Review: Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder

Purgatory Chasm
by Steve Ulfelder
Release Date: May 10, 2011
2011 Minotaur Books
E-book Edition; 332 Pages
Hardcover Edition; 304 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-312-67292-8
Genre: Fiction / Suspense / Murder
Source: Review Copy from Publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
The job seems simple. Conway Sax, a no-nonsense auto mechanic with a knack for solving difficult problems, has never liked obnoxious blowhard Tander Phigg. But a promise is a promise. Tander’s a Barnburner, a member of the unique Alcoholics Anonymous group that rescued Conway, and when a Barnburner has a problem, Conway takes care of it. Besides, all Tander wants is to get back his baby, a vintage Mercedes that’s been in a shady auto shop far too long.


But Conway soon discovers there's much more to the problem than Tander first let on – especially when Tander turns up dead. Conway was the last person seen with the victim, and on top of that, he has a record, making him the cops’ top suspect. He must catch the killer to clear himself, but beyond that, he’s a man who honors his promises, even when the guy he made them to is dead.

My Thoughts
Purgatory Chasm is an original novel that grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go until the very end.  With plenty of twists and turns, genuine characters you learn to care about, and a gripping story, it is hard to believe this is Mr. Ulfelder's debut novel.   The witty dialogue and banter also made Purgatory Chasm interesting and as always, a sarcastic main character who is gritty, tough, and loveable is always a huge draw for me.

Conway Sax had a short, but memorable, circuit on the NASCAR scene, a scene that ended because of a stint with alcoholism, something that runs in his family.  Growing up with an alcoholic father made him tough, gritty, and slow to commit in his relationships.  While a very giving and generous man, someone who would give you the shirt off his back, he has difficulty committing to the woman he loves, and often draws from her when things become serious.  Intrigued by expensive car restorations, Sax has for years worked on Tander Phigg's Mercedes, a fellow Burnbuster/AA member.  When Phigg's ask for help in getting his car back, Sax feels obligated to help, feeling ties that go very deep due to associations with the Barnbusters.  This leads him into a situation where he is attacked and almost killed.  Soon, Sax is in the midst of a mystery in which he had little intention of getting involved.

I really enjoyed the plot to this novel, except for the fact that it was way too easy to figure out who the murderer and guilty persons were.  I think I would have preferred to have kept that information more in the dark, but I certainly did enjoy the chase and the other pieces of information that came up as the story unfolded.  While some things were pretty predictable, there were many moments when I got caught off guard by something and thought, How did I miss that one?  I love it when that happens!!

The characters and the human exploration of relationships definitely sold this story however.   Purgatory Chasm is a place where Sax and his dad went to do some difficult training for race-car driving, and it was deep in a chasm with many rocks that posed many dangers to them during training.  In some ways, this chasm represents the lives of the characters as it seems like there is always a gulf separating them from being truly happy in their lives.  There is the difficulty with Sax and his dad, Charlene and her rocky road back to sobriety and her difficulty in getting Sax to commit, Trey and his dad Tander and their love-hate relationship, Patty with her hatred of her father, and it just goes on.  They story often touched on the humanity of the characters and helping them get in touch with themselves and their families as they tracked the killer and the money.  It certainly made me examine my own family history and how things can impact your life for many years to come, especially if you let hatred just fester in your soul.

Verdict
Purgatory Chasm is a fascinating look at families and the effect that negativity has on your outlook and your behaviours in your life.  It is also a suspenseful, provocative novel about a flawed, sarcastic main character who will endear himself to you and make you want to learn more about him and his life.  It's fun and exciting to read and I look forward to hopefully reading more adventures about Conway Sax in the future.

New Releases: May 9 - 15

I have not done this post in a long time, but I felt it was time to resurrect this and check out some of the new releases.  For those of you who are familiar with my blog, I used to post a weekly New Releases post on Tuesday, highlighting those books I was looking forward to reading.   I thought I would try it again, if only because I have not really been paying as much attention to release dates lately, and it's time to refocus.

The Daughters Take the Stage (Book 3, Daughters Series)
by Joanna Philbin
Release Date: May 10, 2011

The daughter of chart-topping pop star Holla Jones, stylish and sensitive Hudson Jones is on the brink of her own musical debut. Hudson has inherited her mother's talent, but she hasn't yet embraced Holla's love of the megawatt spotlight. Can Hudson find a way to perform that reflects her own low-key style? Or will Holla see to it that her only daughter becomes a pop music sensation?

What Happened to Goodbye
by Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 10, 2010

Since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move - four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, Mclean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, Mclean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself - whoever that is. Perhaps her neighbor Dave, an academic superstar trying to be just a regular guy, can help her find out.

