Books, Movies, and Chinese Food

Not your grandma's safe Christian fiction Taylor is a former secret service agent who's been called to protect the world's most famous televangelist. She's had a past that calls for her to take this job very seriously. Simon has received threats from terrorists telling him to step down from his ministry or else him and his family will be in harm's way. When the unthinkable happens, Simon has to make a choice that will change everyone who has been affected by him forever. Reading this book was like watching an episode of 24 in book format. This book was heart thumping non stop action from the first page. It's very gritty, not for the faint hearted. I love how the main character is a female who doesn't need to rely on others to take care of herself. Reading about Taylor's past and how it affected her life and career choice was great buildup for the story. This is honestly one of the best suspense novels I have ever read, in both secular and Christi...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing DragonLight (WaterBrook Press - June 17, 2008) by Donita K. Paul ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donita K. Paul retired early from teaching school, but soon got bored! The result: a determination to start a new career. Now she is an award-winning novelist writing Christian Romance and Fantasy. She says, “I feel blessed to be doing what I like best.” She mentors all ages, teaching teenagers and weekly adult writing workshops. “God must have imprinted 'teacher' on me clear down to the bone. I taught in public school, then home schooled my children, and worked in private schools. Now my writing week isn’t very productive unless I include some time with kids.” Her two grown children make her proud, and her two grandsons make her laugh. Donita is an award-winning author of the Dragon Keeper Chronicle series including DragonFire and DragonKnight . When not writing, she is often engaged in mentoring writers of all ages. Donita lives in ...

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Tuesday, August 5. US addresses only. Good luck! In the wake of betrayed intimacy, you may feel nauseated, angry, humiliated, desperate. Why am I not enough for him? Can our marriage be saved—and do I even want to try ? Will this unbearable ache ever go away? Amid the devastation that follows a spouse’s sexual disloyalty, you need to know that you are not alone. God walks alongside you, offering comfort and a promise to transform the pain of the present into hope for the future. In addition, there is a community of women who know firsthand the agony caused by a husband’s sexual compromises and who offer the compassion, strength, and biblical wisdom you need to make healthy decisions for yourself and your family. The Healing Choice reveals the hope-filled stories of two such women, autho...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Falcon And The Sparrow (Barbour Publishing, Inc - August 1, 2008) by M. L. Tyndall ABOUT THE AUTHOR: M. L. (MARYLU) TYNDALL grew up on the beaches of South Florida loving the sea and the warm tropics. But despite the beauty around her, she always felt an ache in her soul--a longing for something more. After college, she married and moved to California where she had two children and settled into a job at a local computer company. Although she had done everything the world expected, she was still miserable. She hated her job and her marriage was falling apart. Still searching for purpose, adventure and true love, she spent her late twenties and early thirties doing all the things the world told her would make her happy, and after years, her children suffered, her second marriage suffered, and she was still miserable. One day, she picked up her old Bible, dusted it off, and began to read. Somewhere in the middle, God opene...

So remember what I said earlier this year about Prince Caspian, Indiana Jones or Sex and the City being some of the best summer movies I've ever seen? Well scratch those comments. I just saw THE BEST summer blockbuster ever. First off the cast is excellent. You can't beat Christian Bale in a movie. I have loved him in almost everything he's been in since I first saw him in Newsies when I was 8. Then you have the wonderful Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. Gary Oldman never fails. Aaron Ekhart is HOT (and he acts good too). And then there's Heath Ledger. Words cannot describe him. He is probably the main reason why the film is doing so well. Also kudos for Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes as Rachel. I agree with all the reviews that state that Gyllenhaal was more mature and believable as the assistant DA that wins the heart of both Dent and Wayne. Also after all the TomKat bombardments, I was getting a bit tired of her anyways. Heath Ledger is absolute...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Painted Dresses (WaterBrook Press - July 15, 2008) by Patricia Hickman ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia Hickman is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction, whose work has been praised by critics and readers alike. Patricia Hickman began writing many years ago after an invitation to join a writer's critique group. It was headed up by best-selling author Dr. Gilbert Morris, a pioneer in Christian fiction who has written many best selling titles. The group eventually came to be called the "Nubbing Chits". All four members of the original "Chits" have gone on to become award-winning and best selling novelists (good fruit, Gil!). Patty signed her first multi-book contract with Bethany House Publishers. After she wrote several novels "for the market", she assessed her writer's life and decided she would follow the leanings of her heart. She says, "It had to be God leading me into th...

I'm giving away TWO books today: a brand new copy of today's book PLUS a copy of the first book in the series Try Dying! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Tuesday, July 29. US addresses only. Good luck! This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Try Darkness (Center Street - July 30, 2008) by James Scott Bell ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JAMES SCOTT BELL is a former trial lawyer who now writes full time. He has also been the fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine and adjunct professor of writing at Pepperdine University. The national bestselling author of several novels of suspense, he grew up and still lives in Los Angeles. His first Buchanan thriller, TRY DYING , was released to high critical praise, while his book on writing, Plot and Structure is one of the most popular writing books available today. ABOUT THE BOOK Ty Buchanan is living on the peaceful grounds of St. Monic...

