Recap for the week

We have two signed paperbacks up for grabs. All you need to do to win is leave a comment with the name of the book you would like to win, and check back on Sunday for the announcement of the winners. The following books are being offered in this drawing:

Seeking His Love by Carrie Turansky

False accusations by a former student haunt Rachel Clark, the new director of the Northcoast Christian Youth Theater. Seeking to make a fresh start in Fairhaven, she rents space for her group from an artists’ cooperative led by handsome frame shop owner Cameron McKenna. To keep his financially strapped co-op afloat, Cam agrees to include Rachel’s program, but he’s not sure he can trust the beautiful director, especially when past secrets come to light. Then Cam must temporarily care for his fourteen-year-old niece, and he needs Rachel’s advice. Will he risk his heart and his future to help Rachel save the youth theater program and rebuild her reputation?

Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Jason is an excellent swordsman who grew up pretending to slay dragons with his older brother. There have long been rumors of dragons stealing people to another realm and enslaving them, but Jason did not believe the myths. Now, both his brothers are missing, and it turns out that dragons really exist. Jason journeys to find the portal to this mysterious realm in order to rescue his brothers and free the slaves. Meanwhile, a slave girl named Koren has long thought that the myths about a planet where humans are free was a myth. She dreams of freedom but because she is a Starlighter, a powerful visionary, the dragons will never set her free. Told in alternating chapters, Koren's and Jason's stories merge as both use their gifts to battle the dragons and liberate the captives. Both are strong characters who readers will root for from the very beginning. The first in a planned four-book series, there is just enough of a resolution to satisfy readers, yet leave them eager for book two.

You might just get Starlighter for visiting

Bryan Davis has offered to send out a signed copy of Starlighter to a random visitor of CFBR. If you would like to be considered, leave a comment on his interview below. You will love this Epic Dragon Fantasy. Davis has been at this for awhile, and it shows.

Bryan Davis: Christian Fantasy

CFBR: Today we are speaking with author Bryan Davis about his latest novel, Starlighter. What can you tell us about it, Bryan?

Bryan: Starlighter is the first novel of a four-book fantasy series for young adults called Dragons of Starlight. In a nutshell, human and dragon worlds collide when Jason Masters enters the dragon planet and meets Koren, a descendant of humans who were kidnapped and are now the dragons’ slaves. They work together to try to free the slaves, using Jason’s swordmaster talent and Koren’s miraculous storytelling abilities.

CFBR: What do you hope readers will draw from Starlighter?

Bryan: I hope readers understand that the chains of slavery aren’t just made of metal, and they don’t just bind arms and legs. Many are enslaved in our culture spiritually and emotionally, and we all have a part in helping them find ultimate freedom, which is freedom in Christ.

CFBR: Tell us about your favorite character(s) in the book.

Bryan: It’s probably Koren, a slave girl on the dragon planet. When she tells stories, they come to life around her, like ghosts acting out the story. As a gifted slave, she is called to be a servant to a prophesied dragon king who, in this story, is still unhatched in a black egg. When she communicates with it, she learns a lot about her world and herself.

CFBR: Can you share with us a short scene? 

Bryan: Sure, here is a link to the first chapter - Starlight: Chapter One

CFBR: What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Bryan: Learn the craft. It takes more than desire and imagination to write a great story. Read books on writing. Go to writers’ conferences. And practice, practice, practice. Never give up.

CFBR: What methods do you think work best for authors who need to promote their own books?

Bryan: Speaking at schools and homeschool groups around the country has worked best for me. I am able to get students excited about writing and about my books at the same time.

CFBR: God bless you, Bryan. Your stories are inspiring and filled with adventure. Thank you for sharing that adventure with us.

Bryan: You’re welcome. Thank you for the opportunity.

Available at Amazon

Starlighter

Other books by Bryan Davis

Win a copy of Seeking His Love

Carrie Turansky has graciously offered to give a signed paperback of her book away to our blog readers. If you enjoy Inspirational Romances, you won't want to miss this opportunity. Just leave a comment on this thread, or her interview below, and we will select a random winner Sept 5th. If you don't leave an email in your comment, just check back Sunday.

Carrie Turansky: Inspirational Romance

CFBR: Hi, Carrie. Thanks for talking with us. Tell us about the two books you have coming out.

Carrie: Thanks for inviting me to be a guest on your blog, and thanks for asking about my two new books. 

Christmas Mail-Order Brides, is a historical inspirational romance collection of four novellas about young women who travel west in the 1880s on the new transcontinental railroad to marry men they have never met. Each bride heads for a different state on rail line, adding variety to the stories. 

My novella, A Trusting Heart, features Swedish immigrant, Annika Bergstrom, who takes the train from Chicago to Wyoming to meet a young widowed rancher with a seven-year-old daughter, but when she arrives her groom has disappeared. While she waits for his return, she finds herself falling in love with his brother, and she must decide if she will follow her heart or wait for the man she promised to marry. My co-authors are Vickie McDonough, Susan Page Davis, and Therese Stenzel. It's published by Barbour Publishing and available in stores September 1.

