Fiction Addict

Genre: Political Thriller

Publisher: Threshold

Release Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

We’ve all heard the story about the frog in the boiling water. Throw a frog into a pot of boiling water and he jumps out. Slowly raise the temperature with him already in the water and he’ll never notice the change until it’s too late and, well, croaks. That the layperson rendition of The Overton Window, a concept that underlies and serves as a title for Glenn Beck’s foray into the realm of political thriller. The concept is that ideas that seem radical can begin to be more accepted over time by slowly moving in the direction of the radical. Slow change is imperceptible change…until it’s too late.

Noah Gardner is the son of the world’s richest man, Arthur Gardner. The older Gardner is the mover and shaker behind many major world events, using his PR firm to bring his model of change onto the world. By leveraging hopes and feeding fears, he has established himself as the master manipulator. And he’s about to unleash his ultimate plan.

Noah, on the other hand, is just an overly paid exec in Daddy’s company, the one person Arthur knows he can trust to get the job done and not ask too many questions. He’s comfortable with his opulent lifestyle and sees no reason to live life any differently. But then he meets Molly Ross and his world almost instantly changes. Ross, fighting for freedom and democracy in a world quickly becoming more controlled by the government, finds herself hopelessly outnumbered and overpowered, but her group of patriots will not be silenced.

After hanging out in Molly’s circles, Noah finds himself conflicted between the two sides. Maybe his father is wrong. Maybe power does belong in the hands of the people. Maybe they aren’t all conspiracy theorist nut jobs. Just maybe.

The Overton Window is one of those books that clearly has a political agenda. Clue #1: Glenn Beck wrote it. But honest and refreshing Clue #2: he admits it in his introductory note, and discusses it at length in the afterword. Despite this, I am assured that Beck will be lambasted for writing a fictional story with an overtly conservative message. Truth is, politics aside, this is an enjoyable novel to read. The beginning of the novel starts shaky, with long dialogues that border on the non-fiction side, but once the story settles in it takes off in a hurry.

The plot is solid, making Beck’s underlying point all that more plausible. Fortunately for Beck, he shies away from some of the outright rhetoric he is occasionally known for, keeping things on the moderate scale. The focus also remains on the story, not the agenda, which helps bring out Beck’s political foundations in a very natural way. The afterword of the novel is also an incredible resource and contains instances of real-life events referred to in the book.

With The Overton Window, Beck creates solid characters and sends them on a thrilling journey full of conspiracies, nuclear bombs, and plots to take over the country. But it’s tempered with an intellectual basis that just might serve to teach as well as entertain. For a debut thriller, it’s a great read.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: November 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Reagan Truman has definitely settled into Harmony. Last time we saw her, she was still settling into the small town and trying to figure out how to fit in when she was used to running away. Now, though, she’s been completely woven into the fabric of the small town without a tangle or a loose thread. At one point one of the characters even grumbles that it sounds like she’s the princess of the town. I love that.

Reagan, Hank, Alex, Noah, and the other regulars in town that we so love and remember from Thomas’ previous book (Welcome to Harmony) are all back in this adventure with some new blood as well. Gabe Leary is a mysterious man who keeps to himself as much as possible and lives on the outskirts of town. If he doesn’t have to come in, he doesn’t. He’s fine with living life that way.

Liz Matheson, sister to fire chief Hank Matheson, is starting out on her own for the first time. As a young attorney, she doesn’t have the money or the resources for her own apartment, but tired of living with a very involved family, she decides to sleep in her office. But who is the mysterious man who rents an office across the hallway? He doesn’t have any office equipment. Only a box sits on a table for the mail. It’s intriguing and mysterious. This all becomes even more intriguing when she finally meets him and there’s an undeniable attraction between the two.

One of the things that I adore about Jodi Thomas’ writing is the men in her books. They aren’t boys and they certainly aren’t perfect, but they are great examples of handsomely overflowing testosterone. It’s the way God intended for men to be when He created them. (And living in Texas I can tell you that there are a lot of them around here similar to Jodi’s characters!) When I read Welcome to Harmony, I was impressed with Hank’s thoughts and response to Alex, the local sheriff in town. Gabe Leary is just as impressive in this outing. He’s got issues to deal with from his past and he knows that he’s probably not the best person with whom anyone in town should spend time. So when he gets himself intertwined in town politics by rescuing Reagan Truman from a life threatening situation, he’s not happy about the fact that he can’t fly under the radar anymore. But his respect for those around him never ceases and through everything, he grows and learns and becomes an even more incredible man.

