Cuts Like a Knife by Mark Gilroy

This is a debut novel for author Mark Gilroy and I hope that another one will soon follow. His main character, Kristen Conner, is very human and likeable. She does her best to be an excellent police detective for the city of Chicago. She gets called to investigate a murder, which is tied to a serial killer. As the book proceeds, Kristen gets closer to the killer and soon finds herself in danger.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style. The twists and turns kept me involved in the plot. The writing was descriptive but also moved quickly and was not too graphic. The ending was satisfying and yet left me wondering more about Kristen and her family. I would definitely read another book in this series. If readers enjoy mystery and suspense in Christian fiction, this should definitely be on their reading list. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Heart of Ice by Lisa Wiehl

Nicole Hedges, Cassidy Shaw and Allison Pierce are three friends from high school who have recently reunited. Nicole is a FBI agent, Allison is a federal prosecutor and Cassidy is a TV crime reporter. In this book they meet Elizabeth, who is a personal trainer at Cassidy’s gym. As the story develops, the readers learn that Elizabeth is a sociopath who uses people to attain her own selfish goals. The three friends are drawn into a relationship with her while she commits murder to make sure her boyfriend is undistracted by his ex-wife and son. The three friends must stop her, but that proves to be very dangerous.

Lisa Wiehl writes a story that carries the reader along. Even though this was a part of a series about the three main characters, I found it easy to follow. The author left some questions unanswered regarding Nicole, Allison and Cassidy, and I would definitely consider reading the sequel. Readers who enjoy suspense, mystery or crime novels would enjoy this one. Booksneeze provided me a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker

Immanuel's Veins is Dekker's forray into Vampire literature. I am not a fan of Twilight or the other books, but Dekker uses this genre to make a startling contrast between vampires and Christ. His main character, Toma, is assigned to protect twin sisters in an important aristocratic family. He is torn between duty and his growing love for one of his charges, Lucine. A coven of vampires moves into a nearby castle and Vlad van Valerik, their leader proceeds to court Lucine because Toma cannot seem to declare his love to her. As she becomes more entangled in the affairs at the vampire castle, Toma must rescue her, but how? Dekker connects this story to his previous Circle series and one of the "lost" books makes its way into Toma's hands. Toma must figure out how to use the information in the book to rescue Lucine.

This book is an interesting read and contains Dekker's trademark complex plot. The story weaves elements of the gospel into a new and completly different setting that caused me to think. If you enjoy Dekker's works and vampire fiction, this is the book for you! Personally, vampire literature isn't something I would choose to read, but for Dekker, I made an exception. I found it worth the read.

The Soul Reader by Gerard D. Webster

Ward McNulty has an unusual gift. He can look into a person’s eyes and read their soul. His father, who had the same gift is now dead and Ward cannot forgive the man who has killed him. In order to protect Carrie Hope, the woman he loves, he must investigate the situation which caused his father’s death. This leads him to Culebra, a trained assassin in South America. But Culebra isn’t the man that Ward expects. The book’s ending has some interesting twists, but not all of them are completely unexpected.

I thought this book was easy to read, despite being the second in a series where I hadn’t read the first. It was a bit different from the Christian fiction that I normally read because it featured Catholic believers and talked about saints and the rosary. This did not distract from the story, but seemed to fit nicely given the experience of some of the characters, especially Dona Rosa.

Having read this, the second book in the series, made me curious about what had transpired in the first book. I also wondered if there will be another book featuring Ward. Although it ended with many of the loose ends tied up nicely, I suppose I would read another book of the same main character, especially to see what would become of Ward and Carrie’s relationship. Booksneeze provided my complimentary copy and this is my honest opinion.

The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn

The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn

Stephen Arterburn writes a story based on an encounter that he observed between a homeless woman and a rich, well-dressed young man. His novel fleshes out the fictional circumstances that bring these two unlikely characters together. It is written as a parable and contains questions to help the reader apply the principles illustrated in the book.
Jonathan Rush returns to Fairbanks, Alaska, to search out the woman who gave him birth and to find out why she abandoned him. As a successful businessman, he needs to find the key to why his personal life is in shambles. With the encouragement of his pastor, he reluctantly goes in search of answers. During his search he retraces his steps and finds the answers he needs.
As a story, this book didn’t offer much in the way of unexpected endings or surprises along the way. It’s real value would be to encourage the reader to take another look at his past and attempt to come to terms with his past hurts. The book may be used as a discussion guide, with questions provided at the back of the book. The story didn’t speak to me personally, but I would recommend it to a friend. Booksneeze provided me with a free copy and this is my honest opinion.

The Canary List by Sigmund Brower

Sigmund Brower writes a tale of suspense that keeps the reader guessing. I read this book over Halloween and found that the subject matter was appropriate to the season. The beginning of the book was a bit confusing and intense, but I kept reading.
The main character, Crockett Grey, a school teacher finds his drunken solitary vigil for his dead daughter interrupted by one of his students who is in danger. Crockett does his best to protect her while not allowing himself to be drawn into her situation. Circumstances and powers greater than he is combine to trap him in a web of deceit and intrigue. In order to clear his name and to regain custody of his son, he must dig deeper into Jaimie’s past. In the course of his adventure, he meets a psychiatrist, a Vatican exorcist, a high-powered lawyer, a computer hacker and the man next in line to be pope .
If you enjoy a suspense novel which raises some interesting questions about the Catholic church, this book should be on your reading list. I enjoyed his writing style, especially the way he developed both the plot and the characters. I found his subject matter fascinating and appreciated his bibliography at the end of the book to substantiate his research. I was sorry to finish the book. I would definitely read another of his novels.

