"The Joys of Love" by Madeleine L'Engle at AbsoluteWrite

Hi all:

I have a new review up at Absolute Write of an exciting new posthumous novel called The Joys of Love by the wonderful writer, Madeleine L'Engle.


Here's how my review begins:

What a joy it was to learn about The Joys of Love, a brand new posthumous novel by Madeleine L'Engle. As a lifelong reader of L'Engle's works, I was saddened to learn of her death in August 2007, because it meant the world had lost a sensitive and intelligent voice crying in the wilderness. So it's a real treat to be given this "new" story, which is also poignant at this time of L'Engle's death for being a somewhat autobiographical coming of age story.

Lead character Elizabeth Jerrold is a 20-year-old apprentice in a summer stock beach theater where she falls in love for the first time. L'Engle also spent time in the theater when she was very young and ended up marrying the actor Hugh Franklin. She wrote a lovely memoir about their long marriage together called Two-Part Invention.

The Joys of Love is presented here in a lovely hardcover package from L'Engle's longtime publisher, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, with an introduction and tribute from one But I digress.of L'Engle's granddaughters. This novel is a straightforward young adult story in the vein of L'Engle's A Small Rain or Camilla as opposed to her more famous and award-winning science fiction young adult stories, A Wrinkle in Time, and its sequels. It can also be classified as a historical because it evokes a simpler time in the summer of 1946 before television came to dominate the entertainment landscape, and theater or film were the social choices of an evening. It was also a time when the innocence of youth lasted longer in a less media-saturated world ...

Click here to read more about this joy of a novel.

Enjoy!

hrh

"Veil of Fire" by Marlo Schalesky at Absolute Write

Hi all:

This week's review over at Absolute Write is for Marlo Schalesky's Veil of Fire.


Here's how my review begins:

Veil of Fire by Marlo Schalesky is a fictionalized account of the devastating 1894 Minnesota fire that burned 400 square miles and killed 413 people in four hours. It takes place in the real town of Hinckley and uses the real legend of the hermit in the hills that appeared as the town began to rebuild. Since the identity of this mysterious figure was never established, the legends continue to this day.

Schalesky does a wonderful job incorporating this history into the fictional lives of her characters, including how survivors escaped the fire whether in trains, potato patches, mud holes, or water barrels. She relates such details as the sawdust in the river that made even that body of water a death trap for fleeing townspeople. This is a great way to learn about a major historical event, so I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys American history.

But Schalesky does so much more with her characters by using both the fire and the hermit in the hills to explore truth in the face of the lies we live ...

Click here to find out more about this fantastic novel.

Enjoy!

hrh

"The Dead Whisper On" by T. L. Hines at Absolute Write

Hi all:

I have a new review up at Absolute Write. It's for the thriller, The Dead Whisper On by T. L. Hines.


Here's how my review begins:

T.L. Hines' sophomore effort The Dead Whisper On is to his stellar debut novel Waking Lazarus what The Empire Strikes Back is to Star Wars: A New Hope, i.e., a deeper, more complex story that encompasses the larger community and not only one individual's quest. Though the story is told almost exclusively from the viewpoint of "Canada Mac," Candace MacHugh, her story is the tale of the whole community of Butte, Montana, which in turn represents any town anywhere. In telling Canada's story, Hines comments on us all, as we cling to the past, hear what we want to hear, leave ourselves open to evil yet attractive influences, and refuse to take responsibility for the present.

At story's start, Canada is a garbage collector, a former member of the blast crew in Butte's now defunct copper mines, and she lives in a rinky-dink trailer, decorated with teetering towers of moldy magazines and newspapers that threaten to topple over and bury her. But since the whole setup was left to her by her beloved and idolized father, dead these 11 years, her life is in a holding pattern waiting for what she doesn't know. In such a state, she is more than susceptible to the supernatural when she begins seeing shadows that undulate and speak with her father's voice. Sure enough, without much trouble, her disembodied father convinces her to join his underground worldwide movement of do-gooder ghosts and spooks, who travel to disaster sites for warnings and rescues. The catch is that first she needs to "die." Then she needs to leave Butte behind ...

Click here to read the rest of my thoughts.

Enjoy!

hrh

"The Cure" by Athol Dickson at Absolute Write

Hi all:

I have a new review at Absolute Write for The Cure by Athol Dickson.

