THE DAY THE ANGELS FELL

By SHAWN SMUCKER

Genre: Psychological Fiction / Christian

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: September 5, 2017

Number of Pages: 320

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Shawn Smucker will capture readers’ imaginations with this masterfully written debut novel that combines elements of mystery and magical realism.

It was the summer of storms, strays, and strangers. The summer that lightning struck the big oak tree in the front yard. The summer his mother died in a tragic accident.

Twelve-year-old Samuel Chambers would do anything to turn back time. Prompted by three strange carnival fortune-tellers and the surfacing of his mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Samuel begins his search for the Tree of Life—the only thing that could possibly bring his mother back. His quest to defeat death entangles him and his best friend, Abra, in an ancient conflict and forces Samuel to grapple with an unwelcome question: could it be possible that death is a gift?

Haunting and hypnotic, The Day the Angels Fell is a story that explores the difficult questions of life in a voice that is fresh, friendly, and unafraid. With this powerful novel, Shawn Smucker has carved out a spot for himself in the tradition of authors Madeleine L’Engle and Lois Lowry.

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Praise for The Day the Angels Fell:

“Neil Gaiman meets Madeleine L’Engle. I read it in two days!”

—Anne Bogel, Modern Mrs. Darcy

“Shawn Smucker enchants with a deftly woven tale of mystery and magic that will leave you not only spellbound but wanting more.”

—Billy Coffey, author of There Will Be Stars

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Samuel is the main character in The Day the Angels Fell. Here, I ask him a few questions that unearth some information you don’t get in the book:

Samuel, what did you like about growing up on a farm?

You know, I was a quiet kid. And we lived outside of town so I didn’t have any friends besides Abra who I saw on a regular basis apart from school. But I liked that. I liked being close to the river and the church and having all of those barns to run around and play in. I wasn’t crazy about the chores, but Dad would usually throw baseball with me afterwards. Those were good days. It’s a good place to live as a family, on a farm.

How about your grandparents?

Not that much, actually. I know my father’s parents were both gone by the time I was born. And I heard rumors about my mother, how she grew up in that old lady’s house on the edge of town, the old lady who took in kids who didn’t have parents. But she never told us about her parents, or where she came from. That whole side of my family was a blank space.

Do you know anything about your parents’ childhoods?

My dad seemed to have a happy childhood. He often spoke about playing baseball, and the stories he told me usually revolved around this farm where he grew up, or the surrounding area. But my mom didn’t say much at all. If I asked her anything about her growing-up years, she’d just shake her head with a sad smile and say something like, “Oh, Sam, that’s so long ago. I can’t even remember.”

What have you done for all these years?

All these years? You mean since the angels fell? I guess I’ve just lived a quiet life. I farmed the farm on my own for many years, and I couldn’t do much, but I was by myself so I didn’t need much. I rented out the fields I couldn’t tend myself. I hired a boy for a while to take care of the garden, but he could never do it quite to my standard, so that only lasted a few years. I grew older. I guess that’s what I’ve done. I’ve grown older.

Is it possible you might be exaggerating or mis-remembering everything that happened that summer?

(Pause)

I suppose. Though there are these tangible things that remain – the atlas. The notes. The dagger. These things are real as real, right here in front of me.

Are you scared of dying?

(Chuckles) Am I scared of dying? Heh. Scared of dying. No. Well, I am not scared of death, that much I can tell you. Dying? I guess it depends how it happens. I’m not good with pain, a very low tolerance. I’m even worse with suffering. I will be honest and say I’m scared of suffering. But of death? No. I am not afraid of death.

I’d even go so far as to say this – I’m very intrigued about what comes next. That’s the part, the after-death, that I look forward to. I have no fears whatsoever about that.

Shawn Smucker lives with his wife and six children in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Day the Angels Fell is his first novel. 

