Narelle here. Happy New Year! You may have noticed we've taken a blogging break since mid-December. We do have a good reason to explain our absence.
I'm excited to announce that Australasian Christian Writers has moved to a new website!
Our new home is AustralasianChristianWriters.com
We are launching our new website today! Please stop by and check out our new and improved website with monthly giveaways for our blog readers.
Monday 7 January 2019
Thursday 13 December 2018
Book Review - Liar's Winter by Cindy Sproles.
By Ian Acheson - @achesonian
Blurb
Lochiel Ogle was born with a red-wine birthmark--and it put her life in jeopardy from the moment she entered the world. Mountain folks called it "the mark of the devil," and for all the evil that has plagued her nineteen-year existence, Lochiel is ready to believe that is true. And the evil surely took control of the mind of the boy who stole her as an infant, bringing her home for his mother to raise.
Abused and abandoned by the only people she knows as family, Lochiel is rescued by a peddler and given the first glimpse of love she has ever known. The truth of her past is gradually revealed as is the fact that she is still-hunted by a brother driven to see her dead. Unsure if there's anyone she can truly trust, Lochiel is faced with a series of choices: Will she continue to run for escape or will she face her past and accept the heartbreaking secrets it reveals? Which will truly free her?
Set in the wild and beautiful Appalachian Mountains of nineteenth-century East Tennessee, Liar's Winter is an unflinching yet inspirational exploration of prejudice and choice.
Review
Wow. What a story. This is frankly one of the best stories I’ve read in recent times. Certainly in 2018. It is simply breathtaking, as other reviews have mentioned.
There’s a whole sub-genre of stories based around the Appalachian Mountains in America. Having a writer friend who is a local Appalachian I’ve found it an intriguing sub-genre.
Lochiel (‘low-kill’) Ogle was born with a birthmark that disfigured one side of her face all the way down her neck and shoulder. In the late nineteenth century such disfigurement was considered the work of the Devil. Lochiel, as a baby, is taken from her sleeping mother’s arms and ‘adopted’ by another family. Besides having this birthmark she is also part Cherokee Indian that adds to the complexity of her background.
We meet Lochiel at 19 with frequent backstory inserts by her brother, Gerald, plus her own reflections. When we meet her she has been left for dead having been bashed by Gerald. He dumps her in the forest only for her to be found by a wandering trader who goes by the name of Walt. Walt rescues her but we’re soon involved in a chase when Gerald finds out she is still alive. Driven by hatred, Gerard wants her dead.
The themes of racism, superstitions, sibling rivalry, not fitting in, abandonment, and familial love are powerfully woven through this story. Love, forgiveness, and God’s truth are contrasted against the hatred and bitterness born out differences between cultures and race.
We see the transformation of a young girl from being fearful, untrusting non-believing to a loving, God-fearing secure in God’s love young woman.
The descriptions of the Appalachian Mountains are spectacular as we follow Lochiel and Walt in a journey that transcends the beauty of nature but also the wonder of familial love and faith.
It is edge-of-the-seats suspenseful and spoken in the first person mostly by Lochiel we get to experience her native tongue (which I love) and all the variety of emotions she experiences on this journey of discovery and redemption.
Wednesday 12 December 2018
My Top Ten Reads for 2018
If you’re pedantic and fussy about details, you will notice
that my list includes more than 10 books. I’ve read more than those listed, but
I couldn’t leave any out from this list. I won’t say anything if you don’t.
These titles are presented in no particular order of
preference. Read them all!
Searching for Healing – From the New Age to Jesus by Julie Mellor
published by John
Mellor Ministries
This powerful testimony walks the reader through the author’s
search for healing, and the many New Age practises she tried to find it. As an atheist,
she had no intention of ever considering God or Jesus as an option, but the
Holy Spirit had a way of bringing her to face what she had been ignoring—her
need of the true healer.
Sitting at the Feet of Rabi Jesus – How the Jewishness of Jesus Can
Transform Your Faith by Ann Spanger and Lois Tverberg
published by
Zondervan (also Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus and Walking in the Dust of
Rabbi Jesus)
This trio of books make fascinating reading. As western
Christians, we often read the Bible through our post-millennial, Western lens,
and we often misunderstand what it was that the Jewish listeners of the First
Century would have heard. Highly recommended reading as part of your Bible
study.
Hell on the Doorstep – Hope beyond Black Saturday by John and Jan
Graham with Meredith Resce published by Golden Grain Publishing
While I am technically the story editor, and minor
contributor to this work, it is not my story. The day Jan Graham first shared
it with me I said to her, ‘you have to write a book’. Neither John nor Jan are
writers, and so I helped them craft this biographical account of how they
responded when the Black Saturday bushfires were on their doorstep.
Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
This is the third novel by this author that I have read and
thoroughly enjoyed. Tessa Afshar writes Biblical Fiction and it is outstanding.
Land of Silence tells the story of
the woman who had suffered for 12 years from bleeding and was healed, but that
part of the story is not revealed until near the end. Most of the story
introduces us to her and her family, set in First Century Jerusalem. The
characters are engaging, and the plot well crafted. I highly recommend this
author.
All Made Up by Kara Isaac
Published by Bellbird Press
This is the second novel I’ve read by this Kiwi author.
Always want to support our regional Christian fiction authors—but it wasn’t a
trial. I’m not a particular fan of the reality TV shows, though I’ve been known
to watch an episode or two. This novel is set in the middle of a reality
romance show – Falling for the Farmer. Set in Australia, and then out to
Toowoomba Qld. If you like light romance, you’ll like this.
The Catching Kind (Brew Ha Ha series) by Bria Quinlan
Published by Rogue Giraffe Books
I really enjoyed the wit of this writer. Bad boy athlete is
forced into a media-stunt with sweet-heart author, posing as a couple. His
popularity is supposed to gain her visibility in the media, her much-loved
clean-teen romance is supposed to gain him respectability. Then they are
supposed to call it quits…but you know what is bound to happen.
A Name Unknown (Shadows Over England series) by Roseanna M White
Published by Bethany House Publishers
I read a number of Roseanna White’s books this year.
Roseanna was one of our sponsors for last years’ Omega Writers’ Conference, so
I thought I’d best check her out. I was not disappointed. This particular novel
set at the start of World War One, is a bit ‘Downton Abby’ in nature.
Roseanna has historical novels set both in England and in the USA. I’ve really
enjoyed her writing so far.
With you Always (Orphan Train Series) by Jody Hedlund
Published by Bethany House Publishers
This is also not the first novel I’ve read by this author. I’ve
read a number set in medieval England, but this one is set in the frontier
years of the US. The days when the railroad is pushing further west, and
railroad towns are popping up. The main character is the eldest sister of a
family of orphans, living in poverty in the slums of New York. She applies and
is chosen to head out to a new railroad town to take on a job, forced to leave
her siblings behind. Lots of drama and romance ensues.
Regency Brides series by Carolyn Miller (Miss Serena’s Secret, Winning Miss Withrop)
Published by Kregel Publications
I love the fact that one of our Australia authors is making
waves in the international market. Carolyn’s work stands up as good as, and
sometimes better, than anything you will read from the US market. I have her
books on pre-order, so that will tell you how much I enjoy them. Besides, I’m
an Austen tragic. What’s not to love about well-written Regency Romance. And
Carolyn writes well.
Unhinged by Amanda Deed
Published by Rhiza
Amanda Deed is a solid Australian writer, and her work is
set in Colonial Australia. This series, ‘Unnoticed’ and ‘Unhinged’ is a unique
idea, where Amanda has taken the classic fairytales and set them in Colonial
Australia. ‘Unhinged’ has another fascinating twist. Her retelling of Beauty
and the Beast – our beast does not have a physical deformity, but Amanda has
chosen to explore the drama of a man who experiences periods of dark
depression—and in an era where mental illness was not understood or treated
well.
To Say Nothing of the Dog (S.F. Masterworks) by Connie Willis
Published by Bantam Books
I’m not even sure how I came to buy this book, as it’s not
in my usual Christian Fiction or Christian inspiration field, but I loved it.
It is a time travel for a start with, and you will know I enjoy time travel
from my own novel ‘For All Time’. But this was funny, quirky, and kept me on
the edge for the whole book. Scientific time travel in the future, sent two
people back to live in the past to solve a mystery. Oh the things that could go
wrong, and the knock-on effects for future events. I loved it.
This list has been compiled by me - Meredith Resce - author and avid reader
Tuesday 11 December 2018
My Top 10 Reads for 2018
By Iola Goulton @iolagoulton
What are your Top Ten Reads for 2018?
Every year I volunteer to write a Top Ten post ... and every year I regret it. How can I possibly condense a year of reading into ten books? Last year I decided to cheat a little, and posted only my top ten contemporary Christian romance reads.
I'm cheating again this year. I've already posted my five favourite new-to-me authors, and my top five romance read. So today's post (which is cross-posted on my website) is my top ten Christian reads, excluding romance.
Strategem by Robin Carroll
An excellent thriller with a unique hook: a woman dies playing an escape room-type game designed by her husband, which makes him the prime suspect. He didn't do it, so who did?
Click here to read my review.
Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels
An infertile woman working in a pregnancy support clinic is counselling the woman pregnant to her unfaithful husband ... only none of them know it. A gripping novel which explores those problem areas where there are no right answers.
