Fiction•
on May 21st, 2005•
My favorite genre to read is hands-down mystery and suspense. There are some awesome Christian who-dun-it novels that will keep you up at night. Here are two that I finished off in less than 24 hours each!
Breaker’s Reef
by Terri Blackstock
Breaker’s Reef is the fourth and final book in the Cape Refuge Series. I have read all of the books in these series except for the very first one. Without having read any of the series, you can easily enjoy any of the books, but having that extra history with the characters does make it special. This final book opens with the classic Terri Blackstock heart-wrenching bang! Once you cast your eyes on the gruesome details of the crime, you might as well make yourself comfortable. I have to force myself not to skim down the page!
When the police find the body of a teenager, the investigation starts off shakily because an overzealous rookie tampers with the crime scene. It does not take a long for several folks to become suspects including the Chief of Police himself. In the midst of the criminal investigation, another story involving the ex-con Sheila Caruso slowly begins to connect with the crime.
Sheila has finally found a job as a typist for an eccentric author. While transcribing a tape, she stumbles across a chapter that is very similar to the crime scene. Little does Sheila know this discovery will be minor to the one that has arrived in Cape Refuge looking for her. Eighteen years ago, Sheila gave up a baby girl for adoption. The young woman has arrived in town seeking to meet her birth mother, but they never meet. Another body has been found and soon Sheila’s daughter Sadie turns up missing. With both of her daughters in danger, Sheila’s faith is tested as she struggles with her past and the consequences.
Terri Blackstock weaves a tale of mystery and suspense that examines how destructive sin can be in our lives. Underneath the fast-paced storyline is a gentle reminder of redemption and God’s grace. This is an awesome series so I encourage you to grab book one and have fun.
Other books in this series:
River’s Edge #3
Southern Storm #2
Cape Refuge #1
Dead of Night
by Brandilyn Collins
Yet another book series! An excellent series I might add. Dead of Night is the third book in the Hidden Faces series. I have read all three books and Brandilyn Collins gets better and better as she develops the character, Annie Kingston. Annie is a forensic artist and she is often called upon to draw the face of some creepy murderers. Unfortunately, she draws them so well, they often come after her.
A serial killer is on the loose in the Redding, California area and has decided to move closer to Annie’s neck of the woods. The killer leaves a body practically in Annie’s backyard. In the midst of this stressful situation, Annie must deal with her rebellious teenage son, Stephen, who has grown progressively worse through each book. By far Stephen has really done it this time because he has a drug dealer after him and has endangered his entire family.
Through the escalating events of the serial killer case and her son, Annie, as a relatively new believer learns more about the power of prayer. This novel not only entertains, but reminds readers there is only one way to take care of evil. Brandilyn Collins inclusion of prayer and spiritual warfare in this novel truly makes it a top-notch read above any other crime novel.
Other books in this series:
Stain of Guilt # 2
Brink of Death #1
Fiction•
on May 12th, 2005•
Over the past few years, a popular genre of writing known as “Faith Chick Lit” has become increasingly popular. The term “chick lit” seemed to have become popular with the Bridget Jones books and movies. In recent years, the trend has made its way over to the Christian Fiction arena. A friend of mine recently started a blog, Faithchick.com, which features several female authors . I’m not sure if the following two books are considered Faith Chick Lit books, but they definitely met the definition to me! I hope you get a chance to read them!
Flippin’ the Script
by Aisha Ford
Life for Sabrina Bradley is not going well. Still reeling from a recent broken engagement, Sabrina makes her way through the pain by working tirelessly at her job. She work as the assistant to Darci Oliver, the host of the talk show Daily Dose. Darci seems oblivious to her demands on Sabrina and her quirks make Sabrina’s life increasingly more difficult. Darci especially turns up the heat when she notices the producer (also her ex-boyfriend), Avery is obviously attracted to Sabrina and making efforts to pursue her.
In a fit of desperation, Sabrina fills out her resolution list with the last item being, “Do not fall in love.” In search of content for the show, Darci unwittingly gets her hands on Sabrina’s list. With the promise of a bonus and a promotion, Darci encourages Sabrina to place herself as one of the participants on the “resolution” show. Soon the attention and pressure to keep the resolutions start to take a tole on Sabrina. In the midst of the chaos, Avery continues to pursue her and that “Do not fall in love” resolution becomes the hardest one of them all to keep!
