Book Review: Afloat by Erin Healy

Erin Healy's "Afloat" is easily one of the best Christian fiction works I've read in a long time.  Reminiscent of Shaunti Feldhahn's fiction works, this novel does a tremendous job of taking a believable, "real life" story and mixing in supernatural elements throughout the plot.  The plot, in and of itself, is compelling- a cutting-edge housing development, located on the water, begins to literally fall apart as rain and flooding overtake the entire area.  A group of people, from contractors to investors to residents, finds themselves stranded on the island.  As you learn the stories of this motley crew, you are sucked into their world, plopped in the middle of their disaster, and eventually find yourself taking sides as they argue whether or not to leave the safety of the development.  But there is an underlying plot element that continues to rear its head throughout the story: first a child, then various adult characters come into contact with supernatural beings, who issue warnings and promises alike to guide the people through the disaster they face.  

I will say that this book took me a bit to completely get into.  At the beginning, I had a lot of "HUH?!" moments, but it didn't take long for the elements to come together in my mind, and quickly become a page-turner that kept me up way past my bedtime.  Healy has done such a great job with this novel that I was able to forgive the slow start.  By the end of the book, I was holding my breath and rooting for the characters.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested, and I am so grateful to Thomas Nelson Publishing for the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.  

Book Review: Stress Test by Richard Mabry

Once again, Richard Mabry has done a great job with a medical thriller that hooked me from the first few paragraphs.  Oftentimes, when starting a book, I have to read a couple of chapters before I can get "into" the story.  Not the case with Mabry's writings- and Stress Test is no exception!

The story begins by introducing the reader to Dr. Matt Newman, a likable, ordinary guy who is in the process of moving to the next stage of his life- a less-stressful job means finally moving forward in his current romantic relationship with a woman who might be "the one".  As Newman finishes up his last shift, he is abducted in the parking garage.  Knowing that the abductors intend to murder him, he risks everything to escape- a move that gains his freedom but results in a cat-and-mouse game which includes his being framed for murder.  He is connected with Sandra Murray, an attorney who willingly accepts the challenge to exonerate him from false charges.  

Throughout this fast-paced novel, I found myself feeling a connection to the characters.  It contains just enough medical jargon to be entirely believable {which should be expected when the author's name is followed by M.D., right?! ;)} and the description of legal proceedings was consistent and accurate.  Excellent job, Dr. Mabry!

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity from Thomas Nelson Publishing to read and review this book, as I have all of Mabry's previous writings.  I was not encouraged to write a positive review- in fact, honestly, I recommend it highly!

Book Review: A Matter of Trust by Lis Wiehl

I love a good murder mystery, and so when Thomas Nelson Publishing offered me an opportunity to read and review Lis Wiehl's "A Matter of Trust", I jumped at the opportunity.  I was quite pleased with the book, and feel certain I've found a new author to follow.

As you can read in the description, the book is about a prosecutor who faces the task of solving the murder of her closest friend- which she also 'witnessed' over the phone.  Mia Quinn is a likable, believable character who most people can relate to on at least one level.  I found myself getting so "into" the story that I experienced the emotional rollercoaster that Mia rode through the entire book.  

I was thankful to discover that "A Matter of Trust" is a series debut, because there are several characters and minor plot elements that are mostly well-developed, but not fully resolved in the course of this novel.  I felt as though I was missing part of the resolution- then I realized that it might be several books before I understand the introduction of some characters.  

Through the twists and turns of the plot, the "whodunit?" question that keeps circling, and the relatability of this young mom, recently widowed, who must keep too many plates spinning, Wiehl has written an excellent story that kept me interested from the first moments of reading.  I look forward to reading the rest of the Mia Quinn series! 

{Disclaimer: I was offered the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.  Any opinions expressed in this review are mine, and not at all influenced by the publisher.}

Book Review: Prayers of a Stranger - Davis Bunn

As someone who has struggled with infertility issues, I was so very torn on whether or not to read and review this book when offered the opportunity by the publisher.  I knew that it had the potential to either wound my heart or heal it.  After a deep, shuddering breath, I opted to read it.  I'm glad that I did.  I have not suffered the loss of a child, but I know the heartache that comes from longing so deeply for a child and feeling like a failure when you cannot make it happen.

In this story, Amanda Vance struggles deeply after losing a child while pregnant.  She is so deeply affected by her loss that she can no longer work as a nurse with newborn babies.  She plods through life, but each day is a struggle.  Her relationship with her husband suffers as they both experience heart-wrenching grief, and no longer know how to relate to one another.  Then, one day, through a swirl of divinely-orchestrated circumstances, she is invited to travel to the Holy Land.  What happens there forever changes her perspective on God, on life, and on her struggles.  As she helps to heal a child in need, her heart begins a new stage of healing.

