Fiction•
on August 2nd, 2005•
A Table by the Window
By Lawana Blackwell
A Table by the Window is Lawana Blackwell’s first contemporary fiction effort. It is also the first book I have read by her. Not normally a historical fiction reader, I might check out her other novels. Mixed with a bit of romance and suspense, Blackwell offers readers a warm-hearted story about a young woman embracing all life has to offer for her.
Carley Reed is enabled to walk in her destiny thanks to a sizable inheritance left by her grandmother who has recently passed away. Carley hardly remembers her grandmother due to the isolation from the extended family per her trouble-prone mother. After a private investigator brings her the news, newly unemployed Carley takes a trip from San Francisco to her grandmother’s home in Mississippi. During her brief visit, she comes in contact with relatives she has never known.
Carley returns to San Francisco only to sorely miss the joy of an extended family and the hospitality of the South. She returns to the small town and permanently settles into her grandmother’s home. Soon Carley embarks on an entirely different career from her days as an English teacher. Her love for cooking turns into the idea of bringing a little of the West Coast to the South. Thus Annabel Lee Café is born and soon becomes an exciting eatery in the community.
The café becomes just one of many focal points in Carley’s life. She hires and takes in a troubled teenager and dates the town’s chief of police. While life seems ideal for Carley, lurking in the background are several mysteries, with one being an unsolved murder. Little does Carley know the murderer never left town and is a lot closer to her world than she can imagine.
I hope to see future contemporary fiction releases from Lawana Blackwell. This one was quite a meaty read, logging in at 413 pages. The length is well worth the read and the story moves along comfortably.
Fiction•
on July 27th, 2005•
Ahhh! The smell. The aroma. The anticipation. Where do I start?
Look at all the rows and rows of bookshelves! A book lover’s paradise!
Yes, I treated myself to a rarity today!
Now I love a cup of coffee and the Starbucks section in Barnes & Noble was talking to my nose. The coffee beans were enticing, but with the weather approaching ninety degrees outside (it reached 100 degress today by the way), I just enjoyed the aroma and kept on stepping towards the first stack of books that caught my eye. Now I had no business eyeing the discount books, because I already have two or three STACKS of unread books waiting for me at home. But I looked anyway. You never know when you find a bargain!
I am an Internet junkie and over the past few years Amazon.com and Christianbook.com have become well-worn bookmarks in my browser. Various publishers have supplied me with books galore to review for them. With books always at my fingertips, I rarely enter a library unless I’m doing research for a project. Physical book stores – whether Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks or Books-A-Million – visiting these stores is a favorite pastime that beckons me.
Similar to how a sports fan gets ready for the big game, my stride is anticipatory and confident in finding a winning combination for my eyes to behold. Believe me I can spend some time in the bookstore. Patiently I drag my finger across the spine of the books. The titles call to me. Pick me. Pick me. After scanning the table of contents, I quickly flip through the pages. Turning the book over I carefully read the description. Nah! Not this one. Next. Next. Finally, I find the book that beckoned me to the store in the first place. Ok, I exaggerate! But this author may provide some insights to a situation. Better yet, this novel might be good enough to keep me up all night! Off I go to the register.
Oh, but I was good today. The books I have at home will keep me content for a while, but I did find a great one for my sister. I also found a great one for my co-worker.
Hey, an avid book lover is commissioned to pass a good book along! It’s like sharing a good pot of coffee with a friend.
Fiction•
on July 23rd, 2005•
Ok, here are two novels from two first time novelist. I hope you get an opportunity to check them out!
Plenty Good Room
By Cheri Paris Edwards
It’s always refreshing to read a book from a new author, especially one that stands out from the rest. Plenty Good Room by Cheri Paris Edwards is one of those rare Christian novels that offer readers a peak inside the heart and soul of the lost. Readers will get a chance to witness how God truly never leaves or forsake us.
Tamara Britton is a child advocate who leads a quiet, lonely life. In one night her seemingly controlled life changes when fourteen year old Sienna Larson is dropped off at her home. In a matter of days, Tamara’s world is turned upside down after she agrees to let Sienna stay in her home for an unlimited amount of time. Normally a calm, controlled person, Tamara often finds herself being pushed to the edge by Sienna’s rude and endless troubles.
