Genesis 5020

Stories for His Glory

What’s Your Genesis 5020? June 28, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Melissa Finnegan @ 1:01 pm
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So what’s your Genesis 5020?

I don’t have any story to share with you this week. Is that because it’s your story I am supposed to be sharing?

If God has been nudging you then He probably wants you to share. People love reading these stories, yours could be the next one to touch someone’s heart or bring them closer to Jesus.

It’s time….share your story for God’s glory. Don’t believe the lie that your story doesn’t matter. Your story matters because God wrote it.

Email your story at: 5020genesisstories(at)gmail(dot)com

On another note, I have some exciting news to share with you next week. I’ll give you a hint….below is the blurb for an upcoming book, one that I contributed to šŸ™‚ You’ll hear more about that next Wednesday. I’m very excited.

In these pages you will read stories of people held in bondage by fears, bitterness, and deep emotional wounds, set free by their loving, compassionate, all powerful Savior. The same Savior that longs to free you. For when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.Ā This Fourth of July, may you grab hold of the freedom that penetrates to your very core. A freedom only Christ can give you.
I would love to hear how you are all doing. Feel free to leave a comment with a praise or something I can be praying about for you.
Ā 
 

Review: Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum June 27, 2013

Filed under: Book Reviews — Melissa Finnegan @ 1:40 pm
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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Paige Torn
Think (May 1, 2013)
by

ErynnĀ Mangum

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she’s lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can’t even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God’s Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Paige Torn, go HERE.
My Thoughts:

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It sounded like a fun, light read.

Unfortunately, I had trouble connecting with the main character and finding the point to the story. I felt like there was just so much going on, which might be the point, that I couldn’t focus on the story.

Paige is an extremely busy young lady, as many of us can relate to. She seems to be a people pleaser, which does resonate with me. But still I just couldn’t connect with this story.

It could be because she is very young, but that hasn’t been a problem for me in other books. There were also some writing style things that kind of distracted me. Lots of conversations happened that someone would say something and then another person would ask a question misunderstanding what was being said. This happened often. I can understand that being one character’s quirk but not every character’s.

That being said, I do think a lot of people would enjoy this book, but this wasn’t the book for me. With as many books that I read there are bound to be some I don’t connect with and this was just one of them.

You can grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Christianbook.com.

You can visit Erynn’s website here.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for an honest review.

 

Write to the Point with Max Elliot Anderson June 26, 2013

Filed under: Author Interviews — Melissa Finnegan @ 11:57 am
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Today we get write to the point with Max Elliot Anderson. He writes middle grade fiction especailly geared toward boysĀ and I am so excited to share his interview with you. If you have a pre-teen reader you will want to look into Max’s books.

Publicityphoto2011 aTell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

I grew up hating to read, in the home of a father who published over 70 books during his lifetime. I’m trying to remedy that by writing action-adventures & mysteries I would have liked, as a boy, for young readers today. I spent two years in the army after being drafted, graduated from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, and have shot movies all over the world. My wife and I have been married for nearly 40 years. We have two adult children and two granddaughters. I’ve lived in Michigan, Indiana, and now in Rockford, Illinois. I began writing in late 2001 just after 9/11 caused most of my video production clients to pull back.

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. It was common, because of my father’s work in writing, magazine editing, and film production, to have a lot of well-known Christian workers, missionaries, pastors, and others come to visit. But my parents were careful to explain that God has no grandchildren. Each of us has to decide for ourselves when it comes to believing that Jesus is who He said He is. At my parent’s leading, I accepted Jesus around the age of six.

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?

That’s a tough question to answer because several have come out recently and more are on the way. If I had to pick a most recent title, it’d be River Rampage. This is book #3 in the Sam Cooper adventure series. Lost Island Smugglers is #1 and Captain Jack’s Treasure is #2 in the series. This Property is Condemned is in production, will be out soon, and is #4. But the central themes of my books for middle grade readers include responsibility, accountability, courage, honesty, spiritual principles, character issues, and more.

Here’s what the publisher has written about River Rampage. ā€œSam Cooper and his friends have the chance of a lifetime to go rafting down the mighty Colorado River. The rains have been heavy this season, making the raging river even more treacherous. The boys become separated from the main group, their rubber raft is going flat, and now they’re on their own. They have their hands full with a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft. Think that’s the worst that could happen? Well, it isn’t. “Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!” Bill Myers – Author, McGee & Me.

