I have SUCH a pileup of books. Now I'm like a shopper. I peruse the shelves, admire the covers, read the backs, and pick what appeals to me at the time. :) Still haven't finished A Pagan's Nightmare by Ray Blackston. I'm exactly halfway through and have no urge to pick it up. At all. Hmmm...I started two of his other books and never made it past the first chapter on either so that's good that I got halfway on this one. I know I'll finish it eventually and if I don't I'll tell you why. I'm reading If the Shoe Fits by Marilynn Griffith and am on chapter 7 or 8. So far it's holding my interest. I'm not sure if I like Made of Honor better or this one. I'll let you know as I near the end. Merely Players by Kathleen Kovach (Heartsong) is totally awesome and my favorite book right now. Plus, it's a little edgy. I am totally putting it up there on the top of my Heartsong favorites list with Nancy Toback's books. I haven't had a chance to finish it with all of these other books coming out and due dates, but right now it's my personal favorite. I hope to finish it tonight or tomorrow. I've also started Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy. Now that's a real peach of a story. I can't wait to find out who the guy really is. Very intriguing beginning. :) Oh, and I just started Frazier Island by Susan Page Davis. It's a galley and the release date is March 1, 2007. So far it's holding my interest. How will those two get together!?! :) Next up on my list is The Reliance by Marylu Tyndall, Germ by Robert Luparillo and another title that I can't think of right now, but I think it's called Abiding Darkness. So many great books, so little time!!! Did I mention I write my own stuff as well. What ever will I do if I sell something soon? :) Eek! Would be a nice surprise, if not slightly overwhelming...in a good way, of course.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/what_im_reading_this_week_in_january_2007.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/what_im_reading_this_week_in_january_2007.trackback

Product Description:

My review:

Original Sin by Brandt Dodson is a real page turner. In some ways I couldn't even tell it was a Christian book. I don't mean that in a bad way. The subject matter (internet pornography) is just one subject that most publishers don't want to touch. I thought the author did an excellent job developing a riveting plot, believable characters, and situations that leave you on the edge of your seat. What impressed me most about this book was how the author took the reader to a deeper place; delving into the meaning of life and a sense of purpose that everyone seeks. He had the main character taking an honest look at his own life, and I was moved by the things Colton learned about himself and his own sinful heart. This story ranks high on my list of favorite mystery/suspense novels and I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel Seventy Time Seven . If it's anything like this debut novel, it'll be worth every minute of my time.

Original Sin was published by Harvest House and released in March 2006.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/great_fiction_another_highly_recommended_book.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/great_fiction_another_highly_recommended_book.trackback

I just went to The Rage music festival in Phoenix, Arizona and met the band. Great musicians, wonderful lead vocals, and amazing guitar playing. Check out the dude to the far right. A. J. is my bud. He can pluck out a tune on the electric guitar like nobody else!

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/fabulous_band_im_a_new_fan.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/fabulous_band_im_a_new_fan.trackback

I've started on an incredibly weird, yet amusing book called The Pagan's Nighmare by Ray Blackston. It's definitely different, I'll give him that. Some of the anecdotes are hilarious, too. I was planning to read my new copy of Germ by Robert Liparulo, but my teenager stole the thing and is already halfway through the story in one day. I have started Hazardous Duty by Cristy Barritt as it's the ACFW book club selection for January 2007. Honestly, it's extremely interesting so I'm thinking I'll finish it really fast. I can't seem to put it down. I have Original Sin by Brandt Dodson on my desk and Reliance by Marylu Tyndall. Those are the next on my list. Poor Brandt has been waiting awhile. I'm glad I finally got to his book. :) The one that follows in the same series looks great, too. BTW, did I mention that I got about six more books in the mail last week, or was that seven? I need to start keeping better track, I think. :)

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/what_im_reading_so_far_in_2007.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/what_im_reading_so_far_in_2007.trackback

Book Description:

Fans of Pink and Jade will eat up Tangerine, the third book in the cutting-edge Shades of Style series. Jean Guerra, a designer at Garments of Praise design firm, doesn't like surprises. These days though, the unexpected meets her everywhere. Since Jean's return to the church a year ago, her God-encounters occur with increasing frequency, along with thoughts of her husband-the one she vowed to divorce and gave up on long ago. The one nobody at work knows about, not even her best friend, Lily, or her boss, Chenille. But when the designer assigned to work with Jean on a line of men's suits shows up, her heart flips. It's her husband, Nigel Salvador. Jean is finally rendered speechless. Can her bruised heart become whole enough to love again? Or will she remain in the trenches of loneliness forever?

My review:

Let me first say that I think the premise behind the novel is fabulous and unique. The couple is married, yet they were separated for such a LONG time that they lost touch with each other. The setup is very believable. Plus, they aren't young anymore (though I suppose that is a matter of opinion) and they even have a teenage granddaughter. Side note**The author still makes them sound attractive, so you tend to forget they are getting gray hair. Also, I love the morality and guilt issues woven into the plot regarding the hero's relationship with Carmen. That made for some great tension. I also loved those Murphy's Law moments interspersed through the story. It makes for some page-turning reading.


The cultural dynamics were also very well-done as were the many things these friends learned from each other during their journeys. There were so many wonderful sub-plots and resolutions that revealed the depth of each character that I was amazed at times with how the author brought out the life in them. These people seemed real; like they were my friends, neighbors, relatives, etc. And the romance between the hero and heroine was downright delectable. Yummy! The love scenes and the gentle humor and camaraderie between the couple were a delight to experience. Now I'll have to go back and read Pink and Jade.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/my_review_of_tangerine_by_marilynn_griffith.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/michelle/blog/my_review_of_tangerine_by_marilynn_griffith.trackback