Thursday, January 21, 2021

About the Book

Book: Our Town Atheist

Author: Victoria Buck

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release Date: October 30, 2020

OurTownAtheist_h12793_750 Small-town banker Adam Bender tackles a robber and loses. But that’s not what shakes the foundations of his well-managed life. He awakens in the hospital to the vision of an angel. But that’s not what casts doubt on his reasonable judgment. Turns out the angel is only a beautiful doctor—someone Adam wants to get to know better.

The bank robber is on the loose and out to get Adam. News spreads in the gossipy little town of Adam’s misfortune, his love interest, and his…atheism? He’d thought he could keep that a secret. But Adam Bender can handle it. Or, can he?

What happens one night on a mountain road leaves him questioning his worldview. And his sanity. And soon the whole town is waiting to find out if what Adam saw will alter his unbelief.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Victoria Buck is a native Floridian running a small business with her husband, who teaches her everything she needs to know about both melodrama and comic relief. Wake the Dead is her debut novel. Killswitch is the follow-up to book one. Transfusion is the last book in the trilogy about the world’s first transhuman.

Now, on to other stories! Victoria is currently working on two present-day novels. No transhumans or insurrections. Of course, there has to be a bit of a weird twist!

More from Victoria

Have you ever heard of a porkpie hat? Maurice is wearing one that terrible night when Adam sees him. The Chief of Police hasn’t seen a porkpie in Crossroads for decades, but old Mrs. Jones can tell you all about it. I wasn’t familiar with the hat until I wrote this story. Now I have one of my own!

I admit unusual characters pop into my head. Not your typical protagonist for someone who writes from a Christian worldview, Adam Bender showed up in my imagination after I wrote some blog posts about atheism. Those posts drew more response than I expected from the atheist community. Some were not so kind, but others wanted only to exchange ideas and explain their views in a non-confrontational manner. That’s when this easy-going, fictitious atheist began speaking to the writer in me. I let him talk for a while, and then I had to tell his story.

MY REVIEW

This was quite a unique story. Not many people approach the subject of someone being an atheist. People believe in different things and I liked how the author didn’t make the book preachy. It follows a man named Adam who really doesn’t believe in anything. A robbery at his bank changes him in ways he never thought possible.

I really liked Adam and felt a little bad for him as the small town loved to gossip about him. Everywhere he turned, people were curious about him. I thought his observation about lots of the people in the town didn’t even attend church on Sundays was funny. What I wanted to say to him is going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. Being like Christ and following Him is the way to show you are a believer.

There are several incidents that happen to Adam in the story that could be a way for God to get his attention. Did he see a ghost on the mountain? Was it someone crossing over or did he imagine it? I wasn’t sure if his relationship with Essa was a good idea. The town seems to have mixed emotions about Essa and Adam but I was interested to see where the author would take them.

There is a bit of mystery in the book which tied into Adam and his journey of where he really stands with his belief. I still don’t know what the dog represented but I did like the part where Adam seems to almost change his mind about God. Will Adam find his way to God, or will he continue to have doubts ? I’m not sure I liked the ending but maybe there will be a follow up that will explain some lingering questions I have.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 13

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 15

Susan K. Beatty, Author, January 16 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, January 16

Artistic Nobody, January 17 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 18

deb’s Book Review, January 19

Inklings and notions, January 20

For Him and My Family, January 21

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 23

Stories By Gina, January 24 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 24

CarpeDiem, January 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Victoria is giving away the grand prize package of an eBook copy of the book and a porkpie hat!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10539/our-town-atheist-celebration-giveaway

About the Book
Book: Lethal Intent
Author: Cara Putman
Genre: Romantic Suspense
If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman.
Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home.
When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda?
Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her?
This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author
As a preteen Cara Putman watched lawyers change legislative opinions at an important legislative hearing in Nebraska. At that time, she wondered if she became an attorney if people would give her words the same weight. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, George Mason University School of Law and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Cara has turned her passion for words into award-winning stories that capture readers. Her legal experience makes its way into her stories where strong women confront real challenges.
An award-winning author of more than 30 books, Cara writes legal thrillers, WWII romances, and romantic suspense because she believes that no matter what happens hope is there, waiting for us to reach for it.
When she’s not writing, Cara is an over-educated attorney who lectures in law and communications at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and homeschools her children. She and her family live in Indiana, the land of seasons. You can read chapters for most of her books and connect with Cara at her website: http://caraputman.com.

