Great plot with a touch of the supernatural

When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

This is the story of how the magic came to Leah Norcross, daughter of Tom and Ellen Norcross, new residents of Mattingly.  They were outsiders in this little town and had moved there for a new beginning.  Leah, their daughter, was very insecure, stuttering and shy.  Her parents threw a huge ninth birthday party for her and invited the whole town. Of course, Leah wanted none of it.  While she was  hiding, the Rainbow Man comes to her. He tells her things that she needs to share with others.   Because he is invisible to everyone except Leah, no one except her friend Allie believes her.   He gives Leah the ability to paint pictures that can predict the future.  She gives one to her new friend Barney at the direction of the Rainbow Man and Barney plays the numbers in the picture and wins the lotto.  Her second picture contains numbers, too, along with a devastating storm.  But unlike Barney’s picture, these numbers don’t win. They mean something else entirely.   She does her best to convince the people of the storm, but because of the numbers, very few believe her.  Most of them, including Allie shun her.  Is the Rainbow Man right?  Will there be a storm?  Can Leah convince them to believe?

I had never read any of Billy Coffey’s novels, but wanted to.  I was not disappointed.  He weaves themes of love, forgiveness, faith, hope and the possibility of change through this novel.  The touch of the supernatural kept me reading and wondering where the plot would lead.  I will say that he surprised me at the end.  This story was not at all predictable.   I would have loved to have read this with a book club to see others’ reactions to the many questions it raised.  I would definitely recommend this book and will look for his others to read in the near future. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Historial Fiction of the story of Nehemiah

Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar

The author uses research and her imagination to fill in the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.  Sarah and Darius, a young couple in an arranged marriage are summoned by the king of Persia and then sent on a mission with Nehemiah to Jerusalem.  In the royal courts in Persia and  the destroyed city of Jerusalem  they face many struggles to learn to love each other.  Sarah comes to love Darius, but he cannot admit that he loves her.  She cannot bring herself to tell him that she is pregnant with their child, which further estranges him once he does know.  How much longer can she live with a broken heart? 

Harvest of Gold is an historical fiction with a love story woven through the tale.  Tessa Afshar has done much research to present the reader with an accurate portrayal of life during the days of Nehemiah.  Using the relationship of Darius and Sarah, she paints in detail the cost of betrayal, the value of forgiveness and the necessity of faithfulness.  This book was the second in the series, but the author fills in the background for the reader so that it can be appreciated without reading the previous book.  I found the historical highlights regarding life in the king’s court and life in Jerusalem fascinating.  I would definitely consider reading another book by this author.  The publisher provided a free copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Indiana Jones meets Dan Brown in Christian suspense

Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel

Jack and Espy Hawthorne have put their archaeological adventures aside for a decade after having 2 boys, until they are given 5 minutes warning by Jack’s friend and ex-CIA operative, Ducky.  He warns them to take their boys and leave their home immediately.  A rogue CIA agent is after the bones of Elisha, which Jack and Espy buried in the desert in Australia ten years ago.  The CIA agent’s wife is dying and he is desperate to cure her and only Jack and Espy can help him retrieve the bones.  In order to convince Jack and Espy to help him, he kidnaps their 2 sons.  Thus begins the wild chase across several continents, battling powerful ancient organizations and the Mossad to procure the bones in order to free their sons from the grip of the rogue CIA agent. 

Hoesel writes an adventure tale that keeps the reading continually guessing. Although this is the second book about Elisha’s bones, it stands alone as well.  His work is meticulously researched and he creates an interesting storyline complete with many twists and turns.  His main character, Jack, is incredibly resourceful and reminds the reader of Indiana Jones.  The ancient powerful organizations and their intricate history sound something like Dan Brown would create.  If you enjoy suspense written from a Christian world view, this book should be on your list to read.  I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Dollar Store Serendipity

The Mighty Queens of Freeville

Amy Dickinson, or “Ask Amy,” as her syndicated column is known has written a memoir about her life in a small town and the extended family that raised her and her daughter.  She starts from the dissolution of her marriage and chronicles the circumstances that kept returning her and her daughter to Freeville.  She includes some of her life’s stellar moments, as well as some of the not-so-stellar ones also.  The reoccurring theme in her book is the importance of her family and her daughter.

