THE SOLACE OF WATER by ELIZABETH BYLER YOUNTS

THE SOLACE OF WATER by ELIZABETH YOUNTS takes place in Pennsylvania in 1956 when racial tensions were running very high in America. In the story we see interaction between an Amish family on the one hand, and a black family on the other, living in a community divided between Amish, "Englishers" and African Americans. Although there are no signs up, as there are in the South, there is still segregation between White and Black.
Malachi and Delilah Evans and their family move to Sinking Creek, where Malachi is to pastor a church, in the hope of starting afresh after losing their young son, Carver.
Delilah, or Deedee as she is called, holds her fourteen year old daughter, Sparrow, responsible for Carver's death. We see how grief takes hold of Deedee to the extent that she really cannot function properly, how she blames Sparrow relentlessly and how her unkindness leads Sparrow, who feels very guilty for not looking after her little brother, to feel unloved and worthless.
Emma Mullet, the wife of an Amish head deacon, also has a great sadness - she cannot get over losing her little daughter. She is lonely and has a hard time covering up her own secret and that of her husband, John. Their son, Johnny, is friends with the wrong crowd and Emma is afraid for him.
These two unlikely women, unable to get on with the women in their own communities, are drawn to one another. We see their friendship growing, even as they battle to hold to the traditions of their very different churches.
Emma and Sparrow become very close. Emma sees Sparrow as her own daughter and gives her the affection that she has not received from her mother since Carver's drowning. Deedee gives Emma the affection she craves as well.
The pond on Emma's property, and water in general, play a big part in the story. As we see Emma, Deedee and Johnny helping to clean people up and put ointment on their wounds, we are reminded of how the Lord takes us, battered and filthy as we are, washes us clean, and restores us to life in Him.
The story is beautifully told and we really get insight into the struggles that the characters are going through. It is a story of friendship, forgiveness, restoration, accountability, family relationships, making the right choices and the importance of being real and honest with one another.



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THE KREMLIN CONSPIRACY by JOEL ROSENBERG

THE KREMLIN CONSPIRACY is another epic political thriller by JOEL ROSENBERG. I have read and enjoyed all of Rosenberg's novels, and this one is no exception.
The story starts in Russia in 1999 with a series of bombings where civilians are being killed, and which the acting Russian president, Zacharov Luvanov, attributes to the Chechens. Luvanov, after attacking Chechnya, is seen as the saviour of Mother Russia and is quickly voted into office.
Oleg Kraskin marries Marina, the president's daughter, leaves his partnership in a legal firm and goes to work for his father in law. He sees this as the
opportunity of a lifetime.
We are then taken to Colorado in 2001 where we meet Marcus Ryker and his childhood sweetheart, Elena Garcia. Marcus joins the Marines after the Twin Towers tragedy, marries his girl and joins the Secret Service.
These two young men, patriots from opposite sides of the globe, have a lot in common and are destined to meet in very unusual circumstances.
The story will keep you on the edge of your chair! The Author is very well versed in Middle Eastern politics and his descriptions of impending war in the area makes one feel things are going to blow up any minute!
It is a story of courage and patriotism in a volatile situation, with a psychotic madman on one side of the coin, and a president who is loath to stick his neck out on the other.
I really enjoyed the novel and can highly recommend it as being a really exciting read with a strong Christian message.
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THE SEA BEFORE US by SARAH SUNDIN

THE SEA BEFORE US is the first in the SUNRISE AT NORMANDY series by SARAH SUNDIN. I have read and enjoyed all her novels, in which the stories are worked out against the backdrop of the Second World War. THE SEA BEFORE US mostly takes place in 1944 in London, with the build up towards D Day and the battle that changed the tide of the war. It is obvious that the Author has done a great deal of research. It is a beautifully told story in which we see courage, heartache, unrequited love and family relationships as some of the issues discussed. The Christian message is firmly woven into the story.
Dorothy Fairfax is a WREN working at headquarters in the mapping section, where they receive postcards and photographs, sent under the guise of holiday memories, in order to scope out the landscape on the French coast, looking for anything sinister.
Lieutenant Wyatt Paxton is from Texas. He ran away from home and is now in London. He feels very guilty for his past, even though he knows Jesus died on the cross for him. He is a Prodigal who feels he cannot go home, or even write to his family until he has made enough money to pay his brother back for the money he stole from him. He and Dorothy are good for one another. They make a pact that he will write to his parents if she will go to church.
Dorothy feels unloved by her father, who is grieving the deaths of his wife and two sons. She feels she is unlovable with her freckles and boisterous nature. When Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Eaton comes in to her life again, she tries to be sophisticated. It is a good thing she has always been good at play acting. She has loved Lawrence since she was a chubby child and her brothers brought their dashing friend home for holidays.
There is a cleverly worked out plot and it is a most enjoyable book, especially for those of us who are looking for good biblical content and are interested in the history of that time period. I read the novel straight through twice and can highly recommend it.
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HIGH TREASON by DIANN MILLS

