CFBA Tour - Broken Angel

This was a busy week for me with blog tours. Two Christian Fiction Blog Alliance reviews and the Christian Sci/Fi Fantasy tour highlighting Mindflights webzine. Phew.

Today the CFBA tour features Broken Angel, the latest book from author Sigmund Brouwer. He is the author of eighteen best-selling novels for children and adults. His last book was Fuse of Armageddon and his novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC’s Good Morning America. A champion of literacy, he teaches writing workshops for students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.

Broken Angel has a very intriguing premise. In the near future there are two nations carved from the United States: Appalachia, where religious people resettled en masse to live in a "godly" land, led by the enigmatic Bar Elohim, and the "Outside", a land that the Appalachians fled to live according to their beliefs. Appalachia is strictly controlled. Even though most people appear happy and satisfied, the occasional but inevitable malcontents pay their debt to society by working in the factories. The truly wicked are stoned to death. Some try to escape to the Outside, but they have to face the mysterious Clan, rumored to kill any who enter their territory and the enemy of Bar Elohim.

Caitlyn is a 15 year old girl carrying a terrible burden in her disfigured body. Hiding in the cover of Appalachia, she lives with her father quietly until the day that they are forced to run for their lives. When her father is taken from her before he can fully reveal painful secrets, she must use all she's been taught to survive bounty hunters, the wilderness, and the Clan.

Broken Angel is a book of strengths and weaknesses. The various characters are memorable and stand out from each other. Brouwer creates an insanely fast paced thriller. It is not a long book, and there is hardly a moment to relax, as each character faces trials and trouble in trying to accomplish their goals - from the expert bounty hunter tracking Caitlyn, to the Sheriff and the agent from Outside trailing both of them.

Unfortunately, the book suffers at times from the fast pace. Characters are introduced fast and furious initially, making it hard to keep them straight. The futuristic scenario is interesting but thinly developed. The premise has a lot of potential, but it is skimmed with the pace and shortness of the book.

Overall, it is an easy, entertaining read. I haven't read any of Brouwer's books before, and he is definitely talented. I wonder if the scope of the story was hampered due to size restraints. I liked the book, but I'm left wanting more. However, if you are looking for a fast-paced escapist summer read, this book would fit the bill.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE.

CSFF Tour - Mindflights Webzine

This month's Christian Science Fiction/Fantasy blog tour is focusing on the webzine Mindflights.

It is a new magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction brought to you by Double-Edged Publishing. We've recently combined two award-winning magazines - Dragons, Knights, and Angels and The Sword Review - into one frequently-updated, high-quality magazine.

I have to be careful with my internet usage at work anymore, so I have a lot less discretional time online. I haven't poked around a lot on Mindflights. They seem to have an impressive collection of stories and articles for the aspiring writer as well. On the main page currently there is a beautiful photo manipulation, but I couldn't find an easy link to art work, which I would like to see.

The Dragons, Knights, and Angels magazine was featured in the CSFF tour a couple of years ago. You can find my write up on that here. I liked something I said there I want to repeat here:

I'll bet that a lot of people out there think they don't like the sci-fi or fantasy, but if I mention movies like Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, or Star Wars, those same people would say they enjoyed them. So don't overlook sci-fi and fantasy as reading choices, because you may be surprised. And a good, FREE place to start reading some quality short stories to get into CSFF is at [Mindflights].

Be sure to check out my fellow tourmates below.

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Kameron M. Franklin
Beth Goddard
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Terri Main
Margaret
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Rachelle Sperling
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Linda Wichman
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

CFBA Tour - Embrace Me

The CFBA Tour today features award-winning author Lisa Samson and her latest book, Embrace Me.

The back cover copy reads, "When a 'lizard woman', a self-mutilating preacher, a tattooed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster…and improbably close to grace."

That sums up the book very succinctly. Embrace Me is a character-driven novel, a story designed to explore the depths that forgiveness and redemption can reach. The plot revolves around mega-church pastor Drew Parrish confessing his sin to a Catholic priest in 2003, while freak show attraction Valentine winters in between carnival seasons in the quiet town of Mount Oak in 2008. The story bounces back between their timelines, as they battle their internal demons. Val may hide her burned face under a scarf, but both wounded souls have a true face they are hiding.

The plotline is a little convoluted and incredible at times, but the characterization and themes of Embrace Me keep this book an engaging read. The darkness that both Drew and Valentine struggle with are all too real and the interesting supporting cast draw the two wounded people toward grace. It is hard not to enjoy Lella the armless-legless woman, Augustine the tattooed and dreadlocked monk, and Rick the contortionist.

The book isn't afraid to ask hard questions about true faith, and the glossy side of Christianity is strongly challenged. The Way is not easy, and it is hard to love the unlovable. Even when their cry is to "embrace me," just the way they are.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

Aid for Myanmar (Burma)

For those who want to donate to help the people suffering from the cyclone in Myanmar (Burma), but are concerned about the way the governing junta seems to be hoarding relief supplies, I have a suggestion. The relief agency World Vision has been in the country for 40 years, and has staff and logistics on the ground to help people.

Of course, we need to pray for the people in need and for freedom from the corrupt dictatorship of the generals as well.

Christian Pop Culture

I came across an article on Slate entitled "Pop Goes Christianity" discussing a book from Daniel Radosh entitled Rapture Ready! : Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture. It is an interesting indictment on the subject of the sub-culture created by American Evangelicals. I think it raises some interesting issues on one hand, and dismisses or misunderstands other ideas mentioned.

How about an inflammatory quote taken out of context?

For faith, the results can be dangerous. A young Christian can get the idea that her religion is a tinny, desperate thing that can't compete with the secular culture. A Christian friend who'd grown up totally sheltered once wrote to me that the first time he heard a Top 40 station he was horrified, and not because of the racy lyrics: "Suddenly, my lifelong suspicions became crystal clear," he wrote. "Christian subculture was nothing but a commercialized rip-off of the mainstream, done with wretched quality and an apocryphal insistence on the sanitization of reality."

I think this article touches on things that this blog and many other of my friends have addressed. There is a problem in how Christian culture is promoting itself, and if we look like a "parallel universe," it is not to our credit. However, the article doesn't understand some of the topics it is talking about either.

