Sunday, June 30, 2013

Anomaly: Dystopian YA with a Twist


N
Normally, I don't read dystopian books (think Hunger Games). Our world is weird enough without imagining what it will be like in the future after a horrific war or tragedy. However, my daughter and I have thoroughly enjoyed Krista McGee's other books, so I decided to give Anomaly a try. I am so glad I did.


Thalli is different. And different is not good in the State that is left after a nuclear holocaust. But she feels deeply. She tries to hide, but she can't. To avoid annihilation, she becomes a test subject. The story winds through her learning about the real Designer as she learns about love. This story scrapes away to the essense of what is important: God, love, freedom. The pages turn effortlessly...and the ending left me longing for the next installment.

Bottom-line? This is an engrossing read and one my husband and 12 year old enjoyed as well.






Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again. But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music. She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods. As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along. Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out… Purchase a copy here. Learn more at Krista’s website. Click to start reading Anomaly for free.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Search & Rescue Review


Cara here: Two of my writing friends have come together for a series for middle-grade readers. Set in Rock Harbor, Michigan, the setting for one of Colleen's series, this books brings back characters moms have grown to love in a book that is perfect for 10-14 year olds.  Here's my daughter's take:

In Search & Rescue, 8th grader Emily O'Reilly is accused of stealing a necklace. Even her dad believes she did it. Determined to clear her name, Emily begins a search for the truth.

I loved this book (4 out of 5 stars). It's one I'll re-read, especially when the next one releases. I'd read the adult Rock Harbor books and enjoyed seeing all the charcters from those books again.

Emily's deepest desire is for a puppy of her own that she can train to be a search and rescue dog. Her stepmom works with Bree training search and rescue dogs, and Emily can't wait to join their team. But her dad won't let her get a puppy because he thinks she stole the necklace. He forces her to give that money to the woman who lost the necklace. The only way to reserrect her dream is to prove she didn't steal the necklace.

Even though I figured out the mystery, I kept reading because I needed to know that I was right. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Giveaway happening on my other blog...

Over on my other blog, I'm giving away this collection of YA nonfiction titles. Come on over and participate!


Friday, November 16, 2012

Three Christmas Books I love to Read with My Kids


I know Thanksgiving is next week, but I'm thinking about the Christmas books I want to read to my kids this year. It's always fun trying to decide which ones we'll enjoy together as a family. Here are a few of our favorites, and I want to know which ones you love, too.

The Velveteen Rabbit: I realized the other day when I picked up a copy at Kohl's that I hadn't introduced my younger two to the story. And the older two didn't remember it. Time to remedy that. The story begins with Christmas, but is really a story of so much more including the power of love. How a stuffed animal becomes real through the love of a little boy. I get sentimental just thinking about the story.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Courageous For Teens



Raising godly teens and tweens is a challenge. Whether you're a young person who wants to grow in your faith or a parent trying to lead your young person as they mature, it can be tricky to find books that will help in that process. Courageous for Teens is one of those books.

The book intertwines scenes from the movie Courageous with scripture and profiles of Bible characters who lived with courage. Abraham movign to a new land. Ruth moving to a foreign land. Add many of your favorite Bible stories to the list. Each chapter then ends with five application questions and each section ends with a page of recap. For example "Joshua found courage through...", "Gideon gained strength by..." When the teen finishes this book, they will have examined courageous faith, leadership, priorities, and influence.

It's a book the teen can tackle alone, in a group, or with their parents. It's easy to read and grasp the concepts. Then the challenge begins of applying those to your life.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Beginner Bible iPad app






