Illusion by Frank Peretti

Dane and Mandy Collins are a very-much-in-love couple who have successfully made their living as magicians. Just as they retire, Mandy is killed in a tragic automobile accident. As Dane struggles to adjust to his loss, he meets a young woman who reminds him of his wife at age 20. She, too, is a magician with remarkable illusions. As the story progresses, we get to know Eloise and to understand what has happened to her. Gradually we come to understand that she is Dane’s wife, but that something astounding has happened to her. Dane continues to seek for the answers to this puzzle, but they don’t come easily.

Peretti writes of an interesting concept regarding time. Much of the scientific explanation, even in layman’s terms escaped me, but it didn’t cause the story to falter. I found that the story was a bit too long for my liking—I think he could have shortened it up a bit and not lost the punch. At times, I was tempted to quit the book, but I did want to know how he resolved it. His explanation did make some of the pieces of the book fit together. If you enjoy Peretti’s style and a science fiction read, you would probably like this book. I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell

Millie Reynolds, a young girl in a small town in Mississippi, dreams of a better life for herself and her mother. Trapped in a difficult situation with an abusive father and a struggling mother, she longs for the strength to change her life. Then, her father is killed and her mother dies and Millie is left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. She hopes to understand her mother’s depression and her father’s abuse. She seeks answers in a long-buried box of her mother’s, but it raises more questions than answers. She is offered a job at the rodeo where her father died and discovers that she has a natural ability with horses. Now she must choose between two men who love her and decide the course of her life. Will she let life shatter her or will she find healing?

Julie Cantrell writes a riveting book which deals with many difficult issues that much of Christian fiction ignores. Abuse, rape, bitterness, and forgiveness are woven together in a redemptive way in this beautifully written novel. She shows religiosity for what it is and true grace-laced faith for what it is. I eagerly anticipate reading the sequel to this novel. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins

Amaryllis, Mississippi, is a small town, where in the past 3 years 5 unsolved murders have terrified its population. All the victims were women who lived alone and each was killed in similar fashion while asleep in bed. But when the sixth murder occurs, 3 of the women of the town suspect 3 different men to be the murderer. Cherrie Mae, Tully and Deena join forces to solve the crimes. After examining the evidence and piecing the events together, they are certain they know who the killer is. But they find out that they were wrong and come face to face with the killer as he targets one of them.

The plot in this book moves along quickly, and I enjoyed it, but I found the character development a bit lacking. I didn’t feel that I really got to know the three women, which left me a bit detached as a reader. I did enjoy the surprise ending, though. If you enjoy a plot that moves swiftly and want some easy and entertaining reading with a surprise ending, you would enjoy this book. I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

Audrey Woods and her husband Pastor Geoff have just been asked to leave their church. They decide to remain in their small town and open a bakery to capitalize on a love of bread baking. As Audrey comes to work early one morning, she collides with a motor scooter in dense fog. Even though it is obvious that the scooter driver has been injured, there is no sign of her. The missing woman’s husband is the town detective and the person that masterminded Audrey and Geoff’s ouster at the church. He is convinced that Audrey has murdered his wife, Julie, and hidden her body. As the police department’s frustration grows at not being able to find Julie, her husband takes matters into his own hands. Audrey must act quickly in order to find Julie and to rescue her husband and son.

This book was a very enjoyable read. The plot moved along and kept me interested. I found the characters to be very real, even though it was obvious that they represented different types of believers in Christ. The author’s message of grace and humility versus legalism and unforgiveness was plain to see. The ending, although it did not completely satisfy my curiosity, left me with hope for the characters. I would highly recommend this book for its writing and the story line. This is my honest opinion and I thank the publisher for this free copy.

Rooms by James Rubart

The main character, Micah Taylor is a very successful software engineer. He has started his own company and lives his life in the fast lane. Completely unexpectedly, his strange Uncle Archie leaves him a mansion overlooking the ocean. This is no ordinary home, however. The rooms of his home reveal what is in his heart. Micah must decide where his true life is—as a software engineer or as a follower of Christ. He is given a rare gift—the ability to see what changes occur as a result of his actions and decisions.

It is an interesting concept that leaves the reader with much to think about. At first the writing style put me off and I was tempted not to finish the book. The author did take quite a bit of time developing the plot, but once I got into the book a bit, I wanted to see how it turned out. The twists in the plot did catch me by surprise and kept me interested. I do wish, however, that the ending had been a little more specific. This book would be a good read for those who like science fiction combined with some romance. The publisher gave me a free copy to read and this is my honest opinion.

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry

Chris Fabry writes an excellent novel about Truman Wiley and his struggle to be the husband and father his family needs. As a journalist, Truman has traveled extensively and interviewed many news worthy subjects. As a father and husband he has failed his family by gambling away their resources and abandoning them. When he is at his lowest point in his career and his son is dying in the hospital, Tru is offered the opportunity of writing a book about a convicted murderer on death row. This convict, Terrell, has agreed to donate his heart to Tru’s son. As Truman investigates the murder in order to write the book, he begins to uncover evidence which leads him to question Terrell’s conviction. These questions carry him into danger personally and professionally. His decisions may cost either his son’s or Terrell’s life.
I have read a couple of Mr. Fabry’s novels and enjoyed them. This one was no exception. I appreciate his writing style and humor. The characters are well-fleshed out. The plot and Truman’s struggles kept me reading. Even though I was disgusted at Truman’s choices during some of the story, I came to appreciate him for his humanity. I give Mr. Fabry kudos for his treatment of sin and sinners in a way that shows sin for what it is and yet makes readers able to identify with the sinners. I devoured this book in less than three days and highly recommend it. The publisher provided me with this free book and this is my honest review. This book is scheduled for publication in April.

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.