by Jason Joyner | Sep 18, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
Don’t turn the lights off with this one…
This week’s featured book for the CFBA tour is Isolation by Travis Thrasher.
The Millers need a retreat after being burnt out by bad experiences as missionaries in Papau New Guinea. Jim struggles with doubts about his faith. Stephanie is sleepwalking and having visions of blood and death.
Jim takes Steph and their kids Zachary and Ashley to an isolated house up on a beautiful hill in North Carolina as a getaway to reconnect with God and each other. The mysterious mansion, built by an eccentric millionaire, strikes them all as eerie as soon as they arrive and meet up with Stephanie’s brother Paul.
Before they can leave, a winter storm traps them in the house, as it slowly reveals its dark secrets. Will they survive with their faith, or will they survive at all?
The idea of a Christian horror novel may seem counter-intuitive, but it really is a genre that is ripe for the exploration of good and evil. The concept of spiritual warfare lends itself well to a very suspenseful book.
Thrasher’s novel keeps the suspense level high from the start, with an attention-grabbing opening chapter to the deadly finale. He notes Stephen King as an influence, and though I’ve only managed to read one of King’s books, Isolation does cause white knuckles and short, gasping breaths in abundance.
The main characters are fleshed out rather well, but secondary characters don’t come across as interesting or more than placeholders. There’s some backstory that isn’t explored enough for my taste, leaving me wondering too much.
It is an easy read, and the tension is intense. I didn’t want to be interrupted during the last quarter of the book. He makes good use of the characters’ thoughts to add to the mystery and creates a strong feel of turmoil and confusion.
The book is not for the faint of heart (or big honkin‘ chickens either). I found it a little disturbing, only in that kids are threatened, and I’m not a fan of that. Still, the spiritual themes are powerfully presented throughout the book.
Overall it was a good read and should be considered by fans of intense suspense or horror. The squeamish would want to give it to their non-squeamish friends!
If you would like to read the first chapter of Isolation, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Sep 17, 2008 | Blog, miscellaneous
It’s been hard to get to the ol’ Blogger for a few days, but I have some things coming up this week, so keep your eyes peeled:
– A review of the new thriller Isolation by Travis Thrasher
– Some links and hopefully a discussion of creating culture by Christians
– And ye have been warned, the favorite silly holiday of Spoiled for the Ordinary is approaching on Friday
– Finally, I’m really excited for the next Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Tour in a little while featuring Marcher Lord Press.
Check back for a little of everything!
by Jason Joyner | Sep 17, 2008 | Blog, miscellaneous
It’s been hard to get to the ol’ Blogger for a few days, but I have some things coming up this week, so keep your eyes peeled:
– A review of the new thriller Isolation by Travis Thrasher
– Some links and hopefully a discussion of creating culture by Christians
– And ye have been warned, the favorite silly holiday of Spoiled for the Ordinary is approaching on Friday
– Finally, I’m really excited for the next Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy Tour in a little while featuring Marcher Lord Press.
Check back for a little of everything!
by Jason Joyner | Sep 12, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
This week the book from the CFBA tour that I am reviewing is In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett.
It is a familiar tale, or is it?
In the 1500’s, history was exploding in unexpected ways in Europe. King Henry VIII sat on the throne in England, desperate for a male heir from his wife, Queen Catherine. The religious climate of the continent was in turmoil due to the works of Martin Luther and other so-called “reformers”, and in the Isles Sir Thomas More put his considerable strength into protecting England from such devilish influences.
Into this background, we meet Anne Boleyn.
Is Anne the seductress history has portrayed, a woman who beguiled the king and stole the throne? Or could she be a key player in the Reformation, helping to introduce the English Bible to the people, and her religious motivations being the real reason to abstain from Henry’s advances until she was made queen?
These are the questions raised in Garrett’s new book. It is actually an intriguing premise focusing on three women – a modern day editor on her death bed, visited by the Scribe, an angel with a story to tell; Anne Boleyn and her journey to the throne and the guillotine, and another woman named Rose who is a street girl brought into Thomas More’s household as an act of charity.
I was interested in reading this book because her previous books, Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, and Dark Hour, had premises that had me quite curious to read. I also recently did some study on William Tyndale, the English reformer and Bible translator who figures prominently in Ginger’s new book.
The book has strengths and weaknesses. The set-up is an original one in my mind. She does a good job showing the setting and putting the reader into 16th century England. Unfortunately, the plot suffers quite a bit throughout the book. I felt the book was too mysterious in how it set up situations – trying to be suspenseful and having the reader wonder what was happening next, but not fully explaining what was occurring or giving enough information. I was often left confused, unsure of what happened. Many times a character did something with little motivation or cause introduced to make it believable. I mainly enjoyed the brief parts with the modern editor and the angel, although I got confused in those sections as well.
