patrick’s entire life is being meticulously scrutinized. But why?

Then the phone calls begin. And the e-mails. And then the demands. Whoever is watching Patrick knows everything about him—what he does, where he goes, whom he talks to. He can’t go to the police, and he has no choice but to do what is asked. But when the true intentions of his stalkers finally come to light, Patrick will have to decide whether to give up or fight back. In the process, he will learn what his true priorities are and how to value what really matters most.

They’re Watching is a tightly constructed thriller. Author Gregg Hurwitz spins out the suspense in the first-person narrative little by little until the tension is so high there’s nothing to be done but stay up all night and finish the book. The plot manages to avoid being formulaic while still giving readers the twists and turns they expect. The author is to be commended for telling a great story full of intrigue, betrayal, and high stakes without resorting to the graphic sensuality and violence adopted by many of his peers. Utterly entertaining, They’re Watching is an ideal escape for mystery/thriller aficionados. With sympathetic characters, great pacing, and superb writing, this book should easily secure Hurwitz’s place among today’s premier writers in this genre.

Review copy provided by St. Martin’s Press.

If you haven’t been reading Steven James, then you are certainly missing out on some of the best thrillers out there. Recently, Jake Chism caught up with the author to discuss the latest release, The Bishop, as well as future book and TV news. Enjoy!

You can read our review of The Bishop here.

More about Steven James:

Steven James is one of the nation’s most innovative storytellers and a bestselling author. He has written more than twenty books and is a full-time speaker, having appeared more than 1,500 times throughout North America, Europe and Asia since 1996.

His first two thrillers, The Pawn and The Rook were both top ten CBA fiction bestsellers and were finalists for the 2008 and 2009 Christy Awards as best suspense. The Knight was selected by Suspense Magazine as one of the top 10 thrillers of 2009.

James has had many outlets for his creativity. He holds a Master of Arts in Storytelling. In 1997, when he completed this degree, he was one of only a hundred people in the world with such a degree.

For years, James has focused on crafting nonfiction books that explore and broaden the connections of story, imagination, and Christian spirituality. He has recently contracted several more titles with Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. His recent nonfiction books include A Heart Exposed and the critically-acclaimed Story: Recapture the Mystery, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. He has been honored with six national awards for his writing and storytelling, including a nomination for an ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award.

In addition to his books, James has written hundreds of articles and stories that have appeared in over eighty different magazines and publications, including Writer’s Digest and Guideposts for Teens.

James lives and writes in eastern Tennessee near the town of Jonesborough, the heart of the modern storytelling revival. He likes rock climbing and science fiction movies. When he’s not writing or speaking, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Romance

Publisher: Center Street

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

“Happiness is a gift that shines within you. The wish of your heart will soon come true.”

Sophie Jones reads these words in her fortune cookie minutes before her world shatters. A tragic car accident leaves the nine-year-old to face life and its misfortunes alone. While she holds a bleak outlook, Sophie doesn’t let that keep her from moving forward. As a grown woman, she owns a chocolate shop where the top sellers are her Misfortune Cookies. Dipped in bitter chocolate and containing a message of gloom she handwrites every day, they are a “treat” inspired by her latest tragedy — Garrett Black.

Garrett Black made Sophie believes that maybe, just maybe, happiness could exist for her. He turns out to be her biggest heartbreak yet when days before the wedding he walks out without so much as an explanation.

Garrett returns begging for a chance to explain why he left. Refusing to be hurt again, Sophie proposes a bet he cannot win. He must put an ad in the paper that says, “Wanted: Happiness.”  If one hundred people reply with something that isn’t fleeting or temporary she will go out with him on one date, otherwise Garrett must leave her alone.

What starts out as something innocent quickly spirals out of control when a reporter sees the ad and runs it on the evening news. Soon letters stream in by the hundreds and Sophie finds avoiding Garrett harder than she imagined.

Sweet Misfortune by Kevin Alan Milne provides a fun and light read that keeps the reader hooked. I greatly enjoyed this book, so much so that I didn’t set it down until I finished. Kevin Alan Milne will prove to suspicious readers that men can write fun, sassy romances. While Sophie’s life overflows with heartbreak, the story never bogs down with sadness. On the contrary, it remains light and optimistic even though the main character is a “the-glass-is-half-empty” kind of girl. Following the main theme, each chapter opens with a fun misfortune that I often felt compelled to share with others.

Sweet Misfortune frequently elicited laughter and now proudly perches on “My Favorites” list. I definitely will read this story again—very soon! I wish I could find more books that left me as happy as this one. If you like romances, you cannot miss this novel.

Review copy provided by Center Street.

Travis Thrasher is no stranger to our podcast and we recently invited him back on to discuss his new book, Solitary. Listen in as we talk about his first experience in the YA market, his future projects, and the shocking ending to the first book in this new series. SPOILER WARNING!!!

More about Travis Thrasher:

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

This quote from Stephen King’s novella, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, sums up the goal of every single one of Travis Thrasher’s novels: providing hope. As the novelist of twelve works of fiction, Travis has spent a decade fighting against being typecast and labeled.

“It’s a natural thing for novelists to be put into a box,” Travis says. “My goal has always been to tell stories about flawed characters who find redemption, whether it’s in a love story or a supernatural thriller.”

Having lived in places as diverse as Munich, Germany, and Sydney, Australia, during his youth, Travis moved to the Chicago area during his junior year of high school. That’s where he has remained.

After graduating from Trinity Christian College, Travis landed a job at Tyndale House Publishers as Author Relations Manager. He worked for over a decade in that position, acting as liaison between the publisher and the authors. But writing always came first, and Travis was fortunate to have his first novel published in 2000. It was THE PROMISE REMAINS, a sweet love story in the vein of Nicholas Sparks.

“I wrote six or seven dark, ambitious novels that went nowhere,” Travis says. “It was only after writing a simple love story about unrequited love that I got my first break.”

Getting that first book published was a dream come true, but Travis always saw himself having multiple books in print. Travis’s drive and imagination have allowed him to see a variety of books published: from love stories (THE WATERMARK; THREE ROADS HOME) to suspense (GUN LAKE; ADMISSION; BLINDED) to drama (THE SECOND THIEF; SKY BLUE) to supernatural thrillers (ISOLATION; GHOSTWRITER).

“I tell people this is not the way to build a writing career, but I’m thankful I’ve been able to build mine the way I wanted to. I want to entertain and surprise readers, and to continue to build a readership that will take journeys with me, whether they’re going to 1929 Brazil or current day Geneva, Illinois.”

2010 will mark a decade of publishing for Travis. It will also be a significant year with the release of BROKEN by Faithwords in May and SOLITARY by Cook in August.

“I’m excited about these two upcoming stories that will surely surprise and move readers,” Travis says. “BROKEN is about a young woman who is just that—broken and bruised by this world. SOLITARY is the first in a teen series that combines a love story with the supernatural. Both are powerful stories.”

His goal continues to be to tell powerful and moving stories that will reach fiction readers of all types. As a fulltime novelist for over two years, Travis feels he’s still just warming up.

“There are things I learn about the writing process and about myself with every novel. I believe my best stories are still in front of me, waiting to be discovered like a buried treasure. I’m thankful that I’m able to dig a little more every day.”

Travis lives with his wife and three-year-old daughter in a suburb of Chicago.

Don’t miss our podcast review of Solitary and our print reviews.

Beginning August 9th, we’ll be giving away 10 autographed copies of Solitary. Please check back for more info.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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We couldn’t wait to get our hands on Travis Thrasher’s latest, and after devouring Solitary we just had to share our thoughts with the world. Listen in as Jake Chism, Josh Olds, and James Andrew Wilson dissect Travis Thrasher’s first YA novel. The cover art, the first person narrative, and especially the shocking ending…we break it all down for you Fiction Addict podcast style.

SPOILER WARNING!! Please listen to this podcast after you’ve read the book if you do not want the story spoiled. Check out our spoiler free print reviews here.

Beginning August 9th we’ll be giving away 10 autographed copies of the book. Please check back then for more details.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

Review copies of solitary provided by David C. Cook publishers.

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Genre: Literary

Publisher: Riverhead

Released: July 2009

Reviewed by Jonathan Schindler

For Maile Meloy’s newest collection of short stories, the epigraph (by A. R. Ammons) says it all: “One can’t have it both ways and both ways is the only way I want it.” Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It is a collection of eleven short stories, and while the stories feature different characters, settings, and situations, they are thematically linked through longing and ambivalence.

I’ll start by saying that Meloy’s writing is fantastic. I mentioned in an earlier review that I think the best writing is seamless, and the effect of reading the best writing is similar to watching a great magic act: you marvel that magic has taken place under your careful observation, and there’s little you can say toward explanation. That’s how I felt in reading each of Meloy’s stories in Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It. The prose is unadorned, at times seemingly flat. The sentences seem like ordinary sentences. But it is the author’s genius of craft that takes these everyday materials and creates something of beauty.

Beauty may seem distant from the subject matter of this collection—most of the stories deal with longing and discontent in general, and many of them focus on adultery in particular. Yet despite the sometimes sordid material and the many unlikable characters doing unlikable things, Meloy achieves beauty by forging empathy.

One of the best examples of this is the story “Two-Step.” The story opens with two women talking, the first woman speculating that her husband is having an affair. The second woman, a coworker of the first woman’s husband, tries to reassure her that he probably isn’t. Through their conversation, several facts are gradually revealed to the reader: the husband is having an affair; the first woman is the man’s second wife, and the man left his previous wife to marry her; and the second woman is the woman the husband is currently having an affair with. This scenario doesn’t seem to leave room for much empathy, since all three characters in the story are cheaters. But Meloy’s skill is such that the broader emotions—what it feels like when we are betrayed, or when we unintentionally hurt others by pursuing our own desires, or when we want so badly to have both stability and change—are what come through in spite of the particulars.

Ambivalence is another consistent thread through this collection, and it is perhaps nowhere better expressed than in the story “The Children.” A man in the midst of an affair decides it’s time to tell his wife that he’s leaving her. But breaking up is hard to do. He finally realizes what a mess he’s in, what leaving his wife (and the titular children) will mean. He is at the fork of two competing desires, both equally strong, and he realizes that he can’t have it both ways.

And that is illustrative of the situations that Meloy describes so well in Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It. Life is not full of having cake and eating, too—despite what we are shown on television. Meloy presents the many places where life is a strict dichotomy, an either-or. In some cases a decision may be delayed, but ultimately a decision must be made. These decisions are sometimes costly and sometimes plain disastrous, and many times they are the result of our own errant desires. As illustrated in “Two-Step,” cheating is a double-edged sword: a union sown in subterfuge and deceit is likely to reap the same. Meloy’s book, while helping the reader empathize with its characters and carefully and beautifully delineating dilemmas, is also a warning against the situations its characters find themselves in. As a reader, I see that the characters are in a tough spot and I empathize, but I also will do whatever I can not to put myself into their situations in the first place.

