ss_blog_claim=b1c8a347d19acb6069e7726e485dcc4d

Monday, October 29, 2007

The Return by Austin Boyd: an introduction


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing


THE RETURN
(Navpress Publishing Group July 13, 2007)

by

Austin Boyd

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Austin Boyd writes from his experience as a decorated Navy pilot, spacecraft engineer and an astronaut candidate finalist. Austin lives with his wife Cindy and four children in America’s “Rocket City”--Huntsville, Alabama, where he directs business development for a large NASA and defense contractor. His creative talents include inspirational fiction and poetry, finely crafted reproduction colonial furniture, archery and long distance cycling. He serves his community as an advocate for a crisis pregnancy center and as a motivational speaker in the area of lifestyle evangelism.

THE RETURN is part of the Mars Hill Classified Series with The Evidence and The Proof

ABOUT THE BOOK:

IS SEEING BELIEVING?

Six years after completing a manned mission to the Red Planet, Admiral John Wells is set to make another journey to Mars. But this time his crew is not alone, as John's team encounters a secret colony comprised of individuals pursuing John Raines' strange religion, the "Father Race."

While John begins to uncover a web of lies on Mars, his wife and daughter are struggling for survival on earth. Now John must survive his dangerous mission and find a way back home, even as a shocking plan begins to unfold millions of miles away on earth.

Austin Boyd is back with his third thrilling novel in the Mars Hill Classified series, full of high-tech intrigue, memorable characters, and adventure that transports readers to another world.

From the Back Cover:

With nothing left for him on Earth, Rear Admiral John Wells didn't hesitate to lead a third NASA team to Mars, but he never dreamed that one day they'd look out their laboratory module into the lights of a slow-moving vehicle not their own. In the third installment of the Mars Hill Classified series, life on Mars becomes increasingly more unpredictable as the past collides with the future and nothing, not even the dead, is as it seems.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the fate of hundreds, including John Wells' family--presumed dead these last six years--rests precariously in the hands of Malcolm Raines, self-proclaimed Guardian of the Mother Seed and Principal Cleric of Saint Michael's Remnant, and his insidious plans for the Father Race.

Wells will find himself in a race against time and all odds to expose the truth: about Mars, about Malcolm Raines, and, if he's very brave, about himself.

"Austin Boyd is one of the brightest new voices in Christian fiction. His long association with the space program lends authenticity as he reveals the turmoil in the minds and hearts of those who are willing to risk everything by making that journey. In The Return, we learn that both human emotions and God's presence reach far beyond the pull of Earth's gravity."
--Richard L Mabry, author of The Tender Scar

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Illuminated by Matt Bronleewe

Illuminated
(Thomas Nelson August 7, 2007)

Matt Bronleewe, you remember the Jars of Clay guy? Yup the same one... He has written this new book Illuminated. At first glance I thought I dunno, there are not many "male" Christian Fiction Writers that I have gotten into, guess I'm a hopeless romantic more than I realized... but just within one chapter of his new book I'm hooked and so excited to keep the pages turning!!!

I dunno why, but whenever I read something new, especially from an author that I'm not used to, I always compare it to other things that I liked or disliked to see if I might continue... in the first chapter I have already thought of the National Treasure movie, all sorts of archaeological twist movies, as well as the good parts of the scary movie the 9th Gate. For all people who enjoy basic religious fiction, but are always craving something more and deep and realistic... This is so it. One day leading a normal bookworm-ish life, and the next you're practically in a movie things are so un-real, but it's real.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

IT'S BEEN 500 YEARS IN THE MAKING...PREPARE TO BE ILLUMINATED...
August Adams has failed his family before. He's sacrificed relationships in pursuit of adventure, fame, and money. Now the very lives of those he loves depend on his ability to decipher a centuries-old puzzle encrypted in the colorful hand-painted illuminations that adorn three rare Gutenberg Bibles.

It's a secret that could yield unimaginable wealth, undermine two major religions, and change the course of Western civilization. Two ruthless, ancient organizations are willing to do anything to get their hands on it. And August has the span of one transatlantic flight to figure it out.

If he fails, those he holds most dear will die. If he succeeds, he'll destroy a national treasure.

