C.J. Darlington wins Operation First Novel Contest

One of the true blessings of this reviewing "business" is the people I have met and become friends with from across the globe! C.J. Darlington is one of those wonderful friends! She and her sister, Tracy work tirelessly on their website TitleTrakk to support and promote Christian writers, musicians and movie makers.

C.J. has been blessed in kind by winning the 2008 Christian Writer's Guild, Operation First Novel Contest, gaining a publishing contract with Tyndale for Thicker Than Blood, a novel she started writing at 15 years of age!

Check out the cover, Tyndale surprised her with at the presentation!

C.J. ~ I can't wait to read the entire version of what is sure to be a fantastic story :)


Two sisters, estranged for 15 years. Their blood ties weren't enough. Only something stronger could bring them together again.

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. Her career as an antiquarian book buyer at the renowned used bookstore Dawson's Barn of Books is taking off. Hunter Dawson is teaching her the fine points of purchasing collectible books, and so far she's been able to keep her drinking problem from interfering. But when she discovers her ex-boyfriend, who also works at Dawsons, is stealing valuable books right off the store's shelves, she's unable to stop him for fear he'll expose the skeleton's in her closet.

Things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn't commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged family, especially her younger sister May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents' untimely deaths. Now the owner of a failing cattle ranch, May couldn't possibly want a relationship with her, the big sister who didn't even say goodbye all those years ago. Could she?

Soon Christy's fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. Could the Triple Cross ranch be the safe haven she's searching for, or will May's new-found faith give her sister even more reason to reject Christy? Will they realize before it's too late that each possesses what the other desperately needs?