Covers 9 in 3 rows

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?

I probably post a new entry at least three times per week. I’ve introduced other middle grade authors’ books, include personal author news, discuss the importance of reading at a young age, and promote my books and articles, along with other things that would be of interest to parents and grandparents who actually make the book buying decisions for kids.

What are you reading right now?

As I said earlier, I hated to read. All the time growing up, I never read anything my father wrote. And some of his books were for kids. Then, in sort of a ā€œbucket listā€ kind of way, I decided to change that. I’ve read several of his kids’ books and right now I’m reading one for adults called Fog Over Hong Kong. The book was published in 1945, by Zondervan, and I’m enjoying it very much.

Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?

Yes. My Genesis 5020 was 9/11/01. At that time, most of my video production clients were industrial companies in the area where I live. The fallout of that terrible day caused many companies to close, others shut down their marketing departments, sold to other companies, or moved to other locations. My marketing and advertising clients lost their jobs and most of their departments were closed. I was faced with what to do, creatively, from that point.

I can only say that a very strong inner ā€œvoiceā€ began asking me, ā€œWhy don’t you write The Scarecrow?ā€ And it wouldn’t let up. This had been a screenplay that never materialized, but I clearly understood that it was to be rewritten as a book. After much struggle, I gave in and wrote it. After that, multiple stories literally cascaded through my mind. For the next three years, I wrote until thirty-five manuscripts were completed. I had no agent, no publisher, and no contracts.

At that point I said to myself, ā€œThis is ridiculous. I need to stop writing and see if I can get some of these published.ā€ Now I have a great agent in Terry Burns at Hartline, 10 books are published, 10 more are contracted, and several others are under consideration. So, I’d say that a person who started out hating to read, finding himself in the position I’m in now, is truly a Genesis 5020 example.

Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?

I do. 1st Corinthians 10:31 ā€œWhether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do it all to the glory of God.ā€COVER River Rampage 2

Where can we find you on the web?

Here are a few links:

Books for Boys Blog http://booksandboys.blogspot.com
Author Web Site http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/index_1.html
My Youtube Videos http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100?feature=watch
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Max-Elliot-Anderson/e/B002BLP3EE
Author Video http://youtu.be/48nLqzNFBWg

Also Facebook, Twitter, Shoutlife, and many others.

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

At times, we think we’ve got life all figured out. We might even find it hard to trust God, especially, like in my case, when it seems so far outside the lines of reason. But I’m an example of a person who has seen God take the impossible and make it work. He delights in helping ordinary people to do extraordinary things if they’ll simply trust Him.

I second that. I love how God uses ordinary people to do amazing things. Thanks so much for sharing with my readers and I pray God’s blessings over your writing career.

Readers, Max is giving away a copy of River Rampage to one commentator. Leave a comment for him by July 2nd at 5:00 pm to be entered.

 

Review and Giveaway: Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade June 25, 2013

44dd3-undeniably_yoursAs I stated in a previous post I would have a review for you of Undeniably Yours. Well, it’s finally here. You can read the back cover blurb and Becky’s bio here.

If you are looking for a romance that will have your heart twisting with each turn of the page and a heroĀ who will fight for the woman he loves, then this is the book for you.

I wasn’t sure if I would like the heroine all that much, a rich heiress. But Becky made her so likeable that you can’t help but cheer for her. Meg, the heroine, is like many of us who come to know Christ. We think we don’t deserve all this grace, all the gifts the King lavishes on us and have trouble accepting them. Meg feels the same way when her father dies and leaves her everything.

Meg does something very cool with the gifts she’s been given, but I can’t tell you what, you’ll have to read to find out. It’s a beautiful picture of what our Father wants us to do with the gifts He gives to us.

And I can’t forget about Bo, the hero. Oh my, he is so perfect for Meg but it takes them a while to admit it and there are some bumps along the way. Becky has created a wonderful hero in Bo Porter, the kind of man who will fight for the woman he loves and do whatever it takes to prove his love to her.

