Congrats Christy Winners & Carol Finalists!

I apologize for being late with my posting, but I do have a good reason: I've spent the past two days riding roller coasters with my family. Who has time to be on the web when you're having fun with family? Priorities, right?

But, naturally, in my absence, the Christian literary world hasn't been quiet as the 2012 Christy Award winners and the ACFW Carol finalists have been announced. I'm thrilled that two of my favorite books from last year (Words by Ginny Yttrup and The Queen by Steven James) took home Christy's. And in the Carols, three Minnesotans (Julie Klassen, Erica Vetsch, and Susan May Warren) are represented.

Congratulations to all!

2012 Christy Award Winners & Finalists

2012 Carol Award Finalists

Fiction for Fathers

Wondering what to get your dad for this coming Father's Day? Look no further than your local bookstore. For that fiction lover, you can find some terrific novels and/or series. These are some of my favorites.

THE PATRICK BOWERS FILES
by Steven James
(Revell and Signet Select)

I was hooked with James' first book in this series, The Pawn. Since then, I've impatiently awaited his next annual release. James has proven himself to be a skilled storyteller, one who garners interest across genre, age, and faith. This series is recommended for anyone who enjoys thrillers.

Opening Moves, a prequel, comes out in September.

More Steven James on Spire Reviews here.

Major Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky's
Special Ops Series
(B&H)

I first learned of Major Jeff Struecker when I read The Road to Unafraid (another excellent book) that chronicled Struecker's road to faith, including his part in what is now known to as Black Hawk Down (book by Mark Bowden). Since then he has teamed up with veteran author Alton Gansky and together they've delivered a series of can't-put-down military ops novels. If you're interested in learning the perspective of a Christian in special ops, read this series.

The next book in the series, Hide and Seek, comes out in July.

Check out reviews of Struecker/Gansky books here.

THE LION OF WAR series
by Cliff Graham
(Zondervan)

This series follows the Mighty Men of Israel (see 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Corinthians 11). It's a fascinating take on the men who stood closest to King David. The war descriptions can be gruesome, but they fit the subject matter. War isn't pretty. The first two of five books, Day of War and Covenant of War, are available for purchase. A movie based on Day of War is currently in production.

More Cliff Graham on Spire Reviews here.

HERO'S TRIBUTE
and
LEGACY ROAD
by Graham Garrison
(Kregel Publications)

Touching stories surrounding a dying war hero who chooses an unlikely candidate to deliver his eulogy. These stories will give you a greater appreciation of Independence Day as well. Beautifully written and appreciated by men and women alike.

More Graham Garrison on Spire Reviews here.

Christian Writers Conference Conundrum

View from my room at CCWC

I'm facing a small dilemma right now. Every year I attend one writer's conference. I would love to attend more than that, but the budget strains mightily just getting me to one. The big problem I'm having this year is deciding which conference is the best for me at this juncture in my writing career. There are many conferences to choose from, but three are vying for my attendance.

I'll lay out the pros and cons below and maybe you can help me make a decision.

Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC)

Estes Park, Colorado, May 16 - 19

     Pros:
I've attended this conference three times and it tends to be my favorite. First of all, you can't beat the location. It's at a YMCA in the Rockies so you're surrounded with beauty. The entire atmosphere of the conference is casual which, for me, translates to less stress.

I've taken in some fabulous classes here: I've been Nangied by Nancy Rue and Angela  Hunt, James Scott Bell taught me how to plot, and Tim Shoemaker drove home the basics of POV. I still have his Super-Ocular POV finder as a reminder. One year, I  got to sit in on a question-answer session with Ted Dekker. That was fascinating. The CCWC is also where I met my hawk-eyed critique partner (& friend), Stephanie Prichard.

A big advantage to the conference is the number of editor/agent/author appointments each full-time attendee receives: four! Plus, for $35, you can purchase a paid critique from an industry professional that includes 30 minutes (not 15 minutes that's standard in other conferences) of face time with that professional.

But perhaps the biggest advantage to this conference is cost. When I run the numbers, it's easily $300 less than the other two I'm mentioning here. That's a hefty amount.

     Cons:
CCWC's not fiction specific. While the faculty is very well represented by prominent editors/agents/authors, there aren't as many as at other conferences. The timing of this conference isn't the best--I have a mother-daughter vacation scheduled for May 6 to the 12, so I'd be gone again from May 16 - 20.

