This author is so good. I love legal thrillers anyway, and he is just as good if not better than Grisham, Patterson, and the like.
The first book of this 2-book series is Life Support. Baxter Richardson is pushed off a cliff by his wife Rena, who is shocked to discover that he survives the accident. Baxter is now in a coma and Rena wants to terminate life support. She claims that her husband would have wanted that, but the reader knows the real reason Rena wants him dead. Baxter's husband, the very wealthy Ezra Richardson, wants to keep his son alive to protect his own interests.
Meanwhile lawyer Alex Lindale is sent by her firm to help the Richardson's sort out their disagreements about Baxter's power of attorney. She ends up representing Rena without knowing the truth about Baxter's fall. This leads to a "conflict of interest" with her firm and she is fired. Alex decides to open her own practice.
As this is all happening Alex meets music minister Ted Morgan, whose faith and giftedness on the piano draw her in. Alex has never had a strong faith but begins to learn more about what it means to trust in God. She sure needs a lot of help in representing Rena Richardson.
All of these characters and story lines are woven together creating an intriguing plot. I was racing to the end only to discover the dreaded cliffhanger! After a few days of impatiently waiting I had book number two, Life Everlasting. I won't go into too much detail because it will spoil the ending of book one. Let's just say Rena's lies get more and more complicated and Alex is struggling to keep up with her. Her relationship with Ted is becoming more serious, and Baxter's life is still on the line.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Favorite Authors
One of my favorite authors is Angela Hunt. I've read almost all her books and always love them. I even got to meet her when she spoke at First Baptist Church, Richmond. She was absolutely delightful! It was so much fun to talk with her. I'll never be able to fully review every book I've read by her, but here are a few tidbits about some that I remember pretty well.
Legacies of the Ancient River (Titles are Dreamers, Brothers, and Journey)
Biblical fiction, story of Joseph in Eygpt
The Fairlawn Series (Doesn't She Look Natural?, She Always Wore Red, She's in a Better Place)
Contemporary, some humor, recently divorced single mom inherits a funeral home and moves her kids there.
The Debt
Contemporary. The secrets of a pastor's wife are revealed, and it threatens the image of the megachurch her husband serves in. She must make hard decisions. A very touching story that makes you reflect on your own walk with the Lord.
The Note
Contemporary. A note survives a plane crash that has no survivors. This is the story of the reporter's search for who the wrote the note and who it was intended for. It is riveting. A must read.
Magdalene
Biblical fiction, story of Mary Magdalene. Excellent.
The Fine Art of Insincerity
Contemporary Three estranged sisters meet at their grandmother's beach house to ready it for sale. So much family baggage comes out as they talk and remember. Loved this one. Very touching.
I plan on doing a full review of Uncharted.
Legacies of the Ancient River (Titles are Dreamers, Brothers, and Journey)
Biblical fiction, story of Joseph in Eygpt
The Fairlawn Series (Doesn't She Look Natural?, She Always Wore Red, She's in a Better Place)
Contemporary, some humor, recently divorced single mom inherits a funeral home and moves her kids there.
The Debt
Contemporary. The secrets of a pastor's wife are revealed, and it threatens the image of the megachurch her husband serves in. She must make hard decisions. A very touching story that makes you reflect on your own walk with the Lord.
The Note
Contemporary. A note survives a plane crash that has no survivors. This is the story of the reporter's search for who the wrote the note and who it was intended for. It is riveting. A must read.
Magdalene
Biblical fiction, story of Mary Magdalene. Excellent.
The Fine Art of Insincerity
Contemporary Three estranged sisters meet at their grandmother's beach house to ready it for sale. So much family baggage comes out as they talk and remember. Loved this one. Very touching.
I plan on doing a full review of Uncharted.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Beware of the Cliffhanger!
After I read Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow I decided to get some more of his novels. I went to the Paperback Swap (more on that later), looked him up, and ordered the first one I saw.
The book was Life Support and it was great! I finished it in one evening. But....it ended in a cliffhanger! I didn't even realize this was a 2-book series. I immediately ordered the next one, but it took over a week to get to me. I've been not-so-patiently waiting to see how the story ends. I finally got it today.....so you know what I'm reading tonight!
By the way, the title is Life Everlasting. I'll be reviewing both books soon!
The book was Life Support and it was great! I finished it in one evening. But....it ended in a cliffhanger! I didn't even realize this was a 2-book series. I immediately ordered the next one, but it took over a week to get to me. I've been not-so-patiently waiting to see how the story ends. I finally got it today.....so you know what I'm reading tonight!