I should mention that there are a few moments of levity in the collection, stories not as intense or gloomy as the others. “Spy vs. Spy,” for example, believably (and humorously) describes a dysfunctional family and the ambivalence that comes with some family relationships, equal measures love and hate. “O Tannenbaum,” while the tension in the air is thick, is an enjoyable story of the unexpected adventures that befall a family on the way home from the supposedly joyous endeavor of choosing a Christmas tree. But perhaps the lightest story in the collection, and also my favorite, is “Liliana,” in which a man’s dead wealthy grandmother comes to stay with his family in their lower-middle-class home to determine if he’s a worthy heir for her fortune.

Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It proves that Maile Meloy is certainly a writer to watch. The stories, while containing adult situations and language, nevertheless succeed in being beautiful, even magical.

Review copy provided by Riverhead.

Genre: Science Fiction

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

It’s the year 2602 and tolerance rules the galaxy. In an effort to abolish religion, the Kesek secret police have destroyed all traces of dangerous religious books, including the Torah, the Koran, and the Bible. Imagine Baden Haczyk’s surprise when he stumbles across an ancient book while scavenging an abandoned ship. As Baden studies the book he discovers that has indeed found a Bible and he can’t stop reading it. Before he knows it the Bible is talking to him and the words are pouring through his mind.

Baden’s father, Simon, is unnerved by the discovery and wants Baden to get rid of it as soon as possible. Of course, there is no harm in making a nice profit of the much sought after relic. Unfortunately for the Haczyk family, the Kesek police know about the discovery and will stop at nothing to destroy the most dangerous book of all. The galaxy is on the brink of war, and Baden and his book are right in the middle of it all.

I love it when a novel comes out of nowhere and surprises me. Steve Rzasa has quietly flown under my radar for awhile, but after hearing the buzz about Marcher Lord Press I had to give this one a try. I’m so glad I did!!

First and foremost, this is great sci-fi and an all around fun story. I am a big Star Wars fan, and from time to time I love to read Star Wars novels. As I was reading through The Word Reclaimed I was amazed that the quality of writing was either on par with or even better than so much of the material in the Star Wars expanded universe. Rzasa is a terrific sci-fi writer and if you love space battles, intergalactic adventure, and good ole fashioned heroes VS villains action, then you will thoroughly enjoy this novel. Even the most hardcore sci-fi fans will appreciate Rzasa’s creativity and execution.

On a deeper level, Rzasa challenges readers with a bold message reminding us of the importance of the Word and the very real danger of tolerance in our culture. Baden’s courage is admirable throughout as he stands up for what he knows is right despite the obstacles he faces. The cast of characters surrounding Baden are depicted perfectly, bringing an epic feel to the struggle and the perfect amount of depth to this story.

Steve Rzasa has found a place on my bookshelf and his writing is worthy of more attention. If you are looking for great sci-fi and a story that will both challenge and entertain, then look no further. Book 2 is in my stack and I am more than anxious to dive back into this journey that has completely captured my imagination.

Review copy provided by the author.

Genre: Horror, Young Adult, Mystery

Publication Date: August 2010

Publisher: David C. Cook

Jake Chism’s Review:

Chris Buckley never thought he’d end up in a place like Solitary, North Carolina. After his parents divorce he reluctantly moves with his Mom back to the strange little town she grew up in. Everything about Solitary feels off to Chris. The way the kids in his new high school look at him, the way everyone seems to know a secret except for him, even the feel of the town itself. Everything feels wrong, except for the way he feels about Jocelyn Evans. He finds himself hopelessly drawn to her, despite her efforts to push him away. As Chris falls deeper for the girl he has to have, he approaches a darkness that will shake him to his core.

Bold. Edgy. Beautiful. Terrifying. These are the words that ran through my mind after I closed the last page of Travis Thrasher’s latest. Solitary is Thrasher’s first attempt at a series and his first foray into the YA market. If you are going to make an entrance, why not stand up and demand some attention? That’s exactly what Thrasher and David C. Cook Publishers have done with this outstanding story that is as haunting as it is addicting.

The first person narrative of Chris Buckley is the shining element here. I loved being immersed into Chris’s world as he juggled the struggles of a new town, a mysterious love, and a broken home. Everything Chris feels and experiences masterfully flows off the page allowing the reader to dive in and look around this strange and scary place he finds himself in. The relationship of Chris and Jocelyn is especially handled well as Thrasher explores the emotional and physical struggles teens face in everyday life.

Solitary has such a creepy feel to it throughout, and I found myself flying through the pages desperately trying to make sense of the bizarre elements we are introduced to at just the right places. I was surprised at just how edgy this story was, and it was a pleasant discovery indeed. David C. Cook is known as a Sunday school curriculum publisher, so I expected something much lighter and well…”churchy”. Rest assured…”churchy” this is not, however Chris’s spiritual and family struggles make Solitary more relevant to so many teens who face similar circumstances in our culture.

Solitary is the kind of novel the Twilight (don’t worry..no vampires here) crowd will enjoy, and dare I say contains the depth and level of creativity that could have made Twilight a great series instead of a good one.   In the end, Thrasher leaves us with a twist that will have everyone talking and will no doubt be divisive amongst some readers. I’m blown away by what Thrasher and David C. Cook have just brought to us and I can’t wait to read more.

James Andrew Wilson’s Review:

Strange men wearing trench coats are staring at you, everyone in the school warns you to stay away from the girl you can’t help but be drawn to, you find a creepy, abandoned cabin out in the woods, and you can’t shake the sense that somebody or something is watching you, following you, staring in your window at night and probing your very thoughts.

Welcome to Solitary.

Travis Thrasher has already proven himself capable of writing page turners about things that go bump in the night, but with Solitary, he ups the ante. You get the sense very early on that something is not right about this town. There are deadly secrets, questions that nobody seems to want to answer. Thrasher does an admirable job of dropping in new mysteries all through out the book, so that by the time you finish, your mind is buzzing with theories and you are frantic for book two.

Thrasher is no stranger to first person narrative, and here he squeezes out all of its potential, thrusting us into the head of sixteen-year-old Chris Buckley. Chris is about as likeable a character as they come. He’s no wimp; we see him spouting off smart remarks to the face of the school bully, going out in the dead of night to explore the eerie woods alone, and expressing a general lack of disregard toward the threats to mind his own business and to just blend in like everyone else.

Chris isn’t the only character to like here. His attraction, Jocelyn Evans, is complex and elusive, and like Chris, we as readers are dying to know what she is hiding. Chris’s other friends, Poe, Rachel, Newt and Ray are all well drawn out characters that are each unique and enjoyable to read.

It is obvious that Thrasher is a fan of such TV shows as Lost and Twin Peaks, and that they played a role in the inspiration for this series. Fans of those types of stories will find plenty here to love.

People who don’t generally pick up young adult fiction shouldn’t shy away from Solitary. Not for one moment did I feel like this was any less engaging than Thrasher’s adult fiction. In fact, I’d rank it right up there with Ghostwriter as my favorite Thrasher novel to date. (Psst, fans of Ghostwriter, be on the lookout for the Dennis Shore reference.)

Solitary is creepy, fun, and impossible to put down. I can’t imagine a much better beginning to what is sure to be a mind-bending, stellar series. Put this one at the top of your list, and don’t be surprised if you’re picking it up a month later to read it again.

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

“You can’t out-sin the cross” and that is exactly what Linda Nichols’ Not a Sparrow Falls is about — redemption and the power of forgiveness.

Mary Bridget Washburn has made her share of bad choices. Now on the run from a criminal past, Mary changes her name and seeks refuge in a small, Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. But a new name and a town full of strangers can’t ease Mary’s fears of discovery. She makes a simple yet comfortable life for herself despite the cloud of dread looming overhead. Then one night a young girl’s plea for help seizes Mary’s heart setting in motion a series of events that will change the course of her life as well as those around her.

Ever since the death of Anna, dearly loved mother and wife, the MacPherson family is falling apart. Alasdair, a single father for two years, struggles to raise his three young children and pastor the local church his family has led for several generations. Some of the elders want him out, and the church teeters on the verge of splitting.

When Mary and Alasdair’s lives intersect, they find that in order to move forward, they must first let go of the past. Doing this will present challenges. One of those involves his own sister whose life has always revolved around the past and tradition.

I am happy to add Not a Sparrow Falls to my library. A fun and easy read, I finished it in a day. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Mary Bridget and Alasdair are loveable characters that despite their mistakes the reader can’t help rooting for them. Everyone makes bad choices in their lives. Stories like Not a Sparrow Falls give us the hope that second chances exist.

While the reader knows who will end up with whom; the predictability by no means detracts from the story. I really enjoyed the relationship between Mary and Alasdair’s oldest daughter, Samantha. However, the end feels a bit rushed. I found this disappointing because I enjoyed the rest of the book so much. I wished Nichols had fleshed out the resolution a little more. Still, I highly recommend this novel to romance lovers as well as readers who enjoy stories of second chances.

Review copy provided by Bethany House.

Genre: YA

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Dates: April 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Bryn O’Connor loves theater and drama. She is really good at it too. Except that her boyfriend doesn’t like it. He’s one of the most popular guys in school and when he doesn’t like something, you should really not to like it either. When you don’t do what he likes, he might do something bad. Like hit you. A lot. He might even do it so much that you end up in the hospital. This is what happened to Bryn. A simple argument turned into a car accident. When she arrived at the hospital, they discovered injuries that were not consistent with a car accident. That’s where everything started on a downhill spiral. It’s when her father found out that Preston beat her up a lot. It’s when the police got involved. Charges were pressed.  And after that? Things really got bad.

Since her mother is in another country, this is where Bryn’s grandmother steps in and volunteers to come and stay with them for a while. Bryn is nonplussed. The memories she has of her grandmother are awkward. Her grandmother is a beautiful and famous surfer. Bryn feels she is the opposite of that. She’s expecting that when her grandmother arrives, it’s going to be all sorts of questions, interrogations, and pushing. She’s more than shocked when it doesn’t go that way at all. And what’s Preston saying about all of this? Why are there websites popping up online about Bryn and her ‘lying ways?’ Just how far will all of this go? Will someone else get hurt?

Once again, Nancy Rue has scored a direct hit on the mind of a teenage girl in the midst of horrifying situations. Last venture out, Motorcycles, Sushi & One Really Strange Book, she tackled the difficult topic of ADHD and emotionally unstable parents. This time, a teenager abused by her boyfriend and bullying pushed to the extreme are her hot button topics and she once again approaches them with tender style and respect. Inside the mind of a teenage girl is not always the easiest subject matter for an adult writer trying to reach a young adult audience. I, for one, remain impressed with Rue’s style and technique as she moves through this fast paced story.

Again we have an adult role model that seems nearly too good to be true. This time, instead of a parent, it’s a grandparent who understands everything with a keen perspective and seems to not make mistakes. And like last time, I’m more than willing to give grace for this ‘perfect’ character. As I was reading, I was tucking away lines and thoughts and ideas for when my girls venture into teen drama. Parts of this book frightened me with the vehemence, anger and vitriol spewed at Bryn’s character when she was doing the right thing. Then again, all one has to do to understand that Rue has captured the teenage mind well is watch the news. Stories like this one, where kids bully other kids (to death in some instances), have become all too commonplace in the news. Nancy Rue seems to have her finger firmly on the pulse of the troubled teenager. Once again, she’s brought us a story with drama, intelligence, a little bit of romance and a lot of insight into the teenage mind.