Becky creates very real characters. I love how she gave Meg quirks that make her tangible, like chewing the inside of her cheek or twirling her earring when she is nervous and slipping on her glasses to help her see better. Don’t we all have our own habits? These things make characters real to us.

This book is the first in a series and I can’t wait to see what Becky whips up next.

You can grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or the publisher.

Check out Becky’s website here.

Win your own copy by leaving a comment by July 1st at 5:00 pm (U.S. residents only).

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review and Giveaway: Pieces of the Heart by Bonnie Calhoun June 24, 2013

Filed under: Book Reviews,Monday Musings — Melissa Finnegan @ 11:22 am
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Ā 

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Pieces of the Heart

Abingdon Press (June 1, 2013)

by
Bonnie S. Calhoun

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), the ACFW ā€˜2011 Mentor of the Year,ā€ President of (CAN) Christian Authors Network, and Appointment Coordinator for both the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) and the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference(GPCWC).

For the last six years she has taught workshops in Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, and creating Social Media promotions at both CCWC, and GPCWC, and in 2011 at the Montrose, Pa Christian Writers Conference. She also taught a Facebook workshop at the 2012 ACFW conference.

Bonnie and her husband live in a log cabin in upstate area of New York with a dog and cat who think she’s wait-staff.

Her sites are:

https://www.facebook.com/bonniescalhounsnarkandsuspense

https://www.facebook.com/bscalhoun

ABOUT THE BOOK

Cordelia Grace watched Bernard Howard, the love of her young life, go off to fight for our country in WWII. And she has spent the last three years creating the Pine Cone quilt that will grace their marriage bed when he comes home. Each row of triangles signifies a layer in her life, sets of memories, hopes, dreams, and prayers for her future, enough spoken words to cover them forever. Her image of their ā€œhappy-ever-afterā€ grows proportionally as the quilt expands.

But is the man that returns from the war, the same man that she remembered? Are the dark shades of color that she had to use for the outside edges of the beloved quilt prophetic of her life to come? Can love and faith overcome all?

If you would like to read teh first chapter of Pieces of the Heart, go HERE.

My thoughts and giveaway:

This book is full of treasures. Nuggets of wisdom, deeper understanding of Christ’s love, it can all be found in this book.

From the first chapter I was pulled into Cordelia’s story and her struggle to trust God, something I can relate to.

BonnieĀ shows us the racism that existedĀ during World War II not only between caucasianĀ and African America individuals, but also the racism that exists between African Americans themselves. How heartbreaking, but so real.

She doesn’t hold back in speaking truth in this story and showing the reader the raw pain of her characters.

This is a fast paced book. A lot takes place in 219 pages. A fast read if you are looking for something quick.

Of course I enjoyed the story of the quilt and when you read the book you can read more about what the quilt means to Bonnie in her letter to the reader. This is more than just a story for her, it comes from deep places in her heart.

Overall, a touching read that made me want to wrap up in a Pinecone quilt šŸ™‚

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or the publisher.

Check out Bonnie’s website here.

You can win a copy by leaving a comment by June 30th at 5:00 pm. (U.S. residents only)

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for an honest review.

 

What’s up with the Finnegans? June 21, 2013

Filed under: Melissa's Genesis 5020 — Melissa Finnegan @ 11:15 am
Tags:

It’s been a while since I have just written to all you (without it being a book review or introducing someone else)Ā and since I don’t have a current Genesis 5020 story for you (hint, hint) I thought I would give you a briefĀ update on how the Finnegans are doing.

The kids are growing, of course, our oldest will start middle schoolĀ in the fall…where did the time go? Just the other day she wrote a great song about Jesus. My heart ached, I have never been more proud of that girl. The youngest loves to catch toads and shove them in his pocket, much to his mother’s dismay. God teaches me so much through that child šŸ™‚ They are truly precious.

Patrick and I continue to learn what it means to love each other as Christ loves us. We are challenged to never settle for “good enough” but constantly press forward to all God wants for us, our marriage and our children.

God continues to bring people into our lives who need our story. In a way this unfortunate, people do the same stuff we did, but I am glad we can offer them hope. That they can look at us and know it doesn’t have to be the end.

Some people find that hope sooner than others but regardless, our prayer is always that they could find it. They aren’t alone.