Click here to read my review.
Grace in the Shadows by Christine Dillon
Grace in the Shadows is a poignant and thought-provoking novel from Australian author and missionary Christine Dillon, one that is designed to challenge our thinking at the same time as giving us a good story with great characters.Click here to read a review by Fiction Aficionado.
Life After by Katie Ganshert
What would you do if you were the sole survivor of a train accident that killed twenty-two people ... but you can't remember it? That's the premise of this gripping and emotional novel.
Click here to read my review.
The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrell
The recipient of a heart transplant meets the donor family, and is challenged to get out and live the life she has been gifted ... by ticking off the donor's bucket list, the 24 things she didn't get to do before she died.
Click here to read my review.
Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson
A powerful dual-timeline stories connecting a rare book, a second-hand bookstore, and pre-World War II Austria as Hitler comes to power and begins his persecution of the Jews. Plenty of twists and tragedy.
Click here to read my review.
Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin
Charles Martin novels always pack an emotional punch, and send down the rain is no exception. Yes, there's a slow build, but the payoff is more than worth it in this exploration of love, loyalty, and family, a story of sacrifice and second chances.Click here to read my review.
No Less Days by Amanda G Stevens
David Galloway can't died. He's tried, but he can't. He's always thought he was alone, but he's watching TV one day and realises that he isn't alone ... Yes, No Less Days isn't your typical Christian fiction. It's more like Forever meets Highlander, part science fiction and part urban fantasy.Click here to read my review.
Where Hope Begins by Catherine West
Savannah's husband of twenty years has left her for another woman, the children are in boarding school and college and don't need her, so she does what any sensible woman would do: she runs away. It's a tough yet touching story about what women do when life disappears.Click here to read my review.
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
I seem not to have reviewed this (probably because I bought it, and I'd already filled my reviewing schedule with review copies). It's a dual timeline story, with the past timeline telling the story of a family that is broken when the five children are stolen, shipped off to an orphanage, and adopted out. It's a compelling story, made all the more compelling and horrifying by the knowledge it's based on the real-life scandal of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society.
Conclusion
As I was compiling this post, I realised what all these novels have in common: a great hook.Yes, they all also have great characters, a strong plot, and excellent writing, but so did a lot of the novels that didn't make the list. These are the novels that have lived in my memory long past reading them and writing the review ... and that's because of the hook.
Characters placed in unusual and often difficult situations, and being forced to work through issues and problems most of us will never face. Because that's the attraction of fiction: the way story can teach us how to deal with things in the real world.
So what's the hook for your work in progress? What challenges do you give your characters?
What about you? What are some of the best novels you've read this year? Do your choices have a theme, like mine did?
About Iola Goulton
Iola Goulton is a New Zealand book reviewer, freelance editor, and author, writing contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist. She is a member of the Sisterhood of Unpronounceable Names (Iola is pronounced yo-la, not eye-ola and definitely not Lola). Iola holds a degree in marketing, has a background in human resource consulting, and currently works as a freelance editor. When she’s not working, Iola is usually reading or writing her next book review. Iola lives in the beautiful Bay of Plenty in New Zealand (not far from Hobbiton) with her husband, two teenagers and one cat. She is currently working on her first novel.
Monday 10 December 2018
December 2018 New Releases
Three Dummies in a Dinghy Edited by Claire Bell, James Cooper and Mark Worthing (Morning Star Publishing, October 2018)
Three Dummies in a Dinghy is the third instalment of the Stories of Life series.
In it, ordinary Australians share their extraordinary stories of faith and life. Some tales are humourous, others are entertaining and upbeat. But not all are happy stories. Many writers describe how they were found by a loving God in the midst of doubts and great suffering, and the circumstances don’t always get easier. But the message still comes through loud and clear that God is faithful, near and active in the lives of ordinary people.
We discover that there are unsung heroes of all kinds among us. With their encouragement we can open our eyes a little wider, see more clearly, and trust more deeply in the boundless kindness of our Lord.
Link to buy
Deadly Misdirection by R J Amos (independent release, 23 November 2018)
Coffee, hot cross buns, and … murder?
The anticipation of a five day break and the unexpectedly warm Easter weather makes Alicia eager to get going on her home renovations, despite the fact that she has absolutely no experience and is more at home with a test tube than a paintbrush. She is determined to get ahead with her laboratory preparations so that she can leave early and make the most of the Easter break.
That is, until she discovers the dead body of a student in a car outside the chemistry building.
Now all she wants to do is find out why Eloise died and not lose her job in the process.
Come and join Alicia and her friends Jan and Nate as they solve another cosy mystery in the delightful small town of Kingston Beach, Tasmania.
Get it now.
