Winner: Someone to Blame

The moment you've all been waiting for. And the winner iiiiiiiis!!!!  ............ You're gonna have to click the link.

This link right here ... click me.

Breach of Trust: Reviewed

BREACH OF TRUST

by DiAnn Mills

TAGS: Political Thriller

DiAnn Mills begins building mystery from the first page of Breach of Trust, a novel that weaves in adventure and suspense seamlessly with a faith-based point of view. At the heart of the novel’s mystery and suspense is main character Paige Rogers. All is not as it should be with Paige, who is hiding secrets from everyone in her small town, including her own identity. The suspense heats up when a stranger comes to town and delivers a veiled warning to Paige under the guise of conducting an interview for a magazine. From that point on, the action and suspense heats up. Believing the stranger may have been sent by a corrupt Texas business tycoon with aspirations of achieving political power, Paige is determined to expose [the tycoon], even though in doing so she may expose her own secrets and risk her life. Complicating the action is Paige’s growing awareness that she cares deeply about a local high school teacher and coach.

Breach of Trust is not one of those suspense novels readers can unravel quickly as they read—there are multiple plot twists and secondary intrigues.

Readers who love suspense, especially suspense with a political angle involving the CIA, will find this novel an unpredictable page-turner. It is a well-crafted work which leaves no doubt that the protagonist has a strong faith in Christ, and depends on Him for her protection.

Reviewer: Janice E. Daku

From DiAnne Mills (Christy Award winner) 

I had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but I didn't have the courage to take the first step. I wrote poetry and stories and even books, but as soon as they were completed, I tossed them in the trash. Looking back, I think some of them weren't so bad and maybe I should not have given up on them so soon. So if I can encourage you in whatever life holds for you, don't give up on your dreams.

Check it out on Amazon here: Breach of Trust (Call of Duty Series, Book 1)

More DiAnn Mills books on Amazon
          

C. S. Lakin: Mysteries

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We are giving away a signed copy of Someone to Blame. Contest begins SEPT12 and ends 5PM SEPT 18. The winner will be announced by video. Leave a comment for C.S.Lakin to win. And remember: we need your email address to contact you.
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CFBR: You have been busy! Congratulations on winning Zondervan's first novel contest in 2009. Tell us about your winning novel, Someone to Blame.

C.S. Lakin: Someone to Blame was the sixth novel I’d written. I’d already written three contemporary relational dramas/mysteries, one a psychological takeoff of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” her best-selling mystery. I thought it might be fun to do another based loosely on “Murder on the Orient Express.” So instead of on a train, this story is set in a small coastal town. At first I had planned to make this story primarily about the young drifter who comes to town and have him cause so much trouble the townsfolk murder him. But as I laid it out, it morphed into something much deeper and more universal. I especially got hooked with exploring the theme of blame and how we blame ourselves and others sometimes in ways that are hurtful. So the focus shifted to a family reeling from tragedy that moves to this town to heal, yet gets entangled in this drifter’s life. I love writing ensemble pieces set in a crucible, and this certainly is what happens to both Billy Thurber, the drifter, and the Moore family. Through this collision, there are unexpected repercussions of healing and grace. I originally intended it for a commercial audience, but then decided to tweak it for believers too.

CFBR: How do you build suspense?

C. S. Lakin: Any great writing teacher will tell you suspense is all about getting your readers to care about your characters. I don’t write suspense (genre) but I do try to infuse all my stories with suspense. I want readers to care so much about my characters that they are tense with anticipation over what happens next to them. In addition, I believe you must have a tight, compelling plot. As a professional copy editor and writing coach, I’d say the lack of a well-thought-out plot that has twists and surprises is a common flaw in most manuscripts I critique.

CFBR: Pick two characters from your book, and tell us about them. What makes them tick?

C. S. Lakin: I love deep, rich characters. I’m a very character-driven author. I have about fourteen POV (point of view) characters in this book, but my favorites are probably Jerry Hubble, the newly divorced motel owner who wants to stir up trouble in town and Sheriff Joe Huff, who feels a lot like Malcolm Reynolds, captain of Serenity on the Firefly series (which I happened to be watching a lot at the time of writing his scenes). Firefly fans may pick up a bit of Mal’s jargon. But Huff is his own character—a daydreaming wishes-he-really-was-retired sheriff trying to keep the town of Breakers from falling apart as all the crimes escalate. I’d like to do a spinoff book featuring Huff, so it may happen one day. Hubble nurses a lot of anger at his ex-wife and directs it toward everyone else.

CFBR: Tell us about your upcoming fantasy series, and the first book The Wolf of Tebron.