Populated with characters that overflow the page and grab you by the heart, I loved Somewhere along the Way. Once again, I found myself utterly delighted and enraptured just a few pages into the story and I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to see what happened next and even tried to play hooky from work to finish the book. (I am not condoning this so if you try it, don’t send your boss to me eh? Now back to the review…) The plot twists were deep and unexpected from what I had thought would be a light romantic romp. Don’t get me wrong on that. It was a wonderful romantic romp, but light doesn’t really belong in that description. Jodi Thomas’ books are not bubble gum. They’re that sigh of delight that you have when you dig into the first piece of homemade cheesecake. It’s rich, it’s full and it’s utterly delightful. You won’t want to miss this one.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance, Historical

Publisher: Baker

Publication Date: November 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Major Jack Novak is really good at most things. He flies like he was born with wings. He leads men with style and grace that makes them happy that he’s their leader. And he’s rarely, if ever, failed at a challenge. When he gets injured by shrapnel throughout his backside, he lands in the same hospital where his brother, Walt, had his arm amputated. He also meets the same nurse who helped his brother, Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. Doherty is, in every way shape and form, a challenge to the suave handsome Major.

For her part of the story, Ruth Doherty has a past that she just can’t seem to leave behind her. From her early childhood, she’s never been able to escape the mistakes she made. Though her mother taught her to always trust in God and what He will bring into her life, she’s never felt that He was really there for her. For this reason, she’s decided she’ll never fall in love and she won’t let anyone near her heart.

When things begin to progress between Ruth and Jack, it turns both of these consummate professionals on their heads. Both of them, certain that they can both handle their feelings and that they both know what’s best, stubbornly take off on their own paths.

Sarah Sundin’s sequel to A Distant Melody does not disappoint. Some authors are guilty of writing a romantic story and just dropping it into a historical era. There’s little to actually tie these characters into their moment in history. With painstaking research into the era, the jobs and the techniques used by each character, Sundin manages to bring us realistically into a fascinating era and tell us the story of people in that era. This isn’t a story that’s been shoehorned into a popular time or place to entice people to read it. Instead, this is a detail rich experience that leaves the reader with a better understanding of what life was like back then.

With realistic explorations of sin, pride, and not letting go of mistakes, Sundin leaves no doubt in the reader’s mind as to what the consequences of these actions are. I love that she lays out the consequences plainly and clearly. Not giving grace or extending mercy will lead you down a dangerous path. Having pride or faith in yourself can cause harm to you and to others. And love is not just an emotion. It’s a choice. What will you do with it and how will you handle it?

Sundin’s books are a delight to read. You know as you’re reading that she has done her research. More than just romance, these books have a spiritual depth and understanding that, if given a chance, may be life-changing.  Dear Sarah, may I have some more please?

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Political Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Alan Dershowitz is rather well-known in the areas of American law and Middle Eastern political commentary and has written extensively on both topics; with books such as Is There a Right to Remain Silent? and Why Terrorism Works. Infrequently throughout his career, he’s turned to writing fiction. The Trials of Zion is his third fiction attempt after The Advocate’s Devil in 1994 and Just Revenge in 1999. All three novels chronicle the exploits of top-notch lawyer Abe Ringel.

The Trials of Zion begins with a shock. Just as peace – and a Palestinian state – is about to be created in the Middle East, a bomb explodes killing both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders, along with the US President who engineered the peace process. In the immediate aftermath, Emma Ringel, the daughter of famous criminal defense attorney Abe Ringel, joins the defense team of the Palestinian arrested for the attack.

It doesn’t take long, however, for Emma to find out that the Middle East is a dangerous place. Kidnapped and held for ransom, she is told that her kidnappers want only two things – the man accused of the bombing to be freed and her father to lead the defense. If Abe loses this case, her daughter will die. But, as always, the effort to prove someone’s innocence – even though their Palestinian friend wants to be a martyr – leads them towards the guilty party. And it is not who they expect.

First of all, I wish I’d known of Dershowitz’s previous novels before reading the book. It somewhat explains the flyby treatment the characters were given in regards to backgrounds and descriptions. Dershowitz probably should have considered that it’d been ten years since the last Abe Ringel book and the fact that most readers probably hadn’t read the previous books. You begin by feeling like you’ve missed out on something and it takes a while for you to catch up.

Dershowitz advances the plot haphazardly, constantly resorting to dues ex machina to solve his character’s predicaments or rushing over important events too quickly. Complicated questions are solved by a phone call and special favors called in and the smallest clues are extrapolated into gigantic paradigm-shifting revelations. While I’m all for suspending disbelief, Dershowitz just makes his story too unrealistic to believe, and writes the scenes in such a way that don’t help me believe it.

Where this book shines is in the courtroom scenes. Abe Ringel’s defense is stunning and I enjoyed learning of the differences between American and Israeli law. The courtroom drama is top-notch and Dershowitz would have done well to have written many more of these. The book also stands out for its political and religious commentary. He begins with a completely plausible scenario and then looks at how different sides would react to it. While critical of aspects of both Judaism and Islam, Dershowitz seems to take an absolute disdain for Christianity and evangelicalism in particular in the novel. While not being offensive (to me, at least) in that commentary, he is very inconsistent at well it is integrated into the novel.

