Book Review: Why Dogs Are

13 Oct

WDA_OutsideCoverWhy Dogs Are tells the story of how a dog teaches some life lessons to a very special child. It seeks to explore the concept of God’s unconditional love and how someone without the ability to see or hear can comprehend its scope and His impact in our lives. Named a Finalist in the non-profit Indie Book Awards (category Spirituality, 2014), 100% percent of net profits from book sales goes to charities that train and support therapy dogs. The book is first in a series called Love Unleashed.

The author’s own dog Muttley was a therapy dog that brought his light and love to nursing home residents and to children with disabilities. Born deaf and blind, Brian was the inspiration for the book. His character is a composite of the many children who attended the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind who had to learn to live life with one or more disabilities.

tana1-300x230Tana Thompson spent 30 years teaching in colleges and universities around the south, watching computers go from huge mainframe technological monsters to carry-in-your pocket smart phone equivalents. Now in retirement, she is following her dream of writing, having interests in children’s literature and non-fiction genres such as memoir writing and regaling unique travel experiences shared with her late husband, Ken, in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. She is so committed to using her right brain for a change that she also makes jewelry, stained and fused glass, and delights in photography. She lives on her own heaven-on-earth slice of Lake Logan Martin in beautiful Alabama, with 2 “chosen” dogs, 2 rescued dogs and 4 rescued cats.

Tana Thompson wrote her first story in the sixth grade, was encouraged by her teacher to continue writing, and didn’t. But the desire remained in her heart only to be reawakened later in life. In the interim, she earned a Ph.D. from Georgia State University and taught computer and management information systems in several colleges and universities around the south. Her last career position was the most meaningful, assisting teachers and staff at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind to integrate computers into their daily job duties. Her late husband Ken was Vice President at the Institute; together they experienced the exceptional love and devotion of parents, family and teachers working with these exceptional children. The Thompsons also participated in a pet therapy program that saw their two Golden Retrievers, Rambeau and Muttley, form a team that visited nursing homes, classrooms and especially the students of AIDB, where the dogs sensed a “special touch” was required. Muttley earned his “Canine Good Citizen” designation, and proudly wore his official bandana and patch when visiting his special friends.

 

My Impressions:

When approached with reading/reviewing Tana Thompson’s children’s book, Why Dogs Are, I was eager to accept. A book about God’s love and care for those with special needs through his creation seemed like a perfect match for me. My husband is a veterinarian and treats service dogs. I am always looking for books to share with his clients and thought Why Dogs Are would be a great addition to his waiting room reading. I have some mixed feelings about this book. It has some great points, but I have some reservations about its view of God.

First the premise of Why Dogs Are is wonderful. What could be better than telling the story of God’s care of his people by providing comfort, help and love through his creation, in this case a dog. The story involves a young boy named Brian who is deaf and blind. God sends him a dog to teach unconditional love and forgiveness. I loved the illustrations of Brian’s interaction with the dog. Eye-catching and colorful, they vividly show the relationship that develops between a service dog and his person. The author also includes other illustrations of dogs and how they help people. This book does a good job of teaching children about special needs situations — showing people in everyday situations, living life just as everyone else.

However, I have a problem with the author’s view of heaven. She shows dogs living in Heaven and coming only to Earth to help Brian. After the dog’s success with Brian, other dogs are sent to help other people. I am not sure why the author took this route in explaining dog’s entry into Brian’s life. I think it may be a bit confusing to younger children. You may want to read this book with your child in order to explain the real story of Creation and God’s purposes for it.

Overall, I liked Tana Thompson’s book, Why Dogs Are, but I urge parents to read it first before introducing it to your child.

Audience: children ages 5-9.

(Thanks to BookCrash for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

 

 

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Book Review: Chasing Sunsets

10 Oct

734367_w185Kimberly Tucker’s life hasn’t turned out the way she thought it would. A divorced mother of two, Kim resents her ex-husband for moving on with his life and living it up while she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation with their father, Kim’s own father suggests a respite in the family vacation home on tiny Cedar Key Island. As Kim revisits her childhood memories and loves, she soon discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and mistakes both past and present become redeemable in God’s hand. Readers will be swept away to an island retreat where they walk alongside Kim as she discovers that God’s answers may not come easily, but they do come.