With this story, I’ve become a passionate Nancy Rue fan and would heartily recommend her to anyone who would like a little bit of advice, insight, or a new way to reach a troubled teen.

Review copy provided by Zondervan.

Genre: YA

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Dates: April 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Jessie Hatcher is fifteen and she’s got what most people would consider a pretty tough life. Her mother has a variety of emotional issues, her dad is dead, and she has ADHD. Most of the time, she’s completely on her own while her mother is in her ‘in-bed’ phase. She makes all the decisions, gets herself to school and back, and figures out her own meals.  The couple of days at a time that her mother gets out of bed are tiring while she cleans the house with her toothbrush, but they’re few and far between, so Jessie has the system down.

That is until the day that her dad calls her on the phone. What? Her dad? The aforementioned parent who was dead? Yeah. That same one. Seems that Jessie’s mom told her that her dad was dead, but he really wasn’t. So now he wants to meet her and get to know her. Since she’s no longer flying under the radar, Jessie can’t figure out how things could get any worse. That is, until her mother attempts suicide. Yeah. That is worse. What could possibly happen next?

Nancy Rue stunned me with her portrayal of a teenage girl’s mind. Especially one wrapped up in such emotional turmoil and with ADHD to boot. I was so completely wrapped in this story; I couldn’t stop myself from reading portions of the book out loud to my family.  In the same way I was instantly drawn into the story, the few pages I shared with them brought them in just as quickly. It was love at first read with this book.

I think one of the things I enjoyed best was the “RL” book that Jessie discovered at the airport. When she picked it up off of the seat, she thought she was stealing it and this would force her father to send her back home. It didn’t. And she didn’t. It comes out later that the book was left there for someone else who might need it. Jessie needed it. “RL” you see, is a ‘real life’ version of the Bible, with language that modern day teenagers can understand.

The plot moves quickly. Written in the first person perspective from a girl whose mind bounces all over faster than you can say sushi, you have to expect that. The dialogue is brilliant, witty, and perfectly on par with what you would imagine a teenage girl might say in this situation.  The only point I’d make in characters is that Lou, Jessie’s father, seems perfect. Even his mistakes aren’t that colossal and he very quickly apologizes for them. I don’t know if I have a problem with this because he’s a really great example of what we should try to be, but don’t always accomplish. In sharp contrast, Jessie’s mom does pretty much nothing right whatsoever. Much like Jessie’s life, there’s no simple middle ground. Then again, with teenagers is there a lot of simple middle ground?

Motorcycles, Sushi & One Really Strange Book is the first in a new series from Nancy Rue. Called the Real Life series, it follows the ‘RL’ book and what happens with four different girls when they find the book. I’m more than intrigued. I can’t wait to see the new books in the series and see who Nancy Rue brings to the forefront next.

Review copy provided by Zondervan.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

The initial premise of Matthew Skelton’s The Story of Cirrus Flux sounded good. Who wouldn’t enjoy a story with daring chases, non-stop threats, and mysteries galore? Because when Cirrus Flux, an orphan boy living on the outskirts of London, inherits a strange sphere, suddenly everyone is after him and the sphere. From the evil Madame Orrery to the designs of the wretched Mr. Leechcraft, everyone is trying to get their hands on the power contained within Cirrus’ sphere. And with the help of a young girl, Cirrus has to face his most dangerous adversaries and only hope to survive.

But… things don’t go so well for the book in execution. While intriguing all along the way, The Story of Cirrus Flux just never really delivers. It felt like someone was trying to shout, but could only ever whisper. The opening chapters come out very slowly, and I couldn’t help telling myself, “It’ll get better, just stick with it – soon the action will start in.” But it never really did. Even to the finale, which I was hoping would really give me what I had been waiting for, came across anti-climatic and almost plain out dull.

The other factor here is the fact that the book is set in the world of the late 18^th century London, and much of the book centered around explaining some different parts of the history of the times: from the beginnings of natural philosophy to mesmerism and foundling hospitals, there’s quite a heavy dose of history that is interesting, but not quite helping the story move along.

There’s also the strange twinge of fantasy that seeps throughout the book. Some will definitely want to describe Skelton’s work here as fantasy, but fans of such books will probably not be too interested in the magic side of the book, which is barely even present, and when it does appear, seems so out of place that it just doesn’t really work.

The point of view switches back and forth between Cirrus and the heroine of the story, Pandora. And although their stories intertwine with each other, they are hardly ever together until the very end of the book and for a brief moment in the middle. It was almost slightly infuriating to follow them along as they made decisions that just didn’t seem to make sense, but served to keep them both separated.

All said, while promising to be an exciting adventure, The Story of Cirrus Flux just never really comes to what it could have truly been: exciting.

Review copy provided by the Amazon Vine Program.

Genre: Suspense, Supernatural, Paranormal

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: June 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

Maia Peters hunts ghosts. Or at least she used to. The daughter of world famous paranormal investigators, Maia grew up traveling from haunt to haunt on their hit TV show.  Now she is in college and longing to leave that life behind, and the unwanted celebrity status that comes with it.

Heiress Jordin Cole wants to see a ghost and is willing to do anything and spend any amount to make it happen. After tracking Maia down, Jordin convinces her to lead the investigation and take them to the most haunted places in the U.S. As they travel to historic locales and dance with the dead, Maia begins to sense that something is very wrong with Jordin.  It’s not until Jordin disappears a year later that Maia begins to put the pieces together and uncovers a frightening reality. The nightmare is coming and Maia doesn’t know how to stop it.

Robin Parrish stands up and screams for attention with his clever and absorbing fifth novel. From page one we are treated to a new level of Parrish’s talent through the first person narrative of Maia. This style draws the reader in with ease, and gives the haunting scenes throughout more depth and emotion. While it would be a stretch to classify this is a horror novel, there are plenty of scenes that will leave you breathless and anxious for more.

As the story unfolds Parrish alternates chapters between Maia and Joridn’s paranormal investigations and Maia’s search for Jordin a year later. This type of back and forth writing might come across as confusing or distracting in lesser hands, but Parrish more than pulls it off in LOST-like fashion.  As I began to see where the story was going I was both surprised and intrigued. There have been lots of twists on the paranormal genre, but I’m not sure we’ve seen one quite like this. Luckily, Parrish knows how to weave a good story and if you pay close attention throughout, you shouldn’t be surprised at the new direction we’re led to in the end.

Nightmare is the kind of novel that will have people talking, both inside and outside the Christian market. Are ghosts real? Is there a difference between demons and ghosts? What happens when we die? Parrish tackles these hot button themes with class and an open mind, asking readers to examine their own beliefs and questions. In the end I was humbled by the poignant question Maia arrives at. What question is it? You’ll have to read the book and find out! Never fear, you’ll enjoy every moment of Robin Parrish’s latest and by the end you will be longing for more.

James Andrew Wilson’s Review:

Maia Peters has seen it all and them some. Her parents are renowned ghost hunters—paranormal investigators! She’s been with them on their popular TV show, exploring the most haunted places in the world. She is recognized virtually everywhere she goes. And getting a little tired of it. So when fellow college student Jordin Cole comes looking for a ghost buster buddy, Maia tells her to get lost. But Jordin insists, and the promise of substantial payment lures Maia back into the dark—back to the haunted life she’s been running from.

Robin Parrish has told of heroes and super powers, he’s told of space and the end of the world, now the speculative fiction writer gives us Nightmare, a spooky romp through the murky world of the paranormal. Turn out the lights, hide under the covers with your flashlight—it’s time for a good old-fashioned ghost story.

In terms of scale, Parrish has pulled back this time. This is an intimate story, much more character driven than his previous novels, and it benefits from it. Parrish does an admirable job with his use of the first person narrative, and Maia Peters is a fun character to read, even if she’s a bit snotty at times.

As for the spooks and specters, the paranormal encounters are some of the highlights of the book. In their quest for true sightings of the unexplainable, Jordin and Maia visit a number of real world locations, each of which are thoroughly researched and wonderfully detailed. Parrish knows just when to have the shadows jump out from the corners, and there’s plenty of creepy scenes here to satisfy scare junkies.

Parrish continues to hone his craft as a writer, and while Nightmare features some of his strongest writing, I’m still scratching my head at his apparent insistence on the tiresome use of adverbs and italics. He seems to be trying to hard to convey what is already clear in the dialogue. An easy fix, and I hope to see him do away with these clunky writing elements in the future.

Of all the novels Robin Parrish has written, this is the one that I think will appeal to the widest audience. There is something here for everyone to enjoy. If someone has apprehension about a “Christian paranormal” book, they should at least give Nightmare a chance. Parrish is asking the questions that we’ve all wondered at one time or another: Are ghosts real? Are they demons? What was that noise?

Nightmare is the perfect novel to keep you turning pages late into the night. It’s an escapist treat, a fine piece of work, a spine-tingler that’s sure to delight.

Don’t miss our podcast review of Nightmare and our interview with Robin Parrish.

Review copies provided by Bethany House.

After discussing Robin Parrish’s Nightmare in our latest podcast, we just had to get the author on the line. Listen in as we discuss the idea behind the story and get a glimpse of what’s to come.

More about Robin:

Robin is currently a full time writer. He and his wife Karen and son Evan live in High Point, NC. He has an unhealthy obsession with Facebook, he is unable to resist a Krispy Kreme original glazed donut regardless of the time of day, and he does not own nearly as many LEGO Star Wars kits as he feels he should.

If you missed our podcast review of Nightmare, you can find it here. (SPOILER WARNING!!).

You can also download this interview and all of our podcast episodes from iTunes.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Berkley Books

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

David Loogan has a past he’d rather not talk about. So when he finds a job editing a mystery magazine called Gray Streets that asks no questions, he finds it the perfect way to have his past life forgotten. He throws himself into his work, earning the favor and friendship of his boss, Gray Streets publisher Tom Kristoll. Their friendship runs so deep that when Kristoll asks Loogan to help him dispose of a body – yes, a body – Loogan asks few questions and helps his friend with the deed.

But not too long after that, Kristoll himself ends up dead. Death via defenestration, or in the vernacular someone hit him hard and threw him out a sixth floor window. Ann Arbor Police Detective Elizabeth Waishkey is the one investigating Kristoll’s murder, and when more bodies related to Gray Streets turn up – some killed in a way that mirrors the magazine’s most famous stories – her suspicion turns toward Loogan.

Loogan, despite his past, isn’t the killer. And he’s just as determined to find out who killed Kristoll. With his experience at editing mysteries, Loogan turns his mind towards solving a real-life one, all while trying to avoid the police and the ghosts of his past.

With his debut novel, Harry Dolan creates a thoroughly enjoyable tale of mystery and suspense, sure to appeal to most, but even more so to writers – something confirmed by the endorsements by Stephen King and James Patterson. Dolan’s tale of the murder of a publisher, with the suspects being all members of the writing community, is quite fascinating. Well written with great reversals and twists, Bad Things Happen keeps you on your toes and makes you keep guessing until the end.