The Chalice of Blood (Sister Fidelma, Book 21)
by Peter Tremayne
Release Date: May 10, 2011

Ireland AD 670. When an eminent scholar is found murdered in his cell in the abbey of Lios Mór, fear spreads among his brethren; his door was secured from the inside, with no other means of exit. How did the murderer escape? And what was the content of the manuscripts apparently stolen from the scholar's room? Abbot Iarnla insists on sending for Sister Fidelma and her companion Brother Eadulf to investigate the killing. But even before they reach the abbey walls, there is an attempt on their lives. As the mystery deepens, Fidelma and Eadulf must also wrestle with problems of their own, which threaten to separate them for ever...

Faith
by Jennifer Haigh
Release Date: May 10, 2011

It is the spring of 2002 and a perfect storm has hit Boston. Across the city's archdiocese, trusted priests have been accused of the worst possible betrayal of the souls in their care. In Faith, Jennifer Haigh explores the fallout for one devout family, the McGanns.

Etranged for years from her difficult and demanding relatives, Sheila McGann has remained close to her older brother Art, the popular, dynamic pastor of a large suburban parish. When Art finds himself at the center of the maelstrom, Sheila returns to Boston, ready to fight for him and his reputation. What she discovers is more complicated than she imagined. Her strict, lace-curtain-Irish mother is living in a state of angry denial. Sheila's younger brother Mike, to her horror, has already convicted his brother in his heart. But most disturbing of all is Art himself, who persistently dodges Sheila's questions and refuses to defend himself.

As the scandal forces long-buried secrets to surface, Faith explores the corrosive consequences of one family's history of silence - and the resilience its members ultimately find in forgiveness. Throughout, Haigh demonstrates how the truth can shatter our deepest beliefs - and restore them. A gripping, suspenseful tale of one woman's quest for the truth, Faith is a haunting meditation on loyalty and family, doubt and belief. Elegantly crafted, sharply observed, this is Jennifer Haigh's most ambitious novel to date.

My Not-so-still Life
by Liz Gallagher
Release Date: May 10, 2011

Vanessa is wise beyond her years. She's never really fit in at school, where all the kids act and dress the same. She's an artist who expresses her talent in the wacky colors she dyes her hair, her makeup and clothes. She's working on her biggest art project, and counting the days until she's grown up and can really start living. That adult world seems closer when Vanessa gets her dream job at the art supply store, Palette, where she worships the couple who runs it, Oscar and Maye. And she's drawn to a mysterious guy named James, who leads her into new, sometimes risky situations. Is she ready for this world, or not?

The Rose Garden
by Susanna Kearsley
Release Date: May 11, 2011

When Eva's film star sister Katrina dies, she leaves California and returns to Cornwall, where they spent their childhood summers, to scatter Katrina's ashes and in doing so return her to the place where she belongs. But Eva must also confront the ghosts from her own past, as well as those from a time long before her own. For the house where she so often stayed as a child is home not only to her old friends the Halletts, but also to the people who had lived there in the eighteenth century. When Eva finally accepts that she is able to slip between centuries and see and talk to the inhabitants from hundreds of years ago, she soon finds herself falling for Daniel Butler, a man who lived - and died - long before she herself was born. Eva begins to question her place in the present, and in laying her sister to rest, comes to realise that she too must decide where she really belongs, choosing between the life she knows and the past she feels so drawn towards.

When You Were Mine
by Elizabeth Noble
Release Date: May 10, 2011

Susannah and Rob were childhood sweethearts. But as with most early couples, they broke up, moved on, and now find themselves in very different places. And not entirely happy—but who is? But then a chance meeting sends shockwaves through their lives. What happens when your first love makes a surprise reappearance? Is fate telling you it's time for a second chance ... or should you simply walk away and let the past become ancient history? Susannah and Rob just aren't able to forget the way they were ... and the world is about to realize the consequences of their reunion.

Buried Prey (Lucas Davenport, Book 21)
by John Sandford
Release Date: May 10, 2011

A house demolition provides an unpleasant surprise for Minneapolis-the bodies of two girls, wrapped in plastic. It looks like they've been there a long time. Lucas Davenport knows exactly how long.

In 1985, Davenport was a young cop with a reputation for recklessness, and the girls' disappearance was a big deal. His bosses ultimately declared the case closed, but he never agreed with that. Now that he has a chance to investigate it all over again, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: It wasn't just the bodies that were buried. It was the truth.
 

Tighter
by Adele Griffin
Release Date: May 10, 2011

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl - and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

It's Monday! What Are YOU Reading?