The second book, Seeking His Love, is a contemporary inspirational romance. It tells the story of Rachel Clark, a young teacher who moves to Fairhaven, Washington, after being falsely accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one of her students. She takes a job as director of a youth theater program and must find a new location for her group. The Fairhaven Arts Center has the ideal space, but Cameron McKenna, who oversees the center, is not eager to include her or her kids. Cam lost his wife and young son in a tragic accident five years earlier, and being around children reminds him of the guilt he still carries. When a family crisis occurs, he must temporarily care for his fourteen-year-old niece, and he needs Rachel’s help and advice. She comes along side and not only teaches him how to relate to his niece, she also shows him how to overcome his past hurts and open his heart to love again. Seeking His Love is published by Steeple Hill and available on September 28th.

CFBR: How do you use Fiction to connect people to God?

Carrie: I believe Christian fiction not only offers people a great way to relax and escape, it provides hope, encouragement, and inspiration as readers identify with the experiences of the characters, and then see how their faith is lived out. Fiction has a way of touching the heart just like the parables of Jesus did. If God's truth is skillfully woven into the story, then it can have a lasting impact on readers.

CFBR: What is your writing process? 

Carrie: I use a combination of pre-writing tools including Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake program and Susie Warren's My Book Therapy ideas. I get to know my characters, their dreams, fears, goals, desires, the lies they believe and the truths that will set them free, and then I outline the story. Each day when I sit down to write I reread a bit from the day before, lightly editing, then I continue on and work toward my word count goal. I try to turn off the internal editor and just write, knowing it is a bit stinky, but that I will be able to go back and revise. That is tough. I want it to come out perfect the first time I write, but that doesn't usually happen, and that's okay. It's better to be creative and get it down, then go back later and revise. 

CFBR: What authors do you draw inspiration from?

Carrie: I love to read! Some of my favorites are Cathy Gohlke, Trish Perry, Jan Karron, Siri Mitchell, Denise Hunter, Robin Lee Hatcher, and many others. 

CFBR: How do you market and promote your books?

Carrie: I believe the best marketing tool is to write a great book that makes readers want to buy that next book. I also believe in building relationships with readers by responding to their emails, connecting on facebook, and offering them information on my website and through newsletters to keep them informed about my books. I do a lot of online promotion through blog interviews. I give away free books all the time. This summer I took speakers training through Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference so I can improve in that area. I attend conferences and learn all I can. I promote other authors and am involved in American Christian Fiction Writers. That's a great organization for training and networking.

CFBR: Do you have any advice for aspiring Christian Fiction authors?

Carrie: I encourage aspiring authors to join ACFW. You can learn so much about the business of publishing and the skills you need to improve your writing. They have an informative e-loop, monthly classes, a great website with tons of info archived, critique groups, and a fantastic annual national conference. It's in Indianapolis this year, September 17 - 20. Visit their website for info.

After you write that first book, write a second. You learn how to write by writing and reading, so don't stop after that first book. You never know how successful you could be if you quit. I wrote 5 complete books before the first one was accepted by a publisher. That took me about 5 years. It was a huge investment, but I consider those books like going to college to study writing. And now when I look back at my first book I cringe a little, and I am glad I kept learning and growing as a writer. 

CFBR: Thank you so much for sharing with us.

CFBR: You're welcome, John. I want to invite your blog readers to come by my website for more tips for writers, info on my books, recipes, articles, a list of books I'm reading and recommend, photos, and more. Blessings and happy reading and writing!

Carrie Turansky
http://www.facebook.com/l/f9fcbi6WCU-6Ans7gyT2UxNWn0Q;www.carrieturansky.com


Available at Amazon
Seeking His Love
Christmas Mail-Order Brides

Review: Three by Ted Dekker

THREE

by Ted Dekker

TAGS: Suspense, Psychological Thriller

I read the book and saw the movie. Both moved quickly, and kept me involved from beginning to end. I personally wish Ted had connected with a better production house, but it was his first movie venture, so I have to give him credit for a valiant first attempt. Besides the less than stellar production quality, it was a great movie, and it was enough to get me to read Ted's books-- and am I ever happy for that. Ted Dekker has a straight forward, no frills writing style. If you're reading a word, he meant for you to read it. Each line lays down valuable back story, and character development. And each page leaves you compelled to turn to the next. The novel, Three, blew the movie out of the water. It was the perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and plot twits. Especially the ending. If your looking for a mind bending mystery thriller with an unforgettable ending, this is a must read.

Ted Dekker (born October 24, 1962) is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

Check it out on Amazon here: Thr3e

A prayer for this website

 
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it ...

I ask you Lord to build this house. Let this website be yours. Let its contents honor you, and its words bring hope to the hearts of all who visit. Please draw to this place those willing servants who labour to write the words you have given them. Let there be no division amongst your children. Make this a place for all to freely consider the greatness of who you are, without judgement. Your truth is water to our souls, and your ways are like a fresh spring. In you is no shifting shadow. You are a rock. Though we are ever wavering, you remain still, unchanging, our anchor through the storms of life. Bless these stories and these authors. Bless these readers, who seek your water for their dry bones. Allow them to find adventure here, and taste of the mysteries you have left for us to uncover. But most of all, allow us to amaze them, as you have amazed us.

~Amen~