The Fatal Tree by Stephen Lawhead - CSFF Tour

The Fatal Tree
Bright Empires Series Book 5
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781595548085
Hardcover: 368 pages
May be purchased here.

About the Book:

Kit stared at his fellow questors. “Is this it . . . the End of Everything?”

It started with small, seemingly insignificant wrinkles in time: A busy bridge suddenly disappears, spilling cars into the sea. A beast from another realm roams modern streets. Napoleon’s army appears in 1930s Damascus ready for battle. But that’s only the beginning as entire realities collide and collapse.

The questors are spread throughout the universe. Mina is stuck on a plain of solid ice, her only companion an angry cave lion. Tony and Gianni are monitoring the cataclysmic reversal of the cosmic expansion—but coming up short on answers. And Burleigh is languishing in a dreary underground dungeon—his only hope of survival the very man he tried to murder.

Kit and Cass are back in the Stone Age trying to reach the Spirit Well. But an enormous yew tree has grown over the portal, effectively cutting off any chance of return. Unless someone can find a solution—and fast—all Creation will be destroyed in the universal apocalypse known as The End of Everything.

In this final volume of the fantastic Bright Empires series, Stephen R. Lawhead brings this multi-stranded tale to a stunning and immensely satisfying conclusion.

My Thoughts:

As much as I wanted to read this book, I didn't want to start because I knew it would end a great series. I had come to know each of the characters so well. Some I absolutely adored and some I greatly disliked and I really didn't want to say goodbye to them. One I started this bittersweet read, I so wanted to find out the ending and just had to keep going, staying up past my bedtime and devoured the book.

Was I satisfied with the ending? Yes and no. Yes, it was great - no because it ended :) There were some surprises I didn't see coming and some of my favorites seemed to get themselves into some fascinating and heartpounding situations. I am thrilled that I finally got a chance to read this book, but so sad the series is over.

If you have not read any of The Bright Empires series, please, please don't start with this one. You really need to start at the beginning as these books build on each other. If you have read the series, don't miss out on this exciting conclusion - I'm sure you won't be disappointed with how everything turns out.

This whole series comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

About the Author:

Stephen R. Lawhead is a prolific and bestselling author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. He is best known for his King Raven trilogy, a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend, and Pendragon Cycle, centering on the King Arthur legend. Other notable works include the Song of Albion, Celtic Crusades and Dragon King Trilogies, Byzantium, Patrick, Avalon, and the works of science-fiction Dream Thief and Empyrion saga. Lawhead makes his home in Oxford, England, with his wife.

To learn more about the series or about the author himself, Stephen's website can be found at: http://www.stephenlawhead.com/
or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/StephenRLawhead
and Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenLawhead

Make sure to visit the other participating tour members listed below and see what they have to say about The Fatal Tree:

Julie Bihn
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Karri Compton
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Jason Joyner
Janeen Ippolito
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
Jalynn Patterson
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Audrey Sauble
Jojo Sutis
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review.

CSFF Blog Tour - "The Shadow Lamp" by Stephen Lawhead

The Shadow Lamp
The Bright Empire Series Book #4
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781595548078
Hardbound: 400 pages

About the Book:

The quest for answers—and ultimate survival—hinges on finding the cosmic link between the Skin Map, the Shadow Lamp, and the Spirit Well.

The search for the map of blue symbols began in a rainy alley in London but has since expanded through space and time and includes more seekers.

Kit, Mina, Gianni, Cass, Haven, and Giles have gathered in Mina’s 16th-century coffee house and are united in their determination to find a path back to the Spirit Well. Yet, with their shadow lamps destroyed and key pieces of the map still missing, the journey will be far more difficult than they imagine. And when one of their own disappears with Sir Henry’s cryptic Green Book, they no longer know who to trust.

At the same time, the Zetetic Society has uncovered a terrifying secret which, if proven, will rock the very foundations of Creation. The quest for answers is no longer limited to recovering an unknown treasure. The fate of the universe depends on unraveling the riddle of the Skin Map.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed all of Lawhead's previous books in the "Bright Empires" series and was ecstatic to get my hands on this next installment. I was thrilled to find the cast of characters in the beginning along with a recap of what has happened so far. This little addition was just what I needed to remind me of past events and set the stage for the opening chapter.

I don't know if it was me or not, but I had a hard time really settling in with this book. It seemed to start out much slower than I remember the others, but it did pick up eventually. We were reacquainted with our beloved cast of characters and even found new ones. As the story unfolds, we find out more about Burleigh and his men and the role of a new character.

