Swiss Courier

Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey teamed up to write a compelling WWII spy/love story, set in "neutral" Switzerland. I love reading Tricia's books because it's like getting a whole history lesson in a novel. It's always fun to catch a new tidbit and go figure out if it's made up or reality. Most of the time, it really happened that way! For example, American pilots who got shot down over Switzerland were detained there for the duration of the war. Trying to escape Switzerland meant imprisonment. Even though Switzerland maintained neutrality, they sided more with the Germans than the Allies. Both sides maintained a network of spies there. Fascinating stuff, and the way Tricia and Mike depicted it makes the book a fast page-turner. I loved it!

Now, on to the FTC notice I'm supposed to give. (ahem)... The book was generously provided by Litfuse publicity in return for a review. However, I maintain the right to give my honest opinion (and regular blog readers can attest that I don't adore every single book I review, though I can usually find something good to say about every book I read). More on this in another post.

To see what other bloggers are saying, click here.



Sound like a great book? You can buy it here.

Lost Mission

Thanks, Litfuse for providing a copy of this book for me to review! (If I were in a less gracious mood, I'd insert a sarcastic rant about Big Brother here, but I'll save that for a later post.) That said, I should probably have been thanking Litfuse all along--they do a wonderful service for writers and readers. All of my books come from either Litfuse or Christian Fiction Bloggers Alliance.

Now, onto the review:

Athol Dickson's writing is mesmerizing; I like to savor each turn of the phrase, like an expensive dessert at a fine restaurant.

Dickson infuses a touch of the magical into a very real world of commercial and political gain. As a way to illustrate human nature's unchangingness, he weaves the story of the crucifixion scene with a missionary monk in 1770's California, and a billionaire in modern times. In each time period, three sorts of people exist--hypocrites, sincere believers, and the unrepentant thief.

Though the plot is complex and satisfying, I didn't find the book a "page-turner." Dickson's way of weaving the surreal into a gripping storyline necessitates a slow, careful read so you don't miss any of the imagery or emotion. He has a knack for juxtaposing unrelated elements together to make a fascinating story.

I'm recommending this book to anyone remotely interested in biological warfare, historical fiction (early American history) and ethnic relationships. Fascinating read. In fact, it's required reading for both of my girls, who happen to be taking American History this year.

See what others are saying about Lost Mission.

You can buy it here.

Or win it using Twitter:

Do you tweet? Enter the contest!

Tweet this and be entered to win signed copies of Athol’s award winning books:

Tweet 4 words that describe Athol Dickson’s #LostMission along with this link: http://tr.im/BPD1

Or

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(To be clear – to be entered into the contest your tweet must have these 2 elements 1. Athol Dickson’s #LostMission 2. this link: http://tr.im/BPD1).

O2

Richard Dahlstrom's book is all about back to the basics: inhaling and exhaling. You can't have one without the other, he says, in his well-written O2. His explanation of the relationship between breathing in and breathing out is a much needed reminder to us who have gotten too distracted with busyness to remember the basics of Christian life. Breathing in includes things like prayer, solitude, and Bible study; breathing out manifests itself in generosity, hospitality, and service.

I loved the examples from Dahlstrom's life as a pastor and mountain retreat operator. From his experiences in service and hospitality, which kept him ultra-busy for years, he shares his insights on maintaining balance in one's walk with God. Just as none of us can go without inhaling or exhaling for long periods of time, neither can we go without the Christian disciplines without spiritual asphyxiation. Great read!

The Great Christmas Bowl

Christmas for the perfectionist is less about “peace on earth, goodwill toward men,” and more about “decking the halls with boughs of holly,” (in the perfect colors), serving the perfect meal after everyone is overwhelmed by receiving every gift they wanted, accompanied by the perfect music, all with the ones I love the most. Unfortunately, the ones I love the most are also the ones I drive the most crazy with my insane expectations of Christmas. So, I can relate to Marianne Wallace!

She’s a soon-to-be empty nester who wants one more perfect Christmas before her brood starts to spread out. That Christmas does not involve chairing the hospitality committee at church, nor does it include donning the mascot costume for her son’s senior season as a football player. But sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans.

Marianne tackles the challenge, sometimes taking hits with comic relief. Lessons learned come through unexpected circumstances, and Marianne is about to find out how to make new traditions, and the best memories of all. Christmas is served up with a dose of good humor and family values, as only Susan May Warren can do.

Set in Big Lake Minnesota, a white Christmas is just what this small town needs, but hopefully not before the state playoffs! Susan’s characters always stick with me long after I close the book, and the Big Lake folks are no exception. With all of its charm, they all have a lesson to learn about Christmas right along with Marianne.

If you’re looking for a fun book to read over the holidays, this is the one! Packed with humor, family, and Christmas charm, it’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

It's Not About Him

Remarkably well written, as was the first in the series, It's Not About Me. Michelle has the gift of "take-you-there" writing, which I really enjoy reading. She's not afraid to tackle the hard subjects either--date rape, teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse; her message is edgy, but exactly the one I want my girls to learn. I pray they never find themselves in a position like Susie's, but I'm sure they'll know someone like her. May they take away the message of compassion and the power of unconditional love.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
It's Not About Him
Sheaf House (September 1, 2009)
by
Michelle Sutton


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Sutton, otherwise known as the Edgy Inspirational Author, is Editor-in-chief of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, a member of ACFW, a social worker by trade, and a prolific reader/book reviewer/blogger the rest of the time.

