Important and Timely Read for Christians

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan

 This book addresses what the Bible has to say about sexuality and the Bible. Christopher doesn’t bash the reader over the head with his Bible, but provides a reasoned, well-thought out and Scriptural approach to the subject of all sexuality. Not all readers will agree with his stance, because as Rosario Butterfield says in the forward, “. . . the gospel is on a collision course with the idol of sexual freedom.” However, what he has to say as a same-sex attracted person and a Christian is crucial for the church to hear and act upon.

 At the heart of his assertion is the fact that an individual’s identity is not found in his sexuality, but rather in Christ. As a Christ-follower, a person must live in a way that honors God and His word. He also calls for the church to minister to those who find themselves as singles because of choice or same-sex attraction.

 For readers who are aware of the conflict this subject raises and the proponents on the other side of the issue from Christopher, he addresses some specific arguments against his stance. Although he does so boldly, this book is laced with compassion, calling all readers regardless of same-sex attractedness or opposite-sex attractedness, to a holiness that represents the gospel well. This book was thought-provoking and required a careful reading, but was definitely worth the time it took to read. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for my honest review.

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Christmas novella by Terri Blackstock

Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock writes a light-hearted, feel -good Christmas story that is a distinct change from her If I Run series.  She does include her trademark character development, her tongue-in-cheek humor and a plot twist, too.  It was a quick, enjoyable read and will delight her regular readers if they want to take a break and curl up with a cup of cocoa and this book during a hectic Christmas season.  I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest opinion.

More great Biblical Fiction from Connilyn Cossette

Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette 

This is the author’s second in the Cities of Refuge series.  Main characters include Moriyeh, Darek, Eitan and Raviv from the previous book.  New characters include Sofea and Prezi.  The story resumes from the first book some years later as Eitan is a grown man.  He meets and (spoiler alert!) falls in love with Sofea.  Of course, any love story has complications, as does this one, including some plot twists that I did not see coming.

I liked everything about this book:  the characters, the plot, the setting, and the writing style!  The author did not disappoint.  The characters were interesting and multi-faceted.  I grew to love them.  The plot definitely kept me reading and had some surprises.  The setting was fascinating—I had never thought of a biblical city of refuge as a prison.  The writing style was clear and fluid, carrying the reader along deeper into the story.

In short, I heartily recommend this book.  Although the reader will have a deeper understanding of Moriyeh, Darek and Eitan by reading the previous book, the author gives enough background that a reader can jump in to this book and still enjoy it.  But I do think that once this book is read, the reader will definitely want to put the next book in this series on their TBR pile.

I received this book as a gift from the author and publisher and was not required to write a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions are my own.

New Novel with a New Main Character from Carrie Stuart Parks

Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks

Artist Murphy Anderson has a past.  She finds herself in the middle of a mystery where people who have the answers she needs, killed.  She fears she may be next, especially since the murderer of her twin sister has escaped prison.  She is not sure who to trust.  As the murderer gets closer, she must protect the innocent and somehow put the pieces together to solve the mystery.

This is the first in a series about a new character for this author.  Her previous series was about Gwen Marcey, a forensic artist.  I really enjoyed those books.  Apparently, Gwen is taking a well-deserved rest. 

Her new character, Murphy, has much to admire.  I do admit to being a bit confused about what exactly had happened to her in the past.  But perhaps another book will clear that up.

I enjoyed the suspense in this book.   The plot moved along and had some twists that really surprised me.  Although the plot was a bit gory, the writing was not.

The part about being a “soul searcher” was new to me and although Murphy certainly demonstrated those traits, I found myself wondering if this was a literary device or whether there is any proof of such a thing existing.

Fans of Carrie Parks will enjoy this book and so will fans of Christian suspense.  I look forward to her next book.  I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another Romantic Suspense by Colleen Coble

The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble

Ellie Blackmore is loyal to a fault.  She just can’t believe that her missing sister, Mackenzie, could be responsible for a lost shipment of cocaine.   When Grayson Bradshaw, a Coast Guard intelligence officer, is sent in to investigate the missing cocaine shipment, he has a hard time convincing Ellie.