Action does pick up as the book goes on and it might even be construed as somewhat disturbing for some. This installment is darker than the others and is more violent. Loyalties are tested, trust wanes and the ending... oh! A cliffhanger that makes you want to get your hands on the next and final book! The wait is going to seem like forever until it is finally released!!

As much as I like this series, I'm really beginning to wonder about the Christian message within the series. I haven't found a positive Christian influence yet - in fact, it may be just the opposite. Hopefully in the last book that will change and all will be disclosed. I am really surprised where the message appears to be going, though. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

This book (actually the whole series) will appeal to mainstream sci-fi readers and also to those who enjoy time travel novels. For those who enjoy Christian fiction that pushes the envelope, I think this series will satisfy and intrigue the reader.

Purchase your own copy of The Shadow Lamp here .

About the Author:

Stephen R. Lawhead is a prolific and bestselling author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. He is best known for his King Raven trilogy, a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend, and Pendragon Cycle, centering on the King Arthur legend. Other notable works include the Song of Albion, Celtic Crusades and Dragon King Trilogies, Byzantium, Patrick, Avalon, and the works of science-fiction Dream Thief and Empyrion saga. Lawhead makes his home in Oxford, England, with his wife.

If you would like to learn more about Stephen or his work, you can visit his website at: http://www.stephenlawhead.com/ and his Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-R-Lawhead/84503526872

See what other members of the CSFF Tour think about Lawhead's latest installment of The Bright Empire Series:

Julie Bihn
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Beckie Burnham
Jeff Chapman
Karri Compton
Theresa Dunlap
April Erwin
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Becky Jesse
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Rachel Wyant
Phyllis Wheeler
Deborah Wilson

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Martyr's Fire by Sigmund Brouwer - CSFF Tour

I adore Arthurian tales. They are full of so much chivalry, magic, good vs evil and heroes - all taking place in the medieval period. For me, it's a wonderful winning combination. Especially when we are talking about the book/series that I'm featuring here today.

"Martyr's Fire" is the third book of Sigmund Brouwer's Merlin's Immortals series (a definite must read for any Arthurian fan) that brings to life an issue that is discussed in other books, but not in the realistic way it is handled in this series. The issue? Magic. What medieval tale cannot be told without a bit of magic?! Brouwer includes it in his series, but the difference is, he defines it. The Druids used magic to deceive the masses, however they made it appear it was from some supernatural source and used it as a "sign" to convince the viewing audience to their way of thinking. What a novel idea, eh? We've seen it over and over again throughout history. (Remember the magicians of Egypt in Exodus?) This defining of magic makes this series seem much more realistic and believable.

In Book 3, we find Thomas had to abandon the throne and is now a wanted man. He is still struggling with trying to decide who can be trusted, especially after all that happened in Magnus. As he travels and tries to find answers, he comes across some fantastic characters, finds old "friends" and learns more about both the Druids and the Immortals.

As with the first two books, this was a page-turner for me. Diving into the world of mystery, confusion and evil, I wanted to find out about things as much as Thomas did. There were a few surprises and one additional hero was introduced that made me smile. An old favorite has returned and some heartache surfaces as things go wrong.

Sigmund Brouwer is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine, and not just because of this series. He's written numerous books and has an amazing gift of storytelling. Make sure to add this series to your list of must reads. You won't be disappointed!!!!

You can purchase a copy of "Martyr's Fire" HERE

If you would like to learn more about Sigmund Brouwer and his work, you can visit his website at: http://www.coolreading.com/

Make sure to visit others on the tour and see what they have to say about "Martyr's Fire".

Red Bissell
Beckie Burnham
Theresa Dunlap
Emma or Audrey Engel
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Rebekah Loper
Jennette Mbewe
Amber McCallister
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Jojo Sutis
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler
Deborah Wilson
Rachel Wyant

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. 

"Broken Wings" by Shannon Dittemore

Broken Wings
Author: Shannon Dittemore
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781401686376
Paperback: 320 pages
Purchase from Amazon

About the Book:

Angels with wings of blade. Demons with renewed sight. And a girl who has never been more broken.

Brielle has begun to see the world as it really is, a place where angels intermingle with humans. But just when she thinks she’s got things under control, the life she’s pieced together begins to crumble.

Her boyfriend, Jake, is keeping something from her. Something important.

And her overprotective father has turned downright hostile toward Jake. Brielle fears she’ll have to choose between the man who’s always loved her and the one who’s captured her heart.