This was second novel I have read by Aisha Ford and I love how she develops her characters. There were so many times during the read I wanted to give her advice or just pray with her. Through the humourous and often dramatic storyline, readers get a chance to see how impulsive decisions made out of pain and frustration, can truly backfire. Through Sabrina readers will be reminded of a valuable lesson which involves us letting go and letting God heal us. We need stand through out trials and wait patiently for what He has for us on the other side. Not wanting to give the ending away, I love the way things worked out for Sabrina! 
Speak to My Heart
by Stacey Hawkins Adams
Speak to My Heart is Stacey Hawkin Adams’ debut novel. I am always elated anytime I read a book that draws me emotionally into the character’s life. From the beginning of the novel, readers are drawn into Serena Jasper’s story. Serena and her Mama are tight! They have been that way ever since Serena’s dad died when she was young. Unfortunately, the bond between this mother and daughter abruptly gets broken when Serena’s Mama shares a devastating secret.
Right after sharing news of her acceptance into graduate school, Serena’s Mama tells her the man she has known as father all these years, was not her biological father. Serena’s conception came as the result of an affair her mother had with Deacon Gates. In shock, shame and anger, Serena withdraws from her mother and disassociates herself from her home church St. Mark’s Baptist Church. Not only does a wedge come between her and mother, but Serena slowly lets school and then her career come between her and God.
With a promotion and a hot account opportunity for her company, Serena soars as a advertising executive. Along the way, Serena meets Micah, a seminary student whose friendship and recent career change leave Serena searching for the missing pieces in her own life. The chaos that is derived from her roommate’s tumultuous relationship and one of the girls she used to mentor at St. Marks, causes Serena to look at the choices she has made. As she discovers how selfish she has been, she begins to seek God’s voice again and also tries to reconcile with her mother before it’s too late.
You will need some tissues with this book. I won’t tell you why, but being one who easily cries anyway, I had tears flowing down my face several times. Forgiveness and reconciliation are shown so passionately through the characters of Serena and her mother. The book touches on many topics such as the pitfalls of working in the corporate world, domestic violence, adultery, terminal illness, teenage pregnancy, backsliding, etc. Even with all these topics, one major theme runs throughout, people, careers and situations may disappoint us, but God is always there for us. Nothing takes the place of emptiness, but God himself.
Devotions•
on May 2nd, 2005•
Being an introvert, I enjoy my alone time. Why? I value being alone because it gives me a chance to recharge. After buzzing around people all day, I crave the quietness of the house, the drone of the computer screen at night (I’m a night owl) or curling up on the couch with a book. Whether a person is an introvert or extrovert, we all need time away to reflect or just relax on our own. We can only receive the valuable benefits of solitude based on how well we manage this time.
During a recent session, my bible study group was reading chapter eight of Luke. Within this chapter is a story of a man and the dark forces that sought to destroy him.
When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Luke 8:27-29 NIV
I have read this passage several times, but the words “solitary places” captured my attention. It caused me to pause and think how often my thoughts drove me to despair when I was alone. I imagine the man who called himself “Legion (v. 30)” was at one time a normal man. Like any of us, he probably went through some trials that weighed him down. Unfortunately one too many times these thoughts (the whispers from the dark) overtook him … until he lost himself. Lost, entangled and powerless to the dark forces that tormented him.
Praise God! No matter how far off we may stray or be lost in the dark, God is there to reel us back in. In this particular situation, the man received a special visit from Jesus himself. While others tried to chain him down, Jesus came to set him free! Jesus set him free by giving him back his “mind.”
When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Luke 8:35-36 NIV
How are you using your times of solitude? Are you taking some time alone time? I’m still learning, but in those times when I’m alone and I’m down in the dumps, I can’t let myself be idle or let my thoughts make me anxious. I must tell Jesus! Jesus is our perfect example. In Mark 1:35, it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” We often see in the gospels where Jesus goes off by himself. The key element to how he managed his times of solitude … he PRAYED to his Father in Heaven. God longs for his children to communicate with Him. If you have not taken time to go off to a solitary place, I encourage you to do it soon! Be on a mission to meet with God when you get there!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