Tuesday, October 9, 2012

For Parents: Hot Buttons




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Children of Angels Review


As a homeschool mom, I am always looking for books that will engage my children's imaginations and be something we can enjoy together. Children of Angels builds from the what if question of what if there were still children of angels on earth? What would those children be like? How would being half-angel impact them? Because of the themes of spiritual warfare, bullying, and fights in the heavenlies, this is a good book for parents and kids to read and discuss together. Some plot threads reminded me of another popular tween series with the half-angel kids going to a special school. This is a book that may also intrigue that hard to reach tween boy population.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Children of Angels
“Not my iPod!” Jeremy Lapoint’s day plunges to record lows when Sid Lundahl and his crew stomp the only nice thing he owns-and Jeremy gets in trouble for fighting. With Dad in prison and Mom struggling to scrape by, Jeremy’s life seems hopeless.
Until he has this urge to … fly.
One leap and Jeremy soars through the air. With this and his other new-found powers, life is suddenly amazing, wonderful. Until a real-live demon chases him through the school hallways, terrifying him and making him a freak to his schoolmates. He’s the only one who can see the monster. Jeremy wonders if the flying thing’s worth it.
But during the chase, Asiel, Jeremy’s guardian angel, wields his sword and battles off the demon. Later Asiel explains that Jeremy’s a Nephilim: half human and half angel. Jeremy’s shocked. His quest to uncover how he got like this sends him to the Higher Humanity Institute where he meets other Nephilim like him along with a slew of enemies-both human and … not.
In the midst of his strange and dangerous struggles, Jeremy also receives the peace and love he’s always longed for but never knew. When called to lead an angelic battle for the truth, will Jeremy cling to the One who can win the war or let his old doubts and fears overtake him?
Fun, danger, friendship, mystery, and faith-along with awesome angels and demons-fill the pages of this exciting book. A must-read for kids (and grownups) craving adventure with a life-changing message.


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Enchanted Attic Review






Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Live to Give Facebook Event


Thomas Nelson Author and Hoops of Hope founder, Austin Gutwein, to host September 6 online event to focusing on themes his latest release, Live to Give. On September 6 at 8 PM EDT, Austin Gutwein will be hosting a live Facebook web event to encourage participants to conquer their fears and use their talents to help others. The webcast will center on the themes Gutwein writes about in his latest release “Live to Give: Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles(Thomas Nelson/August, 2012). At the conclusion of the webcast, the winners of a month-long social media fueled “Get and Give” contest will be announced, including the winner of a Kindle Fire and $250 donated to the winner’s charity of choice.

Join Austin on the evening of Thursday, September 6th as he shares about his own experiences and encourages others to conquers their fears and “live to give”. Austin will also be taking audience questions and interacting with participants. PLUS – there will be several “Live to Give” giveaways – books, gift certificates and much more! RSVP today and tell your friends. Based on the John 6 story of Jesus feeding the 5000, in “Live to Give” Gutwein challenges his readers that regardless of age and talent, God can use them to make a difference. Even though God could take care of everything Himself and doesn’t really need our help, He desperately WANTS us to help Him care for others. Gutwein walks young people through discovering and embracing their unique God-given strengths and abilities, then figuring out how to use those talents to help others. Sometimes doing that takes a leap of faith on our part, and often becoming fearless in the process.

More about Austin: At eighteen years old, Gutwein speaks with wisdom and has the experience to reinforce his message. When Austin was just nine years old, he watched a video that showed children in Africa who had lost their parents to AIDS. Gutwein realized these kids weren’t any different from him—except they were suffering. Feeling called to help, he took his love of basketball and decided to shoot free throws to raise money for orphans in Zambia. On World AIDS Day in 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Through sponsorship from parents and friends, Gutwein raised over $3,000 that day to give hope to eight orphans in Zambia. Over the past eight years, Gutwein’s efforts have created Hoops of Hope, the largest free throw marathon in the world. With an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million to build schools, medical clinics, dormitories for orphanages, and the only computer lab in Zambia. Enter to win a Kindle Fire and have $250 donated to your favorite charity. Click for the banner for details and entry or visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13528976/livetogive.

Learn more about Austin and Hoops of Hope at www.AustinGutwein.com and www.HoopsOfHope.org.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Winning Balance by Shawn Johnson






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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Pop-Up Bible Stories Review




Monday, August 20, 2012

Live to Give by Austin Gutwein





Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Need Summer Reading? Interview with Author Krista McGee & Giveaway

Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to my new friend, Krista McGee. When we stopped at Thomas Nelson in March, one of the books they handed my daughter was Starring Me. She inhaled the book, with lots of giggles. So I decided I, too, must read it. It was a fun read as I ran on the treadmill. Enough about that though. I'm delighted the publisher is willing to give one reader a copy of this book! Read through to the end for how to possible get one copy of the book. Here's more from Krista...