C. S. Lakin: The Gates of Heaven collection of fairy tales is my true heart song. I prayed and asked God what I should write, where I could best reach hearts and change lives, lead people to him. He told me to write fairy tales in the style of C. S. Lewis. Really. No, God doesn’t talk to me directly (he did though in a dream telling me to write Conundrum, which was intense, and a story for another time…) but he led me clearly to see that I was to write a very unique, specific type of fantasy series. So many people love Narnia but there is nothing like it out there. No one is doing full-length fairy tales. I was introduced to Orthodoxy, by Chesterton, and in it he has a chapter all about how fairy tales are the most important books ever written. By the time I finished the chapter, I knew it had been written for me. All I can say is, you have never read fairy tales like these! I take traditional elements from famous fairy tales, but alter then into new stories, deep, intense, evocative. I love being able to play with imagery and language, as I’ve been a huge fantasy fan all my life. Some of my contemporary mystery technique spills over into my fantasy, as my characters are deep and complex and there is always a mystery to be solved (riddles, lost scrolls, ancient sayings and curses…) I believe adults especially will love sinking their teeth into these rich tales. As Lewis sais “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” So true. You can learn all about the series, all the ideas behind it, more on fairy tales at www.gatesofheavenseries.com The first book, The Wolf of Tebron, is out and getting great reviews.

CFBR: And if those two projects weren't enough, you're novel Innocent Little Crimes was a finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Awards.

C. S. Lakin: Innocent Little Crimes is the book I mentioned earlier—based on the other Christie book. I wrote it many years ago and it’s for the commercial market, as are all the rest of my novels. My agent is trying to sell that one, along with two others. The contest was fun and finaling earned it a full read by Publisher’s Weekly. They called it a thrill ride that leaves readers holding their breaths until the end.  All my mysteries are heavy on exploring the psychological aspects of humanity—what pushes people over the edge, how they deal with unmet needs. I’m presently starting a new novel—a modern-day take on the story of Jacob and Joseph called Intended for Harm. I am amazed at how this book is shaping up and how God has led me to explore my version of Jacob. Everyone focuses on Joseph, but no one has really looked at what makes Jacob tick—his flaw of showing favoritism to one son—that tore his family apart, and a twin who felt rejected by his father. This one is going to be deep and literary too. I’m almost done with book four also in the fantasy series: The Unraveling of Wentwater, which is all about the power of words. A lot of fun.

CFBR: You have written so many books, and you are just now bursting on to the scenes. Share with our readers the complexities of your writing journey.

C. S. Lakin: I hope bursting is really true! I’ve been writing and been agented for over 23 years! Yes! I quit after my third novel didn’t sell. Gave up, very discouraged for about ten years. I wasn’t a Christian then. The odds are way against anyone breaking in. And then I turned it all over to God. I prayed hard for him to revive my passion for writing. I’d been through a horrible family betrayal, lots of loss. I felt numb, worthless, uncreative. I’ve never seen God answer any of my prayers with such immediacy and confirmation. Literally, he just set my heart on fire to write (be careful what you pray for…) and I’m feeling so blessed. Not because he’s open doors to having my books published as much as he is so kind and gracious to care about what is in our hearts. I do believe all my life experiences occurred to be fodder for my writing—that he knows how our lives will play out and our dream and purpose in him. What’s exciting is to ask him to show you what that is and then go with it with all your heart. I know now that it was his plan all along for me to become a novelist and writing coach, to write these books and be faithful to the dream he’s put me in. It is a very different viewpoint that when I was not a believer. Now I don’t stress or worry about my “career.” It is going to be exactly what God wants, not what I want. I could go on about this, but you get my drift.

CFBR: How do your books connect readers with God?

C. S. Lakin: Well, having lived in the dark world most of my life, I feel a strong desire to reach those who don’t know God. Yet, I’m very sensitive to how much a turnoff most CBA books are to unbelievers. Well, many are to me too because of their preachy arrogant style. I am not interested in preaching to the saved or just entertaining to make money. I feel passionately about God and how tough this life is. How the road to God is one of not just searching but groping for God. It can be messy, painful, agonizing, confusing, frustrating, heartrending—in fact, it usually is. God put us on this planet to learn some important stuff and you don’t learn it by just reading a book. You learn it by living life. I love it that the Bible is a collection of people who encountered God and then told about their experience. In a way, that’s what I do as a novelist—I let what I’ve experienced about God spill out through the stories I tell. Many of my books don’t mention God or faith. But I explore what being a fallen human sinner is like and what things are important—forgiveness, grace, hope, trust. Sometimes this leads to a discussion about faith, but not always.

