Fired Up

You'll be...

 

Fired Up

By Mary Connealy

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a couple of months, and have pre-ordered the hard copy version, but I jumped at the chance to read it when the publisher offered it for review. I devoured the story, reading it in less than 24 hours. A couple days later, I read it again to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I loved it both times.

            It’s the sequel to Swept Away, the second book in the Trouble in Texas series. It shifts the attention from Luke Stone and Ruthy to Dare and Glynna. If you read the Kincade Brides series, Luke Stone is Callie Kincade’s (from Over the Edge) brother. This book focuses on Doctor Dare Riker and Glynna Greer from the first book. Dare doesn’t think of himself as a doctor, but he just can’t help himself. He is, even though he has no formal education.

Poor Dare (short for Darius). Someone’s trying to kill him. They tried three times in Andersonville during the war, and now someone has tried three times again, inflicting injury each time – through avalanche, through fire, and finally stabbing him with a kitchen knife in the night. His Regulator friends Vince, Luke, and Jonas can’t protect him 24/7, even though they’d like to. His romance with widow Glynna Greer has a lot to overcome, including her son Paul’s intense hatred of any man who comes close to his mother. Is he the one trying to kill Dare or is it a raving lunatic?

Dare is a vulnerable, yet very strong, hero. So what if he’s hurt, he’s still on his feet and helping others. Glynna finds strength she didn’t know she had through helping Dare. She is the self-proclaimed “second-best doctor in Broken Wheel.”

I hope in future stories more of the Regulators’ story in Andersonville comes out. Seeds of a possible third book are planted in this one between Vince and Jonas’ sister. That looks to be interesting as well. I actually hope there will be four, so that Jonas the preacher can find someone too.

The thing about all Mary’s books is the language she uses, like “mangy polecat” and “squawked like a startled chicken.” She breaks a lot of writing rules. (At least I can’t get away with ‘em.) But the humor makes you give her a break and enjoy the story just as she tells it.

I really liked this book as I liked Swept Away, and many other books by Conneally. In the past eight months, I’ve read nearly all of them.

Storm Warning by Billy Graham

Storm Warning
By Billy Graham

            I’m a bit late in getting this review in. I received this book for review from Thomas Nelson three years ago – about the time I got too busy to review for a while.

            With terrorists, bad weather, natural disasters, and global economy crashes, Billy Graham paints a serious picture of our planet and of mankind. He discusses the cults of spiritual deception, in other words, we believe not the truth, but other belief systems or embracing other religions. He talks of the cult of self, me, myself, and I – we put ourselves first, and others possibly not at all.

 

           He talks about the changes he has seen in his lifetime, just in Russia, for example. When he began his ministry, it was part of the U.S.S.R., and now not only has communism fallen, but there is a revival of sorts brewing.

            Using the book of Revelation, Mr. Graham goes through the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, the red, the pale, white, and the black horses. Each has their own meanings. The red horse rides and there have wars, rumors of wars, and aggression from Third World nations.

            He then goes through the seals, and we can be sealed in Christ to weather the storm. This book comes as a warning to be sober, aware, and to acknowledge the truth.

            Mr. Graham has a practical style of writing that mirrors his preaching. He lays out his points, and explains them in easily understandable language. That’s just one of the reasons he is a beloved evangelist, preacher, and author.

            Even though this book is three years, because I’m late in writing this – I won’t be late when Christ returns for us in all His glory.

            I’d give this book five stars. It’s still applicable today.

 

A Home in Drayton Valley

This novel is set in 1880 New York City but quickly moves to northeast Kansas - to a lovely place known as Drayton Valley.

 

     Tarsie Raines, an Irish-woman, hopes to help her friend Mary, Mary's husband Joss, and the

two children find health and happiness in Kansas.

 

     Before they get there, however, tragedy strikes, and the rest have to go on to Drayton Valley

alone.

 

     Joss and Tarsie marry, but theirs is a marriage of convenience.

 

 

 

     Tarsie takes care of the two children, while Joss works, making their small shack more of a home, as much as possible. Things go along for awhile, but Joss doesn't believe God cares about him and he drowns his sorrows in drink.