By the way, the title is Life Everlasting. I'll be reviewing both books soon!
Love Biblical Fiction?
If this is your favorite genre, let me give you a few suggestions!
1. Author Angela Hunt
Her Biblically-based novels are Magdalene, The Shadow Women (women in Moses' life), Legacies of the Ancient River series (3 books on Joseph in Egypt)
2. Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers (5 novellas, one for each of the women included in the lineage of Jesus)
3. Author Jill Eileen Smith
She has several books based on women in the Bible. I have read the Wives of King David series and loved them.
4. Acts of Faith series by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke.
These arse set during the time right after Jesus' resurrection, focusing on the early church.
5. Jesus Chronicles by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
One of each of the Gospels--in narrative form they tell the story of each one. Excellent. Especially loved John.
6. Hadassah: One Night with King by Tommy Tenney and Mark-Andrew Olson. Story of Esther.
7. The Fisherman by Larry Huntsberger Story of Peter. I loved this book, it makes you see Jesus in a whole different way.
1. Author Angela Hunt
Her Biblically-based novels are Magdalene, The Shadow Women (women in Moses' life), Legacies of the Ancient River series (3 books on Joseph in Egypt)
2. Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers (5 novellas, one for each of the women included in the lineage of Jesus)
3. Author Jill Eileen Smith
She has several books based on women in the Bible. I have read the Wives of King David series and loved them.
4. Acts of Faith series by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke.
These arse set during the time right after Jesus' resurrection, focusing on the early church.
5. Jesus Chronicles by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
One of each of the Gospels--in narrative form they tell the story of each one. Excellent. Especially loved John.
6. Hadassah: One Night with King by Tommy Tenney and Mark-Andrew Olson. Story of Esther.
7. The Fisherman by Larry Huntsberger Story of Peter. I loved this book, it makes you see Jesus in a whole different way.
Friday, November 16, 2012
All Things New by Lynn Austin
Lynn Austin is one of my all-time favorite Christian fiction (CF) authors. One of the first CF books I read in my adult life was her novel Hidden Places. Lynn writes contemporary as well as historical novels. She has one Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings. This is a five-book account of the kings of Israel from Hezekiah to Manasseh. Sounds boring....but she makes it come alive.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find out her new book, All Things New, was just released. This novel is set in the aftermath of the Civil War on a Virginia plantation (I love books set in or near my home!). The main character Josephine is torn between wanting the life she had before the war and trying to change everything she's known to make a better way. Josephine and her family lost their father and one brother in the way, and Josephine's mother, in particular, is deep in grief. Her mother wants desperately for things to be the way they were before. Josephine's surviving brother is full of hatred for the Yankees and the now-free slaves. Josephine is in favor of letting the former slaves work the land in return for food and shelter, but the rest of her family is against it. Josephine must try to convince her family this is what they must do to survive.
I thought the book gave a great picture of what life was like for Southern women after the Civil War. In many cases, they were the ones that had to rebuild their lives. The story is told through the eyes of three women---primarily Josephine, but also her mother and their former house slave, Lizzie.
Once again, Lynn Austin doesn't disappoint!
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find out her new book, All Things New, was just released. This novel is set in the aftermath of the Civil War on a Virginia plantation (I love books set in or near my home!). The main character Josephine is torn between wanting the life she had before the war and trying to change everything she's known to make a better way. Josephine and her family lost their father and one brother in the way, and Josephine's mother, in particular, is deep in grief. Her mother wants desperately for things to be the way they were before. Josephine's surviving brother is full of hatred for the Yankees and the now-free slaves. Josephine is in favor of letting the former slaves work the land in return for food and shelter, but the rest of her family is against it. Josephine must try to convince her family this is what they must do to survive.
I thought the book gave a great picture of what life was like for Southern women after the Civil War. In many cases, they were the ones that had to rebuild their lives. The story is told through the eyes of three women---primarily Josephine, but also her mother and their former house slave, Lizzie.
Once again, Lynn Austin doesn't disappoint!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Christmas favorites
Ready to get in the Christmas mood? I actually really enjoy reading Christmas-themed novels around this time of year. I have a couple favorites to share.
Advent of a Mystery by Marilyn Leach
This novel is set in a small English village. The wife of the parish priest is a former investigative reporter who can't help but get involved when someone dies at a Christmas party. I loved the mystery as well as the fun characters.