The clock ticks, the suspense mounts, and the body count rises as August pits his knowledge and his love for his family against the clock, secret societies, and even Johannes Gutenberg himself.

"...this rare breed of suspense thriller combines mysterious hidden clues, secret societies, buried treasure, double agents, and the Knights Templar...if you turned National Treasure into international treasure, traded DaVinci codes for Gutenberg Bibles, married it to Indiana Jones, and added the pacing of 24 you'd be in the neighborhood of Illuminated...on a scale of one to 10, this one goes to 11."
-Aspiring Retail Magazine


250banner


If just reading all this description doesn't quite convince you, go to Matt's website http://www.mattbronleewe.com/ and look around for yourself. You'll be hooked, I know I am! :)

Monday, October 22, 2007

Current quilt


Quick! Tell me what it is?!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Beatrix Potter Quilt in the making


Here is my Beatrix Potter Quilt in the making. It is the size of a twin bed. It will not go down the sides and look pretty on one, but it could easily lay on top of one and cover the top, not the sides.

Garden Twist class


On Saturday I had a class on Garden Twist. The class was at Sweet Home Quilt Co. in Conyers and the book was from In The Beginning fabrics. The class was 4 hours long and I accomplished a lot, but when I got home I worked until 9pm that night and then another two hours today. The quilt top is completed finished. All it needs now is backing and binding. I've decided to go with little blue rosebuds for the backing fabric on white, so hopefully they'll still have it when I get there next week. Take a peak, what do you think?

One down, many to GO


Here are a few projects in the works. The baby rag quilt is fully finished. The table runner just needs to be quilted and to add the binding. Other images to come soon!

Current projects, etc

Currently I am working on many different things. I have a baby quilt top - Lambs in the Daisy Patch - that I am going to take to a tie & tack class. There is a Beatrix Potter quilt - not yet named - that I will use for my first machine quilting piece, the top is all finished. There is of course, the wall quilt that I'm working on in and out of my beginner's quilting class. A fall tablerunner that has a finished top and just needs to be quilted. Sally the Scarecrow, a Raggedy-Ann type doll that needs clothing. Three Advent Calendars for Christmas gifts for the nieces and nephews. Many many soft books. A cross stitch for my Daddy's birthday. A cross stitch for my sister, just in general, maybe for Christmas, maybe for her birthday. The Star of Wonder Shepard's Flock Quilt. My first Turning Twenty made with HE LOVES ME fabric. A Northcott pattern quilt also made with HE LOVES ME fabric. A Christmas baby quilt cross stitch. A cross stitch mousepad for my mother for Christmas. Felt ornaments. A tree skirt. An old world map cross stitch for my husband. Oh, and a Garden Twist Quilt made with In the Beginning fabrics. But other than that I'm not really busy at all lately.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Visual Value of color Workshop

Today I had a workshop with my new quilt guild. It was my first time meeting these ladies and it was fabulous! Two of them I already knew! I was shocked and amazed at this. So in this workshop we worked hands on learning about shades of color and their value rather than being all about "matching" and more about coordinating with lights, mediums, and darks. It was great! See my gallery to view a photo of my inspiration for colors now on my wall.

This Saturday I will be taking a Garden Twist class and I'm very excited to see what turns out. I am pretty unhappy with attempting to use my current board and ruler for rotary cutting... so I'll need to get a few coupons together and head out to JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby. My current board is a 12x18 and it just doesn't do it for most projects I'm now seeing. It would have been a good thing to have known before, but I guess some things you just have to learn on your own if you're not told.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

PR Media Information

Welcome to Creative Madness that Makes Me Myself! I am a young mama to a darling girl born in the summer of 2009 and so excited about all the new products out for Maternity, Baby and Family. I thoroughly test and review a varying array of products (family-friendly) and will include pictures and perhaps even video when available. My start was with books, but now I am branching out to let other mommies know what I love most!

Please email me if you are interested in having a review posted on Creative Madness and we can figure out what comes next. My reviews are guaranteed to be honest with positive thoughts even if my overall view is negative. I will not promise a glowing review for something that does not earn it, but I will always find the good within.

