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Monday, February 29, 2016

Weekly Giveaway Link-up #93

Welcome to Weekly Giveaway Link-up hosted by Crystal @ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl and me. This is a linky where you can submit your blog's Christian book and book-related giveaways and find other giveaways. A new link-up will be posted every Monday.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Weekly Giveaway Link-up #92

Welcome to Weekly Giveaway Link-up hosted by Crystal @ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl and me. This is a linky where you can submit your blog's Christian book and book-related giveaways and find other giveaways. A new link-up will be posted every Monday.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Interview & Giveaway!! The Union of the North and the South by Ann Mock!


Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Ann!! Will you tell us a little about yourself? 
Award-winning author Ann Mock lives in Florida with her husband Dave and her faithful companion, Happy. In 2015 "The Union of the North and the South" earned Honorable Mention from Readers' Favorite international book award contest in the Romance-Christian category.
She was also very pleased when "The Union of the North and the South" received the Readers' Favorite five-star seal in 2014.

What is your novel, The Union of the North and the South, about?
Romance and suspense come alive in this uplifting Christian novel set in the South in the 1870s.

The reader will fall in love with the intriguing story of Laura who overcomes personal tragedy, and is forced to hide a secret that, if revealed, will cause her great heartache. Amidst the revitalized social scene of a South recovering from the War Between the States, Laura has to sacrifice one of her most precious desires in order to protect someone she loves above all else.  Yet as the world around the Malcolm family improves they are also forced to overcome numerous challenges. Sitting on the banks of the Mississippi, Oak Grove, the ancestral home of the family, and the oaks that shaded it symbolize the Malcolms’ courage, resilience, and strength. Can Laura make her enemies become allies as she confronts her secret and finds the strength to forgive as well as to love again?

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? 
I like to write with my dog Happy sitting in my lap.

Where do you like to write?
In my Lazy-boy chair.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? 
I enjoy ballroom dancing and cruising on oceans and rivers both in Europe and the United States.

What is your favorite genre to read and why? 
Christian romances

What is your least favorite genre to read?
horror/erotica

Is there a place you'd like to visit, but haven’t yet?
Iceland

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
23rd Psalm

What is your favorite holiday? 
Christmas

What is your favorite season and why is it your fav?
Spring. Pretty flowers.


Enter for a chance to win an AUDIO BOOK copy of The Union of the North and the South! Giveaway is open internationally and ends 3/3/16.

How to enter: Sign into the Giveaway Tools form below (it might take a moment to load) and submit each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!



Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Review: Game Over by Andrew Klavan


About the book:
This time, there’s no escape from The Realm. 

The MindWar Realm is a computerized world created by a deranged terrorist named Kurodar. Built through a link between Kurodar’s mind and a network of supercomputers, The Realm is a pathway through which the madman can project himself into any computer system on the planet.

Twice before, Rick Dial has entered the Realm as a Mind Warrior and come back alive. But now, something has gone terribly wrong. A connection has formed in Rick’s brain that sends him hurtling into The Realm without his consent—and brings the Realm’s monsters into the Real World.

As Kurodar works to turn Rick’s brain to his own purposes, Rick’s waking and sleeping life is ravaged by terrors he never imagined.

Rick knows he has no choice but to face The Realm’s final and most powerful protector. But can Rick destroy MindWar without destroying himself and the people he loves?

My rating:
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(View my rating system)
My thoughts:

Monday, February 15, 2016

Weekly Giveaway Link-up #91

Welcome to Weekly Giveaway Link-up hosted by Crystal @ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl and me. This is a linky where you can submit your blog's Christian book and book-related giveaways and find other giveaways. A new link-up will be posted every Monday.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Review: Thin Ice by Irene Hannon



About the book:
After losing her parents in a car accident and her sister to a house fire, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Life is finally starting to feel normal again when an envelope arrives in the mail--addressed in her sister's handwriting. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case, but he's coming up with more questions than answers. If Ginny Reed is still alive--who is the woman buried in her grave? Where is Ginny? And is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game--or the target of a sinister plot? As he digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: whoever is behind the bizarre ruse has a deadly agenda.

