Wednesday, March 18, 2009

CSFF Blog Tour: Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow by the Miller Brothers


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This month we're showing Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadows by the Miller Brothers (Allan and Christopher Miller)





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Strange visions...hideous monsters...startling revelations...Hunter Brown never expected a summer like this, and it’s only getting started! After one of his infamous pranks backfires, Hunter unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient book and key. Little does he know the mysterious book is a gateway to Solandria, a supernatural realm held captive by the Shadow.



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In Solandria, Hunter joins forces with the Codebearers, a band of highly trained warriors who form the Resistance to the Shadow. But before he can complete his training in the ways of the Code of Life, Hunter is sent on a mission far more dangerous than he ever bargained for. Now with his life in peril and the future of Solandria hanging in the balance, Hunter is headed for a showdown with the Shadow and a battle to save his soul from a fate worse than death!



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Is Hunter’s knowledge of the Code deep enough to uncover the secret of the Shadow, or will the truth be more than he can bear?



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you can read all the book for free online here!



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The Codebearers Series was developed by the creative brother team of Christopher & Allan Miller. The Miller brothers have had the distinct privilege of growing up in a CBA Bookstore. As children they learned first hand the value of faith-based stories while helping their parents operate several Christian bookstores and book clubs for 30 years. As a result, they founded Lumination Studios, a creative house that is geared toward developing stories of faith and fantasy for families everywhere. Their focus is to create properties that boys will especially love to read and watch.


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In addition to being authors, the Miller Brothers are both formally trained with a degree in Computer Animation and Multimedia Design. They have worked as animators for the popular CBA kids video series, Juniors Giants, and have recently written and illustrated a childrens picture book series entitled "Heroes of Promise" (Warner Press Kids).


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The dynamic duo's unique artistic style lends itself well to both print and video publication and is sure to be a hit with families seeking values-based entertainment products. Lumination's product line, which includes the newly released Heroes of Promise product line, and the Codebearer's series will comprise of: Books Graphic Novels Musical CD Products Web-based Products Animated Films Games & Toys.


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I started reading this book on the Miller brothers' website and started reading it to my mom.

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we both really liked it but then we got sucked into playing the codebearers game and I got stuck at the clock part. <.<

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anyway I finally finished reading it (the holiday vacation was exhausting) and I absolutely loved it!

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one thing though that definately sticks out about the main character is that he's definately not saved yet. the trying to be "cool" by lying keeps backfiring (as it usually does) and there were times I was wanting to either hit Hunter or strangle him. but that definately makes him human and we can definately relate to him.

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Hunter seems to improve at the end so I'm really happy about that, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.


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Monday, March 16, 2009

Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson

Today we're featuring Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson.


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In this book we are first introduced to a pretty well to do stock broker named Daniel Borden. In his office there was recently a death of one of the brokers so Daniel has to go over the accounts to make sure all is right and everything. And he'll find something that will change his life from that point on......


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Meanwhile in a different state we meet Bed&Breakfast owner Laura Sky and her adorable son Andy. A nasty old man is trying to force Laura to sell her B&B (which was her late husband's dream) and doesn't seem to be able to take 'no' for an answer.
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So when Daniel is forced into running for his life he meets Laura and Andy and they're all pulled into one big coverup. With double agents and multiple murders will they survive?


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I absolutely loved the book.


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I thought the first part was a bit slow, but it definately started to speed up. I kept trying to guess what would happen next but I kept getting surprised.
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Definately would recommend this book to those who want a bit of mystery and a bit of thriller.


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Brandt was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which he would later choose as the setting for his Colton Parker Mystery series. Although he discovered in grade school that he wanted to be a writer, it would be another twenty-one years before he would put pen to paper.


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"I knew in fifth grade that I wanted to be a writer. Our teacher had given each of us a photograph which we were to use as inspiration for a short story. The particular photo I was given was of several young men playing handball in New York City. I don't remember all of the particulars of the story now, but I do remember the thrill that writing it gave me."


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In high school, Brandt's English teacher uncovered his growing desire and encouraged him by saying: "If you don't write, you'll regret it the rest of your life"
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Later, while in college, one of Brandt's professors would echo that teacher's comment.


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"But life intervened and I found myself working at a variety of jobs. worked in the toy department of a local department store, and fried chicken for a local fast food outlet. Over the course of the next several years I finished my college degree and worked for the Indianapolis office of the FBI, and served for eight years as a Naval Officer in the United States Naval Reserve. I also obtained my degree in Podiatric Medicine, and after completion of my surgical residency, opened my own practice. But I never forgot my first love. I wanted to write."


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During his early years in practice, Brandt began reading the work of Dean Koontz whose work re-ignited the desire to write.


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"I discovered Dean's book, The Bad Place, and was completely blown away by his craftsmanship. I read something like 13 or 14 of his back list over the following two weeks. It wasn't long after that I began to write and submit in earnest."


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Still, it would be another twelve years before Brandt was able to secure the publishing contract he so desperately desired.


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"I began by writing the type of fiction that I enjoyed; I wrote edgy crime thrillers that were laced with liberal amounts of suspense. Over the years, I've begun to write increasingly more complex work by using broader canvases and themes.


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"I love suspense — thrillers.It's a genre of fiction that allows me to tell the storiesI want to tell."


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Since securing his first contract, Brandt has continued to pen the type of stories that inspired him to write when he was a boy, and that have entertained his legions of readers.


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"I love to write, and as long as others love to read, I plan on being around for a long time to come."




Found on his website




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