In the end, I think there was a good reason Professor Dershowitz didn’t write fiction for over a decade. The Trials of Zion had great potential and the first few chapters started off really strong, but poor plot development really killed a story filled with fascinating characters. If you’re looking for a great take on Middle Eastern events, check out anything by Joel Rosenberg. If you want a good courtroom drama, then I’m going to recommend Randy Singer. As for Dershowitz, while he had all the elements of a good story, he doesn’t pull it together. I had expected a lawyer to tell a more believable tale than this.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children / Young Adult

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

Rick Riordan has not ceased to amaze me. Ever since I picked up a copy of The Lightning Thief in 2008 and read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians straight through, I have loved everything Riordan has put out. From his Egyptian offshoot, The Kane Chronicles, to even his entry in The 39 Clues, The Maze of Bones, I am always shocked and in awe of his story-telling. And the first outing in the new Heroes of Olympus series, The Lost Hero, is no exception.

I debated for quite a while as I read The Lost Hero whether a new-comer to Riordan could pick up this book and just start in, and I came to the conclusion that if someone hasn’t read anything by him, it would be best to go back to The Lightning Thief and start there. Otherwise, The Lost Hero would contain too many references to events and characters which wouldn’t make sense to someone who hasn’t read the books yet. So if you haven’t finished Riordan’s first series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I would say stop reading this review now and go back to The Lightning Thief.

The story begins with a boy named Jason, who suddenly appears in a school bus in the middle of the desert sitting beside Piper and Leo, two classmates that he’s supposedly been friends with for the past few months at Wilderness School. But Jason can’t remember any of that. In fact, he can’t even remember his own name or how he got there. I really don’t want to say much more than that, because diving too deeply into the storyline will only ruin the experience.

Per usual, the story is action-packed, and coming in at a hefty 576 pages, The Lost Hero, starts and doesn’t slow down until the very last page. As I read, I couldn’t help myself from gasping out loud. There was a new plot twist to almost every page I turned. At first, I kept wondering what on earth can Riordan do with the whole concept of Greek gods and mythology that he didn’t accomplish in the first five books – and I will admit part of me was a bit afraid that The Lost Hero was going to fizzle out and not live up to my favorite, The Last Olympian. But Riordan pulls out some unexpected ideas that meld seamlessly with the mythology he’s crafted throughout the first series.

The book is told in third-person, which is a bit of a switch from either The Kane Chronicles or Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which were both written first-person. The Lost Hero switches off between Jason, Piper, and Leo, each getting two chapters and then switching to the next. This aids in the character development, which is stronger here than in other novels from Riordan. The things that Piper and especially Leo grow through in the book felt real and done in a way that made sense with the story. The author searched out a lot of the issues that face students today, including abandonment in its various forms. In a way, I think The Lost Hero is one of his more serious books, and while there was definitely humor to lighten things up here and there, this one definitely came across as a much weightier story, for the characters and the plot.

While the story does center around Jason, Piper, and Leo, there are plenty of familiar faces around to tie things back to the first series. Cameos from people such as Chiron, Clarisse, Annabeth and others definitely were fun and added an interesting dimension to the storyline. Riordan also mines some lesser known myths in the Greek works and gives us some exciting battles with old foes that are just as deadly as anything Percy, Grover, and Annabeth faced – and sometimes, much, much worse.

The Lost Hero ends up rising above and beyond anything I expected from Riordan, and will definitely get readers excited to revisit Camp Half-Blood and its demigods. And now, we only have to wait until Fall of 2011 for the next volume, The Son of Neptune.

Book purchased by reviewer.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Dates: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Miriam Walker has a problem. She’s an American living in Saudi Arabia and her husband has disappeared. She can’t go out in public alone without harassment. Her husband’s co-workers, mostly Saudi Arabian themselves, won’t speak to her. The one American she does know is angry and seems to have a chip on his shoulder when it comes to her husband. Her dilemma is frightening, horrifying and surreal for an American woman to even begin to imagine.

Katya is a police officer in Saudi Arabia. Like the rest of the country, the police force offers a completely new set of rules that women must follow, with one of the important ones being that she must be married. Katya is not, but she still wears the ring from a previously broken engagement. This helps her fly under the radar such as it is.

Populated with the most amazing characters that I’ve come into contact with in a long time, City of Veils reaches beyond mere entertainment. This is a book to be devoured and enjoyed, yet at the same time you’re delighting in the mystery; it’s also giving you insight and knowledge into a world that so many here in the U.S. do not understand. Its amazing how intricately woven the plot remains as it’s threaded with rich details and understanding that could only come from someone who understands the cultures of both America and Saudi Arabia.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up City of Veils, but a taut, thrilling murder mystery was certainly not it. Ferraris introduced me to an alien world that exists only a plane trip away yet is as different as if it were another planet. Where women must hide every part of themselves and punishable offenses are as easy to commit as looking the wrong way at the wrong time. Into this world she injected a crime of passion wrapped up in a religious mystery.

