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.