Weekly Link Round-Up, January 17 - 22

Welcome to the Weekly Link Round-Up. Each week, we will be posting links to some of the best book blogging highlights from around the blogosphere.

LOST Book Challenge - Check out My Friend Amy's Lost Book Challenge. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I've never seen an episode of Lost. Amy has told me that it's a must see show -- both because of my love for books and some guys that are quite attractive! Sounds like a show that I need to catch up on. Even if you're a newbie to Lost like I am, the challenge still looks fun.

The Ethics of Book Reviews, Part 2 - Trish really started some terrific discussion this week when she posted the question "Does WHERE you received the book influence your opinion of a book?" You have to check out the responses. After all this, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it, but I'm leaning towards full disclosure.

Review of CONSCIENCE POINT - I can speak from experience when I say that CONSCIENCE POINT by Erica Abeel is a very well-written book. Of course, S. Krisna's review sums up this book so much better than I was able to do. She says that "CONSCIENCE POINT comes alive through Abeel's descriptions. The details are wonderful and they really create a "gothic mystery" atmosphere for the reader."

Review of HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEMA - I have seen a few reviews of HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEMA by Gwendolyn Zapeda popping up around the blogosphere; and it looks like a fun, light read. Marta at Marta's Meanderings said, "This book was really good. It has a strong latino theme to it, but it definitely crosses all cultures with the themes of growing up, tolerance and acceptance." Sounds like one I need to check out!

Review of THE VALENTINE EDITION - If you are looking for a heart-warming Christian fiction book, you should definitely read Wendi's review of THE VALENTINE EDITION by Robin Shope. It's the second book in Turtle Creek edition series; and based on her review, I think they look wonderful. Wendi says that it's "a very fun and enjoyable read....a wonderfully romantic story that helps the reader to gently remember the importance of prayer, forgiveness and faith."

Interview: Tony Peters - I always think it awesome when a blogger gets an interview with an author. This time, it's Shelburn and she had the opportunity to ask a few questions to Tony Peters, author of KIDS ON A CASE: THE TEN GRAND KIDNAPPING. I enjoyed both her interview as well as her review of this children's mystery.

Review: THE CENTURION'S WIFE - Talk about a review full of praise -- she certainly sold me on this book! ForstRose wrote an in-depth review of THE CENTURION'S WIFE by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke, an historical epic from the Acts of Faith series. She obviously treasured this book: "I'm not sure how to balance this rave out with more sober thoughts on the book as truly I wasn't able to find anything not to love about it."

Review: AMERICAN SAVIOR - This book definitely has a unique premise - Jesus running for president of the United States. As if the plot of AMERICAN SAVIOR by Roland Merullo doesn't tempt me enough, Bermuda Onion has written a super review which really makes me want to get my hands on this novel. Here's little peak at what she had to say, "This book is humorous as well as thought provoking and I enjoyed reading it." I love a book that makes me think!

Review: REBEL - Beth Fish Reads posted an interesting review this week of REBEL by Bernard Cornwell, the first of the four-book series The Starbuck Chronicles, which covers the U.S. Civil War. This book mixes fact with fiction, but it sounds like the author did a good job keeping things authentic. Here's what Beth Fish Read said about listening to the audio version of this book, "(Tom) Parker does a fine job differentiating the characters and with the various accents. His rendition of women is not the strongest but is definitely adequate. The reading was engrossing, and I had a hard time turning off my MP3 player."