This book was amazing and stunning well beyond what you would expect from the title or the cover. With intense plotlines that move at a lightning pace, a mystery that seems impossible to solve and fantastic glimpses into Saudi society, there’s not a single thing more than one could ask from a story such as this. Highly entertaining, richly beautiful and stunningly crafted, City of Veils was a book that was difficult to imagine at the same time that it was impossible to put down.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt and Company

Publication Date: April 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Bridget loves drawing and painting. She does this best above all other things and like all great painters, she wears a beret. It provides her with inspiration. Then one day, the wind blows off Bridget’s beret. Despite Bridget’s best efforts to reclaim her beloved chapeau, she cannot find it and no other hat will do. Without her inspiration, how will Bridget ever paint again?

A simple tale of a lost hat, Bridget’s Beret by Tom Lichtenheld is, at the same time, an education in art, inspiration and perseverance. Bridget’s frustration with herself feels natural and entirely relatable to those who struggle with their creativity.

The colored pencil and watercolor illustrations bring Bridget to life; she seems like a close friend that has leaped from the funny pages. Readers will find whimsical interpretations of well-known paintings within the pages as well as images of famous artists. In the end matter, Lichtenheld offers methods of inspiring one’s self with examples of classic art.

Both adults and children will enjoy this friendly tale.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Religious, Romance

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publication Dates: October 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Allison Chamberlain is a Christian. She knows Jesus and she knows all about the stories throughout the Bible, but the reality is, she doesn’t quite know what to do with them. Or with her faith. She goes to church faithfully every Sunday and she’s got her little group she meets with to do a Bible Study. She even has some men who are interested in her, one in particular, a really nice man named Bonner.

Still, Allison has no interest in doing anything new or exciting. She’s as content as she can be with her job as a carriage driver/tour guide in her small town and when the pastor suggests that she take on some new responsibilities, she’s not interested in the least. That is until the day she feels the Nudge.

The Nudge is this thing that she can’t explain. A voice in her head or sometimes a physical shove, the Nudge puts these ideas out there that Allison knows for certain are not coming from her. For example, why on Earth would she ever tell herself to buy a Harley? Then again, why would God tell her to buy a Harley? No idea. But she’s certain that’s who it is. Because suddenly words are coming out of her mouth that she’s never imagined and (go figure) she’s buying a Harley.

Where the Harley (and the Nudge) takes her is a completely different story and an amazing new chapter of her life. One day she’s chauffeuring tourists around the city and the next she’s riding her Harley into the darkest deepest drug pits to save a prostitute because the Nudge sent her there.

Allison’s journey is heart-wrenching, emotional, and painfully real. The dialogue that Rue peppers through the story is honest and at times, stunning. This is the third book of Rue’s that I have read and in each one, I’m amazed at how deftly she slices through the religiosity and gets to the heart of the matter. I love that her books shake away the chaff of so many things that churches and Christians seem to focus on these days. It’s not the kind of clothes you wear or the words you speak. It’s what God wants you to do and share that’s important and vital to what we are supposed to be doing here on Earth.

I loved this book. That’s what everything boils down to for me. The characters, the dialogue and the plot twists meld together to create a beautiful story in which nearly everyone can find themselves. Whether it’s the desperate prostitutes who step out of a life of sin and into redemption to help others or the reluctant prophet herself who refuses to acknowledge her past pain and sin, someone will touch your life. If you’re a Christian, it’s also likely you’ve also met some of the church members who aren’t quite ready to embrace radical change.

Nancy Rue’s book is beautiful, deep and rich. It may also be life changing. I think that many things and people in this world would likely be better if they were to listen a little closer to The Nudge and follow what God has told them to do.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Historical, Romance, Adventure

Publisher: Summerside Press

Publication Dates: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Loralei Kepler is a Texan born American living in Europe during the horrors of World War II. Her father, a German resistance fighter, is her world since her mother passed away. And then there’s Eben. Tall. Strong. Handsome. The subject of Loralei’s schoolgirl crush, he’s more than just a resistance fighter. He appears to know and understand more than anyone should in this type of situation. When Lora shares her love with Eben, it seems that both of their hearts are destined to break. He says she’s too young. She feels the sting of his rejection.

All around them, war is simmering and stewing, ready to burst into a full blown boil that threatens to drown everything good in Europe. Along with her sister, Jessica and her niece, Lora and her father flee their home and begin a journey across Europe that will open Lora’s eyes to the world’s suffering and heartache.

