CSFF Blog Tour: Eric Wilson's Haunt of Jackals

Field of Blood has been in my TBR stack for months now. My plans were to read it before I received Haunt of Jackals, but you know the way of plans. Then when I received Haunt of Jackals to review for the tour, I couldn’t find Field of Blood ANYWHERE. Of course, I find it under a chair after I’m half way through Haunt of Jackals. Imagine that. 

Haunt of Jackals. 

A decade earlier, Jerusalem's Undead escaped their tombs in the Field of Blood. One of their group was missing, and he will return with a vengeance, fighting his fellow Collectors for control of a vile book--a blueprint that exploits "six things, no, seven, that the Lord hates," as a way of dragging down mankind. As the Collectors vie for dominance, Gina Lazarescu finds herself fleeing through the mountains. She is alone and wounded, but more determined than ever to find and protect the children in her care. She does not know that Cal Nichols still has life-shaking secrets yet to share. She knows only that she is headed for another confrontation with the Collectors, one that will lead from Romanian castles to the Pacific Northwest and eventually to the Haunt of Jackals, birthplace of Judas Iscariot in Israel's arid wastelands. 

This is my first time with an Eric Wilson book. He’s definitely no amateur—eloquent professionalism comes to mind. I’m writing this review as a remake of CARRIE plays on Syfy. Ick?  It somewhat reflects the blood and gore in the Jerusalem Undead series. Be forewarned. Of course, that should probably go without saying to anyone who wants to read a vampire novel. I admit, I may have made a mistake. Not with the writing. Not with the story, but with the blood. 

Because the Collectors (vampires) reside in “reanimated” bodies, I picture them as stiff, broken zombie-like characters. This may not have been Wilson’s intention, but once that image came to mind it stuck. Never mind that they can transition to a new, living host and often do. Bears, boars, birds, whatever suits their needs.

In the opening paragraph of chapter one we find Gina who has cut herself free: 

White-hot pain was the price of her freedom. Her spring dress displayed splotches of red, while the skin of her left arm hung in ribbons where she’d wrenched loose from razor-edged thorns and reached for her weapon. Moments later she’d sliced through the restraints on her right write, then cut the tangle from her throat. . . 

Dripping with blood she wars with another Collector before escaping the cave, thorns still in her neck. For at least the first half of the book, Gina is hiking through the snowy mountains of Romania. She’s running from and eventually fights again with a Collector—a brutal blood-laden battle, that. In my mind, Gina is not looking too well—I imagine she needs a shower or a long hot bubble bath. Battle-weary and covered in crusted blood, she meets an old boyfriend at Bran Castle (of Dracula fame), but he doesn’t seem to notice what should be her gruesome appearance. I’m thinking this could simply be the way of things in vampire novels.

All that aside, the way Wilson has woven spiritual truths through this tale of the undead is impressive, and coupled with a riveting dark and bloody vampire tale, makes this series and Haunt of Jackals a worthy read for vampire novel lovers. 

I’ll end this review with one of my favorite lines in the book-one which reveals a spiritual truth: 

Why was it, Erota wondered, that the very enmity Collectors tried to spill onto mortals seemed to slosh back and infect them as well? Divisions. Strife. Jealousies. All of it, diverting them from their primary task.

Buy Haunt of Jackals here: 

Eric Wilson's website: www.WilonWriter.com

I apologize that I wasn't able to link to participants here. You can find an updated list at Becky Miller's a Christian Worldview of Fiction.

God of Wonders

Have you seen the Indescribable DVD with Lou Giglio? He takes you on a journey through the universe to show you just how big our Creator is--stars huge beyond our ability to comprehend. Even my boys will have tears streaking their cheeks at the end when we get a picture of how God holds us all together with the cross.

Just coming off  the ACFW Conference, I see now that God is even more amazing because of the way he weaves our lives together even though we are beings who have free will. And yet, God works our lives together, creating what I'm sure you've heard many times-- a beautiful tapestry. In this case, I'm going to say he works our lives together to create amazing books. I heard repeatedly at the conference "it has to be the right book at the right time", and then I see how the right people have come together--something that can takes years to happen.

I'm blown away at how He does this--to me, it's far more amazing than His creation of the universe!

This time last year. . .

I was getting ready to go to the ACFW Conference in Minneapolis. "Getting ready to go" for me includes making sure all the laundry is done, everything is clean, and the freezer is stocked with pizza rolls, burritos, fish sticks and a few things that actually require thought and preparation for cooking,  just in case my husband or teenage daughter gets inspired.