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THE CURSE OF SACERDOZIO

a tale of judicial conspiracy

The Supremes, Book 1

By GLEN AARON

Genre: Thriller / Suspense / Mystery

Publisher: BookBaby

Date of Publication: June 1, 2017

Number of Pages: 275

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In​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​books,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​seldom​ ​the​ ​intrigue​ ​of​ ​murder​ ​and​ ​of​ ​crime​ ​and​ ​punishment within​ ​the​ ​chambers.​ ​The​ ​Curse​ ​of​ ​Sacerdozio​ ​takes​ ​the​ ​death​ ​of​ ​Justice​ ​Antonin​ ​Scalia​ ​on​ ​a fictional​ ​journey​ ​that​ ​keeps​ ​you​ ​turning​ ​pages.​ ​As​ ​President​ ​Trump​ ​takes​ ​power,​ ​this​ ​tale​ ​raises questions​ ​about​ ​what​ ​influences​ ​drive​ ​him​ ​in​ ​judicial​ ​appointments,​ ​while​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time entertaining​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​in​ ​a​ ​political​ ​and​ ​legal​ ​thriller.

The​ ​issues​ ​of​ ​abortion, ​ ​marriage,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​conduct​ ​of​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​Justices​ ​wrapped​ ​in judicial​ ​conspiracy​ ​to​ ​control​ ​the​ ​Court​ ​and​ ​Congress​ ​come​ ​into​ ​stark​ ​conflict.​ ​The​ ​power​ ​of​ ​the church​ ​and​ ​motivated​ ​thinking​ ​highly​ ​organized​ ​pressure​ ​groups​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Federalist​ ​Society​ ​and Opus​ ​Dei​ ​are​ ​revealed​ ​in​ ​this​ ​plot​ ​driven​ ​novel.

While​ ​the​ ​story​ ​of​ ​the​ ​protagonist,​ ​Tommy​ ​Jon,​ ​is​ ​a​ ​success​ ​story​ ​within​ ​itself,​ ​as​ ​he​ ​is​ ​the​ ​first Jicarilla​ ​Apache​ ​to​ ​graduate​ ​from​ ​Harvard​ ​Law​ ​School​ ​and​ ​clerk​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​Justice, his​ ​downfall​ ​is​ ​in​ ​contesting​ ​the​ ​judicial​ ​philosophy​ ​of​ ​Justice​ ​Sacerdozio.​ ​When​ ​the​ ​judge​ ​is found​ ​dead​ ​floating​ ​in​ ​a​ ​hot​ ​mineral​ ​pool​ ​on​ ​a​ ​ranch​ ​retreat​ ​in​ ​West​ ​Texas,​ ​Tommy​ ​Jon becomes​ ​a​ ​target​ ​of​ ​the​ ​FBI​ ​in​ ​suspicion​ ​of​ ​murder.​ ​The​ ​climax​ ​of​ ​the​ ​novel​ ​is​ ​his​ ​trial​ ​in​ ​the Federal​ ​District Court​ ​in​ ​El​ ​Paso.

Underlying​ ​the​ ​plot,​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​will​ ​realize​ ​a​ ​serious​ ​concern​ ​about​ ​just​ ​who​ ​President​ ​Trump really​ ​is.​ ​The​ ​political​ ​conspiracy​ ​that​ ​has​ ​brought​ ​the​ ​religious​ ​right​ ​and​ ​the​ ​judiciary​ ​together​ ​is unfolding​ ​and​ ​coming​ ​to​ ​fruition,​ ​now,​ ​in​ ​Washington.​ ​The​ ​Curse​ ​Of​ ​Sacerdozio​ ​is​ ​fictional​ ​in​ ​its tale​ ​but​ ​realistic​ ​in​ ​its​ ​revelations.