Review copy provided Berkley Books.

Join in the fun as Jake Chism, Josh Olds, and James Andrew Wilson share their thoughts on Robin Parrish’s new book, Nightmare. We cover it all, everything from the cover art, the use of the first person narrative, and our thoughts on how the Christian market will react to a paranormal story.

SPOILER WARNING!!! We discuss major plot points, including the ending, so if you don’t want to be spoiled please listen to this podcast AFTER you’ve read the book.

Please leave a comment below or drop us an email (podcast@fictionaddict.com). We’d love to hear what you think about this novel and our audio reviews.

Review copies provided by Bethany House Publishers.

Shortly after we recorded this review we interviewed Robin Parrish and you can find that here. Plus, you can read our print reviews of Nightmare here.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Join Lori Twichell and Loree Lough as they sit down with very busy producer, social media expert, and owner of HOSFU, Eric Highland. Eric has lots of great information on how a book gets made into a film and what producers look for when scripts are submitted! You don’t want to miss this one.

More about Eric:

Aside from being CEO and Co-Founder of HOSFU LC, Eric Highland has been a federal law enforcement officer for the United States Coast Guard for two decades, recently concluded a seven year period of church ministry and has also worked as a professional boxing promoter.

Highland is extremely passionate about his work at HOSFU, an Albuquerque-based company dedicated to promoting Christ through the film industry. He regularly teaches and speaks at Christian media conferences and film festivals about the state and future of the faith-based film industry, with a focus on social media publicity, Search Engine Optimization and other marketing methods available to media-makers today.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Comedy, Romance, Chicklit

Publisher: NavPress

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Maya Davis is back!!! I can’t believe I started this review with that sentence followed by three exclamation points.  I will not, despite my college writing professor’s voice clamoring in my head, remove even one of those exclamation points. I may even add another at some point. I enjoyed this book that much.

Maya’s life at this juncture is all about change. She’s now dating Jack who is also one of her best friends. This transition is strange for Maya, but so far she thinks it’s a good change. She’s still trying to sort out those feelings when Jack starts at another job. She knows this means she won’t be seeing Jack all day every day at Cool Beans.  Unfortunately it doesn’t take long for her to discover that she may have to go days and sometimes even a week without seeing Jack. To say the very least, this does not sit well with Maya. And just who is this Presley chick that Jack keeps talking about? No, it does not sit well at all. Oh and did I mention that her roommate Jen is getting married to Maya’s ex-boyfriend. And just to mix it up a little bit more, Jen’s mom is not pleased about the pairing. In fact, she comes to visit and ‘take care of things’ and this visit lasts much more than their usual three day rule. Anyone remember that old adage about fish and houseguests stinking after three days? Point proven in this book.  Poor Calvin the Beagle doesn’t even know what to do with himself.

Having recently discovered the wonder that is Erynn Mangum’s writing, I have had the pleasure of devouring two of her books faster than Rocky Road ice cream disappears on a girl’s movie night. My poor husband wasn’t even allowed anywhere near the laptop for several days while I ravenously consumed my advanced e-copy of this fantastic book. I enjoyed Latte Daze even more than I enjoyed Cool Beans. I am now a certified Maya Davis fan and more than that, an Erynn Mangum fan.

Now don’t start thinking this book is perfect. It’s not. Like its delightful characters, it has inconsistencies and flaws, but they aren’t enough to take away from the overall package. The plot doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles. There are no secret romances or surprise twist endings. A few times in the book you might catch your breath and be surprised, but those little spins and tricks aren’t what makes this book such a fun read. It’s the characters that make these books special. Complete with flaws, insecurities and quirks that make them more real than paper and ink, each character has the potential to teach you something that may help you become a better person. How can that possibly be fun? Learning life lessons? Really Lori? I’m sure you’re thinking it’s as unpalatable as eating vegetables and ‘health’ food, right? But trust me; it’s not like finding some way to disguise the taste of green veggies so you can choke them down. Mangum confronts her characters with their own flaws and inadequacies in day to day struggles that most, if not all of us, face. And when the characters deal with it, they’re very open about the tools they use to get past them.  Even if it isn’t the character herself that helps you to learn (Mrs. Mitchell, I’m pointing at you right now) it may simply be the way that the people around that character react that teaches you something.

Another thing about the story, you can see the resolution to many of the conflicts during the first moments you see the conflict. And really, there were a couple of storylines that I expected to go somewhere but didn’t venture beyond just a couple of pages. In fact I walked myself back through the previous pages to see if I’d missed something, but I hadn’t. Perhaps because of the types of books I’ve been reading lately, I found myself looking beyond the snafus in Maya’s life and imagining that they were going to be much bigger or more dramatic than they really were. It seems that sometimes a twisted knee is just a twisted knee and not something that will lead to a bigger situation. It became refreshing and allowed me to relax more deeply into the adventure.

This isn’t complex or difficult reading. Layered with sweet flavors that define comfort food, Latte Daze is a satisfying hot fudge sundae garnished with plenty of nuts and a cherry on top.

Review copy provided by NavPress.

Robert Liparulo’s first Dreamhouse Kings series has just wrapped up with the final installment, Frenzy. Join Lori Twichell, Josh Olds, and Jake Chism as we share our thoughts on the series as a whole, Robert Liparulo news, and the possibility of a DK movie. If you missed our recent interview with Robert you can check it out here.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central

Release Date: February  2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Casey Jordan has got this case in the bag. Open and shut. Dwayne Hubbard has served 17 years of a life sentence after being convicted of raping and murdering a college student, but now Casey – with the help of the Freedom Project – is going to get an innocent man out of jail. Better still, not only is she going to help get the innocent out of prison, the Project’s founder, Robert Graham, is offering her a cool million a year to do it.

But once Casey begins to dig deeper in, she discovers that someone doesn’t want Hubbard out of prison, and the tables turn even as she tries to figure out why, all while just trying to stay alive. Nobody is who they seem to be, and Casey can’t be sure who to trust until it’s almost too late.

For half a novel, Tim Green takes us through a paint-by-numbers legal thriller. Exciting? Yes. Fun? Yes. Anything special? Not really. Then Green gives us one masterful twist and starts coloring outside the lines. Just as you’re lulled into the expected, Green hits you hard and makes you sit up and pay attention, because this not your normal legal thriller – at least not entirely. While the book could have benefitted from a little more explanation or character development in some areas, overall Green pulls off an enjoyable thriller.

It should be noted that False Convictions does contain some language and suggestive scenes that some readers might find offensive. However the matter is treated in a way that is integral to the plot, and not necessarily thrown in there for shock value. Altogether, False Convictions is a solid book that takes a deep look into corruption and how the law must deal with it.

Review copy provided by Grand Central.

Genre: Horror

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication date: June 2010

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Dog Blood, the highly anticipated sequel to Hater (first self-published in 2006), continues the fast-paced, thrilling story of the mysterious and violent condition affecting a third of the world’s population. In Hater, Danny McCoyne was bewildered and overwhelmed by the horrific changes “the Hate” brought to his city and his home. In Dog Blood, reality sets in deeper as Danny must battle not only those around him but his own impulses as well.

Danny McCoyne is a Hater. He has come to understand that anyone who is not like him, who is Unchanged, must be killed. The urge to kill is a physical need, and it can’t be controlled. But as time passes, Danny and others like him realize that if they are to be successful, they have to reign in their bloodlust, at least to some extent. The Unchanged have superior weapons and greater numbers and have sealed themselves inside well-defended cities. The Haters are left to roam the countryside in search of whatever food they can find. The situation is unsustainable, and for Danny, it’s even worse, because he knows that his daughter, who is like him, is out there somewhere. And he’s determined to find her.

Meanwhile, Mark Tillotsen, one of the Unchanged, lives in a city high-rise apartment, crammed in with his pregnant girlfriend, her parents, and another family. He’s a member of a search crew that forages outside the city, looking for food, supplies, and survivors in exchange for slightly higher rations. After a particularly close call with a band of Haters, Mark realizes something has to change. But what?

The story of the hero’s journey is nothing new. From John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, literature is filled with stories of a lone journeyman making his way through a world of obstacles and disappointments. Dog Blood, narrated in first-person present tense, is a new twist on an old genre, as the “hero” is a maniacal killer who manages to restrain his instinct for causing violent death only with a tremendous act of will-power. The reader is torn between wanting to root for Danny’s success while simultaneously identifying with Mark’s plight. In the end, only one of them can triumph.

Like Hater, this book is filled with gruesome descriptions of gory apocalyptic violence, but it has many tender moments as well, particularly as both main characters struggle with their family relationships. Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, Dog Blood is a fast, interesting read and will appeal to zombie lovers and those who just like a good adventure story with a novel approach built on a tried-and-true formula.

Review copy provided by St. Martin’s Press.

Genre: Young Adult, Adventure

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Dates: May 2008 – May 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

The Dreamhouse Kings is a series of books by Robert Liparulo. It’s written for a young adult audience, but rather than pigeonholing the books into a smaller audience, I’d say that this series is good for anyone in the young adult and up age range.

The series begins with the King family moving to a new home in Pinedale, California, and buying their dream home. It’s out in the middle of nowhere and it appears that the family who lived there previously left in quite a hurry. Odd things start happening around the house right away. In fact, on the first visit, the two central characters of the series, Xander and David, discover that the house isn’t your normal ordinary house.  With a huge rambling Victorian style, closets everywhere and rooms galore, you’d think that would be enough to keep the King boys occupied. In truth, Xander and David might have been happy with exploring a house full of history with tons of space, but that’s not what happens. Instead, they find themselves fighting for their lives at every turn.

Though this is a series of six books, it’s just one story that’s been broken up into six parts. That might sound like the definition of a series, but it’s really not. Some series cover different angles of a story or different characters. This series is the story of a little over one week in the lives of the King family. While you’re reading, it feels like Liparulo penned the whole thing, beginning to end, and pitched it as a gargantuan novel and it was decided to break it up for easier reading. The end of one book literally blends straight into the beginning of the next as if going from chapter to chapter within a book.

Liparulo’s writing throughout the series remains tight, the pacing strong (so strong that in some instances it may not be for the faint of heart!), and the characters believable. The stories were engaging, fascinating, and, above all else, profoundly moving. These characters start out as a normal every day family that might love each other, but in some ways, take each other for granted. By the end of the series, they are a tightly knit cohesive unit that moves together as one and won’t ever take each other for granted again.

This series is a must read for anyone who has kids that love to read or if you’re a family that loves to read together. It’s packed with excitement and adventure that will appeal to older members of the young adult set while it’s been written in a manner that’s easy to follow and understand for the younger members. Parents, this is a brilliant series to read with your kids. Packed with history that will allow you to delve deeper into the research, the books beg questions about the events that the King family experiences during their travels. It’s also filled with a great number of situations that will help parents address questions to their kids about what to do when you’re in an emergency situation. (Although honestly, if your family ends up in a lot of the same situations that the King family did, you may want to consider moving to a new house.)

