It’s been almost a month since I started my official sabbatical from writing so I thought I’d update you about the books I’ve been reading as well as an update on my writing. Let’s start with the books I’ve read.

Fool Me Once by  Harlan Coben–This is a mainstream suspense, I enjoyed it and was pleasantly surprised to find very little bad language or objectionable scenes. I can’t speak to his other books but this one is “safe” to read.

Voices by John Michael Hilman–This was a sequel to Messages. I would call this a supernatural Christian thriller. I enjoyed this one.

Donna’s Detour by Jo Huddleston–I have a full review on this one but if you don’t want to look for it I’ll tell you that this is a sweet and sassy Christian romance set in the fifties. Good for those who enjoy straight romance.

The Bitter Season  by Tami Hoag–I used to love Tami Hoag novels so this came as quite the disappointment. Within the first few pages there were a number of vulgar words including the F word. I read a few more chapters and the vulgarity continued so I quit reading and took it back to the library. The story itself was good but I couldn’t get past the offensive language. I don’t know if she’s changed or I’ve changed but I couldn’t finish the book.

The Devil and Pastor Gus by Roger Bruner–Another book I did a full review on. Scroll down to find it.Great book that was fun to read with lots of subtle and some not so subtle spiritual lessons.

Waking Up by Ted Dekker–This is a non-fiction book by one of my favorite Christian horror writers. It did not disappoint and I’m in the process of reading it for a second time. Don’t be impressed; it’s a short book

Bloom Within My Heart  by Nadine Hapaz–Another non-fiction book that I’m not quite finished with so more on this one later.

Magnolia Moonlight by Mary Ellis–A Christian mystery. I’ll have the full review up soon.

Right now I’m reading ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DALI by Sandra Orchard. I’ll let you know about this one when I’m finished.

ABOUT ME!

So I’m proud of the progress I’ve made on my reading. I’m definitely enjoy taking time off to read but… I’ve started a few new writing projects but only work on them for a short time each day. Still it feels good to feel good about writing again.

Along with that I got the good news that my publisher accepted another one of my manuscripts to be published. I’m quite excited about this book. It’s completely different from my other books. It’s NOT a mystery, suspense or a thriller. I would call THE PUZZLE HOUSE  simply Christian Fiction. Here’s the blurb thought it might change in the future:

Life isn’t a box of candy—it’s a puzzle!

Rachel Summers was all about Rachel Summers until the day she crashed headlong into a truck. While unconscious she has a very special guest who asks a very special question–Do you want to be healed or be a healer?

Years later Rachel runs The Puzzle House—a place of healing and miracles. Guests come for one reason and one reason only—to be healed. Sometimes they receive their miracle and sometimes they discover there’s more than one kind of healing.

Nia Johnson is a fourteen-year-old African -American girl who is dying. The doctors have told her there is nothing else to be done. No more treatments. No more hope. No more life. No future and she’s angry about that.

Together they work on Nia’s puzzle as Rachel shares what she’s learned about puzzles, life and God.