More from Cara
Each novel has a unique genesis story. The spark that launches it into a journey of 90,000 words. For Lethal Intent, that journey began with a friend’s journey of childhood leukemia with her oldest. From watching their family wind through years of treatment including cutting edge therapy trials. Then it developed with the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack and the thought what would someone be willing to do if they believed they’d found the next strain of immortal cells. The lead characters made appearances in other books, but now would have their opportunity to step to center stage. The story morphed and changed, dictated by the vagaries of the law and changes.

Each story has a spark. For Caroline it was a brainstorming session with my writing buddies Rachel Hauck, Colleen Coble, and Denise Hunter. That was when her backstory developed, all the things that happened to her to form her into the adult she is on the pages. One who cares deeply about others but who is fundamentally scared, longing for a place she can relax and take a deep breath.

Each story has a spark. For Brandon, it was brainstorming with another writing friend Tricia Goyer that lead to a creative job for a hero that wasn’t the typical law enforcement. His role with the group foster home was set and the backstory filled in quickly. What would it be like to be separated from and lose a brother in the foster care system? Would that generate this need to keep sibling groups together? And then the law changes and the fabric of your professional identity and something so much deeper is threatened.

Each story has a spark. The pharmaceutical start-up where ethics collides with the desire to save children. The push to do whatever it takes overshadowing the guardrails of the law. If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman. But does Caroline really have the strength to battle and does she need to?

Lethal Intent grew from each of these sparks and many more to develop into a story I can’t wait for you to read. In the process I learned immense amounts about CAR-T cell therapies and foster care law. Most of all, I hope you’ll fall into the pages and be engrossed in a story you can’t bring yourself to put down until the final page.
MY REVIEW
I love how the author slowly builds her story until it reaches an unnerving peak. The story is so good I was driven to read until I finished it. I love medical suspense and this one tops them all. It isn’t far fetched, yet borders on ethics. How far would you go to save a child who is dying?
The medical details are riveting and are easy to understand. I began to wonder if this CAR -T cell therapy was something that a company would push in order to gain recognition. Oh the old, “love of money is the root of all evil,” rears it’s ugly head in this story. Caroline is very efficient in her job as an attorney but is she over her head at her new job? She isn’t one to look the other way when the law isn’t followed.
I love the way Brandon fits into the story. He has a big heart for foster kids due to his childhood. He wants to make a difference in children’s lives and running his group home is helping his dream come true. I like the relationship between him and Caroline. It seems natural and not rushed. The story brings these two together more when the company Caroline works for could help save one of the children from Brandon’s group home. There are times I wanted to cry during the story as I read about trials, medical tests and discouraging news that at any moment could deliver devastating consequences . Brandon is desperate to keep his group home up and running and turns to God to give him direction .
The action is fierce and the danger never stops in this suspenseful story where someone is willing to risk it all for money and power. I loved how the author keeps you guessing as Caroline is given data that could legally take down a corporation. Who is behind the sinister plot to destroy evidence that could cost Caroline her life?
I really enjoyed learning more about foster care and the red tape that is involved with keeping kids safe until adopted. I’m sure the number of children in foster care is staggering. This story shines a light on the work that needs to be done to give happy endings to the children who want a forever home. Brandon had a special place in my heart because of his compassion for children who needed to feel wanted.
This is a story that has all the essentials to be made into a movie. The story is very well researched and is something that people go through when they decide to try everything they can to beat the disease that is trying to kill them. The author is one of my favorites when it comes to intrigue and this book is by far her best.
“Fears lose their weight when brought to the light.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 21
lakesidelivingsite, January 21
Texas Book-aholic, January 21
Through the Fire Blogs, January 22
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 22
A Novel Pursuit, January 22
CarpeDiem, January 23
Betti Mace, January 23
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 23
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 24
Blogging With Carol, January 24
HookMeInABook, January 24
For the Love of Literature, January 25
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25
Fiction Book Lover, January 25 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
For Him and My Family, January 26
EmpowerMoms, January 26
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 26
Artistic Nobody, January 27 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 27
Where Faith and Books Meet, January 27
By The Book, January 28
Older & Smarter?, January 28
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 28
Inklings and notions, January 29
Simple Harvest Reads, January 29
Blossoms and Blessings, January 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 30
Splashes of Joy, January 30
Pause for Tales, January 30
Spoken from the Heart, January 31
Just Your Average reviews, January 31
deb’s Book Review, January 31
Hallie Reads, February 1
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, February 1
Genesis 5020, February 1
To Everything There Is A Season, February 2
Hebrews 12 Endurance, February 2
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 3
Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 3
Daysong Reflections, February 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away the grand prize package of a “Just one more chapter” pillow cover, a copy of the book, an Erin Condren journal, and a hand-stamped bracelet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10627/lethal-intent-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Lightning on a Quiet

