by Jason Joyner | Oct 17, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reading, reviews
This week the CFBA Tour is highlighting the latest release from Brandilyn Collins, book 3 in the Kanner Lake series entitled Crimson Eve.
The book again focuses on one of the characters that hang out at the Java Joint in fictional Kanner Lake, Idaho. Through the fictional, yet real Scenes and Beans blog, we’ve come to know the crowd at Java Joint. However, we may not know very much about all of the posters. This time, realator Carla Radling is showing off a high-end house on the lake shore when the prospective buyer levels a gun at her. A mystery from her past has come back to haunt her, and powerful people want her dead.
Crimson Eve is part of a series, yet it is easy to read it on its own without having read the prior books, Violet Dawn and Coral Moon. Brandilyn is known for Seatbelt Suspense™, and this book does not disappoint. She is a master at taking plot twists and spinning the reader around until they have no idea what to expect. Crimson Eve starts in the first chapter by grabbing a hold, and the book doesn’t let up until the final chapter – really! There are surprises through to the very end.
Brandilyn continues with her strength of characterization as well. Her characters have believable motivations, and you find yourself torn even on behalf of the bad guy. The audience will be invested not only in what happens in the roller-coster plot, but in caring about what happens to the citizens of Kanner Lake.
There are a couple of plot twists that are a litte unbelievable, but the enjoyment of the read keeps you engaged throughout the book. I recommend this book heartily to fans of well-written books, but especially to those looking for some great suspense.
“Collins tops herself by creating a suspenseful nonstop thrill ride … Truly the best Christian Fiction suspense title so far this year.” – Library Journal, starred review
Also, Brandilyn has a special offer that you can’t beat. Check this out!
Do you know someone who’s never read a Brandilyn Collins novel? Surely no such person exists. However, should you scrounge up such a friend—someone who enjoys suspense—here’s a special offer from Brandilyn. Be among the first 50 people between now and October 21, 2007 to e-mail her assistant at gayle.brandilyncollins@gmail.com with the person’s name, e-mail address and street address. (Due to exorbitant overseas mailing costs, United States residents only, please).
A signed copy of Crimson Eve will be sent to your friend—free—along with an e-mail from Brandilyn announcing the book is on its way, courtesy of you. (Don’t worry. Brandilyn won’t spam these email addresses. She just wants your friend to know who to thank.) No worries that this story is third in the Kanner Lake series. Each book stands alone. Brandilyn is convinced your friend will so love Crimson Eve, he/she will surely reciprocate with expensive chocolate.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 9, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Two people I admire very much in blogdom and Christian fiction circles are J. Mark Bertrand and Becky Miller. It is a quality week when the two of them get together to discuss the realities wrestled by those of us attempting to write great Christian fiction.
Check out the great discussion in the posts over 2 days. Don’t forget to check out the comments, where further good dialogue continues, (yes, some of the comments are from me).
Day 1
Day 2
by Jason Joyner | Oct 9, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Two people I admire very much in blogdom and Christian fiction circles are J. Mark Bertrand and Becky Miller. It is a quality week when the two of them get together to discuss the realities wrestled by those of us attempting to write great Christian fiction.
Check out the great discussion in the posts over 2 days. Don’t forget to check out the comments, where further good dialogue continues, (yes, some of the comments are from me).
Day 1
Day 2
by Jason Joyner | Oct 5, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck.
My wife and her good friend Cindy Lemon read this book, and this was what they had to say after discussing the book:
“The Trophy Wives Club is a spin on being a trophy wife. Actually, it becomes a comparison of what we settle for in life, when in reality we are meant to be the bride of Christ. The book continues Kristin’s skill for humor. She truly has her own voice and doesn’t parallel other writers. She’s good at description and lets the reader truly know her characters’ thoughts. The style of writing is fresh, different, and unique.”
You can read more about this new book below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and majored 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. Featured in the New York Times and USA Today, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show for her pioneering role in Christian chick lit. Her last three books were:
Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning (April 17, 2007)
She’s Out of Control (Ashley Stockingdale Series #1) (Nov 13, 2007)
Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series #3) (Oct 1, 2006)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps “was” is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty years old – back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon.
When Jay first turned his eye to Haley, she was putty in his slender, graceful hands. No one ever treated her like she was important, and on the arm of Jay Cutler, she became someone people listened to and admired. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, her Prince Charming seems to belong to the Henry the XIII line of royalty. When Haley loses Jay, she not only loses her husband, she loses her identity.