 

EVAMARIEEVERSON2Eva Marie Everson grew up in rural Georgia just outside of Savannah and currently lives in Central Florida. She taught Old Testament theology for six years at Life Training Center in Longwood, Florida and has written numerous articles for Crosswalk.com (including the acclaimed Falling Into The Bible), and has had articles featured in Christian Bride Magazine, Christian Retailing Magazine, The Godly Business Woman and Marriage Partnership magazines. Eva Marie has been interviewed by a number of media outlets including radio, television, newspaper, magazines, and the Internet. In 2002 Eva Marie was one of six Christian journalists sent to Israel for a special ten-day press tour. She was forever changed.

Eva Marie’s work includes award winning books such as: Shadow of Dreams, The Potluck Club, and Sex, Lies, and the Media. She has over 20 titles to her credit.

Eva Marie is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary. She won AWSAs very first Member of the Year Award in 2002. She is the past president of Word Weavers, one of the fastest growing Christian writers groups in the US. She is a graduate of CLASS and a member of several writer’s organizations. Both an international and national speaker, her passion is helping others to hear the heartbeat of God.

 

My Impressions:

Due to some glitches with my book club’s selections this fall, I was scrambling to find an alternate for our October discussion. Looking through the many titles on my Kindle, I came upon Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson. That title had been in the TBR queue for a while and my group read and enjoyed two of her other novels, Things Left Unspoken (review HERE) and The Potluck Club. Add that the book is currently FREE on Kindle, and we got our book! What at first seemed like a second choice soon became a boy-am-I-glad-I-chose-this-one book. Chasing Sunsets is sure to be a hit with my group and create great discussion. Have you read this one? We would love to know what you thought.

Kim Tucker is one year divorced and still not sure how it happened. As the novel opens things are strained between her and her ex, Charlie. He wants an extra week with their two boys and she is unwilling to give up without a fight. But a biased judge forces Kim to give up some of her time with her kids and gives her an opportunity to go back to Cedar Key to handle a few housekeeping issues for her father. Cedar Key holds wonderful childhood memories for Kim, but was also the scene of heartache and lost love. But being the responsible and dutiful oldest daughter, Kim reluctantly agrees to spend at least a few days at the vacation home. What Kim finds there opens old wounds, exposes secrets and offers a second chance at love.

There are a lot of things to examine in Chasing Sunsets — life after divorce, giving over control to God and confronting past demons. Kim grows in her relationships with family and friends, as well as with God. Characters are credible in their actions and reactions, both good and bad. Kim had a lot to learn and by the end of the book she is well on her way to peace. There are a few loose ends left in the book, making way for two additional books in the series that I am eager to read (Waiting for Sunrise and Slow Moon Rising). A great book for those who like women’s fiction with the plus of being set on a Florida island, Chasing Sunsets will make you eager to grab a cool drink, kick up your feet and lose yourself in its pages.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below. It is currently FREE on Kindle!

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Book Review: Abaddon’s Eve

9 Oct

Abaddons-Eve-Sidebar-SizeThe prophet’s name is Kol Abaddon–the Voice of Destruction.

To Alack, a young shepherd boy, Kol Abbadon’s visions of coming destruction fascinate and disturb. But when Alack begins to see visions of his own, the course of his life changes as he treks into the wilderness to become a prophet in training.

Left behind, Rechab, a trader’s daughter whom Alack loves, must choose to change her own life when a pagan god claims her for its own. Salvation can only be found on the run, in the friendship of an infamous merchantwoman with a checkered past, and under the eye of another God.

The stars tell the story of a terrifying doom, a war between gods, and the fates of Alack, Rechab, and all they love. But the end of the story–and whether they can change their own future–is a mystery they must journey to discover.

Abaddon’s Eve is Book 1 in The Prophet Trilogy, a fantasy set in a near-historical world of deserts, temples, and spiritual forces that vie for the hearts of men.

 

RST-author-picRachel Starr Thomson is a writer, indie publisher, and editor. She’s the author of the Seventh World Trilogy, The Oneness Cycle, and other books published by Little Dozen Press.