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is a great meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.  It's a way to take a look at that ever-growing TBR pile and organize it into what you read last week, what you are currently reading, and what you need to tackle next week.  It's also a fantastic way to find new blogs, and discover new books and authors.

I had a great week last week, not necessarily in terms of reading, but just in general.  My computer got fixed (love that computer doctor, he's the best!!!) and the weather finally cleared enough by the weekend that it was a gorgeous weekend.  We went to our trailer which we had already opened the weekend before and enjoyed it tremendously.  True to form, my daughter spent half the car ride home crying because she didn't want to leave.  Unfortunately, school still gets in the way of our weekly jaunts and the fun must end on Sunday night and home we must go.  I am starting to see the end now, and the count-down has begun until the end of June. 

What I read:
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Last Pict by Rick Boven
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder

Currently Reading:
Hellforged by Nancy Holzner
The Second Duchess by Elizabeth Loupas

Up Next:
Dead of Wynter by Spencer Seidel
The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman

How was your week?

Guest Post: Bryan Cohen Blog Tour & Giveaway

Advanced Self-Publishing

by Bryan Cohen

Beginner Self-Publishing could be summed up in a sentence or two. Write a book. Visit sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords and follow the given steps.

Congratulations! You have matriculated to Advanced Self-Publishing. This is where it gets interesting. There are a ton of self-published books out there but only a few of them do extremely well. There are steps you can follow to improve your chances drastically, but keep in mind that there is no proven formula for this stuff. It’s new and exciting and the sky may be the limit. It also may not be; time will tell.

1. Come up with a good idea

Sexy-vampire-clone-with-a-sultry-cover #75 has a chance of working, but as with any book, a unique idea with a niche offers you a better chance for long-term sales. Even if your idea is not unique, it needs to be extremely well done. If you throw together some underdeveloped characters in an implausible plot with a professional cover, you may find yourself with bad reviews and dropping sales.

2. Create an online community

Many of the successful indie authors like J.A. Konrath and Amanda Hocking have ridiculously popular blogs with many devoted followers. Now, which came first, the blog or the book sales? Konrath’s blog started in 2005, about four years before he self-published his works. Hocking began hers in tandem with work on her first book in 2009. I personally began mine around two years before self-publishing. This is a step that could take years to fully accomplish. Nurturing a community of devoted future readers is not an overnight task. If you don’t have such a website, start it now, because advanced self-publishing is not the hare’s game, it’s the tortoise’s. Start now and you’ll be pleased with the results three years from now and beyond.

3. Promote yourself in a non-annoying manner

Think before you promote yourself. Will a spammy mass e-mail annoy and antagonize your followers? Will that comment on a popular website with the words, “Please read my book,” actually have the opposite effect? Before you promote yourself and your books ask yourself, “If someone else took this step would it annoy me?” In promotion, you need to play it cool like the Fonz. Provide advice and information that is worthwhile to others as you promote. Ask bloggers (nicely) if you can guest post on their websites. Interview other authors on your own site to both spread the love and get their followers to see your site and books. Create a plan and adjust it on the fly but don’t undermine it by acting unprofessionally.

Truth be told, I’ve broken all three of these steps from time to time in the past. Only when I followed them did I find optimum success. I hope to save you the trouble of learning the hard way. Successful self-publishing typically takes a long time, but eventually your growing army of followers will start to buy your book. And slowly but surely, you will pass the spastic hare in book sales.

--

Bryan Cohen is a writer, actor and comedian from Dresher, Pennsylvania. Since graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill he has written four books (1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More, 500 Writing Prompts for Kids: First Grade through Fifth Grade, Sharpening the Pencil: Essays on Writing, Motivation, and Enjoying your Life, and Writer on the Side: How to Write Your Book Around Your 9 to 5 Job), several plays (Something from Nothing and Chekhov Kegstand: A Dorm Room Dramedy in Two Acts) and he was the head writer for an un-produced Web series (Covenant Coffee). His writing and motivation website Build Creative Writing Ideas has had over 100,000 visitors since it was founded in December 2008. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Follow Bryan on Twitter @buildcwideas.

Bryan Cohen is giving away 100 personalized writing prompts to one giveaway entrant chosen at random during the blog tour. Personalized prompts are story starters that cater specifically to a writer’s subject matter, strengths/weaknesses, etc. Cohen will create the prompts to cater exclusively to the winner. He is giving away free digital copies of his book The Writing Sampler to everybody who enters, which includes excerpts from each of his four books on writing. The book contains essays, writing prompts and tips and tricks to enhance your writing skills. In addition, for each of Cohen’s books that reach the Top 500 on Amazon during his blog tour, he will add a $50 Amazon gift card to the drawing (up to six $50 cards in total)!

