Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Robin's Wednesday Recommended Reading

Today I'm pleased to recommend my friend, James Scott Bell, latest release:


In Try Dying (2007), L.A. trial lawyer Ty Buchanan’s fianceé was killed, and Ty himself was brought up on murder charges. Now he’s trying to put that disastrous period in his life behind him. He’s living in a trailer on the grounds of a monastery, easing back into professional life, when a case involving a woman and her young daughter, who are being tossed out of their apartment by an unscrupulous building owner, draws him back into the dangerous world he thought he’d left behind. The case seems a simple enough matter, but soon after Ty makes it clear he will pursue his client’s rights, the woman is found dead, and now Ty must protect the little girl while trying to find out who’s behind her mother’s murder. Bell builds on the numerous strengths of the first novel, firmly positioning Buchanan as a strong series lead and once again telling a story that is equal parts crime drama and human emotion. A solid second installment in what should prove to be a popular series. --David Pitt --
Review
"In true Bell style, book two of this series begins with the hero in the middle of a unique situation. Hold on for another whodunit thrill ride with an honor-bound protagonist readers can't help but root for." (Romantic Times (Starred Review) )

"Bell, an attorney turned prolific novelist, has created in Buchanan an appealing and series-worthy protagonist....Readers who pride themselves on figuring out the answers before an author reveals them are in for a surprise, too: Bell is very good at keeping secrets. Fans of thrillers with lawyers as their central characters-Lescroart and Margolin, especially-will welcome this new addition to their must-read lists." (on Try Dying Booklist )

"[W]hen you pick up a Bell novel you can count on his trademark tag-line "The Suspense Never Rests" to be true....The scenes zoom. The plot zips. The dialogue zings....Just when we think we might have things figured out he throws in a spiral we never saw coming. Nary a wasted word and packed with action, Try Darkness is even better than Try Dying." (TitleTrakker.com )

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Saturday Night Special

On Saturdays, I venture outside my comfort genre of mystery/suspense/thriller to recommend good reads in other genres. Today, I'm proud to recommend my mentor, Colleen Coble's latest historical mystery/romantic suspense:

When Katie answers the call of duty, she awakens the call to her heart.

Katie Russell loves working as a telephone operator in Mercy Falls, California. But since childhood she has been expected to marry well. Her family presses for an engagement to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster and though he doesn't stir her heart, their engagement promises a secure financial future.

Working the phone lines one evening, Katie overhears a chilling exchange between her friend Eliza and a familiar male voice. Katie soon learns that Eliza has diappeared, and the crime may be linked to another investigation by handsome new lighthouse keeper, Will Jasperson. Katie and Will soon form an alliance. An alliance that slowly blossoms into something more.

Despite the danger surrounding her, Katie is powerfully drawn to Will. But she is not at liberty to marry for love. And though society forbids their growing affection, Katie can't help but notice Will's sense of peace. It's a peace that rests on his trust in God--a trust that Katie has never had to depend on, with her future so clearly mapped out before her.

But the more Katie uncovers of the mystery, the more she discovers about herself, her past, and the brilliant future that could be hers if only she has the courage to trust in God and follow where her heart so fearlessly leads.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Is about to get out of her teens. She'll be 20 on Sunday...how did THAT happen? Time goes by so fast. And now she's a Mommy herself to my beautiful grandson, Benton.







Happy Birthday, beautiful Emily Carol. I LOVE YOU!



Thursday, November 18, 2010

Amazon Black Friday Specials?

HERE is the link to Black Friday on Amazon. Bookmark it...save it...then happy holiday shopping!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Robin's Wednesday Recommended Reading

Today, I'm so pleased to recommend to you the second book in the Discarded Heroes series by my dear, dear friend, Ronie Kendig. This is the sequel to NIGHTSHADE.


The book releases January 1st...

Former Marine sniper Colton "Cowboy" Neeley is recovering from debilitating flashbacks. Piper Blum is hiding—from the assassins hunting her father, who discovered a deadly secret. When he goes missing, Colton and Nightshade are tasked with finding the man. Chopper downed, the team must race through the Holy Land to stop a group of extremists bent on making Israel hemorrhage from within. Will Colton and Piper make the treacherous trek out of hostile territory and into safety with their love—and lives—intact?


Book Description
Having left his military career to take care of his young daughter, former Marine sniper Colton Neely finds himself adrift. Before long, he readily joins the black ops group Nightshade and falls for a woman named Piper Blum. Will Colton survive a new romance and a dangerous mission into the blackest of nights?



Robin's thoughts: Okay, I LOVED this hero. The pacing is dead-on and the love story...well, it stole my heart! HIGHLY recommend this book!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Saturday Night Special

Saturdays, I venture outside my normal genre of mystery/suspense/thriller to recommend good reads in other genres. Here's today's recommendation, just in time for Christmas!



