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.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Book Review | Long Way Home (Potter's House 4) by Brenda S Anderson

Review by Christine Dillon @ACWriters

This author is a new one for me and I’ve been impressed by her writing. She writes both women’s fiction and romance. This particular books is part of the new ‘Potter House’ series with a book each from different authors.

Book Description

Can she forgive the man who once bullied her,

and learn that love keeps no record of wrongs?

Having overcome the crippling insecurities of childhood bullying, Lauren Bauman is eager to start her new job 1,000 miles away, and road-tripping across the country with her brother Nate and his new friend seems to be the perfect way to celebrate the move. But her confidence is shaken when she meets Nate’s friend—the kid who’d bullied her years before, trapping her in a decade-long shell of self-doubt.

For Jet Wurm, losing his job and getting kicked out of his apartment were the best things that ever happened to him. Thanks to the friend who rescued him, he’s finally shedding the loser label he’d worn for years. Nate even invited him along on a cross-country road trip with his sister, and Jet couldn’t be more excited. But then he meets Lauren, and her fearful reaction tells him they must have met before. Where, he can’t recall, but he has no doubt he’d somehow hurt her—like he’d hurt so many others in his past. And now he’s stuck on a six-day road trip with a woman who obviously deplores him.

Though Jet is clearly not the same person who’d bullied her years before, Lauren still struggles to forgive him. But if she doesn’t find the courage to forgive, will that convince Ryan he’s as worthless as he’d always been taught to believe? Or will they learn that real love keeps no record of wrongs?

4.5 stars 

I've found myself a new favourite author. Brenda writes ordinary stories about real people and she writes them really, really well. No slips up, no being jerked out of the story. Stories of struggle, stories about imperfect people and stories of hope in our perfect God. The One who can change any heart. Loved too the looking at bullying from the side of the bully. For lovers of Francine Rivers, Deborah Raney. This story would also be great for mid-late teens. Even a book for a youth group to read and discuss.

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction and now fiction (Grace in Strange Disguise, 2017; Grace in the Shadows, 2018).

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com (for fiction)
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

August 2018 New Releases

Jenny Blake | @ausjenny

The Pharaoh's Stone by Nick Hawkes (Rhiza Connect, 1 August 2018)

A young man hiding from his past in a London prison. A body found hanged from a bridge over the River Thames. An Egyptian code that holds the key to an international scandal …

Peter has served his prison sentence trying to be nameless. But on his release, Peter becomes entangled in the life of British Museum professor, Alex, whose brother was found hanged under Blackfriars Bridge.

Investigations into the death lead them into the secret world of Freemasonry and its passion for collecting ancient Egyptian artefacts. Alex calls on Beth, his finest student and an expert in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

From London to Paris, New York and the ancient temples of Egypt, they lead a frantic race to uncover the clues. As Peter and Beth get closer to solving the mystery of the murder, death stalks their every move. To survive, Peter must discover qualities about himself he never knew he had … and learn to trust once more.

Website link

Grace in the Shadows by Christine Dillon (LinksintheChain Press, 1 August 2018) 

Physiotherapist Esther has survived cancer, but wounds within her family remain unhealed. Is her revived faith the reason for the rift or could a simmering secret be the root cause?
Cosmetics consultant Rachel buried her past - and her father’s God - but the past refuses to stay buried. Will she continue to run or is confronting her pain the way to freedom?

Two women. Two different lives. 

One collision course with truth.
Can God’s grace shine even in the darkest of shadows?

Amazon link

Running a Physical Book Launch (Fiction)

By Christine Dillon @ACWriters

Last week I shared my experience in running the physical book launches for my traditionally published non-fiction books. Today I'm talking about the opposite: launching my first self-published novel, Grace in Strange Disguise.

I found launching fiction harder than my non-fiction. This may have been because I no longer had a publisher behind me. However, I think it was also because fiction is a more personal thing rather than something based on an area of expertise.

The ‘how to’s’ of fiction will also depend on your genre. I looked on in envy at those who wrote historical fiction and thus could have fun with ‘fancy dress’ in the era of the book’s setting.