As an avid reader, I am happy to hear from authors and publicists about opportunities of books to read and review. My favorite genres are pretty wide open. I am less likely to review non-fiction unless it is a topic I am very interested in and I do not review erotica. At this time, except for special circumstances I do not except e-books for review. I do send an email with a direct link to the post to the publicist/author if available and almost always post my reviews also on Amazon, B&N, Borders (top 10 reviewer), CBD.com, Goodreads, Shelfari, PaperbackSwap, Christian Bookworm Reviews (sometimes also posts books that are not "Christian", and I also post fiction to Novel Reviews, and sometimes others to Shoutlife.

Disclaimer: All items received as test/sample/or review products will be kept. These will not be used as the giveaway item(s) or sent back.


I would also like to request, if you would like me to host a giveaway, that you mail out the prize as this may become very expensive on my part. I do not make money doing this so for me to ship out the winnings is costly! My goal is to promote what is best in my opinion and help others find it as well.



Saturday, August 18, 2007

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and other Speculative Reads

Publisher: Author: Title:
*Review pending

Berkley Publishing Group
Lisa Tawn Bergren - Novels of the Gifted
The Begotten

NavPress
Sharon Hinck - Sword of Lyric
The Restorer
The Restorer's Son*
The Restorer's Journey*

Thomas Nelson
Stephen R. Lawhead - King Raven Series
Hood
Scarlet
Tuck

Waterbrook
Donita K. Paul - DragonKeeper Chronicles
DragonSpell
DragonQuest
DragonKnight
DragonFire
DragonLight

Jeffrey Overstreet - Auralia Thread Series
Auralia's Colors
Cyndere's Midnight

Zondervan
Bryan Davis
Beyond the Reflection's Edge
Eternity's Edge
Nightmare's Edge


Contemporary Christian Reads

Publisher: Author: Title:
*Review pending

(Amish Novels on the bottom of this post)

Abingdon Press
Ariel Allison
eye of the god

Avon Inspire
Kristin Billerbeck
The Trophy Wives Club*
Back to Life

Linda Windsor
Wedding Bell Blues
For Pete's Sake*

B&H
James David Jordan
Forsaken
Double Cross

Rebeca Seitz - Sisters, Ink Series
Sisters, Ink
Coming Unglued
Scrapping Plans
Perfect Piece*

Barbour Books
Kaye Dacus - Brides of Bonneterre
Stand-In Groom
Menu for Romance
A Case for Love

Bethany House
Deeanne Gist & J. Mark Bertrand
Beguiled 

Karen Hancock
The Enclave*

Kristen Heitzmann
The Edge of Recall

Stephanie Grace Whitson
A Garden in Paris
A Hilltop in Tuscany (sequel)

Tom Morrisey
Pirate Hunter

David C. Cook
Chris Coppernoll
Screen Play 

Harvest House
Craig Parshall
The Rose Conspiracy

Howard Books
Davis Bunn
Gold of Kings

Paul McCusker & Walt Larimore, M. D.
Time Scene Investigators: The Gabon Virus

Kregel
Virginia Smith
Just As I Am
Sincerely, Mayla (sequel)


Moody
Travis Thrasher
Admission

Multnomah
Amy Wallace
Ransomed Dreams

Jill Elizabeth Nelson - To Catch a Thief Series
Reluctant Burglar*
Reluctant Runaway*
Reluctant Smuggler

Karen Ball - Family Honor Series
Shattered Justice
Kaleidoscope Eyes
What Lies Within

Melanie Wells - Day of Evil Series
When the Day of Evil Comes*
The Soul Hunter*
My Soul to Keep

Robin Jones Gunn - Glenbrooke Series
Secrets

Tamara Leigh
Leaving Carolina
Nowhere Carolina *

NavPress
Lisa Samson - Hollywood Nobody
Hollywood Nobody
Finding Hollywood Nobody
Romancing Hollywood Nobody
Goodbye Hollywood Nobody

Revell
Janice Thompson - Weddings by Bella
Fools Rush In
Swinging on a Star
It Had to Be You*

