Charles Martin's Latest:

The Water Keeper by Charles Martin

Murphy Shepherd is more than the simple, solitary caretaker that he appears.  When Angel, an under-age trafficked girl crosses his path, it puts his life on a trajectory that even he doesn’t expect.

Murphy is a classic Charles Martin hero--- tough exterior, tender inside, wounded, but always honorable.  He made me wish that such a person really existed to be the hero that so many pine for today.

This book had lots to keep the reader engaged.  The plot was always shifting.  Murphy kept pulling out unexpected surprises.  And the author kept surprising me, too.  The characters, especially Murphy, continued to reveal more about themselves and their past.  There was always something happening to draw the reader in.  It worked on me as I finished this book in a weekend.

I have read several of Martin’s other books and appreciate his wholesome writing.  This book was the same, despite dealing with the difficult subject of sex trafficking.  I did wonder why he didn’t include any information regarding organizations rescuing children from this horror.  I think his audience would have been receptive to that.

If you are a Charles Martin fan, put this on the top of your TBR pile today!  If you have yet to read one of his books, start with this one—because you can’t go wrong.  Both men and women readers will enjoy this.  There is enough action and romance for either.  I am grateful to the publisher for a free copy, for this my honest review.

Christian Speculative Fiction

From Sky to Sky by Amanda Stevens

Amanda Stevens continues the story that she left off in No Less Days.  This book centers on Zac, the daredevil of the group.  He is desperately trying to keep his family of longevities together and protect them from someone who may be targeting them for death.

 

There are several reasons I enjoyed this book.  The author keeps the plot moving with lots of snappy and often sarcastic dialogue.  She raises thought-provoking questions about what it must be like to be immortal and outlive all of your friends and family.  The characters are well drawn and relatable with both strengths and weaknesses.  They also grow and develop over the course of the story.

The story leaves room for a sequel, and I look forward to learning more about the characters’ lives and having some of my questions answered.

I received a free copy from the publisher for this, my honest review.

Complex Fiction by Michele Phoenix

Fragments of Light by Michele Phoenix

Why should you read this book?  For a myriad of reasons!  Many women will identify with the struggle of Ceelia Donovan’s cancer treatment.  Others will appreciate the difficulty that the disease brought on in her marriage.  Still others will enjoy the historical fiction aspect of World War 2 that the author fleshes out.  For me, it was because I have loved Michele Phoenix’s writing.

  This book addresses issues hidden in many women’s hearts.  It is both complex and intense.  The author explores the meaning of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

 I loved the resolution of both Ceelia Donovan’s story and Cal’s story. The author made me feel some of the angst that Cal must have felt to make his life-altering decisions. I am not sure that his daughter was wrong to feel bitter about her absent father.  I found myself greatly admiring Cal’s wife whoA managed to live her life free from bitterness.

The author paced the plot so that the suspense was maintained.  The transfer of the story from past to present was easily handled and simple for the reader to follow. 

This book is a must-read for those who enjoy women’s fiction or historical fiction which grapples with serious life issues.  I am grateful to the author for a free copy for this, my honest review. 

Michigan Stars in This Book

The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels

Robin Windsor is a fourteen-year-old girl who has lost both of her high profile parents to prison.  She is sent to live with her estranged grandmother and eccentric parrot in a house trailer at the edge of a cemetery.  She adjusts to the change remarkably well, perhaps due to the unique friendship she strikes up with Peter Flynt.  They both love books and he reads them and passes them along to her.  The books play a prominent part in her life, and re-surface at a critical point in her later life.

This book had lots that I loved:  a bookstore, quirky characters (including a temperamental parrot), an art prize project, and the setting in a Michigan city.  The captivating plot switched between the past and present, but that only added to the story’s suspense.  I also loved the development of the characters, and learning what had shaped them.  The unique parts of the plot added to my fascination, such as Robin’s parents being in prison, and her “lost years” spent at Lake Superior. The book’s resolution was satisfying.

My disappointments were few.  The book ended too quickly and I wanted to see more of Robin’s spiritual journey.  The author left some questions unanswered, so perhaps there might be a sequel.  I would definitely read it! 

Erin Bartels was a new author to me, but I plan to check out any other books she has written.  I am grateful to the publisher for the free digital copy in exchange for this, my honest review. 

Continuation of Isaiah's lineage

Isaiah’s Legacy by Mesu Andrews

King Manessah of Judah was one of the most notorious kings mentioned in the Old Testament.  His life is the subject of Isaiah’s Legacy, a novel of prophets and kings.  Andrews continues the tale of King Hezekiah and Queen Hepzibah and their godly rule of Judah, which she began in Isaiah’s Daughter.  What puzzles readers of the Old Testament is why a godly king would have such an evil son.  The author has her reasons, which she develops within the context of what scripture tells us.

Her characters have depth and personality.  I both loved and hated King Manessah.  Shulle, his wife, especially seemed very complex in her ambivalent feelings toward her king husband in different parts of the story.  Zibah, the Queen Mother was a character to admire.  Her testimony shone throughout the book.

This story gave me much to ponder.  How would I respond to a husband or son who had such a blatant disregard for the laws of God or the lives of others?  How would I live in a culture that was so adamantly opposed to the God that I loved and served?  How would I survive if my husband or son were imprisoned in a foreign country for a decade?  How would I love my son if he cold-heartedly sawed my father asunder?  Hepzibah dealt with these issues and others--and lived a grace-filled life.  Although it was a dark time in her country’s history, she remained faithful and God honored her faithfulness.

This book was well-written, although it contained many dark topics.  They were handled sensitively, but still gave the reader a sense of the difficulty of the times.  A thread of hope wound its way through the story and made me want to read the passages about Manesseh in the Bible.  Readers who enjoy Biblical fiction will appreciate this book—even those who haven’t yet read Isaiah’s Daughter.

I was part of the author’s launch team and given this book in exchange for this, my honest review.