O Little Town by Don Reid (yes, the Statler Brother!)
Set in a small Virginia town (modeled after the author's hometown of Staunton) in the 50's, this book tells the story of several families dealing with tough issues around Christmas. There are also flashbacks to a murder that happened 50 years ago and how that ties in with the current characters. It's a very tender, touching read.
The Shepherd's Prayer by Richard Barry
This is the story of the shepherd's who were there for Jesus' birth. I never thought about how they might have been treated for telling their news---remember, Jesus' birth caused great grief when Herod ordered all the male babies killed. But the shepherds kept their faith and hope in what they witnessed.
The Nativity Story by Angela Hunt
A novel based on the movie. I like this book because it really shows the hardships of the Jewish people during the time of Christ's birth. It reminded me of how difficult life was for all of them, and how hard the journey must have been for Mary and Joseph.
Christmas in Harmony by Philip Gulley
I plan to do a post on the whole Harmony series--some of the few books I have read more than once--but I especially love this one. You can certainly read and enjoy it without having read any others in the series. Sam Gardner is pastoring a church in his hometown, and the folks there are--well, different. They give the reader a lot of laughs but the author weaves in a great deal of wisdom among the humor. One of my favorite quotes about the Christmas season is from this book--"In this unsettled world, it is good to have this steadiness -- the Christmas Eve service, the peal of the bell. . . .There is a holiness to memory, a sense of God's presence in these mangers of the mind. Which might explain why it is that the occasions that change the least are often the very occasions that change us the most."
On my list for this year! Look for reviews soon:
The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere
Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
I'll be Home for Christmas by Julie L. Cannon
Advent of a Mystery by Marilyn Leach
This novel is set in a small English village. The wife of the parish priest is a former investigative reporter who can't help but get involved when someone dies at a Christmas party. I loved the mystery as well as the fun characters.
O Little Town by Don Reid (yes, the Statler Brother!)
Set in a small Virginia town (modeled after the author's hometown of Staunton) in the 50's, this book tells the story of several families dealing with tough issues around Christmas. There are also flashbacks to a murder that happened 50 years ago and how that ties in with the current characters. It's a very tender, touching read.
The Shepherd's Prayer by Richard Barry
This is the story of the shepherd's who were there for Jesus' birth. I never thought about how they might have been treated for telling their news---remember, Jesus' birth caused great grief when Herod ordered all the male babies killed. But the shepherds kept their faith and hope in what they witnessed.
The Nativity Story by Angela Hunt
A novel based on the movie. I like this book because it really shows the hardships of the Jewish people during the time of Christ's birth. It reminded me of how difficult life was for all of them, and how hard the journey must have been for Mary and Joseph.
Christmas in Harmony by Philip Gulley
I plan to do a post on the whole Harmony series--some of the few books I have read more than once--but I especially love this one. You can certainly read and enjoy it without having read any others in the series. Sam Gardner is pastoring a church in his hometown, and the folks there are--well, different. They give the reader a lot of laughs but the author weaves in a great deal of wisdom among the humor. One of my favorite quotes about the Christmas season is from this book--"In this unsettled world, it is good to have this steadiness -- the Christmas Eve service, the peal of the bell. . . .There is a holiness to memory, a sense of God's presence in these mangers of the mind. Which might explain why it is that the occasions that change the least are often the very occasions that change us the most."
On my list for this year! Look for reviews soon:
The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere
Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
I'll be Home for Christmas by Julie L. Cannon
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Hello Facebook Friends!
Just put this on Facebook, so hopefully I'll actually get a few readers!
The best place to start is with this post about why I love Christian Fiction. Welcome!
The best place to start is with this post about why I love Christian Fiction. Welcome!
Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow
This was our book club selection for November. I hadn't read anything by Robert Whitlow, but in researching books for us to read his name kept popping up. The book cover said his work was similar to John Grisham, and I'm inclined to agree. The legal ins and outs of the plot were intriguing, and the character development was great also.
The main character is Tom, a lawyer at a prestigious firm in Atlanta who must return to his hometown to close his father's practice after he passes away. Tom finds something suspicious in both his father's practice and his supposed drowning death and tries to solve the mystery. Along the way, his great uncle Elias plays a strong role in leading Tom back to Christ. I had no clue who the perpetrator was until the very end, and even then I didn't have it completely correct.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoy this type of legal suspense novel anyway, and Whitlow did not disappoint. I loved the way the author wove scripture throughout the story. This was my favorite:
| |||
Give this book a 10 out of 10! Can't wait to read another one by Robert Whitlow.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Zion Covenant Series
The Zion Covenant Series by Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) is a nine book saga of life for Jewish people in the time leading up to World War II and throughout the war.