Bestselling author and two-time Christy Award finalist Irene Hannon warms readers' hearts as they root for a romance between Lance and Christy, but she pulls out all the stops as this high-stakes thriller chills to the bone in a race to the finish.

My rating:
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(View my rating system)
My thoughts:

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Review: The Express Rider's Lady by Stacy Henrie


About the book:
Westward Wedding Journey 

Delsie Radford is going to make it to California, no matter the danger or difficulty. Her father may have kept her and her sister apart, but Delsie refuses to miss her sister's wedding—even with only eighteen days to get there. And she's found the perfect escort in Pony Express rider Myles Patton.

Myles can't believe it when a pretty socialite hires him to take her cross-country through rough terrain and dangerous territory. Surely she'll quit before they reach their destination—he's known girls like her before. But the longer they ride together, the more Myles notices Delsie's toughness and kindness beneath her polished exterior. And though they may be worlds apart…they might just be perfect for each other.

My rating:
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(View my rating system)
My thoughts:

Monday, February 8, 2016

Weekly Giveaway Link-up #90

Welcome to Weekly Giveaway Link-up hosted by Crystal @ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl and me. This is a linky where you can submit your blog's Christian book and book-related giveaways and find other giveaways. A new link-up will be posted every Monday.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Party Recap!


Christian Bookshelf Reviews' 5-Year Blogoversary Party is over, but the giveaways are open until the 15th. Hope you guys all had fun participating and I hope we can have another party next year. :)

Here's a recap of the party:

Saturday, February 6, 2016

5-Year Blogoversary Celebration! Day 6 | Interview with Nadine Brandes & Giveaway!


Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Nadine! Will you share a little about yourself and your latest book? Why thank you, Melanie! And congratulations on your Blogoversary!! *squeal* I can shower you in confetti or cookies…your choice. ;-)

*ahem*

I’m a booknerd and a dork. We’ll start with that. My favorite hobby is adventuring and I’ve been writing adventure novels since I could hold a pen. My latest book that released is A Time to Speak, the second book in my dystopian trilogy (book 3 releases this fall! Eee!) It’s the story about a world where everyone knows the day they’re going to die and my main character has only a year left to make something of her life.

Hubby is my fellow adventurer and brainstormer. He and I live in Idaho with no pets, no kids (aside from the 20+ teens who come play games with us every Friday.), and a lot of snow.

What do you hope readers come away with after reading your newest story?
Oh man. This is my favorite book of the series, so I could talk a long time (but I won’t…) I hope readers come away inspired to be bold! It’s totally scary to step up and be bold or make a stand, but it’s so worth it when you’re standing for Christ and being an example of shalom. *deep breath*
We are all meant for something great, because God doesn’t write mediocre or bland stories. But it’s up to us to pursue that greatness and He’ll lead us. Parvin (my main character) finally does this in A Time to Speak and she rocks it. :P (In my opinion.)

Do you find it more fun to write stand-alones or series? 
I’ve never written a standalone, but I’m in the process of plotting one and I really like it. I love reading standalone because I feel like they pack a much stronger punch than books in a series. So…I’ll try my hand at a standalone and let you know! All I’m sure of so far is that series are really hard to write.

Who are some of your favorite authors whose books have never disappointed you?
Marissa Meyer! If you haven’t read The Lunar Chronicles do it now! They’re phenomenal. Also Jill Williamson, though I haven’t read everything she’s written. But I’ve read most of it and every book is so unique and perfectly developed. My favorite series is the Blood of Kings Trilogy. Lastly, I love Rae Carson’s writing. It’s tight, it’s clean, and it’s very unique.


What's the last thing you celebrated, not including birthdays or holidays?
*blushes*
Well, my jaw is still on the floor for this one, but my debut novel A Time to Die won the ACFW Carol Award. It was a big deal—full-length gown, banquet, speech and everything. Phew! The nerves! (Don’t worry, I had my inhaler with me. :P ) So my entire family basically drowned me in celebrations. It was such an enormous honor and I still tear up at the thought.
I can’t even.

Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what was your favorite book growing up?

Friday, February 5, 2016

5-Year Blogoversary Celebration! Day 5 | Interview with Liz Johnson & Giveaway!


Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Liz! Will you share a little about yourself and your latest book?
Thanks for having me! I love stories with heart, humor, and happily ever afters. By day I’m a marketing manager for a nonfiction team at a Christian publisher in Nashville. I find time to write late at night and always have stories to tell.

My newest book, The Red Door Inn, tells the story of Marie Carrington, who is broke, desperate, and hoping to find sanctuary on Prince Edward Island while decorating a renovated bed-and-breakfast. Seth Sloane moved three thousand miles to help restore his uncle's Victorian B and B—and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart. He wasn't expecting to have to babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her.

The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just two months will take everything they've got--and they have to find a way to work together. In the process, they may find something infinitely sweeter than they ever imagined on this island of dreams.

Have you visited Prince Edward Island, the setting for your new series?
Yes! I’ve been to PEI four times. It’s my favorite place in the world. Many years ago, I told my mom that I would take her to PEI when I sold my first book. She got me hooked on Anne of Green Gables when I was young, so I thought it would be a fitting way to celebrate my first book contract. But no one told me that I wouldn’t make much money on my first book, so we had to wait for my second contract. We went the first time for five days in September of 2010. And immediately started planning our next trip. My sister joined us for the second and third trip, and on our last trip, my oldest niece joined us.

I fell in love with PEI the first time I set foot on the island, and I hope that I shared a little bit of that in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series.

What do you hope readers come away with after reading your newest story?
I hope that readers will be reminded that God is present in our lives, especially during the hard times. He is our good Father, who loves us more than we can imagine.

Do you find it more fun to write stand-alones or series?
I love writing both stand-alone books and series. Single titles are fun because they often stretch me out of my comfort zone. I generally build a series around secondary characters. I love getting to tell each of their stories and catching up with characters from previous books. In my new series all the characters meet through the Red Door Inn, and I love reconnecting with them in each book.

Who are some of your favorite authors whose books have never disappointed you?
I have a number of favorites, including Julie Klassen, Karen Witemeyer, and Meg Cabot. I always look forward to their new books and have reread their backlist titles many times.

What's the last thing you celebrated, not including birthdays or holidays?
This last year has been filled with numerous writing deadlines, and I try to celebrate every milestone—even the little ones. When I met my last deadline in November, I celebrated by taking a day off of work and inviting some friends over for pizza and one of our favorite movies. We laughed and talked and just enjoyed a low-key day. It was a simple celebration, but very encouraging after a long lineup of deadlines.

Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what was your favorite book growing up?

Thursday, February 4, 2016

5-Year Blogoversary Celebration! Day 4 | Interview with Susan Sleeman & 3-Book Giveaway!



Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Susan! Will you share a little about yourself and your latest book?

I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and Christian. I have lived in nine states, two of them twice, and I currently live in the beautiful state of Oregon. I write romantic suspense and mystery books for both the Christian market and the general market. I am a computer nerd at heart. I love to work on my websites, and I host the Christian/clean read mystery and suspense book review site, www.thesuspensezone.com. And I love to garden.

My latest book is High-Caliber Holiday, which is book three in my First Responder seriesFirst Responders is a six book series about a fictional elite First Response Squad in Portland, Oregon. The team includes two hostage negotiators, a sniper, a bomb technician, an EMT, and a commanding officer. The team members not only work together, but they also live together in a remodeled historic firehouse donated to the county.

High-Caliber Holiday features team sniper Brady Owens. When ex-lawyer Morgan Thorsby is held hostage on a train, she finds her powers of persuasion failing her for the first time. Former marine sniper Brady Owens is her only hope—but his split-second hesitation on the trigger leaves her wounded. Yet when an obsessed stalker threatens Morgan, Brady steps up and hopes to catch the culprit in time for Christmas.