Then she unearths the truth about her mother’s death and the nightmare starts. Brielle begins seeing visions of mysterious and horrible things.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s been targeted. The Prince of Darkness himself has heard of the boy with healing in his hands and of the girl who saw through the Terrestrial veil. When he pulls the demon Damien from the fiery chasm and sends him back to Earth with new eyes, the stage is set for the ultimate battle of good versus evil.

Brielle has no choice. She must master the weapons she’s been given. She must fight.

But can she fly with broken wings?

My Thoughts:

If you haven't read the first book in the series, "Angel Eyes", do so before you consider reading "Broken Wings". This second book picks up where "Angel Eyes" left off. Brille and Jake aren't sure about their future, and with the ring missing and a dagger in its place, does it mean they will go their separate ways? What is the meaning behind the dagger?

As Brille discovers many answers, many more questions rise to the surface. Was her whole life a lie? Why? And what is it with her Dad these days? So much danger and so many questions... This book will keep you on your toes and wanting answers as much as Brille does. Wait until you find out about the secrets that have been kept from Brille and what makes her question those around her!

"Broken Wings" is a fantastic second book to the series. It will keep you turning pages while you seek the answers to all the mysteries surrounding Brille, Jake, and all the angels and demons. Wow!

This series is written for young adults, but it will please the adult audience as well. If you enjoy books where good -vs- evil is the main theme, where the romance isn't overpowering plus a Christian theme runs through the story, and love fantasy genre, you will enjoy this series.

To learn more about the Shannon Dittemore, you can visit her website at: http://shannondittemore.com/

See what others on the tour are saying about "Broken Wings".

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Jennifer Bogart
Beckie Burnham
Pauline Creeden
Janey DeMeo
Theresa Dunlap
Emma or Audrey Engel
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Karielle @ Books à la Mode
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nathan Reimer
James Somers
Kathleen Smith
Jojo Sutis
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler
Shane Werlinger

I received this book through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Sigmund Brouwer's "Merlin's Immortals" series - CSFF Tour

I had planned on featuring Sigmund Brouwer's "Merlin's Immortals" series over all three days of the tour as these books deserved to be noticed every one of those days. Unfortunately, even the best and most carefully laid out plans can be uprooted, especially when we rely on technology to get it up and out. :( So, here I am today, crunching everything together and not giving the attention that these great books deserve.

Arthurian tales are probably my favorite of the young adult fantasy genre. Based on possible truth (some say King Arthur wasn't a real person), these tales have all the elements of a fantastic story line: knights, castles, kings, sorcerers, good vs. evil, magic, immortality and love. Yet, with such a great story line, it seems to be somewhat overused and many of the stories seem the same... but not with Brouwer's "Merlin's Immortals" series.

In Book One "The Orphan King", we are introduced to Thomas, an abused orphan who was raised in a monastery after his mother passed away. She was in the process of teaching him and preening him for his future role when she died. Thomas continued those studies in secret until he grew old enough to leave the monastery. He then pursued his predestined course of action that his mother had carefully laid out and he discovered so much more that she never had the chance to tell him...

"The Orphan King" was a wonderful start to the series, and I must say I was reading it every chance I got until the end. Thankfully I had the second book, "Fortress of Mist" to continue with right away. I HAD to know what happened to Thomas when... (nope, no spoilers here!!)

"Fortress of Mist" picks up where "The Orphan King" lets off, making this a series you must read in sequence - no starting in the middle of this series. I'm really not sure how to go from here, as I'm afraid to give away anything important that may spoil the first book. Hmmm, let's see... Thomas continues his destiny, however the forces of good and evil are playing against each other and Thomas has to decide which one is which. Some of the pieces of the puzzle are revealed and he finds out people are not always as they seem.

Ohhhh  - Talk about keeping one on the edge of their seat! I devoured the second book and got to the end only to cry "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  You can't end it here!! I need to know and I need that third book now!" (Book 3, "Martyr's Fire" is scheduled to be released October 15th, 2013)

Truly, I have enjoyed everything about this series, from the story line to the characters to the suspense that is skillfully woven throughout the story. Thomas is a wonderful character - one with high standards that his mother carefully taught him and those standards impress many. He is a fantastic role model for the young adult audience and a delight to the older reader.

So far I have focused on Thomas, but the other characters: Katherine, William, John, and even Isabelle are characters that were believable, likable and even frustrating at times, and like real life, not always as they seem. Isabelle threw me a curve ball as she had me eating out of her hand. I thought she was amazing because she was there to protect Thomas. Knight William had a sense of humor that made me chuckle more than once, but at the same time he had concerned me in the beginning of the story. John was a little devil and amused me often with his skills. Katherine broke my heart and I fell in love with her character. She's so mysterious and yet her destiny scared me - especially when it revolved around Thomas's allegiance.