Rachel is a homeschool graduate, a dweller in southern Canada, a lover of long walks, good books, and hot tea, and a counter-cultural revolutionary who thinks we’d all be much better off if we pitched our television sets out the nearest window.

 

My Impressions:

Rachel Starr Thomson’s fantasy, Abaddon’s Eve — book 1 in The Prophet Trilogy, feels familiar. The names and places of her world are reminiscent of Ancient Israel. The culture, customs and religion are also similar to Israel’s history. But she has created a unique story taking the familiar and expanding on it to intrigue and challenge her readers. If you like fantasy with a faith-based message, then check out Abaddon’s Eve.

The prophet in the wilderness is warning of great destruction for the People by their Great God. Men and women have turned from true worship and pursue foreign gods and selfish gain. Even those who have kept themselves separate have wandered far from fellowship with the Great God. In this time, three unlikely people — a shepherd, a merchant’s daughter, and a wealthy business woman — seem to be on a course with the coming wrath of God and the forces of evil seeking to take over the land.

Thomson uses Abaddon’s Eve to set up the story of The Prophet Trilogy. The characters are well-developed and become real and credible to the reader. Motivations are described and conspiracies are begun. The world she creates is vividly brought to life through great descriptions. This 3 book series is going to be epic, so just a taste of what is to come is shared in Abaddon’s Eve, but enough to make the reader eager to get book 2, Comes The Dragon. A strong faith message is woven throughout the story. I liked one of the character’s assertion that “men are shaped by the gods they worship”. The reader is shown a Great God who has entered a “covenant with justice at its heart”, “a Great God who always calls His people higher”. But few follow Him. Evil has entered through the introduction of blood-thirsty idols. Because of this, judgment for the people seems inevitable. Yet a glimmer of hope is revealed.

A great start to an epic story, if you are a fan of fantasy, I recommend Abaddon’s Eve.

Recommended.

Audience: Older teens to Adults.

(Thanks to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below. It is currently $4.99 on Kindle!

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Book Review: The Mason Jar

8 Oct

The-Mason-Jar-cover-240x384What if your old college roommate called, raving about a book someone sent her, calling it the most beautiful book she’s ever read? “But,” she said, “it’s about you.” The author is your college ex.

In The Mason Jar, Clayton Fincannon is a Tennessee farm boy raised at the feet of his grandfather. He and his grandfather leave letters for each other in a Mason jar on his grandfather’s desk—letters of counsel and affirmation. When Clayton attends college in Southern California, he meets and falls in love with a dark debutante from Colorado. However, when an unmentioned past resurrects in her life and she leaves, Clayton is left with unanswered questions.
Clayton goes on to serve as a missionary in Africa, while he and his grandfather continue their tradition of writing letters. When Clayton returns home five years later to bury his grandfather, he searches for answers pertaining to the loss of the young woman he once loved. Little does Clayton know, the answers await him in the broken Mason jar.

A story about a girl who vanished, a former love who wrote a book about her, and a reunion they never imagined.

 

JLingerfelt-248.pngJames Russell Lingerfelt is the author of The Mason Jar and writes articles for The Huffington Post. James connects with readers at his blog, Love Story from the Male Perspective, and divides his time between Southern California and his family’s ranch in Alabama.

 

My Impressions:

I really had high hopes for James Ligerfelt’s novel The Mason Jar. The promotional blurb raised expectations for the novel that, for me, never materialized. This is a book with good bones that needs, in my opinion, considerably more fleshing out. I wondered just what the difficulty was for me, until I read the author’s bio on his website. He has plans for The Mason Jar to be made into a movie. Reading that, it clicked with me that this novel reads like a novelization of a movie. As I said, there is a good framework to work with, but not enough plot and character development, especially motivation and background. It also could use closer editing — too many problems with word choice and continuity.

