When I met author Bonnie Calhoun at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Conference last September, one of her first questions was, “What do you write?”. I told her contemporary romance, and her immediate response was that it was boring, that everyone writes romance. Granted, at the time, I had not read any of Calhoun’s work, but still, I was a little offended by her comment. I mean, there are a lot of great romance authors out there and romance does a banging business every year.
And then I read one of Bonnie’s books…
In the second book of The Stone Braide Chronicles, Selah Rishon is trying to search for answers to many questions. What does being the novarium mean for her, how can she help Bodhi regain his strength and powers, and is her family in danger? Her father, Glade, seems to be trying to keep her in the dark about too many things.
When she finds some information about her step-father, the Mountain, and a woman who Glade has warned her is evil, Selah knows what she has to do. Despite her nightmares, despite barely being able to escape the first time around, she is driven back to the Mountain. If there is any chance she can save her family, that she can atone and apologize for her actions, she must follow that path.
Meanwhile, Bodhi has made a deal with Glade, one that takes him away from the woman he loves. But he’s dying, losing his abilities, what good is he to Selah now? Yet, despite his doubts, he knows protecting her is more important than anything.
Calhoun keeps the story moving at a fast-pace, one that keeps the pages turning and the reader engaged. With more questions and action around each corner, readers will fly through this book and be anxiously awaiting the next installment to Selah’s story.
If you’re a fan of dystopian YA or if you have teenagers who enjoy adventure and action, then The Stone Braide Chronicles are a great option with no foul language. There is a little bit of violence in them (the author herself says she prefers the 3 Bs in her stories—body count, bloodshed, and blowing things up) but she handles the descriptions well.
While I haven’t read the first book in the series, Thunder, there was little to no spiritual message in Lightning. This is an adventure about a girl trying to figure out who she is and who she can trust.
Lightning is available now at your local Family Christian or online.
****Family Christian provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Family Christian has generously provided a copy of Lightning and a $25.00 Customer Appreciate Certificate to one lucky reader of this blog. Enter below.
Sounds interesting. I need to start reading more Christian fiction I always watch the movies I just watched War Room and Do you believe over the holiday I guess I prefer reading the bible and help books.
I’m the exact opposite of you. I love Christian Fiction but read very little non-fiction. Hope to work on that this year!
It’s not a 2016 new release, but it’ll be new enough for me! An author that I’m a fan of released two new books towards the end of last year that I haven’t had the chance to read yet! I became a fan of Scott Westerfeld a few years back when I discovered his Uglies series back in 2005. It reminded me a lot of George Orwell’s 1984…which I’m a big fan of.
I’m excited to read the book Passenger in 2016.
Thank you for the giveaway!