Sibella is one of my all time favorite authors, and she proves why again in this novel. I love her attention to detail, character development, and suspense. All told with a deft hand. Poetic at times, heart wrenching at others, this one is another great addition in the Raleigh Harmon mystery series. Can't wait for more!
Showing posts with label Thomas Nelson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas Nelson. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Sibella Giorello is Shining Bright
Check out this awesome new trailer for Sibella Giorello's upcoming novel The Stars Shine Bright:
Sibella is one of my all time favorite authors, and she proves why again in this novel. I love her attention to detail, character development, and suspense. All told with a deft hand. Poetic at times, heart wrenching at others, this one is another great addition in the Raleigh Harmon mystery series. Can't wait for more!
Sibella is one of my all time favorite authors, and she proves why again in this novel. I love her attention to detail, character development, and suspense. All told with a deft hand. Poetic at times, heart wrenching at others, this one is another great addition in the Raleigh Harmon mystery series. Can't wait for more!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I Know What I'm Reading Next March!
I don't think it's a secret I really enjoy Sibella Giorello's novels. She wowed me with her Christy award winning The Stones Cry Out and didn't disappoint in the slightest with its follow-up The Rivers Run Dry (I loved it even more that her first, in fact).So I was perusing the latest Thomas Nelson catalog, and there it was. The Clouds Roll Away. The next Raleigh Harmon novel coming in Feb/March 2010!
Here's a summary to whet your whistle (italics are mine):
=====
Raleigh's exemplary service in Seattle opened the door for her disciplinary transfer to be lifted, allowing her to return to her home FBI field office in Richmond, VA. A civil rights case turns out to be much more complex than anyone thought when Raleigh is forced to go undercover in a drug trafficking case (Ooh! I can't wait for this part!)
Things aren't any simpler at home. Raleigh's old friend DeMott wants her to find time for things outside of her FBI work: friendship and maybe something more. Raleigh will have to rely on her sharpest skills--and the faith that is slowly returning to her--to navigate her way through these clouds.
=====
Since March is a long way off, I suggest you pick up Sibella's previous novels in the mean time. I highly recommend them!
Read my review of The Stones Cry Out.
Read my review of The Rivers Run Dry.
Read my first interview with Sibella.
Read my second interview with Sibella.
Monday, July 06, 2009
My E-mail Addiction
I'm an addict.Yep. Have been for too long. It's time for my recovery to begin.
No, I'm not talking about illegal substances. I'm talking e-mail. Lately I'm realizing I've become addicted to checking my e-mail. I daresay some of you can relate.
Maybe it's the instant society we live in. We want instant everything. And e-mail is nothing if it's not instant. But instant isn't always better. And in my case, it's eating away at my writing time---time I should be holding precious. It's time for a change! I've tried breaking this habit before and relapsed. However, I'm really going to try harder this time.
The key, I think, is taking it slow. Making changes one at a time. Last night I was reading over a post by Michael Hyatt (Chief Executive of Thomas Nelson Publishers). It's called Breaking E-mail Addiction, and it gave 3 practical steps we can all take to simplify our e-mail lives. I'll summarize them here, but you need to go read his full blog post.
- Work on your computer in “offline” mode.
- Only check e-mail twice a day.
- Don’t check e-mail first thing in the morning.
I already work in "offline' mode, but my problem was checking the emails incessantly throughout the day. So today is the first day I'm trying Michael's experiment. I'm only checking messages two times. And I waited until eleven o'clock to be my first.
Already I'm noticing a difference in the way I'm thinking. My thoughts are clearer. I'm more focused.
Pray for me. I want to keep this up! :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
I'm very pleased to introduce you to a great novel by Jenny B. Jones. So Not Happening (Thomas Nelson) is the first book in The Charmed Life series for youth. But don't think that means adults won't enjoy it! Jenny's humor shines in all of her books, and this one's no exception. Jenny B. Jones has quickly become one of my favorite authors.So Not Happening is the story of Bella Kirkwood, a teen New York socialite who suddenly finds herself living in Oklahoma.