Oh, a few more things, too, -- it means printing off those "one sheets" as the conference-goers started calling them several years ago. Before someone came up with the idea of printing out the twenty-five word hook of your story, we had to be able to talk about our books intelligently--THE PITCH.  The pitch is much like you might imagine they do in Hollywood to sell a movie producer on an idea. Considering we're mostly writers and not necessarily speakers, the one-sheets have given many of us a great sigh of relief. No more practicing in front of the mirror. No more fear of fumbling over the words or worse, drawing a blank. It's right there. On the paper. 

I have several writing buddies who've sold big books by simply handing over the one sheet to the right editor.  It works. 

This time last year I climbed the stairs (yes climbed) to my daughter's loft--a dark and ghastly place I rarely visited--to get the luggage.  This particular duffel bag had been to South Africa only six weeks before and had never been unpacked. So, after dumping the bag I picked my way down the stairs with too much confidence. To avoid a pile of something she'd deposited there instead of in her room, I took two steps at a time but my foot connected with air instead of a step, and I tumbled forward, ending up at the bottom of the stairs. Both my feet had twisted beneath me. I heard loud snapping sounds. 

I remember lying on the floor, holding my ankles and feet, the pain indescribable. Then I lay on my back and cried because the next day I planned to leave for the AFW Conference--no way could I miss that! Also, I'd just ordered Runner's World Magazine THAT DAY! I wouldn't be running for a long time.

I can't remember what the type of break is called now, but it's where your ligament pulls a piece of bone from your foot. So, I  wore a special supportive shoe to the conference where I should have been sitting and resting my foot, but no, it was a mostly standing conference. I should have been taking massive painkillers, but that would have made me completely incoherent. I made it through.

It was a great conference. As I expect it will be this year!

Christmas Homecoming is here!

I'm so excited and pleased to announce that Christmas Homecoming released this week! Writing this story was a highlight of my life, especially since I dedicated it to my daughter Rachel who, at the time of proposal, was on her way back from a missionary trip from South Africa. I put as many of her experiences as I could into O Christmas Tree ( My novella in the collection). Last week, I received my box of books just before she arrived from another missionary trip, this time to Scotland. It was a special moment to be able to present her with a story dedicated to her. I hope you'll enjoy the story too. So, please buy a copy and share with your friends. 

Here's the blurb:

Soar to new heights in this inspirational Christmas romance collection where four females encounter love amid the Colorado Rockies. A widowed grandmother, Carol Scheirer, is filled with angst, unsure that her family will accept the new man in her life. Wedding planner Noelle Evans wonders if the guy who once jilted her deserves a second chance. Old letters put writer Christmas Scheirer at odds with the guardian of her grandfather’s estate. Missionary Holly Rivers finds she still has feelings for the man she left behind. Will mistletoe missives result in more than one Boulder bride?

Buy the book!

Watch the trailer:

Reminders and updates

This is a gentle reminder to post a comment, letting me know if you'd like to be included in the drawing for Love Finds You In Revenge, Ohio, by Lisa Harris. 

Also, I'll be blogging over at the CAN blog on the second Monday of each month. My topic will be on organization--believe me, I'm learning as I write the articles. But that's the point.

A day of serious fishing

I learned after I was married that one of my husband's prerequisites for deciding if I was the ONE, was whether or not I could bait a hook. I answered yes, of course, because when he asked, I thought back to the time when I was twelve and actually put crickets on hooks for catching brim. Have I  baited a hook since then? No. But he didn't ask me that. After we were married he reminded me that I said I could bait a hook. I simply replied that sure I can do that, but I choose not to. I think he feels a little cheated--but hey, we live in a world of choices, right?

So, what do I do on a serious day of fishing? I bring along my lawn chair and read the Bible or a novel.

Lisa Harris Interview and Revenge, Ohio giveaway.

The only thing worse than being a spinster is being a twice-jilted spinster. At twenty-five, Catherine Morgan is hardly an old maid, but she’s given up on marriage and instead manages the family’s general store in the small town of Revenge, Ohio. Bound by a promise to care for her three sisters until they marry, she’ll do anything it takes to keep them safe. However, the town’s sheriff has evidence that may stand in the way of her sister’s happiness and her own. Revenge can be stronger than love. Will a vow for vengeance arrest Catherine’s third chance for love?