I know that this review seems harsh. I have labored over expressing my thoughts on The Mason Jar. But in the end, I feel that an honest opinion is called for. Please know that I seem to be in the minority in my opinions. This novel has more 5 star reviews on Amazon than negative reviews. I encourage you to check out the reviews published on Amazon as well as on LitFuse.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Audiobook Review: Trapped

7 Oct

721240When librarian Laura Griffith’s sixteen-year-old sister disappears on a frigid February day, leaving only a brief note behind, Laura resolves to do whatever it takes to track down the runaway teen. That includes recruiting ATF agent turned PI James “Dev” Devlin to help. But the deeper he digs, the more he begins to suspect that something sinister is at work in the girl’s disappearance. And the closer he gets to uncovering the truth, the clearer it becomes that the situation isn’t just dangerous — it’s deadly.

 

 

 

irenepicbio1(From the author’s website.) Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than 45 romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books have been honored with two RITA awards—the “Oscar” of romantic fiction—and she is a six-time finalist. Her books have also won a Daphne du Maurier award, a Carol award, two HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a Retailers Choice Award and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. One of her novels was also named by Booklist as a top 10 inspirational fiction books of 2011. In addition, she is a Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. She is happy to say she has no regrets!

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

 

My Impressions:

Trapped is book 2 in the Private Justice series by Irene Hannon. (Click on the following titles to read my reviews of books 1 and 3 — Vanished and Deceived.) All three standalone novels feature the three men that make up the Phoenix private detective agency and revolve around investigations not pursued by law enforcement agencies. Each book is excellent and must reads for fans of romantic suspense, but Trapped is my favorite by far. If you haven’t read this series yet, get on it ASAP.

Laura Griffith hires Dev Devlin to find her runaway half-sister, Darcy. A huge winter storm has hit St. Louis and local authorities don’t have the time or manpower to pursue the case. Darcy has had trouble adjusting to life with Laura following the deaths of her parents, but Laura is determined to bring her home and start afresh. But Darcy is not just a runaway; she is in real danger.

If fast-paced action and chilling suspense is what you crave, then you are going to love Trapped. The creep-factor ramps up early and never lets up. Dev and Laura are also very attracted to each other, so romance fans will be satisfied too. I liked all the main characters, but it was bad-guy Mark Hamilton that was really intriguing. Hannon does a good job of creating a seriously disturbed character who hides behind a squeaky clean facade.  His background is slowly revealed to shed light on his phobias and fetishes. Hannon’s message of God’s protection and provision in the midst of trouble rings true and clear. I listened to the audiobook version of Trapped, and the narration was good.

If you are looking for your next thrill ride with a side of romance, then I suggest you check out Trapped.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the audiobook of Trapped from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: The Sea House

6 Oct

SeaHouse_FINAL_scrScotland, 1860.

Reverend Alexander Ferguson, naive and newly-ordained, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time on the island will irrevocably change the course of his life, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child’s fragile legs are fused together – a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? Ruth needs to solve the mystery of her new home – but the answers to her questions may lie in her own past.

Based on a real nineteenth-century letter to The Times in which a Scottish clergyman claimed to have seen a mermaid, The Sea House is an epic, sweeping tale of loss and love, hope and redemption, and how we heal ourselves with the stories we tell.

 

 

EGifford-252Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. She is the author of The House of Hope: A Story of God’s Love and Provision for the Abandoned Orphans of China and has written articles for The Times and the Independent and has a Diploma in Creative Writing from Oxford OUDCE and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway College. She is married with three children. They live in Kingston on Thames but spend as much time as possible in the Hebrides.

 

My Impressions:

When LitFuse offered The Sea House for review, I jumped at the chance. Although I didn’t know anything about the author, Elisabeth Gifford, I love reading fiction by authors outside of the United States. They generally have a unique perspective that makes the reading experience even more meaningful. Then I got an email allowing for an opt-out of the review tour due to objectionable language and difficult subject matter. Now I really was intrigued! Instead of opting out I decided to give it a go and give you an honest review of her debut novel, The Sea House. So here it is —

Ruth and  Michael are a young couple determined to bring an old manse on the wild coast of a Hebridean island back to life. Its transformation into a B&B is the focus of their life until the body of a deformed child is found buried beneath the floor boards of their home. The find affects Ruth deeply and she endeavors to discover the history and identity behind the mystery. With nothing more than a journal from a curate who occupied the house over 100 years before, Ruth embarks on a journey that will help her confront her own demons.