Can Bella survive her crazy new family? Will the school survive Bella? How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God gives her the total smackdown?
Visit Jenny's website.
Read an interview with Jenny.
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
One year ago my mom got traded in for a newer model.
And that’s when my life fell apart.
“Do you, Jillian Leigh Kirkwood . . .”
Standing by my mother’s side as she marries the man who is so not my dad, I suppress a sigh and try to wiggle my toes in these hideous shoes. The hideous shoes that match my hideous maid-of honor dress. I like to look at things on the bright side, but the only
positive thing about this frock is that I’ll never have to wear it again.
“. . . take Jacob Ralph Finley . . .”
Ralph? My new stepdad’s middle name is Ralph? Okay, do we need one more red flag here? My mom is marrying this guy, and I didn’t even know his middle name. Did she? I check her face for signs of revulsion, signs of doubt. Signs of “Hey, what am I thinking? I don’t want Jacob Ralph Finley to be my daughter’s new stepdad.”
I see none of these things twinkling in my mom’s crystal blue eyes. Only joy. Disgusting, unstoppable joy.
“Does anyone have an objection?” The pastor smiles and scans the small crowd in the Tulsa Fellowship Church. “Let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”
Oh my gosh. I totally object! I look to my right and lock eyes with Logan, the older of my two soon-to-be stepbrothers. In the six hours that I have been in Oklahoma preparing for this “blessed” event, Logan and I have not said five words to one another. Like we’ve mutually agreed to be enemies.
I stare him down.
His eyes laser into mine.
Do we dare?
He gives a slight nod, and my heart triples in beat.
“Then by the powers vested in me before God and the family and friends of—”
“No!”
The church gasps.
I throw my hands over my mouth, wishing the floor would swallow me.
I, Bella Kirkwood, just stopped my own mother’s wedding.
And I have no idea where to go from here. It’s not like I do this every day, okay? Can’t say I’ve stopped a lot of weddings in my sixteen years.
My mom swivels around, her big white dress making crunchy noises. She takes a step closer to me, still flashing her pearly veneers at the small crowd.
“What,” she hisses near my ear, “are you doing?”
I glance at Logan, whose red locks hang like a shade over his eyes. He nods again.
“Um . . . um . . . Mom, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you at all this week . . .” My voice is a tiny whisper. Sweat beads on my forehead.
“Honey, now is not exactly the best time to share our feelings and catch up.”
My eyes dart across the sanctuary, where one hundred and fifty people are perched on the edge of their seats. And it’s not because they’re anxious for the chicken platters coming their way after the ceremony.
“Mom, the dude’s middle name is Ralph.”
She leans in, and we’re nose to nose. “You just stopped my wedding and that’s what you wanted to tell me?”
Faint—that’s what I’ll do next time I need to halt a wedding.
“How well do you know Jake? You only met six months ago.”
Some of the heat leaves her expression. “I’ve known him long enough to know that I love him, Bella. I knew it immediately.”
“But what if you’re wrong?” I rush on, “I mean, I’ve only been around him a few times, and I’m not so sure. He could be a serial killer for all we know.” I can count on one hand the times I’ve been around Jake. My mom usually visited him when I was at my dad’s.
Her voice is low and hurried. “I understand this isn’t easy for you. But our lives have changed. It’s going to be an adventure, Bel.”
Adventure? You call meeting a man on the Internet and forcing me to move across the country to live with his family an adventure? An adventure is swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean. An adventure is touring the pyramids in Egypt. Or shopping at the Saks after-Thanksgiving sale with Dad’s credit card. This, I do believe, qualifies as a nightmare!
“You know I’ve prayed about this. Jake and I both have. We know this is God’s will for us. I need you to trust me, because I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”
A single tear glides down Mom’s cheek, and I feel my heart constrict. This time last year my life was so normal. So happy. Can I just hit the reverse button and go back?
Slowly I nod. “Okay, Mom.” It’s kind of hard to argue with “God says this is right.” (Though I happen to think He’s wrong.)
The preacher clears his throat and lifts a bushy black brow.