I truly believe we would all be shocked if we had any clue how many people within our church body (not just mine but the church body as a whole) have struggled, or succumbedĀ to the sin of adultery or lust.

Our story is a story that needs to be told because it happening under our noses and if people don’t see there’s hope they may give up and never seek God’s best.

Patrick and I get so sad when we hear of a marriage that is not restored because we know it’s completely possible.

Is it easy? No way. It takes work. Do we still struggle under the effects of my sin? Yes. There are consequences and as much as we would like to forgetĀ “the incident”Ā completely we never will. I think if we did we would go back to the way we were. So maybe it’s not a consequences after all, but a blessing, so we can constantly move forward.

It has been just over four years since everything happened with us. This was the first year I dont’ think either of us felt the weight of it. It was good, but we were still both very aware of the dates as they passed.

God is faithful and strengthensĀ us daily. We are not perfect and never will be, but our heart is for each other and for God, for His best. Our heart is for the marriage that looks hopeless and for those broken individuals that come to us.

We are only human but we offer our story and we will continue to offer it as long as God tells us to.

Our story for God’s glory.

Your turn. How have you been? What can I pray for or give praise forĀ  you? I don’t take you for granted šŸ™‚

BTW, what’s your Genesis 5020? Share your story with us (I don’t have any!!!) at: 5020genesisstories(at)gmail(dot)com

 

Review and Giveaway: Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson June 20, 2013

Filed under: Book Reviews — Melissa Finnegan @ 12:10 pm
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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel
B&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013)
by
Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelancesĀ from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults–with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Dorothy Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it’s not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dot passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Dorothy, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Dorothy only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt’s very specific posthumous terms — personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dot’s cats.

And if Dorothy thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dot’s life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God’s perfect timing.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.

My Thoughts and Giveaway:

I have yet to read a Melody Carlson book I don’t like and this book was no exception.

If you are looking for a light-hearted read with great characters then this is the book for you.

Daphne Ballinger just inherited a bunch of stuff from her Aunt Dee, including her secrets. Because of some stipulations in the will Daphne is thrown in to a whirlwind of decisions.

I could relateĀ to Daphne because she likes to play it safe. That’s me. I like to have some idea before I walk into a restaurantĀ what I will get. I will even go online and look at the menu if I can so I won’t be surprised. Daphne is very much the same way but because of the things happening in her life she is finding she can’t always live life that way. And truly what is the fun (I need to take some lessons)?

In this book you can travel along with Daphne as she discovers what it means to live and enjoy life.

You can grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianboo.com or the publisher.

You can visit Melody’s website here.

Or you can win a copy by leaving a comment by June 26th at 5:00. (U.S. residents only)

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher through the Christian FictionĀ  Blog Alliance in exchange for an honest review.

 

Write to the Point with June Foster June 19, 2013

Filed under: Author Interviews — Melissa Finnegan @ 12:18 pm
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Today we get write to the point with June Foster. She has a Genesis 5020 to share today. I love her story because she found a Genesis 5020 not in a death, or affair, or something like that but in something we all use everyday (if you are reading this blog you are using it). So sit back and enjoy her Genesis 5020. Read to the end, she has a giveaway for you.

100_5798Up until last fall, my husband and I traveled full time in our RV. The lifestyle is an exciting adventure with plenty of opportunities to meet wonderful people and see the US. We experienced historical sites, national parks, and the beauty each state has to offer.Ā  However, one frustrating aspect of RVing is the variation in internet access. And any author can tell you how much we depend on the web.

In El Paso, I had one of the most frustrating experiences. I depended on my Sprint Air Card, which served me well in most locations. But not so in this city situated in the corner of western Texas. I wanted to believe the people at the Sprint store who said they had no idea why I couldn’t get the internet, but it still didn’t work. I had to give up any thought of visiting Facebook or Twitter, much less working with my critique group.

Looking back, I see the frustration and hopelessness that plagued me. The enemy probably delighted in my angst. Ā But in the midst of the situation, the Lord reminded me to depend on Him alone and rest in His peace.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I wound up getting a lot done on my work-in-progress as well as learning to trust the Lord and enjoy His peace.

