Thursday, August 12, 2010

Winning Fiction: Review/Giveaway: The Gathering Storm

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Gathering Storm (Zion Diaries)
Author: Bodie & Brock Thoene
Genre: Christian historical fiction
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: August 25, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway.  This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.
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This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


The Gathering Storm
Summerside Press (August 1, 2010)


by
Bodie and Brock Thoene


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 50 works of historical fiction. Over twenty million of these best-selling novels are in print. Eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards affirms what millions of readers have already discovered—the Thoenes are not only master stylists but experts at capturing readers’ minds and hearts.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Brock has often been described by Bodie as “an essential half of this writing team.” With degrees in both history and education, Brock has, in his role as researcher and story-line consultant, added the vital dimension of historical accuracy. Due to such careful research, The Zion Covenant and The Zion Chronicles series are recognized by the American Library Association, as well as Zionist libraries around the world, as classic historical novels and are used to teach history in college classrooms.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake, Luke, and Ellie—and seven grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

ABOUT THE BOOK

As Nazi forces tighten the noose, Loralei Kepler, daughter of a German resistance leader, must flee her beloved Germany. But is any place safe from Adolf Hitler's evil grasp? Loralei's harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives, and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.

Explore the romance, the passion, and the danger of the most anticipated series of the last twenty years.

Born from the highly acclaimed and best-loved novels of three generations of readers -- The Zion Covenant series and The Zion Chronicles series -- Zion Diaries ventures into the lives of the inspiring and intriguing characters who loved intensely, stood up for what was right, and fought boldly during Hitler's rise to power and the dark days of World War II.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Gathering Storm, go HERE

What I Liked:  I'll admit it - I've been avoiding WWII fiction lately because it can be emotionally draining, and I'm just not sure I can handle much of that right now...  It's a matter of timing.  But Bodie & Brock have been on my list of favorite authors for years - so I decided to make an exception, and I'm glad I did!

The author combo provides again a book that captures your emotions while being loaded with fascinating historical detail.  It's one of those rare page-turners that you don't want to put down, but you also don't want to skip or skim or rush through for fear of missing the details.  And it really makes the WWII period come alive with believable characters that you can relate to.

And I love the theme that "We must speak for those who have no voice."  What a reason to live, to push on, even though our own lives may not seem worth it at the time!

What I Didn't Like:  Overall, nothing - I found this a fascinating read!  There was a supernatural twist that I wasn't expecting, however, that reminded me just a tadbit of fantasy literature, and I'm still deciding how I feel about it, or the possible reality of it.  I'm not going to give the plot away, so I won't go into more detail here...

Posted by Jane from Mozi Esmé

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60 comments:

Carole said...

I'm ashamed to say that I've never read one of the Thoene's books, but I plan to correct that soon. I would love to read The Gathering Storm and appreciated your comments, Jane.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me in this giveaway:) Sounds like a neat book. Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Giveaway Lady said...

I am also a blog follower and email subscriber:)

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Looks like an interesting read. Please enter me in the giveaway!

Thanks,

Courtney
stilettostorytime(at)gmail(dot)com

Annette W. said...

Thanks for the twist warning without giving it away! I'd really like to read this!

Linda said...

Oh, please enter me. Have read almost all their books. Would love to win this one.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a GFC follower.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Julia M. Reffner said...

Count me in. I love the Thoenes.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Julia M. Reffner said...

I'm a follower through google.

Katie said...

Please enter me!

GOd bless!

~Katie G.

katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

Katie said...

I am a follower.

katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

Latter-day Saint Mom said...

Would like a chance to win.

Latter-day Saint Mom said...

I am a GFC follower and e-mail subscriber.

Shonda said...

I love the Thoene's books! shondaet@gmail.com

Shonda said...

I'm a follower shondaet@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

I'd love to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Benita said...

This sounds like such a tender story with strong characters. Thanks for the possibility.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Subscriber/Follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

jen7waters said...

Enter me please!

Thank you!:)

jen7waters (at) gmail (dot) com

Merry said...

I'm drawn to WWII stories and The Gathering Storm sounds really interesting. Please add my name, thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I love the Thoenes' books, so count me in!

hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

I have loved the Thoene's books for years- count me in! Thanks!

Elizabeth said...

Enter me please.

http://silversolara.blogspot.com/

Carole Spring said...

I don't recall ever reading any of the Thoene's books, although I don't understand how I could have missed them considering how many they have written. I would love to read The Gathering Storm. Thank you for the chance!
blondie_31971(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I have never had the chance to read any of Thoene's books but I would love to have the chance.
My father, my Uncle Dan, My Uncle Jim,Uncle Bill,and Uncle Charley were all in World War II. My Uncle Richard died on D day in Normanday. So I am interested in everything about World War II.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I have never had the chance to read any of Thoene's books but I would love to have the chance.
My father, my Uncle Dan, My Uncle Jim,Uncle Bill,and Uncle Charley were all in World War II. My Uncle Richard died on D day in Normanday. So I am interested in everything about World War II.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this!! Please enter me!! grammypennyann@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like to read christain historical fiction.


mjmeeks5@netscape.net

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

ANOTHER GOOD BOOK TO READ AND PASS ALONG TO MY FRIENDS

wmmahaney said...

I would love to read this book.
wmmahaney(at)Att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I follow your feed in Google Reader.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I've never read any of Thoene's books, so I would love to win this.


sonflower277(at)gmail(dot)com

rah267 said...

higgs.rachel@gmail.com
I would love to win

rah267 said...

higgs.rachel@gmail.com
I gfc follow you

Allison said...

Thanks so much for this giveaway!

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like awesome reading.

Jennifer Wilson said...

Would like to read this!

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this. Thanks vrday68@charter.net

Becky said...

Sounds like a good book!
beckyspoolstra at gmail.com

Becky said...

Follow via GFC!
beckyspoolstra at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this work!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Mrs. G said...

My husband would love this, so would I.

mmgilley104 at gmail dot com

Mrs. G said...

I follow too :)

mmgilley104 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

This sounds like an interesting read. I'd love to win it.

lunaticlounging@aol.com

Unknown said...

Follow via GFC

lunaticlounging@aol.com

Breanne said...

I would love to read this!

bmweida at yahoo dot com

Breanne said...

I follow via GFC

bmweida at yahoo dot com

Bakersdozen said...

I have heard about this book on other blogs and am interested in reading it. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in :)

susansmoaks said...

i can't wait to read this, please enter me
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

i am a follower
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

loni broesch said...

Looks like a great read!

trippyjanet at hotmail dot com

John Ferris said...

Sounds interesting.
John Ferris
guapo1317@live.com

souldolphindream said...

I am looking foward to reading this book!
souldolphindream@aol.com

souldolphindream said...

email subscriber!
souldolphindream@aol.com

Julia said...

My mom loves these books!

juliabaxter at ihmail dot com

Unknown said...

It sounds very interesting. I would love to read it. garrettsambo@aol.com

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

I'm just peeking back in to see who won? Just a little anxious to read this book! :) If I missed the announcement somewhere, I apologize!