A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus

When a brilliant surgeon undergoes a heart transplant, her life transforms as she begins experiencing memories of a murder she never witnessed.

The residents worship her. Nurses step out of her way. Her colleagues respect and sometimes even fear her. But surgeon Tori Taylor never expected to end up on this side of the operating table.

Now she has a new heart. This life that was formerly controlled and predictable is now chaotic. Dr. Taylor had famously protected herself from love or commitment, but her walls are beginning to crumble.

And strangest of all, memories surface that will take her on a journey out of the operating room and into a murder investigation.

Where there once was a heart of stone, there is a heart of flesh. And there is no going back.

My Review:
Harry Kraus has done it again! I quickly became engrossed in this medical-suspense tale. Imagine: a patient receives a heart transplant with a bonus. That bonus seems to be the memories of the organ donor, along with clues to a murder!

Tori Taylor, a surgeon with the reputation as a demanding perfectionist, finds her personality being adjusted while recovering from her heart transplant surgery. I'd love to tell more, but I won't ruin it. Run and buy a copy of this page-turner! You won't be disappointed.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens

Teenagers today admit that they are feeling uncertain and insecure about their lives, the world, and their futures. They are sincerely looking for something solid to hold on to in these turbulent times. They really want to know more about God, but they don’t know where to find it. How can they be sure that what they read is true? There is often conflicting information from sources which can cause confusion and even despair.

To address these important issues and provide traction for their beliefs and promises for their futures, Zondervan has teamed up with a variety of well-known scholars and included extensive resources to create the Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens. This innovative edition of the New International Version helps young readers, ages 13-16, face their questions head on and build a steadfast foundation for their faith. With the Rock Solid Bible, teens discover constant and concrete truths rooted in the unchanging love, guidance, and promises of God.

This all-new Bible features the complete NIV text, as well as other insightful and informative inserts such as:

• Truths that examine Christian beliefs and explorations of other religions;
• Principles that apply the Bible to relationships, sex, money, and more;
• Promises that call out what is (and is not) promised in the Scriptures;
• Plans that explore God’s plan for daily life;
• People that provide scriptural examples of overcoming challenges; and
• Unshaken God that points out God’s amazing and unyielding attributes.

In addition, readers will find easy to understand apologetics, reading plans, hundreds of call-outs, eight pages of full-color maps, Bible book introductions, and many other insightful features to help teens grapple with big questions about the world, their futures, and their faith.

Zondervan plans to provide the Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens in three printed formats—a hardcover ($29.99) and two Italian duo-tone leather covers ($44.99)—as well as an EBook version ($14.99). It’s the perfect gift for every teen whose heart and life needs reassuring in the midst of our disturbing times. You can find the Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens at your favorite bookstore or at Zondervan.com.

My Review:
What a good idea: a Bible tailored for teens! There are many unique ideas that encourage perusing. For instance, each book begins with an information page containing the book outline along with the book's history. Interspersed throughout the Bible are gems of wisdom that aid in study. There's a Table of Weights and Measures, guidance in choosing what to read today, Rock Solid Truths, Promises, Principles, and Plans, along with Unshaken People and Unshaken God. Reading plans, topical indexes, a concordance, and six pages of color maps are included.

The NIV version makes for easier understanding. Why, to facilitate gifting, there's even a dedication page.

The only negative is that the book is heavy at 2.2 pounds. No one skimped on producing this one! Folks, I absolutely recommend this Bible.

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson for sending me a review copy.***

AND NOW...A SAMPLE (CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE LARGER):

Chapter will be placed up here soon.

Giveaway! The Reunion by Dan Walsh

There are people in this world we pass right by without giving a second thought. They are almost invisible. Yet some of them have amazing stories to tell, if we'd only take the time to listen . . .

Aaron Miller was an old, worn-out Vietnam vet, a handyman in a trailer park. Forty years prior, he saved the lives of three young men in the field only to come home from the war and lose everything. But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Aaron is about to be found. And the one who finds him just might find the love of his life as well.

Expert storyteller Dan Walsh pens a new tale filled with the things his fans have come to love--forgiveness, redemption, love, and that certain bittersweet quality that few authors ever truly master. Fans old and new will find themselves drawn into this latest story about how God cares for everyone.

My Review:
If you could see me now, you'd notice that I am standing while applauding. I just finished reading this excellent novel, and the author, Dan Walsh, deserves my standing ovation.

This Christian fiction causes the reader to run the gamut of emotions. The characters are believable; the plot is well drawn. Prepare to enjoy this read! There are few works that capture the reader's attention as well as this one.

Buy a copy, and pick up a box of tissues while you're at it. When you finish reading, you might want to stand with me to applaud.

Thank you to Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my copy.

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Giveaway:
Starting today and running until next Monday, September 17th, Dan Walsh is celebrating the release of his new novel, The Reunion, with a ten book giveaway contest! Five winners will each receive a signed copy of The Reunion, as well as his third novel, The Deepest Waters. (He’s including this book because it was named a finalist for an ACFW Carol Award for book-of-the-year). Click here to enter the contest!

Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine by Max Lucado

We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means.

But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no?

Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace?

God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid to die to ready to fly.

Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.

Let’s make certain grace gets you.

My Review:
I once heard Max Lucado speak and quickly became a fan. His straightforward ability caused me to sit still so as to not miss a bit of his important message. He writes the same way he talks. His books read as if he is speaking directly to the reader.

Each chapter contains Bible verses, Bible stories, and anecdotes from life. That alone makes the book worthwhile; however, Lucado goes to the next level--the Reader's Guide.

A unique feature about Grace is the Reader's Guide section. More than a list of questions, each chapter is thoroughly covered. There is a guide for chapter one, chapter two, etc. making the book a useful tool for personal or small group Bible study. Scripture is reviewed, life-changing questions are listed, a prayer is included, and life applications are given. This comprehensive section allows the reader to more deeply study and apply the biblical truths. I recommend this book!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my copy.

To Write A Wrong by Robin Caroll

A Justice Seekers Novel

In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he didn't commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen, and vows to help prove her father's innocence.

At the same time, Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping
 his little sister in line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing the lid off his emotional bucket. But when Riley Baxter storms into his life, struggling to understand why God would let bad things happen to good people, Hayden has no choice but to follow his heart.

Now, Riley and Hayden must work together to uncover the truth of the past . . . before someone shuts Riley up for good.

My Review:
If romantic suspense tales are your reading pleasure, this Christian Fiction novel is for you! The character of Riley Baxter is a journalist struggling to please her editor. She begins writing a series about an innocent man serving time for a crime he didn't commit, and inadvertently opens a Pandora's Box.

Meanwhile, Hayden Simpson and Riley begin their long distance romance. The two stories intertwine to end with some surprises.

Recipes and discussion questions included.

Thank you to FirstWildCard and Shannon Kozee at B&H Books for my copy.

And now, the first chapter:

Search inside this book