Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Beguiled Is. . . Well,Beguiling!



This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Beguiled

(Bethany House March 1, 2007)

by

Deeanne Gist

and

J. Mark Bertrand




ABOUT THE AUTHORS:


Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.




J. Mark Bertrand has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. After one hurricane too many, he left Houston and relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota.





ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the shadows of Charleston, someone is watching her... Rylee Monroe, a dogwalker in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her.

Reporter Logan Woods is covering the break-ins with the hope of publishing them as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything. As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of , go HERE



Check out their video:



MY THOUGHTS:
I didn't think Deeanne Gist's books could get any better. The sometimes-quirky historical element intertwined with a romance is a never-fail formula that she has developed. But her collaboration with J. Mark Bertrand in writing Beguiled raises the bar to a whole 'nother level! Set in Charleston, the book contains real-life landmarks, making it recognizable to those familiar with the city. (They did admit fudging just a bit on some landscaping details, conveniently providing additonal parking for the characters' use!) The story itself is compelling. The element of suspense provides additional tension to the relationship between Rylee and Logan. Logan must decide what he believes about Rylee's innocence or involvement in the break-ins which are occurring. For her part, Rylee isn't sure if Logan is really concerned about her or if he's just being the consummate newspaper reporter. As the level of the crimes escalates to the climactic ending, it is obvious that Beguiled is an apropos title for this captivating novel.

I posted my interview with Deeanne Gist yesterday. (Be sure to check out the giveaways of two of Deeanne's previous books!) And in a fun but unplanned bloggy collaboration, Kim at Window To My World has an interview with J. Mark Bertrand, along with a giveaway of this book! Go check it out and tell her I sent you!


Photobucket

View blog reactions

9 comments:

quilly said...

Oh! This sounds wonderful!

Liz said...

All the reviews I've read about this book make me really want to read it. I hesitate a bit, though. I attempted to read one of Gist's books and was offended by the sexual undertones, such as a character staring at a lady's bosom and imagining what was under her clothes, among other things. Honestly, I was shocked I was reading this in Christian fiction, and I refused to continue reading. I guess what I'd like to know is if there is any of that kind of material in Beguiled. If not, then I am anxious to read it. Thanks, Linda.

My ADHD Me said...

I'll NEVER be able to read all the books you write about, but you have a way of making them all sound so good.

Sometimes, I'm happy just to get a chance to read my blog friends newest posts.

Have a great day!
Snowed in in Virginia!!

Cathy said...

Oh great...now you've given me another 2 authors I need to check out. lol I've never read either, but this book sure sounds good.

CeeCee said...

I enjoyed this book. I just need to write the review. Liz would be surprised at what's slipping by in CF now. Why do Christians always succumb to worldly ways in an effort to get the world's attention. BTW, there is nothing offensive in this story. To to me anyway.

Heidi said...

I just finished reading this book. It was good. And today, my review for my manager, at the bookstore where I work, is due. Reading yours helps me brain out the one I have to write.

Thank you! I love your reviews.

Lisa Spence said...

Sounds like a great read. I think Lauren got dibs on this one for our site!

LuAnn said...

I went to the library last night and got Courting Trouble and Deep in the Heart of Trouble. Started the 1st one and love it. I posted them om my picture blog for yesterday. Thanks!!!

A Stone Gatherer said...

Where have I heard his name before? Hum.... The book sounds great!