"All Things Now Living" by Rondi Bauer Olson (LitFuse Blog Tour) ... and KINDLE GIVEAWAY!

While on a scavenging trip with her father, Amy is accidentally trapped in New Lithisle in Rondi Bauer Olson's All Things Now Living. At first her only goal is to escape, but when she meets Daniel, a New Lithisle boy, she begins to question how less-than-human the people of New Lithisle are. Amy's feelings grow even more conflicted when she learns she didn't end up in New Lithisle by mistake. Her father is secretly a sympathizer. Time is running short and Amy has to decide if she will bring the computer program her father wrote to his contact or save herself. Installing the program could prevent the dome's collapse, but if Amy doesn't find her father's contact in time, she'll die, along with everyone else.

Stay up all night reading this thrilling new book from Rondi and enter to win a Kindle Fire!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of All Things Now Living
• A Kindle Fire

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 14. The winner will be announced December 15 on the Litfuse blog.

Link to enter giveaway...


My review...

Amy believes that the aegis (an electromagnetic dome) must fall and that anyone living inside is someone who is “less than human” due to gene modification (with pig genes) done in hopes of gaining immunity to the swine flu. After her father disappears, she is left to face dangerous conditions alone. That is, until she meets Daniel, who is a genetically modified elder. He goes against everything she believes, but she must rely on him if she wants to survive and escape the authorities, inside and outside the dome.

The story takes place in a futuristic setting after a plague has hit. There are two different groups of people, and both have very different survival methods, which are based on their religious principles. One group believes their best option is to stay under the dome where they can be protected from disease through experimentation with animal genes. The other group feels it is best to live in the wild.

Let me start by saying that this is the author’s debut novel, and it is the first book in the series. Some parts seem a bit over the top or cliché, and there were some inconsistencies. The romance angle developed way too quickly, and the story, overall, was confusing for me to follow at times. The book starts out a bit slow, but the pace does pick up as the story unfolds. A bit more backstory would have been helpful in some instances. Perhaps some of these issues will be addressed and fixed in the second installment.

As a fan of shows such as Under the Dome, I looked forward to reading this book. The premise seemed interesting and different from what I normally read. I was also intrigued by the fact that this was a Christian YA dystopian. However, it did not quite live up to my expectations.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy as part of the LitFuse blogger program. I was not required to leave a positive review.

Blog tour landing page

About the author:

Rondi Bauer Olson is a reader and writer from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where she lives on a hobby farm with her husband, Kurt. She has four grown children, works as a nurse, and also owns a gift shop within view of beautiful Lake Superior.

Find out more about Rondi at http://rondibauerolson.weebly.com.

"Raging Storm" by Vannetta Chapman ... and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of her latest release, Vannetta has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (US ONLY). To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends February 10, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

A Word from Vannetta...

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’m thrilled to talk to you today about my newest release, Raging Storm. This is the 2nd book in my Remnant series. It’s a story about a world where most technology has been destroyed by a massive solar flare and how a small group of friends from Abney, Texas learn to survive.

I’d like to share with you a few quotes from the story.

“The lights will come on again, folks. I might not live to see it. Some of you will. When they do, you’ll be surprised at how tough you have become. How you don’t need, or even want, that luxury. How you’ve learned to depend on the sweat of your own labor.”

This is one of my favorites, spoken by an older gentleman, and he’s talking to a group of farming neighbors who have gathered together to discuss their situation. I enjoyed this scene immensely. It highlights the wisdom and faith of our oldest generation. These are people that we all could learn a lot from, but we’re usually too busy to stop and listen. Our friends and family who are in the 70s, 80s, and 90s have been through difficult times before. Their wisdom comes from hindsight and from endurance. They have a different perspective because they’ve had to depend on their friends and family and faith. I think the older generation is a blessing from God to each of us, and I hope that we can appreciate that without having to go through what the characters in Raging Storm endure.


Max glanced out over the university buildings, but he didn’t let go of Shelby. He turned her in his arms, so that she was looking out at Austin, but he kept his arms wrapped around her, as if he could protect her from what lay ahead. “When I decided to go to law school, I thought I could change the world.”
He rested his chin on top of her head, breathed in the scent of her. “My dad admired my enthusiasm, but he warned me that the world doesn’t change that way—all at once.”
“Maybe it did, on the night of the flare.”
“Not our doing, though.”
“God’s?”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’s just the way of the physical world. Maybe we forgot that we’re susceptible to the laws of nature.”
“So no changing the world.”
“Not all at once.”
“But we can make a difference?” She pulled his arms more tightly around her until it felt as if they were one person, one force to be reckoned with.
“One person at a time. That’s what my dad told me. The world is changed one person at a time.”