To enter, simply post a comment to this blog post with your e-mail address. Entries will be counted through June 2nd.

Quick Review: Last Pict by Rick Boven

Last Pict
by Rick Boven
Release Date: March 30, 2011
Ebook Edition; 20 Pages
2011 Nan Bu Nan Publishing
ASIN: B004UM95PU

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
LAST PICT is a short cartoon story that deals with the inside of being an outsider. With each panel it gives a peek into the circumstances that may have developed the weirdos, spazes, and freaks you've known your whole life. Originally penned in early 2005 and drawn one year later, this is the first installment of author Rick Boven's extensive, unreleased back catalog, and has never before been published

My Thoughts
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of Last Pict, but by the end of the story I was almost in tears for poor little Evan as I watched his heart being destroyed by a well-meaning father who only wished the best for his son.  So many times have I watched my own students as they lingered on the outside, some never "fitting in", some always different from the rest, and never knowing why they were deemed outcasts and freaks.  As Evan uses his talent to draw his friends into his stories, wildly imaginative stories, and believes they will appreciate his efforts and come to like him, we are reminded once again of the reality and the hurt that life often brings to those who are different or who have incredible talents.  Unfortunately, the children were not very appreciative and Evan finds himself on the receiving end and in the middle of a big scrap.  When his father arrives to deal with the situation, he is more angry at being pulled from work than he is about his son getting into a fight.  As the scenes unfold, we see little Evan holding his pieces of art with determination and hope, thinking someone will find his art important and special, only to watch the glow disappear out of his eyes, and the hope fade to nothing as he listens to his father express an idealism that he learn to play football 'like the other boys'.  I have to admit that this little scene played over in my mind several times all afternoon as I was teaching and I was reflecting about my own children, hoping I have never done the same to them without knowing it.  I sincerely hope not as the defeated expression in Evan's eyes and face is still haunting me as I write this and I belive it will be a long time before I forget it.

Mr. Boven uses pictures in a very effective way to get his message across.  I went over the pictures at least five times, totally absorbed in the story each time, reflecting how a well-meaning parent can destroy a child's dream with a careless word without realizing it, and it's a great burden to bear.  I wonder how many of us have done this without knowing what we have done?  I know that tomorrow I am pulling out the paper, the scissors, the glue, the crayons, and whatever else my children desire and I will work very hard to ensure that I never do this to my children or to any other person who crosses my path.  I would never want to see that look of defeat in anyone's eyes because of something I have done.

Verdict
I look forward to reading more work by Mr. Boven, a writer who uses very subtle techniques to get a big message across to us readers.

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter (Hereafter, Book 1)
by Tara Hudson
Release Date: June 7, 2011
2011 HarperTeen
Ebook Edition
ISBN: 978-0-062-02677-4
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Net Galley

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
Can there truly be love after death?


Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life - or her actual death - she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

My Thoughts
Hereafter is a differentl take on what could have been a mundane love story between a ghostly girl and a human boy.  With haunting language and beautifully written prose, Hereafter goes beyond the mundane and gives us a story about forbidden love that is interesting and explores human emotions in a way that really touches you and makes you hope that all will end well for everyone.

Amelia is a ghost haunted by her past; it's a past that slowly comes back to her in flashes after she saves Joshua, becoming her guardian angel of sorts.  As she makes sense of the flashbacks and comes to realize what exactly happened the night she died, she must find the fortitude to face the horror of what is around her and what it is with which she is dealing.  I found Amelia's character endearing as she slowly comes to realize exactly what she is and the powers she has developed.  I found this an interesting dichotomy to the vulnerable and sensitive side of her nature when all she wants to do is be a normal girl. I would have liked Amelia to be more aggressive and stronger than she was, and maybe a little less attached to Joshua and needing him so much to do everything for her, but maybe I am expecting too much.  I was not crazy about Eli however, as I supposed he was the resident bad guy, but wondered if the author vacillated with her ideas about him in the end as his character seemed underdeveloped and confusing.  I rather wish there was more 'bad' in this book as it would have made things more interesting. 

