A Lie Don't Care - A Review

 A Lie Don't Care

by

J C Anderson

I have very mixed reactions to J C Anderson's novel looking at dysfunctional families and churches. Some of the book borders on pornography, other parts are illustrative of God's grace toward very hurting people. The two pictures do not mix well; I have a difficult time recommending this author's attempt to blend these images. There may be an audience for which this book would be a good match, I cannot think of one.  I give this book one-star.
________________________

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher - the opinions are mine alone.

A Plot for Murder - A Review

 

A Plot for Murder

by

James R. Callan A Review

James R. Callan has written a faith-based cozy mystery featuring Father Frank and his sister Maggie. Maggie is an author or she wants to be. Three years earlier she attended The Piney Woods Writer’s Conference and had shared her newly written novel with a conference speaker. Three years later she has discovered that the author had copied her book (changing only the names and places) and published it under his own name. Now, Maggie is attending the newest version of the conference where the same speaker was invited back as a speaker. Her plan was to confront him - except he ends up murdered and Maggie is accused of the crime.

Father Frank is not so much an amateur sleuth as he is a man with a lot of contacts both in Lakota Lake TX (the site of his parish) and beyond. He is able to use the contacts to assist Texas Ranger Dick Richards, providing leads to follow based on information gained from his contacts.

The book is lighter and gentler than many cozy mysteries. Father Frank brings a bit of grace to a world of broken people while also maintaining the confidences shared with him as a pastor. The author weaves in the need for both Justice and Compassion within the criminal justice system.

I enjoyed this easy to read book originating from rural Eastern Texas and expect others will as well. I give the book 5-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Microphones and Murder - A Review

Microphones and Murder

by

Erin Huss

Henery Press offers another great cozy - the perfect one for a computer nerd.

Liv Olsen has left her job as a production assistant for true crime podcaster Mara Lancer who had told her she did not have enough “oomph” to have her own podcast. Liv left her job, sold all she had of value to buy the tools needed to have a legitimate podcast, and had arrived in Santa Maria to investigate the disappearance of 23-year-old Amelia Clark 10 years previously. She had come to Santa Maria at the request of former Detective Leon Ramsey to put fresh eyes on the only case he had open - he wanted it solved before he died. Sadly, that was not to be. He passed in the midst of his first interview with Liv and her step-sister/peon, Camry. Though he would not live to see the crime solved, it was the first push Liv needed to jump on the case.

Liv and Camry could not move forward by themselves - it would take a team consisting of family and friends to keep the case moving and to keep them safe.

The book provides an interesting look at the life (albeit, fictional) of a podcaster. While weaving in brief hints at the technology needed for a successful podcast, the mystery moves forward at a nice clip holding this reader’s interest from the first page. Though most of the plot takes place in Santa Maria, we learn little about the town itself. This lack of detail made me think the community was fictitious until a Google search showed that Santa Maria did lie on the coast 150 miles north of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara county. A bit more detail may have made the place worth visiting, the lack of detail did not make the place worth visiting. Perhaps that was the author’s intent.

What is provided is a good cozy in a setting that was new to me. Those familiar with California or the coastal region north of Los Angeles would find this an interesting read. The surprise ending just adds additional worth to the book. Cozy lovers and public libraries are encouraged to add this book to their collections. This reviewer will be looking forward to the next book in “The Podcasting Mystery Series” from Erin Huss.
______________
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.

Beneath Copper Falls - A Review

Beneath Copper Falls

by

Colleen Coble

A Review

It is not often that I ask to review a book that I do not want to read, but having read two chapters of this book, I know that this book is not for me. Those two chapters contain three episodes of physical abuse.

Now, I normally enjoy a romantic thriller; I enjoy most episodes of Criminal Minds (most, not all). But I also have lived with my wife for almost a half century as we both have struggled with the repercussions of the physical abuse that she and her mom experienced during her childhood. This book starts out with a sufficiently dark tone that I am choosing to not read it.