This is definitely one of the themes of the book, that the world is changed one person at a time. It’s a truth that I believe we see in the gospels. How is the love of Christ shared? One person at a time. It’s a truth we see in our daily lives. How to we care for others? One person at a time. And it remains a truth even when the world is in upheaval. It’s not in our power to change everything, but we can reach out to one another. We can make a difference in one person’s life.


She saved Max for last. When she moved to slap his hand, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear. “Carter’s going to be fine, and he’s lucky to have you for his mother.”
She touched his cheek once and started to answer. Changing her mind, she kissed him on the other cheek and whispered “thank you” before pulling away.
Something inside of Max blossomed, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Certainly not since the flare, and maybe even before that. Maybe it was something he’d smothered well before the sun changed their world.
For the first time in many years, Max experienced hope. That they would get the supplies of medication back to the people who needed them and that Carter would be fine. He caught a glimpse of a future with Shelby, one that was more than friendship. He allowed himself to dream about the next day and the next one after that with Shelby in his arms, by his side, completing his life. And in that moment the thought crossed his mind that just possibly the life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.

And there is another theme of the book, that sometimes the things we fear, the things we would never wish for, give us joy that we couldn’t imagine. No one in this story would have wished for a solar flare, to lose all modern conveniences, to be thrown back into the lifestyle of their grandparents. But once these things happen, they find joy. They find hope in the future that God has planned. “The life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.” I think this is a truth for each of us, because God’s grace is always sufficient.

My review...

https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/raging-storm

I rated this story 4/5 stars for RT Bookreviews Magazine.

About Vannetta...

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.  She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

LINKS
http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/


Purchase links for Raging Storm
Amazon http://buff.ly/2ew2e5E
B&N http://bit.ly/2jmAB69
CBD http://bit.ly/2jmGX5n

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Remnant" by Monte Wolverton (LitFuse Blog Tour)

My review...

What would happen if the Apocalypse happened, and Jesus didn’t show up as expected? That is the premise behind Wolverton’s dystopian release.

Ninety percent of the world’s population has been eliminated, and religion is to blame, apparently, leading to an attack on the remaining ten percent of the population. Grant Cochrin, wife Dana, their two teens, a techie named Bryan, and a few friends escape from a work camp created for people who refused to renounce their religion. Religious books, including the Bible, have been banned. They head out into “The Wilderness.” They know that in doing so, they will never be able to return to the safe zone again. Grant, along with his friends and family, sets out to find other Christians, but they have to be careful to not get caught. They are going on this journey with only a remnant page from the Bible as a guide. Is it possible that their mission can succeed?

I do enjoy dystopian novels, and I had high hopes for this book, as the premise was unique. However, it did not quite live up to my expectations. Overuse of backstory and over-detailing stalls the plot at times. Some flashbacks seem a bit disjointed, as well. The characters were well-developed, but it was a bit hard to feel connected to them. Some of the language is a bit intellectual, which may be off-putting to some readers. The story does reflect racial intolerance and prejudices found in society. The ending paves the way for a possible sequel.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy as part of the Litfuse Blogger program.

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2fY5740

Blog tour landing page...

http://litfusegroup.com/author/mwolverton

"Deep Shadows" by Vannetta Chapman...and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of her latest release, Vannetta has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (US ONLY). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends August 12, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

A Word from Vannetta...

My editor at Harvest House asked me if I could write anything I wanted, what would it be? I’ve always loved the dystopian/survivalist genre, and I’m a news junkie. I’d recently come across a news article about NASA scientists warning Congress about the possibility of a massive solar event. That was all it took to spur my imagination on, and Deep Shadows was born.

Q & A with Vannetta...

Q:  What would you be doing if you were not an author?

A:  I adore teaching. If I could do both things at once, I would! So yes, I’d return to teaching in some capacity.

Q:  I used to be a teacher, and I really enjoyed it, too! What are your thoughts on publishing/self-publishing?

A:  I think publishing in general is a difficult thing, as it has always been. There’s a lot of criticism and rejection and hard work involved! That said, writing is a job I absolutely adore, and it is a passion as well as an occupation. As far as self-publishing, I think it’s a valid means of getting your work in front of readers.

Q:  What advice do you have for new writers?

A:  Keep writing. The 9^th book I wrote was the 1^st book published.

Q:  What are three books in your TBR (to-be-read) pile? 

A:  Charles Martin, The Mountain Between Us

      C.J. Box, Off the Grid

      Deb Raney, Finally Home

 Q:  Those sound good! I think my TBR pile will soon be a bit larger :)  What are three things about you that would surprise your readers?

