Danger in the Yukon

Two men are running from the law, from their pasts, from society, from themselves, and from God. The thing is, no one can hide from God. As is written in Psalm 130 (NKJV):

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?


Or where can I flee from Your presence?


8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;


If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

Even in the wild and danger-laden northern frontiers of the Yukon, Alex and Gil must face themselves and the pursuing God who will not let them go. Their paths cross unexpectedly as "coincidences" lead them in ways they never wanted.

The story shifts back and forth from Alex Donnelly to Gil, focusing mostly on Alex's story. Just a few weeks afte Alex's twenty-first birthday, a lawyer from Seattle found him living the hermit's life in the Canadian wilderness. It seems that the orphaned man had a million dollar inheritance just waiting for him to pick it up. Alex is suspicious, certain there's been a mistake, but he warily agrees to go back to civilization with the lawyer. In Seattle, he meets the sweet young researcher who had worked for so long searching for him, and they form an odd connection. He spends the weekend with her and her parents (her father is a senior partner in the law firm), and comes face-to-face with a family model unknown to him. The close relationships they have with each other and with God beckon to an empty place within him, but in the same time they intensify his dark memories of his own past, a past full of dark secrets and abuse. In agony and fearful of the police, he leaves without getting his money. Back in the Yukon, with winter coming on, he takes a caretaker job in an empty mining camp for the season. n the isolated camp, his only companion is a husky. Oh, and the grizzly. Oh, and a mysterious "ghost" who barely leaves a trace of his existence.

Meanwhile, Kenni, the young researcher, is compelled by God to persevere in pursuit of the troubled Alex. And remember the grizzly and the winter coming on?  And that other guy, Gil? Everything comes together in tense adventurous ways.

The dark truths are eventually revealed as Mrs. Laycock skillfully laid them out piecemeal, drawing us in and making us care about a rough character like Alex Donnelly. When we see through the eyes of Kenni and her parents, we see how God loves even the most wretched and how His forgiveness, love and grace can work all things together.

This suspense and action-packed novel really held my attention  from the very beginning.Marcia Laycock doles out little parcels of information (some of which I've spoiled) so dexterously, kind of like the carrot-on-the-string ploy. It kept me guessing about all sorts of details, some extremely important, right up to the end. It was a very satisfying story, but not all pie-in-the-sky. One Smooth Stone is definitely an adult suspense, although I am sure many teens would enjoy it as well. Once again, the timing for this tour was interesting to me, coming between the Olympics in Canada and the Iditarod (started March 7). Those who enjoy adventure, suspense and mystery should be captivated by One Smooth Stone.

Marcia Lee Laycock is an award-winning Canadian author known for her devotional writings. She received the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for One Smooth Stone, her debut in fiction.

For more information, you can visit the author's website, vinemarc.com .


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FORGIVING SEAN by Jessica Adriel

A teenage pregnancy, baby lost, boyfriend walks away, then pops up again two years later. A romantic triangle. If this sounds like the ingredients of a dozen other romance novels or romantic movies, they are. But it isn't really the same. This triangle has another element that really makes it a rectangle. That other element, one that changes everything, is God.

Forgiving Sean continues the story that began in Drawing Marissa, the first of three volumes in the Chatham Series. Apparently the first book followed a teenage Marissa Gladstone and her relationship with the slightly older neighbor boy, Sean. Sean was the very popular jock who went on to play baseball with the Chicago Cubs, but now he was coming home with his leg in a cast, his career possibly in ruins. The King returned, but no one was treating him with the deference he was used to. Even worse, his little brother Phillip (the real reason for Sean's return after two long years--Phillip was graduating) and his father had "got religion" so bad that his father didn't even drink any more. And Sean really wanted a drink--or several. Topmost on his mind was Marissa; he desperately wished there was a way to make up with her, but everyone was against him. And then he saw something he hadn't counted on--a serious rival for her affections.

In the two years since the baby died and Sean left her without a word, Marissa had healed physically and spiritually with another young man, Hawke, by her side all the way. As it turns out, Hawke had some deep wounds of his own. But the two of them had discovered the great healing power only God could give. And as they continued to heal, they were sharing God's power and love with the teens in their church. It looks like everything is going smoothly until Marissa sees Sean again. Old hurts reemerge as do old feelings, and Marissa fights an inward battle.

I always look for the meaning behind a title, and, as is often true, there are several levels of meaning here. Most obvious is that Marissa needs to forgive Sean, but Sean also needs to forgive himself and accept the fact that God will forgive him of every sin. Those who love Marissa also have to forgive Sean--even his own family. Forgiveness, then, is a major theme, as are healthy relationships, the love of God and Jesus, God's healing and the blessings of living by  God's rules.

This book targets a young adult audience, by which I mean teen and college age, not pre-teen. It  deals with some serious issues, like teenage pregnancy and drug abuse, and although Jesus is the answer, the story doesn't candy-coat or whitewash the struggles real people go through. As I understand it, this book and the first one have already had an impact on young people. I do hope and pray that they continue to not only entertain but influence readers.







Visit the author's website and

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CFRB February Tour: Forgiving Sean

Forgiving Sean
by Jessica Adriel

This month, CFRB presents Forgiving Sean by Jessica Adriel.



About the Book:

Marissa Gladstone has already buried her father and had one man walk out on her, so when her boyfriend Hawke Davies suddenly proposes, Marissa’s unsure things will last. Hoping that her quiet summer at home will give her time to think, Marissa forgets that her first love may be home for the summer. Before she can give Hawke an answer, she needs to find out why Sean disserted her. But when the competition heats up between the boys, Sean tries to win her back by making a staggering confession that links his former life to Hawke. Forgiving Sean may be the answer she has needed all along and allow her to choose the man she’s always loved.