Christmas 1897. Ellen Pierce and her brother are determined to reach the Alaska gold rush. But when ice stalls their steamship, all seems lost, until Buck Lewis makes a decision: he'll lead all who dare to follow on foot toward Dawson City.

Buck is determined to leave behind a heartbreaking past. No amount of ice or weather will stop him. But he never counted on a woman joining a dangerous wilderness trek--or on falling in love with her.

As their journey unfolds and Christmas approaches, Ellen and Buck discover that the greatest gift of all can't be wrapped in paper and tied with a bow. It comes from, and is received in, the heart.

Come share in a soul-deep romance that gives a joyful reminder of a redeeming God who makes us each unique, yet loves us all the same.

Acclaim for The Snowflake author Jamie Carie:

"A welcome new voice in the inspirational fiction market."

Romantic Times

"Carie's talent is to be commended . . . she weaves a beautiful tapestry of historical fact, passion and multi-faceted characters into an engaging plot."

FaithfulReader.com

"Jamie Carie's characterization is brilliant . . . a depth and authenticity rarely seen in romance novels."

Relz Reviewz

Friday, November 12, 2010

Happy Birthday, Tomorrow, to one of my bestest friends, Dineen Miller

Tomorrow, one of my best friends will celebrate her birthday. Dineen and I have been buds and crit partners for years. As I began pulling photos of us, I realized not only how long we've been friends, but how vital she is to my life! Happy Birthday, Dineen! I luvs ya!





Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Robin's Wednesday Recommended Reading

Today it's my pleasure to recommend my good buddy, Jim Rubart's, follow-up novel to his best-seller, ROOMS...


Releasing January 1st, this book is not to be missed!

"… in Your book all my days were recorded, even those which were purposed before they had come into being." —Psalm 139:16

Young Cameron Vaux’s mind is slipping. Memories of his wife, killed two years earlier in a car accident, are vanishing just as his dad predicted they would. Memories he knows he has to remember.

His father tells Cameron that to save his mind he must find "the book with all days in it" —the past and future record of every soul on earth.

When an obscure clue leads Cameron to a small central Oregon town, he meets enigmatic Taylor Stone, a possible guide to finding the book who seems to carry secrets far deeper than anyone imagines. Local hotshot TV personality Ann Bannister thinks the legend of the book is a farce, but she has her reasons to join Cameron’s search anyway. Finally, there is fanatical New Age guru Jason Judah, who will stop at nothing to find the book of days before Cameron does.

Robin's thoughts: This book is NOT to be missed. AWESOME. Very rarely does a book make me both laugh and cry...this one did. HIGHLY recommend it!

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Alzheimer's in the News

While writing my latest release,Fear No Evil, I touched on an illness that had touched my family--Alzheimer's. But it's not a disease that doesn't still get stunning media attention. Just a few days ago, MSNBC ran an article on Early Alzehimer's tracing. From their article:

"Alzheimer's disease may begin in a particularly vulnerable area of the brain and then further spread its damaging effects to other regions, according to a new study researchers conducted in mice."

This disease is horrible and far-outreaches other illnesses, in my humble opinion. To read the entire article, click on MSNBC above.

Monday, November 08, 2010

DELIVER US FROM EVIL Receives a RT Award Nomination

Romantic Times nominates DELIVER US FROM EVIL for Best Inspirational Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Novel.

Romantic Times nominated Robin Caroll's romantic suspense novel, Deliver Us From Evil (B&H Publishing) for the 2010 Reviewer's Choice Best Inspirational M/S/T Novel.

Product Description
A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

Endorsements

"Grace-filled storytelling and strong suspense at its best!"
--TitleTrakk.com

"Compelling. The kind of novel 'ripped from the headlines' was meant to describe."
--James Scott Bell, best-selling author of Try Fear

"Sparks and bullets fly with equal abandon. Robin Caroll's talent for building romantic tension is second to none, her plot twists intriguing, and her faith elements quite uniquely woven into the tale."
--RelzReviewz

"The perfect blend of romance and suspense!"
--Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper's Daughter

"Caroll knows what suspense readers want. A keeper!"
--Romantic Times (Top Pick)

"Started out with a big punch of adrenaline and didn't let up 'til the last page!"
--GoodReads




The full list of RT Award Nominees, visit the RT website.


I'm so thrilled and excited to receive such a nomination. That I'm nominated with so many awesome authors who I consider friends is an additional blessing!

Sunday, November 07, 2010

From My Visit Last Month

To Natchez, MS for the State Church Library Ministry meeting.



