Thursday, October 29, 2009

Book: eye of the god *and giveaway!


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

eye of the god

Abingdon Press (October 1, 2009)

by

Ariel Allison


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Ariel Allison is a published author who lives in a small Texas town with her husband and three young sons. She is the co-author of Daddy Do You Love Me: a Daughter’s Journey of Faith and Restoration (New Leaf Press, 2006). Justin Case, the first of three children’s books will be published by Harvest House in June 2009. Ariel is a weekly contributor to www.ChristianDevotions.us and has written for Today’s Christian Woman. She ponders on life as a mother of all boys at www.themoabclub.blogspot.com and on her thoughts as a redeemed dreamer at www.arielallison.blogspot.com.


From Ariel:
I am the daughter of an acclaimed and eccentric artist, and given my “unconventional” childhood, had ample time to explore the intricacies of story telling. I was raised at the top of the Rocky Mountains with no running water or electricity (think Laura Ingles meets the Hippie Movement), and lived out the books I read while running barefoot through the sagebrush. My mother read to me by the light of a kerosene lantern for well over a decade, long after I could devour an entire novel in the course of a day. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, George MacDonald, and L.M. Montgomery were the first to capture my heart and I have grown to love many others since.

ABOUT THE BOOK

eye of the god takes the fascinating history surrounding the Hope Diamond and weaves it together with a present-day plot to steal the jewel from the Smithsonian Institute.

We follow Alex and Isaac Weld, the most lucrative jewel thieves in the world, in their quest to steal the gem, which according to legend was once the eye of a Hindu idol named Rama Sita. When it was stolen in the 17th century, it is said that the idol cursed all those who would possess it. That won’t stop the brilliant and ruthless Weld brothers.

However, they are not prepared for Dr. Abigail Mitchell, the beautiful Smithsonian Director, who has her own connection to the Hope Diamond and a deadly secret to keep. Abby committed long ago that she would not serve a god made with human hands, and the “eye of the god” is no exception. Her desire is not for wealth, but for wisdom. She seeks not power, but restoration.

When the dust settles over the last great adventure of the Hope Diamond, readers will understand the “curse” that has haunted its legacy is nothing more than the greed of evil men who bring destruction upon themselves. No god chiseled from stone can direct the fates of humankind, nor can it change the course of God’s story.

***

I don't normally choose suspenseful novels, but this one just looked so interesting! I was going to have to write "I didn't have time to read more than the first few chapters", but I picked it up tonight at 7:30 and 4 1/2 hours later finished it. I was quite proud of myself for figuring out one twist in the story a whole page before it was revealed... :)

The story is told in modern context with Abby retelling the history of the jewel in flashbacks. It's quite interesting this way and breaks up the suspenseful parts so it's not quite as strong yet also keeps you reading to find out what will happen! I find this to be a very well written book!


If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of eye of the god, go HERE

Giveaway! For some reason the publisher sent me two copies of this book so I have one to give away! Leave me a comment, what do you know about the Hope Diamond, do you like jewelry heist stories, a la Oceans Eleven? I'll pick one person some time next week and you'll get the second (unopened!) copy!

4 comments:

  1. ohhh usually the books you read arnt my type but this one defintaly looks interesting, put my name in if you will :)

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  2. To tell the truth, I don't know much about the Hope Diamond, but I do like suspenseful reads. This book sounds very interesting and I would be grateful to win it. Thanks for the chance.

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  3. well, I know the Hope diamond is really big and really expensive and I'm sure it has a fascinating history. I'd love to read it!

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  4. All I know about the Hope diamond is that many people think that there is a curse attached to owning it -- since its owners tend to die. I love reading a good thriller from time to time -- and this sounds like it would hold my attention.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

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