Ocean's Apart - Karen Kingsbury

Avon

ISBN: 0061456713

April 2008 (Reissue)

Contemporary Romance

www.karenkingsbury.com

Kiahna Siefert just cannot shake the feeling—God must be telling her something, but what? Later that day, the airplane on which she is a stewardess, unexpectedly dives into the ocean killing everyone onboard.

Max, Kiahna’s son, knows something is wrong when his neighbor, Ramey Aialea, meets his school bus. Ramey never brings Buddy, Max’s dog, when she meets the bus but today she does. Ramey tells Max that his mother has gone to live with Jesus.

Later, Ramey receives a phone call from an attorney who has a letter written by Kiahna to be given to Max. In it Kiahna tells Max of her friend, Connor Evans, an airline pilot but doesn’t mention her earlier relationship with Connor. Knowing that Ramey is unable to care for Max on a permanent basis, she would like Max to visit Connor, a married man who is Max's real father.

OCEANS APART is a wonderful story of a boy whose life has been disrupted, but who never loses his trust in God, and Connor, who now finds he has a son. Connor’s wife, Michelle, cannot handle the news that her husband was unfaithful and threatens to split the family. OCEANS APART will have the reader in tears so keep a box of tissues handy.

Originally released in 2004, OCEANS APART is an award-winning Christian fiction novel.

The Shack - William P. Young

Released December 2007

www.theshackbook.com


THE SHACK is a success story in its own right. Originally self-published, the novel has gained quite a following. Enough of one that Warner is partnering with Windblown Media to make sure the book reaches people throughout the world.

When his young daughter, Missy, is kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer, Mackenzie Allen Philips slips into an understandable depression. In desperation, he returns to the shack where Missy's bloody clothing was found. It is there that he meets God and is able to discover just why God allows him and others to suffer from such a horrific event.

THE SHACK is an inspirational novel, yet the events are covered with a realism I wasn't expecting. This made it hard to put down. Though, as I read the novel, something happened in this state that made the novel harder to take. A young girl went missing. At first, her connection to a MySpace account was blamed, but the outcome was far more horrific. Her uncle and former stepfather kidnapped her with plans of forcing her into their lurid child sex ring. Instead, she ended up dead and buried in a shallow grave. I'd like to say that things of that nature never happen in my state, but obviously that's not true. Because of these events, I found THE SHACK a little harder to read.

Sadly, tragedy strikes far too often and whatever God's intentions. I always find myself questioning, just as Mackenzie did, why He would allow a young child to be raped and murdered. THE SHACK covers a lot of possible answers to this question and is worthwhile reading.

Flesh & Blood by Dan Russ

Released July 2008
Christian Non-Fiction

www.bakerbooks.com

First, I'll start by saying that I was slightly turned off with the subtitle "Learning to Be Fully Human from the Son of Man." The first thought that went through my head was that some of us are not "Fully Human." Nitpick aside, once I started reading, I actually understood what the author meant.

FLESH-AND-BLOOD is not going to appeal to the masses. Those who are highly interested in examining the life Jesus led will enjoy this offering. It links the lessons and trials that Jesus faced with the life of any man and woman today. Topics range from sex to violence to death. In fact, it covered more than I figured I'd find. Sex is often overlooked in Christian books, but it's a fact of life and ignoring that humans are sexually driven creatures is wrong. Dan Russ covers this topic with honesty, something I appreciate.

A Steal of a Deal - Ginny Aiken

Revell
ISBN: 9780800732288
April 2008
Christian Mystery
www.revellbooks.com

The second book in a series about gemologist Andrea "Andie" Adams, A STEAL OF A DEAL is edgy and fun, but I struggled to really enjoy the variety of characters. Andie, the heroine, is tough, yet feminine, while her male counterpart, Max Matthews, is jaw-droppingly handsome and the object of Andie's frequent irritation.

Andie and Max work for the Shop-Til-U-Drop Channel or STUD for short. Their latest assignment has them heading to Kashmir to help the victims of a recent earthquake. Unfortunately, things do not go smoothly as a man is found dead and the STUD crew are all held in a Pakistani prison until police can rule out potential suspects. Once cleared, things still do not start looking up. Andie's time in Kashmir it turning out to be anything but fun. Once again, Andie will be solving a murder and, whether she likes it or not, working very closely with Max to get the job done!

I never read the first book in this series. This may have fed my frustration with the book. I liked Andie's character. Max didn't affect me the same way, however, and I found myself all too happy to put the book down to do chores instead. This is never a good sign.