I took my time planning for my book launch, thinking about why I wanted to do a physical launch and therefore what elements would bring about my purpose.

Why?

Fiction was a new thing for me. I wanted to launch it properly so potential buyers would notice it. I also wanted to ‘reward’ people who had been behind me during the four and a half year gestation.

My non-fiction work with Bible storytelling had also demonstrated to me the power of ‘story’ and I knew that the ‘story behind the book’ was powerful. All my life when I bought a piece of artwork or similar, it was the ‘story behind it’s crafting’ or the ‘story of the artist’ that really made me want to buy the product.

Since my novel was Christian fiction, this was another way to minister to people and give a testimony of God’s character and work.

I wanted people to leave the launch saying, “Don’t we serve an amazing God.”

My book launch: Saturday 18 November, 2-4 p.m.

1. Warm welcome & prayer

2. ‘Story behind the story’ interview

• You never intended to write a novel what happened to change your mind?
• You didn't spring immediately into action, why not?
• It took you 4 1/2 and a half years to write and edit your novel. What kept you going?
• What was the process of writing a novel?
• You struggled to know how fiction fits in your life. Why have you struggled?
• What is self-publishing and why have you chosen that route?
• Why write this story? Why write a question fiction? Christian fiction?
• What has God taught you?

3. Q and A

I allowed the audience to ask their questions.

4. Book reading

I read the prologue and first chapter

5. Competition

Along the way we had a competition to name some characters for the next book. I described the characters and they could write down a name and will ‘win’ an acknowledgement in the next book and a free copy of book 2.

I also gave away some ‘thank you’ copies of the book to people like my editors, the cover designer and those who were a significant part of the book like the lady who I interviewed about breast cancer and the woman who designed my website. I wove these gifts into the ‘story’ of the book’s process.

6. Prayer

We had a prayer time to conclude which is very unusual but fits because of my ‘normal’ job (as a missionary) and how I view my writing. It also included a prayer that I would not be negatively changed by being an ‘author’.

Reflections

Timing

Mid-November turned out to be a good time because people were already thinking about Christmas presents’. Saturday afternoon mostly avoided the children’s sport issue and ensured more people were available since they’re often out in the evenings on a weekend. I would use this time again.

Interview

An interview is much easier to listen to than a monologue. I chose a good interviewer and we worked on the questions upfront. The questions focused on allowing attendees to take the spiritual journey with me. Obviously you wouldn’t have this focus when releasing a general market book but there are still plenty of questions about how your got the inspiration and the process of research and writing that would interest people.

Question and Answer time

This is a good time to learn what interests your audience. It gets them involved and increases their desire to support you (or not). I would definitely include this next time.

Book reading

I included this because when I asked around people expected it. Obviously with a young children’s book you could read more or perhaps the entire book. The key I think is for this not to be longer than ten minutes.

Competitions

These are fun and if it can be something that increases the audience’s connection with your books, even better. It could even be something like ‘vote’ on the title for the next book in the series or …

Thank you gifts

It is so hard to adequately thank all those who have been a part of the team. Keep this short and sweet and if possible weave it in and include bits of the ‘story behind’ the story with each presentation.

A general principle for me has been to involve as many people as possible and acknowledge them in some way.

What elements would you include in a physical book launch? Why?

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction and now, fiction.

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

Running a Physical Book Launch (Non-fiction)

By Christine Dillon @ACWriters

There are many types of book launches. Nowadays and especially in the world of independent publishing (indie) the main kind is the online ‘release’ date of the book.

In contrast, this article is going to focus on the kind of event where people physically turn up.

Purpose of a physical book launch

As the name implies, it is to send your book out into the world with a bit of a bang rather than letting the event happen without anyone knowing.

It allows you to tell the story behind the book and create buzz. Hopefully it also allows you to sell lots of physical copies of your book and gain new fans.