Read the article, and I'll talk about it more this weekend.

Some Comments on Christian Fiction

I had a very interesting comment on my post "The Begotten - Final Questions." I can't verify it, because the Blogger profile attached to it is listed as "not shown", but it is labeled as being from one Anne Rice.

Thanks for your kind mention of my novels on Christ the Lord. ---- And I enjoyed your comments on fiction in general. My vocation is to write realistic novels that are about Our Blessed Lord as both Human and Divine, and to keep the probable reality within the truth of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I believe this is not only valid but imperative for me now as a Christian. In my childhood, we had those big novels, The Robe, Ben Hur, Quo Vadis. We need a new Christian realism I think for this generation, and I'm trying to provide my take on it. Again, Thanks, Anne.

I thought this would be good food for thought over the next few days as I'm away from the computer. If this was really Anne, (and I believe it is), then thank you very much for taking time to stop by and comment!

Beijing Olympics, the Torch, and Tibet

The Olympics are going to be in China this year?

...

I want to reassure people that I haven't been living under a rock lately. Yes, I knew that the Olympics will be in Beijing in August. It has been hard not to notice with the amount of attention it has drawn in the media recently.

It seems that China's plan of a tour de force of public relations, showcasing modern China to the world, has hit some serious snags. The torch relay around the world is the longest in Olympic history, yet it has been marred by protesters in numerous countries, notably in the U.K. and France.

The timing didn't help, as there was a crackdown in Tibet just prior to the start of the tour. This led to a lot of groups who have grievances against China protesting along the torch relay route, even to the point of trying to douse the flame.

I am not an expert in the Tibet issue, but it sure seems to me that China is continuing with long-standing behavior of suppressing the full cultural expression and freedom of the Tibetan people. A persecuted people like this reminds us that we do not live in a world where all enjoy the freedoms we have in America. I pray for true freedom for Tibet and that their culture will be allowed to flourish, and I support the protesters using the torch relay to highlight their cause.

Yet, I don't want people to forget that the Tibetans are only one group that suffers persecution and discrimination in China. Another group that the regular media likes to showcase that suffers religious persecution is the Fulan Gong movement. Again, I don't like to see people forbidden to practice what they believe, but there is a much larger group that feels the pressure and is mostly ignored by the media.

By many accounts, there are well over 100 million Christians in China. When the Maoist movement took over the country, there were only up to 1 million Christians. Obviously there has been a remarkable increase in the number of believers in a country that is still officially atheist. The majority of these Christians are subject to persecution for their beliefs, and live with the potential for harassment and harm all the time.

There is an officially government sanctioned Christian church, but it is also controlled by the government. Therefore there is a large underground church, groups that meet informally and have to take care in publicizing themselves so they do not become a target for the authorities. There are so many stories of leaders and believers being imprisoned and punished for walking out their faith, and these are likely just the tip of the iceberg.

As the Olympics approach, I am sure that more attention will be paid not only to China's impressive history and culture, but to controversy on how the regime treats minorities, Tibet, and religious groups. Remember that even if Christians are left off of the official media reports, they probably account for the largest group to suffer under the Maoist leaders in Beijing. Keep them in prayer, and keep this story in mind for the propaganda that will be fed to the public come August. The brothers and sisters in Christ upholding the faith there deserve no less.

For more information, check out the impressive report from Operation World.

CFBA Tour - Winter Haven

Athol Dickson won a lot of acclaim and awards for his last book, River Rising. I didn't read that one, so when his latest work, Winter Haven, was available for review, I didn't want to miss out.

Winter Haven is the name of an island off the coast of Maine. Vera Gambles, a 24 year old accountant, travels there because the body of her long-lost brother, Sigmund or "Siggy", had washed up on the north shore of the island. In the midst of the opening of old wounds, the question of how an autistic savant made it from Texas to the Atlantic is her main concern.

When she sees his body and finds he hasn't aged from thirteen years ago, new questions arise.

What is the connection between this appearance, the strange fog over the north part of the island, the legend of a lost Puritan colony, a figure clothed in black, and Siggy's body? Vera struggles with the strangeness of the island, her own demons, and the mysterious Captain Evan Frost in her journey to discover the secret of Winter Haven.

The characterization is probably the strength of the book. Vera is mousy and flawed - she's not the gorgeous and confident heroine we see in so many other books, and to me, the change is welcome. She has a lot to overcome, and you're not sure if she can rise to it. Evan Frost is very hard to pin down, and even the cranky widow has her moments of sympathy.

The book is an easy read, and it is fairly engaging. The book is written in first person, from Vera's perspective. This allows the author to introduce a lot of suspense that she has problems figuring out, but some sections where she is wrestling with her past were confusing. I got bogged down a couple of times in these spots. The suspense is gripping at times, and overall I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't my favorite in this genre.

I recommend the book, but honestly I would wait for paperback if I were to buy it for someone.

The Begotten - Final Questions

Okay, so the CSFF tour has moved on, but I want to post quickly on two questions that may arise from the book The Begotten.

First of all, what made this book "speculative"?

The book is set in a historical time (1300's Italy), so it is clearly not science fiction. It is not really a fanatsy. Why did it end up in a book tour for speculative fiction? Well, it might be a little of a reach for the core audience for a focus of Christian sci-fi and fantasy. However, it focuses on alternative history with a mix of supernatural power and "speculation" on what would happen if certain letters of Paul, containing prophecies, was found at some time that led to the plot of the book. In my opinion, that premise is enough to support highlighting it during the CSFF tour. Plus, it was a very well written and enjoyable book, so what is the harm in promoting such a product when it is pretty close to the intention of the tour?

The other question is, isn't the idea of a "lost" book of Scripture dangerous territory?

Yes, this premise is dangerous territory. If it was done by someone without respect for the Bible and Christian tradition, it would most likely be a book that I could not support and recommend. Again, a comparison to DaVinci Code comes to mind. Lisa Bergren clearly holds to ideas that show her deep love for Jesus and the gospel message. The book has a rich spiritual message (that doesn't come across preachy), and it overall is a vehicle that combines truth and entertainment in a good way.

Now, there was some liberty with how her characters responded to the lost Corinthian level, and they probably acted a little too out of character for the time frame. They sounded like modern day Pentecostals a lot of the time, not like Roman Catholics confronted with strange new teaching that would be heretical. I think the answer to this will come in the conclusion of the series, but this could be a critique of the first book.