Overall this is a book that has potential as a suspenseful historical novel, but falls short in its execution of plot cohesion and character motivation. It is a wonderful time frame that has lots of drama, and it still is an insightful story in ways as far as introducing a new theory on Anne Boleyn, but I was generally disappointed in reading it. This is supposed to be a series of books – hopefully subsequent books will be weaved together in a tighter pattern.
If you would like to read an excerpt from In The Shadow Of Lions, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Sep 12, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
This week the book from the CFBA tour that I am reviewing is In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett.
It is a familiar tale, or is it?
In the 1500’s, history was exploding in unexpected ways in Europe. King Henry VIII sat on the throne in England, desperate for a male heir from his wife, Queen Catherine. The religious climate of the continent was in turmoil due to the works of Martin Luther and other so-called “reformers”, and in the Isles Sir Thomas More put his considerable strength into protecting England from such devilish influences.
Into this background, we meet Anne Boleyn.
Is Anne the seductress history has portrayed, a woman who beguiled the king and stole the throne? Or could she be a key player in the Reformation, helping to introduce the English Bible to the people, and her religious motivations being the real reason to abstain from Henry’s advances until she was made queen?
These are the questions raised in Garrett’s new book. It is actually an intriguing premise focusing on three women – a modern day editor on her death bed, visited by the Scribe, an angel with a story to tell; Anne Boleyn and her journey to the throne and the guillotine, and another woman named Rose who is a street girl brought into Thomas More’s household as an act of charity.
I was interested in reading this book because her previous books, Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, and Dark Hour, had premises that had me quite curious to read. I also recently did some study on William Tyndale, the English reformer and Bible translator who figures prominently in Ginger’s new book.
The book has strengths and weaknesses. The set-up is an original one in my mind. She does a good job showing the setting and putting the reader into 16th century England. Unfortunately, the plot suffers quite a bit throughout the book. I felt the book was too mysterious in how it set up situations – trying to be suspenseful and having the reader wonder what was happening next, but not fully explaining what was occurring or giving enough information. I was often left confused, unsure of what happened. Many times a character did something with little motivation or cause introduced to make it believable. I mainly enjoyed the brief parts with the modern editor and the angel, although I got confused in those sections as well.
Overall this is a book that has potential as a suspenseful historical novel, but falls short in its execution of plot cohesion and character motivation. It is a wonderful time frame that has lots of drama, and it still is an insightful story in ways as far as introducing a new theory on Anne Boleyn, but I was generally disappointed in reading it. This is supposed to be a series of books – hopefully subsequent books will be weaved together in a tighter pattern.
If you would like to read an excerpt from In The Shadow Of Lions, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Sep 4, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Back To Life
Avon Inspire (September 16, 2008)
by
Kristin Billerbeck
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and gained a bachelor’s degree in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing.
She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year for What A Girl Wants in 2004, and again in 2006 for With this Ring. Featured in the New York Times, USA Today, World Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show. She is credited with jump-starting the inspirational chick-lit phenomenon. Most recently she has been names as a finalist for the Christy Award in the Lits category for The Trophy Wives Club.
Her other recent books include: She’s All That.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lindsey realized when she married Ron, a man 17 years her senior, that the odds were he’d see heaven before her, but she never expected to be a widow at 35. There’s too much of life left for her to just sit around in mourning. But she can’t seem to kick start the rest of her life.
That is until she gets some help from Ron’s first wife, Jane, who shows up unexpectedly at her door one day as the executor of her husband’s estate. Jane is everything Lindsey’s not… independent, stubborn… and a lot older. Plus she has one surprise after another… including a son named Ron Jr. (she insists he’s not “really” Ron’s son). But an unlikely friendship develops as each woman begins to reevaluate what is really important, and owns up to the mistakes they’ve made in the past.
Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Lindsey, and with the return of many of the witty characters of The Trophy Wives Club, this book is a lighthearted, relatable read for when life goes in a direction you never planned. With faith and friends, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
If you would like to read an excerpt of chapter 1 of Back To Life, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Sep 4, 2008 | Blog, CFBA, fiction
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Back To Life
Avon Inspire (September 16, 2008)
by
Kristin Billerbeck
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and gained a bachelor’s degree in Advertising, then worked at the Fairmont Hotel in PR, a small ad agency as an account exec, and then, she was thrust into the exciting world of shopping mall marketing.
She got married, had four kids, and started writing romance novels until she found her passion: Chick Lit. She is a CBA bestselling author and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year for What A Girl Wants in 2004, and again in 2006 for With this Ring. Featured in the New York Times, USA Today, World Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show. She is credited with jump-starting the inspirational chick-lit phenomenon. Most recently she has been names as a finalist for the Christy Award in the Lits category for The Trophy Wives Club.