 

     Tarsie's faith is sorely tested, but she receives encouragement and friendship from Ruth, and her husband Simon, a precious Negro couple. Simon works with Joss, and teaches him how to be the man of the family, and encourages him to trust the Lord for his life.

 

     Eventually the two begin to fall in love, but they don't share their feelings. Things build to a head, and Tarsie leaves. Can Joss find her and get her back?

 

     I received this book free from Bethany House in order to write a review. My opinions are my own. Speaking of which...when I first read it, I wasn't terribly impressed. I've read a number of historical romances, and it seems that this was a bit contrived. I know in the old west a lot of marriages of conveniences occurred. As a reader, you know who is going to end up with whom, the only question is how does the author bring them together? In this book, the author uses death, the death of Mary.

 

     All in all, I'd rate this book a little above average. The best characters were the Negro couple Ruth and Simon. I loved the scenes they were in, and I loved their characterizations.



 

Search for Significance

inSignificant

by Chris Travis

 

“Why you matter in the surprising way God is changing the world.” That’s the subtitle. If you’re looking for a bit of encouragement to be unselfish – this is the book for you.

We all want to live a life that matters. We all search for significance in our lives. This book basically tells you – help the ‘least of these’ – the ones who are needy. In that way, you’ll be significant. You help change others’ lives, and you’ll find your own destiny, your own purpose along the way.

The author based this book on two years of his life teaching in a bad school system in New York City. The book chronicles how hard things were the first year…how rebellious the students were, how it stripped him of hate. How he cried – more than ever. And how the acclaim and self-worth he had previously felt while being on staff at a church – was totally missing in this job.

His second year went better, he says, because he learned the lessons of the first year. After his second year, the school was shut down. He is now a pastor, planting a church in New York City.

From the description of the book, what I actually got was not quite what I expected. Maybe it’s just me. The ‘youth’ of the author came through quite clearly. Maybe I’m cynical – sometimes it comes with being middle-aged and having been knocked around by life a bit, but someone who only had one bad year out of their life – hard though it was – well – I didn’t get as much out of the book as I had originally hoped to.

Obviously, this book is written for the widest audience possible – as the author doesn’t take it for granted the reader knows much about how God works.

It’s not surprising that God can use anyone. It’s not surprising that we matter to God. So, for me, it wasn’t a surprising book at all. I had the book figured out before I was even halfway through it, but I was committed to reading the whole thing through the book review program. This was the first book I’ve reviewed in several years. It was the first one I was hoping would actually ‘help’ me with my own issues of ‘significance.’

It didn’t, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be encouraged by it. This book is published by Bethany House and is available through www.ChristianBook.com.

How About Plan W or X?

Plan B

By Pete Wilson

Plan B? My life is about on Plan W or X by this time. I hope there aren’t many too more ‘walls’ I have to hit or dark places of the soul I have to go in my life. My last one was 3-1/2 years ago, and I still feel like I’m healing from that breaking – which was the worst I’d ever had. I actually hope I don’t have to go through anything that severe again. I hope I’ve learned to depend on God more and break when I need breaking easier and quicker.

I jumped at the chance to read Plan B by Pete Wilson, published by Thomas Nelson, because I’ve so many ‘plans’ of mine shattered in my life before. The lessons Pastor Wilson teaches here are good ones. They will help you get through life’s lemons. It’s not about making lemonade, it’s about letting God transform you out of your shattered dreams.

Through Biblical stories and real life stories of people he knows, Pete Wilson will take you through the stages of a shattered dream and a broken life. Using the examples Naomi, the disciples, Joshua, and Job, we learn some of the things that happen, and how to get through them.

Wilson also deals with all the questions, all the platitudes, and well meaning comforters who can’t comfort. He believes that during our crisis, we are getting “more than we can handle” so that we will find ourselves in a place where we must depend on God just to get through our day.

I was touched by stories he related: his friends whose ministry dreams were shattered because of the birth of disabled twin daughters, of the successful businessman who was clueless that his wife was going to leave him, of the family of a four-year child who died of a brain tumor. There are many more.

The questions, the doubts – everything we think and feel when we go through a crisis is addressed in this book. And although Wilson admits he can’t give you a “pat” answer or tie his conclusions up in a neat little package – his points are communicated and I believe it will become a manual to help others through the breaking and shattering we all go through at one time or another.