The titles are:
Vienna Prelude
Prague Counterpoint
Munich Signature
Jerusalem Interlude
Danzig Passage
Warsaw Requiem
London Refrain
Paris Encore
Dunkirk Crescendo
In the first novel, the main character of the story is Elisa Lindheim, a German violinist living and working in Vienna. Elisa's father is of Jewish heritage but has become a Christian. When Elisa comes to Germany to visit she discovers that her father has been targeted by the Nazis. He has sent her mother and brothers away and plans to do the same with Elisa. As they try to leave Germany her father is arrested.
Because Elisa has Aryan features she is safe from persecution for the time being. She uses this to help her Jewish friends and becomes part of an underground plan to help Jewish children get to safety. The next few books highlight Elisa, her friends Leah and Shimon, her husband John Murphy, and others who are a part of the underground. Each book brings in new characters and they are included and featured as the series moves on.
This series does an exceptional job of painting the picture of the terror that followed the Jews and their helpers throughout Hitler's reign. It also gives an inside look of how he planned to slowly take over Europe. We read about the take over in Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, and others. There are triumphs and tragedies as some are saved and some are not.
I had some knowledge of life in Europe during this time but very little of what was happening in Jerusalem and how Hitler was working with the Islamic leaders to persecute Jews there as well. Parts of the series show the struggles there for both natives and those who have arrived hoping for refuge.
The first six books are the original series, and due to reader demand the authors re-worked some of their other novels with characters from these to complete 9 books. I enjoyed all nine; however, the last three were certainly my least favorite. They focused much less on the characters I had come to love in the first six.
One really unique thing about this series are the prologues. These are actually flash-forwards and focus on what happened to the instruments (Elisa and many of her friends are part of the Vienna Orchestra) as they outlive their former players. I love how music is a part of each novel.
The titles are:
Vienna Prelude
Prague Counterpoint
Munich Signature
Jerusalem Interlude
Danzig Passage
Warsaw Requiem
London Refrain
Paris Encore
Dunkirk Crescendo
In the first novel, the main character of the story is Elisa Lindheim, a German violinist living and working in Vienna. Elisa's father is of Jewish heritage but has become a Christian. When Elisa comes to Germany to visit she discovers that her father has been targeted by the Nazis. He has sent her mother and brothers away and plans to do the same with Elisa. As they try to leave Germany her father is arrested.
Because Elisa has Aryan features she is safe from persecution for the time being. She uses this to help her Jewish friends and becomes part of an underground plan to help Jewish children get to safety. The next few books highlight Elisa, her friends Leah and Shimon, her husband John Murphy, and others who are a part of the underground. Each book brings in new characters and they are included and featured as the series moves on.
This series does an exceptional job of painting the picture of the terror that followed the Jews and their helpers throughout Hitler's reign. It also gives an inside look of how he planned to slowly take over Europe. We read about the take over in Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, and others. There are triumphs and tragedies as some are saved and some are not.
I had some knowledge of life in Europe during this time but very little of what was happening in Jerusalem and how Hitler was working with the Islamic leaders to persecute Jews there as well. Parts of the series show the struggles there for both natives and those who have arrived hoping for refuge.
The first six books are the original series, and due to reader demand the authors re-worked some of their other novels with characters from these to complete 9 books. I enjoyed all nine; however, the last three were certainly my least favorite. They focused much less on the characters I had come to love in the first six.
One really unique thing about this series are the prologues. These are actually flash-forwards and focus on what happened to the instruments (Elisa and many of her friends are part of the Vienna Orchestra) as they outlive their former players. I love how music is a part of each novel.
Monday, November 12, 2012
My Favorites
It's going to take me awhile to get reviews posted of all the books I've read, so I'm going to do a quick list of some of my favorites in case you need a good book!
Historical
Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin (book one of a three-book series) Civil War, set in Richmond
Biblical
Magdalene by Angela Hunt
Suspense
Last Light by Terri Blackstock (book one in three-book series)
Uncharted by Angela Hunt
Humor
Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley (book one in a series)
Front Porch Princess by Kathryn Springer (she has other books focusing on different characters)
Romance
The Convient Groom by Denise Hunter
Contemporary
One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury TISSUE ALERT
The Road Home by Tommy Tenney and Mark-Andrew Olson (modern story of Ruth and Naomi)
Historical
Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin (book one of a three-book series) Civil War, set in Richmond
Biblical
Magdalene by Angela Hunt
Suspense
Last Light by Terri Blackstock (book one in three-book series)
Uncharted by Angela Hunt
Humor
Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley (book one in a series)
Front Porch Princess by Kathryn Springer (she has other books focusing on different characters)
Romance
The Convient Groom by Denise Hunter
Contemporary
One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury TISSUE ALERT
The Road Home by Tommy Tenney and Mark-Andrew Olson (modern story of Ruth and Naomi)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Testimony of a Bookworm
How did I come to love Christian fiction?
Here's my story.....
Here's my story.....
I have always loved to read. I remember getting “in trouble” when I was younger for
bringing a book to the table and trying to read while eating dinner. My parents were great about
always making sure I had good books to read. When I hit my early teen years, though, it was tough to find
books that I enjoyed that were not too graphic for my age. At that time, my Sunday School teacher
introduced me to Janette Oke. I
devoured her whole Love Comes Softly series! This was my first experience with Christian fiction, and it
was a good one. However, I didn’t
have the benefit of a large church library and did not realize how much good
Christian fiction was out there. I
kept reading secular books, but I was always bothered by some of the things I
read.
A few years ago, I was excited to see that the women's ministry of my church was offering
a Christian fiction book club. I
loved all the books we read in the first few months and would read more by
those authors. I couldn’t believe
all the wonderful and interesting Christian fiction that was out
there—contemporary and historical, humorous and profound, thriller and romance.
As time went on, I became the leader of that group. I really enjoy researching books for us to read and finding
new authors. I continue to be
amazed at the fantastic stories and characters, and how great it is to read
books where God is recognized and praised!
I still enjoy a secular novel now and then--I read three or so a year. But reading Christian fiction has made me very aware of all the violence, sex, foul language, etc that is seen in the other books. I love being able to read a great story without these elements.
Friday, November 9, 2012
A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner
I was shopping at an outlet mall and saw a large Books-a-Million store. Of course I had to check it out and was pleasantly surprised at the selection of Christian fiction they had in the store. I noticed on the front cover the image of a lady dressed in Civil War era clothing, and having just finished a wonderful novel set in this time period by Lynn Austin, I was still in that mindset. In reading the back cover it looked like this was a more modern story taking place in a house that had been around since before that war. I had never read this author before and was glad to find something new.
I was hooked from the first chapter. A young bride marrying a widower with two children moves into the house belonging to the deceased first wife's grandmother. The children had lived there all their lives and the couple thought it would be best for them to continue to live there. At the wedding reception held at the home, the young bride Marielle hears talk of ghosts, an ancestor who was a spy for the union (the setting is Fredericksburg, Virginia), soldiers buried in the cellar, and more. Over the course of the novel Marielle's curiosity about the house and her discoveries uncovers the secrets of the line of women who have lived there from the Civil War until the present.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for a couple of reasons. For starters, I love historical fiction and its setting is not far from my own home. The author does a wonderful job of intertwining the past and the present, and the women characters in the book all must make similar sacrifices in the name of love. In the end you see a cycle of unhealthy choices get broken. The references to God are subtle but very evident. A good book to recommend to a friend that might shy away from Christian fiction, fearing it would be too preachy. This is just an intriguing story that shows how love and forgiveness can heal hearts.
I was hooked from the first chapter. A young bride marrying a widower with two children moves into the house belonging to the deceased first wife's grandmother. The children had lived there all their lives and the couple thought it would be best for them to continue to live there. At the wedding reception held at the home, the young bride Marielle hears talk of ghosts, an ancestor who was a spy for the union (the setting is Fredericksburg, Virginia), soldiers buried in the cellar, and more. Over the course of the novel Marielle's curiosity about the house and her discoveries uncovers the secrets of the line of women who have lived there from the Civil War until the present.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for a couple of reasons. For starters, I love historical fiction and its setting is not far from my own home. The author does a wonderful job of intertwining the past and the present, and the women characters in the book all must make similar sacrifices in the name of love. In the end you see a cycle of unhealthy choices get broken. The references to God are subtle but very evident. A good book to recommend to a friend that might shy away from Christian fiction, fearing it would be too preachy. This is just an intriguing story that shows how love and forgiveness can heal hearts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)