Brock and Bodie Thoene are artisans of storytelling. Their books tend to cut through the history and straight into the hearts of people who lived it. This helps separate it from grainy black and white pictures or words written on a page. It feels, while you’re reading, that these characters are very real. They live and breathe as much at Thoene’s incredible plots and storylines do. Reading one of Thoene’s books is like stepping into a time machine and traveling to the past. A wealth of knowledge and information transport you into the story and in many instances, make you come out a different person on the other side. (I know of no one who has read Thoene’s incredible Zion series that has not come out affected and changed when looking at modern day politics.) This story is no different.

When we begin the story, we are as innocent as Loralei Kepler herself and yet, by the end, we’ve grown with her through the trials and traumas of war. We’ve watched as Eben, a mysterious and enigmatic character, weaves his way in and out of the story and also, Loralei’s life. As she struggles with her feelings of being a young widow, she also struggles through the loss and depravity of war. When she finally sees Eben again after many years apart, it is with a sigh of relief at the familiar caring man that she knew when she was young. We, as the observers of her story, also breathe a sigh of relief, though we all know that Eben is much more than just a handsome man. We may not know what exactly he is, but a prophet is at least one of his many titles.

At times it feels like Eben is trying to hold back the waves of the ocean with a teaspoon and still he fights.  Loralei, determined to stand up against the war in any way she can, fights at his side and we get to witness their love story ripen and grow.

For anyone who loves Brock and Bodie Thoene’s previous work, this book is a must read. A magical nearly mystical tale of romance, history and drama, it is a delight to devour. To join the Thoene’s in their world is a superb honor and you’ll find it difficult to put down. Be prepared to set aside time in your schedule do devour this new tale. You’ll be glad you did.

Review copy provided by Wynn Wynn Media.

Genre: Historic, Religious, Romance

Publisher: Moody Press

Publication Dates: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Rahab the Harlot. Most people know the story of this woman who sold her body for a living but ended up changing her life drastically to become one of the only women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ.  Rahab saved her family and herself from the destruction of Jericho by the Israelites. Mentioned throughout the Bible as having great faith and having been saved by that faith, Rahab saved two Israelite spies prior to the fall of Jericho and in return, they saved her and her family.

This story has always intrigued me though. There are only a few short verses in the Bible about Rahab, but they are always significant and filled with impact. Rahab is mentioned in the New Testament as a woman of great faith. She’s also mentioned in the gospels for her significance in the lineage of Christ.

Tessa Afshar brings this story to vivid and brilliant life. She delves into the idea that Rahab was not a common prostitute and that she was sold into slavery. She creates a back-story for Rahab that is rich and deep with understanding. Instead of choosing prostitution (which may be the case in reality- I don’t believe it’s mentioned in the Bible why she’s a prostitute) as a way of life, Rahab is sold into prostitution by her parents in order to keep the family afloat. It’s horrible and painful, but it helps lead to Afshar’s journey of faith in Rahab’s life.

Unlike other authors who have tackled Rahab’s story, Afshar doesn’t end it with ‘happily ever after’ upon the pronouncement of Salmone’s marriage to Rahab. She delves into the process of how it may have been that Rahab and Salmone met and came to the point of marriage and then beyond that, what might marriage between a prostitute and a leader of the Israelites looked like. Certainly there wasn’t some magical Disney type ending where everything became perfect with the words ‘I love you.’ There must have been some trust issues, concerns, and fear to work through on both sides of the equation.

I love how realistically Afshar portrays the feelings and emotions of both Salmone and Rahab. With heart-wrenching twists in the story, vivid descriptions and beautiful moments guaranteed to remind you of your own faith, Afshar breathes modern day relevance into a story that shapes the image of the greatest story ever told.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Yearling

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Lyle Williams (otherwise known as Mudshark) is known for finding lost things: shoes, homework, even cars! With his sharp thinking, keen powers of observation and nearly photographic memory, he can find just about anything. And it’s a good thing, too! He attends a chaotic school where tanks of crayfish fill the classrooms, where something strange is happening in the faculty bathroom and where a gerbil runs amok. Worst of all, the erasers have disappeared from all the blackboards. Yes, the school needs a smart guy like Mudshark to figure things out. But then a parrot comes to live in the library—a “psychic” parrot that threatens to step on Mudshark’s gumshoed toes. How will Mudshark resolve each problem and take on a talkative bird?

Newbery Honor-winner Gary Paulsen uses deft touches of humor in Mudshark to create a main character as likable as he is intelligent—a refreshing combo for a middle grade book.

Some secondary characters in the book seem unnecessary, forcing readers to wonder how these characters will matter in the end (they don’t), but readers enjoy themselves so much that this becomes of lesser importance. The quirky characters and their random problems are just real enough to intrigue without crossing into the impossible.

The slim book with thirteen short chapters invites readers to pick it up. The mysteries pull the reader along and the humor induces chuckles. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this inventive tale of a smart kid who uses his head and becomes the hero of the school.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Publication Date: November 2009

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

As the sun sets and darkness drops, a young girl and her dog progress through an evening routine, including a doggie birthday. But a storm and backyard raccoons threaten the peaceful evening. Only the light remains constant through the night.