Is it possible that Mac did take the cocaine and then faked her own death?  But why would she do that?  Both Ellie and Grayson want the truth, but it proves more complicated than either of them expect.

A race against time, a handsome hero and a lovely but self-effacing heroine, a terrorist plot, and a dose of suspense combine to make this book an excellent beach read.  The plot moves along at a good pace, but the author manages to develop the characters so they become friends to the reader.

Although the book contains a terrorist plot, readers are not subjected to horrific details.  There are themes of forgiveness, love, and loyalty.  And of course, the author leaves the ending open enough so that another book may follow.

  It was fun to pay another visit to Lavender Tides.  Excerpts from Ellie’s blog were an added bonus and a nice touch.  Colleen’s fans and fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this one, and look forward to the sequel.

Complicated romance by Francine Rivers

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

Roman Velasco and Grace Moore have much in common, but they don’t yet know it.  He is an artist and she is a single mother.  He needs a personal assistant and she needs a job to support herself and her child.  She becomes his employee and their relationship is difficult.  Both have secrets from the past that shadow their present.  Only God’s grace can set them free

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Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors.  She uses her trademark skills in storytelling to create a beautiful story of love and redemption.  Her characters are multi-faceted and develop over the course of the story.  They are easy to relate to and I missed them when I finished the book.

The plot had some unexpected twists, but was not completely a surprise.  I knew the 2 main characters would find each other in the end.  However, along the way, the readers and characters learned what it means to trust God and to seek Him above all others.

I loved the healing and redemption that took place in this novel and the way that God used their pasts for good.  This is a book that offers hope that God’s grace will change a person’s life.  Readers who enjoy a complicated but everything-turns-out-alright romance will enjoy this book. 

More Excellent Biblical fiction from Mesu Andrews

Miriam by Mesu Andrews

This is the story of Miriam, Moses’ sister, as told by Mesu Andrews.  She begins the tale when Moses returns to the Israelites who are slaves in Egypt.  Miriam has not seen her brother in 40 years.  She has been God’s prophetess since her youth.  Now she is 80 and is struggling to adapt to the recent seeming silence of God in her life.  With Moses’ return, life as Miriam knows it turns upside down.

The author has done meticulous research into the life and times of the Israelites in Egypt.  Even though I have read the biblical account multiple times, she made the story come to life.  She has put a great deal of thought into the motivation and character of each person.  Much of what she extrapolates from the biblical account into her book makes sense to me.

 

There is also much spiritual meat in the story.  Miriam, Taliah, Eleazor, Hur, Aaron and Elisheba have much to teach the reader about life, loving, and following God.  The lessons are clear, but the book is not preachy.  I finished the book encouraged to trust God more and anxious to read the biblical account again.

This book was well-written.  The characters were well-developed and easy to relate to.  The plot, although not continually heart-pounding, did have some taut suspense.  It was a book that I heartily recommend to readers of biblical fiction, and to those who desire a greater appreciation for Israel’s slavery and exodus from Egypt.  I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for this, my honest review. 

Christian satire from Babylon Bee

How to be a Perfect Christian by the Babylon Bee

Okay, let’s just say that this book is a little sarcastic.  It contains advice on how to attain Christian perfection by attending the right church—the one that recognizes you as the spiritual super star that you are.  Also included are chapters on worshiping like a pro and fighting on the front lines of the culture war.  In short, there is everything that you, as an up and coming perfect Christian, need to know.  And the book helps you gauge your growth via the  included holiness progress tracker 5000 that gauges your progress against Satan, Judas, Cain, David, the Apostle Paul, Job, John the Baptist and Jesus!  Oh, look, you already passed up Judas because you are reading this review!

