"Gideon's Call"

by Peter Leavell

Review & GIVEAWAY!

Description

Tad, a very clever slave boy, comes of age as the American Civil War intrudes on the tropical sea islands of South Carolina. But his desire to better himself is obstructed by the color of his skin, until Northern soldiers force the evacuation of white plantation owners, setting 10,000 slaves free in a single day. These circumstances seem like a dream, but the newly freed slaves have no money, no education, no leadership, and little hope for the future. This is the story of how a boy grows into a man facing the horrors of war and unimaginable prejudice - fighting the urge to run from the shame of his family and his past - to become the leader and deliverer of thousands of freed slaves. Award- winning author Peter Leavell explores new territory in the familiar literary backdrop of the Civil War, forging an unprecedented tale of tragedy and triumph based on true events.

Purchase at the following locations: 

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.christianbook.com

http://www.deepershopping.com 

 

 Biography

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. For entertainment, he reads historical books, where he finds ideas for new novels. Whenever he has a chance, he takes his wife and two home schooled children on crazy but fun research trips. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001541945347  

My thoughts ~

"Gideon's Call" has been sitting on one of my bookshelves for 3 years! When packing for vacation I grabbed the book, looking forward to a good Civil War novel. This is not only a good Civil War novel, it's a powerful and unforgettable one! An in-depth account of the atrocities that slaves endured is agonizing. My heart broke for Tad as he was mistreated because of the color of his skin. An authentic portrayal painted through words gives credibility to a people who suffered like nothing we can begin to imagine.

Civil War details are well researched and documented in this historic telling of a monumental time in our nation's history. The characters portrayed in this epic novel are described in detail, creating personalities that bring them to life. Freedom's advantages evolve into disaster and defeat in a matter of time once slaves were declared freedmen.

The landscape comes alive with trees draped in moss, muddy marshes dark in the canopy of the forest. Alternately, the battlefields are crimson with blood and fallen soldiers litter the earth. These visions will live in my mind long after absorbing this book. The mistreatment of an entire group of people is heart wrenching.

I highly recommend this book. It is earthy, genuine, perceptive and humanitarian, written with compassion. A powerful and memorable book! This is an author to follow.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. 

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Friday, May 6, 2016.  

The Amish Firefighter

(The Amish of Jamesport Series #4) 

by Laura V. Hilton
Review & GIVEAWAY!

Description

A Beautiful Young Woman Banished from Home 
Abigail Stutzman thought it was bad enough being dropped at the nearest bus station and sent to live several states away with some relatives she’d never even heard of, much less met. But now, just a week after her arrival in Jamesport, Missouri, she finds herself at the scene of a barn fire. An intentional barn fire. And all fingers are pointed at her. She’s desperate to prove her innocence and protect her reputation, but nobody’s making that easy to do. And God certainly doesn’t seem willing to help.


A Brave Firefighter with an Agenda of His Own
Sam Miller is in the process of turning over a new leaf. Determined to atone for the follies of his past, he is a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, and a doctor-in-training. With suspicious barn fires escalating, and the Miller family being among the victims, no one is more determined to see the perpetrators brought to justice than Sam.


A Kindled Flame Neither One Could Have Anticipated
When their paths first cross at the site of a barn burning, the emotional intensity rivals the warmth of the flames. Soon, they must decide whether this fire is one they should feed or fight. And they’ll discover that the truth can prove more dangerous than a blazing inferno.


Purchase at the following locations:
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.christianbook.com

Biography

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the web. Laura and her husband, Steve, have five children, whom Laura home schools. The family makes their home in Arkansas. To learn more about Laura, read her reviews, and find out about her upcoming releases, readers may visit her blog at http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Laura-V-Hilton-161478847242512/?fref=ts

My thoughts ~

Forced from home by the only family she's ever known, Abigail Stutzman feels virtually abandoned. Being sent to live with family she's never met only creates more feelings of desertion. Her introduction to the Jamesport Amish community begins with an accusation she's set an Amish barn ablaze and Sam Miller is convinced Abigail is guilty of being the fire starter. Sam's abrasive attitude toward Abigail fuels the fires of her hopelessness. 

