Comforting Devotional by Joni Tada

A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and CEO of Joni and Friends, writes honestly about life and suffering.  In her down to earth way, she encourages the readers to let God’s light shine through them every day.   Focusing on a daily scripture verse, her devotionals begin with a common word picture or experience and draw the reader into the heart of her point.  She closes with a heartfelt prayer.

The book is well-written and grounded in God’s word. It accomplishes the goal of encouraging readers to glorify God despite their suffering.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading the daily entries and heartily recommend this book to anyone wanting some encouragement through life’s difficult journey.     

A Story of Life and Death by Billy Coffey

Some Small Magic by Billy Coffey

Abel Shifflett is a most unusual child, but he feels overlooked by his peers and is picked on by the school bully.  Because of his latest plot to take revenge on Chris, the bully, he has exasperated his mother.  Shortly afterwards he unwittingly thwarts her only plan to be able to pay a few bills and finally get a bit ahead.  He feels guilty and hopes to change their situation.  On the basis of a word he received from a traveling healer, he decides to find his missing father.  On this journey with his friend, Dumb Willie, and a hobo he names Dorothy, he learns much about life and death.

I appreciate the author’s writing style.  Coffey’s novels are set in the small southern town of Mattingly, with a glimpse of the supernatural in them, and this one is no exception.  His prose is easy to read.  His convoluted plot keeps readers guessing and reading.  He gently leads the reader along and reveals the story layer upon layer.  His characters are richly drawn and flawed yet lovable, which was a bit surprising once all is revealed in this novel.  This book was absorbing and thought-provoking.  If you are looking for a different kind of southern fiction, this book is one that you will enjoy.     

Romantic Suspense by Colleen Coble

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

(A Sunset Cove Novel)

This book is Coble’s third in the Sunset Cove series, however, she gives enough information regarding the characters’ pasts to enable the reader to enjoy the book.  Kate Mason, the main character, has returned home to care for her family’s blueberry barrens.  She happens upon some hard times and must resort to renting out a cottage for additional income.  Drake Newham, in town with his two nieces, is investigating his brother and sister-in-law’s untimely deaths.  He agrees to rent the cottage and their lives become entwined through their search for truth.

Although Colleen Coble is an author in her own right, fans of Karen Kingsbury will find much to like in this novel.  The characters are people you might like to have as your neighbors (even though they are all either handsome or beautiful.)  The story is well-paced and keeps the reader’s attention through a few plot twists.  The ending was satisfying, although not entirely unexpected, but left enough unanswered questions for the next book.  All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but a little less suspenseful and full of more romance than I usually prefer.  I’m sure many readers will enjoy it and want to read the complete series.

The Knife-Edge Balance Between Ministry and Family

Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix

This book recounts the story of Lauren’s life and marriage.  Her journey to becoming the mother her son needed and the wife that her husband didn’t expect.  Her journey startled me.  It caused me to rethink God’s calling and how a family responds to that.  It caused me to see the knife-edge balance that the called must walk between vocation and family.  I wanted desperately for this beautifully written story to have a happy ending, but it didn’t.

The story rang true on many levels.  The author captured the pain of a wife who had lost her husband to God’s call.  It clearly expressed the pain a mother experiences when her child turns against her.  It paints a desperate picture of a child in agony.  It also showed the single-mindedness of a man who ignores his family in pursuit of God.

This is an eye-opening story.  I am sorry for the shattered lives it represents, but glad that the author had the courage and the grace to recount this story.  It is a worthy read and one that those in Christian service should consider reading.  I received this book free from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

  

Novel with a Grim Financial Warning

The Domino Effect by Davis Bunn

Davis Bunn’s novel warns readers of a coming financial collapse. The main character, Esther Larsen, child prodigy and now grown-up stock market analyst makes a horrifying discovery.  Using her intellect and experience in the stock market, she begins to warn others of her concerns.  The question is:  can one person do anything to prevent the coming crash?

Bunn’s writing was clear, but the story seemed a thinly veiled excuse for a warning.  The characters weren’t as developed as I would have liked, and the plot wasn’t one that kept the reader guessing.  I got lost in much of the financial gibberish.  This is not to say that a more financially savvy reader wouldn’t have appreciated the book more than I did.  However, I was reading for the literary value and not the underlying warning.

I made myself finish the book and was glad I did because it did have a hopeful outcome.  However, I don’t think I would be eager to read a sequel.  This is not to say that he is not a good author, but one whose writing style didn’t click with me.  I received this free book in return for my honest review, which I have given. 

Riveting crime/suspense novel by Carrie Stuart Parks

When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

This book was compelling.  I could not stop reading and I couldn’t seem to read fast enough!  The main character is Gwen Marcey, a forensic artist that Parks introduced in a previous novel.  She is sent to investigate a murder in Kentucky, which leads to her undercover involvement in a snake-handling and poison-drinking church.  Someone is murdering the parishioners.  Gwen must solve the murders to protect the innocent.  She must also stay one step ahead of those wanting to make sure she doesn’t live to reveal any secrets.  With no one to trust, she must keep looking over her shoulder and suspect everyone.

Park’s characters are interesting and well-drawn.  I was constantly trying to guess who the “bad” guy was because the story’s landscape was constantly shifting.  Parks had me fooled!  The setting and elements of the plot were fascinating.  The ending wasn’t entirely unexpected, but was still satisfying.  The plot kept accelerating towards the end of the story.  I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy a different twist on crime and suspense.  Parks has become one of my new favorite authors.  I think others will enjoy her books, too.  The publisher gave me a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.  

Second Book in the Newsmakers Novels by Lis Weihl

The Candidate by Lis Weihl

I found this book to be far better than The Newsmakers, her first book in this series.  The main character, Erica Sparks, is the same.  She now has custody of her daughter Jenny, but is finding it difficult to balance the demands of her work and the challenges of motherhood, while trying to pursue a very demanding career during the election season.

Weihl uses Erica’s dilemma to introduce a few new characters, which heighten the reader’s suspicions and add a rabbit trail that leads nowhere.  The plot was easy to follow, but was intense enough that it kept the reader involved.  The ending was a surprise for the most part.

There were, however, a couple of times when the storyline seemed a bit far-fetched to me.  Erica’s escape and President Ortiz’s brainwashing were a little beyond the realm of possibility.

However, the story was very entertaining and I would recommend it for any readers who enjoy suspense, although not necessarily Christian suspense as there is no mention of faith or God in the book.  I thank the publisher for giving  me a free copy for my honest review.