Fiction in general is only a "what if" that happens in the author's mind. Intertwining fiction and the Bible can be a tricky issue. Randy Ingermanson has two novels about time travel that deal with the apostles. Anne Rice is writing a series based off of Jesus' childhood, in areas of history that we have no record for, at least Biblically. One commenter suggested that it made the premise of the book a little harder to handle since Bergren used Paul. However, it also gives the premise more legitimacy since Paul did actually make extra correspondence to Corinth that we don't have in the Bible.

Ultimately, I think Lisa did well in her book, and it must come down to that this is fiction, and not Bible study or teaching. We have to use discernment in ANY book we read, even if it is from a respected scholar, and whether it is fiction or non-fiction. Fiction is meant to be false, yet it can be an avenue for us to examine issues in the hypothetical. Fiction is above all creative, art, and entertainment, so we have to hold to that as a baseline regarding any book.

CSFF Tour - The Begotten

I finally have a contender for favorite book of 2008.

Monday I posted about the Corinthian letters from Paul in the New Testament due to the featured book in the CSFF blog tour this month: The Begotten. Written by Lisa T. Bergren, it is the first of the Gifted trilogy, with the second book The Betrayed already available, and The Blessed being released in fall 2008.

The Gifted trilogy is centered around a fictional "lost" letter of Paul, that speaks of a group called the Gifted who will arise to fight evil and proclaim God's love with magnificent gifts. Father Piero is a Dominican priest in 1300's Italy who is the chosen carrier of one section of this lost book, with other sections scattered by time due to factions trying to destroy the work. He meets Daria D'Angelo, a wealthy aristocrat in the city of Siena who is single because she was unable to conceive during a handfasting. The beautiful Daria has the gift of healing, and the two join together to complete their mission of bringing together the rest of the Gifted and following through with their prophesied destiny.

Sir Gianni is an Italian knight for the Vatican who is chasing a child-sacrificing Sorcerer through the Roman catacombs. After a harrowing chase, the Sorcerer escapes, and begins plotting to find the Gifted and twist their holy purpose to serve his vile plans. Also, Cardinal Boeri watches for both the Gifted and Sorcerer to further his agenda as well.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the back cover. It has a bit of a Da Vinci Code feel from the cover. If only Dan Brown had respect for his subject matter and wrote more than cardboard characters, he might raise to the level of The Begotten. The book is not quite like Code, as it is fully set in a historical setting, but it is a very entertaining book.

Bergren manages to combine great historical research and detail with multi-dimensional characters who grow and have flaws and a moving, suspenseful plot. She keeps the reader guessing with who the "Judas" character might be, wondering if a character will be good or bad, and putting the Gifted in deeper peril through the book. I felt that I was living in the time, and the way I was drawn in to the story was very enjoyable. Sometimes the plot slowed as the characters seemed to wander around a little bit to set up a scene or plot twist in the middle, but overall the whole came together in a delightful package.

I ordered the next book, The Betrayed, before I finished the first one. I have a feeling I will be waiting impatiently for the fall when the series concludes. So if you are a fan of suspense, historical fiction, or speculative fiction, this book meets many tastes and ought to entertain and challenge with the powerful theme woven through the pages.

I want to post a little more about two questions:
What makes this book "speculative"?
Isn't the idea of a "lost" book of Scripture dangerous territory?

Make sure to check back on this. In the meantime, see the author's website and on Monday's post visit some of my fellow tourmates' sites. There's good stuff always in the CSFF tour.

The Corinthian Correspondence (CSFF Tour)

Some of the best loved passages in the whole Bible come from the correspondence of the apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. The letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians teach on a number of issues and give insight that no other books in the New Testament have.

Interestingly, Paul had a greater conversation with the Corinthian church than what many people realize on the surface.

He first came to Corinth on his second missionary journey, after being chased out of other Grecian centers such as Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. He met up with Priscilla and Aquila, fellow Jewish Christians and tentmakers. He stayed and worked with them, proclaiming the gospel in the famously immoral city. The record in Acts states he stayed there for "some time", and then left to hit Ephesus on the way back to Antioch in Syria.

Paul hit the road almost immediately after his return, encouraging churches in Galatia before coming back to Ephesus, where he stayed for three years. It was during this time that scholars believe he wrote his letters to the Corinthian church. We have two letters included in the Bible, 1 and 2 Corinthians.

There are...more.

In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 it refers to a prior letter that Paul wrote to the church, before 1 Corinthians. Apparantly he had written to them about issues regarding sexual immorality and he clarifies his position in the current letter. He gives much teaching in what we know as 1 Corinthians, and it seems to have been received poorly. When we move into 2 Corinthians, Paul references a "painful visit" in chapter 2 verse 1. It is thought that the letter of 1 Corinthians was not well received, and Paul made a visit to bring correction. After he left, he wrote yet another letter to the Corinthians, which seems to finally have the effect that he wanted, causing "sorrow that led...to repentence" (2 Cor 7:8-9, see also 10:9-11). Thus, the relationship between the teacher and the church is restored, and Paul can write a more joyful letter that becomes our 2 Corinthians.

This begs the question: what happened to the "other" Corinthian letters. By this count, there were at least four letters of Paul to the Corinthians. The two other letters I have mentioned have no other reference in Scripture, and no known copy or fragment exists. In early lists of approved New Testament books, there is no mention of other Corinthian letters. We have no idea, other than the two quick references listed above, what the other books contained.

I have heard people who criticize the Bible's accuracy claim that the lack of 4 Corinthian letters shows the Bible wasn't accurately preserved. To this I say hogwash. Just because it is mentioned in the Bible doesn't mean that it was meant to be in the Bible. Paul quotes a pagan philosopher, should the pagan's works be in the Bible? I believe that what we needed was preserved, and these other Corinthian letters were of such a personal nature that they weren't pertinent to be kept in a global/general teaching manual like the Bible.

But...what if one of the "lost" letters to the Corinthians was found? What if it held explosive teaching and prophecy, threatening the status quo and becoming the centerpiece of a battle between good and evil?

What if?

Check back tomorrow for more...

Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Todd Michael Greene
Michael Heald
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Terri Main
Margaret
Melissa Meeks
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Final Thoughts on Sovereignty

Oh hi. Remember me? I'm the guy that used to blog here regularly...

The last few weeks (and few months in general), have really played havoc with my posting. I haven't given this up, like so many blogs that fade away. Unfortunately, Real Life Interferes (TM) has reared its ugly head in my world recently. I may have found a way to get back to a better schedule, but we'll see when I prove it, eh?

Oh, also I found out I didn't crack my wrist after all, just aggravated a cyst in it. Much better now, thanks.

I wanted to say a few words about God's sovereignty in Christian fiction. I had been talking about it over a few posts (see here for the 4 days of posts) and I didn't want to leave it hanging with nothing else said.

Overall, I briefly described a few ways that authors could deal with the idea of sovereignty on day 4. The books The Shadow and Light and Legend of the Firefish tackled the idea more straightforward in the plot and the worldview of the characters. Ultimately, it is like a lot of things when writing about God: He is transcendent, and it is hard to bring His glory, power, and sovereignty down to the level of human understanding or experience.

Is saying this a cop out? Admittedly, yes. I lost my train of thought with my disruptions. However, I think that God's greatness should challenge Christian writers to take great risks and become the most transcendent authors because of the wonder of Who they write about. And literature does show this: Les Miserable, The Brothers Karamazov, Robinson Crusoe are books with great themes of faith.

Sovereignty is a specifically tricky issue since it means God is in control, but in fiction it can clash with the the author supposedly in control. It will take a great honing of skill to see this issue mastered.

CFBA Tour - Amber Morn

I have a special place in my heart for Brandilyn Collins' Kanner Lake Series. First of all, I started following her blog in early 2005, and heard about the conception of the series and various tales from its development throughout reading her blog. Then in 2006 I had the great opportunity of being chosen as one of the "Scenes and Beans" bloggers. We would blog as the characters from Kanner Lake, telling humorous stories from their perspectives. I was one of the writers for Pastor Hank, which was good fun as well as a writing challenge. It is hard to keep up with one of CBA's top suspense writers!

This being said, I am saddened in a way to be participating in the blog tour for Amber Morn, the 4th book in the Kanner Lake series. Since I had a tiny part in helping it along, I'm bummed that the ride is almost over. The good news, for fans of suspense in general and Brandilyn in particular, is that the end of the ride is a catch yer breath, hold on to your seat, not gonna stop fer nuthin' thrill that will keep your heart pumping until the end. Her trademark is is "Seatbelt Suspense," as in you better fasten yours. And she's not kidding in this one.

Amber Morn again features Kanner Lake, but instead of focusing on one person, it is an ensemble piece. The Scenes and Beans bloggers are gathering at the local coffee shop Java Joint for a special celebration. However, three desperate men have other plans, and soon a hostage crisis unfolds. The men want the truth told, and the only way Police Chief Vince Edwards can communicate with them is through the comments on the blog itself.

Brandilyn is a great teacher. She has poured herself out on her blog Forensics and Faith, spending a lot of time helping aspiring writers with their craft. The proof is in the pudding though, and she proves herself as such a strong suspense writer through this series and in particular this book. Her last book, Crimson Eve, was very well received, but it was a little more character driven. Amber Morn, with its multiple viewpoints, can't quite match that intimacy. It makes up for it with white knucle action. There were several times when I had to put the book down very reluctantly to do things like go to work. Just when you think there's a little hope, she turns a different screw to put pressure on her characters, and when you think it can't get worse...oh ho ho! You have to read it for yourself.

All of the books of the series (#1 was Violet Dawn, #2 Coral Moon) were very good reads and fascinating suspense. Brandilyn Collins closes the series with a real bang in Amber Morn. This book does rely on the past books more than any of the others, although you can still pick it up and read it alone. However, I would simply suggest buying the whole series! Just be careful that you don't forget to b r e a t h e...

Oh, and check out the very special dedication at the front of the book. Thank you Brandilyn. You are truly a gracious and special woman, and such a gift to the world of Christian fiction.

Walking to Emmaus

I had to follow up with Tuesday's post to say that yes, as Nicole deduced, we are expecting another baby! Very cool.

I'm just on my way to the spiritual retreat known as "Walk to Emmaus", based off of Luke 24. I'm excited, and will report on it when I return. Please pray for my family during this weekend.

Blessings.

Question of the Day

My question for the day:

Will we continue to specialize in blue, or will we discover the pink spectrum this year?

CFBA Tour - For Pete's Sake

Shifting gears, here's what my wife thought about the latest book for the CFBA - For Pete's Sake.

"I really liked this book. The setting was described so well, I felt I was there. I wish I could meet the characters, I felt I knew them so well. The author was so natural in describing each one. Overall a great book, quick read, and I highly recommend it."

The synopsis:
ABOUT THE BOOK

For Pete's Sake is a remarkable story about the unlikely live between a grown-up tomboy and the millionaire next door.

Ellen Brittingham isn’t sure true live exists until she contracts to do the landscaping of the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all—at least on the surface, He’s engaged to a beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he’ll soon have a mom for his troubled son Pete.

Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin façade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have his own sites set on Ellen – as his new mom.

As Ellen’s friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is about to marry the wrong woman for the right reasons. And despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only” with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into her heart, drawing Ellen and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete’s sake!

But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he’s engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn’t. When Ellen’s three best friends see she’s been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian’s love.

But Ellen must ask herself whether she’s ready to risk the heart that she’s always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God’s plan and her one true chance at love?

CSFF Tour - Review of Dark Sea of Darkness

What do you get when you take a talented songwriter, put him in a fantasy land, and allow him some whimsy as he tells a story? You would do pretty doggone good if you ended up with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness.

Andrew Peterson has made several critically acclaimed albums, and now he turns his talent to a tale of adventure, peril, lost jewels, and the fearsome toothy cows of Skree. Edge is the first book in the Wingfeather Saga. It is being marketed as a young adult (YA) series, but it is such an enchanting tale it shouldn't be missed by an adult audience.