My life has had so many dreams shattered, I’ve lost count at how many times I’ve had to re-invent myself. My latest breaking occurred 3-1/2 years ago. I’m coming out of the darkness associated with it, but it was still fresh enough that this book was helpful in giving me hope. Because we need hope. We need community. We need to respond by choosing God through crisis, if we’re to become who God wants us to become.

And for some of us ‘dull’ people….Plan W, X, Y, or Z.

Not a 'Wonder' to Me

Wonders Never Cease
by Tim Downs

I found this book a bit contrived and yet, a bit whimsical. It’s not Tim Downs’ first book, but it is obviously a departure from his regular fare of ‘mystery.’

Here’s what I’m looking for in a “Christian” book. I’m looking for at least one strong Christian character that is obvious. The rest can be heathens, agnostics, etc., but there should be an “obvious” character. In this book, there is a somewhat “obvious” “Christian” character in Emmet, whom you realize later there is more to meet the eye.

The main plot is that Kemp McAvoy, a male nurse, medical residency failure, concocts a scheme to try to make money, a lot of money, by using his medical knowledge to make a has-been movie star think she’s seen an angel.

Natalie is the single mother – her daughter Leah seems to be having trouble coping with her parents’ divorce two years previous. Even though she attends a “Christian” school, they are concerned when little six-year-old Leah says she has seen angels. She just “knows” that’s what they were.

Natalie’s live-in boyfriend, Kemp, seems more distant than ever just when Natalie needs him the most.

The assortment of secondary characters was somewhat interesting, if rather cardboard and predictable. You’ve got three shady characters, a literary agent, a loan shark, and a publisher that are as crooked as the day is long.

The redeeming quality of the book is the little girl, Leah, and Emmit, the ‘janitor’ who seems to be the only one who believes Leah sees angels. I wonder why.

I would rate this book average, but it didn’t jerk my chain. I found it sort of whimsical and somewhat far-fetched. I also remembered a “Touched by an Angel” episode similar in nature to this basic plot. The writing was above-average, but I think there might have been a more compelling way to tell this story. It would barely rank as a “Christian” book – probably more of a “crossover” book. It seems “Christian” publishing now means “crossover” and “watered down” fiction to try to “draw” the non-Christian into reading it, without preaching. What are we coming to? If we’re going to say “Christian” – let’s be Christian. Let’s be bold about it. Jesus told compelling stories. Why can’t we?

Disclosure: I received this book free because I am a book review blogger.

Charmed by Beguiled

Beguiled

by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

This book is labeled romantic suspense. It fits well into that category. In another review, I bemoaned the fact that particular book was more “tell” than “show.” Not so with this book.

I liked this book. There was snappy dialogue, with just the right amount of narration and description.

The first scene grabs you and puts you on scene very quickly. As layer by layer of mystery are unpacked, the romance grows. Rylee, a professional dog walker, seems to have a connection with a series of burglaries. But these burglaries aren’t ordinary. They’re being committed by a Robin Hood type burglar, who doesn’t steal the most valuable thing in the house – he usually just steals one particular thing, then donates it for charity to sell and give the money to the poor.

Logan is a reporter investigating the series of burglaries. The meeting between Logan and Rylee has a very large dog chasing Logan up a monument in the historic district of Charleston, South Carolina, where the novel is set. The apparent opposites of Logan and Rylee begin to attract them to each other – whether they like it or not.

As the investigation and mysteries grow, so do the feelings between Logan and Rylee. What is Rylee’s connection? Who is the Robin Hood burglar and why is he only picking out one particular thing to steal? Who is stalking Rylee and why?

Then break-ins become more “violent” by nature. The early break-ins, in some cases, weren’t even detected for days. But the later ones have come with destruction as it obvious by the trashing of the place, there was a break-in.

The romance between Logan and Rylee evolves. There are still ups and downs, as in any relationship, including trust and truth issues.

There is some “blatant” Christianity in this book, for which I was grateful. Even though I liked this book, I would like to have seen more “blatant” Christianity in it. My feeling again, was that this is a “crossover” type book. But the writing style and the “show” of the novel encourage me to recommend this book anyway.