Amy writes with understated humor and empathy.  She speaks as an ordinary mother, sister, daughter, niece and aunt.  Her transparency easily allowed me to identify with her.  Anyone who respects the importance of family will enjoy this book.  Anyone who is a mother or a daughter will give an inaudible sigh of relief seeing that despite our foibles and failures, family buoys us up and give us hope to go on.  I discovered this book at our local dollar store and certainly got more than one dollar of enjoyment from it and I think you will, too.

   

Fast-Paced Suspense

Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes

Jack and Pamela Crittendon’s idyllic life is shattered when an intruder breaks in and then begins to stalk them.  He takes their wedding picture and cuts out Jack’s picture.   He plants pornography on Jack’s computer and tries to have Jack put in prison.  Finally Pamela realizes who the stalker is and what he wants.  Meanwhile, Jack, a newspaper reporter is covering a story of a missing pastor.  As he continues to investigate this story, he uncovers facts that point to something sinister happening at the church.  While he investigates his story, Pamela disappears.  Jack will stop at nothing to find her, but can he find her in time?

Creston Mapes’ book is aptly named.  His story plays on fears common to many of us.  I found myself identifying with Pamela, Jack, Evan and Wendy and their problems.  Their Christian faith is a stronghold for them in times of trouble, but they struggle with life’s trials like the rest of us.  Because the story had 3 or even 4 story lines running concurrently, the book kept my attention.  The writing flows and carries the reader along.  I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy suspense.  I received a free copy of this digital book from the publisher and this is my honest review. 

Walsh and Smalley Marriage Metaphor

The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Marilyn Anderson has had enough.  She packs a few belongings, leaves a note where her husband  Jim will find it and leaves him after 25 years.  He has hurt her deeply, beginning at their wedding reception when he refused to dance with her.  And the hurts have continued for years as he has ignored her and treated her more like property than a person.  She doesn’t know what the future holds for her and Jim—or whether they will have a future together.  But she knows that she can’t continue to live with her harsh and selfish husband.  Jim is shocked and clueless as to why she would leave him.  Slowly he comes to understand what she has felt for years.  As he begins to change, including learning to dance, he can only hope and pray that Marilyn may change her mind and return to him.

Walsh and Smalley write a true-to-life tale of the problems many married couples face.  They use dancing as a metaphor for a couple’s relationship.  Along the way, they sprinkle to storyline with wise bits of advice and sage pieces of healthy relationship principles.  Although I had a general feel for where the story was going, the twists and turns kept me reading it.  This story should give hope to those in a stale or difficult marriage relationship, as was the authors’ purpose in writing it.  Some readers may find it easier to read and more enjoyable than a “marriage manual.” Either way, it is a book worth reading.  I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Lazarus' story

When Jesus Wept by Brock and Bodie Thoene

This is the first book in the Jerusalem Chronicles.  The Thoenes are prolific and accomplished writers and researchers.  In this book they cover Jesus’ relationship to Lazarus.  Lazarus was a vineyard owner in Bethany.  He was quite successful and was well-known in his hometown and Jerusalem.  The Thoenes create a scenario where Lazarus nurses the homeless boys in Jerusalem through a deadly plague.  He is exposed to the illness and becomes very ill.  Jesus delays in coming to him and Lazarus dies.   When  Jesus does arrive , he brings Lazarus back to life.  The interesting part of the story is that it is told from Lazarus’ view point in heaven.

Of course, the storyline is no surprise because it follows the Biblical narrative.  However, the Thoenes enrich it with many probable details to make it flow.  I found the details to enhance the story, rather than detract from it.  I was captivated by their portrayal of Lazarus and found myself disappointed when the book seemed to end rather abruptly.  This is a very enjoyable book and it moves quickly through the plot due to the Thoenes ‘clear prose.  I found myself wanting to read the next book.  I appreciate receiving a free copy from Booksneeze and this is my honest opinion.