Timing of a book launch

Generally the closer to the actual publication day the better. However, my fiction launch was six weeks after the online book release. This allowed some of the attendees to have already read the book. They came and bought more copies for relatives, friends … obviously this won’t happen if they don’t like the book. They functioned as a group of walking book advertisements.

What do you actually do at a book launch?

The short answer is, it depends on what kind of book you’re launching.

Non-fiction is generally easier, especially if it is on some sort of speciality area. My first two books were traditionally published non-fiction on the ‘how to’ topics of Bible storytelling and discipling others. The problem was that both of them were released overseas - UK and US. Thus, there was no physical ‘launch’. One of the publishers did arrange four radio interviews for me.

It wasn’t until the second one was translated and published into Chinese that I was physically present to launch.

It turned out to be a big series of events. The publisher asked me to prepare a seminar based on the content of the book. We decided two hours was a reasonable length.

I was able to adapt material from the many training seminars I’d done. My launches were interactive seminars but lectures may also be appropriate.

In the end, I did seven ‘official’ (publisher arranged) book tour seminars. On top of that, I arranged a further six in smaller towns. The publisher printed posters to advertise the book launch tour, internet … and did all the booking of venues … all I had to do was turn up. They also paid travel expenses.

The key to seminars is to do enough to make people hungry for more. If you cover everything in your book then they are unlikely to see any reason to buy it!

I’d already been an ‘author’ for six years when I did this first tour. God really stepped in because four days before the first and biggest seminar (220 attendees), I had my appendix removed. By God’s grace and the kindness of the publisher (providing a bar stool for me to sit on rather than having to stand), I made it through.

Two years later, I did another tour of mostly the same places. Many who attended the second one had attended the first. We sold many additional copies of the first book at the second launch even though they were on different topics.

If your book has elements of history, biography or memoir, then you can give ‘teaser’ sections. The key is to always leave the hearers wanting more.

Practical Hints 

• Have someone else sell the books for you after the launch as this allows you to focus on book signings and talking to those attending.
• Think hard about where to put your sales and signing table. I place them so that everyone has to pass them. Have an assistant to help you do such small things as open the book to the correct page to sign.
• Think beforehand about the kind of things you’ll write before signing your name. I find it difficult to merely sign my name and so usually write a short blessing. For my Chinese book launches I prepared a special ink stamp and my assistant did that and then I simply signed.
• Afternoon tea is a good way to end. It gives a sense of closure, allows people to linger and gives you the possibility of actually getting to talk to people. It can also be a way to thank people for coming.
• Consider whether hype can be built using radio or newspaper interviews beforehand.
• If your book is for the general market, consider where to launch and who to work in with. For example, libraries or a business related to the topic of your book. The more involvement with others usually the better because those partners can help you launch the book further.

Things I wish I’d done

Had yet another table with an assistant and a computer to encourage people to sign up on the spot to join my email subscribers. Those attending are already ‘fans’. Helping them to make that ‘official’ while they remember and have someone to assist them with technology is a smart move.

I will be back next week to talk about my experiences with a different kind of book launch: launching my self-published novel, Grace in Strange Disguise.

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction and now, fiction.

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

Book Review | The Keeper's Crown by Nathan D Maki

Review by Christine Dillon @StoryTellerChristine

In the last two years I have read a lot of Christian fiction. One of my concerns has been the lack of good books for teenage boys and young men. This is one author who writes for this audience. Prior to this book he has written a previous series of four. Maki has degrees in journalism and history and it shows. I spotted his work as I was involved in the ACFW critiques loop and immediately wrote to him. His historical research is excellent and I was never once torn out of the story by anachronisms.

This a a novel about the Roman guard who was chained to the apostle Paul. The first part of the book gives the background to Quintus. The official blurb says:

~Quintus~

As a boy, he dared to fight Nero. Worse, he won.

Stripped of his family, the love of his life, and his self-respect, he sets out on a quest to win a victor's crown, rescue his parents, and restore his family's honor. But his path to glory in the restless province of Judaea is threatened by the corrupt governor Felix, the murderous priest Melechi, and most of all by the rabble-rousing Paul of Tarsus.