Amazon link
Second Chances by Carol Ashby (Cerrillo Press, November 26 2018)
Must the shadows of the past destroy the hope of the future?
In AD 122, Cornelia Scipia, proud daughter of one of Rome's noblest families, learns her adulterous husband plans to betroth their daughter to the vicious son of his best friend. Over her dead body! Cornelia divorces him, reclaims her enormous dowry, and kidnaps her own daughter. She plans to start over with Drusilla a thousand miles away. No more husbands for her. But she didn’t count on meeting Hector, the widowed Greek captain of the ship carrying her to her new life.
Devastated by the loss of his wife and daughter, Hector’s heart begins to heal as he befriends Drusilla. Cornelia’s sacrificial love for Drusilla and her courage and humor in the face of the unknown earn his admiration…as a friend. Is he ready for more?
Marriage to the kind, honest sea captain would give Drusilla the father she deserves…and Cornelia the faithful husband she’s always longed for. But while her ex-husband hunts them to drag Drusilla back to Rome, secrets in Hector’s past and the chasms between their social classes and different faiths erect complicated barriers to any future together. Will God give two lonely hearts a second chance at happiness?
Amazon link
Friday 7 December 2018
The Richest of Foods
By Cindy Williams | @nutritionchic
Last Christmas was special. My whole family gathered together at our childhood home – a place of great beauty, good memories and peace. We dragged the dining room table and chairs to the end of the lawn and sat under the red flowers of the Pohutukawa tree dining on the richest of foods.
Afterwards, we lazed on the lawn in the sunshine enjoying the satisfaction of a good meal, enhanced by our body pumping out endorphins, the natural opioids often called the ‘feel-good’ hormones. Our body and souls were satisfied.
The loneliest day
As authors we can suffer that dryness of soul – as we stare at a blank screen, as we read yet another rejection, as we resist that cruel thought: ‘You’re wasting your time.’
'My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods' Ps. 63:5
If you set your mind to do these things, the word of God promises you will be satisfied as with the best Christmas meal ever.
May you be richly blessed this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
About Cindy Williams
Her first novel, The Pounamu Prophecy, was short listed for the 2016 Caleb Prize. She writes stories of health, history, food and faraway places at www.nutritionchic.com.
Cindy lives in Sydney with her husband and son, writing stories of flawed women who battle injustice... and sometimes find romance.
Thursday 6 December 2018
Book Review | The Making of Mrs Hale by Carolyn Miller
Review by Iola Goulton @iolagoulton
We first met Julia Hale in Winning Miss Winthrop, when Julia ran away to Gretna Green to marry Thomas Hale in defiance of her family's wishes.
But, as the old saying goes, "Marry in haste; repent at leisure."
Julia is left destitute after her husband disappears. Six months later, she has sold everything she can and has no choice but to return to her friends and family in London and ask for help. They are pleased to welcome her home, believing she is either an abandoned wife or (possibly) a widow. They are less pleased when Thomas Hale returns home ...
This means The Making of Mrs Hale follows one of the lesser-used romance tropes: a married couple falling in love. Or perhaps they are rediscovering their love, as Julia clearly still has feelings towards Thomas and vice versa. But Julia has to fight to keep what she has—a marriage to a man she loves.
There is also an exciting suspense thread. Thomas is concerned his ending up in a Spanish prison may not have been an accident. This threatens him, Julia, and their attempts to rebuild their relationship while surrounded by disapproving family members.
I have always been a big Regency romance fan, and Carolyn Miller has established herself as a leading author in the Christian Regency genre. Her research is spot on, yet never gets in the way of the story (I wish this was universal, but I find there are more authors who think they can write authentic Regency than actually can).
In contrast, Carolyn Miller consistently comes up with realistic yet detailed plots.
She fills her novels with realistic, complex characters facing issues that are true to the historic period, yet resonate with modern readers. Her novels are also definitely (and perhaps defiantly) Christian. They're not just "clean". Her characters are forced to evaluate themselves and their relationship with God, which is a refreshing contrast to a lot of the fiction being published by CBA publishers. Overall, I recommend Carolyn Miller and The Making of Miss Hale to anyone looking for genuine Christian Regency fiction.
Thanks to Kregel Publications and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About Iola Goulton
Iola Goulton is a New Zealand book reviewer, freelance editor, and author, writing contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist. She is a member of the Sisterhood of Unpronounceable Names (Iola is pronounced yo-la, not eye-ola and definitely not Lola). Iola holds a degree in marketing, has a background in human resource consulting, and currently works as a freelance editor. When she’s not working, Iola is usually reading or writing her next book review. Iola lives in the beautiful Bay of Plenty in New Zealand (not far from Hobbiton) with her husband, two teenagers and one cat. She is currently working on her first novel.
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