“You can continue,” I say, knowing I’ve lost the battle. “She had something in her teeth.” Yes, that’s the best I've got.
I. Am. An. Idiot.
“And now, by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Finley. You may kiss your bride.”
Nope. Can’t watch.
I turn my head as the “Wedding March” starts. Logan walks to my side, and I link my arm in his. Though we’re both going to be juniors, he’s a head taller than me. It’s like we’re steptwins. He grabs his six-year-old brother, Robbie, with his other hand, and off we go
in time to the music. Robbie throws rose petals all around us, giggling with glee, oblivious to the fact that we just witnessed a ceremony marking the end of life as we know it.
“Good job stopping the wedding.” Logan smirks. “Very successful.”
I jab my elbow into his side. “At least I tried! You did nothing!”
“I just wanted to see if you had it in you. And you don’t.”
I snarl in his direction as the camera flashes, capturing this day for all eternity.
Last week I was living in Manhattan in a two-story apartment between Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Couric. I could hop a train to Macy’s and Bloomie’s. My friends and I could eat dinner at Tao and see who could count the most celebs. I had Broadway in my backyard
and Daddy’s MasterCard in my wallet.
Then my mom got married.
And I got a new life.
I should’ve paid that six-year-old to pull the fire alarm.
And that’s when my life fell apart.
“Do you, Jillian Leigh Kirkwood . . .”
Standing by my mother’s side as she marries the man who is so not my dad, I suppress a sigh and try to wiggle my toes in these hideous shoes. The hideous shoes that match my hideous maid-of honor dress. I like to look at things on the bright side, but the only
positive thing about this frock is that I’ll never have to wear it again.
“. . . take Jacob Ralph Finley . . .”
Ralph? My new stepdad’s middle name is Ralph? Okay, do we need one more red flag here? My mom is marrying this guy, and I didn’t even know his middle name. Did she? I check her face for signs of revulsion, signs of doubt. Signs of “Hey, what am I thinking? I don’t want Jacob Ralph Finley to be my daughter’s new stepdad.”
I see none of these things twinkling in my mom’s crystal blue eyes. Only joy. Disgusting, unstoppable joy.
“Does anyone have an objection?” The pastor smiles and scans the small crowd in the Tulsa Fellowship Church. “Let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”
Oh my gosh. I totally object! I look to my right and lock eyes with Logan, the older of my two soon-to-be stepbrothers. In the six hours that I have been in Oklahoma preparing for this “blessed” event, Logan and I have not said five words to one another. Like we’ve mutually agreed to be enemies.
I stare him down.
His eyes laser into mine.
Do we dare?
He gives a slight nod, and my heart triples in beat.
“Then by the powers vested in me before God and the family and friends of—”
“No!”
The church gasps.
I throw my hands over my mouth, wishing the floor would swallow me.
I, Bella Kirkwood, just stopped my own mother’s wedding.
And I have no idea where to go from here. It’s not like I do this every day, okay? Can’t say I’ve stopped a lot of weddings in my sixteen years.
My mom swivels around, her big white dress making crunchy noises. She takes a step closer to me, still flashing her pearly veneers at the small crowd.
“What,” she hisses near my ear, “are you doing?”
I glance at Logan, whose red locks hang like a shade over his eyes. He nods again.
“Um . . . um . . . Mom, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you at all this week . . .” My voice is a tiny whisper. Sweat beads on my forehead.
“Honey, now is not exactly the best time to share our feelings and catch up.”
My eyes dart across the sanctuary, where one hundred and fifty people are perched on the edge of their seats. And it’s not because they’re anxious for the chicken platters coming their way after the ceremony.
“Mom, the dude’s middle name is Ralph.”
She leans in, and we’re nose to nose. “You just stopped my wedding and that’s what you wanted to tell me?”
Faint—that’s what I’ll do next time I need to halt a wedding.
“How well do you know Jake? You only met six months ago.”
Some of the heat leaves her expression. “I’ve known him long enough to know that I love him, Bella. I knew it immediately.”
