Tuesday, September 16, 2008

"Isolation" Book Review and Giveway!


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Isolation

FaithWords (September 12, 2008)

by

Travis Thrasher



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

It was during third grade after a teacher encouraged him in his writing and as he read through The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis that Travis decided he wanted to be a writer. The dream never left him, and allowed him to fulfill that dream of writing fulltime in 2007.

Travis Thrasher is the author of numerous works of fiction, including his most personal and perhaps his deepest work, Sky Blue, that was published in summer of 2007. This year he has to novels published, Out of the Devil’s Mouth, and a supernatural thriller, Isolation.

Travis is married to Sharon and they are the proud parents of Kylie, born in November, 2006, and Hailey, a Shih-Tzu that looks like an Ewok. They live in suburban Chicago.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Trapped

Exhausted

Terrified

. . . Alone

When a missionary family moves into a secluded mansion in the mountains of North Carolina, they think they are escaping their nightmares. But when a snowstorm hits and they are trapped inside their new home, their worst fears become reality. As they fight to stay alive, they will be tested in ways they never imagined. Can their love for one another and their faith in God save them from the dangers lurking here?

A masterfully written story that will grip you from its mysterious beginning to its chilling end.

From Publishers Weekly:

"In this dark chiller, Thrasher (Sky Blue; The Promise Remains) demonstrates a considerable talent for the horror genre. Like Stephen King, Thrasher pits flawed but likable characters against evil forces that at first seem escapable but gradually take on a terrifying ubiquity.

The Miller family has recently returned to suburban Chicago after a harrowing experience on the mission field. Hoping to get away from the busyness of suburban living, they travel to the mountains of North Carolina for an extended stay in an enormous, remote lodge where husband and father Jim plans to write a book while trying to reconnect with his family.

When a snowstorm isolates them further and spiritual attacks make them feel they are losing their minds, both Jim and his wife, Stephanie, begin to wonder if God can rescue them and their two young children. Aside from sharing too many plot points with The Shining, this novel hits very few false notes and should appeal to fans of Christian fiction, the horror genre and all who enjoy well-crafted and suspenseful stories."

If you would like to read the first chapter of Isolation, go HERE

MY REVIEW:
Fans of suspense will find a winner in Travis Thrasher's new book "Isolation". It starts grounded in character development and leaving clues for the reader that something is not quite right... Mom is sleepwalking and having weird visions, Dad is stressed but not listening to the rest of the family, Zach is picking up on the odd things happening but no one will tell him anything because he's only 8... and then the story moves to the isolated house / mansion "Edge Hill". This is where everything starts to escalate. What really went on in this house before the owner died? Why can't they go into the North Wing? Where do all these secret passageways go? Why are they in danger?
I don't want to reveal anything, so I have to be careful here. This book is a stand alone that is full of twists and turns. It does a great job of keeping you guessing til almost the end. As I look back on it now I realize that it left a lot of questions unanswered, but it answered the big one - the only one that really matters. In the game of spiritual warfare who is more powerful, Jesus or the powers of darkness?
If you would like to win a copy of this book then leave a comment with your email address and you will be entered. If I have more than 20 comments I will do 2 drawings! Good luck!

6 comments:

Lora Lease said...

I read the first part of this book, and it looks like a good one! :)
Please enter me in the drawing.
asyouwiiiiish@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Oh wow- the first chapter has me drawn into the story. Please enter me in the drawing, Janna!

angelahipp at charter dot net

Pamela J said...

OK, I'm HOOKED! I also read the first chapter and found myself wanting to FUMBLE quickly for the page to turn it. I usually have my opinion formed of what is 'about to happen' by the end of the first chapter but by the end of this one, I am left scratching my head and still guessing what it might be. I do love a grand suspense book and this sounds like just that! Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks.
Pam Williams
cepjwms at yahoo dot com

Theresa N. said...

I'd love to read this book, sounds very good.
theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

windycindy said...

Hi, I really, really enjoy books written like this! Twists and turns make me wiggle and I love when my mind has to wiggle when I read a suspense book. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Janna said...

And the winner is -

Theresa N.

Congratulations!