Night Lights by Susan Gal projects warmth and gentleness through its pages as it prepares the reader for bedtime. Lights guide the tale in this picture book: candlelight, firefly light, moonlight and others. The text is minimal, supplying only the name of the light source encountered, while the charcoal and digital collage illustrations tell the story of the girl’s evening and the light’s role in it. Gal deftly handles the play of light on the pages; this emphasis in word and picture truly makes the book remarkable.

The book’s quiet simplicity and strength reflect the character of light and will comfort tired or frightened children.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Listen as Jake Chism, Tim George, Josh Olds, and James Andrew Wilson discuss Bill Myers’ latest novel, The God Hater. This one is bound to have readers talking…it’s certainly caught our attention.

NOTE: This discussion is designed for those who have read the novel. You can read our spoiler free review here.

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Genre: Graphic Novel, Contemporary, Thriller

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by James Andrew Wilson

Odd and the gang are back with another graphic novel adventure. Odd is on Our Side is a second prequel to the 2003 classic Koontz novel: Odd Thomas. The first graphic novel featuring our favorite fry cook (In Odd We Trust) was released in 2008 to great success. It only makes sense to revisit Pico Mundo for another outing, right?

Well, almost.

Like a new dollop of pancake batter in the pan, Odd is on Our Side begins with syrupy potential. Unfortunately, someone forgot to add the extra special ingredient to the mix, and the book comes out tasting bland.

It’s not all bad. After all, this is still Odd Thomas, and any amount of time in his world is bound to be enjoyable. We get to see the first visual representation of bodachs, and they certainly do not disappoint—neither does our time with the famous character Ozzie Boon, or the banter between Odd and the always lovely Stormy Llewelyn. Queeni Chan’s artwork is wonderful and she does a brilliant job of capturing the small details and the over all feel of the story world.

The main problem with the book is the motivation of the villain. It would be giving away too much to explain exactly why this aspect of the story doesn’t work—but suffice to say that the nasty individual responsible for attracting all the bodachs to Pico Mundo is four eggs shy of a three-egg omelet when it comes to brains.

All in all, if you’re a fan of Odd Thomas, you’ll enjoy yourself with Odd is on Our Side, but I suspect in the end it will frustrate you more than anything. These little graphic novels are a fun diversion, but it’s time we moved on to the main course. Mr. Koontz, please serve us up a new grand slam Odd adventure—we’re hungry and waiting!

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: October 2010

Reviewed by Tim George

Dr. Nicholas MacKenzine is a brilliant professor of philosophy, one of the last hold-outs against the onslaught of modern technology, and a man whose greatest sport is to demolish the faith of the young students who entrust their minds to him. Oddly enough, his best and perhaps only friend is Annie Brooks: professor of biological sciences, single mother, and wounded yet still faithful believer. In spite of their differences the two have a common denominator in Annie’s five-year-old son. That and the fact Annie is the only person who is not intimidated by the philosophical bullying of the man who could rightfully be nicknamed The God Hater.

When Nicholas is contacted by his computer hacker brother who has spent much of his adult life in trouble with the law, everything he has taught as philosophical theory finds a venue to become alarmingly close to reality. Bankrolled by a mega-corporation the Professor’s brother and his team of researchers have discovered a way to create an artificially intelligent community in a computer simulation. But they need help. Every scenario they run eventually finds the digital characters in their computer model coming to a tragic end. Though Nicholas is appalled at his brother’s use of technology a startling revelation about the subjects of the computer program leaves him no choice but to help. And, no matter what atheistic philosophy the Professor introduces into the program, things eventually fail. It is then when Dr. MacKenzie hits on the idea of introducing a set of guiding principles or Laws to the characters in their computer simulation. Though this runs against everything he believes, or doesn’t believe, it seems to be the only answer.

The story that follows takes place in two worlds: the real world of Nicholas MacKenzie and Annie Brooks and the cyber-world of the beings created by the Programmer of the real word. From there, reality and simulation grow increasingly blurred as Nicholas allows himself to become immersed in the computer simulation. Since I hesitate to tell any more of the story, here is part of the synopsis from Bill Myers’ web site:

The only way to save them is to create a computer character like himself to personally explain it. He does. So now there are two of him — the one in our world and the one in the computer world…(sound familiar?).

Unfortunately, a rival has introduced a virus into the computer world. Things grow worse until the professor in that computer world sees the only way to save his world is to personally absorb the virus and the penalty for breaking the Law. Of course it’s clear to all, including our real world professor, that this act of selfless love has become a complete reenactment of the Gospel. It is the only possible choice to save the computer world and, as he finally understands, our own.