Melanie Jeschke - stand alone novel
Jillian Dare

Melody Carlson
Just Another Girl

Sharon Gillenwater - Callhan's of Texas
Jenna's Cowboy 

Sheaf House
Michelle Sutton
It's Not About Me

Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Camy Tang
Deadly Intent

Missy Tippens
A Forever Christmas

Lynette Eason
Holiday Illusion

Thomas Nelson

Matt Bronleewe - August Adams Adventures
Illuminated
House of Wolves

Rachel Hauck - Low Country Novels
Sweet Caroline
Love Starts with Elle
Rachel Hauck with Sara Evans - Songbird Novel
The Sweet By and By 

Robin Lee Hatcher
A Perfect Life

Tyndale House
C.J. Darlington
Thicker than Blood 

DiAnn Mills - Call of Duty Series
Breach of Trust

Waterbrook
Peggy Darty - Cozy Mystery Series
When the Sandpiper Calls*
When Bobbie Sang the Blues*
When Zeffie Got a Clue

Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay
Never the Bride

Susan Meissner
The Shape of Mercy
White Picket Fences

Tracey Bateman
Thirsty

AMISH:

Avon Inspire
Shelly Shepard Gray - Sisters of the Heart
Hidden
Wanted
Forgiven*
- Seasons of Sugarcreek
Winter's Awakening 
Spring's Renewal 

Barbour Books
Wanda Brunstetter
White Christmas Pie

Bethany House
Beverly Lewis
The Secret

Harvest House
B. J. Hoff

Waterbrook
Cindy Woodsmall - Sisters of the Quilt
When the Heart Cries
When the Morning Comes
When the Soul Mends
- An Ada's House Novel
The Hope of Refuge*
- Stand alone novel(s)
The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Suspense and Adventure Reads

Publisher: Author: Title:
*Review pending

Abingdon Press
Ariel Allison
eye of the god

B&H

James David Jordan
Forsaken
Double Cross

Bethany House
Deeanne Gist & J. Mark Bertrand
Beguiled

Karen Hancock
The Enclave*

Kristen Heitzmann
The Edge of Recall

Tom Morrisey
Pirate Hunter

Harvest House
Craig Parshall
The Rose Conspiracy

Howard Books
Davis Bunn
Gold of Kings

Paul McCusker & Walt Larimore, M. D.
Time Scene Investigators: The Gabon Virus

Multnomah
Amy Wallace
Ransomed Dreams

Jill Elizabeth Nelson - To Catch a Thief Series
Reluctant Burglar*
Reluctant Runaway*
Reluctant Smuggler

Karen Ball - Family Honor Series
Shattered Justice
Kaleidoscope Eyes
What Lies Within

Melanie Wells - Day of Evil Series
When the Day of Evil Comes*
The Soul Hunter*
My Soul to Keep

Revell

Melanie Jeschke
Jillian Dare

Steeple Hill
- Love Inspired Suspense
Camy Tang
Deadly Intent

Lynnette Eason
Holiday Illusion

Virginia Smith
Bluegrass Peril
A Taste of Murder*

Thomas Nelson
Matt Bronleewe - August Adams Adventures
Illuminated
House of Wolves

Tyndale House
C.J. Darlington
Thicker than Blood 

DiAnn Mills - Call of Duty Series
Breach of Trust 
Sworn to Protect* 

Waterbrook Press
Peggy Darty - Cozy Mystery Series
When the Sandpiper Calls*
When Bobbie Sang the Blues*
When Zeffie Got a Clue

Tracey Bateman
Thirsty

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Historical Fiction Reviews

Publisher: Author: Title:
*Review pending

(General Market Historical Fiction at the bottom of the page)




Visit Christian Historical Fiction




Abingdon Press
Rita Gerlach
Surrender the Wind

Avon Inspire
DiAnn Mills - Stand alone novel(s)
Awaken My Heart

Lori Copeland - Belles of Timber Creek Series
Twice Loved
Three Times Blessed
One True Love

Lyn Cote - Texas: Star of Destiny Series
Her Inheritance Forever*

Tracey Bateman - Westward Hearts Series

B&H
T. L. Higley - Seven Wonders Series
City of the Dead
Guardian of the Flame

Barbour Books
Amber Miller (Stockton)- Liberty's Promise

Kathleen Y'Barbo - Fairweather Keys

Kelly Eileen Hake - Prairie Promises
The Bride Blunder

Mary Connealy - Lassoed in Texas Trilogy
- Montana Marriages Trilogy
Wildflower Bride
- Stand alone novels
Alaska Brides (Golden Days, part of anthology)
M. L. Tyndall - Legacy of the King's Pirates Series
The Redemption
The Reliance
The Restitution
- Charles Towne Belle Series
The Raven Saint
- Stand alone novels