Even so, God’s spirit works on so many levels. Sometimes all a person needs to do to get to God is read about a mother who welcomes back a wayward child. Maybe they haven’t spoken to their child in years. Maybe this moves them toward reconciliation. Maybe later, God uses this experience to help this mother see how God has open arms for her, despite what she’s done. I think we’ve all seen God do amazing things and use unlikely people and circumstances to bring people to him. And if you haven’t personally seen this, just read the Bible. There are plenty of examples in there!

CFBR: We are so happy for you. You have quite a talent, and we are excited to see what the Lord is going to do with your books! 

C.S.Lakin: I come from a family of successful writers, i.e.: they have actually made a living writing books and television scripts. I have finally landed my first fiction contract, after winning the Zondervan First Novel contest at Mount Hermon in April 2009. But as a friend once said, "God doesn't call us to be successful; He calls us to be faithful." My prayer is to keep focused on God--it's all about Him, not me, and my dream is to reach people with hope and that means to extol my faithful and loving God to my readers.

Winner: Daniel and the Sea Serpent

Thank you all for playing. Congratulations to the winner. Click the link below, and enjoy!

Here's the winner!

Christian Science Fiction

Is there a place for Christian Science Fiction? The universe depicted in Star Trek tells us we are evolving, and that there are some civilizations behind us, and others so far advanced, we would consider their peoples gods. In Star Wars we see good and evil set in balance, and God as nothing more than an impersonal force. In Battlestar Galactica the Cylons believe in a singular god, while the humans believe in multiple gods. The world is full of such stories- stories of futures far beyond our present time, where God's plan is little more than a distant memory, and we as Christians go to these places in our minds eye. We spend time with the inhabitants of other planets, though God doesn't speak of any created being beyond man. We envision the creation of cybernetic shells which will one day have the capacity to contain the essence of who we are, yet have the advantage of immortality. Does this not have an effect on us?

I am of the opinion, that Christian Science Fiction is vital. The overwhelming influence of Darwinian Science Fiction alone merits the needs for Christian authors to put pen to paper. We must offer stories which depict creation as the underlying truth. This world needs more books which tell the story of immortal life as a dark tragedy, rather than something to desire. Yet the Science Fiction author must contend with the ever judgmental eye of the Christian audience. As authors we are only human, and cannot spin perfect tales. There will be imperfections. But do we throw the baby out with the bathwater? Can we not get more insight and truth from a writer who loves God, than from a writer who denies His existence? What are your thoughts?

____________________________________________________________________________

John Michael Hileman: is the Managing Editor of Christian Fiction Book Reviews. He is also a television producer, author, and columnist. His first novel, VRIN: ten mortal gods, is available where books are sold. His second novel, Messages, will hit the streets in the 4th quarter of 2010.

Book Giveaway

To enter into the drawing and win a copy of Daniel and the Sea Serpent, leave a comment here, or on Scott's interview below. If you have any problems with your comment appearing within an hour or two, send me an email: christianfictionBR [@] gmail [dot] com. Thanks for stopping by.

Scott Sheets: Children's Adventure

CFBR: Hi Scott, thanks for joining us. Tell us about Daniel and the Sea Serpent.

Scott: Daniel and the Sea Serpent details the adventure of a desert dwelling thirteen-year-old boy named Daniel. He has dreamed of sailing on the ocean for as long as he can remember, which never made sense to him because he lived in the desert. Through a bizarre series of events, he’s thrust out to sea on an ancient ship where he discovers the lost scroll of his people and meets a massive sea serpent named Seneca. If he hopes to survive, he must discern the truth between the scroll and the serpent.

CFBR: What can kids learn from reading it?

Scott: My hope is that they will learn they can trust God’s word no matter the circumstances they may find themselves in.

CFBR: What are the Christian themes of the book?

Scott: You will find the themes of truth, sacrifice, and forgiveness in the book. You won’t find an explicit gospel message spelled out, but you will find the importance and authority of God’s word emphasized and allusion to Christ’s sacrifice.

CFBR: Is there a hook in the first chapter, if so, what is?

Scott: If I don’t have a hook, then I’m in trouble. Daniel’s dreams are mentioned in the first paragraph, and by the end of the first chapter, he discovers a mysterious object buried deep in the sand that he has to identify. Those that have read it have said that it’s one of those books you don’t want to put down. I hope others will also find that to be the case.

CFBR: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Scott: Our family was on vacation and my oldest son asked me to tell them a story to pass the time as we traveled. Each night, he asked me to tell the next chapter in the story. By the time we arrived back home, I began to think that there was some potential in the storyline. The story went through a number of revisions and modifications, but the kernel of the story began on that vacation.