The story features Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, and their crippled sister Leeli as they go to enjoy the Dragon Day festival in their town of Glipwood. These three children live with their mother Nia and their peglegged ex-pirate grandpa Podo, and they are greatly loved. Their life would be perfect, if not for the occupation of Skree by the Fangs of Dang, led by a Nameless Evil (called Gnag the Nameless). Janner, as the oldest, is tasked with keeping an eye on his siblings, but finds this duty is harder to fulfill than originally planned. Soon they are in the midst of great adventure and danger, such as haunted houses, aforementioned toothy cows, sock men, and giant Nuggets.

This book reminds me of the movie and book The Princess Bride. Peterson creates a well-thought out fantasy world that has a wink and a nod to it. The reader can tell he had fun writing it, and the enjoyment comes out in the little goofiness sprinkled throughout. He creates little touches like fake references to Skreean literature such as "Taming the Creepiful Wood" (in footnotes, of all places!), and having examples of the shovel request form in the appendix.

The characters resonate, from gruff Podo to the bookish Oskar N. Reteep. The action moves along with 51 short, well-paced chapters. The tone is often kept a little light, but the tension areas will still have the kids holding onto a pillow and begging for one more chapter. The story is not an allegory, and there is not a strong overt spiritual tone (keeping in line with books like Narnia), but the underlying theme is potent for those with eyes to see.

I greatly enjoyed the book overall. It was a quick read, yet I can still pick it up while preparing for this post and find myself delighting in the story. There are a few points where he jumps into another character's head, making me as a reader stop and wonder what just happened to the perspective. However, these are few and minor overall. I must state a warning though: reading this book in public may cause you to be the recipient of funny looks from people, as you read a clever passage, process it, and giggle like you just got a joke.

If you want to read a witty, light-hearted, yet poignant tale from a talented new author, then pick up Edge and enjoy the ride. When you're done, you'll be saying along with many others it's "jouncey as a two-ton bog pie."

Really Important Answers - the CSFF Blog Tour Day 1

There are some really important questions out there nowadays, and the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy (CSFF) blog tour is committed to bringing you MORE really important questions! For instance:

Is a young meep smaller or larger than a flabbit?
What is the best way to rid your garden of thwaps?
Why don't totatoes belong in a maggotloaf?
Who is the Appreciator of the neat, the strange, and/or the yummy?
What is the proper technique for handyball?
Who won in the great battle between Peet and the (innocent) street sign?
Do scholars agree that Ulambria is a good-sounding name for a city?

And finally, who sang the grand duet with the singing dragons?

If these questions intrigue you, (and you know they do - or if not, they should) then check out the blog tour for Andrew Peterson and his new book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Find out more at his web site - http://andrew-peterson.com/ or the author moderated blog - http://www.rabbitroom.com/.

Finally, see my fellow tourmates for more information, and check back tomorrow for my review (and maybe a few of the promised answers).

Sally Apokedak
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Todd Green
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Next Few Posts

So last week was kinda busy. I ran around to a couple of different appointments to find out that my wrist may not quite be broken - still waiting to find out for sure. With all that, and work and life in general, I'm having a hard time posting here regularly. The next few days are committed to blog tours, so I'll finish my thoughts on God's sovereignty in fiction after these tours. For the two or three that are reading, that is...

Resurrection - Surely God is with Us

From Rich Mullins' posthumous album, The Jesus Record:

Surely God is With Us

Mark Robertson and Beaker
Matthew 1:23, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 13:54-57
Matthew 21:10-11, Matthew 27:50-54, Luke 7:34-35
Luke 23:33, John 6:14, John 6:35-43
John 7:37-41, John 8:19, John 20:26-29

Well, who's that man who thinks He's a prophet?
Well, I wonder if He's got something up His sleeve
Where's He from? Who is His daddy?
There's rumors He even thinks Himself a king
Of a kingdom of paupers
Simpletons and rogues
The whores all seem to love Him
And the drunks propose a toast

And they say, "Surely God is with us.
Well, surely God is with us."
They say, "Surely God is with us today!"

Who's that man who says He's a preacher?
Well, He must be, He's disturbing all our peace
Where's He get off, and what is He hiding
And every word He says those fools believe
Who could move a mountain
Who would love their enemy
Who could rejoice in pain
And turn the other cheek

And still say, "Surely God is with us,
Well, surely God is with us,"
Who'll say, "Surely God is with us today, today!"

They say, "Surely God is with us
Well, surely God is with us"
They say, "Surely God is with us"

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Heaven belongs to them
Blessed are those who make peace
They are God's children
I Am the Bread of Life, and the Way"
You hear that Man, believe what He says!

Tell me, who's that Man, they made Him a prisoner
They tortured Him and nailed Him to a tree
Well if He's so bad, who did He threaten?
Did He deserve to die between two thieves?
See the scars and touch His wounds
He's risen flesh and bone
Now the sinners have become the saints
And the lost have all come home

And they say, "Surely God is with us (Surely God is with us)
Well, surely God is with us,"
They say, "Surely God is with us today!" (Today!)

They say, "Surely God is with us
Well, surely God is with us"
They say, "Surely God is with us today"

Lyrics from Kid Brothers.

God's Sovereignty and Christian Fiction - Day 4

I'm not going to be too prolific tonight. I found out today I cracked a wrist bone at the base of my right thumb, and it makes typing a little...challenging.

So how does an author reconcile God's sovereignty and a good heroic character in fiction? I must say that I see a lot of Christian fiction books that deal with this issue in a variety of ways. There may be a non-Christian hero who acts without turning to God until a conversion toward the end of the book (though if a unsaved person is just not acknowledging the leading God is giving them, what is the difference?). The action may happen so fast and furious that the characters can only react, and don't have time to really "give it to God". I am reading a book currently where some of the characters are in mortal danger and mainly dealing with the trouble with occasional "help us God" prayers, but there are other saints interceding for them.

The books The Shadow and Light and The Legend of the Firefish are pretty distinctive in how they clearly address the issue. Oh, and in thinking about this subject, the series Legend of the Guardian King also shows the characters wrestle with sovereignty throughout the action.

Okay, this typing thing is getting tricky for today. I'll pick it up tomorrow most likely.

God's Sovereignty and Christian Fiction - Day 3

Continuing on from my March 8th post, how can writers show the sovereignty of God along with a strong hero or protagonist? I used two examples from The Shadow and Night and The Legend of the Firefish, where two heroes believed very strongly that God was in control. These books had some very good, rich spiritual themes that they were communicating. I want to state up front that what I'm drawing out of these books to discuss are most likely not points the authors were trying to make. Please don't read too much into my analysis, because I'm using the stories to try and explore a different question.