Praise for The Curse of Sacerdozio:

“The Curse of Sacerdozio: A Tale of Judicial Conspiracy rings through with originality, a story that will have readers gripped from beginning to end.” – Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite

“The characters are all wonderful, and some are more than what they seem.” – Jay Snook

“Aaron has done his research!” – Jenn Jilks, Cottage Country Reflections

“The novel entertains as it educates allowing the reader to be both intrigued and informed.” – The Nerdy Girl Express

“Aaron displays a knack for describing and creating emotion in any event.” — Sharon Kurack, StarryMag

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Glen Aaron was born in Big Spring, Texas and raised in Midland. In 1962, while attending Baylor, he ran for State Representative from Midland at he age of 21. He lost that election in a runoff by 42 votes. Deciding politics was not for him, he graduated Baylor with a BA and moved on to the University of Texas law school. There, he won the Moot Court competition arguing before the Supreme Court of Texas sitting en banc. After acquiring his JD, Glen spent forty years in trial law and international business and banking. Today, he lives in Midland with his wife Jane Hellinghausen and two rottweilers. He enjoys writing and working with the Permian Basin Bookies. Author of: The Ronnie Lee and Jackie Bancroft Spencer Morgan Story, a tale of people, greed, envy, manipulation — even crime; The Colonel George Trofimoff Story, the tale of America’s highest ranking military officer convicted of spying; The Prison Experience; The Prison People.

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COMFORT PLANS

By KIMBERLY FISH

  Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Date of Publication: May 23, 2017

Number of Pages: 320 

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Colette Sheridan is being remodeled.

As a San Antonio architect, she’d have vowed her career was to investigate the history and create new functions for the structures everyone else saw as eyesores. The old German farmhouse in Comfort, Texas, might be the screeching end of that dream job. The assignment seemed so ideal at the start; generous clients, a stunning location, and a pocketful of letters that were surely meant to explain the ranch’s story. All that goodness crashed louder than a pile of two-by-fours when her grandfather announced he’d lured Colette’s ex-husband back to San Antonio to take over the family architecture firm. Now, not only does Colette have to endure the challenges posed by Beau Jefferson, the client’s handpicked contractor, a house that resists efforts to be modernized, and letters that may hold the secret to buried treasure, but she also has to decide if she has the courage to fight for her future.

Set against the backdrop of the Texas Hill Country, Colette and Beau have to rely on plans neither of them constructed in order to navigate the changes of a house with a story to tell, and a future they couldn’t even imagine.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Kimberly Fish’s unique writing style snatched me out of my easy chair and plunked me down into the middle of her character’s life where I was loathe to leave when my real life called me back. Her descriptive visual writing drew me in on the first page. Can’t wait to read more stories by Mrs. Fish.”

–Vickie Phelps,Author of Moved, Left No Address

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How Pinterest Helps Readers Get “Hooked” on Kimberly Fish Books

Guest Post by Kimberly Fish

When I’m writing at my desk, I often have a bulletin board over my desk pinned with magazine photos, old letters, notes about where I need to move a character, or any assorted detail related to creating an authentic backdrop for my story to grow. I also find that looking at photos on Pinterest is like adding firecrackers to my imagination. I put together some boards to inspire me when I’m writing, and I thought maybe you might like a peek into the “inspiration boards” I’ve pinned to my Pinterest account.

For instance, with the novel, Comfort Plans, it was important to learn the various phases of construction related to renovating an old ranch. That’s not the kind of detail I already knew, so I bought several books from used bookstores, interviewed friends in the industry, and then set about entering specialized words into Pinterest’s search bar to help fill in the gaps. I’m not going to lie; I did get distracted looking at design ideas, handsome character actors, long-reaching vistas of Texas landscape, and peculiar architectural elements that may or may not have ended up in the final draft of a novel about an old German farmhouse that resists its remodel. But those of you who have done any amount of research know this: going down the rabbit trails is sometimes where you collect the best information.

Stay as long as you want on Pinterest, wander down the rabbit trails of photo boards, but in the end read a good book like Comfort Plans, and enjoy a mental vacation exploring a time, place, and circumstance that stretches your imagination. Enjoy!

Kimberly Fish started writing professionally with the birth of her second child and the purchase of a home computer. Having found this dubious outlet, she then entered and won The Writer’s League of Texas manuscript contest which fed her on-going fascination with story crafting.

She has since published in magazines, newspapers, and online formats and in 2017, released the first novel in a series set during the World War II years in Longview, Texas—The Big Inch. She lives with her family in East Texas.