In the midst of her struggling relationship with Sienna, Tamara’s mysterious past slowly comes to light as she searches for a childhood friend. During her search, she learns how to open her heart to relationships. Her openness allows her to create a stable environment and an opportunity to bond with Sienna. Unexpectantly, a romance begins to stir for her with the main suitor being God himself.
Cheri Paris Edwards provides readers an eye-opening look at the disturbing consequences of poverty, drug abuse, child abuse, homelessness, and the juvenile system. Truly foster parents, social workers and childhood advocates have a special role in bringing a sense of security to a lost child. With sadness, some children are totally lost in the system. While they seem to be forgotten, Cheri Paris Edwards shows how God never forgets us. While fictional, Tamara’s story is a testimony that deserves to be read!
Choose Me
By Xenia Ruiz
Walk Worthy Press has really been turning out some good books in 2005! Xenia Ruiz is another debut novelist that offers a very “worthy” read. In Choose Me meet Eva a Puerto Rican, single mother of two college age sons. Eva is a growing Christian who has been celibate for five years. Eva is introduced to Adam who has refrained from intimacy with a woman, but not on purpose. Adam is a cancer survivor who has a new outlook on life.
Hitting it off upon their first few meeting, Adam and Eva decide to pursue a relationship with the understanding that no intimacy will be pursued until marriage. The couple begins to hit a wall as the temptation to pursue a physical relationship increases and becomes more fervent. The tricky part of dealing with the growing physical struggles comes in the fact that neither one wants to get married. Eva and Adams’ struggles threaten to tear them apart and unfortunately tragedy and heartache pushes them both to the edge.
Readers will enjoy the humor and vulnerability of the characters. The cultural richness of the novel is also an added treat as people of a Hispanic background are not often seen in Christian fiction. Tackling such issues as celibacy, forgiveness, racial profiling, adultery, Xenia weaves a tale of two people in love who learn the true art of how to love from the Master Himself.
Fiction•
on June 1st, 2005•
The Departed
By Kathryn Mackel
Kathryn Mackel’s novel The Departed is described as a Christian Chiller. At first glance it seems like these two words are an oxymoron. What could be scary about a Christian novel? This novel will change your mind! This book will definitely make you aware playing around in the spiritual realm can result in some scary results. With a contemporary storyline set in Raven, Massachusetts, Kathryn draws readers into the lives of a couple and the evil that threatens to destroy them.
Due to recent experiences with the spiritual world, Joshua Lazarus has become a well-known medium with a popular television program. While his show is popular among the masses, Joshua’s methods are quite fake and misleading. In the midst of Joshua’s success, his wife Maggie lingers out of the spotlight in order to give her handsome husband the appearance of being single for an adoring audience. Maggie eventually finds her own niche at Safe Haven, a day care center. Through Safe Haven’s owner, Amy Howland, Maggie discovers and accepts the Christian faith. Unfortunately, the new believer is caught between her husband’s success and the destructive forces that Joshua has unknowingly unleashed.
Not only does Maggie have to contend with her husband’s bizarre experiences with hearing voices, she also comes in contact with the occult where the ringleader wants to take over Safe Haven. Meanwhile, Joshua’s lack of understanding for Maggie’s new faith causes a larger strain in their already fragile marriage. Joshua becomes increasingly involved with what he deems to be the spirit world actually trying to communicate with him.
Mackel has written a very believable plot that introduces subjects that are prevalent right now. Their currently is a popular TV show on ABC called the “Medium.” Being an entertainer in Hollywood pits people in unrealistic situations. Readers can easily see how Maggie would be pushed to the side as a spouse and later how her faith would crash with her husband’s career. There are a lot more aspect to this book such as the tale of a father’s revenge and the real existence of occults that make this novel an eye opening, but entertaining read.
Now if you are new to this genre, it actually has been around a while. I think any avid Christian reader who likes to read books that are not considered your normal pat and nice Christian fiction will agree Frank Peretti is the “king” of this genre. After reading The Departed, I have to say Kathryn Mackel is the “queen.” After reading The Departed, don’t miss Mackel’s The Surrogate, an equally entertaining Christian Chiller.
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.