Berkley
Lisa Tawn Bergren - A Novel of the Gifted Series
The Betrayed
The Blessed

Bethany House
Cathy Marie Hake - California Historical Series
- Texas Historical Series
Fancy Pants
Forevermore
Whirlwind
That Certain Spark*
Serendipity*

Deeanne Gist - Courting Trouble Series
- Stand alone novels
Maid to Match*

Elizabeth Musser - Stand alone novels "Recent Historical Inspirational Fiction"
The Swan House

Julie Klassen - Stand alone novels

Kristen Heitzmann - Diamond of the Rockies
Sweet Boundless
A Tender Vine

Nancy Moser - Ladies of History Novels
Mozart's Sister (A Novel of Nannerl Mozart)
Washington's Lady (A Novel of Martha Washington)
How Do I Love Thee? (A Novel of Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Siri Mitchell - Stand alone novels
She Walks in Beauty

Tamera Alexander - Fountain Creek Chronicles
- Timber Ridge Reflections Series
Within My Heart
- Stand alone novel(s)
The Inheritance

Tracie Peterson - Alaskan Quest Series
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights
Whispers of Winter
- Desert Roses Series
Shadows of the Canyon
Across the Years
Beneath a Harvest Sky
- Bells of Lowell Series
Daughter of the Loom
A Fragile Design
These Tangled Threads
- The Brides of Gallatin County
A Dream to Call My Own
- The Broadmoor Legacy Series
An Unexpected Love
A Surrendered Heart*
- Heirs of Montana Series
Land of My Heart
The Coming Storm
To Dream Anew
The Hope Within
- Lights of Lowell Series
A Tapestry of Hope
A Love Woven True
The Pattern of Her Heart
- Ladies of Liberty Series
- Song of Alaska
Morning's Refrain
- Yukon Quest Series
Treasures of the North*
Ashes and Ice*
Rivers of Gold*

David C. Cook
Lisa Tawn Bergren - The Homeward Trilogy
Sing

Harvest House
Kaye Dacus - The Ransome Trilogy

George Bryan Polivka- Blaggard's Moon

Lori Copeland - The Western Sky Series
Outlaw's Bride*

Howard Books
Gilbert Morris - Winslow Breed Series
Honor in the Dust

Revell Books
Amanda Cabot - Texas Dreams
Paper Roses
Scattered Petals

Ann Shorey - At Home in Beldon Grove Series
The Edge of Light*
The Promise of Morning

Maggie Brendan - Heart of the West Series

Julie Lessman - Daughter's of Boston Series

Sarah Sundin - Wings of Glory
A Memory Between Us

Steeple Hill - Love Inspired Historical
Carla Capshaw - The Duke's Redemption

Summerside Press

Thomas Nelson
Stephen Lawhead - King Raven Trilogy

Tyndale House
Maureen Lang - Look to the East

Waterbrook Multnomah
Liz Curtis Higgs - Here Burns My Candle
Susan Meissner - The Shape of Mercy

General Market Historical Fiction:

Three River Press
Elsa Watson - Maid Marian

Crown
Michelle Moran - Stand alone Egyptian novels

MIRA
Deanna Raybourn - Julia Grey Series
- Stand alone novel

Product Reviews

Baby:
Infantino Peek-a-boo Rattle*

Dittany Baby: The Baby Lua


Cloth Diapers:
Pumpkin Pants
Tot Bots Easy Fit*
AppleCheeks
Kissaluvs Marvels Fitted Diaper*
Kissaluvs OS Cover*
Bambino Mio

Menstrual/Mama Cloth:
Gladrags*

Maternity & Nursing:
Books:
Top 100 Finger Foods by Annabel Karmel
Expecting by Marla Taviano (Devotional)


Babywearing:
Organic SleepWrap

Children's Clothing:
Hello World*
Tea Collection

Click any link to go to the direct post of my review. Let me know if you have any questions!