“But what if you’re wrong?” I rush on, “I mean, I’ve only been around him a few times, and I’m not so sure. He could be a serial killer for all we know.” I can count on one hand the times I’ve been around Jake. My mom usually visited him when I was at my dad’s.
Her voice is low and hurried. “I understand this isn’t easy for you. But our lives have changed. It’s going to be an adventure, Bel.”
Adventure? You call meeting a man on the Internet and forcing me to move across the country to live with his family an adventure? An adventure is swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean. An adventure is touring the pyramids in Egypt. Or shopping at the Saks after-Thanksgiving sale with Dad’s credit card. This, I do believe, qualifies as a nightmare!
“You know I’ve prayed about this. Jake and I both have. We know this is God’s will for us. I need you to trust me, because I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”
A single tear glides down Mom’s cheek, and I feel my heart constrict. This time last year my life was so normal. So happy. Can I just hit the reverse button and go back?
Slowly I nod. “Okay, Mom.” It’s kind of hard to argue with “God says this is right.” (Though I happen to think He’s wrong.)
The preacher clears his throat and lifts a bushy black brow.
“You can continue,” I say, knowing I’ve lost the battle. “She had something in her teeth.” Yes, that’s the best I've got.
I. Am. An. Idiot.
“And now, by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Finley. You may kiss your bride.”
Nope. Can’t watch.
I turn my head as the “Wedding March” starts. Logan walks to my side, and I link my arm in his. Though we’re both going to be juniors, he’s a head taller than me. It’s like we’re steptwins. He grabs his six-year-old brother, Robbie, with his other hand, and off we go
in time to the music. Robbie throws rose petals all around us, giggling with glee, oblivious to the fact that we just witnessed a ceremony marking the end of life as we know it.
“Good job stopping the wedding.” Logan smirks. “Very successful.”
I jab my elbow into his side. “At least I tried! You did nothing!”
“I just wanted to see if you had it in you. And you don’t.”
I snarl in his direction as the camera flashes, capturing this day for all eternity.
Last week I was living in Manhattan in a two-story apartment between Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Couric. I could hop a train to Macy’s and Bloomie’s. My friends and I could eat dinner at Tao and see who could count the most celebs. I had Broadway in my backyard
and Daddy’s MasterCard in my wallet.
Then my mom got married.
And I got a new life.
I should’ve paid that six-year-old to pull the fire alarm.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello
My review of The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello won't be officially posted on TitleTrakk.com for weeks (and the novel doesn't release until late Feb., early March), but I just had to share my thoughts on this terrific novel with someone.So, friends, here's an excerpt, and the top secret link to the full review. :)
Sibella Giorello’s first book The Stones Cry Out placed her on our radar. It won a Christy award for 1st novel and introduced us to an author whose storytelling ability and knack for description caused me to call the book “one of 2007's most compelling novels”. Needless to say, Giorello had a lot to live up to in The Rivers Run Dry. Would Raleigh Harmon remain the interesting, three-dimensional character we’d come to love?
Find out what I thought by reading my review.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Infidel by Ted Dekker Graphic Novel
It's the 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour! Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book's FIRST chapter.This week we're featuring Ted Dekker and his book:
Infidel--Graphic Novel: The Lost Books Series
This was a fun, suspenseful graphic novel to read, and I finished it within an hour or two. You don't have to have read Chosen to enjoy this one since back story is sprinkled in throughout, but for ultimate enjoyment you'll want to pick it up.
I had the chance to interview Ted and talk to him a couple months ago about these graphic novels. Read that interview here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.
Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. To see a complete list of Dekker's work, visit The Works section of TedDekker.com.