Indelible by Kristin Heitzmann

Kristen Heitzmann writes a novel of suspense with a touch of romance. Trevor MacDaniel, a search and rescue volunteer, rescues a toddler from the jaws of a mountain lion. Soon afterward, he begins receiving unsettling photographs in the mail. Fearful that others are being put in danger, he does his best to protect those he loves in the small ski village where he lives. Danger casts its shadows over Natalie, his girlfriend and her friends, too. He must face it head on to defeat it.

The author writes a story that keeps the reader in suspense. As per her other books, this story features a strong male protagonist who demonstrates self-sacrificing love for those around him.

Although I found this book confusing at times because I hadn't read the previous book in the series, the interesting characters captured my attention and made me want to read any succeeding novels in this series.

Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin

Tucker Rain faces many difficulties in his life, chief among them the disgust he harbors for his father. The only hope he has as a child is found in his nanny, Miss Ella. She cares for Tucker and his half-brother Mutt, the way a loving mother would. After Miss Ella’s death, Tucker must deal with life the best way he can, which is to bury himself in his work as a world class photographer. One day, his life changes. During a chance encounter, he rescues his long-lost childhood sweetheart,who is on the run from her abusive husband. Her presence in his life forces him to deal with old issues of unforgiveness. When his half-brother disappears from the residential mental hospital where he has been confined, Tucker must face more of his past demons. Through it all, he is guided by the wisdom of Miss Ella and sees the answers to her prayers.

Charles Martin writes a compelling story of love, pain, forgiveness and grace. I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt like I knew the characters when the book was done. If the book had a sequel, I would put it on my reading list, however, the ending was satisfying enough to stand alone. I enjoyed the tone of the story. It was not too romantic nor too suspenseful, but was a tantalizing blend of both. This was the second of his books that I had read and I would definitely read more. Booksneeze provided me with a complimentary copy and this is my honest review.

The Book of Peach by Penelope J. Stokes

A washed up beauty queen finds herself returning to live in her hometown with her critical mother. Life has not turned out the way she thought it would. As she deals with her loss and copes with her new circumstances, she finds hope for the future arising out of the past.

The author paints a realistic picture of the struggles some mothers and daughters have. The main character, Peach, comes to understand and accept her mother in a way that she doesn't expect. This book ends on a hopeful note and was a quick, but enjoyable read. If you have enjoyed Ms. Stokes other novels, I think you would like this one, also.

A Stranger in the House of God by John Koessler

John Koessler writes an interesting book subtitled from Doubt to Faith and Everywhere in Between. He shares his faith journey with his readers. I found parts of it hilarious and reminiscent of my own journey. He raises some interesting questions along the way, too. What about unanswered prayers for healing and others.

I enjoyed his writing style and his open and honest manner. I enjoyed his conclusions. I found myself having arrived in a somewhat similar spot at this point in my journey. If you like to read books along the lines of essays with humor and truth interspersed, this is a book for your reading list!

Nick of Time by Tim Downs

I have to admit a fondness for Tim Down's character, Nick. I have read every book Mr. Downs has written with Nick Polchak as a main character. In this novel, the Bug Man has proposed to Alena, the dog trainer, and is getting married in less than a week. Nick goes to a meeting of other like-minded individuals and notices that his friend, Pete Boudreau, whom he was to meet, is missing. Nick can't resist finding out what has happened to Pete and he goes to his home. Of course, while he is there, he discovers that Pete is probably dead. With the clock ticking down to his wedding, he takes off to unravel the mystery of Pete's disappearance. Along the way he discovers the truth about Pete's death and the truth about his true feelings for Alena.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Tim Downs keep the plot moving along and the reader wondering about what will happen next. The twists were totally unexpected, but satisfying. I found myself ready to read the next installment of the Bug Man novels. I hope Tim won't leave his readers hanging for long! If you enjoy quirky characters and a good mystery, don't miss this book! You'll enjoy it even if you are new to the Bug Man series.

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

This book gives an account of Rahab's life. The author bases the story on the information given in the Bible (specifically Joshua 1-10, Ruth and Matthew 1:1-17.)

I enjoyed this book and it gave me a greater appreciation for Rahab's faith and the struggles she might have endured to become a member of the Israelites. It also contained some sound principles for dealing with an ungodly past. If you enjoy historical fiction, I think you would appreciate this book.

Red Like Blood by Joe Coffey and Bob Bevington

The subtitle of this book is Confrontations with Grace. Although confrontations seems a strong word, the book overflows with stories of people whose lives have been changed by God's grace. Some of the stories seem too good to be true. Others are almost unbelievable. Regardless, they leave you with a hunger to experience grace for yourself.