Gifford’s writing style is beautiful. Life in the Hebrides, both past and present, is vividly depicted. Her characters are complex and wrestle with real life trauma, guilt and questions of faith. The Sea House is not always an easy read. There are lots of difficult subjects explored — physical and sexual abuse, suicide, and depression among them. But I never felt overwhelmed by the emotions produced. Gifford always held out a glimmer of hope. Three points of view are presented, all told in first person. Ruth is a modern woman struggling with anger and guilt from childhood trauma, Moira is a 19th century maid with plans of revenge following the loss of her family and home, and Alexander is a 19th century curate who never feels good enough for the grace offered by his savior. The stories seem disparate at the beginning, but end up becoming  a beautiful whole in the end.  The setting of the Hebrides and the Sea House in particular serves as a character of its own, impacting the characters and speaking to the reader through its heartache and beauty.

I would not characterize The Sea House as Christian fiction. It is published by a secular publishing house and it contains language that can be deemed offensive to many. One character has an outburst that hit me like a slap in the face. But the language suited both the character and the scene. Also, while most of the characters have problems, only one really turns to God for answers. Alexander’s struggle with being good enough, doing enough, was wonderfully depicted. I also really enjoyed the examination of the evolution debate from the point of view of scientists and clerics contemporary with Charles Darwin. And while you may think the book is going one way, you may be surprised with the outcome of that examination. The legends of the Selkies and mermaids indigenous to the western islands of Scotland are fascinating and create a great framework for the story.

All in all, I liked The Sea House and would recommend it with the qualifications of profanity and adult subject matter.

Recommended: please note there is profanity and adult subject matter that may be offensive . This is not Christian fiction.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse and St. Martin’s Press for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Love Letters from God

3 Oct

733843What child does not love to receive mail? What if that child could receive, open and read his or her own personal mail from God? Love Letters from God will invite them to do just that! Accompanying each story in this unique children’s Bible is a very special and encouraging letter, each tucked away in its own lift-the-flap envelope, just for them. Written for children ages four to eight, Love Letters from God includes eighteen of the most popular Bible stories—nine from the Old Testament and nine from the New Testament. Following each story the child will find his or her own letter from God. Children will love the excitement of opening the letters and parents will love how each letter elaborates on the Bible story being told. A very special Bible verse, entitled God’s Wonderful Words To You will accompany each story and letter. Much more than a mere memory verse, each carefully chosen promise will be God’s very own personal words of love, encouragement, and hope. This book will culminate in an invitation for the children to write their own RSVP to God.

 

 

glenys_XK8GT5ERGlenys Nellist (from the author’s website) — Author of Love Letters from God. Originally a primary school teacher from England, I came to the United States to serve as Christian Education Director alongside my husband, who is a pastor. We now serve a vibrant, growing congregation at Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am a writer with a passion for children’s ministry.

 

wpc70dddc7Sophie Allsopp (from the illustrator’s website) –I spent my childhood endlessly painting, sewing, cutting, and sticking – basically making stuff all the time (except when I was off exploring with my sisters). From a young age I wanted to be something creative, and ended up studying for an illustration degree in Bath.

I set up my illustration business with help from the Prince’s Youth Business Trust, and in the 20 years since, I have worked for a large range of clients. I worked part time whilst my son was little, but returned to full time work with a new style and renewed enthusiasm. I love being an illustrator, and find it very rewarding.

In my spare time, I have carried on making stuff – jewellery using silver and natural materials, dress making and needle felting (amongst other things!)

Likes: family get togethers, japanese craft books, vegetarian lasagne, standing on the tops of hills
Dislikes: celery, sitting backwards on trains, rubbish women’s magazines, slugs

I still live close to where I grew up in the south east of England, with my husband, son, cat and guinea pig.