Here are some of his latest titles:
Chosen (The Lost Books, Book 1)
Adam
Black: (The Circle Trilogy Graphic Novels, Book 1)
Saint
Product DetailsList Price:$15.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 136 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 11, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595546049
ISBN-13: 978-1595546043
AND NOW...THE FIRST TWO PAGES:
(Click Pictures to Zoom!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Become a Book Reviewer for Thomas Nelson
Today at his blog From Where I Sit, Michael Hyatt (President & CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers), unveiled their new website just for book review bloggers. This is an intriguing concept -- #1 that Thomas Nelson is seeing such a potential in bloggers, #2 because there are some great incentives here to review their books. Here are three as outlined in Michael's post:If you are a blogger, this new site has at least three benefits:
- Free copies of our best books. We will send you a free copy of the book you are interested in reviewing. In addition, after you have requested a review copy, we will email you a PDF of the first two chapters so you can immediately get started. Meanwhile, we will drop a physical copy of the book in the mail.
- Content resources for your blog. We will provide you with free resources to use in your review. These include things like cover art, video or audio clips (when available), external links to other related items, etc. Frankly, this is the part of the site that we need to expand upon the most.
- External links to your blog. We will provide a link back to the your actual review of the book. As you may know, external links are what drive up your blog’s ranking on Google. In general, the more links the better.
Bloggers must agree to write a 200-word review—good, bad, or ugly—and post it on their blog and on the Amazon detail page for that book.
I'd say that's a great deal, since most of us already write reviews of the books we read anyway. If you're interested in participating, there are several great books (fiction and nonfiction) being offered. Check out the site today!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Less Than Dead by Tim Downs
I'd like to let you know about a terrific new novel on the market. Less Than Dead by Tim Downs is his 4th "Bugman novel", and it is a wonderful read. I've written a full review that's now appearing on TitleTrakk.com, but here are a few snippets:"Nick Polchak isn’t your typical fictional hero. He isn’t strong, handsome or social. More like Monk than Jack Bauer. But there’s something endearing about this crazy, insect loving man with the enormous coke bottle glasses, wickedly dry sense of humor, and disdain for authority. He says the things we wish we could say, and we never know what hornet’s nest he’ll step on."
"Since Shoofly Pie the Bugman novels have progressively developed to become some of the best suspense reading on the market. Less Than Dead is the best of the bunch."
Check out the full review here.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Four Novels I Can't Wait to Read
My to-be-read pile can sometimes overwhelm me. And then I take a step back and realize how blessed I am to even have these books! What a wonderful place to be, having so many books you don't know which one to start. That's heaven for a reader.
I am a reader before I'm a writer. I guess that's why I became a writer. I remember one of my favorite things to do as a kid was visit the library. I came home with literally bags of books I planned to read. I never got to them all, but having so many to choose from was part of the joy. Having so much good material right at my fingertips was probably what it was like for some kids in a candy store.
I still love to read. I don't have the same time available for reading like I did as a kid, but you can never stop a reader from reading... even if it's the back of the cereal box!
Four novels I'm particularly excited to read and can't wait until they arrive on my doorstep are as follows.
The Rivers Run Dry
by Sibella Giorello
Sibella wowed me with her first novel The Stones Cry Out, and I can't wait to see what her character Raleigh Harmon gets into this time. Apparently the locale is now the Pacific Northwest rather than Richmond, and I'm intrigued.
Summary:
When Raleigh Harmon, geologist and special agent for the FBI, is suddenly transferred from the Richmond field office to Seattle, she finds herself in strange territory. The Pacific Northwest has a whole different pace than the South does, her new boss seems determined to prove she can't handle the work, and she's desperately trying to keep her mother's sanity from crumbling altogether. But a missing hiker, a ransom note, an underground card game, and a "friend" with deadly intentions all ensure that there's no time for an easy transition. Raleigh will need all her skills and a little help-to keep the missing girl and herself alive.
Deceived
by James Scott Bell
Jim always creates a great page-turner, and this one grabs me right from the get-go. There's probably going to be a ton of twists and turns, like almost every Bell novel. Great stuff.