As for the setting, the setting of the story is wonderful and the descriptions are amazing. One can honestly hear the sounds and see the sights, feel the weather and smell the smells (although not always wanting to!) This series has cemented Brouwer in my favorite authors list - he is nothing less than brilliant when it comes to weaving a story - he is truly masterful!

This series comes highly recommended for both the young adult and adult audience!!

Make sure to look for "Martyr's Fire", Book 3 of the "Merlin's Immortals" series in October. It can be pre-ordered at your favorite retailer now.

The Orphan King Trailer:


Fortress of Mist Podcast:



If you would like to add these books to your reading library, for your convenience, you can find them at the links below, or at your local bookstore:
The Orphan King
Fortress Of Mist

To find out more about the author, you can visit Sigmund Brouwer's website at: http://www.sigmundbrouwer.com/ .
You can also find him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SigmundBrouwer
and Twitter at: https://twitter.com/BrouwerSigmund

Make sure to visit the others on the tour to see what they are saying about the "Merlin's Immortals" series:

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Beckie Burnham
Janey DeMeo
Theresa Dunlap
Victor Gentile
Nikole Hahn
Jeremy Harder
Ryan Heart
Janeen Ippolito
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Eve Nielsen
Nathan Reimer
James Somers
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review, but one the reflects my own personal opinion.

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore CSFF Tour Pt 2

With all the young adult books on the market that center around angels and humans, it seems like the theme is the same... girl meets angel and they fall into forbidden love. Sigh... It gets old and boring quickly. Because of this, I almost passed on "Angel Eyes". The cover art said to me this was a girl pining away for her long lost angel.  I'm glad I didn't, because this WASN'T another of those books at all!

Brielle was the "new" girl at school. Actually she was returning home after a tragedy that isn't revealed right away - creating a mystery quite like Brielle herself. She meets Jake, who is a new student as well - creating a similar bond from the beginning.

Unlike all the other YA books I have read involving angels, Jake is human. The angels portrayed here assume the roles of guardians (sheilds) or fallen angels. They are much more believable in this novel verses others, and I found that quite refreshing.

Angel Eyes is the first book of the trilogy with the second book "Broken Wings" due to be released in February 2013. (I can't wait!!!) Full of mystery, guilt, sadness, forgiveness, romance, and good -vs- evil, this book will keep you intrigued and on the edge of your seat. Although written for the young adult audience, it will easily be enjoyed by adults. Or to put it simply... This book was great!

Angel Eyes
Author: Shannon Dittemore
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-401686352
Paperback: 336 pages
Find at Amazon

To learn more about Shannon Dittemore or her works, you can visit her website at: http://www.shannondittemore.com/
You can also find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShannonDittemore

See what others on the tour are saying about "Angel Eyes":

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Beckie Burnham
Theresa Dunlap
Nikole Hahn
Jeremy Harder
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Faye Oygard
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Jessica Thomas
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore CSFF Tour Pt 1

Angel Eyes
Author: Shannon Dittemore
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-401686352
Paperback: 336 pages
Find at Amazon

About the Book:

Once you've seen, you can't unsee. Everything changes when you've looked at the world through . . .
Angel Eyes

Brielle's a ballerina who went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She's come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can't seem to shake.

Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what's going to happen. And a beauty brighter than either Brielle or Jake has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons-and Brielle-can perceive.

To learn more about Shannon Dittemore or her works, you can visit her website at: http://www.shannondittemore.com/
You can also find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShannonDittemore

See what others on the tour are saying about "Angel Eyes":

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Beckie Burnham
Theresa Dunlap
Nikole Hahn
Jeremy Harder
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Faye Oygard
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Jessica Thomas
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

"The Spirit Well" by Stephen Lawhead - CSFF Tour

The Spirit Well
Bright Empires Series Book 3
Author: Stephen Lawhead
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 4, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-1595548061
Hardcover: 400 pages
May be purchased here.

About the Book:

The search for the map—and the secret behind its cryptic code—intensifies in a quest across time, space, and multiple realities.

But what if the true treasure isn’t the map at all . . . what if the map marks something far greater? Something one world cannot contain? Those who desire to unlock that mystery are in a race to possess the secret—for good or evil.

Kit Livingstone is mastering the ability to travel across realities using ley lines and has forged a link from the Bone House, a sacred lodge made of animal bones, to the fabled Spirit Well, a place of profound power.