1) Starring Me has a clever setting with a reality show, but there’s much more to it. How did you get the idea for Starring Me?
This series of books is loosely based on biblical characters. First Date was based on Esther, and in that book, I began with the Esther story and crafted Addy's story around it. With Starring Me, I had my character, Kara, and looked for a biblical story that could parallel hers. I have always loved the romance of Rebekah and Isaac, and I thought that could fit. Because Kara loves acting, I knew I'd have to place her in a situation where she'd have the opportunity to pursue that love, while also being unknowingly pursued by a boy. Isaac was the long-awaited child of Abraham and Sarah, so having him be the somewhat overly-protected only child of older parents worked for my "Isaac"-- Chad Beacon. The "mediator" is the Beacon's assistant, Flora, a quirky character who feels from the start Kara is "the one." And so the stage was set!

2) How did you get the idea for Starring Me?
This story's premise was really a collaborative effort. My editors wanted me to keep going with the "reality TV/ordinary-girl-in-an-extraordinary-situation" theme I had in First Date. I wanted to tell a story that would fit Kara while staying true to my passion as a writer who liberally sprinkles Jesus all through her books. My students reminded me that teens enjoy humor more than sermons. So I sat down and thought through how I could make all of that work. My agent helped me create Flora, and my students helped me come up with the idea for a show-within-a-show: Kara thinks she is auditioning to co-host a new teen variety show, but, in reality, it is her character that is being tested, not her acting skills. Chad's parents want him working with a young woman who shares his faith - tying back into the Isaac and Rebekah story.

3) What was the hardest thing about writing Starring Me?
Finding time to write was the hardest part. I am a wife, mom of three, and an English teacher. I also direct the musicals at my school, and am involved in several different ministries at my church. I was writing this book in the middle of all that. It was crazy!

4) So how exactly did you research what a reality show was like? Have you been on one? I’ve always thought Amazing Race could be fun as long as my husband ate all the weird (i.e. GROSS!) food.
Because this book was more about the auditioning process than the show itself, I drew on my own theatrical experience. I have been in a few dozen productions and directed several, as well. I've never been part of a reality TV show, but I read different blogs and entertainment magazine articles about the behind-the-scenes aspects of those shows. I found that more is scripted than is real, and that people aren't always off-screen what they seem to be on-screen. All of that played into my story and the development of the other characters in the audition.


5) Will we get to see Kara (love her name btw!) and Chad in another book? Or will we see Josh and AXXXX’s story?
Thanks :) Although Kara isn't featured in the next book, she is present.  Right Where I Belong is about a young woman named Natalia who moves from Spain to Tampa with her stepmother (guess what biblical character she is based on?). Natalia attends the same school as Addy, and Addy introduces her to Kara.

6) Why write for this audience? What draws you to teenagers?
I have worked with teens for over a decade, as a youth leader and a Christian school teacher. God used youth leaders and Christian teachers in my life to help me through those difficult years, and I want to do the same for the teens God places in my life. I love helping this next generation see how much God loves them and how He has plans for them that are far beyond what they could ever imagine.

7) What do you hope readers will take away from reading Starring Me?
My desire is that my books be "Escape and Encouragement." I want my readers to laugh and have fun with Kara. But I also hope they will be challenged in their understanding of who Christ is and who we are in Him. Starring Me touches on barriers to belief and serving others, as well as friendship and dating and awkward moments with egotistical boys.

Okay, where can readers connect with you?
Visit my website: www.kristamcgeebooks.com, become a fan on Facebook, and/or follow me on Twitter. I looooove hearing from my readers!



Cara again. So if you could be on any reality TV show, which would you pick? Leave a comment with a way to contact you to be entered for a chance to read this fun book. 