CFBR: What has surprised you most as a first time author?

Scott: The amount of work involved in rewriting and marketing. The oft repeated saying is true, “There are no good writers; there are only good rewriters.” I honestly don’t know how many times I went through the story and changed a character or tweaked a scene. It seemed like a never ending process. But now that that’s done, I’ve discovered marketing involves as much work if not more. Writing the first draft, in many ways, is the easy part.

CFBR: How many books are you planning for this series?

Scott: I’m planning three books for sure, but I’m also toying with the possibility of doing a couple back story novels that I think would be exciting in and of themselves. Right now I’m focused on book two. It’s an exciting plot that I’m eager to finish. I’m hoping to have it available by next spring or early next summer.

CFBR: What do you hope to accomplish with this series?

Scott: This is going to be a two-part answer. I hope that the books themselves might encourage youth to look to God’s word as the source of truth, and learn they can trust in God. But I’m also hoping to fund an adoption through the proceeds of the series. There’s a minor storyline about orphans in the novel, and in the time since I wrote the first draft, the Lord has laid it on our family’s heart to pursue adoption. As an adoptee myself, I would love the opportunity to provide a family for a child who needs one.

That is definitely a worthy cause. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us

Available at Amazon

Winner of Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Here we have the exciting, and immensely entertaining-- for some-- grand drawing video for Starlighter, by Bryan Davis. I'd like to thank everyone who left comments, and I truly wish I could have given a book to everyone who signed up. Perhaps someday I will be made of money, and I can. Actually, if I were made of money, I'd probably rip off my arm and buy a heated swimming pool-- the Lord is still working on me. Anyway, I digress!

Congratulations to the winner! This was a lot of fun. Check back for future giveaways, and other great interviews.

See the video here

The winner of Seeking His Love

Click here to find out the winner.

I posted the wonderfully suspenseful, and professionally made, grand drawing video, on Youtube. I'd like to thank everyone who participated in the drawing. If, for any reason, we cannot contact the winner, or don't hear back from him or her in a week, we will choose a winner from the remaining posters. Congratulations to ... oops. I almost said it! *wags finger* you'll have to check the video to find out who won.

The contests are closed

We have closed the giveaways for Seeking His Love and Starlighter, pending the results. We would like to thank you all for being a part of this exciting event. Check back later today or tomorrow to see the videos, and see who won!

Tom Pawlik: Thrillers

CFBR: Tell us about Valley of the Shadow?

Tom: It's the sequel to my first novel "Vanish" and continues the story of the main characters. I was hesitant to write a sequel because I really liked the way "Vanish" ended-- with a lack of resolution to Mitch's story. But it gave me a chance to develope the concepts introduced in "Vanish" and write some scenes I had originally planned.

CFBR: Can you give us a taste of what we can expect?

Tom: Sure.

Conner Hayden fought his way through the woods. Branches snapped at his passing, disintegrating into puffs of dust, as if every drop of moisture had been sucked out of them. Tendrils of mist curled around his legs like serpents seeking to pull him to the ground. He could feel their weight as he struggled to walk. But he had to press onward. He had to keep going.

He had been here before.

Darkness fell around him like a thick blanket, almost smothering him. His chest pounded as much from the strain of his movement as from the fear rising inside him.

He knew what was out there.

But he heard no voices this time. No ghostly whispers from the dark, save one. One single, moaning plea.

Help me!

His breath came in steamy puffs. The passing branches lashed at him like razors, slicing into his hands and face. The trees seemed to lean their gnarled limbs into his path, blocking his way and closing in again behind him. He would never find his way out.

Please, someone help me!

"Mitch!" Conner hissed through his teeth. For two months Mitch Kent's face had haunted his dreams. The thought of the young man he barely knew, trapped inside this place-trapped between life and death-gnawed at him day and night. Conner had to help him. This was his sole mission. This was the reason God had saved him. Brought him back from the dead. Back from the edge of the abyss.

A light flickered between the twisted branches. Conner lowered his head, threw his arm across his face, and plowed through. The trees seemed to claw at him like a swarm of angry cats. He almost thought he heard them hissing as if not wanting him to pass. Trying desperately to keep him from moving forward. It was the only way he could tell he was headed in the right direction. It seemed to be the one place they didn't want him to go.

Conner stumbled into the clearing and found himself staring at the old cabin. Again. It stood weathered and barren, the roof sagging under its own weight. A dull, orange light poured out from the crusted glass of the single window in the front.

He stepped closer. "Mitch?"

Help!