This book is not for the thin-skinned.  It pokes fun at a lot of things Christians hold dear.  But as I read, I kept in mind the source.  And some of the points were thought-provoking.  Actually, the sarcasm began to grow old after the first couple of chapters, but because I was so motivated to attain perfection, I read on!  You, too, can attain this blissful state, especially if you read this book.  I will happily loan you my copy (because I’m generous like that), which I received free from the publisher for this my honest review.  #PRHpartner

Timely Fiction by Katie Ganshert

Life After by Katie Ganshert

Tragedy on the Tracks, a bomb which exploded on a Chicago train, killed 22 innocent people.  Autumn Manning, the sole survivor, can’t seem to move past the accident.  After waking up from a coma she receives unsolicited letters from 12 year old Reese Elliott, whose mother died in the bombing.  Autumn is very surprised when Reese sends her a pair of diamond earrings owned by her mother.  As she seeks to do the right thing and return the diamond earrings, Autumn finds herself in an awkward relationship with deceased Vivian Elliott’s family.  It is a relationship that has the potential to heal her or drive her further into guilt.

I thought this book was very well-written.  The characters were engaging.  The plot was well-paced.  The topic was timely.  The author left me wanting to read more.  I enthusiastically recommend this book.   I received a digital copy from the publisher in exchange for this, my honest review.   

Timely, well-written novel by a new-to-me author

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

My one main regret about this novel is that I read a digital copy which I cannot share, because this is definitely a book to recommend and pass along to reading friends.  I think a paperback copy to loan out will find a permanent place on my book shelf.

Katie Ganshert details the lives of three different women in a school district.  Jen, an adoptive mother of a girl from an African country, Camille, an active mom of three children, and Anaya, an African American who is a first year teacher in an affluent school district.  The author portrays the struggles they share:  a challenged marriage, difficulties in adoption, racism, diabetes and even sexual harassment.

Ganshert weaves a complex, multi-layered tale that mirrors real life problems.  Her characters are real and relatable.  By the end of the book, each character experiences growth and hope.

My one disappointment was that although the women would have claimed to be believers, Christianity didn’t seem to impact their behavior very much.  The church or the Bible didn’t seem very relevant to the answers to the problems they faced despite having Bible study groups pray or verses occasionally quoted.  And maybe this is part of the problem:  a vibrant faith isn’t impacting problems in society today.

Katie Ganshert brings these challenges to the forefront in a powerful way by using fiction.  It is my hope that this book will stimulate conversation and change.  She has given me much to ponder.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this, my honest review.

Well-researched Biblical fiction

Isaiah’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews

Little Ishma sees the devastation of Old Testament war first hand when her family is destroyed by Israel’s invading army.  She is taken captive and travels to Jerusalem where she is taken in by the prophet Isaiah’s family.  Because of Isaiah’s position as royal tutor, she grows up with Hezekiah, the crown prince of Judah.  After many years, she marries him, her life-long best friend and sweetheart.  She learns more and more to trust her God as she navigates the tension between being married to the king and being the daughter of God’s prophet.

This is a beautifully written love story based on the biblical facts of Hezekiah and Isaiah’s life from the Old Testament.  The author has carefully researched the culture and history of the time.  She uses the facts to flesh out the story of Hezekiah, Isaiah and Ishma or Hepzibah.

 Even though they live in a different time, they face the same struggles as God’s people today.  Hepzibah grows in her faith and learns to trust God for his timing.  Hezekiah learns to lean on God for wisdom to rule his kingdom in difficult times.  Through their lives they come to love others—even difficult people.

As a reader, it was interesting to peek into the marriages of some biblical heroes.  Although the Bible doesn’t tell us much about these relationships, the author demonstrates enough knowledge of human nature to be able to present very realistic challenges that Hepzibah, Hezekiah, and Isaiah would have faced.  One of my biggest disappointments in reading this book was finding out that Manasseh, the long-awaited son of Hezekiah and Hepzibah, was one of Judah’s most evil kings.  Because of this book, I will read portions of the Old Testament with a different insight.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.  I regret that having read it on my ipad, I have no paper copy to share.  I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.   

     

Third book in the If I Run series

If I Live by Terri Blackstock

Casey Cox is still on the run, but her pursuers are closing in.  More people will be killed to keep the truth hidden.  Can she stay alive long enough to tell her story?