It's July 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book's FIRST chapter! Robert Liparulo and his book: Watcher in the Woods: Dreamhouse Kings, Book #2 Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert Liparulo is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly. He has sold or optioned three screenplays. Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colora...

I'm giving away 2 brand new copies of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick 2 names and announce the winners on Thursday, July 24. US addresses only. Good luck! For decades Dr. Gary Chapman’s best-selling books have shown readers how to speak the “love language” of those they care about. Now he digs even deeper to uncover the foundations of what it means to cultivate a lifestyle of love and how doing so leads to satisfaction and success in every area of life. Drawing fresh insights from timeless biblical principles, Chapman presents poignant stories of real people who have discovered the joys of living out the seven characteristics of authentic love: kindness, patience, forgiveness, humility, courtesy, generosity, and honesty. Enhanced with eye-opening self tests, practical ideas for building daily habits of love, and inspiring examples of love’s power to change lives, this book guides readers in putting love to wor...

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Wednesday, July 23. International readers may enter. Good luck! This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Promises, Promises Barbour - July, 2008 by Amber Miller ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. Writing had always been a hobby, a way for me to express my innermost thoughts and feelings in a way I sometimes find difficult with the spoken word -- although my friends will tell you 'shy' is not in my vocabulary. Thanks to the gentle nudging of a fellow author -- Tracie Peterson -- in 2002, I took the next step in my writing career and joined the American Christian Fiction Writers. I owe all so many there a hearty hug of appreciation for their constant encouragement and unselfish assistance. I feel a lot more confident t...

It's July 15th, time for the Non~FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 15th, we will featuring an author and his/her latest non~fiction book's FIRST chapter! The feature authors are: John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs and their book: What's the Big Deal About Other Religions Harvest House Publishers (March 1, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Dr. John F. Ankerberg is the President and founder of The Ankerberg Theological Research Institute. He is also the producer and host of the nationally televised John Ankerberg Show, a half-hour program seen in all 50 states via independent stations, the DAYSTAR Network, the DISH Network, DirecTV and on the SKY ANGEL Satellite, numerous cable outlets, as well as on the internet. The program can be seen each week by a potential viewing audience in excess of 99 million people. John presents contemporary spiritual issues and defends biblical/Christian answers. Writer and communicator Dillon Burroughs is author of fourt...

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER AUTHOR TO CHAT ABOUT WHAT LIES BETWEEN THE LINES: Melanie Wells Joins Readers on Online Bookstore Chat WHO: Melanie Wells , author of the critically acclaimed Dylan Foster series – “When the Day of Evil Comes,” “The Soul Hunter” and the newly-released “My Soul to Keep.” Wells will join the family-friendly online bookstore, Abunga.com, to discuss her insights on the fiction series, writing, building story lines and using one’s creativity and imagination to shape character development. WHAT: “Authors at Abunga” Chat with Melanie Wells Wells’ Dylan Foster trilogy is packed with both humor and suspense. Each thriller tracks the mayhem surrounding Wells’ unlikely heroine, college psychology professor Dylan Foster. Wells, who is also a psychotherapist and accomplished musician, will provide insights into her writing style, how stories are created, and where characters come from. wheN: ...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Sisterchick Go Brit Multnomah Publishers (May 20, 2008) by Robin Jones Gunn ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robin grew up in Orange County, California and has lived in all kinds of interesting places, including Reno and Hawaii. Robin’s first novel was published in 1988, and she has continued to write between two to five books a year. Her 63 published books include 47 novels, all of which are still in print. Sales of her popular Christy Miller Series, Glenbrooke Series and Sisterchicks Series, including Sisterchicks in Gondolas and the new Katie Weldon Series including Peculiar Treasures all of which are approaching four million copies sold, with translations in nine languages. Robin’s passion for storytelling and travel are evident in all her books, especially the Sisterchicks novels, and she has received thousands of letters from readers around the world who have come to know Christ through her writing. She sees this as her dream come...

Let me first start off this review by saying I have NOT read the His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. I do not have any desire to read them, therefore this review is strictly focusing on the movie. I have no comparison to base the storyline on, therefore my thoughts and judgments about the plot and characters come only from the movie. I am not commenting about any religious themes or anti religious themes found in this movie. It seems that after the success of LOTR and Narnia being made in movies, everyone is rushing out to get beloved children's stories being made into movies. I've seen ads for Inkheart, Spiderwick Chronicles, American Girl, etc. So I checked out this movie from the library to see how it fared with with previous children's epics. How in the world did this movie win the Oscar for Best Visual Effects? I mean seriously, everything about this movie looked fake. The polar bears looked fake and their speaking was not in sync with their mouths moving (yes ...