When Quintus finds himself in Rome chained to Paul all hope of a crown seems lost, but Paul's example makes him question the true meaning of success. And why does Jael, the mysterious young Jewess who once saved his life, now respond with barely restrained flashes of hate?

And for those of you who like romance, there is some there but it is not the main thing on the menu.

~Jael~

The Romans took her father and her brother from her.

Now Jael vows to fight for her father's faith, fulfill her brother's oath, and avenge their deaths. But the further she travels with Paul and Quintus the more she feels torn. Can she follow her heart and still keep her vow?

One of the best things about this book was that it isn’t really about a traditional hero. Quintus is a man who fails to meet most of his life goals. I loved the realism of the story. The Roman empire was a great place for strong and clever men who happened to be rich and have the right connections. If you didn’t have these things, it was a tough place. It was even tougher if you had a powerful, vindictive enemy who kept blocking your future.

Midway through the book we meet Paul. Maki obviously loves God’s word and doesn’t twist it to suit his story. He sticks with the things that we know from the New Testament but expands his story realistically into the many gaps. I particularly enjoyed the shipwreck and follow-up to that.

I rate A The Keeper's Crown at 4.5 stars.

A historical novel of great power. For lovers of Roman era stories in the vein of Francine River’s ‘Mark of the Lion’ or Tessa Afshar’s ‘Land of Silence’.

I look forward to more of Maki’s work.

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction, and now, fiction.

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

Book Review | Criss Cross by CC Warrens

Review by Christine Dillon | @ACWriters

Do you like suspense novels? This is a debut novel but C.C. Warrens writes like a seasoned author.

This book goes straight into my potential top ten for 2018.

Holly is short, feisty and scarred. She has lived in multiple foster homes and doesn’t remember anything of her background before she was ten. But someone out of her past is stalking her.

This is the first book in at least a trilogy with the third due for release in April. There is also an excellent eighty page short story that is available for subscribers and fits between books one and two.

The pace of this book reminded me of one of the better Mary Higgins Clark books. As I read I kept thinking, ‘can she maintain the excellence all the way to the end?’ She did. The subject matter of this book means it isn’t an easy read but CC Warrens shows her mastery with the touches of humour throughout. Perfectly placed to offset the two sections I found a little scary.

The Christian content also shows a deft touch. Suspense is not an easy genre for Christian authors. 

After all it is often about murder and major crime. The Christian input can sometimes feel forced or extraneous to the story. Warrens gets it just right. One of the things that touched me was that Holly is someone who clings to her faith despite a horrible background. Every evening she has a practice that keeps her grounded in who she really is and her eyes focused on Jesus. You’ll have to read it to find out what she does.

The two main supporting characters, neighbour Jace and a detective are real, funny and also allow some reflective conversations on Christian themes.

4.5 stars.

Highly recommended especially for those who love suspense without majoring on romance. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

About Criss Cross

Holly is living on borrowed time, but when mysterious footsteps follow her home and a cryptic note shows up on her door, she realizes her time is running out. The man she's hiding from has found her. Or has he? When people start dying and old, forgotten memories begin to surface, holly finds herself wrapped up in a terrifying mystery with God, a pushy southern detective, and a killer with one thing on his mind: her.

About Christine Dillon

Christine never intended to become an author. The only kind of writing she wondered if she might do was biography. However, it was a surprise to her to write poetry, non-fiction and now be working on a novel which she plans to self-publish in November.

Christine was a physiotherapist but now she writes ‘storyteller’ on any airport forms. She can legitimately claim to be this as she has written a book on storytelling and spends much of her time either telling Bible stories or training others to do so from her base in southern Taiwan.

In her spare time Christine loves all things active – hiking, cycling, swimming, snorkeling. But she also likes reading and genealogical research, as that satisfies her desire to be an historical detective.

You can find Christine online at:

www.storytellerchristine.com
www.storyingthescriptures.com (for Bible storytelling)
https://www.facebook.com/storytellerchristine/

Book Review: Grace In Strange Disguise by Christine Dillon

Review by Natalie McNee @NatalieMcNee

Physiotherapist Esther Macdonald is living the Australian dream, and it doesn’t surprise her.