The Cure By Athol Dickson / Bethany National attention settles on a small town in Maine, where damaged and wounded sufferers mysteriously find healing. Rumors about the town pass from ear to ear among those who most need a miracle. Destitute and nearly hopeless, Riley Keep hears of the phenomenon and journeys north to find out for himself, only to realize along the way that he is heading back to a place and people he abandoned long ago. A hope beyond his wildest expectations waits for Riley Keep, but will his past destroy this second chance at life?

This is how my review begins:

Athol Dickson's fifth novel is called The Cure, and its nominal plot involves nothing less than a one-dose cure for alcoholism. Wow! That's a good thing, yes? Terrific news. Life-changing. World-changing, even. For sufferers, family members, friends, associates, virtually everyone knows someone touched by this disease. Just imagine how much misery and suffering would be alleviated if someone found a cure for alcohol addiction.

Yet that's not the story Dickson tells. In a masterfully composed double memoir, Dickson unveils the life trajectories of the curer and the curee as each sifts through the horribly mixed blessings the cure releases into their lives. With this book, Dickson redirects his attention from the steamy oppression of Mississippi River race relations in his Christy award-winning novel River Rising to the frigid soul-searching of the homeless in coastal Maine. The locale may have changed but the in-depth exploration of society's outcasts continues.

The lead character is Riley Keep, the former Reverend Riley Keep, whose surname brings up all kinds of referents. Not least of which is the traditional prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep." And his wife is named Hope Keep. But can she live up to her name when her husband becomes a homeless alcoholic and disappears for three years? And can Riley's soul be kept after the horrible scene he unwittingly set in motion as a missionary in Brazil? ...

You can read the rest of my review here. Or check out your own copy here.

Enjoy!

hrh

"All the Tea in China" by Jane Orcutt at Absolute Write

Hi all:

I have a new review over at Absolute Write for Jane Orcutt's last novel All the Tea in China.

All the Tea in China By Jane Orcutt / Revell Everybody expects Isabella to get married, but the witty, fun-loving Englishwoman shocks them all by announcing that she's going to become a missionary in the Far East. Leaving her predictable Oxford life behind, she sets sail to a world fraught with danger. Can she trust her fellow missionary Phineas? Or will her adventure end before it ever begins?

Here's how my review begins:

All the Tea in China is a well-crafted historical romance that brings readers on a physical and emotional journey from Oxford to China by way of Capetown, South Africa, and from single to family by way of an unusual courtship. Orcutt's rich period language brings readers back to 1814 England with such delightful words as sapscull, missish, verrucas, and hoydenish. Indeed, when you enter these pages, you escape to the dignified past of early 19th century Oxford in the upper class home of a renowned academic dean-- but not without glimpsing the destitute history of the sorry slums just outside the university limits. You also experience the cacophonous bustle of the London and Gravesend docks, and exult in the excitement on board the full-masted merchant ship Dignity, first as a stowaway huddling with the livestock, then as a passenger posing as a sister whose "brother" will be putting her off in Capetown, for sure. But independent hero, Isabella Goodrich, is on a mission to China and will not be put off. Brother Phineas Snowe is also a missionary, or so she thinks, but on the long voyage to Macao, many secrets are revealed ...

Find out more about Isabella's adventures on the high seas and in the Far East, as well as what she's doing with that sword, by reading the rest of my review here. Or buy the book here.

You may have also noticed the animated ad for this book in the right side bar of my blog. Clicking on the ad will bring you to a web page put together by several of Jane Orcutt's writer friends after Orcutt's untimely death in March of this year from leukemia. The website supports Orcutt's books and her husband and two young sons.

This is a great book!

Enjoy!

hrh

"The Thirteenth Demon: Altar of the Spiral Eye" by Bruce Hennigan at Absolute Write

Hi all:

I've got a new review up over at Absolute Write. BTW, if you're at all interested in writing, this is a great site that covers every kind of writing with articles, interviews, reviews, an active forum, and very affordable online classes. Check it out.

Anyhoo, my review is of Bruce Hennigan's debut novel The Thirteenth Demon: Altar of the Spiral Eye.