With my sister, BB!
With my Mom!

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Saturday Night Special

Saturdays, I venture outside my favorite genre of suspense/thriller/mystery/rs to recommend books in other genres. Here is today's offering:


Review
Gayle’s ‘risk of love’ reveals a healing path that few would have ever predicted. You won’t be able to put this book down. (Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott Founders of RealRelationships.com )
Product Description
On November 2, 2006, Gayle Haggard’s life changed forever. That was the day that her husband, Ted Haggard, founder of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs and the President of the NAE, confessed to her the truth. In Why I Stayed, Gayle walks us through the choices she made in her darkest hours. On the day and in the months ahead, everything in her life was at stake—what she believed, the husband she thought she knew, and the church community she had worked tirelessly to establish with her husband and friends in the basement of their home more than two decades ago. Out of this crucible in her life, Gayle has discovered a newfound passion for the central message of the Bible—the liberating message of forgiveness and love. Why I Stayed is a must-read. It paints a picture of what less-than-perfect people, across this nation and all over the world, desperately need—a community of family and faith that offers healing love and a path to restoration.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Happy Birthday, Tomorrow, to my Friend...Pam Hillman

Tomorrow, one of my dearest friends, Pam Hillman, celebrates her birthday! Pam and I have been conference roomies for years...we've served on the ACFW board together, as well as both part of the conference team. I just love Pam to pieces. Here are some photos of us!







Happy Birthday, Pam!

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Alzheimer's Warning Signs

In my recent release,Fear No Evil, I broach the emotionally charged subject of Alzheimer's...one thing that I found most people want to know about the illness is..what are the warning signs??? Well, I went to Alzheimer's Association for answers. From their site:

10 warning signs of Alzheimer's:
1 Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2 Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3 Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.


What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.



4 Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5 Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.


What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.



6 New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").


What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.



7 Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.


What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.



8 Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What's a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9 Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10 Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Robin's Wednesday Recommended Reading

I'm thrilled to recommend my friend, Kim Woodhouse's, upcoming release (March 15th)for this week's Wednesday Recommended Reading:



Jenna and Andi Tikaani-Gray are hoping for a fresh start. Though twelve year-old Andi has long struggled with a rare medical disorder, she and her mother have finally received good news from out-of-town specialists. It's news they desperately needed, especially after the recent death of Jenna's husband (Andi's dad) in a car accident.

But as they are flying home to Alaska, ready to begin again, the unthinkable happens. The pilot sabotages their small plane and crashes into Sultana, one of the most remote and dangerous mountains in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Even worse, a winter storm is headed their way along with someone who doesn't want to save them, but to kill them.

Only one man can keep them alive: Cole Maddox, the mysterious last-minute passenger who joined them on their flight. But trust doesn't come easy to Jenna or AndiÑand they both sense Cole is hiding something.

A relentless tale of survival and suspense unfolds, involving military technology designed by Jenna's late husband that some would do anything to possess.

About the authors: Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, writer, and musician approaching life with a positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. Her previous book, Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy, chronicles her daughter’s extremely rare health issues and how the Woodhouses received an amazing gift through the ABC television program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Kim and her husband have two children and live in Colorado.

Kayla Woodhouse is a teenage author whose life-altering medical condition (a nerve disorder that prevents the body from regulating its temperature or sensing pain) has not stopped her love for swimming. She is home schooled and has an adventure blog called Dragon Claws, Dog Paws, Swimming Laws.

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Alzheimer's Stages?

My latest release,Fear No Evil, involves Alzheimer's. I wrote this into the story because my family had recently lost my grandmother. So, I kept hearing about the "stages" of this disease. I went to the Alzheimer's Association for answers. From their website:

Experts have developed “stages” to describe how a person’s abilities change from normal function through advanced Alzheimer’s. It is important to keep in mind that stages are general guides, and symptoms vary greatly. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms or progress at the same rate.

This seven-stage framework is based on a system developed by Barry Reisberg, M.D., clinical director of the New York University School of Medicine’s Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center.

Stage 1: No impairment
Stage 2: Very mild decline
Stage 3: Mild decline
Stage 4: Moderate decline (mild or early stage)
Stage 5: Moderately severe decline (moderate or mid-stage)
Stage 6: Severe decline (moderately severe or mid-stage)
Stage 7: Very severe decline (severe or late stage)


For more explanation, visit the Alzheimer's Association website by clicking on the name above.

Monday, November 01, 2010

Alzheimer's...

While writing my latest release,Fear No Evil, we lost my grandmother to Alzehimer's. I was so emotionally impacted I just had to write about it to get my emotions out.

Know someone with this horrible disease? If you are looking for information, try the Alzheimer's Association. From their site...

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research.

Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.