Moving, touching, exciting, adventurous, educational…you name it and the Dreamhouse Kings series has it all. Liparulo has crafted a world full of amazing adventure that’s sure to please even the pickiest reader. My only advice would be to make sure that you have the next book on hand whenever you start a new one. You’ll be glad you did.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Young Adult, Adventure, Thriller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: May 2010

Josh Olds’ Review:

It’s only been a little more than a week since the Kings moved to the Victorian mansion known as the old Koenig place, but in that week they’ve lived several lifetimes – nearly literally. The adventure began in House of Dark Shadows when the Kings discovered that the house contained portals to other places throughout time. The Kings’ adventure unfolds throughout the following books in the series. They, along with the reader, learn more about this mysterious house and its connection to their family. Each book ratchets up the tension, accelerates the pace, and sends the Kings into more and more dangerous scenarios. By the time you reach Frenzy, things are about to snap.

But Frenzy is the end. Well it’s not the end of the Kings’ story, more like the conclusion to this series. Unlike each of its predecessors, Frenzy does not begin where the previous book leaves of. In fact, here Liparulo does some time jumping of his own and sets the prologue in the near future. The events of the future show the reader just what is at stake and handcuffs us to the book, making it impossible to put down.

The weary and beaten down Kings, with help from Keal, determine to once and for all take hold of their destiny by defeating Taksidian, finding Mom, and fixing the future. Spanning past and present, from Atlantis to the set of the movie Predator, the battle rages on. And just when all hope is lost and the future seems too big to change, too inevitable to delay, too frightening to face, the Kings find themselves thrown into a portal that changes everything and prepares them for the finish.

In this stunning conclusion to the epic series, Robert Liparulo has crafted a can’t-put-down experience that sucks the reader into the story. For five books, he’s put the Kings through the wringer but with this conclusion draws out the themes of redemption and salvation that make the Kings’ journey through the valley of the shadow of death worth it all. And in the end, well it’s not an end. It’s a beginning.

Lori Twichell’s Review:

Frenzy. What else is there to say? It’s the final book in the Dreamhouse Kings series. Wow.

We’re starting out in a very familiar place for this series. Everyone’s in danger. Not just your normal average every day danger, but life threatening loss of limb danger.  And this time around Liparulo has ratcheted the danger up several notches with the idea that one of the major characters is going to die in this book. Right away, one of the first things we learn when reading this book is that Xander is mourning the death of his brother. (Hey, I warned you there’d be spoilers ahead!) It’s an agonizing way to begin the final chapter of the series with the reader knowing that one of his or her favorites is set to die.  As I’m sure Liparulo planned, it colors everything that the characters do throughout the course of the book and in many cases, leaves you gasping as you read.
In Frenzy, everything (and I mean everything!) is a life or death situation for some member of the King family. This is the other side of the hill on the roller coaster. There’s nothing to do at this point for the reader except to put your hands over your head and scream with delight, or hold on tight with your eyes closed. Admittedly that would make it hard to read, so you might want to consider keeping your eyes open.

Previously, I’d said that I wished there was some more spiritual content in the books. As a parent, I would have loved to see more prayers every now and then and perhaps some more leaning on God throughout. Liparulo covered that in this book with grace and creativity in spades. I was in tears throughout several areas of this book and so thankful that he took the opportunity to share that vitally important part of life with the readers in this tale.

For the most part, things get wrapped up in this book. Some things are left to wander around in our imaginations, but that’s not a bad thing. It leaves hope that maybe Liparulo will visit the Kings in their crazy house once more.  The major questions that have been asked throughout the series get answered and that’s a good thing. The King family finds out their mission and purpose in the house and that’s a good thing. Frenzy brings us full circle and that’s a good thing.

I loved this book. I enjoyed this series. My only questions are “Robert, what’s next?! Is there a door upstairs in my house that will get me to your next project sooner?”

Don’t miss our recent interview with Robert Liparulo.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Suspense, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: December 2009

Jake Chism’s Review:

Whirlwind is the fifth book in the Dreamhouse Kings series that follows the adventure of brothers Xander and David King as they travel through time via portals found in a secret hallway in their creepy, new house. And yes, that’s all I’m saying about the plot because the story is just too good to be described through any measly attempt on my part.

What I will divulge to Robert Liparulo’s salivating fans is this: When I read Timescape I was quick to crown it my favorite of the series so far. Of course that was before I read Whirlwind, and ladies and gentlemen we have a new favorite!!

I consistently find myself in awe of Liparulo’s ability to make each story better in this series, always ratcheting up the tension and mystery, giving us some answers here and there and more and more questions to keep us guessing.

As we’ve come to expect in previous installments, the time travel scenes are loads of fun brimming with wonder and possibility. What sets this book apart from the rest is the huge twist at the end that completely changes the course of this story. I never saw this coming, and I love the direction Liparulo is moving this story and the characters that I have fallen head over heels for.

Frenzy is the upcoming last book in this series, and if the events of Whirlwind are any indication, we are in for quite a ride. If you aren’t reading the Dreamhouse Kings novels you are truly missing out on top notch storytelling, dazzling adventure, and heroic characters worth cheering for. Young or old, it doesn’t matter. The Dreamhouse Kings series is a must read for any true fiction addict.

Lori Twichell’s Review:

The Kings are in trouble and this time it’s not like the previous adventures. This time, along with their trouble, they are also on their own. David’s stuck in some cave somewhere and has no idea if anyone will ever find him. He’s transported to this place from somewhere inside Taksidian’s house. That brings us to Xander. He’s still in Taksidian’s house and he’s currently facing the man himself. Where’s dad? Well, he’s stuck in a car that can barely drive and he knows that the boys are in mortal danger. If that’s not heart-wrenching drama and adventure, I don’t know what is. And that doesn’t even cover the King women!

I’ll be honest, during the reading of this book, I started getting really worried about the King boys. They’ve been through more in one week than most people will have gone through in a lifetime.  Physical ailments and pain aside, they’ve gone through some incredibly frightening situations. They’ve watched their mother being kidnapped. Their father’s been arrested. They have strangers in and out of their house while they have no adults in the house. This is some seriously scary stuff.

A lot of questions are answered in this book. We know that the King family has been searching for their mom since book one. We also know that there’s a longer history with the King family than their current crisis. What we discover in this book is what can happen when they interact directly with the historic periods that they visit. The general belief in time travel circles is that you shouldn’t mess with time. Don’t try to change it or you might end up changing your own existence. (Everyone remembers that iconic image of Marty McFly disappearing in the picture during Back to the Future?)  Liparulo doesn’t just disagree with this. He takes the theory and smashes it to pieces by making it the job of the King family to change time. Their interference, it seems changes things for the better when they do what is asked of them. Simple things like giving someone a message or picking up a hammer can change future history for the better.

Liparulo’s skills as a writer are highlighted in this outing as he gives us answers to the questions that have been plaguing us since the beginning of the series while he also gives us new questions and ups the stakes for the King family. Though this is book five, the pacing of the story has not slowed or faltered. It’s almost too much to keep up with when you’re reading and occasionally, you might want to stop and take a breather, although you may wish that Liparulo did this for the characters too.  Next up? Frenzy!

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: July 2009

Jake Chism’s Review:

Things just became a little more complicated for Xander and David King. Not only is their mother still missing, but a sobering look into the future reveals that much more is at stake. As Xander and David search for answers within the time portals they find an unexpected ally who sheds more light on the house and the greater mission they have been called to. With a renewed sense of purpose the King family decides to turn the tables and go after Taksidian to put a stop to the evil plans he has put into motion.

As this series unfolds I continually find myself in awe of Robert Liparulo’s ability to not just write amazing stories, but also his ability to get better with each offering. Timescape is easily the best novel of the Dreamhouse Kings series, showcasing the most intense action sequences and the most gut wrenching suspense we’ve seen. Two of the time portal scenes were actually crafted from ideas students entered into the Dream the Scene contest on Liparulo’s website. In masterful fashion, Liparulo pulls out all the stops making these scenes the most memorable of the series so far.

In a young adult market saturated by commercialism, mediocrity, and unoriginality it’s refreshing to find a series like this that is not only fun to read but also challenging and engaging. These are the kind of books families can love and share together, and no matter your age you will find yourself easily immersed into this marvelous world of adventure that Liparulo has crafted. Once again Robert Liparulo reminds me of the beauty of story and why I love to read.

Lori Twichell’s Review:

We’re back again. In the house that’s haunting the King family. Not really haunting maybe. It feels more like hunting. When we last left our favorite family, they were all in mortal danger. Again. Liparulo is really good at that and I still have two more books to go. I’ve got to wonder what could possibly come after this.

First I suppose I should start with the opening page of the book. STOP! Read House of the Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods and Gatekeepers before continuing!  There are going to be spoilers in this review as I wrap up the synopsis, so don’t read on if you don’t know what’s happening in the series.

So, as I was saying, when we last left our favorite family, they were all in mortal danger. They’d found Grandma in time and brought her back. The boys, dad and Keal were all in the future world where they discovered everything was not peaceful or quiet. And time (yes somewhere, somehow time became a character in and of itself) decided Grandma was not where she belonged and needed to go back into the house. When we ended the last book, Toria was sitting on top of Grandma trying to keep her ‘here.’ The world that Liparulo has created is so fantastic and mind-stretching that sometimes it’s hard to believe what you’re reading. But he handles it was such grace that he allows the characters to address the craziness of their situation. At one point in this book, David is mourning the loss of his favorite shoes in the Civil War. In the next thought he makes the observation that a sentence like that isn’t even strange anymore. It’s a perfect safety valve for the reader’s disbelief.  I love this. Just when I get to a point where I’m thinking that it’s stretched so far I’m not sure I can keep following, one of the characters says the exact same thing that I’m thinking. This helped me settle back into a balance where I could continue enjoying the adventures.

In this book, we learn a lot about how the house works, where it came from and how to deal with time, but there are still a lot of questions. How does the house work? How do you get back to specific worlds? And what’s Jesse got to do with the house? (Admittedly, reading and writing these reviews while experiencing the series finale of “Lost” may not have been a good idea….) Liparulo’s timing, technique, pacing and characters are all spot on. There are no missteps here. Questions are posed but answers are given. It’s a masterful balance that gives the readers enough satisfaction with what they’re learning at the same time it introduces just the right amount of curiosity to keep the reader engaged in the story.

We leave our favorite family in much the same element of danger with uniquely different circumstances. One thing I can say for Liparulo’s mind is that he seems to have endless ways to put your heart into your throat and leave you grasping for the next page.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Young Adult, Adventure

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: January 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Stress. The King family has it in spades. (SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the previous books – stop and go do so before reading this review!) Okay. You’ve been sufficiently warned. Proceed at your own risk. (Funny, this is pretty similar to what Liparulo’s books feel like. Look at the front cover and read the blurbs and you’ve had enough warning…proceed at your own risk.)

At the end of Watcher in the Woods, Mom is still missing and now Dad’s under arrest. Xander says he’s found her, but David’s trying to protect himself and Toria from the gaggle of police officers trying to eject them from the property. What’s that you say? Drama? Yes. And as I mentioned, stress.