After all, her father has always said, “Follow Jesus and be blessed.” But at twenty-eight, her world shatters. Everyone assures her God will come through for her, but what happens when he doesn’t? Has she offended God? Is her faith too small? So many conflicting explanations.

Will finding the truth cost her the people closest to her heart?

What a delightful surprise this book by Christine Dillon has been. I was hooked with the first opening sentence; “You have cancer.” Dillon nailed the characters. The main character Esther is relatable in both her diagnosis and the anguish she endured when she realised her father believed her cancer and subsequent non-healing was due to a lack of faith and unconfessed sin in her life. I fist-pumped the air that an author was so brave to knock this false teaching that is still prevalently taught in churches today.

I was also glad that Dillon highlighted how God wants a relationship with us and not a religious routine. The use of “storytelling” the Bible was new to me and Dillon shared some teachings and insights that made me question the interpretation of certain scripture verses. There are some hidden gems in the Bible passages she uses which prompted me to share and discuss them with my husband too.

The only slight disappointment I had was when I reached the ending–I didn’t want it to end. At the time I didn’t realise it was part of a trilogy and I thought the ending should have been rewritten but once I read that Dillon was writing the next installment I sighed with relief that the story will continue.

I recommend this book to all Christians, those following Jesus and to those who have been hurt by churches and especially to those who question God with, “Why me?” This story of courage, faith, and God’s grace will change your perspective on what it means to be a Christian and encourage you to have an intimate relationship with your Father.

*I received a free copy of this book and the opinion expressed is solely mine.

About Natalie McNee

Natalie McNee is a mother of a tween and a toddler, so she gets the best of both crazy worlds. Her only escape is to hide out in the study and use her kids’ antics as inspiration in creating exciting children’s books. She is a hybrid children’s book author and an international best-selling ghostwriter of Christian non-fiction books.

Through her publishing company, she is helping authors to publish their passion projects and give a voice to everyday people who have extraordinary stories to share.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

January Latest Releases

Playing God by Morton Benning (Stone Table Books, 7 November 2017) 

Keenley Turnshoe is a young apprentice cleric living in Utopia, a medieval-like fantasy world of magic and monsters. But unknown to Keenley and the other inhabitants of Utopia, their world is also the virtually rendered plaything of a very wealthy and self-absorbed young man named Jeff, AKA the Great God Avatar.

When Jeff’s ‘answering machine’, the Deus Interface, decides that it is the Great God Avatar, it identifies Jeff as a threat and strands him in his own virtual world. Jeff seeks help from Keenley and his companions as he tries to return to his virtual throne room.

As they risk their lives on a quest to find the Great God, will they discover the true identity of their difficult travelling companion? And will the Deus Interface be able to locate and destroy them before they fulfil their quest?

Website

Shadowwalker by Catch Tilly (Stone Table Books, 10 October 2017) 

“There’s a dragon watching me when I wake up.”

As the Death Lord’s daughter, seventeen-year old Uriel is comfortable walking the lavender-scented tunnels of death. She’s not pleased to be dragged back to the living realm of Meldin. It’s a world of laser-edged swords and shape-changing dragons, where the Lord of the World has sworn to kill her father.

Website

Beast-Speaker The Flight by W.A. Noble (Stone Table Books, 7 November 2017) 

Children are disappearing from the city of Seddon without a trace. The city gates are locked and guarded, but still the children disappear. One night, Seeger and his friend Boyd are taken and they at last understand the mystery. The abductors are using dragons!

Two days later they arrive at the city of Midrash, where everything serves the military machine – including children who are forced to become soldiers. In a world in which they are daily confronted with violence and the loss of innocence, Seeger and Boyd struggle to maintain their humanity and their friendship. Their only hope of escape lies with a unique gift Seeger has discovered – but one which he must keep secret from his captors. He can speak to dragons.