Friday, July 6, 2012

Starring Me Review


My daughter received Starring Me as an ARC when we were on a trip. The rest of the trip was filled with her giggles as she flew through this story. She liked it so much I decided I needed to try it too.

This story is a delightful story inside a story. Kara wants to be a star, but doesn't know for sure how that will happen. Chad is set to star in a new teen variety show, but his parents have made a requirement that they be allowed to pick his co-star. This story is a treat in the way that the contest to find his co-star unfolds and also in the way that it overlays a Bible story.

Perfect read for teens who want a little bit more in their books.

Here's more about the book:



Monday, June 11, 2012

Review Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore

Once you've seen, you can't unsee.

Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She's come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and an incredible, numbing cold she can't seem to shake.

Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what's going to happen. And a beauty brighter than either Brielle or Jake has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices begin.

Review:

This is a book that my daughter inhaled. While she devours most books, I wasn't sure she'd like this one because of it's strong supernatural tones. Instead, she loved it precisely for those reasons. This book strikes me as a teenage version of This Present Darkness, a book I loved as a teen because it stretched my imagination and thoughts regarding the struggles that are largely unseen.

The story pulled my daughter in. From the opening pages filled with a tragedy that propels Brielle home to her new gift that allows her to see things others can't. There's also a romance, but one with a twist. It's hard to say too much more without giving the plot away. Let's just say that this book illustrates the concept that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. And my daughter can't wait to read the next installment!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Like Supernatural Fiction? Meet author Shannon Dittemore


Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to a new-to-me author who could become a fun friend. Shannon Dittemore's debut novel releases May 29...just in time for summer reading. I'm delighted the publisher is willing to give one reader a copy of this book, so be sure to leave a comment with a way to contact you! My daughter received this book when we were on vacation and loved it! That was enough for me to know I needed to get to know Shannon. So let's learn more...
    
1) 
Angel Eyes has a supernatural setting — it always fascinates me when authors can think that way. How did you get the idea for Angel Eyes?

I've always been fascinated with spiritual beings. When I was a teen, our church had a performing arts team and I always seemed to land the role of Satan. Whether Satan was biting the dust or getting knocked out in the Champion (thank you, Carman!) I apparently had the whole demonic thing down. I'm the daughter of a preacher and the wife of another one, so the supernatural is something I've grown up knowing about, learning about, believing   in from a young age. To turn my imagination loose on those ideas was very natural.

2) Is there any part of Brielle that might be borrowed from you?

The fear, certainly. I dealt with fear for a time. It's been a journey and I'm so grateful for God's help through it, but I understand what it is to be frozen by anxiety and terror. I've learned that being fearless isn't the absence of fear, but the refusal to let it govern your actions. I don't have it all down, but God's gracious and He's teaching me.

Brielle also references Neverland from time to time. I'm rather fascinated with Peter Pan myself.

3) What was the hardest thing about writing 
Angel Eyes?
Time. I'm certainly not alone in this, but finding the time with two young children at home is difficult. It's another thing God's helping me with.

4) Can you give people a teaser?

Sure! Angel Eyes is about a girl who returns to her small hometown after tragedy has struck. She has all the potential in the world, but grief and fear have taken over and she feels frozen, unable to move forward. Enter the boy next door. Jake's got a few secrets of his own, and there's something about his hands--his blazing hands--that has Brielle paying attention. Jake gives Brielle a gift that opens her eyes in more than one way and that's when all hell breaks loose. Literally.  

5) Will we get to see Brielle and her friends in another book?

I'm happy to report that Angel Eyes is the first in a trilogy of books. The second book is called Broken Wings and will be out next February. The third book is still untitled and I'm not entirely sure when it'll be released.

6) Why write for this audience? What draws you to teenagers?

This one's hard to answer. I'm not entirely sure why I write for teenagers. Maybe because I am still a teen at heart. Everything's still very raw, very real, and very important at that age. I like that. I think I live like that. Sometimes, like in the lives of teenagers, that makes things much more complicated than they need to be, but it's the way I'm wired. God helps me here too. Feeling is very important for teens and as a first class emoter, I understand entirely.