Conner peered through the window. The cabin was empty, just as he remembered it. He cracked the door open and slipped inside. And winced. The odor flooded his nostrils like an overflowing sewer. He turned toward the door, gagging. His head swam from the stench. This was not what he remembered.

Conner gathered himself and inspected the interior more closely. The wood-burning stove poured out a sickly orange light. But there was no heat.

"Mitch, where are you? It's me. It's Conner."

Something thumped against the wood. Conner spun around. The doorway stood open and empty. Nothing moved in the darkness outside.

There was a second thump and a sharp crack. The entire cabin shuddered. Then something burst through the floorboards directly in front of him, splintering the wood. An arm reached up. [short, wonderfully scary description omitted, for the sake of the kids reading] A skeletal hand gripped Conner's ankle like a bear trap. He couldn't move. The stench flowed up stronger now, overpowering him. His eyes rolled back, and the cabin seemed to sway beneath him. Conner tumbled backward onto the floor, but the hand kept its grip.

A second arm burst through the boards and clutched his hair. Then two more crashed through, pinning his shoulders to the floor. Conner screamed. . . .

He sat up straight. Chest heaving.

The cabin dissolved into the shadows of his bedroom as Conner gasped for breath. Cold sweat soaked his T-shirt. He felt something stir beside him.

Marta rolled over and reached for the nightstand lamp. "Connie?" Her voice was hoarse with sleep. She sat up and slipped her arm around him, pressing her hand lightly against his sternum. She held it there as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. "Was it the dream again?"

Conner could feel his heart pounding under her hand. He sucked air into his lungs, deep and slow. He had to control his breathing. He had to calm himself. Finally he nodded. "Yeah. The same one."

"Can I get you anything?"

"No." His heart rate began to slow. He rubbed his eyes and lay down again. "I'm all right."

He closed his eyes but could still feel Marta's stare. She was worried about him; he could tell. More so than usual. In the two months since his heart attack, he hadn't made it through more than three consecutive nights without having that dream. But he'd only described it to her in vague terms. He didn't want to give her the details. He didn't want her to press him with questions about his "experience" during the heart attack.

Because he hadn't told her everything.

CFBR: What inspirational message or messages can people draw from Valley of the Shadow?

Tom: Both books are about choices and how the decisions we make in life can have profound effects on the direction our lives take. It's also about letting go of the emotional baggage we sometimes carry with us through life-- about learning to forgive and ask for forgiveness. And how, if left unchecked, hate can grow inside our hearts and choke off  all of our other relationships.

CFBR: Can you tell us a little about your journey as a writer? I hear you won Operation First Novel. We would love to hear about that too.

Tom: I've always dreamed of being a writer, ever since the fourth grade. But I never pursued it seriously, because the chances of ever getting published just seemed so remote. I made my first attempt at a novel in 1997, from a short story I had written in college. I tried the usual routes to get it published for several years, but didn't have any luck. Finally in 2003 I stumbled across the Christian Writers Guild and the Operation 1st Novel Contest. I submitted that book and was pleasantly suprised to come in 2nd. That contest got the interest of my agent, Les Stobbe who shopped the book around for the next couple years--again with no luck. During that time I began working on my second novel, "Vanish" and shopped that to various publishers as well. Still no luck. Then, somewhat discouraged, I entered it in the 1st Novel contest in 2006 and went on to win. Needless to say, that was an awesome event.

"Vanish" was published in 2007 and even won a Christy Award that year. Tyndale has expressed an interest in further story ideas so I've been able to get the sequel published and I'm currently working on a third novel, due out in April 2011.

CFBR: Now that you are published through Tyndale House Publishing, what promotion do you do on your own?

Tom: I've done a few book signings on my own, and a couple radio interviews. It is definitely true that getting published is just the beginning of the work.

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

Tom: Check out the Christian Writers Guild. It's a first class ministry dedicated to helping aspiring Christian authors perfect the craft and get published. They also offer a critique service that will give you a good idea of how publishable your writing skills are. And their writing courses are top notch, pairing you up with mentors in the publishing industry who can offer professional feedback on your work. I heartily recommend them.

CFBR: We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do with your books. Keep 'em coming.

Tom Pawlik is a highly imaginative Christy Award-winning author from Tyndale House Publishers. His first novel, "Vanish" won the Operation First Novel Contest sponsored by the Christian Writers Guild and Tyndale House. Released in June 2008, "Vanish" went on to win a Christy Award in the Visionary category. His follow up sequel, "Valley of the Shadow" was released in June of 2009. His third novel, "Beckon" is due out in early 2011.

Available at Amazon

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.