Website

Beast-Speaker Dragon-Friend by W.A. Noble (Stone Table Books, 7 November 2017) 

Escaping from Midrash was not easy, even riding on the back of a dragon. Seeger promised his friend Boyd he would return with help to set him and the other child soldiers free from the brutality of the Midrashi.

What he does not know is that it will nearly be a year before he finally returns, across the desert, with an army and five dragons. But what will he find after all this time? Can the Midrashi be defeated? And what has become of Boyd and the other children?

Website

Stories Aren't Just For Kids by Christine Dillon (Indie Published, Mid December 2017)

In a world increasingly anti-Christian, how can you communicate in a way that slides under listener's defences? How can you leave them hungry for more?
Stories are God-designed way to impact hearts.
But many Christians reject stories as just for kids. Christine Dillon has trained thousands of people in storytelling. 10 myths come up over and over again, and they block Christians from using this life-changing ministry tool.
MYTH 1: Adults won’t listen to stories
MYTH 2: Stories are only for non-literate cultures
MYTH 3: Men won’t listen to stories ...
MYTH 6: Storytelling won’t grow mature disciples
MYTH 8: Storytelling will lead to heresy ...

Using stories from around the world Dillon tackles each myth and challenges you to master this tool. 

Amazon link

Book Recommendation: Being Jazmine by Cecily Thew Patterson

Review by Christine Dillon

Being Jazmine is the third in Cecily’s series about Jazmine Crawford. Cecily writes fiction for ‘brave-hearted girls’. Her books are about young teenagers dealing with every day issues like moving to new schools, death and bullying.

Jazmine has two other, less common, challenges, her father has died and she is ‘hard of hearing’ and needs to wear hearing aids.

In the first of the trilogy, Invisible, Jazmine tries to keep out of trouble by seeking to be as invisible as possible. She learns to tackle some of her challenges with the help of her grandmother, a teacher, and a friend.

Initially, Cecily only intended to write two books in the series, Invisible and Invincible but an English professor from the US who works with the deaf contacted her and begged her to write another book about Jazmine mixing with at least one other deaf character. In Being Jazmine, Cecily takes us on a new journey with Jazmine.

Jazmine has conquered many challenges but she is tired, exhausted really. She slowly works out that what she’s feeling isn’t normal. Her need for sleep is because in every class and every conversation she is struggling to lip read and hear everything. But she’s not hearing everything, she’s missing a lot.

One day she sees some deaf people signing together and she is given the chance to make friends with people who talk in Auslan (Australian sign language) rather than lip reading.

But even this new group of friends have their cliques and own culture. Besides which, Jazmine isn’t fluent in sign language, she’s never had to be. The book shows you her struggles in both worlds.

Cecily is a master at immersing you in the world of young teenage angst. Each book keeps you in that world to the end. I particularly appreciated learning about the challenges of being deaf or hard of hearing. Cecily is not a member of that group but she grew up in a completely different culture herself and so understands and is able to show someone who is between worlds, never quite fitting in either.

These books are written for the general market. They would make excellent texts for year 7-8 English as they raise many common issues and have plenty of potential discussion issues. They would also be good books for mothers and daughters to read and discuss. Issues of friendship and rejection, grief, struggle, parent/child conflict, victory and success. Clean reads with an occasional tiny mention of things like prayer.

Cecily has also written two books in another series Love and Muddy Puddles, and Charlie Franks is A-OK. This series is more light-hearted and the second book has just won the Caleb award for published fiction and overall Caleb award for best book 2017.

Cecily has also written non-fiction and is an editor. She has recently produced a video course on writing your memoir. Her website is http://www.cecilypaterson.com/

About Christine Dillon 

Christine Dillon was born in Australia but grew up in Asia. She now works in Taiwan as a Bible storyteller. Her book 'Telling the Gospel Through Story' was voted 2013 Outreach Magazine's Resource of the Year in Evangelism and continues to inspire innovative and engaging Bible storytelling. Believing in the beauty and power of story prompted her jump into fiction. Grace in Strange Disguise was runner-up in the Athanatos Christian Writing Contest. Christine loves reading and keeps sane by cycling, swimming and hiking.

