Beckon by Tom Pawlik - A Book Review

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     If you enjoyed Ted Dekker’s books that take place in the little town of Paradise, you will enjoy Beckon, another small town where evil lurks. Anthropologist Jack Kendrick stumbles across the town of Beckon while following up on notes his father left behind before his disappearance. Along with his friend, Rudy, a research scientist, and their guide from the Caieche tribe, Jack descends into a world below the Wyoming town, to encounter terrors beyond his imagination.

     Police officer Elina Gutierrez, also in search for a missing family member, follows a white van from California to Wyoming, a van that unknowingly led her to Beckon. If only she’d told someone of her plans. Elina knew that prayer was her only hope of escaping Beckon’s terrors.

     George Wilcox had intentionally come to Beckon, responding to an invitation, to the promise of a miracle. Miriam Wilcox may not have realized why she’d been brought to Beckon, but she knew that citizenship in heaven was preferred to the life Thomas Vale, leader of Beckon, was offering.

     The people of Beckon had long ago learned to justify their actions. After all wasn’t the world better off without some of its citizens? Didn’t the country’s economy work on the theory of supply and demand? Weren’t they protecting a native culture from the prying eyes of outsiders?

     How different were these people from Jack, Elina and George? How different from them are we? Where do we draw the line? If it is drawn in the sand, what happens when the sand shifts? Where, or in whom, can a firm foundation be found?

     Tom Pawlik uses story to tackle some big questions. He keeps his reader through an engrossing story line, painting vivid mental images, developed characters, and concise language. If you enjoy thrillers, but prefer a sound message over terror just for terror’s sake, Beckon is for you. If you appreciate a story teller who develops suspense and makes you want to leave the lights on without vulgarity, Beckon is for you. 

Another Day, Another Dali by Sandra Orchard - A Book Review

     Another Day, Another Dali is the second book in the Serena Jones Mystery series, following A Fool and His Monet.  Special Agent Serena Jones is a member of the FBI’s art crime team, but it was her Nana that got her involved in solving the theft of a Dali painting. This on the heels of rushing into a drug dealer’s home based on the possibility of a valuable painting being found on site. Then things get really interesting when Serena helps out another agent who is investigating the Russian mob. All of these cases seem to be intertwined, and all Serena knows is that someone is targeting her; the trick is to figure out which of the cases her attacker or attackers is linked to.

     When reading a mystery, we expect to be looking for motives, and questioning motives. In life we also look for motives, and unfortunately often make incorrect assumptions about why people do what they do. In Another Day, Another Dali Orchard drives this point home. Those incorrect assumptions may result in hurt feelings and unwanted and unnecessary consequences, feelings and consequences that could be avoided with adequate trust and communication.  

     I am looking forward to reading Serena Jones’ next adventure, and Orchard’s next clever title. I recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers and to those “more mature” ladies who have been looking for fun characters in their age bracket. Both groups (regardless of their age) are going to love Serena’s Aunt Martha. The series makes a great vacation or fun weekend read. I thank Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for providing me with a copy of Another Day, Another Dali in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation.

The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher - A Book Review

     The Devoted is book three in The Bishop’s Family series. This book focuses on seventeen-year-old Ruthie Stoltzfus. Ruthie is being pulled in so many directions. Should she remain within the familiar surroundings of the Amish Community of Stoney Ridge, or should she pursue higher education outside of the community? Should she continue her relationship with handsome Luke Schrock in spite of his poor life choices which hurt so many around him, or should she pursue a relationship with Patrick Kelly, a guest at a local inn who is considering converting to the Amish? While it is wonderful to have choices, making them can be difficult and life altering.

     Patrick’s appearance has had an impact on Ruthie’s father, David Stoltzfus, the Bishop, as well. As Patrick contrasts what he had anticipated Amish life would be like with the reality of Amish life in Stoney Ridge, David is forced to face some realities as well. How has the last three years of prosperity made possible by the discovery of oil on land owned by Amish families impacted their community? Has the community’s faith become misplaced? Have their priorities been altered?  If so, what is the correct course of action? The questions with which David struggles should be questions each and every Christian should ask themselves, whether living in prosperity or not.

      Visiting Stoney Ridge again is like going home, finding out about new relationships, interacting with eccentric uncles, trying to please stern-faced aunts, oohing and aaahing over how the children have grown, and mourning those that are no longer there. Suzanne Woods Fisher allows us to see inside the Amish world, and helps us discover that we really aren’t so different, our challenges are often their challenges as well.

     Suzanne Woods Fisher shows a deep understanding of the Amish, and her love for these people shines through in her writing, while always remaining realistic, not romanticizing the Amish community. Her writing brings out a variety of strong emotions; sometimes gluing me to the story, unable to put the book down; other times causing me to put the book down and step aside for a moment. I would highly recommend this book to Amish fiction fans, and also to those who love to study human nature. Thank you to Revell Publishers and the Christian Blog Alliance for providing me with The Devoted in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation.  

Tangled Webs by Irene Hannon - A Book Review

      

     The third book in Hannon’s Men of Valor series is the story of Finn, the youngest of the three McGregor brothers, and former Army Ranger. Like his brothers before him, Finn is trying to find his place after leaving military service. While Mac and Lance have not only found new occupations that are a perfect match for their skills, they have also each found the woman who is their perfect match, Finn has no such aspirations when he goes into a month’s seclusion in a national forest outside of St. Louis.

     Dana Lewis, publishing executive turned freelance book editor, has retreated to her late grandparents’ cabin on the edge of the national park after surviving a harrowing experience, one that left her guilt ridden, visually impaired, suffering bouts of dizziness, and waking screaming from nightmares. Now someone is vandalizing her property, possibly working to frighten her away.

     When Finn and Dana’s lives collide sparks fly. Finn’s military training takes over, along with his protective nature. Dana hasn’t had anyone looking out for her for a very long time. Should she give into the temptation to allow Finn to step into that role? Finn has secrets, secrets he hasn’t shared with anyone, not even his family. Should he allow Dana take the role of confidant?

     Hannon develops characters that evoke strong emotions. Readers of Tangled Webs will have deep empathy for Police Chief Roger Burnett, and the difficult choices he has to make throughout the story. Many will think of loved ones as they meet Leah Burnett, the chief’s wife. Hazel, waitress at the Walleye Diner, is endearing in spite of her rather stereotypical role as a small town, good natured gossip. Even the two characters that only appear in the prologue will find a special place in readers’ hearts.

            I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing Tangled Webs for my honest review. I thank Irene Hannon for several enjoyable hours between the covers of this book. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.      

The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club by Lexi Eddings - A Book Review

   

     The title of this book review should be “You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Back Cover Blurb.” When I read the blurb, I moaned to my husband, “If the book reads like this, it’s going to be a long, painful read.” Ah, but instead between the covers lay a tender, sweet story, a story of coming to terms with life’s difficulties and moving on to better things. It’s a story of looking beyond oneself, and the blessings that come from reaching out to others.

     Lacy has returned home after a betrayal that has left her emotionally and financially drained. She feels like returning to the small town of Coldwater, Oklahoma is a giant step backward. Jacob has returned to Coldwater after sustaining severe physical trauma while serving as a marine in Afghanistan, leaving him to cope with PTSD. Jacob, once the local love ‘em and leave ‘em heart throb, is now looking for someone with whom he can have a deeper relationship, someone who can see him rather than his injury. Lacy is not ready to put herself in a position to be hurt again, not ready to trust. Will their friendship stand up to their insecurities; is there hope that it may develop into something more?

     Then there is Daniel Scott, Lacy’s former boyfriend and Jacob’s former best friend. Daniel struggles with his relationship with his wife who is fighting in the only way she knows how to help him overcome his addiction. He struggles with his relationship with the abusive father of his childhood, now an alcoholic, homeless Vietnam vet whom the Coldwater Warm Hearts Club has taken under their wing. Will Lacy’s reappearance make reconciliation with his wife more challenging? How will it impact what little remains of his connection to Jacob, the friend who kept him from making what might have been the biggest mistake of his life?

     Those who read my reviews will be accustomed to their being about books that strictly adhere to the standards set forth for Christian fiction. So, I feel obligated to mention that while The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club does have faith based themes, it would better be described as a sweet romance. There is just a bit of language that one would not find in Christian fiction. While sex outside of marriage is alluded to, there are no steamy, explicit sex scenes. I do not believe fans of Christian fiction will feel as if they have compromised by reading this sweet story. Lacy is a seeker, Jacob is rediscovering his faith. Thankfully God gives each of us grace as we work toward maturity in our faith.

     I thank Lacy Eddings and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of The Coldwater Warm Hearts Club in exchange for my honest opinion. I have received no monetary compensation for this review. 

This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick - A Book A Review

           

     Sharp tongued yet loving, opinionated yet understanding, lame yet persevering, brave yet fearful of becoming a burden, a life filled with dichotomy, light well spent. This is Tabitha Moffat Brown, pioneer, also known as “The Mother of Oregon.” Once again Jane Kirkpatrick has fleshed out the life of a strong woman from America’s history, holding true to her life, drawing reasonable conclusions, and adding enough fiction to allow her to live once again in the hearts and minds of readers. In this endeavor, Kirkpatrick is a master.

     Tabitha Brown, along with her son’s, Orus Brown’s, family and her daughter’s, Pherne Pringle’s, family, traveled from St. Charles, Missouri to the Salem and Forest Grove areas of Oregon, traveling together most of the way, then with Orus taking the Oregon Trail, and Tabby and the Pringles separating to follow the California Trail into Oregon. Those following the Applegates through northern California encountered extreme hardships, with the survivors entering their new lives in Oregon with not much more than the clothes on their backs, depending on the kindness of those who had gone before.

     Tabby’s relationship with her children plays an important role in her story. While her deep love for them, and them for her is obvious, there is tension and more than just a bit of friction between them. While Tabby may not totally comprehend the root of this, she does, often unsuccessfully, try to avoid adding fuel to the fire. Success does seem to come more easily once Tabby finds meaningful ways to spend her light during her later years.

     While reading This Road We Traveled I flagged twenty pages on which I underlined pearls of wisdom, quotes that I will copy into my reading log to revisit in the future. How many authors of fiction offer such treasure? I highly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction, to those looking for strong female role models, and to those who love the beauty of words. I thank Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for providing this book for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for providing this review. 

The Raven by Mike Nappa - A Book Review

      

     Having read Annabel Lee, I was quite anxious to read the second installment in the Coffey and Hill series by Mike Nappa. At first I thought I was going to be disappointed, and then I reached chapter seven, and I was hooked. I love the way Nappa takes seemingly disconnected details and pulls them all together into a satisfying ending. I also appreciate the way he is unafraid to tackle events and themes often avoided in Christian literature, but handles them in a way that does not sensationalize them.

     When Trudi Coffey first sees, deception specialist, The Raven, he’s in a tight spot. The Raven becomes enamored with this beautiful lady who saves his life, but little did either of them know the trajectory their relationship would take from there. They also had no idea how the men who had placed him in that tight spot would figure so prominently in their future. These men certainly weren’t done with the Raven, and weren’t to be frightened away by Trudi.

     Samuel Hill, Trudi’s ex, has made mistakes, big ones, but he still loves Trudi, and will go to any extent to protect her, whether she feels like she needs to be protected or not. Is his trust placed in the right people to assist him in this endeavor? Only time will tell. Has bringing Trudi in on his Nevermore investigation placed her in greater danger? Well, neither one of them is backing down now. While they may not be able to resume their relationship, Trudi and Samuel’s love will be Forevermore.

     Then there is Mama Bliss, matriarch of Little Five Points in Atlanta, Georgia. There is much more to that sweet, elderly lady sitting in her wheelchair painting outside the store, Sister Bliss’s Secret Stash, that she opened with her late husband, William, than meets the eye. Much more. Mama Bliss is the character in this story that will grab the reader’s attention and hold it firmly until the end, driving the reader to put off other things that need to be accomplished in order to uncover the truth behind Mama Bliss.

     I highly recommend Mike Nappa’s Coffey and Hill series. While The Raven would work fine as a stand-alone read, the reader who has first read Annabel Lee will have greater insights into the characters’ motivations and relationships, and will understand the occasional reference to their previous case. I thank Revell Publishing and the Christian Blog Alliance for providing this book for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for providing this review.