CFBA: The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks

Song Stuck on the Brain: Age of Aquarius by The 5th Dimension. I have NO idea why. :)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
The Bones Will Speak Thomas Nelson (August 11, 2015) by Carrie Stuart Parks
MY TAKE:

Wow, does Carrie Stuart Parks know how to hook a reader and keep them short of breath!

As a huge fan of shows like Bones, NCIS, CSI:NY, and other numerous crime shows, this book caught my interest right away. As a fan of Brandilyn Collins' Hidden Faces Series and Dee Henderson's O'Malley series, I knew it had big shoes to fill. Parks held her own admirably and I would say the shoe fit.

What more can I say that won't give away too much? I hate to ruin a good suspense! This is book 2 in a series. A Cry from the Dust (A Gwen Marcey Novel Book 1) released in August 2014. I haven't read this one yet, but it has me intrigued, I'll be checking it out for sure. 

There are a lot of crime shows/books these days, but I love those that focus in on the science and forensics. When a book can present the science accurately, in an engaging manner and keep the story at a good pace, you have a winner. Parks did all that and added an extra splash of intensity that sets the bar a little higher for the books to follow. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A killer with a penchant for torture has taken notice of forensic expert Gwen Marcey . . . and her daughter.
When Gwen Marcey’s dog comes home with a human skull and then leads her to a cabin in the woods near her Montana home, she realizes there’s a serial killer in her community. And when she finds a tortured young girl clinging to life on the cabin floor, she knows this killer is a lunatic.

Yet what unsettles Gwen most is that the victim looks uncannily like her daughter. The search for the torturer leads back in time to a neo-Nazi bombing in Washington state—a bombing with only one connection to Montana: Gwen. The group has a race-not-grace model of salvation . . . and they’ve marked Gwen as a race traitor. When it becomes clear that the killer has a score to settle, Gwen finds herself in a battle against time. She will have to use all of her forensic skills to find the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her—and the only family she has left.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Bones Will Speak, go HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carrie Stuart Parks is an award-winning fine artist and internationally known forensic artist. Along with her husband, Rick, she travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement as well as civilian participants. She has won numerous awards for career excellence. Carrie is a popular platform speaker, presenting a variety of topics from crime to creativity.

Animals have always been a large part of her life. Her parents, Ned and Evelyn Stuart, started Skeel Kennel Great Pyrenees in 1960. Carrie inherited the kennel and continues with her beloved dogs as both an AKC judge and former president of the Great Pyrenees Club of America. She lives on the same ranch she grew up on in Northern Idaho.

Octoberfest Scavenger Hunt - win Free books!

October is just moments away and what does that mean? Autumn, crisp air, pumpkin spice lattes and FREE BOOKS! Solstice Publishing is celebrating with OctoberFest. Kicking it off is a ONE DAY ONLY event on October 1st - A Scavenger Hunt! Visit Solstice to find the links to different Solstice author's sites each website offers a joke. Collect the answers to all the jokes and email them to Kate.Solstice@hotmail.com to be entered to win. The first 3 with all the correct answers win the great prizes shown below - including my novel, Justice Burning, in the First Prize pack.

There will  also be free books available for download everyday from 10/1-10/5 at amazon.com. Check out the list below. 

These fun deals are really to great to keep to yourself, so be sure to share them with everyone you know. It's a Free for All, Funfest Fall!

CSFF: The First Principle by Marissa Shrock

Song Stuck on the Brain: O Worship the King, traditional hymn. It's been running through my head for days. :)

The First Principle 

by

Marissa Shrock

MY TAKE:

Marissa Shrock has written a gripping new YA novel that puts a unique spin on the dystopian genre. It's a bold look at a very possible near future. Some might say at first look that the premise is ridiculous, but I think the author has visualized a very realistic possible future, if our country doesn't remember the principles we were founded on. Is it a political statement? Absolutely, and that is part of what gives the story it's suspenseful, edgy feel. It's more than just politics though, it's also a story of love and discovery. Regardless of where you stand on political issues such as the Right to Life and Government Control, this is a story worth pursuing. Let it stir your emotions. Get angry, get sad, fall in love with it or not; whatever your final decision, it's guaranteed to make you think bigger and deeper about life. For me? I loved it. Great job, Marissa. I look forward to more.

Be sure to check out the author's website, at the time of posting, she's offering her free short story, "The Abduction", when signing up for her mailing list.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the not-too-distant future, the United Regions of North America has formed. Governors hold territories instead of states, and while Washington, DC, is gone, the government has more control than ever before. For sixteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins, the daughter of a governor, this is life as usual. High school seems pretty much the same–until one day, that controlling power steps right through the door during study hall.

When Vivica speaks out to defend her pregnant friend against the harsh treatment of Population Management Officer Martina Ward, she has no idea she’s sowing the seeds of a revolution in her own life. But it isn’t long before she discovers her own illegal pregnancy. Now she has to decide whether to get the mandatory termination–or follow her heart, try to keep the baby, and possibly ruin her mother’s chances at becoming president.

A rebel group called the Emancipation Warriors, who are fighting to restore freedoms once held unalienable, offer her asylum. Can Vivica trust these rebels to help her or will they bring everything crashing down around her? Accepting their help may come with consequences she isn’t ready to face.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Marissa Shrock is a writer and language arts teacher who enjoys working with her fun seventh grade students. She is a graduate of Taylor University and has completed the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice, Journeyman, and Craftsman courses. She is a member of ACFW.

 Marissa has written articles for teens and adults in Evangel and Encounter. The First Principle is her debut novel.

 In her spare time Marissa loves spending time with family and friends, shopping for cute clothes, traveling, baking, and playing golf.


VISIT THE OTHER TOUR MEMBERS:

Julie Bihn
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Victor Gentile
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Jalynn Patterson
Chawna Schroeder
Jessica Thomas

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Book of Mormon Day Scripture posters

I created several posters recently to share with others and these feature two of my favorite scripture verses from the Book of Mormon. I thought I'd share them here for others to read and enjoy. :)

This verse emphasizes how equal we all are in God's eyes. It doesn't matter our status, wealth or lack thereof. We are all nothing without Jesus, we're all beggars for mercy and forgiveness at his feet. 

I love the promise God gives us here, that when we do all these things it puts us at one with Him and that allows us to see His bigger plan. It's a promise for everyone. God is equally inviting us to become so in sync with him that our eyes are opened to see the mysteries around us, and then the opportunity to share with others. Awesome!

To read the Book of Mormon online, click HERE.

To learn more about the Book of Mormon, check out the following links:

http://www.restoredgospel.com/index.htm
http://www.bomf.org/home.html
https://restorationbookstore.org/

Labor Day Giveaway!

Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

I'm celebrating the holiday by rewarding all of you for your hard work. I want you to kick back and relax while you get lost in a great book. (I'm hoping you enjoy it!)

Download your free copy HERE or by visiting www.MuseItUpPublinshing.com. Make sure you use the code APRIL2015FREE at checkout to get it free.

Enjoy and please share the love with all your friends, family and co-workers. They deserve a reward too! :)

Pin a pic on Pinterest, share an ad to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - Help me spread the word!