Tag: Christian novel

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Standoff, by Patricia Bradley, 2020, Revell(Baker Publishing Group)

I met Patricia Bradley in a small Zoom conference for writers last month, and she kindly offered to do a critique for me of the novel I am working on. What an honour! Now I’m excited to be reading her latest novel that just came out. I chose it out of several books that Revell wanted reviewers for. My review is due today, though probably because of COVID19, I only received it here in Canada a few days ago. So far I’ve managed to get a third of the way into this 384 page novel. I don’t want to spoil my enjoyment by skimming ahead, but already I can recommend it.

Standoff, by Patricia Bradley

Standoff is a romantic suspense, the first in a series called Natchez Trace Park Rangers. Chapters are short and each one is written from a different character’s point of view, so it took a few chapters for me to get familiar with who’s who. The main character, Brooke, is in her early 30s. She is about to embark on a new career, following in her father’s footsteps as a park ranger, when everything goes awry.

So far, a third of the way in, three people have been shot, there are many suspects, and two great prospects are vying for Brooke’s affection. The story is fast-paced, although I admit that I have to stop from time to time to sort out the characters and their positions. Various levels of investigators and law enforcement are involved in solving the mysteries of who shot who and why. It has to do with a major ring of drug smugglers at a time when the government is considering legalization.

Brooke doesn’t know who can be trusted. As a reader I catch glimpses of several secrets and dangers. I hope she will stay safe and perpetrators will be brought to justice. And I hope she will choose the right suitor. One of them is giving me a bad feeling.

Natchez Trace is a parkway in Mississippi. Several scenes take place at historical tourist sites. I think from now on I’ll always be wary when visiting tourist attractions. Characters are armed with various types of guns, something I’m unfamiliar with as a Canadian. Learning lots! If you like mystery and suspense with some romance in the mix, with family values and spiritual thoughts too, then this is for you!

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A Simple Christmas Wish, by Melody Carlson, 2013, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Rachel is a city gal, a flight attendant who has traveled the world, and the aunt of a sweet little girl who she is caring for while her brother and his wife are away celebrating their tenth anniversary. Christmas is coming and the two of them have their own fun in their own way while Holly’s parents are away, putting up a Christmas tree that Rachel knows Holly’s mother would not have chosen. Suddenly there is a phone call with shocking news. A plane has gone down and Holly’s parents have not survived. In that instant their lives are changed forever. But just as Rachel begins to wrap her mind around being Holly’s permanent caregiver, which she is actually truly enjoying, she receives another call informing her that there is another aunt on the mother’s side of the family who is to have custody. Neither Rachel nor Holly have ever met this aunt or any of the other relatives of Holly’s mother, who live in an Amish community. What should Rachel do? She seems to have no choice in the matter. She decides to take Holly there herself and meet the people who Holly is supposed to live with. This book is a nice light read and an interesting way to learn about the Amish way of life from the viewpoints of these two main characters who knew nothing about it before being plunged into Holly’s new family.  In some ways they find it quite likeable, this tightly-knit family farming community. But will Holly really have to stay here permanently, away from everything and everyone she has known up till now?  And what about Rachel?  Holly is her only family and at 35 years old she fears she may never have children of her own. There is an element of mystery as to what made Holly’s mother leave the community to begin with and an element of romance when Rachel meets Holly’s uncle.  A range of emotions are experienced with all the changes being encountered.  How does each character handle their new relationships?  What is attributed to the Amish protocol and what is due to personality traits of the people in Holly’s new family?  You’ll have to read it yourself to find out. www.revellbooks.com
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The Atonement Child, by Francine Rivers, 1997, Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

The church librarian recommended this book to me because she knew my novel was on a similar topic, of a young unwed woman who finds herself pregnant. Although times have changed since the ’90s, some things have always been the same for women. Francine Rivers is an expert at bringing out all the factors around the situation in a way that captivates and draws the reader into the story. Her writing flows smoothly so this 375 page book doesn’t feel like a long read.

The young woman has a genuine faith in God. There are many voices all around her pushing her to make a decision she doesn’t feel right about. She is betrayed by those who she thought loved her the most. Will she go with their advice or bravely make her own decision? It looks like God has betrayed her too. How can she keep trusting in Him when He let this happen to her? Is her life ruined? Surely she would not be expected to bear this child under the circumstances, at least that is what everyone is telling her.

However, the pregnancy reveals the hypocrisy of those she thought she could count on. In an unexpected twist, she finally finds help from the least likely source.

The author exposes the motives of all the people and organizations in the young woman’s life. It brings up the issues that surround illegitimate pregnancy in the realm of Christianity as well as the unfairness between men and women. Thankfully, it seems to me that Christians are less judgmental than 20 years ago, but the book is definitely worth reading! Also, Christianity isn’t the only faith that grapples with these issues. People of other religions or even atheists and humanists could exlore the ways they think of illegitimate pregnancy too through reading this.

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