When Dad finally does get taken away, the kids are in hiding upstairs. It’s not good. They believe they know where Mom is but now that Dad’s gone, they’re on their own and know that they shouldn’t try to go and save her.

To make matters worse, they know that Taksidian is behind the eviction and their father’s arrest and that being in the house without their parents leaves them vulnerable to whatever he’s got planned. Oh and then there’s that bully at school who figured out how to get into their house without even being anywhere near it! (You have to read it to understand that.)

Liparulo is obviously on a roll. Written as one story that’s been broken up into several different books, Dreamhouse Kings is an amazing adventure that seems to climax again and again but the ride hasn’t even come close to an ending yet. At this point in the story, I wish that there was a little more emphasis on trust in God. I know it’s a fantasy but the King family has been raised as strong believers. There’s more room for insertion of a little faith in some of these situations without being overwhelming or heavy handed. I also (as a mom) keep thinking ahead to who is going to help the kids and how I’d feel if my kids were on their own. Once again it adds another layer of richness while reading the books. It’s something I’m sure that the intended audience (young adult) wouldn’t recognize but as an adult with experience in writing, I can appreciate it deeply. Liparulo has crafted the story to address all of these concerns and fears while also maintaining a fast paced (hold on tight!) storyline that at times, barely gives you a chance to catch your breath before you move on to the next chapter.

His cliffhangers alone are nearly breathtaking enough to be considered evil. If it weren’t for the reassuring “NOT the end” that is placed at the end of each book, I could get very annoyed. As it is, for some reason, books four and five didn’t make it to me in the same shipment that 1-3 and 6 did, so now I’m stuck tapping my fingers and waiting to see what happens in the next segment of the adventure. My poor mail carrier will probably need to seek counseling after experiencing me in ‘wait’ mode. Should I tell him he has Liparulo to thank for this?

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Adventure

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: May 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

The King family is back in Robert Liparulo’s next adventure in his Dreamhouse Kings series. Well, not the whole family, but we’ll get to that in a few minutes. Right now what we know is that the house is still causing no end to chaos in their lives and that the connection to their family goes much further back than anyone suspected when they arrived.

Now, they’re facing a daunting task. Their mother has disappeared into the house and they have no idea how to find her. Xander is angry at his father for hiding their connection to the house and believes that he put them in undue danger. David’s just frightened and he wants to find their mother and leave. Toria is doing her best to hold the family together, much as Mom always did. It’s not easy and it gets even more frightening when a mysterious stranger named Taksidian shows up. He lets them know that he knows more about the house than they do and that they are not welcome. He leaves the family frightened, shaken, and unsure of where to turn. And who exactly is this Jesse character who has decided he needs to leave his nursing home and go to the house immediately? Hmmm.

For the second venture into this amazing series, Liparulo’s writing loses no pacing in his plot or his character development. As the house seems to grow and evolve for the characters, so the characters are growing and evolving for us. Seen from mostly David’s perspective this go around, we get to see Dad through eyes that are a little less judgmental, and experience Xander’s anger and antagonism from his little brother’s perspective. It gives a little softer edge to the storytelling, but this doesn’t, in any way, mean that the story loses its edge. The frightening scenes are just as heart pounding and in some cases the addition of David’s tender heart allows the reader to experience the fear from not only a detail oriented perspective, but with emotion tossed in as well. This gives us a richer and deeper experience and allows us to bond further with the King family through their trials.

As a parent, the things that happen to these kids are terrifying. Even so, this doesn’t come close to the fear inspired by the ‘outside’ world, beyond the house, believing that Dad is the perpetrator of all of the kids’ injuries. If it isn’t bad enough that they’re being shot at with arrows and guns while breaking limbs, then there’s a horrifyingly real thread throughout the story of accusations and assumptions of what exactly is causing these injuries. When one could get lost in the fantastical adventure Liparulo has created, he grounds us with the reality of life outside his world and it adds a new level of stress and fear as you follow the tale.

Once again, when I got to the end of the book, I was happy to have the next book (Gatekeeper) on hand so I could start reading immediately. I am fully and deeply entrenched in the King Family’s trials and am eager to see where Liparulo (shall I call him the Pied Piper?) takes me next.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Adventure

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: May 2008

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

The King family is currently in a state of flux. Mr. King has just accepted a new job in another town, so the entire family has packed up and is moving from the home they’ve always known. When they arrive in Pinedale, California, they have to find a place to live. While house hunting, they come across a place in the middle of the woods that, for some reason, captures their imagination.  So Dad, Mom, Xander, David and Toria decide that this is the house for them.

The house, an old Victorian style, has a virtual litany of very unique things about it. First, there’s no street, driveway or even sidewalk. It’s simply a house stuck in the middle of the woods. And then there’s that noise thing. When someone’s in the kitchen, it sounds like they’re upstairs or in the living room. When Xander does his exploring of the house, he gets an odd creepy feeling about things shifting and moving. All in all, it’s like stepping into a Hitchcock movie. But this isn’t a movie. It’s the King Family’s life.

Later, when mysterious things are discovered in the house and tragedy strikes, everything in the King Family’s world flips upside down and they’re left shattered, frightened, and most of all, unable to move away from the house that now holds more than just their belongings.

Having heard a great deal of buzz about this series, I approached it with a lot of curiosity and some concern. Curiosity is obvious. So why the concern? Well, it’s like this. I tend to be a little bit of a wuss when it comes to scary books. I love thrillers though and since this was young adult, so I figured I’d be alright.

For a first venture into Liparulo’s work, I am extremely impressed. I love the characters and the dialogue. The descriptions are spot on. The plot has me completely hooked. I have told my husband on several different occasions that I am enjoying the tour through Liparulo’s brain. The world that he has created is fun, frightening and adventurous. I’ve been devouring the books since their arrival and I’ve finished three in about five days. I’m waiting for books 4 and 5 of the series before I get into the final book, Frenzy.  I can say without a doubt that if you have boys who enjoy adventure or girls who like reading thrillers, this is a fantastic series. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.

LOST has ended it’s groundbreaking run and we’re here to break it all down. Listen in as Jake Chism, Tim George, James Andrew Wilson and novelist Rob Stennett (The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher, and The End is Now) discuss their thoughts on the finale and the series as a whole.

This podcast episode can also be downloaded from iTunes.

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Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Zondervan

Released: May  2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Do u want 2 b my friend? It’s undeniable that we live in an age where technology is putting people in contact with one another more than ever. Social networking has become a multi-billion dollar industry – be it Facebook, Twitter, or any one of the number of social networking forums out there. It’s all really good technology. Friends can stay in touch with friends even though they may not be in close proximity. Relatives from far away can see little Timmy’s first haircut because Mom uploaded to her Facebook page. But like any good technology, the depraved mind of humanity can find a multiplicity of ways to use it for evil.

In Predator, Terri Blackstock treats us to such a terrifying tale. Fourteen-year-old Ella Carmichael was brutally kidnapped, raped, and then buried alive in a shallow grave after an online predator watching her every GrapeVyne update sees his opportunity. In the face of such evil, her sister Krista and father David determine to hunt down the killer before more girls find themselves prey.

Krista goes straight to the top – CEO and founder of the social network GrapeVyne, Ryan Adkins. At first reluctant to see GrapeVyne’s responsibility in the matter, as the predator continues his rampage, Ryan finds himself risking his own job and fortune to help stop the killer. Krista and Ryan team up, but when they get to close to the killer’s trail, he turns his sights toward them.

Predator carries the theme of an exploration of the quintessential problem of pain and how a loving God could allow such evil; through the plot of the story we are exposed to the stark reality of the potential dangers of irresponsible social networking; and in subplots we are treated to a father’s agony over such loss and trauma and a sister’s determination to help those destitute and downtrodden. And in and through it all, there is a God who knows, who cares, and who weeps alongside the brokenhearted.

My only real complaint with the novel is that it explicitly tells you its purpose a few too many times. I got it. Social networking can be dangerous, and those using it should be careful. Given that the story surrounded 2 dead, 1 injured, and a killer on the loose as a result of such, it was a mantra that, while important, did not bear that much repeating.

Quite obviously, Predator was written as a cautionary tale for those of the Facebook generation, who in their quest to be loved, in their craving for attention, and in their desire to have purpose have thrown out all notions of privacy and forgotten that all is not always as it appears, and that evil often comes masquerading as light. Though it did touch upon the benefits of social networking (consider that the link for this review shall be Facebook shared and tweeted), I would have liked to have seen it do more to show these positive aspects.

In the end, Predator is a riveting story that could easily have been ripped from tomorrow’s headlines. It has a strong spiritual message as well as a clear and practical earthly message. It’s a solid thriller from a good writer, and, as this was my first Blackstock novel, I must admit that she has gained a fan.

Review copy provided by Zondervan.

Genre: Fantasy/Allegorical

Publisher: Creation House

Release Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Allon was a paradise until the Guardians fell to the Dark Way, led by the evil spirit Dagar. But prophecy speaks of a time when the Guardians would return and Allon would be restored, led by the rightful heir to the throne. That heir is Ellis, and pursued by King Marcellus’ soldiers, he must flee. Having fled to the Forest of Dorigirth, he is told his destiny and begins his training, under an ancient master, to overcome the king and the Dark Way he follows.

The story that Allon tries to tell is a good one, filled with intrigue and mystery, romance and great battles, betrayal and loyalty. It’s a story we’ve all heard and read before. It’s a story told in Eragon, Prince Caspian, even Star Wars – all of these considered iconic stories. So while not the most original novel I’ve ever read, Allon had the seed for a story that, if done well, could bear one more incarnation.

The picture of the supernatural as painted by Lamb is vivid and quite allegorical, with the depictions of the Guardians and the Shadow Warriors clearly being representations of the great battle between the angelic and the demonic, of good and evil. The portrayal of the Guardians was by far my favorite aspect of the book.

Despite that, I had a hard time following the storyline at times because at least once every chapter, I found myself introduced to a new character. While some of these characters came and went in the space of a few paragraphs and others stayed on, it proved to be rather disorienting to sort out who was who. It seemed to me like Lamb was attempting to flesh out an entire fantasy world on a grand scope, but trying to do so in one novel made it seem rather cluttered. In addition to this, the book needs better editing. While I realize that one or two errors may creep in amongst the array of words in a full-length novel, some of these errors were just too noticeable to overlook.

In the end, Allon is a story of a boy who discovers that as a Child of the King it is his destiny to defeat Evil. Though Allon tells this story – which I absolutely love – I feel that many other books tell this story much better, for having been derived from a tried and true storyline, that is the standard on which it will be seen. To read this same basic plotline as a part of a classic, I recommend Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. If you’re looking for a lesser-known author that tells a similar story, I recommend Protect by Paul Watson. Allon has its charms to be sure, but in the end doesn’t deliver.