7) What do you hope readers will take away from 
Angel Eyes?
That they are not alone. That even when life throws craziness at you and when you stumble into dark places, you haven't been abandoned. If readers come away with something close to that, I've done my job.

Okay, where can readers connect with you? 


I'm everywhere, I think! I even have an 
Angel Eyes board on Pinterest.

My website and blog: http://shannondittemore.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ShannonDittemore

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/ShanDitty
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shanditty/




Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Pressing the "Hot Buttons"

Today I'm delighted to turn over my blog to my good writing bud Nicole O'Dell. I love her heart for tweens and teens. And my What are Hot Buttons? Well, in the broader sense, the phrase Hot Buttons means a lot of different things, anything really, that can get a rise out people. Something that charges them up and receives an intense reaction. For the purposes of Choose NOW Ministries, I've defined hot buttons as those tough issues that teenagers face--the things parents are often more afraid of and most hesitant to talk about. Some examples include:

  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Sex
  • Friendships
  • Racism
  • Internet Activity
  • Faith Matters
  • Divorce
  • Dating
  • Bullying
  • Occult
  • and more

Why press the Hot Buttons?

Why not just leave it alone and let the kids figure it out? We can pray for them and trust it all to work out in the end. In some ways it does work itself out, true. Circumstances happen, pressure hits, relationships change. . .and your teens gets to figure it all out. In the heat of the moment. On their own. Hopefully they'll make the right choice, but it's really hard to know what will happen when the prep work isn't done. Hot Buttons, Dating, Nicole O'DellTake an issue like dating--we talk about the boundaries. We set rules for curfew and other things. We even make sure we apprrove of the date and talk about saying no to sexual advances. Right? And that's great. It really is. But there's something missing. Our teens need to know what to do and what not to do, and what we expect of them, but they also need to understand why that's going to be difficult for them. How does the body respond in ways that make it tough to say no? What will the feelings be like that make it difficult to leave the room or douse the proverbial flames? You see, if we don't hit those truth head on before they become an issue, our teens will think it's a secret, it's specific to them, and we really don't know what we're asking them to say no to. But, if we press those hot buttons in advance, if we have the difficult conversations, then our teens will enter those pressure-filled situations armed with understanding and equipped with the words to say to stay true to their commitments. With every hot button issue, someone is feeding your tweens and teens information--do you really want that someone to be anyone other than you?  

How do I press the Hot Buttons?

Now that you've made the decision to be proactive about helping your tweens and teens battle peer pressure, I love to share the principles behind the Hot Buttons book series and the method of communicating with your teens it prescribes. Hot Buttons, Internet, Nicole O"Dell Each book is topical based on a single Hot Button issue and its surrounding sub-topics. For example, the Hot Buttons Internet Edition deals with social networking, pornography, predators, cyber bullying, and more. The goal isn't to convince parents to keep their kids off the net, but rather to arm them with the tools they need to navigate it in a safe and healthy way. Same with the Dating Edition. It covers early relationships, physical boundaries, date rape, and more. Instead of just handing down rules, parents need to walk their teens through the details and equip them with the understanding of what's out and how to rise above the peer pressure.  

How does Hot Buttons work?