With her first independent decision, Haley leaves LA and moves home to Northern California. Feeling freedom just within her grasp, Haley learns that her settlement payments must go through one of Jay’s financial advisors, Hamilton Lowe. Haley believes he’s nothing more than a spy. And the feelings of distrust are mutual. Yet somehow, Hamilton finds himself handing over the monthly checks in person, and Haley can’t deny that there’s a kind of tenderness and protectiveness in Hamilton that she’s never experienced in a man before.
But before Haley can even consider another relationship, she must learn to accept her inherent worth, and what it is to be loved for who she is, not what’s on the outside.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 5, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck.
My wife and her good friend Cindy Lemon read this book, and this was what they had to say after discussing the book:
“The Trophy Wives Club is a spin on being a trophy wife. Actually, it becomes a comparison of what we settle for in life, when in reality we are meant to be the bride of Christ. The book continues Kristin’s skill for humor. She truly has her own voice and doesn’t parallel other writers. She’s good at description and lets the reader truly know her characters’ thoughts. The style of writing is fresh, different, and unique.”
You can read more about this new book below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristin Billerbeck was born in Redwood City, California. She went to San Jose State University and majored 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. Featured in the New York Times and USA Today, Kristin has appeared on the Today Show for her pioneering role in Christian chick lit. Her last three books were:
Split Ends: Sometimes the End is Really the Beginning (April 17, 2007)
She’s Out of Control (Ashley Stockingdale Series #1) (Nov 13, 2007)
Calm, Cool & Adjusted (Spa Girls Series #3) (Oct 1, 2006)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Haley Cutler is the consummate trophy wife. Perhaps “was” is the more accurate term. Haley married Prince Charming when she was only twenty years old – back in the day when highlights came from an afternoon at the beach, not three hours in the salon.
When Jay first turned his eye to Haley, she was putty in his slender, graceful hands. No one ever treated her like she was important, and on the arm of Jay Cutler, she became someone people listened to and admired. Unfortunately, after seven years of marriage, her Prince Charming seems to belong to the Henry the XIII line of royalty. When Haley loses Jay, she not only loses her husband, she loses her identity.
With her first independent decision, Haley leaves LA and moves home to Northern California. Feeling freedom just within her grasp, Haley learns that her settlement payments must go through one of Jay’s financial advisors, Hamilton Lowe. Haley believes he’s nothing more than a spy. And the feelings of distrust are mutual. Yet somehow, Hamilton finds himself handing over the monthly checks in person, and Haley can’t deny that there’s a kind of tenderness and protectiveness in Hamilton that she’s never experienced in a man before.
But before Haley can even consider another relationship, she must learn to accept her inherent worth, and what it is to be loved for who she is, not what’s on the outside.
by Jason Joyner | Oct 4, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fiction, writing craft
Real Christians don’t get “pissed off,” they have “righteous anger.” Or perhaps disconcerted, infuriated, or provoked might be better.
I was checking out the new design for the Relief Journal (cool new digs gang!), when I read a post from the editor. He talks about a little controversy regarding Reconstructing Natalie, by Laura Jensen Walker. Apparantly a site called The Timothy Report is run by a pastor/webmaster/Christian book store employee. He had the book by Ms. Walker brought to him by a distraught customer, because the main character is battling breast cancer and gets “pissed” at some point, or says she’s “pissed off.” So this gentleman is posting a notice on his site to complain to Thomas Nelson, the publisher, if other people are tired of such lines being crossed in Christian fiction. The charge is that this book is lower standards for the CBA.
This reminds me of the discussion I had concerning the “Christian Marketplace.” Now this person is responsible for this book not being available at his bookstore and making it sound like it is some horrible tome, corrupting people as they read it. It is frustrating to see a book about a subject that really is ripe for use in Christian fiction, yet it is torn down for a choice of one word.
*Cough* Excuse me, I think I just choked on a gnat…
I haven’t read Reconstructing Natalie, so I don’t know if it is any good as fiction, as a work of art. I do know that I wouldn’t condemn a book on the choice of one word like in this situation. What I did do is write the editor listed on the Timothy Report and supported her for producing fiction willing to tackle difficult subjects.
/end rant
You can see the letter in question at the Timothy Report here.
You can find the original post at Relief here (look for the second part of the post):
Crimson Eve is part of a series, yet it is easy to read it on its own without having read the prior books, Violet Dawn and Coral Moon. Brandilyn is known for Seatbelt Suspense™, and this book does not disappoint. She is a master at taking plot twists and spinning the reader around until they have no idea what to expect. Crimson Eve starts in the first chapter by grabbing a hold, and the book doesn’t let up until the final chapter – really! There are surprises through to the very end.