---

Lisa Harris writes award-winning Christian fiction and nonfiction from her home in Mozambique, Africa, where she and her family serve as missionaries. She has published more than a dozen books across multiple genres including romance, suspense, and mystery. 

And even more important than all her books and serving as a missionary--Lisa is one of my dearest friends. Ha! Seriously, I've known her since the beginning. When I joined ACFW (then ACRW) Lisa was one of my critique partners. We've been close friends since then, sharing prayer requests and personal struggles. It was at one of the ACFW conferences that Lisa and I brainstormed about doing a series together for Heartsong and voila, Cranberry Hearts was born. Hence, Lisa played an important role in ushering me into the elusive world of published authors. 

1. What do you consider the most important reason you serve in Mozambique?

I'm here, because I know without any doubt that God has called our family to work here. There are days when I wonder why I'm here or I'm certain that life is better or would be easier on the other side of the fence, but then I have to stop--because He's called me.

2. And there's no better place to be than in God's will. Tell us about the struggles of the people in Mozambique.

 Life isn't always easy here, and I'm reminded of it every time I walk down the street or drive through town. There is poverty, orphans, HIV/AIDs, malaria, as well as other sicknesses and a fairly low life expectancy. Another thing that strikes me is the spiritual darkness. . .and then the freedom and joy we see in those who are finding in Christ Jesus!

To learn more about this ministry, you can visit the website: www.africanoutreachministries.org

 

3. I hate to ask you what seems like the age-old question—but how do you juggle your work as a missionary, home school your children and manage the prolific writing? What would you say is the ONE thing that gets you through? 

That's hard. Just tonight I was talking to my husband about how I simply don't have the time to do everything I need to do. Home schooling is new for us, we're just in our second year, and it takes up the majority of my time. Ministry and writing fill in the rest of the time, but it's tough. I don't always succeed, but I try to remind myself that my main ministry right now is my children and their well-being, both educationally and spiritually. And in the process I want to seek Him first, so that everything else will fall into place.

4. Let's focus on your writing. What is the heart of your story Revenge?

While the theme of revenge is there, it's also a book about second chances. Both my hero and heroine struggled over hurt feelings from the past, as well as pride, resentment, and unforgiveness. None of these are easy to overcome, but God is the God of second chances, and through His amazing love and grace, anything is possible. A second chance for forgiveness. . .a second chance for love.

5. Tell us about your upcoming release. 

BLOOD RANSOM is to be released next March and I couldn't be more excited. It's definitely the book of my heart as it's allowed me to write suspense, with a thread of romance, AND set it in Africa. 
Here's the blurb. Deep in the heart of Africa, two American lives are about to change forever. Natalie Sinclair and Dr. Chad Talcott want to make a difference in under-developed African villages … but they didn’t count on risking their lives in the process. Romance and adventure drive this powerful thriller about the modern-day slave trade and those who dare to challenge it.

6. I’ve known you long enough to know this has been a dream of yours—to write a story set in Africa. With this dream “fulfilled” what are you dreaming of next?

Since I've just started writing book two, I haven't really stopped to look much further than hoping Zondervan allows me to expand this series. If I could continue writing International suspense, then that would keep me happy for a very long time!

Thanks so much for having me, Beth! And remember that I'll give away a copy of Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio! 

Lisa's website: www.lisaharriswrites.com  

To enter the drawing for Lisa's new book, you can post a comment. Make sure you leave your contact information.

Which comes first?

Fear or procrastination? I've discovered the two are related. 

There's a book I'm trying to write between books, if that makes sense. I turned in a manuscript then signed a contract last week for the second book in the series and plan to begin writing on that in September. So, I had a month--A MONTH--to work on my big project. Sure life has been crazy, getting the kids ready for school, marketing books, writing proposals but even when I managed to find the time to look at the pages of this novel, I froze up.

What's with that? Freezing up, that is. I think it's just plain fear. I thought back to all the times in my life when I didn't try out for something, or involve myself in something, or even quit something due to the fear of failure and the fear of success. Yes, I've heard that you can be afraid of success. But that's not the kind of fear I'm talking about here.

So, as a result of my fear I've been procrastinating like I'm doing now by writing this blog post. I hear the best way to overcome fear is to face it. That's exactly what I intend to do now. 

As always, I appreciate your prayers.