Summary:
Two bodies in an isolated canyon on the edge of L.A. One with saddlebags filled with diamonds. That's how it begins for Liz Towne, a stunning blonde with a devout husband who has given up a prime job for reasons Liz cannot understand-for "Mac" MacDonald, a Gulf War vet who's done time in prison and is just now finding his way back to normal life-and for Roxanne "Rocky" Towne, Liz's sister-in-law, who suspects things she cannot prove. All three are thrown together after a tragedy in Pack Canyon. After stumbling upon the stolen diamonds, Liz is faced with an escalating set of choices: Truth or lies? Love or money? Saint or sinner? Liz thinks she knows who she is and what she wants, but when the web gets terribly tangled, is her game of deception a clever lie or a deadly trap?
According to Their Deeds
by Paul Robertson
This will be my first Robertson novel, but the rare books in the premise certainly have my interest! Wonder how it will compare to Matt Bronleewe's novels...
Summary:
Charles Beale lives happily in the shadows of Washington, D.C., as a respectable rare-books dealer. Or mostly respectable. He has a streak of the gambler in him and when a devoted client dies-a man deeply connected to the Justice Department-Beale eagerly regains the man's book collection.and soon finds himself with more than he bid on. In one volume, Beale discovers documents incriminating a host of major political figures-blackmail material that might have led to murder. Weighing questions of justice and mercy-and with a bull's-eye on his back-Beale must untangle a complicated knot of deadly lies and dangerous secrets.
The Face
by Angela Hunt
Ms. Hunt's novels are always solid, and we can count on her coming up with a unique premise. This one has my attention! It's just too interesting to pass up. And I truly am a sucker for a great thriller.
Summary:
Born to parents who died shortly after her birth, twenty-year-old genius Sarah Sims has been hidden in a secure CIA facility where she works to help her handlers achieve their goals. Yet her days of anonymity are limited because her aunt has discovered her existence and is determined to lead Sarah out of exile. But before she can leave the only world she's ever known, Sarah needs what most people take for granted . . . a functioning face and the skills to use it. Will she remain in her secluded fortress or summon the courage to follow her heart?
I am a reader before I'm a writer. I guess that's why I became a writer. I remember one of my favorite things to do as a kid was visit the library. I came home with literally bags of books I planned to read. I never got to them all, but having so many to choose from was part of the joy. Having so much good material right at my fingertips was probably what it was like for some kids in a candy store.
I still love to read. I don't have the same time available for reading like I did as a kid, but you can never stop a reader from reading... even if it's the back of the cereal box!
Four novels I'm particularly excited to read and can't wait until they arrive on my doorstep are as follows.
The Rivers Run Dryby Sibella Giorello
Sibella wowed me with her first novel The Stones Cry Out, and I can't wait to see what her character Raleigh Harmon gets into this time. Apparently the locale is now the Pacific Northwest rather than Richmond, and I'm intrigued.
Summary:
When Raleigh Harmon, geologist and special agent for the FBI, is suddenly transferred from the Richmond field office to Seattle, she finds herself in strange territory. The Pacific Northwest has a whole different pace than the South does, her new boss seems determined to prove she can't handle the work, and she's desperately trying to keep her mother's sanity from crumbling altogether. But a missing hiker, a ransom note, an underground card game, and a "friend" with deadly intentions all ensure that there's no time for an easy transition. Raleigh will need all her skills and a little help-to keep the missing girl and herself alive.
Deceived by James Scott Bell
Jim always creates a great page-turner, and this one grabs me right from the get-go. There's probably going to be a ton of twists and turns, like almost every Bell novel. Great stuff.
Summary:
Two bodies in an isolated canyon on the edge of L.A. One with saddlebags filled with diamonds. That's how it begins for Liz Towne, a stunning blonde with a devout husband who has given up a prime job for reasons Liz cannot understand-for "Mac" MacDonald, a Gulf War vet who's done time in prison and is just now finding his way back to normal life-and for Roxanne "Rocky" Towne, Liz's sister-in-law, who suspects things she cannot prove. All three are thrown together after a tragedy in Pack Canyon. After stumbling upon the stolen diamonds, Liz is faced with an escalating set of choices: Truth or lies? Love or money? Saint or sinner? Liz thinks she knows who she is and what she wants, but when the web gets terribly tangled, is her game of deception a clever lie or a deadly trap?
