CFBA - Lip Reading by Harry Kraus M.D.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Lip Reading

David C. Cook (March 1, 2014)

by

Harry Kraus


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself


She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.


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

MY THOUGHTS:

When I had the opportunity to review Lip Reading, by Dr. Harry Kraus, I jumped at the chance.  Afterall, I studied sign language for many years and lip reading became part of signing. This book has nothing to do with the deaf or sign language. I must say at first I was disappointed but as I climbed further into the book it didn't matter.

Dr. Rebecca Jackson appeared to be a vain and selfish person when the book starts but Dr. Kraus allowed the reader to experience her road to salvation and the beautiful transformation that took place. Dr. Noah Linebrink loved her in high school and still loves her.  Becca would like a chance at love again, love with Noah, but will she have the chance? I was rooting for them all the way.

Dr. Kraus made me care about Becca and Noah, I mean really care about them. They became real on the written page. Melissa, an old friend of both Becca and Noah was not a character that endeared herself to me. Her character always came off as a jealous person who always wanted Noah for herself and she was standing in the wings waiting for just the right moment to pounce. Since I don't give out spoilers.

I must say, Dr. Kraus has presented the reader with an extremely well written Christian Suspense novel that will reach out, grab the reader, and pull them into the story.  Beware, a box of Kleenex may be required when reading Lip Reading as tears may well be shed. Happy tears or sad tears, I cannot say as I never give out spoilers.

I would highly recommend Lip Reading to mature readers who enjoy a good Christian Suspense.

On a 5 Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook publishing for my review copy of Lip Reading. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

What Follows After - a novel by Dan Walsh

It's no secret that I love the work of Dan Walsh so when given the chance to read and review his newest book, What Follows After, I couldn't turn it down. I will definitely say that Mr. Walsh has another hit on his hands. From start to finish I was on an emotional roller coaster and while I steer clear of real roller coasters, this journey was well worth it.

What Follows After is a story of trust, family values and the rediscovery of what matters most in life. Mr. Walsh introduces us to the Harrison family. A family of four torn apart by lies and miscommunication. When the story begins, Scott and Gina Harrison are separated because of what Gina saw and believed to be a illicit affair. Their two sons, Colt and Timmy are caught in the struggle of trying to maintain appearances.  Scott and Gina show up to family get togethers as if they are still together and have their sons lie about it. The boys have finally had enough and Colt devises a plan to run away to their aunt and uncle's house in Georgia.

While Colt and Timmy are on their journey, the bus makes a stop so the passengers can grab a bite to eat and stretch their legs. Colt has to go to the restroom and while he is in the restroom, Timmy disappears.  A waitress tells Colt that Timmy left with his father, who had bought him several comic books. Timmy runs outside just in time to see his little brother riding away on a different bus going back the way they just came.

The main part of the story is the search for little Timmy, but Mr. Walsh weaves so much more into the story.  The emotions of a little boy who feels it is his fault his brother was kidnapped. A father and mother who want so much to be consoled during this time but are afraid to reach out to one another. The emotions were expressed so well, that they seemed truly real.

Mr. Walsh has a way of creating believable well rounded characters that tend to become real to the reader. I love it when an author creates characters that can pull the reader in and make them become one with the story. Mr. Walsh does this so very well.

One thing that caught my attention in reading What Follows After, is Mr. Walsh brought back a character he introduced in his book, The Discovery, FBI agent, Victor Hammond. I appreciated getting to know this character a little more.

I would highly recommend What Follows After to anyone who enjoys a good clean read.

On a 5 Star Scale - 4 1/2 stars!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of What Follows After. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter

I absolutely loved Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter. Not just part of it but everything about it. From the characters to the setting I loved it. Okay, with that out of the way, Dancing with Fireflies is Denise Hunter's second book in her Chapel Springs Romance series. I must admit I have yet to read the first book in the series, Barefoot Summer, but I do plan on reading it in the near future.