Website | Facebook (Page) | Facebook (Group) | Pinterest

October New Releases (plus giveaway)

The Dishonorable Miss Delancey by Carolyn Miller (Kregel Publications, 24 October 2017) 

Will a damaged reputation and desire for society's approval thwart the legacy of grace?

Tainted by scandal and forced to leave London for the quieter Brighton countryside, the Honorable Miss Clara DeLancey is a shadow of her former society self. She's lost the man she loved to another and, in a culture that has no patience for self-pity, is struggling with depression. A chance encounter brings her a healing friendship with the sisters of an injured naval captain. But Clara's society mama is appalled at the new company she's keeping.

Captain Benjamin Kemsley is not looking for a wife. But his gallant spirit won't let him ignore the penniless viscount's daughter--not when she so obviously needs assistance to keep moving forward from day to day. Can he protect his heart and still keep her safe?

When they're pushed into the highest echelons of society at the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion, this mismatched couple must decide if family honor is more important than their hopes. Can they right the wrongs of the past and find future happiness together--without finances, family support, or royal favor?

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey is full of the captivating, flawed characters, fascinating historical details, and masterful writing that Carolyn Miller's fans have come to know in The Elusive Miss Ellison and The Captivating Lady Charlotte. If you love Lori Wick, Georgette Heyer, and other clean, wholesome Regency romance, you'll love this third book in the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series.

"Fans of historical romance will love Carolyn Miller....With just the right touch of inspiration and interesting historical detail, Carolyn transports you back to Regency England."

--- Carrie Turansky, award-winning author of A Refuge at Highland Hall and Shine Like the Dawn. 

The Dishonorable Miss Delancey will be released on 24th October and will be available in print and ebook from stores including Amazon and Koorong.

Check out Carolyn's giveaway for our blog readers at the end of this post.

Grace in Strange Disguise by Christine Dillon (independent release, 1 October 2017) 

Physiotherapist Esther Macdonald is living the Australian dream, and it doesn’t surprise her.

After all, her father has always said, “Follow Jesus and be blessed.” But at twenty-eight, her world shatters. Everyone assures her God will come through for her, but what happens when he doesn’t? Has she offended God? Is her faith too small? So many conflicting explanations.

Will finding the truth cost her the people closest to her heart?

Available from Amazon. For more information, please visit Christine's website.

Whimsy Primsy Runs Her Race by Jen Gibbs (Tsunami Publishing Ltd., 28 October 2017) 

Join Whimsy Primsy as she runs her race. But will she ever find her lane? Kiwi author, Jen Gibbs introduces us to Primsy, a whimsical girl who begins to run her race but takes a few detours. This is a book that inspires readers to be themselves, not looking to the right or left.

“Whimsy Primsy is every child who needs a little reassurance. These delightful books are real, non-preachy and empowering.” Joy Cowley

$20 Buy from jengibbs.com, all Christian retailers in NZ, PaperPlus and other independent bookstores. Free shipping to Australia and New Zealand on all preorders through the website. 

Whimsy Primsy Sad to Glad  by Jen Gibbs (Tsunami Publishing Ltd., 28 October 2017)

Whimsy Primsy is a little sad. How will she get through it? As Whimsy Primsy’s friends join her one by one Primsy is encouraged that things will get better. This is a book that gently instills hope and shows the power of friendship. Another gorgeous Primsy story from Kiwi author, Jen Gibbs.

“Whimsy Primsy is every child who needs a little reassurance. These delightful books are real, non-preachy and empowering.” Joy Cowley

$20 Buy from jengibbs.com, all Christian retailers in NZ, PaperPlus and other independent bookstores. Free shipping to Australia and New Zealand on all preorders through the website.

Whimsy Primsy Love You More  by Jen Gibbs (Tsunami Publishing Ltd., 28 October 2017)

Whimsy Primsy goes head to head with her dad. Who loves whom the most? A conversation between Primsy and her dad reveals, in ways that are both funny and profound, the depth of their love for each other. A heart warming story that adults and children alike will love to read and re-read by Kiwi author Jen Gibbs.

