The Only Person on Earth Who Hates Fifty Shades of Grey

The Only Person on Earth Who Hates Fifty Shades of Grey.

 I'm taking time out of my day to share the Blog Post of Julie Cave a Christian Writer. She is not the only person who hates these books. I also feel everyone has jumped on the bandwagon with this trilogy. I wont say any more as Julie has said it so well and sets out the reasons why there is danger in this type of book.

Like Julie I am not moralising here. I just have concerns that this type of book that venerates violence with sex has become mainstream. Neither am I denying people the right to read this book should they choose to do so. However, there are so many excellent books out there and I just feel sorry that people are not reading these instead.

My next Blog Post will be a bit more cheery than this I promise and will be outlining some of the books which I believe can bring enjoyment without all the sex and violence. Until then, have a great day

A thin Film of Lies

I have recently read a book which. I enjoyed so much it is getting a blog post all to itself. The author C. S. Lakin asked me to read and review her book, A Thin Film of Lies and I am so glad she did. This book is essentially a psychological thriller with a strong Christian Theme running throughout.

Initially there are 2 seemingly disparate stories, both of which were interesting in themselves. The first was that of a young woman who is killed in a hit and run and what initially seems like an accident turns into a murder investigation. The second is that of a young married couple Alisha and Mike whose marriage is displaying an undercurrent of trouble. It is difficult to see how these stories link but when the answer comes it hits you between the eyes. The tension builds up throughout the book and one character who initially appears to be pleasant and helpful soon turns out to be completely unhinged. This character and her storyline is brilliantly written and Lakin's writing has you right inside her mind. All the main characters are drawn well and I could picture them perfectly.

With regards to building tension this book is spot on. The tension mounts ever higher throughout the book and I found myself literally breathless at times. On the one hand I couldn't wait to find out what happened and on the other I didn't want the book to end. Lakin is a writer who uses words well to completely draw you in and immerse you in the story.

The main detective in the story Fran Anders is a Christian and as I say the Christian Theme comes through strongly throughout the book. However, this is interlinked with the storyline in such a way that it comes across as completely natural and is not in any way overwhelming. She is a character with her own flaws and weaknesses and this makes her all the more real. This can be something which is often missing in Christian Fiction.

I would highly recommend this book and also C. S. Lakin as a writer. It is brilliantly written and definitely worth every penny you pay for it.

Eclectic Reading

Now I'm not looking for sympathy here but I've been stuck indoors both with the British Weather and the Flu recently. Now that the choruses of pity are over I will continue.  I know this would seem like a bad thing, but every cloud has a silver lining, and it has meant a lot more time to read and catch up with books I have been meaning to delve into for a long time.

Now most people reading this will have heard of CS Lewis, unless you have been living in a desert island somehwere. He wrote the Chronicles of Narnia and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. For those of you who don't know, he was also wrote many classic Christian Books and I have been able to read one that has been on my to read list for far too long, and reread another. The first was The Great Divorce which is an allegorical look at heaven and hell. This really is an allegory and sees people who are in hell as being ghosts who are isolated from others and have little meaningful social contact. This is an isolation of their own making. To humans, who are essentially social beings, this would seem to be an apt allegory for hell. Those who are in heaven are of a more substantial form and are able to interact. They can also interact with those in hell and move them in to purgatory and they can then move into heaven if they repent and beleive in God. Whatever your feelings on this, this is a good book and well worth reading. The second one I read was The Screwtape Letters, a brilliant but tongue in cheek volume of letters from a senior to a junior devil. This essentally gives advice on how to trip up man and get him to turn from God.

Those of you who read my blog regularly or know me will realise thatI love Murder Mysteries and Thrillers. Today I have spent the day reading an absolutely breathtaking thriller called Unauthorized Access. This was by an author who is new to me called Andrew McAllister and believe you me I will be looking out for his next book and be the first in the queue to buy it. It is essentially a cybercrime book but mainly a very fast paced thriller. It starts mainly as a Cyberattack on an American Bank, which causes chaos as people's accounts are wiped out. When the FBI are called in they quickly decide that the attacker is Rob Donovan one of the computer experts at the bank. Protesting his innocence, Rob is believed by no one and goes on the run to try to prove his innocence. But there is so much more to this book and there are many twists and turns that no one could see coming. Andrew McAllister's writing style draws you right into the story and had me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. I loved the characters and could picture each and everyone of them. For a man, McAllister describes the women well (sorry I don't mean to be sexist here, it's a compliment). I felt I knew each and every character personally, whether they were on the side of good and evil, and sometimes you were stunned by which side they were actually on. This book could be read by both men and women, and enjoyed equally as much by each. There is a little bit of romance running through it but certainly not enough to have men turning away in their droves. Buy it and read it immediately. You certainly wont regret it.