According to Their Deedsby Paul Robertson
This will be my first Robertson novel, but the rare books in the premise certainly have my interest! Wonder how it will compare to Matt Bronleewe's novels...
Summary:
Charles Beale lives happily in the shadows of Washington, D.C., as a respectable rare-books dealer. Or mostly respectable. He has a streak of the gambler in him and when a devoted client dies-a man deeply connected to the Justice Department-Beale eagerly regains the man's book collection.and soon finds himself with more than he bid on. In one volume, Beale discovers documents incriminating a host of major political figures-blackmail material that might have led to murder. Weighing questions of justice and mercy-and with a bull's-eye on his back-Beale must untangle a complicated knot of deadly lies and dangerous secrets.
The Faceby Angela Hunt
Ms. Hunt's novels are always solid, and we can count on her coming up with a unique premise. This one has my attention! It's just too interesting to pass up. And I truly am a sucker for a great thriller.
Summary:
Born to parents who died shortly after her birth, twenty-year-old genius Sarah Sims has been hidden in a secure CIA facility where she works to help her handlers achieve their goals. Yet her days of anonymity are limited because her aunt has discovered her existence and is determined to lead Sarah out of exile. But before she can leave the only world she's ever known, Sarah needs what most people take for granted . . . a functioning face and the skills to use it. Will she remain in her secluded fortress or summon the courage to follow her heart?
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Unseen Pages Project - An Innovative Book Marketing Idea
So I get this e-mail about T.L. Hines' latest marketing project. Seems the guy is once again on the cutting edge! Here's the scoop:T.L. is disassembling a copy of his upcoming novel The Unseen and hiding pages all across the country. Well, actually, WE are the ones who get to hide the pages! Sorta like Book Crossing, only with individual pages.
In T.L.'s words, here's all the info:
Right now, people all across the United States and Canada are helping me disassemble and hide one complete copy of my latest book, The Unseen, in dozens of locations. You can see who those people are and sign up to join them if you want; we'll start hiding pages the first of October or so.
That's 192 individual pages (383 pages, actually--but each individual page has a front and a back), hiding in unseen spaces--much like Lucas, the main character in The Unseen.
Why? Well, a multitude of reasons, but foremost among them is: to have fun. Maybe sell a few books, maybe meet a few new people, maybe get a few unexpected surprises...but for me, that all comes under the category of having fun.
Check out all the fun (and lots more info on how it all works) at T.L.'s special section of his website devoted to the Unseen Pages Project.
And speaking of contests, my good friend WordVixen is running one over at her Squidoo lense, and you could win some nifty skin care products. Check it out here.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Video on the history of Thomas Nelson Publishers
I just found an interesting mini-documentary about the history of Thomas Nelson publishers. CEO & President Michael Hyatt narrates. Lots of tragedies had to be overcome to make it what it is today.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Evolution of Another Book Cover - The Unseen by T.L. Hines
I love seeing the changes book covers go through during their design process. I've talked about this subject before, but I found another book that's gone through at least two strikingly different renditions (and I suspect went through many more than this based on statistics of these sort of things). The book is T.L. Hines' debut from Thomas Nelson, The Unseen. Here are the two covers side by side (click on the pic to enlarge it). What do you think? The one on the left was an earlier version, the one on the right looks to be the final.
There's definitely the same theme going on here, but that final version is quite intriguing. Make you want to read the book? From the publisher's description it sounds pure Tony Hines!
There's definitely the same theme going on here, but that final version is quite intriguing. Make you want to read the book? From the publisher's description it sounds pure Tony Hines!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Allen Arnold (Advice for Novelists, Part 38)
It's been a great experience hearing from all these talented folks. Whether they be authors, editors, agents or publicists, they've picked up tips we can all benefit from hearing. It's a pleasure today to welcome Allen Arnold and hear his response to the question I've posed to everyone:"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
The Top Ten Reasons – NOT – to Write a Novel:
- If you first and foremost want to preach a sermon
- If you first and foremost want to teach a lesson
- If your biggest and only fan is your mom or spouse (critiques from honest writing groups are like gold!)