This is the third of the If I Run books, a series that I heartily recommend for fans of Christian romantic suspense.  Terri Blackstock makes this book as riveting as the preceding two.  The same characters star in this book, but by now they are beloved friends or despised enemies, depending on their personalities.  The action is just as exciting, the plots twists as unexpected, and the conclusion just as satisfying as either of the other two.

 

Because of her writing, characters, plot, and message, this is a book that is sure to please her fans.  I enthusiastically recommend this series and this book.  I received a free copy from the publisher for my  honest review.    

Unique Christian fiction

No Less Days by Amanda Stevens

David Galloway owns a bookstore and leads a quiet life on purpose until he reads about a daredevil who has fallen a thousand feet from a tightrope and lives.  He starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together and suddenly his quiet life begins to spiral out of control. 

  The author sets up unlikely but fascinating circumstances and brings her readers face to face with some uncomfortable questions about life, immortality, and death.  What would it be like to be immortal?  Would immortals yearn after death?

This book could be the beginning of a series.  The story piqued my interest and I wondered what would happen to David, Tatiana, and the other immortals.  With immortal characters, the storyline could be unending!

I enjoyed getting to know the characters and found much to admire about David and Tatiana.  I appreciated David’s character and his desire to live a righteous life.  Tatiana added some spice to the story.  I am curious as to how their relationship may develop.

I enjoyed this book.  I would definitely read another by the author.  Readers who enjoy Christian fiction with a bit of a twist will enjoy this.  I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.      

Historical Fiction with a Surreal Twist

What Blooms from Dust by James Markert

Jeremiah Goodbye walks away from prison and his penalty for murder when the electric chair malfunctions and a tornado blows down the building.  Along the way he ends up adopting an unusual young boy, and with the flip of a coin, he heads home to settle a score with his twin brother.  Meanwhile, his hometown is being devastated by the dust bowl.  Neither the townspeople nor his brother are happy to see him. Jeremiah and the boy seem to be the only ones who can rescue the town from its fate.  But will the town let him?

Fans of Billy Coffey will enjoy this book, which struck me as being a bit unusual.  The author paints a surreal picture of the unfolding events.  Although some of the book was rooted in history, much of it seemed like a nightmare.

The characters, especially Jeremiah, were fascinating. I kept reading, hoping to understand his motivation better.  Peter was another one who kept me wondering.  I also found Jeremiah’s father unusual.

 

The plot was fast-paced and even a bit confusing at times, adding to the nightmare-like quality of the book.  It was unpredictable and surprised me at every turn.

There was a lot of symbolism in the book, and it should foster lively book club discussions.  The book’s message was different than I had expected.

Even though this was an unusual book, it hooked me from the beginning to try and understand it.  Readers who want something different should try it.  I received a copy from the publisher for my honest review.       

Encouragement for the Hopeless

The Rescue, Seven People.  Seven Amazing Stories by Jim Cymbala with Ann Spangler

Feeling hopeless?  Read this book.  Nothing is impossible for the God of the universe who loves you and can change your life forever.  These seven people, before God’s touch, were at the bottom of any list of those most likely to live a meaningful life.  That touch is available to you and me.  Jim Cymbala shares these stories of hope to encourage others that a life of joy and peace is available to everyone, no matter the circumstances.

Excellent Biblical Historical Fiction

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

The Hebrew people are settling into their new land, with some cities yet to be conquered.  Moriyah, a vintner’s daughter in Shiloh, leads a sheltered existence, hiding from those around her because of her previous captivity in Jericho.  There, she was branded with the mark of Canaanite gods and her shame locks her away from her community.  Her father desires to provide her with a stable future and arranges a marriage to a widower desiring a mother for his two sons.  Although she is not in favor of the marriage, she submits to the idea and plans a dinner to welcome them into her family.  While the father and his boys are in her home, a terrible tragedy changes the course of her life and everyone surrounding her.  She must flee for her life.  Along the way she will encounter more dangers than she has dreamed of, and will be separated from those she loves.  Yahweh must have a plan, but will it cost her life?