His friend Mina is undercover in a Spanish monastery high in the Pyrenees, learning all she can from a monk named Brother Lazarus. Still determined to find Kit, she is beginning to experience a greater destiny than she can fathom.

Cassandra Clarke is overseeing an archaeological dig in Arizona when a chance encounter transports her to 1950s Damascus. There, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to the Seekers—the last living remnants of the Zetetic Society who need her help to track down the missing Cosimo Livingstone and his grandson Kit.

But there are darker forces at work in the universe whose agents always seem to be one step ahead of the rest—and they’re all desperate to gain the ultimate prize in this treasure hunt where the stakes increase at every turn. At the heart of the mystery lies the Spirit Well.

My Thoughts:

"The Spirit Well" is the third book of the Bright Empire Series and like many fantasy and science fiction books, really cannot be picked up in the middle of the series, but should be started from the beginning. The first book, "The Skin Map" sets the stage and introduces the characters and the second book, "The Bone House" goes a bit deeper and one becomes a bit more personal with the characters and their roles. If you miss these novels, you will most certainly be struggling to keep up with the characters and why they are making certain choices and for what purposes.

The series started out slow for me and I really wondered if the third would be any better. Usually a series starts to go downhill from midpoint on, but that wasn't the case here! "The Spirit Well" picked up and was both exciting as well as captivating. Pieces of the puzzle started to fit together and I began to connect with both Kit and Mina - something I didn't quite do in the other books. This book demonstrated the talent I have heard that Lawhead has!

In my review of "The Bone House", I had wondered how this series was categorized as Christian fiction, because I wasn't really seeing it in the first two books. This one answers that question as we start to see the larger picture develop.

The fourth book of the Bright Empires Series "The Shadow Lamp" is due out in September 2013. It is going to be a long, torturous wait...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

About the Author:

Stephen R. Lawhead is a prolific and bestselling author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. He is best known for his King Raven trilogy, a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend, and Pendragon Cycle, centering on the King Arthur legend. Other notable works include the Song of Albion, Celtic Crusades and Dragon King Trilogies, Byzantium, Patrick, Avalon, and the works of science-fiction Dream Thief and Empyrion saga. Lawhead makes his home in Oxford, England, with his wife.
Stephen's website can be found at: http://www.stephenlawhead.com/
or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/StephenRLawhead
and Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenLawhead

Make sure to visit the other participating tour members listed below and see what they have to say about "The Spirit Well".

Jim Armstrong

Julie Bihn

Red Bissell

Jennifer Bogart

Thomas Clayton Booher

Thomas Fletcher Booher

Beckie Burnham

Brenda Castro

Jeff Chapman

Christine

Karri Compton

Theresa Dunlap

Emmalyn Edwards

April Erwin

Victor Gentile

Jeremy Harder

Bruce Hennigan

Timothy Hicks

Janeen Ippolito

Becca Johnson

Jason Joyner

Carol Keen

Emileigh Latham

Rebekah Loper

Shannon McDermott

Meagan @ Blooming with Books

Rebecca LuElla Miller

Anna Mittower

Joan Nienhuis

Lyn Perry

Nathan Reimer

Chawna Schroeder

Rachel Starr Thomson

Robert Treskillard

Steve Trower

Dona Watson

Shane Werlinger

Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review.

"The Telling" by Mike Duran - CSFF Blog Tour

The Telling
Author: Mike Duran
Publisher: Realms
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1616386948

Available at Amazon

About the Book:

A prophet never loses his calling, only his way.

Disfigured with a hideous scar from his stepmother, Zeph Walker lives his life in seclusion, cloistering himself in a ramshackle bookstore on the outskirts of town. But Zeph is also blessed with a gift—an uncanny ability to foresee the future,to know peoples’ deepest sins and secrets. He calls it the Telling, but he has abandoned this gift to a life of solitude, unbelief, and despair—until two detectives escort him to the county morgue where he finds his own body lying on the gurney.

On the northern fringes of Death Valley, the city of Endurance is home to llama ranches, abandoned mines, roadside attractions...and the mythical ninth gate of hell. Now, forced to investigate his own murder, Zeph discovers something even more insidious behind the urban legends and small-town eccentricities. Early miners unearthed a megalith—asacred site where spiritual and physical forces converge and where an ancient subterranean presence broods. And only Zeph can stop it.

But the scar on Zeph’s face is nothing compared to the wound on his soul. For not only has he abandoned his gift and renounced heaven, but it was his own silence that spawned the evil. Can he overcome his own despair in time to seal the ninth gate of hell?