A:  I have a phobia about driving over tall, tall bridges.

      I don’t eat most white foods.

      I love hiking, gardening, and playing the piano.

Back cover blurb...

All It Takes Is One Night

to Plunge the World into Darkness

Life in Abney, Texas, is predictable and safe—until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology.

Shelby Sparks, novelist and single mom, had one goal: to provide for her diabetic son. In the wake of this global disaster, her mission hasn't changed. Only now, medication is a priceless commodity and the future resembles an apocalyptic nightmare.

Max Berkman and Shelby were once sweethearts, but he lost his chance at claiming her love years ago. When the abrupt loss of power ushers him into a leadership role, he rises to the occasion. But his highest priority—to keep Shelby and her son safe—could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

As the brilliant northern lights give way to deep shadows, Max and Shelby's faith will be tested like never before. Only one rule remains: Find a way to survive.

In this first book in an eerily plausible dystopian series, a memorable cast of characters must navigate a familiar world thrown into chaos.

I rated this story 4/5 stars in the August 2016 issue of RT Bookreviews Magazine.

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2auvZ9e

About Vannetta...

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.  She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com. 

Readers can find Vannetta online at:

http://vannettachapman.com

https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May Featured Book #1

Before sharing my review, here is a bit of information from Rachelle.

Q & A with Rachelle…

Q: How did you come up with the story for "The Choosing"?

A: This is a hard question because it has many answers. I wanted to write a theme-based novel about identity. I wanted to write a dystopian novel. I wanted to write in a world that was familiar, but in a setting where I could change the way the world worked. It actually is several ideas I'd been toying with pulled into one story. Once I landed on Carrington's core revelation and story arc, I simply fell in love with her as a character and drew the rest of the story around her.That's usually how it works for me. I come up with a character, good or bad, and create the story from there.

Q: You based your main character off of your younger sister. In what ways is Carrington like her?

A: It's more the beliefs that Carrington struggles with that remind me of my sister. The idea of worth, of not feeling like you're enough, or questioning whether anyone would choose you. Carrington came about as I spent time with my sister and her college-age friends and saw that a large majority of them were searching for significance, searching for worth — none more than my sister at the time.

Q: Carrington struggles with understanding her identity and worth and what is true. Why did you decide to write about the theme of identity?

A: Someone once asked me, "If you could leave one message for your younger sisters, what would it be?" The answer was always the same: I would pray they knew what they were worth. Identity is everything. There isn't a theme that doesn't start with identity or circle back to identity. Knowing who you truly are is the greatest journey we face. Am I enough? Am I worth it? I believe everyone faces these questions, and I sought out to explore them through the story.

Q: One of the most significant lines in the story is, "Life is a journey of remembering and forgetting." What do you mean by this?

A: We have these flashes of clarity where we see so clearly who we are — and our connection to the Father — but then, in a single moment, something pulls our attention away and we forget who we are. This is the journey of life, remembering and forgetting. But I believe the more we remember, the more we set our gaze on the Father, the less often we forget. 

My Review…

Carrington Hale has been preparing her entire life for “The Choosing” ceremony. However, it did not go the way anyone expected. Instead of planning for a husband and family of her own, she finds herself being taken away from the only home she has ever known. She is now a “Lint,” the lowest level of society.  She realizes she must learn to accept her fate as an “Unchosen,” as this is God’s plan. Carrington believes that she is worthless and her fate is of her own making. However, she starts to hear whispers that lead her to question whether or not everything she has been told is a lie.  In an unusual change of events, Carrington is given a second chance to be “Chosen”. Will it be a blessing in disguise, or something more sinister than she ever could have imagined?

This is a strong debut from Dekker, who appears to be following in her famous father’s footsteps. (She is the daughter of bestselling author Ted Dekker.)  This is a dystopian coming-of-age novel which draws the reader in quickly Fans of ”Divergent” and “The Hunger Games” will enjoy this story.

Carrington is a character that will be easily relatable for many. She is an over-thinker and struggles with her own self-worth. This struggle is a much larger part of the story than the romance angle. She is not the strong, self-assured character typically found in a dystopian novel. This allows the reader to have a better understanding of her growth.  There are some intense, dark scenes to the novel. They may be difficult for some readers, but they are relevant to the suspense side of the story. While there is some predictability, this is an engaging read. Secondary characters are well developed, and the ending, which ties up a bit too quickly, will leave the reader hoping that a sequel is planned. Some core features of faith run through this novel, reminding the reader that God is who determines our value and His love does not have any strings attached. On a final note, the cover is stunning.

About Rachelle…

The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at rachelledekker.com