 

My Impressions:

In a world of so many children’s Bible storybooks, it is hard to choose just the right one for your special child. If you can only buy one, I recommend Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Sophie Allsopp. Written for children ages 4-9, this book has it all — beautiful and detailed illustrations, well-written retellings of Bible stories in both prose and verse, a Bible verse to reinforce the story, and best of all, a personalized message showing your child how he or she can be part of God’s story. There are 18 stories, 9 each from the Old and New Testaments, all favorites, but not all always included in Bible storybooks. I especially liked the inclusion of the call to Samuel and the parable of the Lost Sheep. At the end, there is an invitation to join Jesus’ team and a blank card for your child to write their own love letter to God. Love Letters from God is a great way to explain God to your child and lead him to a deeper understanding and relationship with Him. A perfect addition to your family’s library, I highly recommend this book.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 4-9.

(Thanks to Zondervan for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: Deceived

2 Oct

721250For three years, Kate Marshall has been grieving the loss of her husband and their four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was dead. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious but agrees to investigate. Digging into the case he discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Kate’s son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden–and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.

 

 

irenepicbio1(From the author’s website.) Irene Hannon is a bestselling, award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut!

Since then, she has written more than 45 romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books have been honored with two RITA awards—the “Oscar” of romantic fiction—and she is a six-time finalist. Her books have also won a Daphne du Maurier award, a Carol award, two HOLT Medallions, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a Retailers Choice Award and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. One of her novels was also named by Booklist as a top 10 inspirational fiction books of 2011. In addition, she is a Christy award finalist.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. She is happy to say she has no regrets!

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and singing. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She is also a soloist at her church.

When not otherwise occupied, Irene and her husband enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

My Impressions:

Deceived is another winner from Irene Hannon. I was first introduced to her Private Justice series when I listened to the audiobook of Vanished – book 1 (review HERE) and I am currently listening to Trapped – book 2. More on that one in a week or two. All three books involve the Phoenix group, a private detective agency dedicated to seeing justice served. Although part of a series, each book can be read as a standalone and reading them out of order has not been a problem for me, though if I had it to do again, I think I would follow the order published. All are excellent and perfect for fans of romantic suspense.

In Deceived, Kate Marshall is trying to move on with her life. Kate lost her husband and son in a tragic boating accident 3 years before. But a chance encounter makes her believe her son, whose body was never found, just might be alive. She enlists the help of former Secret Service agent Connor Sullivan who, though cautious in his investigation of the case, is nevertheless intrigued by the puzzle and by the woman who asks his help.

Coincidence – a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection – is used by Hannon to propel the storyline and to make the reader think about the way God moves in our lives. One character states that coincidences are God’s little miracles that He doesn’t take credit for. There are lots of coincidences in Deceived that the main characters come to attribute to God. Does God work in that way, setting up random meetings and events, to further His will in our lives? I think He does, and Hannon does a great job of exploring that possibility. Filled with breath-holding suspense,  interesting characters, a twisting plot and a second chance at love, Deceived is sure to check all the boxes for those who like romance with their mysteries.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Revell for a review copy. All opinion expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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CSFF Blog Tour Day 3 – Review of Rebels

1 Oct

RebelsThe remnant of Glenrock has been scattered. But they are not beaten yet.

The Safe Lands have long kept secret from their people what it means to be liberated. Mason and Omar are about to discover the truth.

Levi doesn’t want to give up on his brothers, but when Jemma is captured and becomes the Safe Lands new queen, Levi’s best option is to take up the role of The Owl that Omar began, leading the rebels in their quest to overthrow the government.

But will The Owl be enough to safe Jemma? Will Ciddah be able to deliver Shaylinn’s babies safely underground without the help of a surgeon? And will Mason be able to keep Omar from dying as they search for a way back?

If only they could unite their efforts, together they could expose the Safe Lands lies to the people. But if they fail, they will surely die.

 

My Impressions: 

Rebels by Jill Williamson is the third and final book in The Safe Lands series. You really have to read the whole series to get the full effect — Rebels is not a standalone novel. That being said, I didn’t read book 2, Outcasts, although I did read book 1, Captives. (You can read my review of Captives HERE and my friend Stephanie’s review of Outcasts HERE.) Because of this, I am not sure I can give a full and accurate review of Rebels. But I will give you my thoughts on the novel.