The publisher offers a gotcha - the reader must review the book and rate it. So my one-star rating is the value of this book to me. I recognize that others will like it more than me, but given my history and that of my wife, this book is not something I can or want to read. Several years ago, as I began reviewing books on a regular basis, I tried to return a book to this publisher because I did not want to read it (I do not remember why). At that time, they allowed me to do so, but was told that writing a poor review was better than not writing one. So I offer this, my brief response, to this book.

______________

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Touched - A Review

Touched

Book 1: Encounter Series

by

Paula Wiseman

A Review

Paula Wiseman has the habit of writing books that focus on people's lives - not mystery, murder, robbery, etc. - but lives that people have lived and the “stuff” that people bring with them as they live their lives. She has done a great job of doing that again in “Touched”.

Donna Sue Grant, the first person author, begins by writing,

Secrets come in all sorts and sizes. Sometimes, they are as sweet as an engagement ring in a nervous boy’s pocket. Other times ... they threaten to shatter your very self. With those kinds of secrets, it’s difficult to judge if keeping it or telling it is more damaging.

And as Donna Sue Grant hid her secret, she knew it was true. Her secret, like most abuse, was burden that was difficult to let go. “Touched” is the story of how she did that.  It is a story than many travel as they move out of abusive relationships, regardless of the abusers relationship to the abused. It is not an easy journey, but one that can lead to wholeness. Paula Wiseman has done a good job of describing the journey of fictionalized character.

If I were to stop this review at this point, it would be a five star review. But the author has endorsed a glaring error in the course of writing this book. Her husband, a counselor in training, serve as Donna Sue Grant’s primary therapist. If this had been a pastor, he might not know of the ethical issues involved in treating his own family. But Phil was being trained in a state university with an exemplary reputation and was being supervised in his current practice by a licensed therapist. He should have learned, as I and every trained therapist learns, that there are ethical issues surrounding the treatment of members of one’s own family. It is the same ethical issues that require that a doctor relinquish treatment of their family to other physicians - who are able to be professionally objective as they treat patients, or in this case clients. For this reader, this flaw raises large red flags that are not addressed in any way within the confines of the book.

The story has a lot to teach the lay person about the history and effect of abuse on its victim. We get a picture of the burden it puts on the abused, his or her need to protect themself and their abuser. But it also illustrates the freedom that can come once the abuse is revealed. Justice is not always possible, but as scripture says, “The truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32).  The book also presents a clear picture how faith can influence the lives of individuals and families. The author has not stepped back from addressing how faith will change the lives of those who will listen to God’s voice.

This family has more to teach us - the next book has been written, though not yet published. I will be looking forward to reading it in the near future.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

The Congregation - A Review

The Congregation

by

Desiree Bombenon

A Review

I almost did not read “The Congregation”; I found the first book in this series so disturbing that I felt that it might not be worth my time.  My concerns were only partially correct. I found this newest book starring Jake and Amanda Bannon to be less offensive and somewhat positive in its presentation.

The earlier book had so much graphic violence that I had to, at times, put it down and walk away before I could continue. The current book did have violence, but not to the extent that I had to walk away. The current book also avoided the use of unexpected explicit sex - the other fault I had with “The Offering”.

Two themes seemed to be driven home by Ms. Bombenon in “The Congregation”.  The first was the ultimate consequence of abuse - whether from parents to child, spouse to spouse, or church leaders toward congregants under their “care”.  Those who are abused are affected by that abuse - and it spreads until someone says, “Stop.” This does not mean people are not hurt, but the abuse does not need to continue being spread.

The other focus of the book is redemption - even the most abuse, the most damaged individuals may have something powerful and positive to offer to those around them. At the same time, abused and hurt individuals may not find redemption. They are so damaged, so wrapped in the life they have created, that they cannot see the good that could come from their lives.

Though wrapped in a package surrounded by religion and the church, the book is not a Christian book. Abuse occurs within the walls of the church; redemption comes not from the church, but in spite of it.  That faith is almost totally absent from the story does not mean there is no value within its pages.

The bottom line: read with care. Though the themes are ones with which my followers will be familiar, they are not presented in a typical fashion.  If this is done, you, like me, may find value in Desiree Bombenon’s latest work of fiction.

______________

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.