I can imagine some who read this saying, “How on earth can this be Christian fiction?” My question to them is, “How could it not be?” The God Hater stands on even ground in the strong tradition of C.S. Lewis by finding an inventive way to speak to the modern world about a timeless reality. And perhaps no one has come closer to Ted Dekker’s “Circle” in weaving a modern parable of sin, the Incarnation, and redemption than Bill Myers in his latest novel. This story works on almost every level. Sure, you have to suspend belief a bit but not much. And don’t worry; there is some necessary tech-speak at places but it takes back seat to realities that are all too familiar. This is a story filled with suspense, action, introspection, and hope. Perhaps it will remind us to go back and re-read The Story of redemption with fresh eyes and tender hearts.

You can listen to our audio commentary on The God Hater here.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Romance, Medical

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: September 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Claire Boehning is at a turning point in her life. Her husband’s brilliant career as a research scientist has just taken a sharp downhill turn. Some might liken it to falling off the side of a cliff. Now she and her daughter Jory are relegated to moving to the cabin that they’d previously only enjoyed for getaways and vacations, it’s more than a lifestyle shift. Everything she’d known and become comfortable with in life is now gone. It’s more like a reboot of her life. She’s starting over.

A long, long time ago, when she met her husband, she was a promising young doctor. Sidelined by a bad decision that she let take over too much of her life and a surprise pregnancy, Claire never finished her exams or qualifications to become a doctor. Now, all these years later, she’s desperate to find a job and wishing she could have found a way to follow through.

Cassella’s story covers so many facets it’s impossible to categorize. A story about marriage under duress, financial difficulties, parenting a teenager, the reality is that at its core, this is an a-typical coming of age story.  Claire has lived an abundant life with her daughter and her husband but now she must switch gears and take a completely different direction. This new direction takes her down a path of discovery. Beyond wife and mother, who is she? What are her goals in life? How do you take a step backwards? Is this a step backwards? Or could it finally be a step in the right direction? Claire’s journey of self-discovery is sometimes painful, sometimes joyous and at once brilliant in its direction.

I love the plot twists, the characters and the descriptions. One particular segment about a teenage girl’s life as a revolving door was brilliant. The idea that you have to wait for the right opening to jump in and be involved stuck with me as a mom of a pre-teen. She hit the nail on the head with so many things about love, marriage and career that it was hard to absorb all at once. After I closed the cover, it still stuck with me and I found myself thinking about each of the characters and where they may be now.

Cassella’s tale is beautiful, brilliant and agonizingly real in its depiction of family, marriage and career. Definitely not a fast or overnight read, Cassella’s story will tangle your heart and your mind together at the same time it entertains and delights.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Young Adult

Publishers: Tyndale House

Publication Date: April, 2010, October, 2010

Reviewed by Anne Barnhill

Sandra Byrd’s new series, London Confidential, started in April, 2010 with the first two books, Asking for Trouble and Through Thick and Thin, which chronicle the life of Savvy (short for Savannah) Smith as she navigates the treacherous path through early adolescence.  Savvy faces the usual teen dilemmas, but this series is different from many.  Savvy is not just any teenage girl; she is a Christian who takes her faith seriously.  This does not mean she is perfect or a ‘goody-two-shoes.’  It does mean that she considers most of her actions before she takes them and she says her prayers at night.

In Asking for Trouble, Savvy’s family (Mom, Dad, little sister Louanne, dog Giggle) has moved from Seattle, Washington to London, England–quite an adjustment for 15-year-old Savvy to make.  Like most teens, she is anxious to fit in and make new friends.  She tries a variety of clubs but nothing suits her until she sees an advertisement for the school newspaper.  The editor, Jack, is handsome and she’s always wanted to write so she gives it a go.  The position she lands is nothing as glamorous as reporter or photographer–Savvy delivers the papers.  Will she be able to make new friends and make a place for herself in Merry Old England?

In Through Thick and Thin, Savvy has completed her first term at Wexburg Academy but she has not yet found friends, nor has she proven herself on the newspaper.  She writes the advice column, “Asking for Trouble”, but her identity remains anonymous.  She wants to do a column where she can actually get credit where credit is due.  Then, Savvy notices an advertisement for a photo shoot in Vogue magazine.  She knows if she can somehow get into that shoot, she can write the column for the Wexburg Academy Times and make her name as a reporter.  But, what is she willing to sacrifice to succeed?

In Don’t Kiss Him Good-bye, Savvy is finishing up her first year living in England.  She is surprised by the British tradition of the May Day Ball.  It seems everyone has a date for the ball but Savvy.  Then, as she continues with her secret identity advice column, someone emails her, telling her that he knows her secret–he knows she writes the Asking for Trouble column.  Later, she gets a mysterious phone call also mentioning her part in the column.  She is afraid whoever is contacting her will blow her cover and her career at the school paper will be shorter than she’d intended.  To add to her problems, the one boy who seems interested in her is a notorious bad boy.  She needs a date; he’s interested.  What will Savvy do to get to the dance and save her newspaper career?