As other barns are suspiciously set aflame the Amish are concerned about who the perpetrators are, and Abigail has not been ruled out. Sam is convinced of Abigail's guilt, but his attraction for her has begun to kindle sparks of their own. Their eyes lock with the warmth of glowing embers. 

"His kiss was soft. Teasing. Yet gentle, as if she were something valuable that might shatter unless handled with utmost care. She wanted to cry at the awareness of it."

Returning to Jamesport is like picking up with a friend that you haven't seen for a while and embracing the relationship. Laura V. Hilton is a polished Amish author who knows how to create an in depth story of Amish life that contains its share of sizzle! Her characters smolder with attraction for one another, keeping the reader turning the pages in anticipation of where the relationship will go. Sam and Abigail will leave you breathless and weak in the knees, with questions of what the future holds for them. I highly recommend these new developments in Jamesport through The Amish Firefighter!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Whitaker House in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

 

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Monday, May 2, 2016!

 

"The Tenth Plague"

by Adam Blumer

Review & GIVEAWAY!
Now available in paperback!

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Christian Suspense!

 

Book Description

Water turns to blood. Flies and gnats attack the innocent. Marc and Gillian Thayer’s vacation resort becomes a grisly murder scene, with a killer using the ten plagues of Egypt as his playbook for revenge.

When their friend turns up dead, Marc and Gillian put their vacation on hold, enlist the help of a retired homicide detective, and take a closer look at the bizarre plagues as they escalate in intensity. Meanwhile, a stranger is after the Thayers’ newly adopted baby. Will they uncover the truth behind the bitter agenda before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn son?

Praise for The Tenth Plague:

“Suspense of biblical proportions! Adam Blumer does a masterful job transforming the biblical plagues to a modern-day scenario full of twists and turns that will keep you riveted until the very end.”
—Bonnie S. Calhoun, publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine and author of Cooking the Books, a Sloane Templeton mystery

“A chilling tale that keeps readers turning pages and pondering its truths. The Tenth Plague is a solid entry in Adam Blumer’s bibliography, and fans of thrillers with spiritual depth will find much to enjoy.”
—C. J. Darlington, author of Thicker than Blood and Bound by Guilt

“Adam Blumer writes a suspenseful story with a passion for God not often seen in today’s marketplace.”
—Creston Mapes, best-selling author of Nobody, Dark Star, and Full Tilt.

Biography

Adam Blumer is the author of two suspense novels, Fatal Illusions (Kregel) and The Tenth Plague (Kirkdale Press). A print journalism major in college, he works full time from home as a freelance writer and editor after serving in editorial roles for more than twenty years. He lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia.







My thoughts ~


Pastor Marc and Gillian Thayer have recently adopted an infant son. An old friend's invitation to spend the weekend at a luxury resort sounded like the perfect respite from their daily routine. Marc's friend is at the resort as part of a group of Bible translators. Prior to their arrival protesters had stormed the resort in an effort to disrupt the controversial project. Shortly after their arrival bizarre events began to materialize. The plagues of Egypt as described in the biblical account from Exodus begin to reoccur, transforming the resort into chaos. Blood flows from the resort faucets, and their friend is discovered murdered by an extremely bizarre method. Pastor Thayer moved Gillian and their infant son to an area hotel until these events could be resolved. Gillian's former nightmares of her infant son being kidnapped become more intense as additional sinister and terrifying events develop. An elusive killer appears to be on the loose somewhere in or around the resort property. His motives are unsettling and his methods to murder are maniacal. 

This suspense-filled, page turner is the second Christian suspense novel for Adam Blumer. His impressive first novel, Fatal Illusions was brilliant, and The Tenth Plague does not disappoint! His descriptive talents cannot be outdone. Detailing is one of the author's fine points. He creates an extremely bizarre situation that contains an underlying Christian message. Faith, hope, and forgiveness are tantamount in this impressive modern-day recreation of the plagues of Egypt. Adam Blumer has created a nightmare of epic proportions! Don't miss it!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Without your email address I have no way of contacting you. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prize. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Monday, 4-25-16. 

"A Cry From The Dust" 

by Carrie Stuart Parks

Description

A 19th-century conspiracy is about to be shattered by a 21st-century forensic artist.