About the Book

Book: Lightning on a Quiet Night

Author: Donn Taylor

Genre: Historical romance

Release Date: Summer, 2014

Lightning Cover - 300dpi In the years following World War II, a town too proud of its own virtues has to deal with its first murder.

Despite the implications of this crime, the town of Beneficent, Mississippi, population 479, tries desperately to hold onto its vain self-image. The young veteran Jack Davis holds that idyllic vision of the town and tries to share it with Lisa Kemper, newly arrived from Indiana. But she is repelled by everything in town. While the sheriff tries to find the murderer, Jack and Lisa’s contentious courtship reveals the town’s strange combination of astute perceptions and surprising blind spots. Then they stumble onto shocking discoveries about the true nature of the town. But where will those discoveries lead? To repentance or to denial and continuation in vanity?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Raised in Mississippi, Donn Taylor led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. Afterward, he earned a PhD in Renaissance literature and taught literature at two liberal arts colleges. His published works include six suspense novels and a book of poetry. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. He lives near Houston, TX, where he writes fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics

More from Donn

There’s a very personal background to my historical romance Lightning on a Quiet Night. When I was seventeen, my parents moved from central Mississippi to teach at a college in the northeastern corner of the state. I quickly came to love the region’s wooded hills and small, fertile valleys, and I developed an appreciation for the people who lived there. That region was also where I met Mildred, who taught me the meaning of love. The critical stage of our courtship occurred when the area was snowbound. By the time the snow melted (with no help from us, of course) we were engaged.

So when, decades later, I came to write a historical novel, I set it in a fictitious town in that region, and in 1948, the time period Mildred and I had known together. I wanted to write about love, of course, but I also wanted to write about the everyday citizens of that region—the storekeepers, small-town bankers, farmers—people of good will who seemed never to be accurately represented in fiction.

Readers will find the main focus of the novel to be romance, suspense, and comedy—with a snowbound love scene, of course. But as the writing progressed, the scope of the story broadened. What would happen if a town too proud of its virtues had to deal with its first murder? How would its citizens struggle against the reality of human imperfection? I’d started out to write about love and solving a murder but found myself grappling with the most basic problems of human life.

How successful was this? Readers will decide, but I can say I was gratified when Publishers Weekly wrote that the novel had “passion and heart” and showed “a keen understanding of the human condition.”

Among my books, this was Mildred’s favorite, and she helped in many ways during the writing. She lived long enough to read its dedication to her and to see the novel contracted, though not to see it in print.

But enough of the personal: Readers want mostly to be entertained by a good story, and I hope that is what I have given them.

MY REVIEW

From the very first page , I knew this was going to be a book I couldn't put down. The author writes about a small town much like that of Mayberry from the fifties. It's a quiet friendly town, where everyone knows each other. They are neighborly and watch out for each other. One of the main focus of the town is the sports team at the school. It seems like the whole town rallies around the promising team that almost makes it to the state tournament.

One stormy night a tragedy occurs that rocks the small quiet town. Their secure little quaint town will be tested and no on seems immune from the backlash of this unforgettable act of violence. The author demonstrates his ability to write a fast pace book with many twists and turns. The town has been so rigid in their belief that nothing bad could ever happen in their town, that when the unthinkable happens, they all believe it was an act of violence from an outsider. How could they believe one of their own would harm another?

The characters are well written with each one having to deal with their own acceptance of life in a small town , where violence steps in and takes their security away. I loved the history of an era almost forgotten and how the author writes with a flair of familiarity that gives readers a picture of that time period. The book has mystery, a little romance and people who you come to know by the words that gracefully glide across the pages. I could not put the book down and when I finished, I felt a sense of time traveling to an era that was an important part of history.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my opinion.