After suffering a tragic event, Jade McKinley comes home to Chapel Springs, Indiana, harboring a secret that will not remain a secret for long. She had hoped to make a life for herself somewhere other than Chapel Springs but finding herself pregnant, alone, and broke she decides to go home.

Daniel Dawson is the mayor of Chapel Springs and has been a lifetime friend of Jade's family. In fact he has been considered an honorary member of the family for years. When Jade arrives home, she turns to him for help and in so doing she reveals that she is pregnant. Daniel does whatever he can to help her because, unbeknownst to Jade, Daniel has been in love with her for years.

Ms. Hunter has masterfully created a story that will touch you deep down in your heart. In this story of faith, hope, love and forgiveness, the characters jump off the pages and pull the reader into their story. You feel their love, their pain and you want to grab them by the shoulders and tell them to open their eyes. But in the end they do, with no help from the reader. 

As mentioned above, I loved this book.  I loved the images Ms. Hunter painted in my mind throughout the book, especially seeing a little girl 'dancing with fireflies'. I totally fell in love with the characters of Jade and Daniel. They were so well written that they became real to me. I can hardly wait for book three in the series, The Wishing Season (releases Winter 2014).

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publishing and Thomas Nelson for my review copy of Dancing with Fireflies. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis

I love books that are set against the backdrop of the Civil War. In the first book of her series, "Civil War Heroines", Mary Ellis takes us on journey involving Emily Harrison, a young Quaker woman who attempts to continue her parents work in the Underground Railroad.

Moving from Ohio, after the family farm is foreclosed on, Emily takes  a job as a governess for a doctor's family in Virginia.  While her employer has freed slaves working for him for pay, he also owns some slaves. She soon decides she has to continue her parents work.

Emily soon meets her employer's handsome nephew, Alexander Hunt. But Alexander isn't the spoiled rich boy that he appears to be. In fact, has a secret identity. He is a man who is fearless and while not actually fighting the war as a soldier he fights his battles by stealing supplies from the Union troops and passes them on for the Rebel cause.

Emily and Alexander are on opposite sides of War Between the States and it makes the reader wonder how they can ever come together against such odds. They both suffer with their pride and prejudices but they both agree on one very strong point, slavery is wrong. But they don't agree on how to abolish it.

I had a little difficulty getting into this book. Mostly because I really found myself not liking Emily that much and Alexander seemed to much of a Zorro time character for me. But as I moved forward into the book the pace picked up and I found I was drawn into the story a little more.

I would recommend this story to people who enjoy reading stories set during the Civil War period.

On a 5-Star Scale - 3.5 Stars.

I would like to thank Harvest House Publishers for my review copy of The Quaker and the Rebel. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

CFBA - Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


Maybelle In Stitches


Abingdon Press (March 18, 2014)


by


Joyce Magnin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

A word from the Author:

I am the author of seven novels. Five adult novels and two middle grade readers. I never wanted to do anything else but write and every day I wake up astonished that I get to do what I always dreamed about. My days are filled with words and images along with the usual family stuff. I have three children, Rebekah who is married to Joshua. They have three of the most adorable boys on the planet, Lemuel, Cedar and Soren. My daughter Emily Kate is a lovely young woman anthropologist and my son Adam is fourteen and a student--he's a genius who loves frogs and lizards and fish and plants. He amazes me.

I have never eaten a scallop. I love cream soda. Drink way too much coffee. I do not like elevators but I do enjoy needle arts and of course books. I prefer jazz over country (no offense), milk chocolate over dark, but not roller coasters although my life has often resembled a roller coaster ride.

One of my life's desires is to meet Amy Grant so I can tell her she saved my life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maybelle can’t sew. But when she finds an unfinished quilt in the attic of her mother’s house, she gets the crazy idea to complete it. At first, it’s just a way to fill the lonely nights while her husband, staff sergeant Holden Kanzinzki, is away fighting in World War II.

Yet when Maybelle discovers that the quilt is made from scraps of material that can be traced back through her family heritage, the project is suddenly much more important. Then word comes that Holden is missing in action, and with little else to do, Maybelle clings to the quilt as much as to the hope that her husband is still alive. As neighborhood friends gather around Maybelle to help her through the unknown days and nights ahead, it is the quilt that becomes a symbol of her unflagging belief that Holden will return—to her, to their home, and to their quilt-covered bed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maybelle In Stitches, go HERE.

