In the Field of Grace

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing In The Field of Grace River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2014) by Tessa Afshar

MY THOUGHTS: Loved, loved, loved this book! It's one of my new favorites. Tessa Afshar has taken a well-known favorite story from the Bible and given it life. Of course I knew how it ended, but I couldn't put this book down! I loved the way Tessa developed the characters and side stories to make one of the most beloved stories truly come to life. 

This is historical fiction at its best!


 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TESSA AFSHAR was voted "New Author of the Year" by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader's Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation.

But God has other plans for her life. While everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.

Based on the biblical account of Ruth, In the Field of Grace is the story of a love that ultimately changes the course of Israel's destiny and the future of the whole world.


If you would like to read the first chapter of In The Field of Grace, go HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising." 

Firewall

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Firewall Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2014) by DiAnn Mills

MY THOUGHTS:
LOVED this book! DiAnn Mills is a fabulous suspense writer, and this is her best book yet. The depth of the plot, the speed of the action, and the commitment of the characters to resolve the multiple crises are unsurpassed.

This is a book that is almost impossible to put down -- don't plan to read it if you have other commitments!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops.

DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills


ABOUT THE BOOK

After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.

Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?

With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Firewall, go HERE.

Love Comes Home

Love Comes Home
by
Ann H. Gabhart

MY THOUGHTS:
This is a story of love and redemption set post World War II. It is the third and last book in a series. I did not get to read the first two books, Angel Sister and Small Town Girl, and that had a big impact on my perspectives of the book. While you wouldn't necessarily have to read the first two books, I'd highly recommend it. There are apparently important back stories that significantly impact this last book.

I loved the cast of characters in the book! It is set in a small town, and the town of Rosey Corner has interesting folk. Each is well developed and lovable in his or her own way. Ann Gabhart takes you beyond initial perception into the heart of each in a fascinating way.

This is more of a romance story than a historical novel, and it is a fun read.

ABOUT THE BOOK (from the back cover):
World War II is finally over and the people of Rosey Corner are joyfully welcoming the boys home. The Merritt sisters in particular are looking toward the future. Kate is eager to start a family and live out her dream of happily ever after with Jay. Evangeline craves a beautiful house and encourages Mike to pastor a big-town church. Victoria wants what can never be. And Lorena is growing up and wondering more and more about her birth family.

Each sister must learn to hold her plans with a loose hand, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they share the joys and sorrows of life in their little corner of the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Atlas Girl

Atlas Girl
by
Emily T. Wierenga


MY THOUGHTS:
This is a heartfelt memoir of Emily Wierenga's search for God and self. She bares her faults, longings, failures, and dreams, and leads the reader to a deeper sense of God.

That said, I had a difficult time with this book. Emily weaves past and present together in a way that seemed somewhat confusing to me. I had to continually go back and forth to figure out where in the world she was, who some people were, and what the time frame was of the chapter.

I appreciated her authenticity and transparency in her search for God. She gives a perspective that one doesn't often see -- how a missionary's daughter and Bible college graduate, too, can question her faith and lose sight of the end goal.

ABOUT THE BOOK (from the back cover):
Emily Wierenga left home at age eighteen with no intention of ever returning. Broken down by organized religion, a childhood battle with anorexia, and her parents' rigidity, she set out to find God somewhere else -- anywhere else. Her travels took her across three continents in buses cars, and planes, across mountains and over deep blue seas.

What she hadn't realized was that her faith was waiting for her the whole time -- in the place she least expected it.

Poignant and passionate, Atlas Girl is a deeply personal story of the yearning we all share to be truly known, entirely forgiven, and utterly loved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author, and blogger at www.emilywierenga.com. She speaks regularly about her journey with anorexia and lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Trenton, and their two sons.

Death Takes a Ride

Death Takes A Ride
by
Lorena McCourtney


MY THOUGHTS:
Another winner by Lorena McCourtney! I'm not sure you can legally call this a cozy mystery anymore since the main character is now a Private Eye, but it has that feel. This is the third book in the series The Cate Kinkaid Files, but honestly you wouldn't have to read the first two books to enjoy it.

I love how Cate gets herself into crazy scenarios, through no fault of her own, and how she uses her intelligence, gut feel, and tenacity to get through some really tough situations. The story is very well written and Lorena always surprises me with the ending.

I hope this series goes on for a LONG time!

You can buy the book here.

ABOUT THE BOOK (from the back cover):
It's official. This case is above her pay grade -- and Cate's in over her head.  Cate Kinkaid arrives at H&B Vintage Auto Restorations to give a friend a ride. But, as usual, trouble finds Cate even there -- this time in the form of one dead man, one wounded man, and what appears to be a pretty obvious case of self-defense.

Despite having been merely an unfortunate bystander, Cate finds herself sucked into the case. Ad the deeper she gets, the more she begins to suspect that the shooting in the H&B office may not have been as cut-and-dried as it appeared.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney takes you o a wild ride in this clever cozy mystery that will keep you guessing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lorena McCourtney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Invisible (which won a Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), Dying to Read, and Dolled Up to Die. She resides in Oregon. Learn more at www.lorenamccourtney.com

Plain Faith

Plain Faith
by
Irene & Ora Jay Eash
with Tricia Goyer



MY THOUGHTS:
This is the true story of an Amish family that survives a terrible tragedy, seeking God in a deeper way as a result. They are strong in the Amish faith, but start to realize that maybe there is more. More grace, more freedom, more relationship.

I was fascinated with this book. I enjoy the genre of Amish fiction, but loved the honest peek into their world. This book caused me to evaluate my own level of faith and understanding of God, resulting in a deeper commitment to my relationship with Him.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about other cultures or is examining his or her own faith.

See the trailer and meet the Eash's here


ABOUT THE BOOK:
This is the true story of Ora-Jay and Irene Eash, Amish farmers from northwest Montana whose lives changed in an instant when a semi-truck struck the family buggy, killing their two young daughters. After the accident, the couple turned to their Amish community for comfort, but they remained haunted by the thought that they might not see their girls again in heaven. Would their deeds be good enough?
Eventually Ora-Jay and Irene learned that grace—not works—was enough to ensure their place in eternity. But with that knowledge came the realization that they could no longer live in an Amish community that didn’t share this precious belief. Could they sever their connection to the Amish family they loved? This is the story of their journey to the hope that is heaven, a hope stronger than the loss of children, family, and a way of life.
“Fans of Amish fiction will appreciate such a real-life look into the Amish community, co-written by bestselling author Tricia Goyer, and readers of all kinds will resonate with this tale of courage, resilience, and the redemption found in the grace of Jesus.”


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Ora Jay ad Irene Eash live in Northwest Montana where they have a small horse farm, offering sleigh and wagon rides. Six of their nine children are married and they have six grandchildren,. You can find out more at www.cripplecreekhorseranch.com

USA Today bestselling author Tricia Goyer is the author of 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors Series. She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high-traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com