There are other characters involved as well. Perhaps, too many for me, because I had to keep notes to remember their roles in relation to the story, STUD or to Andie. It proved to be more of a distraction and made it tough for me to get into the story. I wonder if reading the first book would have made A STEAL OF A DEAL an easier read in the long run.

As High As the Heavens - Kathleen Morgan

Revell
ISBN: 0800758161
January 2008
Historical Romance
www.revellbooks.com

Reviewed by Robert H. Goss

Heather Gordon has enjoyed the privileges of nobility all of her life but now craves something more adventurous. Duncan Mackenzie has always lived his life in the Highlands and now has a daunting task – rescue Mary, Queen of Scots, from her imprisonment at Lochleven.

Duncan has one advantage – he looks like Colin Stewart who is privy to Lady Margaret’s court. Lady Margaret is Lochleven’s chatelaine so if Duncan can take Colin’s place, he can gain access to Queen Mary. The problem is that Duncan’s speech and conduct are of a rough nature.

Heather has been assigned the task of refining Duncan’s manner. Can she accomplish this in the three months before the rescue attempt? Can she and Duncan overlook their attraction to each other?

AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS tells of a period in Scottish history when the English and Scottish were at war with each other. I found the book enlightening and well worth the purchase price of $13.99.

A Fire Within by Kathleen Morgan

Revell
ISBN: 0800759656
January 2008
Historical Romance
www.revellbooks.com

Reviewer: Robert H. Goss

A FIRE WITHIN, book 3 of These Highland Hills trilogy, carries on the story of Clan Campbell with the story of Caitlan, sister to Niall Campbell, the clan chieftain. If you haven’t read the first book, Child of the Mist, or the second book, Wings of Morning, never fear—they tell stories of other clan members. Wings of Morning was reviewed by RoundtableReviews in 2006.

When Caitlan observes a handsome stranger at Dalmally’s thrice weekly market gazing at her, she is affected unlike all other men’s gazes. He introduces himself as Darach MacFarlane and states his wish for him and his companion to meet with the Campbell. Caitlan agrees to let them accompany her and her maid little realizing he is Darach MacNaughton of the proscribed clan MacNaughton. (Proscription is the public identification and official condemnation of enemies of the state. Lands would have been seized and the clan members declared to be outlaws.)

A FIRE WITHIN grabs the reader’s attention right from the first page. While the characters are fictional, the historical aspect of the story portrays a period of time in Scotland that was very real. As romance builds between the two, the reader cannot help but wonder if Caitlan and Darach can overcome the difference in their positions. Add this book to your “must read” list, it is well worth the price.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not Review

Faith Words

ISBN 10: 1599957132

Release Date: April 30, 2008

Christian Memoir

www.trishryanonline.com

Reviewer: Deb Fowler

Trish was a royal flop in the romance department. She lined them up like ducks in a row and there was always some circumstance or incident that shot them right out from under her. Every Mr. Right turned out to be Mr. Wrong, especially the abusive clod she married. He was a two time loser who could have used a few anger management classes, but she just didn't see it coming. In her newly released book, He Loves Me, He Loves Me NOT: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope, and Happily Ever After, Trish Ryan sheepishly states that she was "too embarrassed to admit that I still couldn't get a relationship to work.

"There was Tim, there was Mark, there was Chip, there was Josh and there was even Drew, who after a date or two entertained her with thoughts of his bisexual urges. Trish gave herself crash courses in practically everything from astrology to feng shui in order to attract a mate. Nothing seemed to help. Her prospects for marriage and a family appeared to be dismal at best until she started to think about something that was said to her about taking Jesus a bit more seriously. She purged her life of all idolatrous books and items she owned and started to take note of her life, especially her relationship with Jesus (or lack of it).

She began to attend the Vineyard church. With a whirlwind of men, jobs and homes behind her, perhaps she would find a place to safely land. Her social life began to pick up. Trish suddenly found a new sense of belonging and took a five-month "crash course in the Word of God." A friend handed her a Bible stating that "this is the self-help book you've been looking for." Would Trish Ryan find what she had been looking for all along? Would she find herself? Would she find herself a Mr. Right?

I really enjoyed reading Trish Ryan's memoir. Many Christian memoirs I've read come off quite preachy from the first sentence and I'm reluctant even to get to page two, let alone the ending. I like that Trish candidly admitted her fallibility, didn't dwell on it and went on to relate how she had changed. Her relationship with Jesus didn't develop overnight and from the look of it, it will be a lifetime commitment and joy to her. I don't really care for the one-size-fits-all Christian memoir, but this one is somehow different. It's a keeper. This book would be an excellent choice for the budding or self-doubting Christian.