Constantly Twisting Plot Makes for Riveting Read

Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle

 

Christina Robin Duncan is an ex-marine who has a goal.  She wants to care for her ailing niece who needs an expensive medical operation.  The best way to earn some cash is to take an assignment in the Congo to find the terrorist who is raising a guerrilla rebellion against the efforts of her employer, Ares Solutions, to mine molybdenum.  But when she arrives, she is surprised to learn that a former marine buddy, Michael Stewart, is also nearby as part of Doctors Without Borders.  They had last seen each other when he was medevacking her injured brother from Afghanistan.  Michael's promise to her to keep her brother alive had been broken.  But nothing is as it seems and Chris is thrust into a dangerous situation where the truth may kill her.

 

Jeanette Windle has written a carefully researched and suspenseful novel.  Although it was a bit difficult to get hooked on this book, once I was, the pendulum swings and constant shifting of the plot kept me off balance and reading.  Her writing is easily read and yet covers some meaty topics like suffering, sin and God's love.  Her main characters express their (and I assume the author's, as well) biblical viewpoints in well-thought-out ways.  Their viewpoints give the reader much to ponder.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, its plot, its well-drawn characters and the setting.  I heartily recommend it.  The publisher provided a free copy for this review and this is my honest review. 

A Fresh Take on Grace

Dirty God by Johnnie Moore

 “Jesus’ love and Jesus’ grace are so great it’s scandalous—too much to bear, and too easy to get, and that’s why it’s always been so controversial,”writes Johnnie Moore.   His book addresses a centuries’ old concept in a fresh and balanced approach. He says  that grace is not freedom to live life the way we want.  It is not cheap grace, but rather costly grace that persuades us to flesh out Jesus’ love to others.

This book is well-written and thought -provoking.  It changed the way I viewed my relationship to God.  It caused me to savor the grace offered to me and to want to give it away to others.  The author also deals with the abuse of grace, which he calls one of the most dangerous illnesses within the body of Christ today.   This review is a poor reflection of the impact this book has.  Read the book!  I thank the publisher for the free copy that I received and this is my honest opinion.  

Well-written book on suffering

Glorious Ruin by Tullian Tchividjian

The problem of suffering grasps most of us around the throat at some point in our lives.  Tullian Tchividjian, author and pastor, says it is not a question of why but rather who?  Most of the questions we ask, like Job’s, are beyond us.  Instead of trying to moralize (find the why) or minimize (my pain isn’t that bad) our suffering, we should dwell on the presence of our suffering Savior, who understands our pain.

Tullian Tchividjian takes a fresh, compelling and compassionate look at suffering.  He uses examples from his own life and from the lives of others, including Job.  His book takes an honest look at our pain and helps us to use it to seek comfort from our Savior.  This book gives new insight into ministering to others in painful circumstances.  It is a must read for everyone who has ever suffered or ever will suffer.  I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

New Christian Sci-Fi

Asylum  The Circea Tales by Ashley Hodges Bazer

Captain Chase Leighton, a member of the rebel Ghosts, has been fighting against the cruel forces of the Legacy.  He and his wife, Trista will soon celebrate their first wedding anniversary when disaster strikes.  While sent out on an assignment, Trista is taken hostage by the enemy Legacy and is used as a medical experiment.  Her memories of Chase and her previous life are wiped clean and replaced with new memories and a new identity among the Legacy.  Chase is determined to rescue her, but his attempt fails and he and his crew are being held on a spaceship for the insane, undergoing shock treatments to ensure their compliance.  Will he be able to escape and rescue her, or has he lost her forever?  Will she ever remember him?

The author writes a tale with many twists and turns in a sci-fi setting.  The plot kept me reading, although the names and the abbreviations of some of the people and equipment confused me.  Ms. Bazer did not fully explain “Logia” which further added to my confusion.  However, once I deduced the meanings of the words and abbreviations, I enjoyed the story.  (She does include a glossary at the end of the book, but I wasn’t aware of it until I had finished the book.)  I would read a sequel if one is available.  If you enjoy sci-fi with a slice of romance, you will enjoy this book.  I appreciate receiving a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate

Hope Springs is the little town where Grandma Geri’s family and friends come together to support her during her cancer diagnosis.  Her family members are surprised to learn that she has hidden a secret from them for years.  In revealing it, she puts herself at risk of rejection by those she loves.  Meanwhile, her granddaughters are also dealing with difficult life lessons and encountering lost loves. 

Kim Cash Tate weaves themes of family, loyalty, love and loss throughout this book.  Not having read any of her previous books, I found it difficult to keep up with the many different characters.  Her theme of racial reconciliation was presented plainly.   However, because it was difficult to keep the characters straight, I wasn’t always sure of their racial heritage, and that made understanding the plot trickier.  Now that I have been introduced to the main characters, I would consider reading her previous books.  As a Christian author, she handles modern-day issues of sexual purity and pregnancy outside marriage sensitively.  Her characters, though flawed, learn and grow in grace from their mistakes.  The book didn’t have a “perfect “ending, but a realistic one.  I am grateful for the free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review. 

Hot Dogs and Hamburgers by Rob Shindler

 

Rob Shindler writes an inspiring story of a father’s determination to help his son learn to read.  Rob, like many fathers,  had difficulty accepting his child’s learning disability.  After he denied his son’s problems for a while, Rob determined to do something to fix the situation.  But first he must understand how to teach a person to read.  He joins a literacy organization in Chicago and begins to tutor adults how to read.  The adults love his unorthodox approach and he begins to see the inklings of success.  Through the process of teaching the adults, he realizes what it is exactly, that his son needs to do in order to read.

I loved this story.  As a teacher, this story rang true.    It was very inspiring.  Rob’s honesty about his situation is refreshing.  So is his unorthodox approach to teaching adults to read.  I applaud his determination to help his son.  This book made me want to investigate volunteer options in my own city.  I hope that Rob continues to positively impact the lives of illiterate adults.  Read this book and his story will influence your life, too.

House of Mercy by Erin Healy

 

Beth Borzoi lives on a ranch and loves animals, especially horses.  She aspires to be a vet.  Because of a freak accident involving a wolf and another rancher’s valuable horse, her family will lose their ranch and ministry.  Her father believes that her estranged grandfather, Garner Remke, holds the key to rescuing their ranch.  Shortly before her father’s death, he urges Beth to search out Garner and bring him home.  She goes in search of him on horseback, but is followed by a mysterious wolf, perhaps the same one that caused her catastrophic accident.  She manages to find Garner, but he is fighting for his life and Beth must now try to save him from probable death. 

Erin Healy is one of my favorite Christian writers.  This book had layers of plot that kept me reading, despite the fact that I am not a fan of Western novels.  The author weaves a thread of the supernatural throughout this book, and I find myself still trying to grasp the symbolism.  The book ended, but left me wanting to know more of what happened after the last page.  I hope there will be a sequel as many questions were left unanswered.  I intend to read as many as books as Erin Healy writes.  She is an excellent writer and I highly recommend her works.  My thanks to Booksneeze, which provided the free e-book for me and this is my honest review