The situation helped me learn that above all, I can rely on Ā Him. The internet was not the answer, but the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all you heart and He will direct your paths.Ā 

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.”

June Foster is a retired school teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She writes full time and travels in her RV with her husband Joe. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day – February 1, 2012, As We Forgive – September 1, 2012, and Deliver Us – April 1, 2013, and Hometown Fourth of July – July 1, 2012. Ā June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the issues in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives. June’s book, Ryan’s Father, will be published by WhiteFire Publishing January 2014.

You can find June’s blog by clicking here.

Below you will find a blurb from June’s book, Deliver Us, and an excerpt from the book. Leave a comment for June by June 25th at 5:00 pmĀ to be entered to win an ebook copy of her book.

You can find her book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Desert Breeze.

Short blurb

The fraternity co-ed who coaxed Jillian Coleman upstairs that night is no more than a blur in her memory, but the consequences will haunt her forever. Ten years later,DeliverUsCoverArt72dpi (1) Riley Mathis, now a Christian, can’t tell Jillian he’s the father of the child she aborted. The truth will destroy them.

Excerpt

A man on his knees with his back to her scrubbed the tile with a large brush. His muscular shoulders visible through his brown janitor’s shirt tensed and relaxed with every stroke. She’d never seen a custodian put so much effort into his work as he sank the bristles into the tiles.

He stood and pulled his mop from the back of his cart. With long swipes, he drew the sponge over the suds, and rinsed it in the clear water of his red plastic pail. When he glanced up, their eyes connected.

Riley? Her pulse jolted. Did he work…?

The door to the OR flew open, and Jett walked out. He removed his mask and shrugged his shoulders. Without slowing his pace, he whisked past her and lowered his voice. “A lucky call this time, Jillian.”

Lucky call? How could he say that? A precious life had held in the balance.

Jillian’s exhausted body folded into a chair at the end of the hall near the OR. The pent-up emotion wouldn’t wait any longer. A baby had almost died today. Sobs shook her shoulders.

“What… what did you say to her?” A quiet masculine voice muttered. With a few steps forward, Riley peered at Jett. “I think you owe her an apology.” He dropped his gaze to the floor.

“What the…” Jett drew his fist in front of him.

In disbelief, Jillian stood transfixed.

Jett glared at Riley, tapping his chest over and over. “Who do you think you are, you lowlife?”

Ā She bit her lip and rushed to them, grasping Jett’s arm. This couldn’t be happening.

With an easy shake, Jett brushed her away. He curled his lip and grabbed the front of Riley’s shirt with both hands. “This is none of your business.” He released Riley, placed his palms on his chest, and shoved him hard.

When Riley lost his footing on the wet floor, he stumbled backward and landed on his rear-end. Scrambling to his feet, he glanced back at the area he’d cleaned. He shook his head. “And I deserve to be fired. I’m sorry.”

“Riley, wait.” Jillian took a few steps toward the men again. “Jett, calm down.”

She worked her way between Jett glaring at Riley who hung his head like a bad dog. “Why did you say that to Dr. Camp?”

“I…I thought he said something that upset you.” Riley lifted tortured eyes. “Your face paled.”

Riley must’ve thought Jett spoke an offensive word to her. Her heart softened. He had only wanted to shield her from pain. To protect her. Compassion for the man, even concern, built in her. The sweet guy thought he was doing the right thing.

Ā Jett held two fists in front of his chest, still on guard.

“Riley is a friend.” She blew out a breath.” I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make an issue of it. He misunderstood the situation.”

But had Riley actually misunderstood Jett’s intensions? What Jett said had hurt her. A lucky call.

Ā “A friend?” Jett shrugged. “Yeah, whatever.” He pressed past her. “Forget it. I wouldn’t want to see his minimum wage check yanked away from him.”

 

Review and Giveaway: Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes June 18, 2013

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fear Has a Name
David C. Cook (June 1, 2013)

by

Creston Mapes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as “The Shop.”

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.
ABOUT THE BOOK

From popular suspense author Creston Mapes comes another faith-building thriller, a tale that follows journalist Jack Crittendon as he fights to protect his family from a stalker’s terrifying schemes, investigates a pastor’s mysterious disappearance, and struggles to keep his faith amidst unthinkable fear.