About the Author:

Jessica Adriel is a licensed minister, author, mother and speaker. She spends her days penning books, preparing talks and delving into the world of teenagers. Her gifts of communication and compassion were noticed early on when she composed over 800 poems during high school and yet spent a great deal of time with volunteer efforts. A native to New England, it was Jessica’s tragic stint of car accidents, assaults and a four year career in modeling, that inspired her to write ‘real life’ novels that impact teenagers. Today Jessica inspires and ignites teens to find their God given purpose through her books and challenging seminars. Her stories provide a bridge between today's generation and the pressures of media and peer pressure which lead teens in the wrong direction. Armed with a plethora of stories and a deep love for God, Jesus introduces her audience to Christ in unconventional, yet very powerful ways.

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

Visit the author's website and

check out the Free Chapter Downloads.



Purchase Forgiving Sean at

Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

HIGHER HONOR from S. M. Kirkland

Military academies were bastions of male testosterone up until the late 1970’s, and since that time, the number of women cadets has continued to grow. In spite of the thirty years intervening, not every male in the military looks at the women as equals. This is a part of the underlying foundation of Higher Honor, a military drama written by S. M. Kirkland.

Before this goes any farther, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating any particular feminist notions here. I am also not going to do any man-bashing, nor am I going to insinuate that women have no place in the military. Okay? So you all can read on and not conjecture about my opinions on those topics based on the review of Susan’s book.

In her biographical material, S. M. Kirkland writes, “What I learned in four years of ROTC changed me mentally and spiritually. I wanted to capture and share that interesting world where college students strike a balance between the fun and restlessness of those early adult years and the harsh reality that many are training to face the inherent risks of defending a nation.” From this background, the seeds were planted for Higher Honor.

Susan Kirkland has created a military novel based on much of what she herself observed and experienced, a romance that doesn’t fit the usual formula, a story with dark and realistic events as well as the hope and light that only Christ can bring. The code of the academy is tested—honor, honesty, valor—as are the Christian values of two cadets, Michael and Mandy, who seem to be the only light in their circle of friends. The old ways of thinking clash with newer ideas in the academy. Will there be a peaceful resolution? Can the old guard accept orders from superiors when they are delivered through a woman cadet? And are the women tough enough to stand their ground? What about forgiveness and recovery after Chris assaults Cassidy? Then the biggest question is, what about redemption for all of Michael’s friends and close brothers in arms?

I don’t want to give away a lot of the action, but it is a gripping story. No holds barred, yet it isn’t graphic in portraying violence. The lives of five cadets are explored in detail, as they all struggle with decisions, actions, and emotions. It’s a story for men to read as well as women, full of issues to cause one to pause and think. Hopefully, it will also cause the readers to do some praying and dig into scripture a lot more. Relationships with Jesus are a big part of the story, but answers aren’t always those neat ones that don’t have any frayed edges.

Maybe you can’t tell yet, but I like Higher Honor. I know that Susan has been working on it forever; it’s from the heart, and her careful rendering is evident. I expect more great things from her in the future, but for now I hope you’ll consider this novel for yourself and others as well. I think it will be available around the beginning of December if everything goes right with printing. Age limit? It’s an adult book, but there is no reason to keep it out of the hands of teens. Those who are interested in military schools would be particularly interested.

For more information, you can visit Susan Kirkland at her website, or check out the publisher’s site at thewriterscafepress.com

The book is available for presale through the publisher (autographed), from Barnes and Noble, and through Amazon.com.

OH, I almost forgot again—GIVEAWAY!!! Susan Kirkland has THREE books to give away to readers who leave comments and email info. That means on any of the blogs written by CFRB people (about Higher Honor, that is) this week. You can find original information by clicking the buttons below, but check into the other CFRB members as well.

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

Higher Honor on Tour NOW!!

First, my apologies to S. M. Kirkland (aka Susan or Suz to a few), author of Higher Honor because I don't have a review completed yet. I read her wonderful novel several times already, but due to many obstacles and interruptions, the review just isn't quite ready for blogging. I expect to have it up later today. For now, though, I want to whet your appetites with a cool trailer-sneak peak and a summary.




ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Cadet Cassidy Sanders is brutally assaulted, she struggles to carry on as she turns further from the God of her youth. Her attacker is an acquaintance who has his own struggles to face. God uses their mutual friends to show both cadets the depth of his grace and mercy.Higher Honor is set within the sub-culture of America’s military colleges. The novel focuses on the elements of honor, brotherhood, duty, and the spirit of the characters to face and overcome challenges that grow them into the military’s next generation of strong, capable leaders. The realism of Higher Honor’s setting and plot is a result of experience, observation, and much research.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
S.M. Kirkland brings firsthand experience to her fiction. While a student at North Georgia College and State University (the senior military college of Georgia) she enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard. During a 10-year military career, she served as a photo- and broadcast journalist while serving in Italy and for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.Kirkland currently works for the Calhoun Times as the government reporter and her feature stories have appeared in newspapers nationwide. Her first fiction publication was a short story “Fair Balance” included in the anthology Light at the Edge of Darkness (TWCP, 2007). This story received several rave reviews.


WHERE TO BUY HIGHER HONOR:
Release date is set for December 1, 2008, but you may pre-order from the following:

The publisher's page (FREE shipping, autographed)at The Writers' Café Press ,
Amazon, and Barnes and Noble
Susan's web page:
http://smkirkland.com/


OH!! And a most important detail:

Susam Kirkland has announced that she will be giving away 3 (yes, I said THREE) copies of Higher Honor to each of three of you who comment to the blogs. You'll learn much more by clicking on the buttons below to read what some of the other CFRB bloggers have to say.



Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.