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC)

Near Asheville, NC, May 20 - 24

     Pros:
I've always wanted to attend this conference. I've heard the scenery alone is worth the trip. But this year, I find more than scenery attractive. To me, it has the faculty of my dreams, agent, editor, and author-wise. But, it's the authors who have me excited. Here are a few names: Steven James, Gina Holmes, Angela Hunt, Ann Tatlock, Jim Rubart, and so many more. I would LOVE to learn from any of them! This conference also offers a  manuscript critique (just $30), but I don't see anything on their site regarding agent/editor meetings.

     Cons:
Cost-wise, this conference would run about $300 more than CCWC, a big consideration for me. The date would be a little better than CCWC. At least I'd have a few more days in between being gone with my daughter and attending conference. A big consideration is whether I'm willing to sacrifice the one-on-one editor/agent meeting time. To learn from these authors, it might be worth it.

How I attended in 2011

American Christian Fiction Writers Conference (ACFW)

Dallas, TX, September 20 - 23

     Pros:
This is widely renowned as the  crème de la crème  of Christian fiction writers conferences. It's only focus is on fiction writing so the education is invaluable. All the best agents / editors attend, and a multitude of of publishing houses are represented. Included in your fees are (2) agent/editor/author meetings, plus you can purchase a paid critique from one of the many authors. The keynote speaker this year is Michael Hyatt, a giant in the publishing industry.

ACFW is also the conference the majority of my friends will attend. It's worth it going just to see them again.

     Cons:
The biggest disadvantage for me is the date. September is typically my busiest month of the year. School begins right after Labor Day. We have (2) family birthdays. But the biggest obstacle is that my husband has (2) conferences in September. One overlaps with ACFW. Another obstacle is cost. While it is worth the price, it is still the most expensive of the three.

As of this moment, I'm still not certain which conference will win out. I'm praying for guidance ...

What conferences have you attended? Which do you prefer and why?

The Best of 2011 - Favorite Fiction

It's always fun looking back over the year at the books I've read. Out of 110 completed, I marked ten as favorites, ten that have found permanent residence on my bookshelves, ten I would recommend to others. It's even a fairly diverse grouping. Three of the novels are contemporary, three are speculative, two suspense, and two historical.

If you're a picky reader looking for quality fiction, here are my favorites in no particular order:

Words by Ginny Yttrup
B&H Books 2011

The Resurrection by Mike Duran
Realms 2011

Nick of Time by Tim Downs
Thomas Nelson 2011

Darkness Follows by Mike Dellosso
Realms 2011

Desert Gift by Sally John
Tyndale House 2011

Vigilante by Robin Parrish
Bethany House 2011

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz
Revell 2011

The First Gardener
by Denise Hildreth Jones
Tyndale House 2011

The Queen by Steven James
Revell 2011

City of Tranquil Light
by Bo Caldwell
Henry Hold & Company 2010

2011 INSPY Award Winners

I was privileged this year to be a judge for the 2011 INSPY Awards in the General Fiction category. I never imagined what a difficult job it would be as all the novels merited praise.

One thing I really appreciate about the INSPYs is that they pull nominees from outside the normal Christian literature box, drawing them from the general market as well. It proves that faith-driven literature can reach beyond the Christian market. The winner of the General Fiction category, City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell, is firm proof of that. It's a book I would recommend to anyone, Christian or not. I'm certain the winners (and nominees) in the other categories share the same outreach.

So, congratulations, INSPY Award Winners, on your well-deserved victory! And thank you, INSPY Awards, for introducing all these great books to us.

Creative Nonfiction: Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly L. Smith (David C. Cook, January 2011)

General Fiction: City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell (Henry Holt & Co, September 2010)

Literature for Young People: Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer (Zondervan, 2010)

Mystery/Thriller: The Bishop by Steven James (Revell, July 2010)

Romance: Yesterday's Tomorrow by Cathy West (OakTara, March 2011)

Speculative Fiction: The Falling Away by T.L. Hines (Thomas Nelson, September 2010)

Novel Anticipation ... September Releases

As an avid reader, there's nothing more fun than anticipating the release my favorite authors' upcoming novels. Oftentimes I'm awaiting the next book in a series. Other times, I simply can't wait to read an artist's latest masterpiece.