His words unlocked something deadly,
And now the silence is killing them.

About the Author:

Mike Duran is a novelist, blogger, and freelance writer whose short stories, essays, and commentary have appeared in Relief Journal, Relevant Online, Breakpoint, Rue Morgue magazine, and other print and digital outlets. He is the author of the supernatural thriller THE RESURRECTION (Realms, 2011), which was a finalist in the 2011 INSPY awards, an e-book fantasy novella entitled WINTERLAND, and THE TELLING (Realms May 2012). Mike contributes monthly commentary at Novel Rocket, one of Writer's Digest 101 Most Helpful Websites for Writers. Mike is an ordained minister and lives with his wife and four grown children in Southern California. Mike's novels explore the boundaries of belief, the fragile tether between science and superstition, the depths of despair and the reaches of faith. You can learn more about Mike Duran, his writing projects, favorite music, cultural commentary, and arcane interests, at http://www.mikeduran.com/
on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/cerebralgrump
and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cerebralgrump

My Thoughts:

Take a good long look at the cover of "The Telling" because that cover is perfect for what the pages between it holds. This novel is not for the faint of heart. It's dark, edgy, mysterious as well as a bit disturbing and guaranteed to make your heart pound. It's everything a good captivating page-turner should be, and then some!

Listed as Christian fiction, "The Telling" is far from an "in-your-face" Christian type of book. It is subtle and can be enjoyed by anyone who just loves a good and at times scary story. Mike Duran is a fantastic storyteller that captivates the reader from the beginning. As the story unfolds, you won't want to put this book down because you won't be able to wait find out what happens next. With short chapters, it's easy to do this, as you keep telling yourself that you'll only read one more chapter...

Anyone who enjoys such authors as Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti will certainly enjoy Mike Duran's "The Telling". Make sure to add it to your MUST read list!!

Make sure to visit the other members of the tour to see what they have to say about "The Telling"

Jim Armstrong

Noah Arsenault

Keanan Brand

Beckie Burnham

Brenda Castro

Jeff Chapman

Christine

Theresa Dunlap

Victor Gentile

Nikole Hahn

Bruce Hennigan

Jason Joyner

Julie

Carol Keen

Emileigh Latham

Meagan @ Blooming with Books

Rebecca LuElla Miller

Anna Mittower

Kathleen Smith

Donna Swanson

Jessica Thomas

Steve Trower

Dona Watson

Shane Werlinger

Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Eye of the Sword by Karyn Henley

Eye of the Sword
The Angelaeon Circle Book 2
Author: Karyn Henley
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
ISBN-13: 978-0307730145
Paperback: 256 pages

About the Book:

Where angels walk the ground and the future is told in song, does a man of low rank have a chance at love with a princess?

In Camrithia, a land of shadows and mystical secrets, Trevin lives to serve King Laetham. But his heart belongs to the princess, Melaia. When the King sends Trevin on on a dangerous quest to find the missing comains—captains in the king’s army—he must leave Melaia to the advances of a swaggering Dregmoorian prince.

Challenged to prove his worth, Trevin throws himself into his quest. Striving to prove his love, Trevin undertakes a second mission—find the harps Melaia seeks in order to restore the stairway to heaven. Through fire caves, rogue winds, and murderous threats, Trevin remains steadfastly dedicated to his quest—even when he is falsely accused of a heinous crime. As Trevin’s time runs out, he realizes he must face the shame and horror of his own past and the nightmare that has come to life. Will he have the courage to finish what he has started?

My Thoughts:

Karyn Henley's first book of the Angelaeon Circle series, Breath of Angel,was amazing and made my favorites list (see my review here). With that said, you can only imagine how excited I was for the opportunity to participate in CSFF's tour with the second one.  Karyn had set the bar high with Breath of Angel and she didn't disappoint with Eye of Sword! In fact, this one may have been even better - if that is possible.

In this novel, we pick up pretty much where Breath of Angel left off. Melaia has one of the harps and needs the other two build the stairway for the angels. Trevin still loves Melaia, but finds that his ranking may ruin his chance of a relationship with her. He must carry out his task and return in time to prove his worthiness of Melaia, and he only has a short time to complete it. Will he succeed?

