Sunday, May 11, 2014

Persecuted by Robin Parrish

A storm is coming.

The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther’s endorsement as critical.

But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option–putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth.

It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation’s freedoms.


I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t always enjoyed books by Robin Parrish.  “Nightmare” and “Offworld” were probably my two favorites, but they were both still hard for me to get through.  I’ve always thought that I enjoyed edgier, sci-fi type novels, but I never could quite get a feel for his writing.  When this book came up as being available to review, I thought I would give him another try.  I’ll say right now, I’m glad that I did.


John Luther has risen to the top as the leader of one of the country’s premiere religious organizations.  If he’ll just lend his support behind a new sweeping religious freedoms act, he and his organization should be in a great position to reap some huge financial gains.  That is IF he’ll lend his support.  And if he doesn’t, he stands to put his life and those around him into grave danger.  As John stops to assist a young teenager on the way home, the unthinkable happens.  Waking up, the young lady is dead and his life has been turned upside down.  The police have all the information to arrest him for her murder, but John is on the run in an attempt to clear his name.  Is anywhere safe for John to hide?  Will anyone believe his story and offer to help him? Who is behind this obvious setup and what is their motive? Run as fast as you can, and go BUY THIS BOOK!




This book is a novelization of an upcoming movie to be released towards the middle of July.  When I see that there is a novelization, I always wonder the whole “which came first, the chicken of the egg”.  With this book, I didn’t really care.  As I read through this book, I could envision it being made into a terrific movie.  The plot lines were so pertinent to today’s affairs, from the political atmosphere we live in to the religious persecution that seems to creep in ever closer here in America.  The characters are flawed but flawed to the point that only because of their past can they be successful in the present.  This type of writing, to me, is what epitomizes a great author.  Someone that can take everyday actionable events and turn them into a white-knuckle novel.

Is this a "guy's book"?  This is truly a guy’s book, but I know some women who would like it too.  There isn’t any hint of romance in this book, as almost from the beginning you are catapulted into the action of a man on the run trying to save everything he has.  The chase scenes, the plot twists and the intrigue all combine to make this a must read by any man that I know.


View Sample | Buy Now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | ChristianBook.com

About The Author

Always pushing the envelope, ever on the edge of where modern storytelling is going, Robin Parrish will gladly and unapologetically tell you that he’s an entertainer, a weaver of stories that ignite the mind and delight the heart. Defying labels and refusing pigeonholes, his imagination is fueled by the possibilities of asking “What if…?”, and as anyone who’s read his work knows, he has a very big imagination. Readers will be happy to know that he has an endless supply of wild stories with enormous scope, that are still yet to come.

As a journalist, Robin has worked for About.com, CMCentral.com (RIP), INFUZEmag.com (also RIP), PopCultureGeek.com, b5media, SplashPress Media, GEEK Magazine, and many more. His writing has been printed in numerous magazines and newspapers.

His influences as a novelist range from television and film storytellers like Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrams, to masters of the modern myth like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Akin to Philip K. Dick’s search for the meaning of identity, most of what Robin writes about boils down to his own ponderings and examinations of just what this thing we call “existence” really is.

Robin is a full time writer. He and his wife Karen and two children live in High Point, NC.



I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Critical Condition by Dr. Richard Mabry

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier's colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.
Her "almost-fiance" Dr. Mark Gilbert's support only adds to Shannon's feelings of guilt, since she can't bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he's just been diagnosed with leukemia.
Shannon thought it couldn't get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, "What did he say before he died?"


I’m thinking that Dr. Mabry is definitely one of my favorite writers of Medical Suspense.  My other favorite in that category has got to be Dr. Harry Kraus.  How glad I am that it appears their publishing schedule is opposite of each other so that I can always count on great books all throughout the year.


Years after watching her fiancĂ© die from a gunshot wound, Dr. Shannon Frasier has completed all of her medical training and continues to hold fast to her promise from that night to spend the rest of her life fighting against death…. And winning.  Now, as a man lays dying on her front lawn from a gunshot wound, her thoughts go back to that night and the desperation she felt by not being able to save a life.  Matters get complicated when her sister, Megan, leaves her boyfriend and asks to crash with Shannon for awhile.  Always the “fixer”, Shannon agrees.  As the investigation into the dying man continues, though, her sister is pulled further and further into looking like the main suspect.  Turning to her pastor father for strength, she finds that he’s been diagnosed with Leukemia and is in the midst of a battle himself.  As her life seems to be spiraling out of control, a series of threatening phone calls cranks the danger to her life even higher.  Who was the man on her lawn and what was his connection to her sister?  What’s the prognosis for her father’s illness?  Who’s behind the phone calls and what do they want?  Hang up the phone and go down to BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Dr. Mabry has once again written a novel that provides everything you could ask for in a great novel.  He has provided us with meaningful characters, a believable storyline and a plot that flows like a smooth river.  The descriptions of places and actions throughout the book always invoke clear vivid pictures of everything that is happening, adding to the realism and immersion of the storyline.  The end is wrapped up tight, allowing you to heave a huge sigh of relief that all of the suspense and turmoil has finally come to a dramatic end.  Of course, that’s only until the next book come out.
 
Is this a "guy's book"?  This book has all of the markings of a great “guy’s book”.  The suspense and intrigue start small and continue to a full crescendo until you’re almost breathing from all of the action.  To me, there’s nothing like a great action-packed “whodunit” to brighten your day.


About The Author


A retired physician, Dr. Richard Mabry is the author of four critically acclaimed novels of medical suspense. His previous works have been finalists for the Carol Award and Romantic Times Reader's Choice Award, and have won the Selah Award. He is a past Vice-President of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of the International Thriller Writers. He and his wife live in North Texas.


You Can Connect with Dr. Mabry Here:




Richard Mabry's latest medical suspense, Critical Condition, is receiving high praise. USA TODAY says, "Mabry combines his medical expertise with a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat."

Richard is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!
criticalcondition-400-click
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Critical Condition by Richard Mabry
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 11th. Winner will be announced May 13th on Richard's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Richard's blog on May 13th to see if you won.