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

Sweet Amber - A Review

 

Sweet Amber

by

William Lynes

A Review

He was an alcoholic. He knew it. He did not care.

He lost his family. He lost his reputation. And he was about to lose his medical license.

He had been drinking the night of the governor's surgery. Both before and after the surgery. He had been charged with a DWI that night on the way home.

And the governor had died.

Two questions remained: Who was responsible for that death and what was Dr. Lee W. Hickok going to do about it.

Sweet Amber addresses the problem of alcohol within the medical community - looking at the issue from the perspective of the alcoholic, the medical staff, and the patient. Each part of the triad contributes to the problem. And each has a responsibility to address the problem - or suffer the consequences of their choices.

The author uses a fictional episode at a major hospital in Galveston TX to illustrate the issue from the perspective of mid-1980s medicine. It would seem appropriate to include a final essay addressing the issue in light of 21st century medical care. Alas, the author does not do this, leaving the reader to research and reflect on how the issues are played out in a more modern setting. The book does have a level of suspense and is stomach turning at times. At the same time, we see evidence of God’s grace working in the lives of a broken physician and his friends and family. I give the book four 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 mine alone.

Tell Her No Lies - A Review

Tell Her No Lies

by

Kelly Irwin

Who does Nina Fischer trust? Her dad? Nope, he left before she was born. Her mom? No, she is an alcoholic with a history of lying. As an adult child of an alcoholic, she had learned her lesson well - you can’t trust anyone. And with the murder of her step father, the question becomes even more confusing.

Kelly Irwin has written a new romantic thriller that held this reader's attention from beginning to end - broken people are not all bad people, some are, but not all. Kelly would learn that as she sought answers to her step father’s death. At times more questions would arise than answers, but slowly, surely, Nina would find most of the answers and the God, that she needed; but some questions would not be answered - or would take even more time.

Though most of the book focuses on the homeless community, brokenness is found in all walks of life. Some people come out of it better people, others find themselves even more broken, and others are still seeking to find their way out of the hole they have built for themselves.

My biggest disappointment with the book is that there is clear path to a sequel - there is room for more character development as relationships continue to be built and cemented. Short of that, this book represents one of the best faith based books of the genre that I have read. In spite of this flaw, it is easy to give the book a 5-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.

A House Divided - A Review

A House Divided

by

Robert Whitlow

A Review

The book focuses on a family of lawyers. Lawyers, yes; family, not so much.

The book opens with the funeral of Corbin Gage’s ex-wife, Kitty - ex, because they had divorced ten years earlier. The split was based, as most are, on many factors; but each had its root in Corbin’s drinking. He “wasn’t an alcoholic”, but his wife and family needed distance from the uncertainty that alcohol brought to their relationship.

Corbin’s law practice was still there - but it was shrinking. He could barely afford to keep his administrative assistant on the payroll. It was the light workload that kept Janelle Griffin around the office.

It was the first day of work after the funeral that things began hopping. A new client walks in, Corbin’s son, Ray (also a lawyer), is seeking to move into private practice law after serving in the DA’s office for six years, and Corbin’s daughter, Roxy (also a lawyer), has a boyfriend that is becoming increasingly serious. The catch, the new client’s case will become the reason Ray is forced from his new job in private practice and the reason Roxy loses her promotion at the large firm where she works. Oh, did I tell you Corbin is an alcoholic.

I have long been a fan of Robert Whitlow - having read most (all?) of his books - legal thrillers occasionally compared to John Grisham. This newest book fills the bill. Combining the damage of industrial waste, the effects of alcoholism on a broken family, and God’s grace, Whitlow has woven a story that held this reader’s attention from the first chapter to the end of the book. Along with this captivating legal drama, the author also introduces his audience to the principles and attitudes which have allowed Alcoholics Anonymous to be successful in supporting the recovering alcoholic and their families. This former aspect is not done in a forceful way but is carefully intertwined into the story as it unfolds in the Gage family.  

My only concern, if that is the right word, is that I want more. There are questions still to be answered if the entire picture is to be seen:

• Where will Roxy work now that she has lost her job?
• Where will Roxy and her new husband live?
• How do Roxy, Ray, and their families work through the effects of a lifetime of living with an alcoholic (could Al-Anon help)?
• Will Corbin Gage’s small, struggling law practice survive into the future?

Robert Whitlow has had both stand alone novels and series of books with shared characters.  My hope is that this current book falls into the latter category. In the meantime, the potential reader will not be disappointed as he or she chooses to pick up this book and read another story of God’s grace working in the hearts of broken people.

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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.