I highly recommend reading Davis Bunn's "Prayers of a Stranger"... no matter where you are in life, it will touch you.

{Disclaimer: This novel was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review; all opinions expressed herein are sincerely my own.} 

Book Review: Arms of Love by Kelly Long

I recently had the opportunity to review Kelly Long's Amish Beginnings novel, Arms of Love.  As I think I've recently mentioned, I have really enjoyed the Amish genre lately, and Ms. Long's book is no exception!  This was a really great story, and I found myself completely wrapped up in the plot, and feeling like I was a part of the characters' lives.  

Without any spoilers, I'll give a brief summary:  the book begins with main character Adam Wyse making a promise to his neighbor, who is great with child and feels that God has told her that she will not survive the birth of her fourth child.  This neighbor is also the mother of the young woman, Lena Yoder, who Adam loves dearly.  The promise he makes will break his heart as he faces tough decisions regarding his faith and the civil war.  Adam is a good man with a sincere heart who is often overlooked because of his intellectual brother, whose greatest desire is to become a bishop.  Revelations from not only Adam's past, but that of his father, will shape the eventual outcome of this story.

I was unfamiliar with Kelly Long before reading this book, but I'm so glad that I made the choice to read and review!  She's an excellent writer, and I am already looking at reading some of her other novels.  A great feature at the end of the story is a Reading Group Guide... whether or not I have the opportunity to read this with a group, I do plan on spending some time reviewing and answering the questions on my own.

Five star read- highly unpredictable, and highly recommended!  Thanks to the publisher for providing the book in exchange for my honest review!

Faith and Other Flat Tires - Andrea Palpant Dilley - A Review

I was recently given the opportunity to review Andrea Palpant Dilley's Faith and Other Flat Tires. The title causes the mind to wander a bit, and I suppose a prospective reader would assume the book was: 
 a- an atheistic view of why Christianity doesn't work 
or, 
b- the usual, expected, "I followed Jesus, this horrible event happened, I was mad at God, but now this good event has happened or this person has come into my life and therefore, I've come full circle and love Him more than ever."

Neither option sounds especially appealing to me. The first, because I do follow Jesus, and it does work. The second, because I know that not every follower's story wraps up so neatly with a bow on top. Life is messy and hard and doesn't always resolve in less than 400 pages. 

 I was pleasantly surprised to read this coming-of-age story that did not come full-circle. The author is by no means old, but has written this memoir of her life thus far. Her parents spent time as missionaries in Kenya, and the horrific experiences they witnessed are not lost on Andrea, even as a child. She lives her life, feeling like she does not fit in anywhere... that when she is in Kenya, she doesn't "belong", but when she returns to the States, she doesn't really feel that she belongs, because she has spent so much of her life out of the country. We travel with her from the point of childhood blind faith, through her teenage years and removing the "Jesus fish" from the back of her car, into adulthood, where she realizes that life is not like a Hallmark Channel movie. To expect things to be neat and orderly and sensible removes the humanity from life. Andrea deals with serious doubt, and at the end of the book, she still lacks answers. 

 I enjoyed reading this book, and {like most of her readers, I would imagine} found myself in the pages of the story. I caught glimpses of my life, and related to Andrea on many levels. I am typically not a memoir-reading kind of gal, but truly enjoyed the stories she included. I recommend this book for those seeking and doubting and lacking answers. Will it solve anything for you? Probably not. But, it will remind you that you are not alone.

Book Review: Faithful to Laura by Kathleen Fuller

I recently finished reading "Faithful to Laura" by Kathleen Fuller. I enjoy the Christian Amish/Mennonite genre, and so when I had the opportunity to read and review "Faithful to Laura", I willingly jumped at the chance! Fuller does not disappoint in this novel. To my knowledge, I've never read any of her writings previously, but I will keep my eye out for her books from now on. She has this great way of describing the characters, and you actually feel like you know them by the time you get halfway through the book. I adored the story of Sawyer and Laura, and how they find common ground to connect and form a relationship. Both come from outside the community, and struggle with fitting in for different reasons. They have lots of baggage, but once each can convince the other to trust, Sawyer and Laura find that they're not so different. One thing I appreciated about this novel was how respectful the author was of the characters' relationships with God. The Amish tend to have a quiet faith, from my understanding, and while Fuller certainly included plenty of tidbits and anecdotes about the character's spiritual lives, she didn't go overboard or attempt to proselytize in this story. {And, so that you understand my perspective, I am a follower of Jesus... I just get frustrated sometimes when authors make faith seem so simple and easy and concrete. It's not.} I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book, which was provided to me by the publisher. Any opinions expressed are my own, and I did not receive any compensation for this review.