In 1857, a wagon train in Utah was assaulted by a group of militant Mormons calling themselves the Avenging Angels. One hundred and forty people were murdered, including unarmed men, women, and children. The Mountain Meadows Massacre remains controversial to this day—but the truth may be written on the skulls of the victims.

When renowned forensic artist Gwen Marcey is recruited to reconstruct the faces of recently unearthed victims at Mountain Meadows, she isn’t expecting more than an interesting gig . . . and a break from her own hectic life.

But when Gwen stumbles on the ritualized murder of a young college student, her work on the massacre takes on a terrifying new aspect, and research quickly becomes a race against modern-day fundamentalist terror.

As evidence of a cover-up mounts—a cover-up spanning the entire history of the Mormon church—Gwen finds herself in the cross hairs of a secret society bent on fulfilling prophecy and revenging old wrongs.

Can a forensic artist reconstruct two centuries of suppressed history . . . before it repeats itself?

In A Cry from the Dust, Carrie Stuart Parks utilizes her own background as a celebrated, FBI-trained forensic artist to blend fact and fiction into a stunning mystery.

Biography

Carrie Stuart Parks is an award winning artist, writer, speaker, and law enforcement instructor. A Certified Forensic Artist, she met her husband, Rick, in the romantic hallways of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Together they formed a dynamic and successful team in their fine and forensic art, working on major national and international cases and creating exquisite watercolors and stone carvings. They travel internationally, teaching forensic art to a variety of participants: from the Secret Service to the FBI, from large law enforcement agencies to the smallest two-man departments in their one-week classes. They are the largest instructors of forensic art in the world. Carrie has won numerous awards for her innovative teaching methods and general career excellence and is a signature member of the Idaho Watercolor Society.

Carrie began her fiction writing career while battling breast cancer. Mentored by NY Times bestselling author, Frank Peretti, Carrie's debut novel finaled in the Christy and Selah awards and won the prestigious Carol Award for best suspense/mystery/thriller of 2015. Her Gwen Marcey series chronicles a forensic artist from Montana and is loosely based on Carrie's forensic cases.

My thoughts ~

A Cry From The Dust is a fast paced suspense novel with a great deal of mysterious activities involving the traditions and secrecy practiced by cultish offshoots of the Mormon church. Gwen Marcey has gotten herself into some bizarre situations where she doesn't know who she can trust.

Carrie Stuart Parks knows how to spin a spine-tingling, suspense-filled novel of unexpected developments. This is a book that is extremely difficult to put down. Just as you think you have things figured out there's a new twist to the plot to throw you off course. Characters are believable and strongly comprised. 

I highly recommend this unpredictable novel. Prepare yourself for a roller coaster ride!    

 

"The English Son"

(The Amish Millionaire #1)

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

& Jean Brunstetter

Join New York Times Bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter along with Jean Brunstetter in Holmes County for a dramatic new 6-part serial novel. 


 

Description

Meet businessman Joel Byler who has gotten himself into a financial bind and his eccentric, wealthy Amish father who is done bailing out his spoiled son. When will Joel learn he most pay for his own mistakes—and at what cost to his business, his fiancée, and his Amish siblings?

Purchase at the following locations:
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
http://www.christianbook.com
http://www.deepershopping.com 

Biography

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 60 books with more than 7 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Jean Brunstetter is Wanda & Richard Brunstetter's daughter-in-law, and Jean is co-authoring this series with Wanda.


My thoughts ~

The first in a new series, The English Son starts out with the story of an egotistical young ex-Amish man who acts selfishly with no regard for consequences. He takes advantage of family, friends and even his girlfriend. Joel Byler has left his Amish roots behind to become English. He only returns to his father when he wants something. 

This young man made me so angry! I immediately took a disliking to him, and that opinion of him lasted throughout this segment of the series.  His actions and attitude make him a very unlikable character.

This segment moved swiftly and evoked many emotions as the story evolved through selfish acts, family disappointment, and the confusion Joel's girlfriend experienced. I read through this short book in just a couple of hours, and wanted more "now!" It's a cliffhanger, but an exciting one. I'm looking forward to the next installment of The Amish Millionaire!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.