At first, I wasn't really sure of this novel and it took me several chapters to become absorbed by the events that were happening around Amelia and Joshua.   And I found the same thing happened towards the end, where the events just seemed to run their course and didn't really live up to the potential that was possible.  I did find myself completely enthralled in the middle, totally enthralled by Ms. Hudson's ability to weave emotions around a predictable story, and it was those emotions that really drew me in.  The only point that really turned me off, as anyone who knows me well, is that I am not a fan of the 'love at first sight' idea and the deep, electrifying emotions that go with only knowing someone for a few hours.  This is usually a turn-off for me, and while the scenes were beautifully written, I didn't buy into them. I often wondered what it was about Joshua, a cute and popular boy at school, that would drive him into wanting to spend time alone with a ghost.  We never do learn a lot about him and it is rather frustrating, to be honest.  I also wondered what happened to Joshua's grandma and her coven, and how that was really relevant to the story;  There seemed little point to them at the end, and it was the grandma I found truly fascinating.  Tough and with the ability to see ghosts, she would have been a formidable character if developed properly.

Verdict
Hereafter was an interesting, if rather predictable read, but it was definitely Ms. Hudson's writing ability that really impressed me with this novel.  I wanted to like this book more than I did, but I couldn't bring myself to do so as the events and the characters just seemed unfinished and lacked polish.  I will definitely read the next novel in this series in the hope that Ms. Hudson will develop the characters a bit more, and make them a bit more interesting so I can connect with them on a deeper level.  That being said, Hereafter is still a fun read and I recommend it as such to anyone looking for something on a lighter level.

Day 4: Mother of Pearl Blog Series

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/ and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!


Adoption, a Mother's Greatest Gift by Tricia Goyer

I held the small baby in my arms, wrapped up in a receiving blanket to keep her warm from the chill of the delivery room, and a voice spoke to me. "Congratulations, Mom."

The congratulations came from an unlikely source--the grandmother of this child, the mother of the sweet birth mother who chose adoption for her baby girl.

To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Thankfulness filled my heart--to God who'd answered my prayers and to the birth mom who'd chosen our family for her daughter. I also ached that my joy would be another's heartache. Working with teen moms for ten years, I was often an advocate for the young mother. I knew that while the weeks and months ahead would be a time of celebration for our family, they would be ones of heartache and grieving for this woman.

Adoption is a wonder and the beauty, and the sacrifice of it is never so clear as on Mother's Day. My new daughter is one-years-old now and she huge is a part of my heart. Her life is a gift to my days and her smile can make even the most dreary afternoon bright. I can honestly say there is no difference in the love I feel between her and my three other children. If anything the love feels even more special because she was an unexpected gift. John and I learned about her life just 2 ½ months prior to her being born. The years of prayers to expand our family were answered quickly and beautifully.

The sacrifice of adoption makes my heart ache, for I know on this Mother's Day another woman will be thinking about my daughter—her daughter. As I rejoice, I'll be crying tears for her. I'll also be sending up prayers that God will wrap His arms around her in a special way.

This Mother's Day I cannot help to think about Christ's sacrifice to make our adoption into God's family possible. Maybe it's because just a few weeks ago we were celebrating Easter, but I'm reminded anew that my gain required His loss, His pain. The greatest love, it seems, is not shown with flowers, chocolate or a diamond bracelet. The greatest love is shown when, because of your love for another, your desires and comfort are laid down for the greater good of someone else.

As Ephesians 1:3 says, “How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son” (The Message).

Perhaps you know an adoptive mother. Take time this Mother's Day to let her know that the beauty of her gift is not missed by you. Also, take time to thank God for adopting you into His forever family, thanking Jesus Christ for His sacrifice. I wouldn't be the mother I am without this Gift of Love.

Author's Note
Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. http://www.triciagoyer.com/

WOW:

Waiting on Wednesday is a great way to highlight those books you are really looking forward to reading when they are published.  2011 is looking to be a banner year and there are so many books still waiting to be released.  Hosted by Breaking The Spine, here is a look at several books I can't wait to read.

The Extinction Club
by Jeffrey Moore
Release Date: May 31, 2011 (Penguin Canada)

Shortlist: Arthur Ellis Award - Best Crime Novel 2011

On the last stroke of November, as Nile Nightingale examines a church with a faded for-sale sign, he is startled by a gun-racked pickup barrelling down the country lane. With a sack roped to the roof, it veers past the church and comes to a spinning stop beside the cemetery. Silence, then a thud. With that sound ends the peace Nile expected to find when he fled the addictions, exhaustions, and legal problems of home by heading north, illegally, into Quebec's Laurentian Mountains. Inside the burlap sack is the bloodied body of a stillbreathing teenage girl. Against his better judgment, Nile resolves to treat her wounds and find those who left her for dead.

The Extinction Club is a darkly comic tale, in which the very urban Nile and the country-smart, near-genius Céleste teach each other about life and death, love and loss.

Haunting Violet
by Alyxandra Harvey
Release Date: May 24, 2011 (Bloomsbury)

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?