My Thoughts:

I've enjoyed all the "Quilts of Love" books that I've read so far, however, Maybelle in Stitches was not one of my favorites. I found it difficult for me to connect with the characters because they didn't come to life for me.

There was a lot of sadness in this book, first when Maybelle's mother passes away and then again when Maybelle's husband, Holden, is listed as Missing in Action while fighting the Nazis. Probably the saddest part for me was the end. It was bittersweet.

I did however enjoy the women who came together to help Maybelle finish the quilt her mother had started.

I would like to thank Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my copy of Maybelle in Stitches. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren - a review

I have to admit that while I have always heard wonderful things about Susan May Warren's work I had never read any of her books. So when I was given the opportunity to read and review It Had to Be You I jumped at the chance. Let me tell you, it was a wise choice and now I am a fan.

It Had to Be You is the second book in Ms. Warren's Christiansen Family series and while I believe it reads well as a stand alone, I plan on going back to read the first book in the series, Take a Chance on Me. Also, at the end of It Had to Be You they have included the prequel novella, I Really Do Miss Your Smile.

I am a huge hockey fan and I loved the fact that It Had to Be You centered around the world of hockey in the NHL. The male lead, Jace Jacobsen is a star hockey player and Eden Christiansen, the female lead has a younger brother who is a rising star in the NHL. Eden has always put her life on hold while making sure her brother Owen made his dream of playing in the NHL a reality. However, Eden tends to hover over Owen making sure he keeps out of trouble. She isn't a fan of Owen's team captain, Jace Jacobsen, as he is known as the team's "bad boy" enforcer. She believes Jace is nothing but trouble and is out to get whatever he wants no matter what it may cost others. When Owen suffers a possibly career ending injury, Jace and Eden team up and go to Eden's family's home to try to cheer Owen up. What they encounter there is, well, I don't give out spoilers so you will need to read the book to find out what happens there.

Eden dreams of becoming a true reporter but finds herself relegated to the role of Obits writer at her local newspaper. She feels if she can just get that one story she'll be moved up to reporter. While visiting her brother in the hospital she comes across a young comatose patient known only as John Doe. She decides to try to find out who he is so she can find his family and write her job winning story. 

There were several story lines woven within the covers of this book and I found each of them pulling me into the story and holding me there until I finished the last page. 

Ms. Warren captured the world of hockey very well and she created well balanced, believable characters that won over my heart from the moment I met them on the written page.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of It Had to Be You. The Christian thread was beautifully woven throughout and I guarantee you will find a wonderful story that shows the reader that we shouldn't judge others as they may not really be who or what they appear to be.

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publishing and Tyndale House Publishers for my review copy of It Had to Be You. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

60 Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar by Dennis Pollock

As a diabetic, even though I am well controlled, I am always looking for new insight on how to keep it under control.  That is the reason I requested to read and review, 60 Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar by Dennis Pollack. As you can see by the book cover, this book is about simple steps to reduce the carbs, shed the weight and feel great now.  

This book is a mere 189 pages but it is packed with enough information that the reader can learn pretty much everything they need to keep their sugar levels in check. Another added bonus is that there are a few recipes sprinkled throughout some of which I definitely want to prepare for my family.

One thing that some readers may have a problem with is there are some ideas and concepts repeated throughout the book. This however was done with purpose. The author knows that we, as normal human beings need to hear or read things more than once in order to grasp the concept. 

There is a total of 60 chapters in the book, each one discussing a way to lower your blood sugar. You will find suggestions on foods to avoid, foods to eat, things to do and not to do throughout the book.  Personally I found it a great tool especially for someone newly diagnosed as a diabetic.

I would highly recommend 60 Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar to anyone who is diabetic or has a family member or friend who is diabetic.

I would like to thank Harvest House Publishers for my review copy. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest opinion, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,