In the final installation, Flirting with Disaster, Savvy has to decide what to do with those irritating chain letter emails.  Is there such a thing as luck?  Can you bring good or bad luck on yourself?  Where is God in all this?  On a more casual level, will Savvy become the poster girl for the old saying, “Sweet Sixteen and never been kissed?”  She certainly hopes not, but there don’t seem to be very many boys who are interested in her.  She finds the Aristocat (her term for the wealthy, popular kids) Tommy very appealing but he would never be interested in her, would he?  In this last book of the four, Savvy grows up and also grows in her faith.

While these books seem a bit didactic for my taste, perhaps a young girl would not feel that way.  However, I think these books would suit my younger granddaughters (8 and 11) rather than the 13-year-old.  But I’m going to send them along anyway in the hopes that the themes of Godly living will have an impact.

Review copies provided by publisher.

Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: August 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Kit Livingstone is having a hard time believing everything he’s being told. He’s bumped into his great-grandfather in the middle of an alley in London and now he’s facing the reality of ley lines. These ley lines, the stuff of myth and legend, are pathways to other worlds and it’s possible to use them to bounce back and forth between alternate worlds. Kit doesn’t want to believe it, but after a trip of his own, it’s something he has to accept.

When Kit sees his girlfriend later that evening and realizes how very black and white his world is in comparison to the world he saw by following the ley lines, he knows that he has to prove it to her himself. So he takes Mina back to the alley and that’s where things get really interesting. Mina disappears, Kit tries to follow her. His grandfather shows up. And adventure begins.

Stephen Lawhead is a virtuoso of fantasy. His previous fantasy series, The Song of Albion Trilogy remains one of my favorite reads ever. It’s a series that feels like a friend when you open up the books. Laced with familiar characters, dense mythology and lush descriptions that beg to be read aloud, it remains a hallmark of Lawhead’s writing career.

The Skin Map, the first book in his new series, Bright Empires, has the potential to rival The Song of Albion series.  Lawhead has created a way for his characters to travel anywhere in his imagination. There are no limits or boundaries. The worlds can be traversed easily and yet, rather than keeping it wide open with nothing to pull it all together, Lawhead gives his reader a grounded thread to tie the worlds together. A map created by another ley traveler who realized early on that his travel between the worlds was vital enough to tattoo his journey on his own skin.

The characters in this book are quirky, fun and well rounded enough not to be two dimensional caricatures. In parts of the book, the logic and reasoning behind the ley lines can sometimes be overwhelming. This is not a simple afternoon read on the beach. But I think that the dense description and the grasp that Lawhead has of this story (even when sometimes I felt like I didn’t) helped me to identify with Kit more. After all, he’s been dumped into this world just as quickly as and even more unceremoniously than I was. I mean I knew when I sat down and opened up the book that I was in for a wild ride with Lawhead at the helm. Kit had no idea.  So even though in places it’s difficult to follow and I felt a little slow on the uptake, it didn’t matter. Lawhead was taking me on a journey and I wasn’t about to complain or ask him to slow down so I could keep pace.

The descriptions remain so vivid that you feel like you can taste, touch and hear the worlds in which the characters find themselves. Rich vibrant journeys, witty dialogue and a fast paced adventure all partner to make this one of Lawhead’s more delightful journeys yet. My biggest issue with The Skin Map at this point is that I have no idea when to expect the next installment. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later. If not, I may need to go searching for my own ley lines so I can hop into a world where the series is already complete.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Genre: Military Suspense/Thriller

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Former U.S. Navy SEAL, Max Jacobs has lost everything to his quick and violent temper. When his wife, Sydney, files for divorce, Max becomes a threat to himself and those around him. One night, after a near fatal accident a man offers him a second chance. Someone is putting together a secret group that will silently and invisibly clean up messes the government cannot be involved with. This presents the ticket Max needs to place his life back on track — if only he can keep his temper in check.

Journalist, Sydney Jacobs loves her husband, but his tours of duty have changed him. Max is no longer the same man she married. When a brawl between her husband and one of her co-workers ends badly, Sydney finds she fears the very man meant to protect her. She requests a restraining order and files for divorce. In an attempt to put her life back together, she pursues a story with leads that take her abroad. She soon learns that uncovering the truth can prove dangerous and even deadly.

With her second novel, Nightshade, Ronie Kendig demonstrates that her first novel wasn’t beginners luck. Kendig knows how to offer page-turning suspense and characters the reader will care about. While they are flawed it is their mistakes that make them real. Nightshade provides action, romance, and suspense. For those of you who like me think those are the best combinations in novels, you will not be disappointed. As with her first novel, Dead Reckoning, a quality novel thriller doesn’t come at the expense of vulgar language or sex. I strongly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the second installment in Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series.

Review copy provided by publisher.