The writing style is conversational and the tone is such that you feel like you are having an extended discussion over a cup of coffee. When I finished this book, I was sad that it was done. I would certainly read another book by these authors. Red Like Blood would also make it onto my list of books I'd like to read again. Some of the materials was simple but profound and would merit a second more in-depth look.

If you enjoy books composed of essays and real life stories of hope, Red Like Blood should be on your list of books to read.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Abilene is a young girl who has been sent to Manifest, a small town, by her father. As she lives there, she discovers the town's secrets, but really desires to find out more about her father's past. She meets and grows to love the townspeople of this struggling town. As their stories transport her into their past, she can understand their present.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were interesting and the plot unfolded at a pace that kept me reading. I would recommend Moon Over Manifest.

The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner

In this apocalyptic novel, Paul Bender, a historian, has been chosen from birth for a special calling. He receives an unusual message, which launches him on a search for an ancient manuscript. Along the way he finds others who help him piece together ancient wisdom and prophecies to escape the end of the world.

I didn't enjoy this book for several reasons. It was very confusing. It was too difficult to follow the plot. The authors took little time for character development, perhaps because there were so many important characters. Because of the worldwide scope of the setting, the story continually jumped around. The authors also left unanswered some questions regarding the plight of several main characters.

If a reader enjoys a story where The DaVinci Code meets Left Behind, he would appreciate this novel. I do not recommend it, although I did learn some interesting tidbits along the way. Booksneeze provided me with a complimentary copy of this book and I am giving my honest opinion of it.

The Chamber by John Grisham

Sam is a member of the KKK who has planted bombs in synagogues and other public places. His last bombing attempt goes awry when he kills 2 boys and severely injures their father. Despite a couple of trials with hung juries, he ends up on death row in Mississippi. His grandson Adam, who has grown up estranged from Sam, becomes his lawyer in the final days before Sam's scheduled execution. The book chronicles Adam's attempts to save Sam from the death penalty. In the process, he comes to know and respect and even love his grandfather. Adam learns more about his family's dysfunctional past and brings a measure of healing to his family.

Having read several of Grisham's other books, his style was familiar to me. What caught me by surprise was the lack of the trademark Grisham twist at the end of the book. I was disappointed. It seemed to me that Grisham wrote this book solely to express his feelings regarding the death penalty. The story did make me think, but it did not change my opinion. I don't think I would recommend this book. Grisham has written many other books and this is not one of his best.

In the Company of Others by Jan Karon

Father Tim and Cynthia have finally taken their long-awaited trip to Ireland, only things are not as they had expected. Cynthia re-injures her "historic" ankle. A strange man darts from their wardrobe and a valuable painting is stolen. As the story progresses, they find themselves embroiled in a difficult family situation. Should they leave to find a more restful respite or stay where they are obviously needed?

Fans of Jan Karon's fiction will enjoy the further adventures of Father Tim and Cynthia. The addition of selections from the inn's ancient journal added interest to the story and supported the over-arching theme of forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Since I have an e-reader, I have been reading more of unfamiliar authors. Aimee Bender was new to me, and her book made me think. The main character, Rose, is gifted with the ability of being able to taste the emotions of the persons who prepared her food. This gift she considers a curse, though others want to use it for their benefit. As the story progresses, she becomes aware of others in her family who also have a special skill. She is able to find ways to cope with hers, but other family members aren't as resilient. In his struggle to cope with his gift, her brother disappears, but not before he shares his secret with her. Rose and her family try to move beyond their loss, and as the book closes, the author gives us hope that Rose has succeeded.

This book made me think about the gifts that we possess. Our gifts are not for our own benefit, but to be used for others. As a believer, this makes sense to me, but the author seems to think that the discomfort of the gift outweighs the benefit. As Monk says, "It is a blessing . . . and a curse."

If you enjoy a "psychological" novel that explores family relationships, has a bit of fantasy thrown in, then I think you would enjoy this book.

Miss Julia's School of Beauty

The title, I thought, was a bit misleading, as our favorite southern belle, Miss Julia, now Mrs. Sam Murdock, doesn't open a beauty school, but rather helps Hazel Marie (her dead husband's paramour--but that's another book!) to set up and run a beauty pagent. She gets into some unusual scrapes, which jepardize her current marriage to Sam. She does some soul searching to determine the best course of action and pursues it in her inimitable style.

I enjoyed this book as a light summer read. The twists and turns kept me wondering until the end as to how Miss Julia would solve her dilemma. Fans of Ann B. Ross' Miss Julia stories should enjoy this one also.

I've heard it said. . .

I've heard it said that a person is the same in ten years except for the people he has met and the books he has read. Perhaps a bit simplified, but I think it contains a seed of truth. The book which has had the most profound effect on me is the Bible. That said, however, I am partial to fiction, especially "Christian" fiction. I love to read recreationally, but probably need to be challenged to read different types of books that would broaden my view of the world. I guess I'm thinking along the lines of Frances Chan or other current Christian writers. In this blog I will be musing about the different books that I read and their effect on me. I hope you will enjoy the journey with me and maybe suggest some of your favorites.