The Choice by Robert Whitlow

 

Sandy Lincoln, popular cheerleader, dating a football player finds herself pregnant her senior year in high school.  Despite the temptation to abort her baby, she decides to carry him to term.  Her boyfriend deserts her and she must make a temporary new home with her aunt in another city and another school.  As her pregnancy progresses, she begins to think that she is carrying twins.  At a gas station a stranger approaches her and tells her that the babies must be separated at birth.  Sandy follows this advice and the boys grow up ignorant of the fact that they each have a twin.

Sandy goes on to establish a successful life for herself as a teacher, but still wonders where her boys are and how they have fared in life. She becomes involved in helping a student who is pregnant and in a twist of fate she meets one of her sons and then the other.  She must decide if she should reveal  her secrets.

I have been a Robert Whitlow fan and have read all of his previous books.  This one, however, left me disappointed.  The writing seemed flat and I had to force myself to finish the book.  It did pick up speed and suspense in the last 30 pages, but previous to that I read out of duty and not enjoyment.  I appreciate Mr. Whitlow’s underlying message, but thought that his writing didn’t carry it effectively.  If you are a Robert Whitlow fan, stick with his other books.  I appreciate the publisher giving me a free copy and this is my honest review.

The Reason by William Sirls

 

This book’s plot revolves around the idea of what might happen if Jesus returned to earth as a carpenter today.  How would He impact the lives of those around him?  Whom might he heal?

The little boy in the story has contracted leukemia.  As his mother pursues treatment for him, she comes in contact with several doctors and a carpenter, Kenneth.  The doctors do their best to treat him and Kenneth tells her that her son will be made well if she will only believe.  Meanwhile, miracles seem to occur in Kenneth’s proximity—things that he will not explain.  Despite their relationship with Kenneth,  the little boy worsens.  Will her faith be rewarded?

The author gives one of his characters an answer as to why the miracles occur—because God loves you.  However, this raises more questions.  Why was the blind minister healed but not his mentally challenged son?  Does God not love him?  The story was interesting, but I found that the theology left me with questions.  However, the author’s personal story at the end of the book was very fascinating and made as good reading as his novel did.  I enjoyed this book but found it wanting for some strong theological underpinnings.