**Please be aware there are Spoilers ahead!**

Rebels continues the story first told in Captives and continued in Outcasts. The three brothers, Mason, Levi and Omar are all affected by their time spent in the Safe Lands. The glitz of the nation is soon stripped away and the secret behind Liberation is revealed. I found the upside-down nature of the Safe Lands’ economy a statement on our own. Youth and leisure are touted — until your time is up at age 40. Liberation really means a life filled with brutality and degradation and forced labor until you die. In our own society, people are encouraged to live it up while young. Restraint and hard work are becoming things of the past. And while older members of our society are not being forced into labor, it is the wealth of older adults that is being eyed more and more to finance our government and the programs people are becoming dependent upon. While I was reading Rebels I was reminded of the future described in James Dobson’s book, Fatherless (review HERE). Are we becoming a society in which pleasure and selfishness trumps people? The lack of relationships among those of the Safelanders is also a growing trend described again by James Dobson. Rebels and Fatherless are very different books, but have striking similarities.

One of the rebel groups lives underground. The Kindred seeks to keep out the contamination of the Safe Lands, protecting itself from immorality and the plague that is rampant in the nation. But they are also dogmatic in their beliefs, not allowing for compassion and mercy. But some of the characters, namely Mason, Shaylinn and even Omar, live a life of light in a dark world. Instead of becoming insulated, they seek to show hope and love to those who need it. This is a good lesson for Christians today who want to be in the world but not of it.

Complex plot lines, complex characters and complex themes mark The Safe Land series. Though a  little rushed at the end, I think Williamson did a good job in portraying a future world that has big lessons for us today.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(Thanks to the CSFF Blog Tour and Blink for my review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

 

Be sure to check out the other tour participants.
Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Jeff Chapman
Vicky DealSharingAunt
April Erwin
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Jeremy Harder
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Writer Rani
Audrey Sauble
Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis
Elizabeth Williams

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CSFF Blog Tour Day 2 — Outcasts by Jill Williamson

30 Sep

The CSFF Blog Tour is featuring Jill Williamson‘s YA dsytopian novel Rebels, final book in The Safe Lands series, this month. Yesterday I gave you an overview of each book in the series, some info on Jill and a link to my review of book 1, Captives. (Click HERE for yesterday’s post.) I didn’t read book 2 of the series, but my friend Stephanie did — and loved it! Here are her thoughts on Outcasts:

 

9780310724254Outcasts, the second installment in The Safe Lands series by Jill Williamson, not only continues to plunge the reader into a “fantasy” world of the future, but picks up speed in exciting plot development and further unveiling of the mysteries behind the Safe Lands society and the plague that infects its people. With mounting danger met with equaled bravery, Mason, Levi, and even Omar each began to find a way to impact not only their family and friends, but the Safelanders as well. As Mason continues to search for a cure for the Thin Plague, he begins to uncover not only clues to the mysterious illness, but a realization of his feelings for the beautiful Ciddah. Omar, desperate to atone for his betrayals, creates a vigilante superhero that becomes an unexpected symbol for hope. Levi continues to lead the scattered remnant of Glenrock and orchestrates a daring and dangerous rescue of the children still held by the Safelanders. This book certainly exceeded my already high expectations and left me eager to read the next Safe Lands book!

I believe The Safe Lands series should appeal to a wide variety of sci-fi & fantasy fans like me. Good science fiction helps us to have a clear picture of the impact of our moral and societal choices and to stand by those choices. Like classics such as A Brave New World and 1984, The Safe Lands series forces the reader to look at a world where the pursuit of selfish pleasures has resulted in a corrupt, plagued, and immoral society characterized by the unhappiness and emptiness of its people. Such a shocking glimpse of a world-that-could-be forces us to ask ourselves how our choices might make this possibility our reality. Ultimately, the reader must conclude that morality does impact society, a stance constantly under attack in our world today. Fortunately, the glimpse provided by The Safe Lands series equips us to stand firm on our views.

 

A BIG thank you to Stephanie for her very articulate analysis. Tomorrow, I will be posting my review of Rebels. In the meantime, make sure to visit the other participants on the tour:

Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Jeff Chapman
Vicky DealSharingAunt
April Erwin
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Jeremy Harder
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Writer Rani
Audrey Sauble
Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis
Elizabeth Williams

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