What do you hope readers come away with after reading your newest story?
The entire First Responders series is about finding peace in the midst of struggles. So often, when hardship sets in, we lose our peace. To be on such a high-pressure first response team, member must have great self-control and not get flustered or react to events in a highly emotional way, which means they bury their personal turmoil and conflict and are in need of peace in their lives. I hope their search for peace helps readers find that they can be peaceful in times of need, too.

Do you find it more fun to write stand-alones or series? 
I love to write series. In fact, I have never written a stand-alone book. I love to write families, or characters who are part of a pseudo family, like in my First Responders series. I love the interaction between the characters connected in a series. I think it adds depth to the books and to the characterization of the characters.

Who are some of your favorite authors whose books have never disappointed you?
Great question, but asking me to list my favorite authors is like asking me to choose between my children. I have so many favorites, I just can’t do it. J

What's the last thing you celebrated, not including birthdays or holidays?
That would have to be contracting a new series with FaithWords, an imprint of Hachette publishing. This is a series about another special team, an FBI Critical Incident Response Team. All team members are former military and they stand ready to deploy within four hours, anytime and anywhere, to mitigate the highest-priority threats facing our nation. Book 1 is tentatively titled Fatal Mistake and is scheduled to release in April 2016. Here’s a description of the book.
Each day could be her last…
Tara Parrish is the only person ever to survive an attack by the Lone Wolf Bomber. Scared and emotionally scarred by her near death, she goes into hiding with only one plan. To stay alive for another day, because she knows he’s coming after her, and if he finds her, he will finish what he started.

But not if he can help it.
Special Agent Cal Riggins has had only one goal for the past six months—to save lives by ending the Lone Wolf’s bombing spree. To succeed, he needs the help of Tara Parrish, the one person whose unforgettable memory can lead them to the bomber. Cal puts his all into finding Tara, but once he locates her, he realizes if he can find her, the Lone Wolf can, too. Now Cal’s goal changes. Protect Tara at all costs and make no mistakes while hunting down the bomber, as one wrong move could be fatal.


Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what was your favorite book growing up?

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

5-Year Blogoversary Celebration! Day 3 | Chesapeake Bay Fun Facts with Dani Pettrey!


COLD SHOT FUN FACTS


Hi friends,

I’m super excited to share my latest novel with you. COLD SHOT takes place in the Chesapeake Bay region where I live, and today I’ll be sharing a few fun, get-to-know-the-area, facts with you:


Did you know?

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

5-Year Blogoversary Celebration! Day 2 | Interview with Regina Scott & Book Giveaway!


Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Regina! Will you share a little about yourself and your latest book?
Thanks for the warm welcome, Melanie! I’m the author of more than 30 sweet historical romances and a major history geek in general. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me in museums or with reenactors learning more about what life was like in the past. Although most of my books have been set in the Regency period of England (think Jane Austen and Napoleon), my last few books have been set much closer to home—in pioneer Seattle. The fourth book in my Frontier Bachelors series was out in January. Instant Frontier Family tells the story of a young Irishwoman determined to make a prosperous life for herself and her orphaned half sister and brother by starting a new bakery. Love is not part of Maddie O’Rourke’s plan, until her siblings start matchmaking.
 
What do you hope readers come away with after reading your newest story?
I hope they come away with a sense of family, that love might mean sacrifice, but when it’s done for those you love, it’s worth everything.
 
Do you find it more fun to write stand-alones or series? 
I love series. It’s too hard to say goodbye to characters after one book!
 
Who are some of your favorite authors whose books have never disappointed you?
The late Elizabeth Mansfield, Lloyd Alexander, Mary Stewart, and recently, Catherine Lloyd.
  
What's the last thing you celebrated, not including birthdays or holidays?
My husband recently earned his third degree black belt in Shudokan karate. I was so proud of him!
 
Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what was your favorite book growing up?
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