- If you’re following the latest trend or the style of a writer (I’m the next ______) rather than charting your own path. The next John Grisham phenomena will not be a John Grisham clone.
- If you’re not open to re-working the story countless times until others confirm that it shines
- If you’re not willing for a seasoned book agent to challenge and sharpen your proposal / novel
- If you’re not willing to invest as much time – sometimes more - than a publishing partner in promoting the novel tirelessly
- If you see it as a way to get rich
- If you aren’t willing to take equal ownership of the novel’s success or failure
- If you aren’t able to remain humble with success and hopeful with failure
The Top Reason TO Write a Novel
- Because you feel God’s pleasure when you write Fiction (my nod to Chariots of Fire)…and hunger to become a master at the craft for the sake of the story more than the deal. When the story must be birthed, everything beyond that is gravy and, ultimately, in God’s hands.
--Allen Arnold, Senior Vice President & Publisher, Fiction, Thomas Nelson Publishers. Visit Thomas Nelson's website here.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Matt Bronleewe (Advice for Novelists, Part 28)
Besides being a successful novelist, Matt is also an acclaimed producer (Plumb, Rebecca St. James, Leeland). It's interesting to have the perspective of someone involved in more than one creative art."If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
It sounds so cliche, but it's the truth: Be true to yourself. But what does that mean? It means don't write something just because you think other people will like it. If it doesn't inspire you, chances are it won't inspire other people either. Every day, I can't wait to sit down and start typing, and that gets me through the hard places along the winding road. I couldn't do that if I was trying to guess what people wanted. They'd probably want Chick Lit or something and I'd just butcher it anyway, so I'm way better off writing what I LIKE, which is THRILLERS. Forget "write what you know". Write what you LOVE. Write whatever gets you fired up enough to stay up all night fueled by nothing more than Mountain Dew and Twinkies and a blinding passion to find out what happens to your characters next. And write, dang-nab-it, write!! Stop telling all your friends about the book you're GOING TO WRITE, the one you're going to bang out after the entire world has stopped in silence long enough for you to get inspired and WRITE!!
I know it's hard. Believe me I know. I'm reading this back right now and wishing I was further ahead on my next book than I am. (But don't you worry, anyone from Thomas Nelson, if you read this, because I'm going to freaking ROCK this next book!) But just stick with it! Stay in front of that sheet of paper or computer screen or stone tablet or WHATEVER long enough for at least one sentence to make a landing. Because that's all it takes. Just a little at a time. It's not going to happen all at once, so just knock a little of the wall down every day, and soon the waters of creativity will flood. Ok, I know I'm rambling now, but it's just because I really care about this stuff and I know you do too. I never thought I had a chance in the world to get a book out there, and now that I do (pinch me) it just proves that anyone can do it! Anyone!! You...me...the neighbor's dog (provided the little mutt has the necessary verbal skills).......ANYONE!!
--Matt Bronleewe, author of Illuminated (Thomas Nelson) and the upcoming House of Wolves. Check out his website here and be sure to sign up to his mailing list so you can receive the free soundtracks. They're really cool.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Amanda Bostic (Advice for Novelists, Part 24)
And here's another entry in our "Advice for Novelists" series. Lend your ear to Amanda Bostic..."If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
There’s so much good advice already posted here, but the one thing I would add is to make sure you know what your hook is. If you can’t distill your story into one or two sentences that immediately pique someone’s curiosity, the idea probably needs to stew in your creative juices for awhile longer. What makes your story stand out from everything else that is coming across an editor’s desk? And from all the other books on the shelves? Keep finessing and dreaming until you hit on that element that makes your novel fresh, unique, and so compelling that it can’t be passed by.
--Amanda Bostic, Associate Acquisitions Editor, Fiction, Thomas Nelson.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
How the book acquisition process works
In a recent entry over at his blog From Where I Sit, Michael S. Hyatt (President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers) shares the ins and outs of the book acquisition process. It's an eye-opening piece detailing the 5 Hurdles every proposal faces.Check it out here.
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