Here's how my review begins:

As you may surmise from the title, Bruce Hennigan's debut novel deals with demonic manifestations and may not be appropriate for the faint of heart. On the other hand, The 13th Demon: Altar of the Spiral Eye follows in the tradition of Frank Peretti's breakout Christian novel This Present Darkness, which opened the door in Christian publishing for a vivid yet Biblical depiction of spiritual warfare in dimensions mostly imperceptible to humans. Hennigan's novel is a gripping page-turner that lures readers from archaeological digs in Mexico to medieval Aztec altars of human sacrifice to a demonically possessed church in the Louisiana bayou. It's Stephen King with a more hopeful outlook.

The 13th Demon begins thirty years ago at a Mexico City dig site where the Aztec altar of the spiral eye is uncovered. There we meet the novel's antagonist, Robert Ketrick, as a teenager where he first makes the acquaintance of a creepy pale man named Lucas who starts him down his chosen path. We're also present when the protagonist is born-- and almost killed by the Lucas-prodded Ketrick.

The story then fast forwards to a few years ago onboard a ship in a stormy sea when an unnamed tortured prisoner is shoved overboard to die. Except his torturer takes pity on him and ties soda bottles to his backpack to keep him afloat. Miraculously, the man survives, though with severe amnesia. Because the backpack contains a slip of paper with the name Jonathan Steel, our protagonist takes that name and "The Jonathan Steel Chronicles" are born.

By the 10th chapter, Steel has fallen in love with his psychiatrist, been attacked by a psychotic member of his rehabilitation group, and witnessed a double murder. And the story's just getting started. Whew! ...

Read the rest of my review here. If you're intrigued to read the book, you can get a copy from Barnes & Noble here.

Enjoy!

hrh

"The Heir" by Paul Robertson at Absolute Write

Hi all:

I've got a new review posted over at Absolute Write for a novel called The Heir by Paul Robertson.

The Heir By Paul Robertson / Bethany House

Here's how my review starts:

Let me begin with the disclaimer that neither suspense nor mystery are my preferred genres. I also don't choose dark, existential, and sometimes violent stories when looking for my next read. Nevertheless when I received Paul Robertson's The Heir, I was impressed by the look and feel of a well-made book. This is a rare hardcover novel from Bethany House, the premier publisher of Christian fiction, and its spare black and white-toned business look with nondescript men in suits and minimalist interior design drew my curiosity despite my usual druthers.

Thus lured into giving the book a try, I was again taken aback when I discovered that Robertson tells the tale of Jason Boyer, reluctant heir, in first person POV-- a choice that seems unusual for a men's title. Maybe I'm too programmed to read first person POV and assume chick lit. Not that Boyer's voice could in any way be mistaken for a woman's voice. It was actually quite refreshing to read this novel with its distinctively male perspective. Logical. Unemotional. Competitive ...

Click here to find out what other obstacle Robertson overcame to entice me into reading Jason's story.

Click here or on the cover image to get a copy at CBD for $9.00 off the cover price!

Enjoy!

hrh

Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Blog Tour - Karen Hancock

Hi all:

Welcome to my first participation in a blog tour. What's a blog tour? It is a group of bloggers who unite for a period of time to blog about one subject to generate discussion and awareness of the subject.

In this case, the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy (CSFF) blog tour posts about and discusses a different SF&F author or magazine each month. This month we're all discussing the award-winning author, Karen Hancock, and specifically the fourth and final book in her excellent "Legends of the Guardian King" series called "Return of the Guardian King."

I just finished reading this book over the weekend and am gathering my thoughts for my review for Title Trakk. So I can't comment specifically on this title until my review appears over there.

But I can share my thoughts on the first three books in the series:

1. The Light of Eidon


2. The Shadow Within


3. Shadow Over Kiriath

Today I'll post my review of Book One, which first appeared at Absolute Write. Here are my thoughts on "The Light of Eidon":

This exciting new story by Christy-award-winning author Karen Hancock is the first book in the “Legends of the Guardian-King” series. Like J.R.R. Tolkien did for his “Lord of the Rings” series, Hancock has created a whole world with map included in which readers can lose themselves for hours of heart-stopping adventures. This is a world where battles between good and evil are still being fought, where darkness and light stand side by side, yet the truth is not as black and white as it may seem.