She lives in Arizona with her husband of nineteen years and her two teenaged sons. Michelle is also the author of It's Not about Me (2008) and It's Not About Him (Sheaf House 2009). She has nine other titles releasing over the next three years.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Susie passed out while drinking at Jeff’s party and later discovered she’s pregnant. She has no idea who the father is and considers having an abortion, but instead decides to place her baby for adoption. Following through ends up being more wrenching than she imagined, but she’s determined to do the right thing for her baby.

Jeff feels guilty that Susie was taken advantage of at his party and offers to marry her so she won’t have to give up her baby, like his birth mother did with him. But Susie refuses, insisting he should he marry someone he loves. Can he convince her that his love is genuine before it’s too late? Can she make him understand that it’s not about him—it’s about what’s best for her child?

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of It's Not About Him, go HERE

Prayers of Agnes Sparrow

It's not often that I get to read a literary book in a pop culture market, but this one has so much subtle irony and such great characters that I would hesitate to categorize it as pop fiction. (Warning! Spoiler ahead...) In a town full of needs, Agnes is a much sought after "miracle maker." When she asks God for something, He gives it to her. Or so they think. After depending on her for a long time, even erecting a sign in her honor, her believers begin to turn on her. She's not coming through with the miracles anymore. Maybe God has stopped listening to her?

What the reader begs to shout at these townspeople is that this poor woman needs their help and grace more than any other person in the town! She's almost six-hundred pounds and can barely lift herself out of bed. Even more ironically, her only caregiver (her sister)is her biggest enabler.

For anyone struggling with compassion (or if you just want to read a great story), The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is for you.

Here's the media release:

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow
Abingdon Press (September 2009)
by
Joyce Magnin


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Joyce Magnin is the author of short fiction and personal experience articles. She co-authored the book, Linked to Someone in Pain. She has been published in such magazines as Relief Journal, Parents Express, Sunday Digest, and Highlights for Children.

Joyce attended Bryn Mawr College and is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship. She is a frequent workshop leader at various writer’s conferences and women’s church groups.

She has three children, Rebekah, Emily, and Adam; one grandson, Lemuel Earnest; one son-in-law, Joshua, and a neurotic parakeet who can’t seem to keep a name. Joyce leads a small fiction group called StoryCrafters. She enjoys baseball, football, cream soda, and needle arts but not elevators. She currently lives in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is her first published novel.


ABOUT THE BOOK

The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow is the story of an unusual woman, Agnes Sparrow. No longer able or willing to leave her home, where she is cared for by her long-suffering sister Griselda, Agnes has committed her life to the one thing she can do-besides eat. Agnes Sparrow prays and when Agnes prays things happen, including major miracles of the cancer, ulcer-healing variety along with various minor miracles not the least of which is the recovery of lost objects and a prize-winning pumpkin.

The rural residents of Bright's Pond are so enamored with Agnes they plan to have a sign erected on the interstate that reads, "Welcome to Bright's Pond, Home of Agnes Sparrow." This is something Agnes doesn't want and sends Griselda to fight city hall.

Griselda's petitions are shot down and the sign plans press forward until a stranger comes to town looking for his miracle from Agnes. The truth of Agnes's odd motivation comes out when the town reels after a shocking event. How could Agnes allow such evil in their midst? Didn't she know?

Well, the prayers of Agnes Sparrow have more to do with Agnes than God. Agnes has been praying to atone for a sin committed when she was a child. After some tense days, the townsfolk, Griselda, and Agnes decide they all need to find their way back to the true source of the miracles-God.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, go HERE

Fields of Grace

This is a true-to-life, heartwarming book. Historical fiction lovers will especially enjoy this tale of loss, bitterness, and forgiveness.

Here's the media release:

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fields Of Grace
Bethany House (October 2009)
by
Kim Vogel Sawyer


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, speaker, singer of songs and lover of chocolate... but most importantly, she's a born-again child of the King!

A former elementary school teacher, Kim closed her classroom door in 2005 to follow God's call on her heart to write and speak. Now blessed with multiple writing contracts with Bethany House, Barbour, and Zondervan Publishing, Kim enjoys sharing her journey to publication as well as the miraculous story of her healing from a life-long burden of pain and shame.

Kim's gentle yet forthright testimony lends credence to the promise of Ps. 117:2--"Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."


ABOUT THE BOOK

Will their Mennonite faith be shaken or strengthened by the journey to a new land?

With their eldest son nearly to the age when he will be drafted into military service, Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt decide to immigrate to America, the land of liberty, with their three sons and Reinhardt's adopted brother, Eli. But when tragedy strikes during the voyage, Lillian and Eli are forced into an agreement neither desires.

Determined to fulfill his obligation to Reinhardt, Eli plans to see Lillian and her sons safely settled on their Kansas homestead--and he's equally determined that the boys will be reared in the Mennonite faith. What he doesn't expect is his growing affection for Lillian--and the deep desire to be part of a family.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fields Of Grace, go HERE