The author creates a very real set of characters that captured my attention.  They were multi-faceted, and satisfyingly complex with both admirable qualities and flaws.  They intertwined themselves around my heart and I look forward to seeing them again in future books.

The plot hardly allowed any time for me to catch my breath, racing from one dangerous situation to the next.  Although parts of it could be guessed, the author included many surprises and kept me engaged as a reader until the end.  Even then, I am hoping for another book to answer my questions about what  happened in Moriyeh’s future.

The author’s writing style is very read-able and very descriptive.  I could easily picture the different settings in my mind. Included in her style is her ability to educate the reader about life in Israel’s early history.  I learned much about the culture and geography of Moriyeh’s day.  Cossette has done copious research to make her stories accurate.  It definitely pays off in how the book resonates with scripture.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to others who enjoy historical fiction.  I anticipate her next book in the Cities of Refuge series.  I am grateful to the publisher who gave me a free copy in exchange for this, my honest review.

 

Amazing Story by Charles Martin

Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin

Joseph, a Viet Nam vet, has been beaten down by life.  His father left his family when he was a boy.  He is estranged from his brother.  He has served well in the military and returns to a country who despises him.  His girl did not wait for him and married another man.  He lives by himself in a secluded cabin, but is called upon to rescue an abused mother and her 2 children from a Mexican drug lord.  He helps them get to family and then leaves them to meander by his hometown, which he hasn’t visited in years.  While there, he reconnects with an old girlfriend, Allie, who has just tragically lost her husband.  But his death is not what it seems and she and Joseph work to solve the mystery.  As events progress we learn the pasts of Jo-jo and Allie. Although he thinks he has found happiness, his heart has been damaged by the past.  Nothing, or so he thinks, can change that.  

This book grabbed me by the throat and hung on until the last page.  It was a masterfully-told, multi-layered story covering forgiveness, love, second chances, loyalty, self-sacrifice and deceit.  The characters were thoroughly explored.  The plot twists were amazing and I often didn’t know what to believe about Joseph, the main character.  Although this book contains a romance, it has enough action in it to satisfy the suspense reader in me.   I heartily recommend it.   I read a digital arc in exchange for this my honest review.  

New Suspense Series from Colleen Coble

The View from Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble

The little town of Lavender Tides has seen some unsolved murders.  Shauna, a grieving widow, must team up with Zach, her dead husband’s best friend and the man she blames for his death, to solve them before harm comes to anyone else.  In the middle of the puzzle is a unique necklace belonging to her dead mother.  How did her friend Clarence, who was murdered, come to possess the necklace that she thought was buried with her mother?  And what part does it play in the events surrounding the deaths? 

This book was suspense laced with romance, with a pretty good balance that kept me reading.   I enjoyed the plot’s twists and turns.  The characters were interesting, and I liked learning about their pasts.  There were parts of the plot that I found improbable.  All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I could see where the author kept the storyline open for a sequel, as not all the questions she raised were answered.  It will be fun to see where she takes the story in the next book.  I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.     

Romantic legal suspense

Imperfect Justice by Cara Putman

Emilie Wesley is a lawyer for women experiencing domestic abuse.  She has almost helped Kaylene escape her controlling husband when something goes terribly wrong.  Emilie gets word that Kaylene is dead and has killed one of her daughters as well.  Emilie can’t believe that this is the true explanation for what happened.  Enter Reid, Kaylene’s younger brother.  A successful investor, he feels guilty for not knowing and becoming involved in Kaylene’s struggle.  But he is determined to rescue his remaining niece, Kinley, if at all possible.  He and Emilie join forces to attempt the impossible.

Although this legal suspense novel had more romance in it than I expected, it was an engrossing read with a few plot-twists along the way.  I liked that this novel focused on Emilie and her relationships, but still included Hayden and Andrew from the first book.  The author gave some hints that there might be another romance budding in the sequel—maybe between Brandon and Caroline, who were supporting characters in this book.