September brings both. The authors I've named below are the premier writers of Christian fiction.

No, let me rephrase that.

They're top-notch novelists. Period.

So, if you're looking for quality, thought-provoking reads, you don't have to look any further than the three books I have listed below:

THE OPPOSITE OF ART

by Athol Dickson

Howard Books, September 2011

A great artist is cast into the icy Harlem River by a hit-and-run driver.

His heart stops, and he sees something that defies description.

Presumed dead by all who knew him and obsessed with the desire to paint the inexpressible, he embarks on a pilgrimage to seek help from holy men around the globe.

But is it possible to see eternity without becoming lost within it? After a quarter of a century, when the world begins to whisper that he may be alive, two people come looking for the artist: the daughter he never knew existed, and the murderer who hit him on the bridge all those years ago.

No one can top Athol Dickson in weaving words together to create an exquisite work of art. Not only does he tell a compelling story, but his prose sings like a Handel oratorio. The Opposite of Art is next in line on my bed stand. Having it sit there, calling to me, is worse than having a Hershey bar on my dresser. I know it's a book I will savor.

THE QUEEN

by Steven James

Revell, September 2011

While investigating a double homicide in an isolated northern Wisconsin town, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that twists through long-buried Cold War secrets and targets present-day tensions in the Middle East.

In his most explosive thriller yet, bestselling author Steven James delivers a multi-layered storytelling tour de force that not only delivers pulse-pounding suspense but also deftly explores the rippling effects of the choices we make.

Steven James is one of the most gifted creators of mystery/thriller stories in modern day literature. When I'm reading his novels, I often marvel at his imagination (and I do my share of cringing too). His mind must be a frightening place. Trying to keep his multiple story threads straight is always an exciting intellectual challenge.

FORBIDDEN

by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

Center Street, September 2011

Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.

Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.

But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.

Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.

I'm looking forward to reading Forbidden even more than I anticipated reading HOUSE, Dekker's joint venture with Frank Peretti. Tosca Lee, on top of being an expert at knitting complex stories, has a beautiful way with prose, much like Athol Dickson. Combine that with Dekker's seriously warped imagination, and I know I'll have a book I can't put down.

What September releases are you looking forward to reading?

INSPY Winners Announced

Congratulations to the following winners of the INSPY Awards, the Blogger's Award for Excellence in Faith Driven Literature.

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes, General & Literary Fiction

Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans, Creative Nonfiction

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell, Historical Fiction

The Knight by Steven James, Thriller/Suspense/Crime Fiction

Green by Ted Dekker, Speculative Fiction

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman, Amish Fiction

Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren, Romance/Romantic Suspense

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, Young Adult Fiction

Rugged Reads

As I glance through the listing of all the books I've read this past year, I notice half of my favorites are written by men. Now considering that women comprise the majority of Christian fiction writers, I find that interesting.

I love mystery/suspense/thriller type of books that have a million loose threads to weave together. It's nice to have a little romance thrown in, but in edge-of-the-seat reading, I don't want romance to be the major storyline. In my opinion, male writers are better at this than women.

I also enjoy a story with a sports background as games can be a telling metaphor for life. Again, I usually prefer the male voice when it comes to sports stories.

My husband and I even enjoy many of the same books, so it's with his help that I put this list together (in no particular order) for those searching for a gift for that special man in their life.

A Season of Miracles by Rusty Whitener - A team of little leaguers learn life lessons when they ask an autistic phenom to join their team. This is a must-read for everyone. Fathers. Sons. Even mothers and daughters. It's beautifully written. One moment you're laughing and the next you're crying. This may be my favorite read this year.

Tomorrow We Die by Shawn Grady - After attempting to save a man's life, a paramedic wishes to honor the dying man's wish and is thrown into a mystery that may just cost him his own life. This is Shawn Grady's (a real life firefighter and EMT) second novel and I was thrilled to see his writing growth from book one to book two. It's a fast-paced story with intriguing characters.

Back on Murder by J. Mark Bertrand - When an evangelist's daughter turns up missing, a burned out homicide detective follows his gut and searches for her where no one else can imagine and he won't back down no matter the cost. This is Bertrand's solo debut novel (he co-authored Beguiled with Deeanne Gist) and it's a phenomenal debut. If you like Micheal Connelly's Harry Bosch stories, be sure to give Back on Murder a try.