More free Christian ebooks

I know I promised some Murder, Mysteries, thrillers etc., however time and domestic crisis have overtaken me this week, so the crime blog has been missed out and here we are with another swag of freebie Christian ebooks. Hopefully, there is something for everyone in here. Same caveat as previously, I don't get time to read all these whilst they are free, so it is down to the individual to look and see which ones they like and download.

First out of the stable this time is in fact a thriller about a former Hassidic jew and a Christian Gypsy who are trying to save an entire Romanian village from certain destruction. I like the look of this, and it's just my type of book, thriller and Christian all rolled into one Soul Runner: A Novel of High Adventure

Now, much as I like children, I wouldn't like to be in this girls shoes. After the sudden death of her sister and brother-in-law, Aggie has just inherited eight children Ready or Not (Aggies Inheritance)

Another Christian thriller. An armed man bursts into a police department and starts to shoot everyone in his path before blowing himself up Mourning Reign

This next book is a story of two parts, one fiction and the other fact. It is about the state of the American church today. However, this could also apply to the UK The Document - Americas Final Hope Version 2
How one woman kept her faith through multiple times of trouble. I think I need to let this book speak for itself He Kept His Promise (How Do You Stand on the Word of God when the Legs of Faith are Broken)
For all the married couples out there, despite the title this looks to be a sound book on how to strengthen your marriage  We all Married Idiots: Three Things you Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can
So hopefully enough here to keep you busy for the next few days. Hope you found something you like and enjoy reading them

Free Christian Books for Kindle

I am ashamed to say I have been out of the picture blogging wise for some time now. This is not because I have not been reading, but because I have been ill. However, this has given me plenty of time to read, and also to combine 2 of my favourite hobbies - reading and technology. I have recently discoverd there are a lot of free books out there for your kindle which I find absolutely amazing. All power to the authors who are offering these and also heartfelt thanks. It is great to be able to share my love of reading with others, and being Scottish, I love a bargain. So this blog is dedicated to sharing some free Christian books as requested by a friend. Can I say I have read some of these but not all. These books do not stay free for long so if I wait until I've read them all then they wont be free anymore, so browse and download the ones you like to your kindle.

Before I start can I say that if you do not have a kindle then you can download the kindle app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android, blackberry, windows phones and PC. That should pretty much cover everyone.

First off the block is a book called Everything the Bible has to Say About Heaven which, funnily enough, looks at what the bible has to say about heaven  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005GMYCDI/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_vBX5pb0E56YCF

Greater Power: May you Find Him Now, looks at what part God has to play when helping people with addictions http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005D24PVU?tag=kiq-free-e-21

Wedded To War (Heroines Behind the Lines) is particularly dear to my heart as it is about a military nurse behind the lines. Having been a military nurse myself I think I can identify with some of this hisorical fiction. Although I must add I am not old enough to have served in the civil war :-) http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00836T5NG?tag=kiq-free-e-21

Another novel, Church and State, is a story of an America where Christianity is outlawed and the President becomes a Christian. Sounds intriguing.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003QTDFVI?tag=kiq-free-e-21

Why I am a Christian and More Questions to Examine Your Faith contains 200 questions to make you re-examine your beliefs in order to grow and improve. I think we could all do with relooking at our basic beleifs and be ready to give answers to those who ask questions. I certainly intend reaifn this in the very near future. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Am-Christian-Questions-ebook/dp/B007MPUGVO/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340542364&sr=1-4

Next up is another historical novel, A Hearth in Candlewood. This is the first in a trilogy so if you read this it may leave you in the position of having to buy the next 2 books to finish the story. Perssonally I don't have a problem with this as the author has been kind enough to give me one free I am happy to support them by buying the remainder. However, if you are on a tight budget :-) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hearth-Candlewood-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00332FYS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340541972&sr=1-1

The next book, How Did I get Here, is a novel, about a Pastor, who although outwardly successful, is struggling with many weaknesses that he is trying to hide. Set in modern day America I think this looks really good http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Did-Get-Here-ebook/dp/B002SBA15S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340541862&sr=1-1

So that's my first installment of free kindle books. I hope you enjoy them and I will be blogging some more Christian books in the near future. Keep looking back, or sign up to the blogg so you don't miss out.  In the meantime, tomorrow I will be blogging again with some of my other favourite genres, Mystery, Thriller, Action Adventure and a little bit of Romance. Watch this space as they say.