There were several plot threads, which kept my interest.  Not all of them were pertinent to the book’s conclusion, though, and I found myself wondering why the author had included them.  Although not everything was explained to my satisfaction, and the justice was imperfect, the conclusion was satisfying.  Cara Putman’s fans will not be disappointed.  I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.  

Companion Book to Child of the River by Irma Joubert

The Crooked Path by Irma Joubert

Irma Joubert writes a hopeful story of love, loss, and second chances in the World War 2 era, set both in Italy and South Africa.  Her characters are very real.  The story flows well despite taking place over long periods of time.  She portrays a slice of life that many American readers will find eye-opening. 

I fell in love with the characters and loved the fact that I had met some of them in a previous book, Child of the River.  Lettie is someone many women will find familiar.  She works hard to prove herself and learns to accept herself.  She blossoms through time.

 

The story covers many years, through both dark and bright times.  The plot moves along quickly enough so that it keeps the reader interested. 

Joubert brings to light the hardships that many people faced during World War 2.  She paints a grim reality but uses a broad brush and allows readers to fill in the details.

I would love to read another of her books.  Her characters wrap themselves around your heart.  I found myself wondering what was happening to Lettie after the book ended.

Readers of historical fiction will especially enjoy this story.  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.  

New to me Romance Author

Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Zoe is living her dream of being a musician when she is called back home by her Granny’s death.  She has been gone for five years and plans to attend the funeral one day  and return to Nashville the next.  However, her Granny’s will holds a surprise—she is now the owner of the family peach orchard.  In a surprising turn of events, she decides to stay and run the orchard in Granny’s memory.  She hopes to avoid the man who broke her heart five years ago, but as it turns out, he is now the orchard’s manager.  Can the orchard survive and can Zoe remain there with the painful memories of her first love?

This is not the type of book that I usually read, but how could I resist when I took part in a survey to determine the book’s cover?  It was an easy read, not really a surprising one, but I did enjoy it.  Although I didn’t identify much with Zoe, the plot twists did make me want to find out what would happen to the characters.  The author left room for another book, perhaps featuring some secondary characters.

If you enjoy a pleasant story line with a not-too-surprising ending, I think you will enjoy this book.  I received a free copy from the fiction guild and this is my honest review.

Austen-like novel set in the present

The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay

I don’t believe that I have ever read any of Jane Austen’s books, but that didn’t prohibit me from enjoying this book, set in Bath, England, in a regency manor.  Two childhood best friends go on an Austen Escape to experience life as it would have been for an Austen character.  While there exploring the past, they come to terms with their present lives and change their futures.

Katherine Reay writes in a very readable style, and although I am more a fan of suspense than romance, I enjoyed this book.  The characters had interesting quirks and well-written personalities.  Mary was one of my favorites, although I did not understand why she put up with Isabel.  As the story progressed, I grew to like and understand Isabel better.  This experience turned out to be life-changing for both women.

The book had themes of friendship, love, personal growth—but I did find a spiritual emphasis missing.  It was a good, clean read, although I was surprised that part of it was set in a bar.  If a reader is looking for an Austen-like novel heavy on relationships and personal growth, this is a great book!  I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.

Timely Legal Novel

A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

Adisa Johnson, a young African-American attorney finds herself back in her hometown in the center of a crisis as a young man from her community lies in a hospital fighting for his life.  The white police officer who shot him needs legal representation and Adisa must confront her prejudices and those of her community to help him.  Her budding relationship with the out-spoken preacher who demands justice in the situation, only complicates matters.

This timely novel demands that we put aside our prejudices and pursue justice, love and reconciliation—no easy task.

For the most part, I thought the plot was interesting though predictable.   It did have a satisfying twist at the end, which surprised me.  The results played out in the community a little too perfectly, but it made for a great ending.

The characters were grew and developed within the story.  Aunt Josie was well-written and familiar.  Adisa was a little harder for me to relate to.  I think the characters could support a sequel, especially if the author developed the relationship between Adisa and Reggie.

Fans of Robert Whitlow will enjoy this even if it is a bit predictable.  I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.