Our hero in this epic world is Abramm Kalladorne, a lowly prince of the northern kingdom of Kiriath, who is so far down the line of succession and so puny compared to his brothers that he decides to join the religious order Guardians of the Sacred Flames of Eidon. For eight years he toils in the rigors of the religion only to be betrayed by his spiritual mentor on the eve of his installation as a Guardian.

This betrayal sets him on a long series of grueling adventures that includes slavery on a galley ship and the equally miserable life of a gladiator. Like Joseph in the book of Genesis, however, he appears to be blessed in all of his experiences and turns into the most famous gladiator, known as the White Pretender, and eventually is pegged to be the Deliverer of the downtrodden Dorsaddi race.

Along the way he finds love, strength, and loyal friendship. And every step of the way, his spiritual battles mirror the intensity of his physical confrontations. Hancock has created a tale that combines elements from Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Russell Crowe’s Gladiator, and Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness, which was the first breakout Christian novel.

Hancock’s archetypal world includes the familiar motif of twins destined for greatness, but she gives it a unique twist in having the sister, Carissa, be the one who sets out to rescue her beloved brother, Abramm. Hancock writes with confidence, perfect pacing, and a welcome economy of words. (I often find books of this genre to be somewhat florid and lengthy.)

Though this tale begins a series, its main story comes to a definite ending at the end of this book. Several other storylines are left open to be explored in future novels. So the promise is there but not the frustrating gimmick of the cliffhanger. The Light of Eidon is a swashbuckling tale that satisfies on its own terms while pointing to further exciting adventures from a talented new writer.

If this peaks your interest, and you're interested in reading what others have to say about the series, check out these other bloggers, who will be writing about "Legends of the Guardian King" April 16, 17, and 18:

Nissa Annakindt
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
April Erwin
Kameron M. Franklin
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Christopher Hopper
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Karen
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia and The Bookshelf Reviews 2.0 - The Compendium
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Shannon McNear
Caleb Newell
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Tsaba House Authors
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Daniel I. Weaver
Dawn King
Rebecca Grabill
Jill Hart

Enjoy a whole new world of adventure with Karen Hancock's series!

hrh

"Violet Dawn" by Brandilyn Collins at Absolute Write

Hi all:

Still working hard to finish up projects at work and packing for China!

But in the meantime, I've got a new review of Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins posted at Absolute Write.

Here's what CBD has to say about this thriller:

Violet Dawn, Kanner Lake Series #1 By Brandilyn Collins / Zondervan Corp. From the author of the best-selling Eyes of Elisha comes a suspenseful tale of murder, the need to belong---and faith. As Paige Williams slips into her hot tub in the blackness of night, she feels something wispy brush against her. Suddenly facing death, what wrenching decision must she make about her hidden past? 352 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

Here's how my review begins:

How do you transform a page-turning suspense thriller into an even more crowd-pleasing adventure? Make it interactive!

First, the facts: Violet Dawn is the first book in the Kanner Lake Series by Brandilyn Collins, who identifies her fiction as "Seat Belt Suspense." And what a ride it is.

The bulk of the action in this premier book takes place on one day, July 22, 2006, in Kanner Lake, Idaho. This is a smart move by Collins, who taps into the current popular mania for serialized TV shows like "24," "Prison Break," and a half dozen other new fall shows that take this format.

Despite its title, Violet Dawn actually begins in the middle of the night when Paige Williams can't sleep because something in her nefarious past troubles her. There's the first hook. What did she do that has her sleepless in Idaho? ...

You can read the rest of the review here.

The China Countdown continues ...

Enjoy!

hrh

Hi again and New Book Review

Hi all:

Been a bit quiet around here, I know. I've been on business travel and while I was away, my much-loved grandmother died, so real life has taken precedence over web life.

Also, my personal computer has a nasty virus that won't let me connect to the web, so I'm not opening any other programs lest it infect them as well.

I got some great pictures while in Seattle, which I will post when I get up and running again, but in the meantime, here's my new book review at Absolute Write:

The Island off Stony Point by Regis Schilken

TTFN,
hrh

New Review at Absolute Write

Hi all:

My latest review is now up at Absolute Write. Sorry to say, it is not a positive one, because I didn't enjoy the book.

Romance lovers, however, may enjoy "Summer of the Midnight Sun" by Tracie Peterson. If so, you're in for a treat: This is the first book in her "Alaskan Quest" series.

hrh