Her other recent books include: She’s All That.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lindsey realized when she married Ron, a man 17 years her senior, that the odds were he’d see heaven before her, but she never expected to be a widow at 35. There’s too much of life left for her to just sit around in mourning. But she can’t seem to kick start the rest of her life.
That is until she gets some help from Ron’s first wife, Jane, who shows up unexpectedly at her door one day as the executor of her husband’s estate. Jane is everything Lindsey’s not… independent, stubborn… and a lot older. Plus she has one surprise after another… including a son named Ron Jr. (she insists he’s not “really” Ron’s son). But an unlikely friendship develops as each woman begins to reevaluate what is really important, and owns up to the mistakes they’ve made in the past.
Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Lindsey, and with the return of many of the witty characters of The Trophy Wives Club, this book is a lighthearted, relatable read for when life goes in a direction you never planned. With faith and friends, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
If you would like to read an excerpt of chapter 1 of Back To Life, go HERE
by Jason Joyner | Sep 2, 2008 | Blog, miscellaneous, parenting
“Put us to bed Daddy!” my four year old gleefully announced prior to their bedtime.
You may be asking, “How in the world can I get MY kids to accept bedtime so eagerly?” I will share my experience with you, absolutely free. Nowhere else, but this blog, will you get such amazing advice.
Get bunk beds.
Since we’re expecting Baby in October, we needed to compress space. My wife is an avid garage sale shopper, and she found a perfect solution for us, a bunk bed with a twin on top and a full on bottom, thus allowing for three boys in one room. My two older boys already shared a room and a full bed, but the youngest was very excited to join his brothers, and the novelty of the bunk beds fueled the older ones’ interest. Tonight was the first night they get to experience this, and I about fell over when the above statement was shared with us!
Of course, I have no delusions about this blissful state lasting. And note, I didn’t offer this excitement for bedtime as a permanent solution. But it should make bedtime for a few nights an anticipation, rather than trepidation…
by Jason Joyner | Sep 2, 2008 | Blog, miscellaneous, parenting
“Put us to bed Daddy!” my four year old gleefully announced prior to their bedtime.
You may be asking, “How in the world can I get MY kids to accept bedtime so eagerly?” I will share my experience with you, absolutely free. Nowhere else, but this blog, will you get such amazing advice.
Get bunk beds.
Since we’re expecting Baby in October, we needed to compress space. My wife is an avid garage sale shopper, and she found a perfect solution for us, a bunk bed with a twin on top and a full on bottom, thus allowing for three boys in one room. My two older boys already shared a room and a full bed, but the youngest was very excited to join his brothers, and the novelty of the bunk beds fueled the older ones’ interest. Tonight was the first night they get to experience this, and I about fell over when the above statement was shared with us!
Of course, I have no delusions about this blissful state lasting. And note, I didn’t offer this excitement for bedtime as a permanent solution. But it should make bedtime for a few nights an anticipation, rather than trepidation…
by Jason Joyner | Aug 28, 2008 | Blog, CSFF, speculative fiction
This book has an intriguing premise. At some point in the future America has split, with a fundamentalist Christian state called Appalachia formed inside its borders. The rest of America is a land with computer chip implants, virtual memories, and genetic tampering. These things are absent in Appalachia, replace instead by a theocracy that monitors everyone and drugs people with their communion meal to keep them from questioning things.
The main character in the book, Caitlyn, has a secret hidden from her by her father. This secret has a genetic component, and a tracker chases her to “harvest” this mystery.
However, there are people in Appalachia called the “Clan” who reject the oversight of the church. They try to practice a simple faith (in contrast to the official religion in the land), helping those in need and helping those wanted by the theocracy escape to freedom.
Theocracy. Control. Faith. Surveillance and safety. The future of bioengineering. Genetic manipulation. These are all potent themes for any book to address individually, much less in one book. It is a very ambitious task.
Unfortunately, it’s a risk that falls short of what it could’ve been. My impression is that the project was limited in its length compared with the scope. The author shared on another blog that he was constrained by the fact that the story only takes place over a few days, mostly as one long chase. He’s right that it isn’t necessarily the best setting to wrestle with so many weighty issues. I wonder if the book was cut too short, compressed too much.
The book is a taut thriller with breakneck pacing that has interesting, fleshed-out characters. It is worth a read for a suspenseful tale. It just seems to overshoot its constraints.
I also read yesterday that the author is writing the sequel. This may allow him to investigate the potential inherent in his bold themes further. I’m hopeful to see what comes next from Mr. Brouwer.
