Nine - A Review

 

Nine

by

Rachelle Dekker

Nine is a difficult book to review. It contains far more graphic violence than I would want in a book I would normally read. In addition, coming from a Christian publisher, it has little direct connection to the Christian faith.

Yet it serves as a good parable of how one can change when they receive undeserved love. Three protagonists, coming from three different places, will need to experience that undeserved love before they can experience the freedom they each desperately need.

It would take all 350+ pages of the book to convince me that this book, this parable, would have something to teach us about that love. In that the book has value.

In some ways the story might fit better into a graphic novel or a Marvel movie spectacular - yet it still remains a valuable parable that can reach deep into the heart. I would give the book 3-½ stars if I could, instead it gets a 4-star review.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Dead Silence - A Review

Dead Silence

by

Robin Caroll

Because Elise Carmichael’s son was deaf and mute, she had learned ASL (American Sign Language) and lipread. What she “heard” across the lobby the of the Arkansas Federal Courthouse shook her to the core, but she promptly forgot it moments later when she received word that her son had been injured and taken to the hospital with a broken hand he received after falling at the playground. She forgot about the overheard conversation until the next day when she received word that her mother-in-law had been murdered the previous night. Thus begins the story that would lead to her being accused of murder and her son being kidnapped to keep her quiet.

This faith-based thriller explores the anguish of a widowed mother trying to balance her and her families safety with the need to allow the police to investigate the murder of a U.S. Senator - a tight rope she was not sure she could handle well. In the process she will learn to increase her trust in God - whether in the midst of fear, anger, or disappointment.

The book easily could find its way into a public, church, or a believer’s private library. The author does not push God upon the reader, but allows him or her to face the issue of faith along with Elise and her family and friends. The book might make a good birthday or Christmas gift for a non-believing friend or family member. Easily, a five-star book from this author.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

My Fair Latte - A Review

My Fair Latte

by

Vickie Fee

Vickie Fee gives us a fun cozy mystery with lots of friendly characters and enough suspects to keep the reader busy trying to solve the crimes before the author reveals the guilty parties.

Halley Greer has just inherited her Uncle Leon’s single-screen movie theater. The theater had seen better days - and now needed some work if it was to return as a functioning business. Halley Greer and the community of Utopia Springs AR were willing to invest their time and energy cleaning, painting, and re-modeling to make the space useable, if not quite up to its former glory. Along with classic films, Halley chose to make the theater a showcase of local cuisine - coffee, wine, bread, and pastries.

Opening night appeared to be a success. The three-hour movie My Fair Lady was the opening show, the theater was sold out, patrons were indulging in the available snacks, and Halley was excited. At least until the intermission - that was when the body was found sitting in the auditorium, the dead body.

The story held this reader’s interest. Suspects ranged from Halley to the son of the family who owned the Chinese restaurant. The police kept searching for clues - but it was the work of Halley and her friends that would finally allow the pieces to fall into place. 

Though the community of Utopia Springs was nice, I was disappointed that the beverages of choice were beer and wine - though the theater had its own coffee bar and also served fountain drinks to those too young to imbibe. Coffee and soda were available, but we rarely see individuals drinking anything but beer and wine - lots of beer and wine. It would be enough to keep this reader from wanting to visit this tourist-centered village. And it is enough that this reader would not consider adding this book to his personal library. It is also why I would only give this book 3-½ stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.