Review copy provided by Creation House.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher:  Touchstone

Publication Date:  May 2010

Reviewed by Jen Roman

In New York in the early 1900s, Ruby Thompson has faced many tragedies in her young life.  By the time she is thirteen, her parents and brother have died from Spanish influenza.  Her other brother, Nick, survives but has personality-altering damages from the flu.  He and his wife, Evie, have two small girls, and they take in Ruby to live with them.  Not long after, Evie is in a train accident and dies, leaving Ruby to fend for herself AND to care for the two girls, Allie and Amanda.  She takes on a lot of unsafe factory jobs and does all she can to make ends meet.  Finally, fed up with not being able to take care of her family, she goes to a side show owner and ends up getting a job.  She has an amazingly fast pitch, so her new boss sets up a booth where people can come in and challenge her for the fastest pitch.  She is so impressive that eventually she is asked to play on a minor league team, and in the process garners the attention of Babe Ruth, Lou Gherig, and the famous boxer Jack Dempsey.  Even though she finds a good-paying job doing something she loves, she still has to face challenges: her brother, Nick, is caught up in bootlegging; the Klan is out to make her stop playing baseball because she is a girl; and a bookie blackmails her to throw some games or he will harm the girls.  Rather than being a sad and depressing story, however, Diamond Ruby shows pluck, spunk, and smarts.  She handles things with grace and nerves of steel.

It’s interesting to read a book about a female baseball player in the early 1900s because the reader sees just how far women have come.  Rights and privileges we take for granted are not even dreamed of by those women.  Diamond Ruby shows what people, no matter their gender, can achieve when they set their minds to it.  They can overcome despair and manage to triumph even with the odds stacked against them.  While there are people who succumb to tragedy, it’s nice to read about someone who overcomes the odds to manage and do well in life.  Who doesn’t love to root for the underdog?

There is very little objectionable content in Diamond Ruby in the way of profanity and sexual situations.  While there is not graphic violence, there is a lot of blackmail.  People get beat up or knifed, and in one scene, Ruby is badly beaten.  This is not described in great detail, but it is enough that it could upset people sensitive to violence against women.  In general, however, most readers should not be offended by anything in this book.  It is gritty and downtrodden at times, but it shows how the human spirit can overcome so many tragedies to succeed.

Review copy provided by Touchstone.

Genre: Romance, Mystery

Publisher: Berkeley

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Reagan has a big problem. But she also has a plan. With nowhere to go, no family in the world, and none of the normal concerns of a teenager, it seems like there isn’t a lot of hope in her life. But then there’s Harmony. The beautiful small town of Harmony houses a tight knit community of mostly kind hearted folks that all know each other’s business. When Reagan flees the hopeless nonexistent life that she has and comes to Harmony, she knows exactly what she needs to do to fit into the inner workings of this intimate community. She pretends to be the granddaughter of Miss Beverly Truman, one of the town’s residents who moved away long ago. Miss Beverly recently passed away at a nursing home where Reagan volunteered some of her time. During the last years of the old woman’s life, Reagan learned all about the town of Harmony and also grew to love the old woman. So when Miss Beverly passed away, Reagan knew what she needed to do. And that means the small town of Harmony is her future.

Being Miss Beverly’s granddaughter gives her an immediate ‘in’ to the town’s infrastructure, but it also gives her an instant family. Since Miss Beverly left behind an ornery old brother, that means that Reagan’s brilliant plan to insinuate herself into the small town life of Harmony also means she’s going to have to figure out what to do about grumpy old Jeremiah Truman.

Along with the trials that Reagan endures to become part of this community, we also get to meet Alexandra McAllen. McAllen is the local sheriff who is drowning in the agonizing pain of having lost her brother in a dreadful incident that she feels was her fault. Every Saturday evening she loses herself in a bottle at the local bar. And every Saturday night without fail, she’s saved from her self-destructive tendencies by her brother’s best friend who also happens to be the local fire chief. He also happens to be head over heels in love with her. Unfortunately she can’t see past her own pain to understand anything more than his annoying tendency to always be right and always be watching out for her.
Oh and did I mention that someone’s setting dangerous fires around town too? Yes. There’s mystery wrapped in this romantic adventure as well.
Welcome to Harmony is a beautifully woven tale of life in a small town.  The residents of Harmony not only know each other and everyone’s secrets, but they also accept everyone’s, well, for lack of a better term, ticks. The things about people that make them odd or strange or crazy are readily accepted in this small town because that’s just what you do. No one blinks an eye that the local sheriff goes out every Saturday and drinks herself into a stupor. Everyone knows what it was like when her brother passed and no one questions her abilities because of this problem. There is no politically correct rambling, counseling or therapy in this book. People struggle with their issues and work through them the hard way. It may not always be the best way, but it works in the end. And it makes everyone tighter as a community.

I loved the characterization, the plot and the pacing. It never moves too slow or too fast and keeps you interested throughout the story. I devoured this book. I took it with me to a series of medical appointments my husband had and I finished it in a little over a day. When I was done, I felt satisfied with the conclusion of the story, but I wanted to know more. The small town and quirky characters worked their way into my mind until I, too, felt like I was a part of Harmony and when the book ended, I was sad to leave.

Review copy provided by Berkeley.

Don’t miss our recent interview with Jodi Thomas.

Genre: Literary

Publisher: Picador

Released: September 2009

Reviewed by Jonathan Schindler

What does it mean to be home in Gilead, Iowa? For Glory Boughton, it signifies a coming down in the world, a broken engagement, a forced retirement from teaching, and caring for her father—a retired Presbyterian minister—in his last days. For Glory’s prodigal brother Jack, whose return to Gilead after twenty years sets the town quietly abuzz, Gilead is a place of last hope, where grace might be found and new life begun.

Readers familiar with Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning Gilead will already know the basic plot of the Orange Prize–winning Home. Home takes place over the same time period as Gilead, and in the same place, but it follows different characters than the earlier book. Whereas Gilead was Reverend John Ames’s first-person account of the events surrounding Jack’s return, a letter of sorts written to his young son, Home is a third-person account specifically following Glory Boughton, a minor player in Ames’s record.

Readers desiring a plot-driven narrative may be bored with Home. But what Home lacks in plot it makes up for in rich characterization. The characters are slowly, methodically drawn. Robinson’s gift for subtle observation and nuance gives the characters a weight that convinces the reader of their reality. But much like relationships in the real world, the reader’s getting to know the characters is not a quick process. The reader must inhabit Gilead in order to understand its people. Robinson does not allow for snap judgments or easy dismissals; she lets the reader know her characters in all their humanity. For this reason, it is impossible to read Home quickly. It is a book that must be savored.

And the savoring brings its own rewards. For much of the book, I liked what I was reading, was interested in the relationships that were forming, and cared about the characters. But I didn’t realize how much I cared until the final third of the book. I found myself feeling the characters’ grief, laughing with them, and desiring their good ends. It is to Robinson’s credit that she was able to produce such emotion discreetly, without the manipulative methods we’re familiar with from Hallmark commercials and many human interest stories, which seek to manufacture sentimental feelings in brief snapshots. In contrast, the feelings that Robinson conjures are the direct product of her painstaking catalogue of the characters’ lives.

The book must also be savored because of its wisdom. Home explores what it means for the prodigal to come home. Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son tells us much about his heavenly Father, but how might the story look in an earthly context? In Robinson’s book we have a loving father, worn out from twenty years of waiting, still happy to have his son back but battling his own feelings of bitterness and regret. We have a son who, while trying to enjoy the pleasures of home, still hears the siren call of the world and feels the urge to continue his travels in a distant land. We have those outside the family who know the prodigal’s transgressions, and we have their reactions to his return. And we have a younger sister, the one who didn’t leave, who still has her inheritance, but who is able to bestow the grace that seemed out of the older brother’s reach in Jesus’ parable. Robinson’s novel is a multi-layered and powerful meditation on what it means to be lost and (possibly) found.

Home is a work of genuine beauty, but in some ways an ordinary beauty. It is an escape from the fast-paced world we live in, a reminder of an earlier time, but also a reminder that we inhabit a world of ordinary graces, where the magnificent suffuses the mundane, where we can appreciate the comforts of home.

Review copy provided by Picador.

Jake Chism talks with Tim Downs about his new novel, Wonders Never Cease. Plus, Tim gives us a sneak peek into the next Bug Man novel and shares his thoughts on the future of publishing. More about Tim Downs:

Tim Downs is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University. After graduation in 1976 he created a comic strip, Downstown, which was syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate until 1986. His cartooning has appeared in more than a hundred major newspapers worldwide. Tim’s first book was awarded the Gold Medallion Award in 2000, and his third novel, PlagueMaker, was awarded the Christy Award for best CBA suspense novel of 2007. Tim lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife Joy. He has been featured on many high-profile talk radio programs based on his expert knowledge, stemming from research for his novels.

Visit Tim online at www.authortimdowns.com.

Check out our reviews of Wonders Never Cease.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Suspense

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Publication Date: May 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

When Caitlyn Brown escaped the theocracy of Appalachia, she thought it’d be over. She wouldn’t be hunted anymore. She could rid herself of her condition—her deformity—then she could live a normal life on the Outside. But she was wrong.

With her secret exposed while trying to assimilate into life outside Appalachia, Caitlyn must go on the run from the government, who wants to know her secret. She’s been separated from her friends Theo and Billy for a while now, and they can’t really help her. Enter Razor—fast, sharp dangerous—a man with enough tricks up his sleeve to save Caitlyn, at least temporarily. But his motives are mixed and vague, and certainly cannot be trusted.

Meanwhile, the government isn’t Caitlyn’s only problem. The bounty hunter that chased her through Appalachia in Broken Angel is determined to finish the job. As Caitlyn and Razor work together to team up with Billy and Theo, Caitlyn learns a lot about life on the Outside—and about herself. It’s not just her deformity, it’s her DNA. It’s a genetic makeup that grants her ultimate power.

In a tale of science unchecked and gone awry, Sigmund Brouwer places this suspense-filled chase in the middle of an apocalyptic future where the wars have left the Americas a system of walled city-states with a rigid and harsh social system. Caitlyn must find her friends, outwit her pursuers, decide who she can trust, and finally escape to a life of freedom.

Several motifs run through Flight of Shadows and its prequel, Broken Angel. Flight of Shadows builds on the foundation of science unchecked and unmasks the horror of what man is capable of when the sanctity of life is denied. But primarily, this serves as a focus to the general theme Brouwer is presenting. In Broken Angel, Caitlyn was on the run within Appalachia, a theocracy ran by Bar Elohim where every move was monitored and personal freedoms were not allowed. Bar Elohim saw all. Flight of Shadows introduces the reader to the Outside…but we quickly discover that things are not too much better here.

Here those born in affluence—Influentials—virtually enslave the lower castes of Industrials and Illegals. Those in power can do anything to those without it—and they will do anything to retain their power. It is society taken to the extremes, a foreseeable future that should scare readers into an appreciation for what society still is, and work to make it better.

Brouwer has crafted a top-notch novel of suspense where each page deepens the plot, heightens the intensity, and broadens the action.  The page-turning action is coupled with thought-provoking concepts to create a story that pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the last page is turned.

Review copy provided by WaterBrook Press.