Blaze of Glory by Major Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky - A string of female suicide bombers sends a special ops team overseas to stop the bombings and to thwart possible heads-of-state assassinations. In this sequel to Certain Jeopardy, Struecker (of Black Hawk Down fame) and Gansky capture the reader with non-stop action.

The Bishop by Steven James - In book #4 of the Patrick Bowers series (see The Pawn review on this blog), James once again keeps readers guessing as an FBI Special Agent tracks the murderer of a congressman's daughter. If you love jolts of adrenaline, then you'll have to read this series by Steven James. James stories are always complex and he excels in misdirection. In my opinion, James is by far the best writer of thrillers in Christian fiction, if not all fiction.

Hero's Tribute by Graham Garrison - Dying from cancer, a hometown hero (for his high school football excellence and decorated military service) asks a reporter, whom he's never met, to deliver the eulogy at his funeral. As the reporter digs into the hero's life he discovers secrets that may greatly alter the town's opinion. In a time when we herald sports figures and Hollywood celebrities as heroes, Garrison, in his debut novel, helps us discover the true definition of Hero.

Danger Close by Lt. William G. Boykin and Tom Morrisey - A highly decorated Army special forces veteran is asked to go undercover in Afghanistan to stop a potential mass terrorism plot in the United States. But in order to save the country, he is asked to leave behind family and friends and all he knows. Forever. Readers of Vince Flynn should enjoy this peek into the world of secret ops that gives the reader a glimpse of the lives of unheralded men and women who sacrifice all for their country.

Enemies Among Us by Bob Hamer - A cowboy FBI undercover agent is given the assignment of tracking a terrorist cell in Los Angeles. This is an adrenaline laced, detailed, and intricate novel, written by a veteran FBI Agent. Hamer also shows the delicate balance between work and marriage. Hamer's solid debut novel should appeal to both Christian and general market fiction readers.

Blackout by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn - In this third book of the Riley Covington series, football star and special ops veteran Riley Covington races to detonate electromagnetic pulse bombs that could render the United States without power. They're too late to stop the first. Will they be on time for the second? Fans of football and military action will enjoy this novel.

The Pawn

(The Patrick Bowers Files, Book 1)

by Steven James

Published by Revell (2007)
432 pages

The game is on …

And FBI Special Agent Patrick Bower’s opponent always seems to be steps ahead in this life or death match. If Bowers doesn’t capture the serial killer soon, his own stepdaughter may be the next victim. But if he continues the grueling and time-consuming search, will he be responsible for the death of the very relationship he needs to resuscitate?

When Patrick Bowers arrives in Asheville, North Carolina, the killer has already claimed six female victims. Six families have lost their daughters. Bowers makes it his job to ensure that no more daughters are stolen from their families.

Underscoring Bowers determination to capture the assassin is the rocky relationship with his seventeen-year-old stepdaughter Tessa. Less than a year into his marriage to Tessa’s mother, Christie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, six months following his wife’s death, Bowers has no clue who his stepdaughter is.

The author, Steven James, deftly weaves together a riveting story with the complexity of a chess match, using strategic planning and misdirection to guide the reader down numerous dead-end paths ultimately ending in a satisfying victory … or is it?

His protagonist, Patrick Bowers is an environmental criminologist, someone who studies the offender’s relationship with the victim and the environment. This position requires remarkable attention to—and analysis of—all details, in addition to ability to read between the lines. As the reader we experience, along with Bowers, appeals to all five senses, and we are given insight to the sixth: intuition. It’s Bowers job to get into the killer’s head, to know precisely what the killer’s thinking, to understand him, almost adding a compassionate and human element to the evil perpetrator.

Ironically, the very man who whose job it is to notice the details no one else will see, fails to see the blessing he has in front of him in Tessa.

Patrick Bowers is an everyman hero, a father who is believably flawed, who wears an arrogance born of experience, education, and natural ability. He’s a man who, like so many of us, wonders, “Where is God in the midst of all the evil?” Yet he’s wise enough to learn the very important lesson of hope:

“Chaos is evidence of human beings.
Hope is evidence of God.”