With his family’s safety on the line, Crittendon realizes there are secrets behind “Christian” walls–secrets with painful, deadly implications. He must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the courage to guard his family, with danger exploding at every turn.

Through it all–the sharp, character-driven writing for which Mapes is known–takes fans and new readers on an edge-of-your-seat journey that explores the harsh, far-reaching consequences of bullying and the Christian response to fear.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fear Has a Name, go HERE.

My thoughts and giveaway:

Wow.Ā 

Do I really have to write more? Okay I will.Ā This book has to be the best suspense novel I have read this year, maybe ever. IfĀ  you like Terri BlackstockĀ or Brandilyn Collins, you will LOVE this book.

If you don’t care for suspense andĀ  high drama, crime, raw brokenness than you might not like this book. But if that is up your alley you need to grab a copy and get reading.

It reached a point in the twisted plot that I said out loud, “Oh my goodness” and my husband looked at me to ask “what?” I had to launch into the plot and what just happened.

Every chapter takes you on a new twist and turn. Just when you think things might slow down, oh no, you are in for more nail-biting tension. You know it will end, but how, who will live, who will die, who will cross the line?

I have never read a fiction book that actually stirred my spirit with Biblical truth. This book drips with truth but never preaches at you.

The characters are real, flawed. They question if God is so good why is this stuff happening? If God is so good why is there abuse? If God is so good how can He allow horrible things happen to those who love Him? Real questions we have all asked.

Honestly, at the end I cried. I never thought I would cry after reading a suspense novel, but the love of Jesus does that. Creston ended the book beautifully, truly fantastic.

And there is a HUGE Genesis 5020 coming from the subplot character, Evan McDaniel. Love it!

Yes, I know I am gushing but this book really is amazing. You won’t be sorry you read it.

Grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or the publisher.

Visit Creston Mapes website here.

Win a copy of this book by leaving a comment by June 24th at 5:00 pm (U.S. residents only).

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for an honest review.

 

Review: Red Dawn Rising June 17, 2013

Filed under: Book Reviews,Monday Musings,Uncategorized — Melissa Finnegan @ 12:27 pm
Tags: , ,

reddawnrising

Red Dawn Rising

by

Sue Duffey

From the back cover:

Twenty-seven-year-old Cass Rodino is a hardworking, dedicated set designer on Broadway. But, like the actors who take the stage every night, she is masking a different reality. Her secrets lie deep within past wounds too severe to expose to anyone.

EvgenyĀ Kozlov has secrets of his own. A former KGB assassin, he is trying to outrun the underground revolution he once served. Trying to right his wrongs, he’s in a race against time and against a former colleague, Ivan, who has sinister plans to bring down the United States, including an assassination attempt on famed pianist Liesl Bower.

As Cass and EvgenyĀ separately set out to save Liesl from an impending doom, both are hurled into a fierce CIA/FBI dragnet, not knowing that their formidable opponent—a most unlikely predator—is already closing in on them.

Book 2 of the Red Returning Trilogy, Red Dawn Rising mixes suspense, action, and romance in a tale of personal tragedy and triumph that will keep readers pivoting between the evil desires of world powers and the redeeming powers of personal faith, life, and love.

My thoughts:

This is the second book in the Red Returning series. But if you haven’t read the first book you can still read this book and not be lost.

If you enjoy political intrigue this will be the book for you. This is steeped deep in people living a double life and never knowing who you can trust.

As much as I like watching movies with political schemes IĀ had trouble getting into this book. It is definitely not a quick read, at least not for me. I had to really slow down so I wouldn’t miss all the details. But you might like the story so much you can read it faster than I could.

Overall Duffey has created a book thick in plot with characters you will be cheering for or hoping for their fall.

This book might not be for everyone but it is definitely forĀ those who enjoy this type of story. And I have great news. You will have the chance to read this book for yourself if you own a Kindle.160-Duffy-kindlead

The book will be available for free on June 20th and 21st.

So mark the date on your calendar and go to Amazon on Thursday or Friday.

Here is the Amazon link to the book, here. Or you can order from Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, or the publisher.

You can visit Sue Duffey’s website here.

A copy of this book was given to me by Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.