by Jason Joyner | Apr 17, 2008 | Blog, fiction, theology, writing craft
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.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 10, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews, suspense
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.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 10, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews, suspense
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.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 3, 2008 | Blog, Jesus
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.
by Jason Joyner | Apr 3, 2008 | Blog, Jesus
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.