Each book is designed the same way. The first few chapters discuss the hows and whys of tackling hot buttons early and effectively. Part two dives into the topics with statistics and information that every parent should know. Next are the application portions of the book. This is when you put into practice the principles we discuss early on. Strategic Scenarios (up to 15 per book) allow you to walk your teens through a fictional situation and then offer options, choices, as to how they think they'd respond.
Here's an example of the way a Strategic Scenario works:
You really like this one guy at school. You have for a long time, actually. Problem is, your BFF likes him too. And you have to admit, she’s liked him longer, but he seems to prefer you. You just don’t know what to do about it. You don’t want to hurt your friend, but you have to take care of yourself first, right?
Finally, he asks you out. Now it’s decision time. What do you do?
Present the following choices to your teenager:
  1. He obviously like you best and telling him no isn’t going to make him like your BFF. You might as well go out with him and deal with her later. What’s she going to do about it anyway?
  2. You’ll go out with him, but only secretly. Hopefully she'll never find out.
  3. You thank him, and tell him you need a day or two to think about it. Time to have a heart-to-heart with your friend. If she’s okay with it, you’re in!
  4. No, too much is at stake. Your BFF will tell you she’s fine with it, but you know it will break her heart. Then what? It wouldn’t be the same again. Plus, you’re supposed to be the Christian; you need to put her first.
Now let your teen make a choice between the responses without feeling judged or directed. You want the response to be as honest as possible.
Here are some discussion points you can use to lead the conversation after the choice is made:
  • BFs come and go; BFF last a lifetime
  • What would Jesus do?
  • How would you feel in your BFF’s shoes?
  • Talk about this sort of thing ahead of time. Don’t wait until it’s a real issue. Clear the air.
  • Loyalty and honestly are qualities of Christ.
  • A year from now, when you look back on the situation, which choice will make you proud?
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12, NIV)
The final chapters of each Hot Buttons book will lead you and your family through confession and forgiveness and then help you walk into the future with a clean slate, armed with the tools you all need to face those hot buttons. If you're a parent of teens, or you know one, I hope you'll visit www.hotbuttonsite.com to read more Hot Buttons posts each week. Also, the first two Hot Buttons books: Dating and Internet, release on 6/1. Following soon after on 10/1 are the Sexuality and Drug editions.   Nicole O'Dell, Choose HER, Choose NOW ministriesNicole O'Dell, founder of Choose NOW Ministries and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, is a youth culture expert who writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents on preparing for life's tough choices. The mother of six, including toddler triplets, she’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction series and the Diamond Estates Series, and non-fiction for teens including Girl Talk, 2/1/12, based on the popular advice column she writes with her two daughters. Hot Buttons, O’Dell’s non-fiction series for parents pre-empts peer pressure by tackling tough issues. Visit www.nicoleodell.com.   



Friday, June 1, 2012

Crazy Dangerous by Andrew Klavin


At our house right now, my tweens are racing through Andrew Klavan's books. Here's what my daughter says:
Crazy Dangerous is a well-written thriller. Sam is a regular boy who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. He just wants to be a normal kid, but not pushed around anymore. Jennifer is a school mate with some type of mental illness. She talks crazy and hallucinates. This shouldn't impact Sam but it does because the thugs that are trying to mess up Sam's life are messing with Jennifer, too. Sam has a strong desire to protect Jennifer and stop whatever she's facing.
This was the first Andrew Klavan book I read. I enjoyed it so much, that I've now raced through the Homelanders series. The author's books are great because they are action-packed. They are impossible to put-down. And are perfect for kids who like to read stories about heroic struggles.
My 8.5 year old son likes his books because they are action-packed and heroic. The kid is in trouble the whole way through the book. My husband enjoyed the series because it captured all the angst of the teen years but equipped the main character for the struggles he would face.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Interview with Author Robert Liparulo



Robert, you’re known for writing  creepy and intense books. There’s usually a spiritual idea contained in the book, but it’s not always overt. Is The 13th Tribe different?

My previous adult thrillers were heavy on action, adventure, and the fight between Good and Evil—but light when it came to acknowledging God’s influence in the world and in the lives of my characters. That was fine with me: Before embarking on each new story, I’d spend weeks fasting and in seclusion, praying for Divine guidance. And then I wrote the stories I believe God wanted me to tell in the way He wanted me to tell them.

As I prayed about the next adult thriller after Deadlock, I sensed God’s telling me it was time to go another direction, to take a new, bold stance in proclaiming His sovereignty in everything that happens. To rip down the veil and show His inextricable presence in all we experience—unreservedly and unapologetically.

The result is The 13th Tribe—to me, a very special story that marks my first foray into what many people call “Christian fiction,” though I like to think of it as a faith-filled supernatural thriller.

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