Having said that, is there any problem with my question? If we go to Webster's Universal College Dictionary, sovereignty can be defined as "3. supreme and independent power or authority in a state." The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology states the sovereignty of God is "the Biblical teaching that God is king, supreme ruler, and lawgiver of the entire universe." To sum up, God is in control.

In fiction, generally a hallmark of a good story is a protagonist who acts. Stories and plots can carry a hero along, even one who is rather weak and not actively doing something. Usually though, readers prefer a strong leading man or lady - someone who may be thrown at times by what is happening within the framework of the story, but then finds a way to face the conflict and triumph over it. Many writing books talk about the need to have the main character ACT - to do something and not just be pushed around like a rag doll.

I think the potential conflict between God's sovereignty and a strong hero becomes more evident with these definitions. I'll look more at this conflict next.

CFBA Tour - The Perfect Life

The CFBA blog tour for Monday - Wednesday this week is the latest book from Robin Lee Hatcher, A Perfect Life. Robin is a highly prolific and talented author. When I asked my wife if she would like to read one of her books for the tour, I got the most enthusiastic response from any time I've asked her.

So without further ado, a special review from my wife, Beccy:

Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to get to read this book (in one day!) For a start, I loved this book because it was set in Idaho - a place I'm familiar with. It talked about a good Christian woman who had ministered to so many ladies with broken marriages and lives, and she was now thrust into the same type of situation.

This book is about heart issues. When faced with the same things she had said to others, she didn't believe what her own advice had been. She had to come to the bottom of despair to realize that God was there for her, as well as the other women she had counseled. It made her a stronger, wiser woman.

The characterization was great. The reader knows the characters from the inside out. The realism in these people kept me interested enough to finish in one day. I don't know what more to say, because it was a well written, enjoyable story.

God's Sovereignty and Christian Fiction - Day 2

I left off my last post for this series introducing the books The Shadow and Night and Legend of the Firefish. So what is it that links a far-future sci-fi story with a fantasy-based pirate novel?

In Firefish, Packer Throme is a failed seminary student who ended up studying swordmanship. He intends to find the elusive Firefish, hoping the discovery will help save his village and prove his worth for his love interest. Packer maintains his faith despite his aborted seminary training. Through his adventures he ponders the way God is moving him through the different scenarios. Interestingly, Packer leans into God's sovereignty in a few different episodes in the book. He stops even in times of great peril to decide that everything is God's will, and he almost passively sits by to accept whatever happens. (I have more thoughts on this book in posts from a prior blog tour here)

The Shadow and Night starts slowly, as forester Merral D'Avanos stumbles across minor attitude changes in the redeemed world of Farholme. Soon, little quirks that seemed odd unrelated fluctuations start pointing to a return of something that has not been seen in the Assembly of Worlds for over 10,000 years: evil. Merral is in the center of all that is transpiring, yet he often is slow to act because he also is content to trust in God's will. His confusion in the face of renewed evil is very understandable - since evil has been absent for such a long time, Merral and his colleagues have only ancient reports of how to act in the face of this adversity.

Is the theme I'm drawing out becoming more apparent?

I'm not discussing this as a criticism of these two books in this series. I want to discuss the idea of God's sovereignty and how that can affect how a protagonist acts in a novel. These two books happen to be strong examples of the idea of sovereignty entering into a story of tension. We'll continue on this track next time.

CFBA Tour - Truffles by the Sea

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Truffles by the Sea by Julie Carobini.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura Beach, California.

She also likes to blog! Go leave her a comment at Waves of Grace.

Julie left you all a special message:

To celebrate my upcoming CFBA tour March 5-7, I'll be giving away a copy of Truffles by the Sea AND and a 1/2 lb. box of yummy truffles to three of your readers.

All they need to do is drop by my blog http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact them if they win!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

If you read, Julie's first book, Chocolate Beach, then you might remember Gaby as Bri’s dramatic, lovesick best friend. Unfortunately, things get worse—much worse—for her before they get…well, best not to give it away.

Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate...

Gaby Flores has a penchant for drama and an unfortunate knack for dating Mr. So Wrong. After breaking off yet another relationship, watching her apartment building burn to the ground, and discovering that her dippy delivery guy has run off with most of her business, Gaby decides it’s time to turn things around.

So she moves to a tiny waterfront loft and takes on a new motto: “Be gullible no more!” With help from her friends, she works to rebuild her flower shop—and her life. But when legal troubles and quirky neighbors and two surprising romances enter her beachy world, Gaby’s motto and fledgling faith are put to the test.

Can a young woman prone to disaster in both work and love finally find happily ever after?

"Truffles by the Sea is delightful! Julie Carobini has a new fan in this reader, and she's earned a spot on my keeper shelf." --Kay James, RomanceReaderatHeart.com

"This book is a delight to read, and the author has us rooting for Gaby from page one. This girl's never-say-die attitude is incredible, and her life is filled with all kinds of foibles. This is chick lit with heart – about so much more than finding a man.... While keeping the light chick lit tone, this book satisfied while avoiding the tired old formulas. Just when I’m ready to give up on the genre, I stumble across an author who can write without relying on stereotypes." --Cara Putman, writerinterrupted.com

"I liked Julie Carobini's first novel, Chocolate Beach, but her sophomore release, Truffles By The Sea, greatly surpasses it. I thoroughly enjoyed Carobini's second book and felt her writing was much stronger throughout. The characters are deeper and yet funnier – a great combination.... It's a great read for a cold winter day – you can curl up with the book, a nice fire and pretend you're the one by the sea." --Jill Hart, RadiantLit.com

God's Sovereignty and Christian Fiction - Day 1

On the 26th I suggested that there was a theme or thread between two books that have been reviewed by the Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Blog tour. The most recent was The Shadow and Night, a pure science fiction novel, while the other reviewed a few months ago was The Legend of the Firefish, a fantasy tale featuring pirates. I had a few attempts at trying to guess where I am going with this group of posts. (Congratulations to Nicole for her winning the 10 year Cowboys calendar to decorate her favorite computer office! I'm sure it will be displayed with the respect due such a thoughtful gift...) While good guesses, I'm going in a different direction.