Karyn has done a brilliant job of continuing the series and sucked me right into the mystical world of Camrithia. Full of royality, magic, treachery, evil, angels, and immortals, this suspenseful fantasy kept me on the edge of my seat and quickly turning the pages because I needed to know how Trevin was progressing. The characters in this series have won my heart - I love some and love to hate others. And the surprises that spring up along the way... AH!! I hadn't a clue that Trevin... (oh, you'll just have to read it to find out)

Although this book could be read as a stand alone, we deal with many of the characters from the first novel and only get a glimpse of the back story and what truly drives Trevin on this mission. One will not understand the full nature of Trevin and Melaia's relationship or the vileness of Lord Rejius. The main focus of this story is around Trevin and we don't really get much about the other characters - something I believe is necessary to truly enjoy this novel. I highly urge one to start with book one.

This series comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

To learn more about Karyn Henley or to view her works, please visit her web site at: http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/welcome.html
Karen's Blog can be found at: http://www.maybeso.wordpress.com/
Don't forget to like her Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karyn-Henley/140411189331787?v=wall

See what others on the tour have to say about "Eye of the Sword"

Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Jackie Castle
Brenda Castro
Jeff Chapman
Christine
Theresa Dunlap
Cynthia Dyer
Victor Gentile
Ryan Heart
Janeen Ippolito
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Karen McSpadden
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Mirriam Neal
Nissa
Faye Oygard
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. In no way was I required to write a positive review, but instead, an honest one.

"Beckon" by Tom Pawlik - CSSF Tour

Beckon
Author: Tom Pawlik
Publisher: Tyndale House
ISBN: 9781414338736
Paperback: 416 pages

About the Book:

Some things weren't meant to be discovered.

Beneath the town of Beckon, a terror hides, lurking in the darkness. Waiting.

Three people are drawn to the small Wyoming town for very different reasons. Anthropologist Jack Kendrick comes to explore the surrounding caves - the last place his father was seen alive twelve years ago. Police officer Elina Gutierrez follows the trail of her missing cousin from L.A. until it goes cold in the near-deserted town. And George Wilcox, a wealthy businessman, is lured to a lodge on the bluff by the promise of a cure for his wife's illness.

All are looking for answers. But as they draw closer to discovering the town's chilling secret, the real question becomes . . . will any of them make it out alive?

Jump in. Hang on.

My Thoughts:

Native American legends are just legends... or are they? Get ready to go on a heart-stopping adventure with Jack Kendrick as he learns how much of a legend the one his father was investigating before his disappearance really was.

This chilling and downright creepy novel will have you on the edge of your seat and turning pages faster than you ever imagined as you find yourself urgently needing to know what happens next. Full of fast-paced action and interesting species, I promise you won't be bored, nor will you want to put the book down until the very end. One warning - I started this before bedtime and read until I couldn't read any longer and found it gave me nightmares influenced my dreams somewhat. (Nothing like a good bedtime story!)

I had never read anything by Tom Pawlik before and after this one, I'm going to be hunting down Vanish and Valley of the Shadow. He has a style that puts him up on my list with Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti and Stephen King.

If you love books that are suspenseful and can scare the daylights out of you, make sure to put this one on your list of must reads for this summer!

About the Author:

Tom Pawlik is the highly imaginative, Christy Award winning author of Vanish, Valley of the Shadow, Beckon, and the novella Recollection from the 7 Hours anthology. His thought-provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrillers are infused with nonstop suspense that grabs you on the first page and won't let go until the last.

Tom's fascination with the weird... Click here to finish

You can purchase the book from: http://www.amazon.com/Beckon-Tom-Pawlik/dp/1414338732/
Author’s Web site - http://www.tompawlik.com/
Author Blog - http://tompawlik.blogspot.com/
Author Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Pawlik/42692434035
Author Twitter account - https://twitter.com/#!/TomPawlik

Make sure to visit the other bloggers who are participating in this month's CSFF Tour:

Noah Arsenault
Julie Bihn
Thomas Clayton Booher
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Beckie Burnham
Brenda Castro
Theresa Dunlap
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Janeen Ippolito
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Leighton
Rebekah Loper
Katie McCurdy
Shannon McDermott
Karen McSpadden
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
Joan Nienhuis
Faye Oygard
Crista Richey
Kathleen Smith
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Shane Werlinger

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Night of the Living Dead Christian

I confess... I have a dark side. A side that secretly enjoys things like zombies, werewolves and vampires. I like being scared by reading about them, but I don't like the more adult versions. I'm more child-like when it comes to my creatures. I enjoy them as imaginary beings that will never harm me.

When Matt Mikalatos wrote "Night of the Living Dead Christian", it sounded like something I needed to read. It appeared that it was going to be humorous and a spoof off of the "Night of the Living Dead". I had pictured so many things that this book was going to be and I couldn't wait to get it.