HIGH TREASON by DIANN MILLS is a gripping political thriller with a good dose of romance and a strong Christian message. I really enjoyed the story and could not put it down, being kept guessing until right at the end. The characters are well portrayed and we are given insight into relationships, particularly those between Middle Eastern men and women. Love, forgiveness, hatred, jealousy and loyalty are some of the issues that are dealt with in the novel.
Kord Davidson of the FBI and Monica Alden of the CIA have been chosen to head up Prince Omar of Saudi Arabia's protection while he is in the United States. He has come to bring his mother, princess Gharam, to receive cancer treatment. He is also hoping to improve Saudi-American relations, by making concessions in the oil business.
The attacks on the prince and his entourage threaten Saudi-U S relations. How could the attackers know the prince's timetable, which is a closely guarded secret? Who is the mastermind behind the attacks, and where will they attack next? Are the terrorists from Iran, ISIS or Iraq, or are they Saudi Conservatives?
Kord and Monica have to work together to keep Prince Omar and his family safe and they both have a few rough edges rubbed off in the process! They each have issues from the past and take a while to open up to one another. I like the way Kord relates with his friend, the prince, and how Monica becomes fast friends with the two princesses.
The novel is fast paced and exciting and well worth reading.



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THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY by COLLEEN COBLE

THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY by COLLEEN COBLE is Christian suspense at its best, with a good dose of romance.
Shauna McDade is a young widow who is left with a young son when her husband falls to his death in a climbing accident. She blames her husband's best friend, Zach Bannister, who is a real daredevil, for encouraging Jack to do dangerous things. Zach is devastated by his friend's death and blames himself for what happened. Shauna is forced to accept Zach's help when it becomes obvious that there is a killer on the loose who wants something from her. She and her son, Alex, move in with Zach, much to five year old Alex's delight. Alex adores Zach and the feeling is mutual.
The plot is well worked out and the characters are very real. The story is gripping and fast paced and the Christian message is good. We see the importance of dealing with fear, unforgiveness and even hatred. We also see how God protects and provides for His children and brings good out of really bad circumstances. We see Shauna's love for her son and her friends, and even for her drunken father, and Zach's willingness to put his life in danger in order to save Shauna and Zach. This is contrasted with the greed and pure evil shown by those who are willing to do anything in order to carry out their wicked plans.
I enjoyed the novel and can really recommend it. Whatever you do, do not start reading it too late in the day or the suspense could keep you reading all night!

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IN PLACES HIDDEN by TRACIE PETERSON

IN PLACES HIDDEN by TRACIE PETERSON takes place in San Francisco in 1905. I particularly enjoy this Author as she writes really good stories filled with biblical truth. Her characters are real and in many ways we can relate to them.
Caleb Coulter is a lawyer who seems to have upset the wrong people by looking into corruption in the city! He has disappeared and no one knows what has happened to him. Is he still alive? Has he been "shanghaied" and forced to work on the ships? His parents are sick with worry and send his sister, Camri, who is devoted to her brother, to San Francisco to look for him. She meets two young ladies on her travels who become dear friends, even though they are very different in outlook and situation. Judith is looking for her aunt and Kenzie is getting over being jilted at the altar.
The Author touches on matters such as class distinction, discrimination against the Chinese, Jews and Irish, and poverty in general. A lot of things that are hidden are uncovered.
We see Camrianne Coulter, to start with, as a bit of a snob. She is a strong proponent of women's rights and the importance of education, especially for women. She feels women should be self-sufficient. Her friendship with Judith and Kenzie, Patrick and his sister Ophelia, opens her eyes to see how proud and opinionated she has become. She has never really had close friends before, never realizing she needed them, and recognizes that these down to earth people have a very wide practical education which did not come from books! As the story unfolds, we see her turn more and more to the Lord, trusting in Him rather than in her own strength. We also see how the Lord can bring good out of even the most desperate situations and how He answers prayer.
It is an exciting read with a good Christian message.



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