I suppose I need to offer a quick synopsis of each book to put it into context.

I'll borrow from my previous preview of The Legend of the Firefish:
The Legend of the Firefish sets the reader in a new world, starting in the kingdom of Nearing Vast with young Packer Throme. He has a mysterious past as the son of a local fisherman who started off in seminary and has returned to his village with a talent for swordplay. He is in love with the beautiful, if sheltered Panna Seline, daughter of the local priest.

His motivation is twofold- to restore the fortunes of the declining fishing villages of his home region and to be worthy of the love of Panna. His plan entails hooking up with Scat Wilkins, notorious pirate captain of the Trophy Case, and tracking the elusive, legendary Firefish. This beast is a true sea serpent that is dangerous to all who dare hunt it, but its meat confers healing and power to the person who eats it.

Getting near Scat won't be easy with his security officer, the mysterious Drammune woman Talon, whose infamy with the sword is only equaled by her cruelty and her mysterious powers.

As for The Shadow and Night, it takes place over 10,000 years in the future on a world that humans have terraformed and colonized called Farholme. It is the farthest world from Ancient Earth, at the end of a series of Gates that allow interstellar travel. The Assembly of Worlds have seen the reign of the Lamb come, and they have a society that is fully built on His Word and His ways, without any known evil since the Jannafy Rebellion thousands of years prior.

As the colonists continue to help shape the world, a forester named Merral comes across some minor anomalies that foreshadow a greater threat growing across the world. As the unthinkable happens and their world is cut off from the rest of the Assembly, Merral must confront the return of evil both externally and internally.

As for the connection between these books - hmm. Seems I'll have to return to this thought in another post...

Christian Fiction Paradox

I've noticed a paradox in some Christian fiction books recently. It manifested in The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka and The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley. It presents an interesting conundrum for those who pursue writing Christian fiction. It really strikes at the heart of how to write effective, engaging fiction, and it has the potential to create a couple of theoretical camps in this realm of fiction.

Now that I've been melodramatic, what does crazy Jason have in mind? Well, I'm not ready to say. But any good product finds a way to create some buzz. I'm hoping that dropping a little teaser will have people wonder what those two books have in common that may portend what I'm talking about.

If anyone has any thoughts, feel free to post comments and I'll be back in a couple days to open up what I want to discuss.

See you then...

CFBA Tour: Adam

Ted Dekker doesn't need much introduction in the realm of Christian fiction. If any readers here think that a book from Christian fiction authors aren't worth checking out, then his new book Adam is very likely to change your mind.

I've enjoyed the other books of his that I've read (Blink, Thr3e, and Showdown). I have been busy enough with reading that I've haven't managed to read every one of his books. He has a powerful imagination and loves to explore the tension between good and evil.

Adam is the latest book to examine this theme. From the back cover:

FBI behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark has become famous for his well-articulated arguments that religion is one of society’s greatest antagonists. What Daniel doesn’t know is that his obsessive pursuit of a serial killer known only as “Eve” is about to end abruptly with an unexpected death-his own.

Twenty minutes later Daniel is resuscitated, only to be haunted by the loss of memory of the events immediately preceding his death.

Daniel becomes convinced that the only way to stop Eve is to recover those missing minutes during which he alone saw the killer’s face. And the only way to access them is to trigger his brain’s memory dump that occurs at the time of death by simulating his death again…and again. So begins a carefully researched psychological thriller which delves deep into the haunting realities of near-death experiences, demon possession, and the human psyche.

I'm not a person who reads a book in one sitting, but I really wish I could have with Adam. He knows how to capture an audience and hold them to their seats, knuckles white from gripping the book. The main characters all suffer from some obsession, and the individual reactions to the scenario are intriguing. As they work together to hunt down the serial killer "Eve", the tension ratchets up to a surprising turn of events that throws the book from being a taut thriller about tracking a murderer to something much more haunting and personal.

Dekker's writing is fast-paced, and there is not a lot of flowery exposition - he hits the action hard and keeps the plot moving. He uses an interesting technique in this book. There is a fictional Crime Today magazine serial of 9 articles discussing how a serial murderer comes to be. Basically he gives away who the bad guy is from the get go, but is still able to keep the suspense at high levels in tracking the path throughout the serial articles and the narrative. Very challenging to pull off, yet he does it very well.

My only critiques lie with the medical aspects, which play into the plot prominently. He has done his research well, and it is all written well and believably. My problem is that I am a physician assistant, so I can see a few minor inaccuracies. Aren't I picky? I'm sure that it won't be a problem for any other readers.

Overall, this book has reminded me of why Ted Dekker is the premier Christian suspense author today. He deftly handles issues of darkness and light and is a master of drawing his reader into the the battle that ensues. I highly recommend this book, and I've got a new itch to read more of Dekker's work.

Thoughts on The Shadow and Night

I had to chime in a little more on the blog tour for The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley. I confessed on Sunday that I had only read about 125 pages, so I couldn't give an accurate review of the whole book. I wanted to see what people were saying about the book before I opened my mouth and filled it with shoe leather (doesn't sound filling this week).

I'm glad that I did. It seems a lot of people really enjoyed the book. One of the major things from other blog posts and the comments to my first post is that, yes the book may start slow, but around page 150 it really picked up. So I've determined to read a little farther to see if I can get into it.

In my last post I listed all of my CSFF colleagues for your linkage pleasure. Today there are three that I'd like to highlight.

Author Christopher Hopper had a thoughtful review that discussed both positive and negative aspects, without total gushing or bashing. Also check out the comments to this link, as he's kind enough to answer a question of mine about catching a reader quick versus a slow burn.

John Otte gave a great primer on end times and millennialism, as this is a major foundation for the plot. A good quick overview even for those just curious about the various types of end times views out there. In other posts he discusses his review and ideas about sin brought up by the book. Well worth reading.

CSFF's other John, John Ottinger (what are the odds?), gives a very positive review of the book and makes a case in support of the book's slower start.

I wish I could've participated more, both in having read the book as well as having time to check out other blogs. Like I said, I'm going to give the book a little more time to see if I can get into it. I will say that I'm not enamored by his writing style, but perhaps when the conflict really takes off I will see the intensity of the trouble for main characters Merral and Vero, which seems to be a really big part of what others like. Perhaps I can add a follow up post later on.

