New Mystery by Carrie Stuart Parks

 

Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks

Samantha Williams is a part-time art teacher whose life is interrupted by events rooted in her childhood that she can’t remember.  As she investigates, and struggles to thwart those trying to kill her, she finds disjointed puzzle pieces to the mystery.  Can she stay alive long enough to solve the puzzle?

Carrie Stuart Parks has created another novel set at Clan Firin, a place where first responders can come to heal from PTSD.  This novel reveals the beginning of the organization. 

Samantha is a character that readers can relate to and admire for her tenacity and resourcefulness.  I wouldn’t mind reading another book about her. 

The plot is well-paced and kept me engaged and had some twists that I didn’t see coming.  It was creative and fits well within the genre of Christian fiction. 

I enjoyed this book and received a copy from the publisher in return for this, my honest review.

New WW2 Novel from Lynn Austin

 

Long Way Home by Lynn Austin

Austin wrote this book to honor the veterans who fought in WW2 and innocent refugees whose lives were disrupted by war. One of the main characters, Jim Barnett, returns from the war unable to resume his life.  He attempts suicide and is placed in a VA hospital by his parents.  His friend, Peggy, seeks to understand how the war has changed Jim and traces his experiences through the recounting of his comrades.  His parents and Peggy are desperate to have Jim return to them, but it is a long journey home.

I am a fan of Austin’s books and enjoy her writing style.  Even though WW2 was catastrophic for the soldiers and civilians, she conveys its horrors without graphic examples.  She also laces hope through the story, which every character needs to survive.

I particularly enjoyed reading about “Peggety” who clings to hope despite her own unpleasant circumstances and shuns the bitterness she could have chosen.  Peggy grows as a character and becomes someone to admire.

The author also deals with questions of faith that her characters wrestle with.  I felt she answered these honestly from both a Jewish and Christian perspective.

Lynn Austin has done much research and gives her readers a better understanding of World War 2.  I highly recommend this book and am grateful to the publisher for a copy to review in exchange for my honest opinion. 

 

 

Inspiring Tale from Sara Brunsvold

 

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

“Clara Kip had prayed repeatedly to die in Sao Paulo.  It truly seemed the smallest of requests.  People died in Brazil every day.  What was one more?  Especially one who had dreamed of the country most of her life.  The Lord, however, gave her Kansas.”

And with these intriguing sentences, we dive into Clara Kip’s extraordinary life.  She has checked in—never to leave—Sacred Promise Senior Care Center.  But despite a fatal diagnosis, God isn’t done with Clara yet.  She has one last assignment with young reporter Aidyn Kelley.  And what unfolds from there is an inspiring tale.

I enjoyed the characters in the book, especially Mrs. Kip and the staff at Sacred Promise.  Sara’s writing made them real, and I could tell that she either had experience with the elderly and death or had done much research.

I also enjoyed the way that the plot unfolded.  I was intrigued and wanted to see Mrs. Kip’s adventurous life revealed.  The plot proceeded at a just right pace to keep my attention.

This story will make readers examine their own life and want to discover for themselves the mark that they leave on those around them.  I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this, my honest review.

 

 

 

Children's book illustrating God's Image

The Stories of God (and Kiki) by Dave Connis, Art by Amy Domingo

God made Kiki to be like Him, just like Kiki made Tybee, Otter Prince of Scallywag to be like her.  And so continue the comparisons between the stories God and Kiki write in this whimsically illustrated book.   

As a teacher, I appreciate the way that the image of God is demonstrated, because it is a basic biblical truth that children need to understand.  I love how the author shows that children share in the image of God.  Whether they draw or write, or sing or act, God can be glorified in what they do as they reflect His image.  The story presents being made in God’s image as very fun and fulfilling.  

Upon reading this to a class or my grandchildren, I think I would point out that although Kiki’s stories are imaginary, God’s are true.  I would also like to see a boy as the main character in one of Dave and Amy’s books.  And a note to adults or parents about the concept of God’s image could make this an even stronger illustration for young readers.  But I think young readers will enjoy it as my grandchildren did, especially the party at the end that all of God’s children anticipate!  I am grateful for the free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Mesu Andrews' Latest Biblical Fiction Novel

 

Potiphar’s Wife by Mesu Andrews

Who hasn’t wondered about the woman who was married to Potiphar but attempted to seduce Joseph?  Mesu Andrews uses the skeleton of the biblical account to create a well-researched story that will linger for a long time in the reader’s memory.

Set in Crete and then in Egypt, this book was different from other biblical fiction that I had read.  At first I found it difficult to get into, but I kept reading and was soon absorbed by the story.  It was very complex and layered, not at all what I had imagined as being a straight-forward attraction of Potiphar’s wife to Joseph.  She spends much of the book building the scaffolding for the event and then it occurs quickly near the end of the story.  She covers Zuleika, Potiphar’s wife, thoroughly, but the book ends with most of Joseph’s story untold.  A sequel, perhaps?

Readers who enjoy biblical fiction will enjoy this book.  It covers some new ground by being set in Egypt and focusing on the rich culture of Egypt.  It develops the characters outside the biblical narrative so that they feel “real.”  It contains many twists and turns in the plot so that the reader doesn’t have a clear view of exactly how the biblical narrative will take place.  It concludes with hope for the main character, Zuleika and for Joseph.  I am curious to see what Mesu envisions as a sequel to this beginning of Joseph’s life.

I enjoyed this book and am grateful to the publisher for a complimentary copy in exchange for this, my honest review.

 

The Astronaut’s Wife by Stacey Morgan

How Launching My Husband into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live on Earth

Stacey Morgan writes this book about her life as an astronaut’s wife in a next-door neighbor conversational tone. I enjoyed listening to the audio book, which she narrates.  Her style is much like Annie Downs and Rachel Hollis.  She encourages her readers to live life to the fullest, which in her case includes parachuting out of an airplane while her kids and husband wait on the ground.

I liked learning about what life was like for an astronaut’s family.  She also had plenty of suggestions for women whose husbands had more earth-bound jobs.  How to form lasting bologna-is-on-sale friends, creating connection with your husband despite distance, and how to cope when you hit a wall, what covid isolation was like for a returning astronaut, are a few of the topics she covers in this chat with her readers.

I recommend this book as a jump-starter for some interesting conversations with close friends or your own husband. It was an entertaining and informative read.

 

Third novel in Murphy Shepherd series

 

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

Fans of Charles Martin won’t be disappointed by this book, the third in the series about Murphy Shepherd.   To truly appreciate this book, it is best read after The Water Keeper. In this book, readers learn more about Bones, Murphy’s mentor and closest friend. The rest of our favorite characters are also there:  Summer, Ellie, Clay, Gunner and Casey.

I won’t offer any spoilers but just let me say that this book will keep you on the edge of your seat (or couch—wherever you love to read.)  The plot moves quickly, the adventure keeps you turning pages and the technology Martin writes about continues to amaze.

I don’t know if Martin had this in mind as he writes, but his character strikes me as a Christian James Bond—someone who works hard to thwart evil and can do it with one hand tied behind his back.  I love that even though there are plenty of times when evil rages, Murphy Shepherd finds a way to right the wrongs that plague his world.

I am grateful to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for this, my honest review.