It was at the time I requested the book that I also found that Matt was the same author of another book that was in my TBR pile, "Imaginary Jesus". I will admit that I had bypassed this book many times because it seemed a bit offensive to me - that the book was making fun of Jesus and I really couldn't understand why a Christian book seller would promote such nonsense. Oh, I did say it was in my TBR pile, didn't I? So why would I have an offensive book in my TBR pile? Ummm - well it was a moment of weakness and it was offered free for my Nook... and it was by a Christian publisher... and.... Well, you get the picture.

While waiting for "Night of the Living Dead Christian" to arrive, I read "Imaginary Jesus". I wasn't expecting to like it and had a definite aversion to it going in. I quickly changed my mind as I realized what Mr. Mikalatos was doing and where he was going with the book, and I found it both humorous and absolutely brilliant!

If you are expecting "Night of the Living Dead Christian" to be a spoof like I did, you are in for a surprise. Yes, you will find zombies, werewolves and vampires and even a mad scientist and a robot - um - android, but there is such a powerful message hidden in the story that one is likely to not forget it easily. To put it as simply as possible, this book is a story about transformation - a true transformation.

Media and religion really can blind us to what the Bible really says about God and being a Christian. Matt Mikalatos tackles these difficult subjects with humor and yet such truth, AND he does it in the form of an entertaining and VERY enlightening story. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Make sure to visit Matt Mikalatos' page and have a look at his Monster guide. Can you identify with any of them?

Night of the Living Dead Christian can be purchased here

Make sure to visit the other participants in the tour to see what they are saying about Matt and his book:

Gillian Adams

Julie Bihn

Red Bissell

Thomas Clayton Booher

Thomas Fletcher Booher

Keanan Brand

Beckie Burnham

Morgan L. Busse

Theresa Dunlap

Amber French

Tori Greene

Nikole Hahn

Ryan Heart

Bruce Hennigan

Janeen Ippolito

Becky Jesse

Jason Joyner

Carol Keen

Leighton

Shannon McDermott

Rebecca LuElla Miller

Nissa

Joan Nienhuis

John W. Otte

Crista Richey

Sarah Sawyer

Chawna Schroeder

Rachel Starr Thomson

Steve Trower

Fred Warren

Shane Werlinger

Nicole White

Dave Wilson

This book was provided by the author/publisher for this CSFF Tour. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

"The Realms Thereunder" by Ross Lawhead

The Realms Thereunder
Author: Ross Lawhead
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781595549099
Paperback: 384 pages
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
May be purchased from Thomas Nelson or Amazon

Freya and Daniel are closer than they will ever want to admit. The are connected in many ways: they went to the same school, they were both born on the same day, and they both went on the same class trip that ended up changing their lives forever.

From the beginning, Mr. Lawhead knew just how to capture my interest and he wove such a fantastical story that I read it in two sittings (and that was only because I had to sleep). Crossing between time periods and worlds, this story reminded me a little of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" yet with more of an adult appeal.

The story focuses on three characters: Freya, Alex and Daniel and jumps between them as well as past and present. I found this switching kept me on my toes and very interested of what was going to happen next and to whom.

Fast paced and full of action, this book may be even better than Lawhead's father's "Bright Empire" series. I could be biased though, as I love books that center around "special" children that have a specific task they must accomplish. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series as I need to know what these three will do next!!

Buy		Read

If you'd like to learn more about Mr. Lawhead or his work, you can visit his website at: http://www.rosslawhead.com/blog/

Stop by the following blogs to see what they are saying about "The Realms Thereunder":

Gillian Adams

Red Bissell

Keanan Brand

Beckie Burnham

Melissa Carswell

Jeff Chapman

CSFF Blog Tour

Theresa Dunlap

Emmalyn Edwards

April Erwin

Victor Gentile

Tori Greene

Nikole Hahn

Ryan Heart

Bruce Hennigan

Timothy Hicks

Christopher Hopper

Jason Joyner

Carol Keen

Krystine Kercher

Rebekah Loper

Marzabeth

Shannon McDermott

Rebecca LuElla Miller

Mirriam Neal

Eve Nielsen

Nissa

John W. Otte

Donita K. Paul

Joan Nienhuis

Crista Richey

Sarah Sawyer

Chawna Schroeder

Kathleen Smith

Donna Swanson

Rachel Starr Thomson

Steve Trower

Fred Warren

Dona Watson

Shane Werlinger

Nicole White

Rachel Wyant

This book was provided by the Book Sneeze program and was used in conjunction with CSFF Tours. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.