Jake Chism recently caught up with Jeremy Robinson to discuss his new book, Instinct. Listen in as Jeremy shares the idea behind the Chess Team series, his experience with self publishing, and a glimpse into his future projects. More about Jeremy Robinson:

JEREMY ROBINSON is the author of seven novels including PULSE and INSTINCT, the first two installments of his Chess Team series published by Thomas Dunne, and imprint of St. Martin’s Press. His novels have been translated into eight languages. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three children.

For more information, free podcast novels, video content, news and contests, visit his Web site at www.jeremyrobinsononline.com, where you can connect with Robinson via Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or e-mail.

Check out our reviews of Pulse and Instinct.

You can also subscribe to our podcast via iTunes.

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Genre: Mystery, Drama, Romance

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

A killer is on the loose in Sophie Trace and it’s up to Police Chief Brill Jessup to figure out who it is and stop the killing. Worse than that, the situation hits a little too close to home when it involves Ethan Langley, her daughter’s boyfriend.

Ethan is home from school and hopes to spend the summer earning money to pay for school and getting closer to Vanessa, his girlfriend. Ethan’s summer plans are quickly shattered as his cousin’s roommate is murdered. Trying to cope with family issues on top of this, Ethan’s struggling to help his cousin past this horrible tragedy. Then a little girl’s body turns up and things really begin to go south in the small town. It’s not too long before things come right to Ethan’s front door and suddenly, Vanessa’s life is in danger as well.

Police Chief Brill Jessup is unhappy that all of this is happening on her watch. When her daughter (Ethan’s girlfriend) witnesses a murder firsthand, it gets way too close to home. She puts herself and her emotions aside and calls for help from another town. It’s not someone who has respected her in the past and some question her decision, but nothing’s going to stop her from solving these murders.

Since this is my first venture into Sophie Trace, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve loved J.D. Robb’s In Death books and was pleasantly surprised to find that this is a good comparison. With emotional ties that keep her closely connected to friends and neighbors throughout the book, Brill is able to systematically take the evidence apart and follow the trails wherever they may go. With just enough crime specific details to be believable, The Right Call is an emotional journey that will take you down the path of wondering how far you can trust someone when they’ve proven unreliable. It’s also a good balance of crime story/mystery and drama. With just enough danger to make you cringe, but not enough to be unrealistic, it’s a tight story with fast pacing and great characters you want to follow.  The spiritual questions are solid without overwhelming the story and the mystery is complex enough to keep you interested until the very end.

I thoroughly enjoyed my venture into Sophie Trace and look forward to whatever Kathy Herman brings to the table for her next adventure.

Review copy provided by David C. Cook.

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Drama, Supernatural

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: August 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Grace has a deep connection to the woods behind her home. With self absorbed parents that rarely ever even know where their daughter is, let alone what she’s doing, Grace is much more comfortable in the open air. As she wanders through the woods she can hear sounds and taste elements in the air that most people cannot. She can’t explain this and really, it’s not something about which she’s concerned. It’s just a part of her.  Just like the wolf attack she experienced when she was a small child. Though she should have died, she didn’t. She was saved from death by a wolf with golden eyes.  Where most people would spend their lives concentrating on the horror of the attack, Grace spent her life concentrating on the act of grace that saved her life. It is this perspective that not only helps get Maggie through the difficult times of her life, but that also prepares her for the strange events that are about to take her life in a whole new direction.

Years later, Grace recognizes the same wolf that saved her life when she was a child. For some unknown reason, she sees the wolf outside her home often. He’s always watching her. Where she felt a connection before, she now begins to think of the wolf as her own. So when a boy from her high school class is attacked by the wolves, Grace virulently opposes the proposed wolf hunt. She’s worried for ‘her’ wolf. And her worries are completely justified.

She’s horrified one day when she discovers a boy with yellow eyes lying on her back porch bleeding. It’s the beginning of the rest of her life.

Stiefvater’s tale cannot escape comparisons to the other ‘supernatural teen romance’ series that’s on the market today. With several interesting similarities to Twilight, I was at first worried that I was just reading a knock off of the popular tale.  Imagine my surprise when I was drawn in to a world that actually had some explanations, made sense, and had beautiful writing to boot.  Where I was worried I’d find only teen angst and drama, I discovered a beautiful tale that drew me in and left me wanting more. I needed to know what would happen next.

One of my biggest issues with the story was that of Grace’s parents. Well, actually, all of the parents. They were, for all intents and purposes, non-existent. It would have been nice to see some good parental figures that stuck with the kids, listened, and helped them through trials and traumas. Instead we see parents so caught up in themselves that they have little to no impact whatsoever on the lives of their children. These are kids that are basically raising themselves without any adult input or supervision. In fact, when parents do get involved, they are more a nuisance and don’t understand. Teenagers are already of this frame of mind and it’s hard enough for adults to permeate this belief with real care and concern. I would have felt better if there had been at least one set of  understanding parents who didn’t just comply with everything the kids told them to, but really genuinely helped the kids through their situations.

Other than that, the story remained tight and solid, the characterizations were vivid and beautiful and the descriptions literally leaped off of the page.  This story gives you solid adventure in a supernatural universe where Stiefvater creates her own rules about life and how it happens and they actually make sense.
Shiver is a definite must read for those who like romance and teen drama with a little of the supernatural/fantasy world mixed in for good measure. If you’ve read that ‘other’ teen supernatural drama series, definitely give this a try. You may just like it better. I certainly did.

Review copy provided by Scholastic.

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: May 2010

Jake Chism’s Review:

Kemp McAvoy has pulled some fast ones in his time, but nothing like his latest brainchild. Movie star Olivia Hayden has just been hospitalized after a car wreck, and Kemp is the nurse assigned to her in the ICU. Disgusted with is own life and lack of wealth, Kemp develops a get rich quick scheme involving his famous comatose patient and his own impersonation of an angelic being. If all goes according to plan, Olivia Hayden will wake up with a message from an angel that must be published and Kemp and his fellow conspirators will make a fortune from the proceeds. Unfortunately, Kemp will soon find out that impersonating an angel isn’t always the best idea.

Tim Downs takes a break from bugs and cadavers to treat his fans with a quirky tale that is fun to read and impossible to put down. On the surface, this plot seems extremely far-fetched, but Downs really nails this one with his tightly woven storylines and unforgettable characters. Kemp McAvoy might just be the most annoying character I’ve ever read, yet at the same time I had so much fun following his every ill conceived move. Perfectly nestled amongst the shenanigans is a nice little love story and a subtle, yet strong theme about belief in things unseen.  There isn’t a wasted word in this novel and Downs’ research really gives this story the depth it needs to hold the reader’s attention.

I had no idea what to expect from this story on the front end. To be sure this was a risky move on Tim Down’s part, especially after the cliffhanger ending of his last Bug Man novel. However, I’ve walked away from this one with an even greater appreciation for Down’s storytelling ability. Bugs and cadavers or angel impersonating con men….if Tim Downs’ name is on the cover you can be sure I’ll be reading it.

Tim George’s Review:

Kemp McAvoy is drop dead handsome, a medical school graduate, and a genius. If you don’t believe the genius part just ask him and he’ll tell you. Kemp is a nurse, which should give you an idea something went wrong after medical school. What he comes up with to finally make it big is also a clue our non-hero is only a genius in his own over-inflated ego. The scheme is simple – convince an actress in a drug induced coma after a car wreck to believe he is an angel come to give her a new message for the world, get her to write a book about it when she wakes up, and rake in the millions after the fact. Thus begins the funny and yet insightful Wonders Never Cease by Tim Downs. If you are one of those who get mad when a reviewer gives away the plot, take a breath; it’s the characters and how Downs tells the story that makes this novel worth reading.

Most of the people in this story are as vapid as the city they live in, Hollywood. Among them are the actress’s agent that has been watching his cash cow slowly dry up over the years, a book publisher desperate to find a replacement for his one best-seller (Lattes with God), and a loan shark from the east coast who has already extended far more credit to Kemp than he ever should have. Were it not for Kemp’s girlfriend, her six year old daughter, and a hospital custodian named Emmet one might give up on the whole human race.

Did I mention the little girl really does see angels?  The irony is her Christian school insists she have counseling after she tells her story during a See and Say Session in class. One can hardly miss the satire of the whole thing. On one side we have a greedy confederation of users with no qualms about duping the whole world with fake messages from a fake angel and on the other side people who say they believe in the supernatural but fall all over themselves in questioning the validity of the girl’s visions. As the plot plays out we are given a too real vision of the consumer driven pop-culture religion of our day. Downs throws in everything from Oprah to Dr. Oz to make his point.

Tim Downs is best known for hard boiled suspense like Plague Maker, Head Game, and his popular Bug Man series. Good for him for stepping out of his comfort zone and giving us this sometimes charming, sometimes cutting parable of greed and faith. The writing is sharp with some of the best dialogue the author has ever written. Wonders Never Cease will make you laugh out loud and hang your head in shame all in the same moment. And the ending? I didn’t see it coming until it was almost on top of me. It will make you wonder if perhaps you have entertained angels unaware this very day.

Don’t miss our interview with Tim Downs.

Review copies provided by Thomas Nelson.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Tim George

Special Agent Nicole Hedges, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw are back in Lis Wiehl’s second installment of the Triple Threat series, Hand of Fate. If you missed Face of Betrayal, these three professional women are high school friends who reunited over a triple threat chocolate desert and now collaborate from time to time on cases of interest to each.

When radio personality, Jim Fate, is murdered in what at first appears to be a terrorist attack the three women find their careers and personal lives intertwined once again. Fate, a not-so- veiled replica of the Rush Limbaugh’s and Glen Beck’s of the real world, is murdered in his radio booth and the city of Portland is thrown into panic. The first chapters of the novel scream forward at a dizzying pace as we are given an inside view of how quickly mass hysteria can grip a city in our post 9/11 world. And, our three heroines find themselves personally sucked into the ensuing events.

As before, each of the main characters must face personal issues often more daunting than the murder they are investigating. Cassidy continues to face the reality of younger faces in the television journalism world and the consequences of how she has tried to defy age. Allison has yet to tell her friends she and her husband are finally expecting a child. Nicole is still raising a young daughter alone as she balances her FBI duties with motherhood. Issues of faith are presented through the eyes and hearts of each of these women: the shallow news reporter, the true believer, and the hardened agnostic. It is the complexities of this relationship that are most interesting about the series.

Though handled with more maturity than her debut novel, Lis Wiehl and her co-author April Henry give us an ending that still seems hurried. For such a great buildup the conclusion is a bit disappointing. Hand of Fate is what we call in my part of the world, a beach book. If you are looking for intricately woven plots and thought-provoking dialogue you may want to look elsewhere. But if you want a fun read, with strong female leads doing something more than falling for the first hunk that comes along, this one just might be the ticket.

With Heart of Ice coming next year, the Triple Threat Club isn’t finished so perhaps we will still see the satisfying ending I believe this writer is capable of. Until then, grab a chair, find something chocolate, take the afternoon off, and join Cassidy, Allison, and Nicole as they look for a killer.

Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson.