The Sky Beneath My Feet by Lisa Samson

I stumbled upon Lisa Samson quite a while ago when I picked up The Passion of Mary Margaret. When I picked up that book, I thought I was getting a typical Christian romance. It was anything but. Since then I've looked for anything by Lisa Samson to read.

Lisa's books look beyond traditional religion to examine what a real relationship with Christ looks like. Her books always challenge me about how actively I am loving Christ by loving my neighbor. And they challenge my assumptions about people in general.

In The Sky Beneath My Feet, Elizabeth- who is a woman about my own age and my own season of life by the way- is taken aback when her husband, Rick, announces his intention to "get away from it all to hear from God." Now Elizabeth is left with the curiosity of friends and church members - where her husband is a pastor. She's also left to handle all the family problems on her own. Throughout Rick's time of hiding away, he and Elizabeth both have revelations about God at work in their lives. And, thanks to a neighbors unusual mural, they come to realize that, maybe, what God has been saying in their lives has been in front of them all along.

I closed The Sky Beneath My Feet as I have most of Lisa's other books- with tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat, and a new conviction in my heart.

Lisa's characters are compelling. There is an interesting story line with sadness, humor, and inspiration. There are real, believable people in real, believable situations. There is love and friendship and real relationships. There are good times and there are hard times. And there aren't easy solutions that result in a "pie in the sky" ending.

But I have yet to walk away from one of Lisa Samson's books without feeling convicted and inspired- as well as feeling as if I had read a really good book.

I give this one 5 stars and a PG rating for content.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Red Dawn Rising by Sue Duffy

Christian suspense is one of my favorite genres. It always helps if there is a little bit of romance thrown in.  Red Dawn Rising by Sue Duffy was a good combination of both.

It is book 2 of a series. I had not read the first book. Apparently there is going to be a theme of a rising Russian thrust for power, a plan to take over Russia and restore it to it's "former glory." The events from book 1 are alluded to quite a few times, and I would have liked to read it first, but I was able to follow along pretty well with only the occasional confusion because of lack of background.

Cass Rodino is following her stepfather whom her mother suspects of cheating on her when she in unexpected drawn into a web of gangsters and powerful men who seek to restore Russia to her former glory. As the events around her unfurl, she becomes involved with a pianist who has already been part of bringing down the first group of these Russians and an ex-Russian spy. As she faces dark things in her past, she finds love in an unexpected place and realizes that the God of her childhood has never left her and really does offer her hope and forgiveness.

I was immediately drawn into the story which was fairly fast-paced and interesting. The characters were very interesting to get to know, and there was a good balance of action and inner thought, so that I could get to know them well.

There were a few places where the story seemed to slow down. But I think if I read the previous book I would have understood better the people and events written about, and I would have not found those parts slow reading.

I really enjoyed this- even without the information from the first book. I'd like to go back and read it and continue to look for others in the series.  I give this one 4 stars and a PG-13 for content because of a good bit of violence and reference to marital indiscretion.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

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A Noble Groom arrived at my house mysteriously. Out of all of the companies I review for, I never could find one that I was to review this book for (and I am very careful about organizing my reviews). I was excited to read it. I stumbled across The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund two years ago and loved it. But I never did figure out if this book was for a specific review company.

So I read the book anyway and enjoyed it immensely.

A Noble Groom is the story of Annalisa daughter of a poor German immigrant who came to the American midwest when his sons were killed in bad mining conditions at their home in Europe. Annalisa's family has a strong hatred toward noblemen in general now. Annalisa herself is married to a worthless and often unkind husband, but, like every other young woman in her family and culture, she is viewed as worthless and without an opinion. When Annalisa's husband dies and she is in danger of losing her farm, her father sets up a marriage to a cousin from the Old Country, but while Annalisa waits for him to arrive, a different man arrives mysteriously; and Annalisa realizes that fairy tale really can be real.

I love Hedlund's way with descriptions- descriptions of the setting, the people, the main characters. I love the sweet romance that buds. I love Annalisa's strong, determined spirit. I love that in this book, as in the other Hedlund book I read, the heroine can rescue the hero as well as be rescued herself. I love the real historical background so prevalent in the story and described at the end of the book.

There are spiritual lessons to be learned- the equality of people; the dangers of pride; the love of God for all of His creation; but the book is never "preachy." The characters aren't perfect. They stumble. They fail. Things don't work out perfectly, but they work out well.

I'm not sure why I received this book to review, but I am surely glad I did. I give this one 5 stars and a PG for content.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are entirely my own.

An Open Heart by Harry Kraus

I have had the opportunity to read a few of Harry Kraus's medical thrillers before, but I think this may be my favorite one yet.

Jace Rawlings is a successful heart surgeon in the US but grew up in Africa where his father was a medical missionary.  The faith of his parents never "took" with Jace, and he has resisted a relationship with God after the tragic death of his twin sister. Jace returns to Africa to operate a heart program for the poor. But no one- including Jace- is sure whether he is running from a secret affair at home or seeking to atone his guilt over his sister's death. Jace's return to Africa is overshadowed by political corruption and the struggle of good and evil in the supernatural world.

I was drawn into this story immediately. Besides the fact that it started off quickly with plenty of action, the setting was familiar to me. I have a good friend that grew up in Africa at Rift Valley Academy- the very Academy where Jace and his twin sister grew up!  It was so very interesting to read a fictional book set in this place I knew of!

The story starts off with action and intrigue. Jace and his wife Heather are interesting characters that I was instantly drawn to. There is a mystery from the beginning of the story because Jace has memory loss, and we are unsure about his motives for heading to Africa.

The information about African culture and the field of medicine there provides a compelling setting for the story. I'm a fan of medical fiction, so I especially liked this theme. There is also a supernatural component to the story that adds mystery and intrigue.

My only complaint about the story is that is seemed to end rather abruptly. I liked the ending, but things had moved slower up until the very end, and all of sudden things seemed to be resolved very abruptly.

I still can give this one a 5 star rating and a PG 13 for content (because of the supernatural component).

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing An Open Heart David C. Cook (June 1, 2013) by Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Their Messages—From Beyond the Grave—Might Destroy Him ...

They hover between life and death, their hearts stopped on the surgery table. And the messages Dr. Jace Rawlings’ open-heart surgery patients bring back from beyond the grave cannot be ignored. For they predict the deaths of people around him, and point a finger of suspicion straight at him.

It thrusts Jace into a firestorm of controversy and danger. A maeltsrom blown by the darker winds of political intrigue and spiritual warfare. And the forces working against him will do anything to stop him from uncovering a truth they will kill to hide. He’d come to Kenya to establish a heart-surgery program for the poor. But what he will find in that place where he grew up will put everything at risk–his marriage, his career . . . his life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of An Open Heart, go HERE.

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert was another one of those delightful surprises when I found a review book I loved tremendously. I wan't familiar with the author, but I will certainly be looking for her other books.

Robin is a widow with a young son. She is also the owner of Willow Tree Cafe. When Ian McKay shows up with a development group that threatens her cafe, Robin has to face the uncomfortable possibility that her life is going to change in many ways.

I loved the characters of Robin and Ian. There was a perfect balance between their interactions and their inner revelations. With action that moved the story along and these interesting characters, I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down.

I thought there was also a very good balance between encouraging and edifying but not preaching. Robin ad Ian both had to grow spiritually throughout the story, and readers are a party to their inner growth. But the spiritual truths come out inspiring and thought-provoking, not at all preachy.

I really did love this one. I give it 5 stars and a PG rating.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener

I've come across several novels lately with a supernatural theme. A Season of Mysteries is another. The author- Rusty Whitener- was new to me, but this is his second book. The first is A Season of Miracles.

A Season of Mysteries is the recollection of Robert Powell of a particular year in his life- 1976. Robert has a unique ability to remember things- especially conversations- in great detail. As an adult, Robert is being troubled by memories and dreams of that year. So Robert writes down the events of that spectacular year.

I really enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure at first. The book is mostly conversation with very little reflection from any of the characters. It's a first person narrative of conversation. Of course that completely fits with the story line of Robert's recollections. But it was a little difficult to get used to at first.

As I read, I was more and more drawn into the story. And after I became accustomed to the unique style of writing, I really enjoyed it. There are interesting characters, exciting action, supernatural battles, and definitely some suspense. It's all told from the perspective of a fifteen year old boy which makes for a new and different treatment of an interesting story line.

I will definitely be looking for the prequel to this one.

I give this one 4 strong stars and a PG-13 rating (because of the supernatural content).

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A New Book From a New Author and a GIVEAWAY

A Girl Named Grace by Janna LaFrance is a new book by a newly published author. It came across my blog reading, and I was excited to read this new book.

I have a little disclaimer before I write this review: I am not a published author. I love to write and as a child wrote "books" all the time. I fully intended to be a published author as an adult. There are two reasons I haven't written a published book: (1) Time- mothering, homemaking, and homeschooling keep me too busy. Maybe at another season of life I won't feel like I'm flying by the skin of my teeth, and I will feel like I have time. (2) I would be terrified to put my heart and soul on paper and then have people not like it. That is the truth. An author takes pieces of herself and commits them to print and shows the world. Some people love it. Some people hate it. And that would be hard for me.

So it is hard for me to write a negative review- especially for a new writer.  I don't know Janna personally, but she has more guts than me because she put her soul in print for us all to read.

With that preface, here are my thoughts about A Girl Named Grace.

Grace is a sensitive woman that has always struggled with fear and doubt. Even from a young age, she's been "different." She was the victim of abuse. She senses things. And her teachers were concerned about her "imaginary friend" when she was young. Now as a grown woman, she is still sensitive and reflective. Her marriage struggles because she never feels completely sure of her husband's love and commitment. When Grace faces tragedy and then discovery of an overwhelming secret, her life is really falling apart. And then she begins to have the visitations from the friend of her youth again. And she begins to realize that only Christ can fill the emptiness in her life even as she finds that she must deal with yet one more terrible revelation.

What I liked:  I liked the theme of the book. As women, I believe we often seek to find fulfillment in our husbands. Truthfully we can only find fulfillment in Christ.

What I didn't like: There was some bad language. I am not offended by this unless it is the Lord's name taken in vain, but I know some people would be very offended at bad language in a Christian fiction book.
The book was very reflective. This was done purposefully and suited the character of Grace because she is supposed to be sensitive to the supernatural. It is just not my preference in reading. There were pages and pages of just Grace and her thoughts. It is just a different style.
Some of the supernatural encounters that Grace experiences were just strange to me. Again, this is more of a preference on my part (and this may reflect different doctrinal views), but it was a little different.

One of my most difficult tasks as a reviewer is sorting through my personal feelings based on style and preferences and making judgments about the quality of a book. My thought about A Girl Named Grace- read it. I think it is a bold and different book. It might resonate with you. It might speak to you. Or you might find the style difficult as I did.

***Now for the Giveaway information.***

You can visit the author's site, and you can enter to win your own copy of A Girl Named Grace.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.