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8/4  Review  Chapter Break Book Blog

8/5  Excerpt 2  Books and Broomsticks

8/6  Playlist  Reading By Moonlight

8/7  Review  Forgotten Winds

8/8  Video Guest Post  Missus Gonzo

8/9  Review  Hall Ways Blog

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8/12  Review  StoreyBook Reviews

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A MATTER OF TRUST

Montana Rescue Series, Book 3

By SUSAN MAY WARREN

  Genre: Contemporary Romance / Action / Christian

Publisher: Revell

Date of Publication: July 4, 2017

Number of Pages: 336

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson was at the top of his game when one of his fans crashed and died—a death blamed on Gage. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, Gage had no choice but to leave the limelight behind and search for a new life.

Although Gage is now working as a ski patrol in Montana’s rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team, he still can’t find peace—or forget the woman who betrayed him.

As a former attorney and one of the youngest senators in the country, Ella Blair is used to being in the public eye. But she does have one secret that has remained hidden—a secret that could have saved Gage his career. Wracked with regret, she’ll do almost anything to atone for her betrayal of him.

When Ella’s brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park’s most dangerous peaks, the last thing Gage wants is to let Ella join the search. Not only will he have to find her reckless brother, but he’ll have to keep her safe as well. But Ella is undeterred, and suddenly Gage finds himself in a high-stakes adventure on a mountain with a woman who could cost him everything—again. In a world of dangerous heights, devastating injuries, and blinding snowstorms, Gage and Ella must put aside the past and learn to trust each other if they hope to survive.

Praise for the Montana Rescue Series

“Exciting rescues and an old mystery offer a thrilling, roller-coaster plotline and plenty of drama to keep the pages turning.” —Bookpage on Wild Montana Skies

“A fast-moving, high-stakes romantic adventure set against the backdrop of Glacier National Park, which will leave longtime fans and new readers alike anticipating the next book in the series.” —Publishers Weekly on Rescue Me

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A Matter of Trust is a mix of high tension, suspense, drama and forgiveness. As I usually lean towards the more fantasy action genre, I’m always really surprised and excited to enjoy books like these. Especially when it sparks my interest for other novels the author has written. Susan Warren has an amazing sense of character and scenery.

Despite Gage and Ella’s own upended history, Gage puts things aside and sets off to rescue her brother. Struggling with his faith in her and own spiritual faith, their journey has many twists and turns that keep the reader well engaged in their story. This book also follows other characters, or duos as it were, in the team. From previous books, we’re given glimpses of their own complex stories and what’s to come. Since I wasn’t as familiar with other characters in the series, I did tend to focus more on other areas with the main characters, Gage and Ella. Gage is a wonderfully engaging character with his own doubts and growth throughout the book. Ella was a bit harder to connect with, especially since she is trying to redeem her past decisions and making new difficult ones along the way. I still enjoyed their interactions and dynamic that pushed the boundaries of usual relationships you tend to see or read in stories.

I’ve never been good at skiing but I love snow. The way Warren described it was fun and lively to the point where I’m tempted to retry it again…on a bunny hill. The wintery scene of Montana was really well done and made me want to travel there someday. Well, when it’s a tad warmer of course. I definitely recommend this great summer read! Be sure to enter the giveaway!

Susan May Warren is the USA Today, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author of over fifty novels, including Wild Montana Skies with more than one million books sold. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedy, and novellas.

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Outlander meets post-Civil War unrest in the conclusion to Melissa Lenhardt’s fast-paced historical series.

Melissa Lenhardt is the author the Jack McBride mystery series, as well as the Laura Elliston historical fiction series. Her debut mystery, STILLWATER, was a finalist for the 2014 Whidbey Writers’ MFA Alumni Emerging Writers Contest, and SAWBONES, her historical fiction debut, was hailed as a “thoroughly original, smart and satisfying hybrid, perhaps a new subgenre: the feminist Western” by Lone Star Literary Life. A lifelong Texan, she lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two sons.

 

Grace Mallory is tired of hiding. She hungers for a normal life, perhaps even a suitor like two of her friends in Harper’s Station have found. But when the man she believes responsible for her father’s death discovers her whereabouts, survival takes priority.

 

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