“Whimsy Primsy is every child who needs a little reassurance. These delightful books are real, non-preachy and empowering.” Joy Cowley

$20 Buy from jengibbs.com, all Christian retailers in NZ, PaperPlus and other independent bookstores. Free shipping to Australia and New Zealand on all preorders through the website. 

The Whimsy Primsy Collection by Jen Gibbs (Tsunami Publishing Ltd., 28 October 2017)

A boxed set containing all three Whimsy Primsy books. Each book is a stand alone story, however, as a set they function as a well crafted series. These sets are ideal as a gift to be treasured.

“Whimsy Primsy is every child who needs a little reassurance. These delightful books are real, non-preachy and empowering.” Joy Cowley

$39.99 Buy from jengibbs.com, all Christian retailers in NZ, PaperPlus and other independent bookstores. Free shipping to Australia and New Zealand on all preorders through the website. 

Heart the Mountain: a short novella by Jeanette O'Hagan (Publisher: By the Light Books, 22 September 2017)

YA Fantasy Adventure in the lost realm deep under the mountain.

Twins Delvina and Retza’s are desperate is to be accepted as prentices by their parents’ old crew when they stumble across a stranger. Trapped under the mountain, young Zadeki’s only thought is to escape home to his kin. Peril awaits all three youngsters. Will they pull apart or work together to save the underground realm?

Amazon

Blood Crystal: a novella by Jeanette O'Hagan (Publisher: By the Light Books, 22 September 2017)

Unlikely hereos, thrilling adventure, clash of cultures, unthinkable choices.

What price survival? The underground realm is under attack from mad Overseer Uzza and the Crystal Heart is failing. As things become desperate, Twins Delvina and Retza brave a treacherous journey to seek help from Zadeki and his people. 

Will they find the answers they seek before it’s too late? What are the twins prepared to do to save their realm and those they love from certain destruction? 

Blood Crystal is the sequel to Heart of the Mountain.

Amazon

Akrad's Children Book 1 in the Akrad's Legacy series. by Jeanette O'Hagan (Publisher: By the Light Books, 22 September 2017)

Four young lives, a realm ravaged by war, a haunting legacy

Four young lives are bound together in friendship, love, rivalry and tragedy. A realm ravaged by civil war, a ruler scarred by betrayal, a legacy that haunts them all.

Caught between two cultures, a pawn in a deadly power struggle, Dinnis longs for the day his father will rescue him and his sister from the sorcerer Akrad’s clutches. But things don’t turn out how Dinnis imagines and his father betrays him.

Does Dinnis have a future among the Tamrin? Will he seek revenge for wrongs like his sister or forge a different destiny?

Amazon

Futurevision anthology (Publisher: 1231Publishing September 9, 2017)

20 Stories about the Future by 20 Australian Authors including stories from Nola Passmore, Raelene Purtill and Jeanette O'Hagan

Since humankind was able to imagine, stories about the future both immediate and far-reaching have been passed on. We ask ourselves:

• Will we, as a species, be able to overcome our differences and work together?
• Will planet Earth be salvaged or abandoned?
• Will we be able to connect with other humans in a digital age?
• Will we be able to recognise ourselves and our society in twenty years' time? How about in fifty or a hundred?

Find out what twenty Australian authors have imagined and be intrigued by the differences - and similarities - they have in store for humankind.

website

GIVEAWAY (open until October 31, 2017):

Carolyn Miller is giving away ONE of the following prizes (winner's choice):

An autographed copy of The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey (posted to an Australian address only)

OR $15 Koorong gift card

OR $10 US Amazon.com gift card 

To enter the drawing, please leave a comment on this post by October 31, 2017.

The winner will be announced in early November in a comment on this post and will have until November 15, 2017 to claim their prize by either 1) commenting on this post with their email address or 2) posting a comment on the winner's announcement post in the Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."