My one other comment has also been repeated elsewhere in the tour. The book is listed as "A Fantasy in the Tradition of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien." I found this quite misleading and presumptuous, as 1. it is not a fantasy, and 2. I don't think it is fair or accurate to suggest this book is to the level of Lewis or Tolkien. Not a turn off for me, but hopefully the marketers will be a little more thoughtful in this aspect in the future.

If you're curious, please go to my last post and check out others' posts on this book!

CSFF Blog Tour - The Shadow and Night

This month's CSFF blog tour is focusing on Chris Walley's book from a few years ago entitled The Shadow and Night. I actually bought a version that includes books 1 and 2 (The Power of Night) of the Lamb Among the Stars trilogy, although this tour is focusing on just the first book.

I am reluctant to fully dive into discussing the book. I've only gotten to about page 125 out of 296, so I don't feel like I can fully comment on it. However, I have had a particularly hard time getting into the book, and I've got some major reservations so far on what I have read. I know that I've read other books that took a while to get into, but this one is different so far. I would encourage you to check out my fellow tourmates listed below, as I will be doing this week. I may post more detail about why I've had a hard time reading this book depending on my time and what I see on the tour.

You can also check out Chris Walley's site and blog for more information.

Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Rebecca Grabill
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Heather R. Hunt
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Pamela Morrisson
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

CFBA Tour - My Name Is Russell Fink

I'm excited this week to discuss the new book My Name Is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder for the CFBA book tour.

I spent time from 2005 - 2006 hanging out at faith*in*fiction, a blog and forum established by Bethany House editor Dave Long. There was great discussion on the issues affecting Christian fiction. One of the clever folks that were there was Mr. Mike Snyder. We heard a little of the development of his book at that time. I'm glad to say that the fruition of his initial effort is well-worth the read.

The book follows the titular Russell Fink through some mis adventures as we see life through his eyes. He is dealing with a job he detests, a severe bout of hypochondria (stemming from his twin dying of cancer as a child and his fear of sneaky cancer cells), a clingy fiancee, and his televangelist father trying to overcome past scandal. Along the way he finds a way to move out of his parents' house, investigates the apparent murder of his beloved dog Sonny, and meets an old flame who stirs some passion into this drifter.

The strength of this book is the writing. As I mentioned the clever folks from f*i*f before, Snyder was one of the tops in that category. His writing sparkles with wit and whimsy. You never know where he is going to turn next, from whiskey-soaked dog biscuits to microwaving oranges and breaking into zoos (see, you'll just have to read it to figure out what all that means). At first Russell is a hard character to like, since he is so passive and basically irresponsible in all of his conflicts. However, as he slowly grows into accepting some responsibility and starts to make a change in his life, you start pulling for him. All the time, the writing keeps you on your toes and with a grin on your face.

The plot suffers a little confusion at the end, and I couldn't always follow where certain threads came or went, or if all of the major plot points were resolved. There is one point I want to write the author to ask him about, it was such a dangling string. Still, I can recommend this book because, even if isn't fully sure of where it is going, the journey there is a lot of fun by the enjoyable writing. I look forward to seeing where Michael Snyder goes from here, having his first book under his collar...I mean belt.

Ten Easy Steps

Thanks to Maureen Johnson, a YA (young adult) science fiction of some repute, for the following highly informative post:

HOW TO BE A WRITER IN TEN EASY STEPS.

Finally! After all this time, the answer has been revealed! We can all stop working so hard now and follow this tested* methods for becoming a writer. I am good on Step Three at least. Seven and Eight are coming along.

Hat tip to John C. Wright.

*I haven't personally tested this, and cannot vouch for the methodology used.

CFBA Tour - Sisters, Ink

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducingSisters, Ink
Broadman & Holman Books (February 1, 2008)by
Rebeca Seitz

This book was right up my wife's alley, as she loves to scrapbook. (I say she loves to buy scrapbooking stuff and look at it without using it, but this usually gets me in some sort of trouble...) Anyway, here is my special guest review from my beautiful bride Beccy!

Sisters, Ink is the start of a series about 4 adopted daughters who still get together to scrapbook as a way to connect their busy lives. This is the first in the series, and it follows Tandy, living a busy high-placed life of an attorney in a big city, while her family lives in a small town in Tennessee. Her life consists of a dog and many hours of work.

She hasn't been "home" for 3 years. When she arrives it brings back the joy of being home again: scrapbooking with her sisters, being with her dad, and reacquainting herself with her high school boyfriend.

As her two week visit changes life, she has to decide whether to go back to the big city or find her niche in a sleepy town.

This book had strong characters. The four sisters are distinct, and it was great to see the way this worked out. Even though they were all different, they still bonded as a family. The plot had a great romantic story along with the various family dynamics. I enjoyed the book from the viewpoint of a scrapbook fan, and I understood the lingo and the desire to get together socially and scrap. A weakness of the book was the beginning - it was very flowery with its description and ended up being distracting with its wordiness. Still, I enjoyed the book a lot, and would recommend it to my friends whether they scrapbook or not.

"Made for Beauty" Post at Breakpoint

Breakpoint is a favorite internet place of mine - I get daily emails from Chuck Colson's radio broadcast. This last week there was one called "Made for Beauty." It speaks of Francis Schaeffer's book Art and the Bible, which I've spoken about before here.

Here's the opening:

The neighbors watched the new church building go up in just one month—and what a sight it was! The church was a squat, square building made of unrelieved concrete. On the inside was garish red carpeting. A massive parking lot surrounded the church.

Nothing could possibly have been uglier—and the fact that so many Christians build church structures like this reveals how far Christians have strayed from the place beauty and art are meant to have in our lives.

As the late Francis Schaeffer notes in his book, Art and the Bible, we evangelicals tend to relegate art to the fringes of life. Despite our talk about the lordship of God in every aspect of life, we have narrowed its scope to a very small part of reality. But the arts are also supposed to be under the lordship of Christ, Schaeffer reminds us. Christians ought to use the arts “as things of beauty to the praise of God.”

I've talked about what is in the rest of the article before, but it is nice to see the same message getting out. Check out the article here.