Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance Launch

This week ACRBA (Australian Christian Reader's Blog Alliance) was launched. A few months ago I was talking with Narelle Atkins and after some chatting we came up with this idea. We want to promote Australian books we are also happy to promote other books. While a blog alliance isn't a new idea many of the alliances have few books available outside the USA. We wanted to fill a void where Australian and other countries have a chance to help promote books. We hope to provide ebooks or pdf's for overseas reviewers and in some cases print books. 


We plan to feature two books a month, fiction the first week of the month and non fiction or children's books the third week. The first tours will take place in November and at this stage we have November and December booked up. We have several fiction books lined up for next year also. 


How can you be involved? If you are a blogger and reader you are welcome to apply to be a reviewer. We do ask that you blog regularly and have been blogging for a set time. Authors are also able to submit books to be reviewed. The blog address is http://acrba.blogspot.com. Here you will find our guidelines and where to apply to be a reviewer. We are excited about this new venture and hope you will join our excitement. 

Omega Writers Inc Caleb prize finalists 2011

             

       It is with great pleasure that Omega Writers announce the finalists in the CALEB Prize for 2011.

        There are 4 major categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction and Unpublished.

        In addition, there are sub-categories as well as Reviewers' Choice and Booksellers' Choice.

        Omega Writers would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the judges.

        Thanks also to the many volunteers from bookstores around Australia who read and rated so many books in the Bookseller's Choice category.

      The winners will be announced at the CALEB Awards dinner at the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club on 11/11/11.

        For more details, see our website www.omegawriters.com

 

Fiction:

             Hawkins, M.        Justice at Baragula

             Preston, C.            Mary’s Guardian

Vince, P.               Best Forgotten

            

Children:

Boom, R.              Where Arrows Fly

Glazebrook, J.     Nobody Hugs Rod Green

McCowen, P.       Heidi’s October

            

Devotional

Austin, M.            Jewels

Burgess, L.           All-in-Night

Fraser, E.             Too Beautiful

Memoir

Roubin, V.            Wobbly: One Woman’s Journey Onward and Upward

Vujicic, N.             Life without Limits

Wilson, V.            A Full Life

Non-Fiction

 Baker, L.              Counselling Christian Women on How to Deal with Domestic Violence

Legg, K                 New Covenant, New Glory 

Weston, L.           Connecting with your Asperger Partner

Poetry

Fernando, J.        Everyday Splendour

Hamann, K.         A Slight Fuzzing of Perspective

Lansdown, A.      Far From Home

Reviewer’s Choice

Osborne & Hendriks   Birds and Fish

Semmens, C        Give a Man a Fish

Vujicic, N.             Life without Limits

Bookseller’s Choice

Burgess, L            All-In Night

Nettelbeck, N      Thankful for Dishes

Osborne & Hendriks   Birds and Fish

Vujicic, N.             Life without Limits

Unpublished

Archer, J.             Code Breaker                                         
Bardsley, J.          The Captain, the Avaeste and the King           

Churchyard, L.    Lost and Found                                      

Glazebrook, J      Bonnie: Blaze in the Storm                  

Lonsdale, N         Boondaburra                             

Monro, H             Cassandra’s Secret

Taylor, L               Motive Games                                       
Wanmer, J           Though the bud be bruised

Congratulations to all finalists I have read a few of these books and all are worthy finalists. I cant wait to hear who the winners are (of course you are all winners in the eyes of this reader.)

 

Book review Find the animal books by Penny Reeves

God Made Something AmazingSeries: Find the Animal
What animal might this be: a furry tail, sharp claws and a beak? Follow the animal detectives into the Australian bush to discover one amazing animal and a truly amazing God! (This book also encourages children learning their colours.)
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications, Scotlan UK. 2011
ISBN: 978 1845506940


My Review:
This is a really cute book. The illustrations are well done and the story is interactive for children. There are questions for children to answer such as what colour is the boys hat and can you find the swan. Each page has a bible verse also. Its a good teaching book and there is a hidden animal for children to find. This is a really good resource for children. 



God Made Something FunnySeries: Find the Animal
What is that? Noisy and nifty and hiding in the jungle! Join the animal detectives in another adventure and learn about a God who loves to hear us laugh. (This book also encourages children to practice counting 0-5.)
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications, Scotland UK. 2011
ISBN: 978 1845506919


My Review:
This is also a really cute book. This book teaches counting with questions about how many items in a basket or can you count two lizards. Once again there is a bible verse on each page and an item to find. The illustrations are well done and the story reads very well. I can see children loving having someone read these books with them as they are interactive. Another great resource for parents.