Digitalis by Ronie Kendig

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDigitalisBarbour Publishing, Inc.(January 1, 2011)byRonie Kendig

My Review:

After reading Nightshade, I eagerly anticipated the release of Digitalis. Having enjoyed Nightshade so much and loving the concept of the Discarded Heroes series, I wondered if Digitalis would stand up to my expectations. Would the characters be as real? The story as action packed and suspenseful? Could Kendig keep my interest going in this story of elite ex-military men saving the world from all kinds of unknown evil? Uh, yes!

This story was even better than the first in the series. I fell in love with Colton “Cowboy” Neeley and his dedication to those he loves. He’s an obvious hero with all the baggage that comes with the job. Emotionally traumatized by the deadly missions he’s been a part of, he wonders if he’ll ever get past debilitating flashbacks.

He’s a single father, but is interested in a beautiful young woman he knows virtually nothing about. Piper Blum is every bit as intriguing as Neeley’s character. Her life appears mundane, but we soon find out she’s on the run from someone. Or something. Out of necessity, she turns to Colton for help. An unfortunate set of circumstances follows, tearing them apart before they even have a chance at happiness.

Kendig is a powerful writer as she takes us on the journey of healing and forgiveness. A very satisfying ending leaves us yearning for the next book in the series.

This series, while edgier and more current, is reminiscent of Dee Henderson’s Uncommon Heroes series. If you love action packed suspense with a great romance, then you’re going to love this book!

I received this book for review from the publisher.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ronie has been married since 1990 to a man who can easily be defined in classic terms as a hero. She has four beautiful children. Her eldest daughter is 16 this year, her second daughter will be 13, and her twin boys are 10. After having four children, she finally finished her degree in December 2006. She now has a B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Getting her degree is a huge triumph for both her and her family--they survived!!

This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her characters and how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they'll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series began in July 2010 from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.

This is the second book in the series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Step into the boots of a former Marine in this heart-pounding adventure in life and love. Colton “Cowboy” Neeley is a Marine trying to find his footing as he battles flashbacks now that he’s back home. Piper Blum is a woman in hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. When their hearts collide, more than their lives are at stake. Will Colton find a way to forgive Piper’s lies? Can Piper find a way to rescue her father, trapped in Israel? Is there any way their love, founded on her lies, can survive?


If you would like to read an excerpt of Digitalis, go HERE.

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingSomeone To BlameZondervan (September 21, 2010)byC. S. Lakin


I'm about 2/3 finished with this book and I must say, C.S. Lakin is a remarkable writer. I'm especially enjoying the way Lakin pulls you into the story with detailed scenes so well written I found tears in my eyes on more than one occasion.

The loss and tragedy conveyed in this book is very heavy. It's not a feel good book by any means. If you're someone who likes to be captured in the lives of the characters, even during a very tragic time, then you'll love this book. The emotions are very raw and extremely real to the tragedy that they've faced.

I will say that you might refrain from letting your teenagers read this before you do. Yes, it's a Christian book, however, there is some content parents might not be comfortable with their children reading. Use your judgment.

I'd definitely recommend this book to those looking for a wonderfully written and moving story. And after seeing the way Lakin has with words, I'll be adding her to my must read list.

I received my copy for review from the publisher.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

C. S. Lakin is a novelist and professional copyeditor and writing coach. She is currently working on her eleventh novel, a contemporary family saga drawn from the biblical story of Jacob. Someone to Blame(Zondervan), an intense relational drama and winner of the 2009 First Novel contest, released in October 2010, and she is also the author of the allegorical adult fantasy series The Gates of Heaven, featuring The Wolf of Tebron and the upcoming release The Map Across Time (March 2011). She is currently completing her tenth novel and developing a dog memoir of epic proportion.


ABOUT THE BOOK

In the wake of heartrending family tragedies, Matt and Irene Moore move with their fourteen-year-old daughter, Casey, to a small town. Their goal is to get far away from the daily reminders that leave each of them raw and guilt-ridden. Their hope is to find redemption, repair, and renewal. Instead, the threads that hold them together unravel even more.

Breakers, a small community perched on the rocky coast of the Pacific Northwest, is draped with cold isolation that seems to mirror the hearts. As they settle into their new life, old grief settles with them. Matt is always on edge and easily angered, Irene is sad and pensive, and Casey is confused and defiant. They've once more set the stage for calamity. Into this mix comes Billy Thurber, a young drifter with his own conflicts, whose life unexpectedly entangles with the Moores'.

His arrival in Breakers parallels a rash of hateful and senseless crimes, and soon the whole town -- eager for someone to blame -- goes after Thurber with murderous intent. Out of this dangerous chaos, however, the Moores find unexpected grace and healing in a most unlikely way.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Someone To Blame, go HERE.

The Girl In the Gatehouse...Julie Klassen

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Girl in the GatehouseBethany House (January 1, 2011)byJulie Klassen My thoughts: I've only read one other book by this author, so when I got the book in the mail I wasn't sure what to expect. Next time I'll know. :) Klassen is a very talented writer--with more than a little backbone. She had me hooked from page one and had me reading well into the night.  I think what I like most is that she tackles issues that of that time were more than taboo and does so with grace. I thought I knew where she was going with the story and while I was partially right, she surprised me by not taking any shortcuts and making the story as real to life as she could.  I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes great historicals with a touch of scandal. I received this book for review from the publisher. 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative's estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how--by writing novels in secret.

Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made.

When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans. The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Girl in the Gatehouse, go HERE