I will sign off by reiterating that these books are not usually free for long, so if you like them, get downloading and enjoy all that reading.   For all those going on holiday this is an ideal way to fill up that kindle and take lots of lovely new books and authors away with you

Karen Rose Romantic Thrillers

As a writer of Romantic Thrillers Karen Rose has got to be one of the best, and believe you me, I read a lot of authors and a lot of books. I have now read every one of her books and have enjoyed every last one of them. She has a good grasp of words and uses them to excellent effect, drawing the reader into the story, and bringing it to life. Both the thriller and the romantic aspects are well written and compliment each other well. My only caveat to this, and this is a personal thing, is that I could do without the graphic sex scenes which I feel detract from the story line. It's a shame, as without them I believe these books would be much better. However, I realise others may disagree with me.

Her latest book, Silent Scream, is the story of David Hunter (a firefighter) who we met in previous novels, and Olivia Sutherland who we met in Karen's last book. However, if you have not read any of the previous novels this is not a problem as this book can be read truly as a stand alone novel. For those of you who have read the previous books you will enjoy reading David and Olivia's story. The plot revolves around a group of four young people who set fire to a building and then discover that there is the body of a young girl inside. They think they have got away with this but are then blackmailed by someone who videoed the whole incident. The plot is, of course, much more intricate and involved than this and Karen unfolds the story like the true professional she is. Alongside this is the story of David and Olivia's relationship, which is as complex as the murder plot. I found myself liking them and rooting for them all the way. I can't say too much about the other characters without giving the plot away, but trust me, every character comes across as true to life. I found both story lines to be gripping and I could not put this novel down. In this book there is slightly less emphasis on the sex and I believe the book is the better for it. It is easier to get caught up in the romance of the storyline and concentrate on what is happening in the thriller.

I would highly recommend all of Karen Rose's books. She is an excellent author with a good sense of plot, and a highly developed sense of what will keep the reader reading. I look forward to her next book. If you like thrillers with an element of romance then get these books. You wont regret it.  

Stephanie Plum

For various reasons I have been out of the picture, as far as blogging is concerned, for the past few weeks. This has given me a lot of time to read and the latest Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich has reminded me of everything I love about these books. The latest, Sizzling Sixteen, is as madcap and hilarious as the fifteen previous offerings. Those of you who love these novels will know what I mean.

For those of you, where the books have managed to slip under your radar, then here is a brief resume. Stephanie Plum is a rather hapless and eccentric bounty hunter, who, despite managing to be rather hopeless at her job, still manages to get her ma or woman as the case may be. She has an on again, off again boyfriend, a cop called Joe Morelli. Her other love interests are a sexy Cuban called Ranger, and someone called Deisel who seems to appear from nowhere every now and again. The cast of characters surrounding her become more and more eccentric, my two favourites being Lula and Grandma Mazur. Lula is an ex prostitute turned file clerk, who "helps" Stephanie catch her skips. Her giant size body, squeezes into a vast array of midget size clothes. Grandma Mazur, is Stephanie's mad grandmother who I wouldn't even start to describe. If I say one of her favourite pursuits is going to viewings at funeral parlours and causing havoc you should get the drift.

In this book Vinnie who owns the bail bond agency has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are looking for a ransom to return him. Stephanie, Lula and Connie (the office secretary) set out to find him with a little help from Morelli, Ranger and a supporting cast of Hobbits. No I am not joking. I laughed until my sides were aching.

If you find you want to read these books and haven't done so before then start with one for the money and work your way up until you reach sixteen. You wont regret it. Janet Evanovich has a rare talent. As an aside, one for the money is being made into a film starring Katherine Heigl. I had a little difficulty imagining it at first as Katherine is Blonde and Stephanie is a dark haired Italian. However, a makeover is afoot and I think it will work. More details here.

Stephanie Plum Movie

I personally can't wait for the movie to come out as it will be just as hysterical as the books I am sure.